# VizionStreamer Socket Control API

VizionStreamer can be controlled via a Unix Domain Socket interface. This allows external applications to configure camera parameters and stream settings at runtime.

**Copyright (c) 2025 Maik Jurischka**
Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

## Socket Connection

- **Socket Path**: `/tmp/vizion_control.sock`
- **Protocol**: Unix Domain Socket (SOCK_STREAM)
- **Message Format**: JSON

## Command Format

All commands follow this JSON structure:

```json
{
  "command": "command_name",
  "params": {
    "param1": "value1",
    "param2": "value2"
  }
}
```

## Response Format

All responses follow this JSON structure:

**Success Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Optional success message"
}
```

**Error Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "error",
  "message": "Error description"
}
```

## Available Commands

### 1. Get Available Formats

Retrieve all supported video formats.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "get_formats"
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "formats": [
    {
      "width": 1920,
      "height": 1080,
      "framerate": 30,
      "format": "YUY2"
    },
    {
      "width": 1280,
      "height": 720,
      "framerate": 60,
      "format": "MJPG"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Supported Formats:** YUY2, UYVY, NV12, MJPG, BGR, RGB

---

### 2. Set Video Format

Change the video format (resolution, framerate, pixel format).

**Note:** Cannot be changed while streaming is active.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_format",
  "params": {
    "width": "1920",
    "height": "1080",
    "framerate": "30",
    "format": "YUY2"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Format set successfully"
}
```

---

### 3. Start Streaming

Start video streaming from the camera.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "start_stream"
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Streaming started"
}
```

---

### 4. Stop Streaming

Stop video streaming.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "stop_stream"
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Streaming stopped"
}
```

---

### 5. Set GStreamer Pipeline

Configure the GStreamer pipeline for video output. This determines where and how the video stream is processed/displayed.

**Note:** Cannot be changed while streaming is active.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_pipeline",
  "params": {
    "pipeline": "videoconvert ! x264enc ! rtph264pay ! udpsink host=192.168.1.100 port=5000"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Pipeline set successfully"
}
```

**Common Pipeline Examples:**

1. **Display locally:**
   ```
   videoconvert ! autovideosink
   ```

2. **Stream over UDP (H.264):**
   ```
   videoconvert ! x264enc tune=zerolatency ! rtph264pay ! udpsink host=192.168.1.100 port=5000
   ```

3. **Stream over RTSP (requires gst-rtsp-server):**
   ```
   videoconvert ! x264enc ! rtph264pay name=pay0
   ```

4. **Save to file:**
   ```
   videoconvert ! x264enc ! mp4mux ! filesink location=/tmp/output.mp4
   ```

5. **Stream over TCP:**
   ```
   videoconvert ! x264enc ! h264parse ! mpegtsmux ! tcpserversink host=0.0.0.0 port=5000
   ```

6. **MJPEG over HTTP:**
   ```
   videoconvert ! jpegenc ! multipartmux ! tcpserversink host=0.0.0.0 port=8080
   ```

---

### 6. Get Status

Get current streaming status and pipeline configuration.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "get_status"
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "streaming": true,
  "pipeline": "videoconvert ! autovideosink"
}
```

---

### 7. Set Exposure

Configure camera exposure settings.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_exposure",
  "params": {
    "mode": "manual",
    "value": "100"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `mode`: "auto" or "manual"
- `value`: Exposure value (only used in manual mode)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Exposure set successfully"
}
```

---

### 8. Set White Balance

Configure white balance settings.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_whitebalance",
  "params": {
    "mode": "auto",
    "temperature": "4500"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `mode`: "auto" or "manual"
- `temperature`: Color temperature in Kelvin (only used in manual mode)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "White balance set successfully"
}
```

---

### 9. Set Brightness

Adjust camera brightness.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_brightness",
  "params": {
    "value": "50"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Brightness set successfully"
}
```

---

### 10. Set Contrast

Adjust camera contrast.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_contrast",
  "params": {
    "value": "32"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Contrast set successfully"
}
```

---

### 11. Set Saturation

Adjust color saturation.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_saturation",
  "params": {
    "value": "64"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Saturation set successfully"
}
```

---

### 12. Set Sharpness

Adjust image sharpness.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_sharpness",
  "params": {
    "value": "3"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Sharpness set successfully"
}
```

---

### 13. Set Gamma

Adjust gamma correction.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_gamma",
  "params": {
    "value": "100"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Gamma set successfully"
}
```

