GenICamSequencerUsageWithPaths.cpp

Parts of the GenICamSequencerUsageWithPaths program are based on the ContinuousCapture.cpp example. The sample shows how to configure the GenICam SFNC Sequencer Control with paths from an application.

GenICamSequencerUsageWithPaths example:

1. Opens a GenICam compliant device.
2. Configures the sequencer if available.
3. Captures images continuously.
4. Waits for a trigger to switch to the next set.

Console Output

[0]: GX022004 (mvBlueCOUGAR-XDKUH, Family: mvBlueCOUGAR, interface layout: GenICam, acquisition start/stop behaviour: User)

Please enter the number in front of the listed device followed by [ENTER] to open it: 0
Using device number 0.
Initialising the device. This might take some time...

Press [1] [ENTER] to switch to sequencer set 1.
Press [0] [ENTER] to switch to sequencer set 0.
Press [ENTER] to end the application.

Property 'UserSetSelector' set to 'Default'.
Property 'ExposureMode' set to 'Timed'.
Property 'ExposureAuto' set to 'Off'.
Property 'AcquisitionMode' set to 'Continuous'.
Property 'GainSelector' set to 'AnalogAll'.
Property 'GainAuto' set to 'Off'.
Property 'GainSelector' set to 'DigitalAll'.
Property 'mvAcquisitionFrameRateLimitMode' set to 'mvDeviceMaxSensorThroughput'.
Property 'mvAcquisitionFrameRateEnable' set to 'Off'.
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 3.752146, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111114, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.167297, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.110470, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.170516, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.110526, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.170497, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111116, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.170531, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111115, AOI: 2048x1504
0
1
Setting UserOutput0 leads to switching to SequencerSet 1...
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 5.047220, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 8.366884, AOI: 4096x3008
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 4.974985, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 9.847734, AOI: 4096x3008
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 4.975817, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 9.845120, AOI: 4096x3008
1
1
0
Unsetting UserOutput0 leads to switching back to SequencerSet 0...
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.155290, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111108, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.170515, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111076, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.170497, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111265, AOI: 2048x1504
Info from GX022004: FramesPerSecond: 23.170527, ErrorCount: 0, CaptureTime_s: 2.111163, AOI: 2048x1504
...

How it works

After getting the device from user input the sample tries to open the device by calling

pDev->open();

The sample shows, how to configure the Sequencer Control according to the SFNC (Standard Features Naming Convention) however as the things that can be done using the Sequencer Control are very specific and application dependent this example might not work with every GenICam compliant device as some features are just assumed to be available. Look for these functions:

configureDevice( pThreadParameter->pDev );
configureSequencer( pThreadParameter );

Finally the sample enters an endless loop that acquires images from "Set 0" and waits for user input to switch to "Set 1" and back.

GenICam::DigitalIOControl dic = new GenICam::DigitalIOControl( pDev );
dic.userOutputSelector.write( 0 );
dic.userOutputValue.write( bTrue ); // or bFalse respectively

The user can see that changing the sets worked, as the AOI and the frame rate in the cyclic information print changes once the sets are switched.

Source code

//
// @description: Example applications for Impact Acquire
// @copyright: Copyright (C) 2018 - 2023 Balluff GmbH
// @authors: APIs and drivers development team at Balluff GmbH
// @initial date: 2018-03-14
//
// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"),
// to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense,
// and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
//
// The above copyright notice and this permission notice (including the next paragraph) shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
//
// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
// FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,i
// WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
//
 
#include <array>
#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <apps/Common/exampleHelper.h>
#include <mvIMPACT_CPP/mvIMPACT_acquire_GenICam.h>
#ifdef _WIN32
#   include <mvDisplay/Include/mvIMPACT_acquire_display.h>
using namespace mvIMPACT::acquire::display;
#   define USE_DISPLAY
#endif // #ifdef _WIN32
 
using namespace mvIMPACT::acquire;
using namespace std;
 
//=============================================================================
//================= static variables ==========================================
//=============================================================================
static bool s_boTerminated = false;
static bool s_boSwitchedToSet1 = false;
 
//=============================================================================
//================= function declarations =====================================
//=============================================================================
static void checkedMethodCall( Device* pDev, Method& method );
 
