BlyncLight API Server

This is an BlyncLight API Server for the Embrava BlyncLight. This is intended to make the BlyncLight a network light and have its status updated by simple Rest calls. I wrote this server and client so my workstation (client) can monitor my headset and webcamera and update the light accordingly.

Why

During the shelter in place here in the USA during the COVID-19 outbreak, I was forced to work from home. This light and client / server become required to signal other family members that I was on a conference call. I hope this can help you out as well.

Requirements

This application uses the BusyLight for Humans Python package to make the device calls.

Server

The server is a simple Flask Rest API that updates the light or status by issuing simple calls. This allows for a client to be implemented in just about any language.

Example Server Calls

Get the current light color

curl http://localhost:8080/api/v1/color_name

Set the color of the light to Red

curl http://localhost:8080/api/v1/color_name -d '{"color_name" : "red"}' -H 'Content-Type: application/json'

Turn the light on

curl http://localhost:8080/api/v1/on -d '{"on" : true}' -H 'Content-Type: application/json'

Client

The provided client is a very simple example that does three things.

1. Check to see if the headset is turned on. I use a Logitech g533, so I can make a call to get the battery status. This call will fail if the headset is turned off. If the client finds the headset is off, it will set the light to Green and sleep.
2. If a headset is found or use_headset_ctrl is set to False then it will check to see if the headset is active. It does this by cat /proc/asound/card3/pcm*/sub*/status | grep "RUNNING" | wc -l if a number > 0 is found the headset is active and it goes to the next step. If this check returns 0, the light is set to Yellow and the client sleeps.
3. Since the headset is found to be active, the final check is for a webcam. This is done by lsof -t /dev/video0 | wc -l if the number of rows is > 0 then the webcam is active. Since the webcam is active the light is set to flash red, if not then the light is set to solid red. The process then sleeps until the next poll.

Install

1. Install the necessary Python packages

python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Services

Both Python apps can be run as services. See the instructions in the .service files for instructions.

config.ini Overview

The repo does not ship with a config.ini so you must copy config-sample.ini to config.ini

The following table outlines the config.ini variables.

global

These are the default values for the server and client. These values can be overridden in the sections below.

Variable	Description
log_level	Sets the level of logging
use_journald	Set to true to write logs to journald. Note: only use this when running as a servcie.

app

Variable	Description
log_level	Sets the level of logging
use_journald	Set to true to write logs to journald. Note: only use this when running as a servcie.
client_log_file	Path to the client log file, only used when journald is disabled and a TTY isn't found
use_headset_ctrl	Sets if the client will run a precheck to look for the existance of a headset
wait_time	Sets the poll time
long_wait_time	Sets a longer wait time that's used when a headset cann't be located
webcam_device	Location to the webcam
headset_status	Location to the headset status file
headset_stream	Location to the headset stream file
api_server	URL to the server API

server

Variable	Description
log_level	Sets the level of logging
server_debug	Sets Flask to run in debug mode
use_journald	Set to true to write logs to journald. Note: only use this when running as a servcie.
server_log_file	Path to the client log file, only used when journald is disabled and a TTY isn't found

TODO

1. Implement a server Rest call that allows all parameters to be set at one time
2. Implement a "dance party" mode
3. Improve client sample