---

### 14. Set Gain

Adjust camera gain.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_gain",
  "params": {
    "value": "0"
  }
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Gain set successfully"
}
```

---

### 15. Set eHDR Mode

Enable or disable eHDR (Enhanced High Dynamic Range) mode.

**Note:** eHDR features are only available on specific camera models: VCI-AR0821/AR0822, VCS-AR0821/AR0822, VLS3-AR0821/AR0822, VLS-GM2-AR0821/AR0822, and TEVS-AR0821/AR0822.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_ehdr_mode",
  "params": {
    "mode": "0"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `mode`: "0" to enable eHDR, "1" to disable eHDR

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "eHDR mode set successfully"
}
```

---

### 16. Set eHDR Exposure Minimum

Set the minimum number of exposure frames for eHDR.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_ehdr_exposure_min",
  "params": {
    "value": "1"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `value`: Minimum exposure frames (range: 1-4, default: 1)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "eHDR exposure min set successfully"
}
```

---

### 17. Set eHDR Exposure Maximum

Set the maximum number of exposure frames for eHDR.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_ehdr_exposure_max",
  "params": {
    "value": "4"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `value`: Maximum exposure frames (range: 1-4, default: 4)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "eHDR exposure max set successfully"
}
```

---

### 18. Set eHDR Ratio Minimum

Set the minimum exposure ratio for eHDR.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_ehdr_ratio_min",
  "params": {
    "value": "12"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `value`: Minimum exposure ratio (range: 1-128, default: 12)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "eHDR ratio min set successfully"
}
```

---

### 19. Set eHDR Ratio Maximum

Set the maximum exposure ratio for eHDR.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "set_ehdr_ratio_max",
  "params": {
    "value": "24"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `value`: Maximum exposure ratio (range: 1-128, default: 24)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "eHDR ratio max set successfully"
}
```

---

### 20. Get eHDR Status

Retrieve all current eHDR settings.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "get_ehdr_status"
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "ehdr_mode": 0,
  "exposure_min": 1,
  "exposure_max": 4,
  "ratio_min": 12,
  "ratio_max": 24
}
```

---

### 21. Enable Shared Memory

Enable shared memory output for direct frame access by external processes. This creates a shared memory region at `/dev/shm/<name>` where frames are written.

**Note:** Cannot be enabled while streaming is active. Must be enabled before starting the stream.

**Important:** Shared memory can be used **with or without** GStreamer:
- **With GStreamer:** Frames are written to both GStreamer pipeline and shared memory
- **Without GStreamer:** Set pipeline to empty string `""` - frames are only written to shared memory

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "enable_shared_memory",
  "params": {
    "name": "/vizion_frame",
    "buffer_size": "8294528"
  }
}
```

**Parameters:**
- `name`: Shared memory object name (optional, default: "/vizion_frame")
- `buffer_size`: Buffer size in bytes (optional, default: 8294528 for 1080p RGBA + header)

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Shared memory enabled",
  "name": "/vizion_frame",
  "size": 8294528
}
```

**Shared Memory Layout:**
- **Header (128 bytes):** Contains frame metadata
  - Magic number (0x56495A4E = "VIZN")
  - Width, height, format
  - Data size, timestamp (nanoseconds)
  - Frame sequence counter
  - Atomic write sequence (for lock-free synchronization)
- **Frame Data:** Raw frame bytes

**Example Buffer Sizes:**
- 1920×1080 RGBA: 8294528 bytes (1920×1080×4 + 128)
- 1280×720 RGBA: 3686528 bytes (1280×720×4 + 128)

---

### 22. Disable Shared Memory

Disable and cleanup shared memory output.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "disable_shared_memory"
}
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Shared memory disabled"
}
```

---

### 23. Get Shared Memory Status

Query the current shared memory configuration.

