AnyPixel - Backend

The AnyPixel backend consists of four applications which work together to provide an interface between the javascript-driven AnyPixel apps (the frontend) and the physical display hardware.

• AppServer - A node.js server which locally hosts the AnyPixel apps.

• ChromeBridge - A Chrome app which displays AnyPixel apps and handles the communication between the AppServer apps and the physical display hardware.

• UdpManager - A node.js app which distributes data packets from ChromeBridge to the individual hardware components.

• Emulator - A Chrome app for debugging, which simulates the network communications between ChromeBridge and the physical display hardware.

Installation & Startup

These instructions assume a basic familiarity with the command line of your particular system. For a good introduction to the command line, check out The Command Line Crash Course.

Getting Started

1. Download and install node.js.

2. Install browserify - $ npm install -g browserify

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AppServer

1. Install node components - In the /appserver directory, do: $ npm install

2. Start the server - In the /appserver directory, do $ npm start

To stop the server, do $ npm stop

For more info on adding your own apps to the AppServer, see the AppServer README.

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UdpManager

1. Install node components - In the /udp-manager directory, do: $npm install

2. Start the manager - In the /udp-manager directory, do $ npm start

To stop the manager, do $ npm stop

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Emulator

1. Install node components - In the /emulator directory, do: $ npm install

2. Install and launch the Chrome app - Follow the ChromeBridge installation instructions above, except when loading the extension, select the /emulator folder instead.

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ChromeBridge

1. Install node components - In the /chromebridge directory, do: $ npm install

2. Open the Chrome Extensions page - In the Chrome browser, navigate to chrome://extensions

3. Enable Developer mode:

4. Load the extension - Click the "Load unpacked extension..." button and select the /chromebridge folder. The ChromeBridge app will be added to the top of the extensions list.

5. Ensure the AppServer and the Emulator are running - or plug in your physical display hardware.

6. Launch the app - click the "Launch" button under the extension title:

For more info on using the ChromeBridge app, see the ChromeBridge README.