**Command:**
```json
{
  "command": "get_shared_memory_status"
}
```

**Response (when enabled):**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "shared_memory_enabled": true,
  "name": "/vizion_frame",
  "size": 8294528
}
```

**Response (when disabled):**
```json
{
  "status": "success",
  "shared_memory_enabled": false
}
```

---

## Usage Examples

### Complete Workflow Example (GStreamer + Shared Memory)

```bash
# 1. Set GStreamer pipeline for UDP streaming
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":"videoconvert ! x264enc tune=zerolatency ! rtph264pay ! udpsink host=192.168.1.100 port=5000"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 2. Set video format
echo '{"command":"set_format","params":{"width":"1920","height":"1080","framerate":"30","format":"YUY2"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 3. Configure camera settings
echo '{"command":"set_exposure","params":{"mode":"auto"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_brightness","params":{"value":"50"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 3a. (Optional) Configure eHDR settings (for compatible cameras)
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_mode","params":{"mode":"0"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_exposure_min","params":{"value":"1"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_exposure_max","params":{"value":"4"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_ratio_min","params":{"value":"12"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_ratio_max","params":{"value":"24"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 3b. (Optional) Enable shared memory output
echo '{"command":"enable_shared_memory","params":{"name":"/vizion_frame","buffer_size":"8294528"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 4. Start streaming (both GStreamer and shared memory active)
echo '{"command":"start_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 5. Check status
echo '{"command":"get_status"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"get_shared_memory_status"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 6. Stop streaming when done
echo '{"command":"stop_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 7. (Optional) Disable shared memory
echo '{"command":"disable_shared_memory"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

### Shared Memory Only Workflow (No GStreamer)

```bash
# 1. Disable GStreamer pipeline
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":""}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 2. Set video format
echo '{"command":"set_format","params":{"width":"1920","height":"1080","framerate":"30","format":"YUY2"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 3. Configure camera settings
echo '{"command":"set_exposure","params":{"mode":"auto"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_brightness","params":{"value":"50"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 4. Enable shared memory
echo '{"command":"enable_shared_memory","params":{"name":"/vizion_frame","buffer_size":"8294528"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 5. Start streaming (shared memory only)
echo '{"command":"start_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
# Output: "GStreamer pipeline disabled (using shared memory only)"

# 6. Check that shared memory is being updated
ls -l /dev/shm/vizion_frame  # Watch file modification time

# 7. Stop streaming
echo '{"command":"stop_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 8. Disable shared memory
echo '{"command":"disable_shared_memory"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

### GStreamer Pipeline Examples

```bash
# Stream to local display
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":"videoconvert ! autovideosink"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Stream over UDP (H.264)
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":"videoconvert ! x264enc tune=zerolatency ! rtph264pay ! udpsink host=192.168.1.100 port=5000"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Save to MP4 file
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":"videoconvert ! x264enc ! mp4mux ! filesink location=/tmp/output.mp4"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# MJPEG HTTP server
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":"videoconvert ! jpegenc ! multipartmux ! tcpserversink host=0.0.0.0 port=8080"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

### Using `socat`

```bash
# Get available formats
echo '{"command":"get_formats"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Set video format
echo '{"command":"set_format","params":{"width":"1920","height":"1080","framerate":"30","format":"YUY2"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Start streaming
echo '{"command":"start_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Set exposure to auto
echo '{"command":"set_exposure","params":{"mode":"auto"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Set brightness
echo '{"command":"set_brightness","params":{"value":"50"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Get status
echo '{"command":"get_status"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Stop streaming
echo '{"command":"stop_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

### eHDR Control Examples

```bash
# Enable eHDR mode
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_mode","params":{"mode":"0"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Disable eHDR mode
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_mode","params":{"mode":"1"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Configure eHDR exposure range
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_exposure_min","params":{"value":"1"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_exposure_max","params":{"value":"4"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Configure eHDR ratio range
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_ratio_min","params":{"value":"12"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
echo '{"command":"set_ehdr_ratio_max","params":{"value":"24"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Get current eHDR settings
echo '{"command":"get_ehdr_status"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

### Shared Memory Control Examples

```bash
# Enable shared memory with default settings
echo '{"command":"enable_shared_memory"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Enable shared memory with custom name and size
echo '{"command":"enable_shared_memory","params":{"name":"/vizion_cam0","buffer_size":"8294528"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Get shared memory status
echo '{"command":"get_shared_memory_status"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Disable shared memory
echo '{"command":"disable_shared_memory"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Verify shared memory file exists (should show ~8.3MB file)
ls -lh /dev/shm/vizion_frame

# Watch shared memory updates in real-time (check modification time)
watch -n 0.1 'ls -l /dev/shm/vizion_frame'
```

### Shared Memory WITHOUT GStreamer (Shared Memory Only)

To use shared memory without GStreamer, disable the GStreamer pipeline by setting it to an empty string:

```bash
# 1. Disable GStreamer pipeline
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":""}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 2. Enable shared memory
echo '{"command":"enable_shared_memory","params":{"name":"/vizion_frame","buffer_size":"8294528"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 3. Start streaming (frames will only go to shared memory)
echo '{"command":"start_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# Output: "GStreamer pipeline disabled (using shared memory only)"

# 4. Stop streaming
echo '{"command":"stop_stream"}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock

# 5. Optionally re-enable GStreamer for next session
echo '{"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":"videoconvert ! autovideosink"}}' | socat - UNIX-CONNECT:/tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

**Benefits of Shared Memory Only Mode:**
- Lower CPU usage (no GStreamer overhead)
- Lower memory bandwidth (no duplicate frame copies to GStreamer)
- Suitable for headless systems or custom processing pipelines
- Multiple external processes can still read from shared memory simultaneously

### Using `nc` (netcat with Unix socket support)

```bash
echo '{"command":"get_formats"}' | nc -U /tmp/vizion_control.sock
```

### Using Python

```python
import socket
import json

def send_command(command, params=None):
    sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_UNIX, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
    sock.connect('/tmp/vizion_control.sock')

    cmd = {"command": command}
    if params:
        cmd["params"] = params

    sock.send(json.dumps(cmd).encode())
    response = sock.recv(4096).decode()
    sock.close()

    return json.loads(response)

# Examples
print(send_command("get_formats"))
print(send_command("set_format", {
    "width": "1920",
    "height": "1080",
    "framerate": "30",
    "format": "YUY2"
}))
print(send_command("set_exposure", {"mode": "auto"}))
print(send_command("start_stream"))

# eHDR control examples (for compatible cameras)
print(send_command("set_ehdr_mode", {"mode": "0"}))  # Enable eHDR
print(send_command("set_ehdr_exposure_min", {"value": "1"}))
print(send_command("set_ehdr_exposure_max", {"value": "4"}))
print(send_command("set_ehdr_ratio_min", {"value": "12"}))
print(send_command("set_ehdr_ratio_max", {"value": "24"}))
print(send_command("get_ehdr_status"))  # Get current eHDR settings

# Shared memory control examples (with GStreamer)
print(send_command("enable_shared_memory", {
    "name": "/vizion_frame",
    "buffer_size": "8294528"
}))
print(send_command("get_shared_memory_status"))
print(send_command("start_stream"))
# ... streaming active, external process can read /dev/shm/vizion_frame ...
print(send_command("stop_stream"))
print(send_command("disable_shared_memory"))

# Shared memory only (without GStreamer)
print(send_command("set_pipeline", {"pipeline": ""}))  # Disable GStreamer
print(send_command("enable_shared_memory", {
    "name": "/vizion_frame",
    "buffer_size": "8294528"
}))
print(send_command("start_stream"))  # Frames only go to shared memory
# Output: "GStreamer pipeline disabled (using shared memory only)"
print(send_command("stop_stream"))
print(send_command("disable_shared_memory"))
```

### Using C++

```cpp
#include <sys/socket.h>
#include <sys/un.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <string>
#include <iostream>

std::string sendCommand(const std::string& command) {
    int sock = socket(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0);

    struct sockaddr_un addr;
    memset(&addr, 0, sizeof(addr));
    addr.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
    strcpy(addr.sun_path, "/tmp/vizion_control.sock");

    connect(sock, (struct sockaddr*)&addr, sizeof(addr));
    send(sock, command.c_str(), command.length(), 0);

    char buffer[4096];
    int bytesRead = recv(sock, buffer, sizeof(buffer) - 1, 0);
    buffer[bytesRead] = '\0';

    close(sock);
    return std::string(buffer);
}

// Example usage
int main() {
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"get_formats"})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"set_brightness","params":{"value":"50"}})") << std::endl;

    // eHDR control examples (for compatible cameras)
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"set_ehdr_mode","params":{"mode":"0"}})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"set_ehdr_exposure_min","params":{"value":"1"}})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"set_ehdr_exposure_max","params":{"value":"4"}})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"get_ehdr_status"})") << std::endl;

    // Shared memory control examples (with GStreamer)
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"enable_shared_memory","params":{"name":"/vizion_frame","buffer_size":"8294528"}})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"get_shared_memory_status"})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"start_stream"})") << std::endl;
    // ... streaming active, external process can read /dev/shm/vizion_frame ...
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"stop_stream"})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"disable_shared_memory"})") << std::endl;

    // Shared memory only (without GStreamer)
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"set_pipeline","params":{"pipeline":""}})") << std::endl;  // Disable GStreamer
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"enable_shared_memory","params":{"name":"/vizion_frame","buffer_size":"8294528"}})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"start_stream"})") << std::endl;  // Frames only go to shared memory
    // Output: "GStreamer pipeline disabled (using shared memory only)"
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"stop_stream"})") << std::endl;
    std::cout << sendCommand(R"({"command":"disable_shared_memory"})") << std::endl;

    return 0;
}
```

## Parameter Value Ranges

The valid ranges for camera parameters depend on the specific camera model. You can query the camera capabilities through the VizionSDK API or experimentally determine valid ranges.

**Typical ranges (camera-dependent):**
- Brightness: 0-255
- Contrast: 0-255
- Saturation: 0-255
- Sharpness: 0-255
- Gamma: 72-500
- Gain: 0-100
- Exposure: 1-10000 (in auto mode, value is ignored)
- White Balance Temperature: 2800-6500 Kelvin

**eHDR ranges (for compatible cameras only):**
- eHDR Mode: 0 (enable) or 1 (disable)
- eHDR Exposure Min: 1-4 (default: 1)
- eHDR Exposure Max: 1-4 (default: 4)
- eHDR Ratio Min: 1-128 (default: 12)
- eHDR Ratio Max: 1-128 (default: 24)

**Compatible eHDR Camera Models:**
- VCI-AR0821/AR0822
- VCS-AR0821/AR0822
- VLS3-AR0821/AR0822
- VLS-GM2-AR0821/AR0822
- TEVS-AR0821/AR0822

## Error Handling

Always check the `status` field in the response:

```python
response = send_command("set_format", {...})
if response["status"] == "error":
    print(f"Command failed: {response['message']}")
else:
    print("Command successful")
```

## Thread Safety

The socket server handles one client connection at a time. Commands are processed sequentially with mutex protection to ensure thread safety with the camera operations.

## GStreamer Integration

VizionStreamer uses GStreamer for video processing and output. The captured frames from the VizionSDK camera are continuously fed into a GStreamer pipeline in a separate acquisition thread.

### How It Works

1. **Continuous Acquisition Loop**: A dedicated thread continuously captures frames from the camera using `VxGetImage()`
2. **Frame Buffering**: Captured frames are pushed into the GStreamer pipeline via `appsrc`
3. **Pipeline Processing**: GStreamer processes the frames according to the configured pipeline
4. **Output**: Frames are displayed, saved, or streamed based on the pipeline configuration

### Performance Monitoring

The acquisition loop prints FPS statistics every second:
```
FPS: 30 | Total frames: 1234 | Frame size: 4147200 bytes
```

### Receiving UDP Stream

If you configured a UDP streaming pipeline, receive it with:

```bash
# Using GStreamer
gst-launch-1.0 udpsrc port=5000 ! application/x-rtp,encoding-name=H264 ! rtph264depay ! h264parse ! avdec_h264 ! videoconvert ! autovideosink

# Using FFplay
ffplay -fflags nobuffer -flags low_delay -framedrop udp://0.0.0.0:5000

# Using VLC
vlc udp://@:5000
```

### Receiving MJPEG HTTP Stream

If you configured an MJPEG HTTP server pipeline:

```bash
# View in browser
firefox http://192.168.1.100:8080

# Using FFplay
ffplay http://192.168.1.100:8080

# Using curl to save frames
curl http://192.168.1.100:8080 > stream.mjpg
```

## Shared Memory Reader Implementation

When shared memory output is enabled, external processes can directly read frame data from `/dev/shm/<name>`. Here's how to implement a reader:

### Shared Memory Structure

```c
struct SharedMemoryHeader {
    uint32_t magic;              // 0x56495A4E ("VIZN") - for validation
    uint32_t width;              // Frame width in pixels
    uint32_t height;             // Frame height in pixels
    uint32_t format;             // Format enum (VX_IMAGE_FORMAT)
    uint32_t data_size;          // Frame data size in bytes
    uint64_t timestamp_ns;       // Timestamp in nanoseconds
    uint32_t frame_sequence;     // Monotonic frame counter
    atomic_uint32_t write_sequence;  // Lock-free sync counter
    char format_str[16];         // Format string ("YUY2", "MJPG", etc.)
    uint8_t reserved[72];        // Reserved (padding to 128 bytes)
};
// Frame data starts at offset 128
```

### Lock-Free Read Protocol

The `write_sequence` counter enables lock-free synchronization:
- **Even values**: Write complete, data is consistent
- **Odd values**: Write in progress, data may be inconsistent

**Reader Algorithm:**
1. Read `write_sequence` (must be even)
2. Read header and frame data
3. Read `write_sequence` again
4. If values match → data is consistent
5. If values differ → retry

### C++ Reader Example

```cpp
#include <sys/mman.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>
#include <fcntl.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <atomic>
#include <cstring>
#include <iostream>

struct SharedMemoryHeader {
    uint32_t magic;
    uint32_t width;
    uint32_t height;
    uint32_t format;
    uint32_t data_size;
    uint64_t timestamp_ns;
    uint32_t frame_sequence;
    std::atomic<uint32_t> write_sequence;
    char format_str[16];
    uint8_t reserved[72];
};

class SharedMemoryReader {
private:
    int fd_;
    void* ptr_;
    size_t size_;
    uint32_t last_sequence_;

public:
    SharedMemoryReader(const char* name, size_t size)
        : fd_(-1), ptr_(nullptr), size_(size), last_sequence_(0) {

        // Open shared memory
        fd_ = shm_open(name, O_RDONLY, 0666);
        if (fd_ < 0) {
            throw std::runtime_error("Failed to open shared memory");
        }

        // Map memory
        ptr_ = mmap(nullptr, size_, PROT_READ, MAP_SHARED, fd_, 0);
        if (ptr_ == MAP_FAILED) {
            close(fd_);
            throw std::runtime_error("Failed to map shared memory");
        }
    }

    ~SharedMemoryReader() {
        if (ptr_ != nullptr && ptr_ != MAP_FAILED) {
            munmap(ptr_, size_);
        }
        if (fd_ >= 0) {
            close(fd_);
        }
    }

    bool readFrame(uint8_t* buffer, size_t buffer_size,
                   uint32_t* width, uint32_t* height,
                   char* format, uint64_t* timestamp) {

        auto* header = static_cast<SharedMemoryHeader*>(ptr_);
        auto* frame_data = static_cast<uint8_t*>(ptr_) + sizeof(SharedMemoryHeader);

        uint32_t seq1, seq2;
        do {
            // Read sequence number
            seq1 = header->write_sequence.load(std::memory_order_acquire);

            // Wait if write is in progress (odd sequence)
            while (seq1 & 1) {
                seq1 = header->write_sequence.load(std::memory_order_acquire);
            }

            // Validate magic number
            if (header->magic != 0x56495A4E) {
                std::cerr << "Invalid magic number" << std::endl;
                return false;
            }

            // Check if this is a new frame
            if (header->frame_sequence <= last_sequence_) {
                return false; // Already seen this frame
            }

            // Check buffer size
            if (header->data_size > buffer_size) {
                std::cerr << "Buffer too small" << std::endl;
                return false;
            }

            // Read metadata
            *width = header->width;
            *height = header->height;
            *timestamp = header->timestamp_ns;
            strncpy(format, header->format_str, 15);
            format[15] = '\0';

            // Copy frame data
            memcpy(buffer, frame_data, header->data_size);

            // Verify sequence hasn't changed
            seq2 = header->write_sequence.load(std::memory_order_acquire);

        } while (seq1 != seq2);

        last_sequence_ = header->frame_sequence;
        return true;
    }
};

// Usage example
int main() {
    try {
        SharedMemoryReader reader("/vizion_frame", 8294528);

        std::vector<uint8_t> frame_buffer(8294400); // 1920x1080x4
        uint32_t width, height;
        char format[16];
        uint64_t timestamp;

        while (true) {
            if (reader.readFrame(frame_buffer.data(), frame_buffer.size(),
                               &width, &height, format, &timestamp)) {
                std::cout << "New frame: " << width << "x" << height
                         << " format=" << format
                         << " timestamp=" << timestamp << std::endl;

                // Process frame data here...
            }

            usleep(10000); // Poll every 10ms
        }
    } catch (const std::exception& e) {
        std::cerr << "Error: " << e.what() << std::endl;
        return 1;
    }

    return 0;
}
```

### Python Reader Example

```python
import mmap
import struct
import time
from pathlib import Path

class SharedMemoryReader:
    HEADER_SIZE = 128
    MAGIC = 0x56495A4E  # "VIZN"

    def __init__(self, name, size):
        self.name = name
        self.size = size
        self.last_sequence = 0

        # Open shared memory file
        shm_path = Path(f"/dev/shm{name}")
        self.fd = open(shm_path, "rb")
        self.mmap = mmap.mmap(self.fd.fileno(), size, access=mmap.ACCESS_READ)

    def close(self):
        if self.mmap:
            self.mmap.close()
        if self.fd:
            self.fd.close()

    def read_frame(self):
        while True:
            # Read write_sequence (offset 28)
            self.mmap.seek(28)
            seq1 = struct.unpack('I', self.mmap.read(4))[0]

            # Wait if write in progress (odd)
            while seq1 & 1:
                time.sleep(0.0001)
                self.mmap.seek(28)
                seq1 = struct.unpack('I', self.mmap.read(4))[0]

            # Read header
            self.mmap.seek(0)
            header_bytes = self.mmap.read(self.HEADER_SIZE)

            magic, width, height, fmt, data_size, timestamp, frame_seq = \
                struct.unpack('IIIIIQII', header_bytes[:40])

            format_str = header_bytes[40:56].decode('utf-8').strip('\x00')

            # Validate magic
            if magic != self.MAGIC:
                return None

            # Check if new frame
            if frame_seq <= self.last_sequence:
                return None

            # Read frame data
            frame_data = self.mmap.read(data_size)

            # Verify sequence
            self.mmap.seek(28)
            seq2 = struct.unpack('I', self.mmap.read(4))[0]

            if seq1 == seq2:
                self.last_sequence = frame_seq
                return {
                    'width': width,
                    'height': height,
                    'format': format_str,
                    'timestamp': timestamp,
                    'sequence': frame_seq,
                    'data': frame_data
                }

# Usage
reader = SharedMemoryReader("/vizion_frame", 8294528)
try:
    while True:
        frame = reader.read_frame()
        if frame:
            print(f"New frame: {frame['width']}x{frame['height']} "
                  f"format={frame['format']} seq={frame['sequence']}")
            # Process frame['data'] here...
        time.sleep(0.01)  # Poll every 10ms
finally:
    reader.close()
```

### Performance Considerations

**Polling vs. Blocking:**
- The reader examples use polling (checking periodically)
- For lower CPU usage, increase poll interval
- For lower latency, decrease poll interval
- Alternative: Use inotify to watch `/dev/shm/<name>` for modifications

**Memory Bandwidth:**
- Reading shared memory creates an additional memcpy
- For zero-copy processing, process data in-place (requires careful synchronization)
- Multiple readers can access the same shared memory simultaneously

**Frame Rate:**
- Reader must keep up with writer's frame rate
- Use `frame_sequence` to detect dropped frames
- Monitor `last_sequence` vs `header->frame_sequence` difference

## Notes

- The socket file is automatically created when VizionStreamer starts
- The socket file is removed when VizionStreamer exits cleanly
- Format and pipeline changes require streaming to be stopped first
- The acquisition loop runs continuously while streaming is active
- Some parameters may not be supported on all camera models
- Invalid parameter values will return an error response
- GStreamer pipeline errors will be reported when starting the stream
- Default pipeline: `videoconvert ! autovideosink` (display locally)
- eHDR features require compatible camera models (VCI/VCS/VLS3/VLS-GM2/TEVS-AR0821/AR0822)
- eHDR settings may be reset to defaults when the camera starts streaming (driver behavior)
- Shared memory output can run with or without GStreamer pipeline:
  - **With GStreamer:** Both outputs active (parallel operation)
  - **Without GStreamer:** Set pipeline to `""` for shared memory only (lower CPU/memory usage)
- Shared memory must be enabled before starting the stream
- At least one output (GStreamer or shared memory) must be configured to start streaming
- Shared memory files are automatically cleaned up when disabled or on clean exit
- Multiple processes can read from the same shared memory region simultaneously
- Shared memory only mode is recommended for headless systems or custom processing applications