//=============================================================================
//================= sequencer specific stuff ==================================
//=============================================================================
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
struct SequencerSetParameter
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    const int64_type setNr_;
    const double exposureTime_us_;
    const int64_type horizontalBinningOrDecimation_;
    const int64_type verticalBinningOrDecimation_;
    double expectedFrameRate_;
    explicit SequencerSetParameter( const int64_type setNr, const double exposureTime_us, const int64_type horizontalBinningOrDecimation, const int64_type verticalBinningOrDecimation ) :
        setNr_( setNr ), exposureTime_us_( exposureTime_us ), horizontalBinningOrDecimation_( horizontalBinningOrDecimation ), verticalBinningOrDecimation_( verticalBinningOrDecimation ), expectedFrameRate_( 0.0 ) {}
};
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
struct ThreadParameter
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    Device* pDev;
    FunctionInterface fi;
    Statistics statistics;
    GenICam::AcquisitionControl ac;
    GenICam::ImageFormatControl ifc;
    GenICam::SequencerControl sc;
    GenICam::DigitalIOControl dic;
#ifdef USE_DISPLAY
    ImageDisplayWindow  displayWindow;
#endif // #ifdef USE_DISPLAY
    explicit ThreadParameter( Device* p ) : pDev( p ), fi( pDev ), statistics( pDev ), ac( pDev ), ifc( pDev ), sc( pDev ), dic( pDev )
#ifdef USE_DISPLAY
        , displayWindow( "mvIMPACT_acquire sequencer sample, Device " + p->serial.read() ) // IMPORTANT: It's NOT safe to create multiple displayWindow's in multiple threads!!!
#endif // #ifdef USE_DISPLAY
    {}
    ThreadParameter( const ThreadParameter& src ) = delete;
    ThreadParameter& operator=( const ThreadParameter& rhs ) = delete;
};
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
static array<SequencerSetParameter, 2> s_SequencerData =
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    SequencerSetParameter( 0, 1000., 2, 2 ),   // Set 0: Capture Exposure =   1000 us HBinning = 2 VBinning = 2, then jump to set 0, except if UserOutput0 then jump to set 1
    SequencerSetParameter( 1, 200000., 1, 1 ), // Set 1: Capture Exposure = 200000 us HBinning = 1 VBinning = 1, then jump back to set 0 */
};
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Check if a key has been pressed and act accordingly, by either switching between
// Sequencer sets or terminating the application.
void checkInput( ThreadParameter* pThreadParameter, const int& in )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    switch( in )
    {
    case '1':
        if( !s_boSwitchedToSet1 )
        {
            cout << "Setting UserOutput0 leads to switching to SequencerSet 1..." << endl;
            pThreadParameter->dic.userOutputSelector.write( 0 );
            pThreadParameter->dic.userOutputValue.write( bTrue );
            s_boSwitchedToSet1 = true;
        }
        cin.get(); // remove the '\n' from the stream
        break;
    case '0':
        if( s_boSwitchedToSet1 )
        {
            cout << "Unsetting UserOutput0 leads to switching back to SequencerSet 0..." << endl;
            pThreadParameter->dic.userOutputSelector.write( 0 );
            pThreadParameter->dic.userOutputValue.write( bFalse );
            s_boSwitchedToSet1 = false;
        }
        cin.get(); // remove the '\n' from the stream
        break;
    default:
        s_boTerminated = true;
        break;
    }
}
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Configures all the stuff that needs to be done only once. All the stuff related
// to setting up the actual sequencer could be called multiple times whenever an
// application gets re-configured. This is not the case here, but the code has been
// split in order to logically group what belongs together.
//
// Whenever 'conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString' or 'conditionalSetProperty' is
// not used here the stuff MUST succeed as otherwise when the device doesn't allow
// this feature the whole example does not work!
void configureDevice( Device* pDev )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    try
    {
        // Restore the factory default first in order to make sure nothing is incorrectly configured
        GenICam::UserSetControl usc( pDev );
        conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( usc.userSetSelector, "Default" );
        const TDMR_ERROR result = static_cast<TDMR_ERROR>( usc.userSetLoad.call() );
        if( result != DMR_NO_ERROR )
        {
            cout << "An error occurred while restoring the factory default for device " << pDev->serial.read()
                 << "(error code: " << ImpactAcquireException::getErrorCodeAsString( result ) << ")." << endl;
        }
 
        // Auto exposure or an open shutter will not be helpful for this example thus switch it off if possible.
        GenICam::AcquisitionControl acqc( pDev );
        conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( acqc.exposureMode, "Timed" );
        conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( acqc.exposureAuto, "Off" );
        conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( acqc.acquisitionMode, "Continuous" );
 
        // Auto gain will not be helpful for this example either thus switch it off if possible.
        GenICam::AnalogControl ac( pDev );
        if( ac.gainSelector.isValid() )
        {
            // There might be more than a single 'Gain' as a 'GainSelector' is present. Iterate over all
            // 'Gain's that can be configured and switch off every 'Auto' feature detected.
            vector<string> validGainSelectorValues;
            ac.gainSelector.getTranslationDictStrings( validGainSelectorValues );
            for( const auto& validGainSelectorValue : validGainSelectorValues )
            {
                conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( ac.gainSelector, validGainSelectorValue );
                conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( ac.gainAuto, "Off" );
            }
        }
        else
        {
            // There is just a single 'Gain' turn off the 'Auto' feature if supported.
            conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( ac.gainAuto, "Off" );
        }
 
        // This is needed to correctly calculate the expected capture time
        conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( acqc.mvAcquisitionFrameRateLimitMode, "mvDeviceMaxSensorThroughput" );
        conditionalSetEnumPropertyByString( acqc.mvAcquisitionFrameRateEnable, "Off" );
 
        // As we want to keep ALL images belonging to the full sequence in RAM we need as many requests as
        // there are frames defined by the sequence.
        SystemSettings ss( pDev );
        ss.requestCount.write( 50 );
 
        // We want to act fast, thus if e.g. Bayer-images arrive in the system do NOT convert them on the fly as depending
        // on the device speed the host system might be too slow deal with the amount of data
        ImageProcessing ip( pDev );
        ip.colorProcessing.write( cpmRaw );
        if( ip.tapSortEnable.isValid() )
        {
            ip.tapSortEnable.write( bFalse );
        }
    }
    catch( const ImpactAcquireException& e )
    {
        // This e.g. might happen if the same device is already opened in another process...
        cout << "An error occurred while configuring the device " << pDev->serial.read()
             << "(error code: " << e.getErrorCodeAsString() << ")." << endl
             << "Press [ENTER] to end the application..." << endl;
        cin.get();
        exit( 1 );
    }
}
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Configures a single 'SequencerSet' so that 'X' frames are captured using a
// certain exposure time and afterwards another sets will be used.
void configureSequencerSet( ThreadParameter* pThreadParameter, const SequencerSetParameter& ssp )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerSetSelector.write( ssp.setNr_ );
    pThreadParameter->ac.exposureTime.write( ssp.exposureTime_us_ );
    if( pThreadParameter->ifc.binningHorizontal.isValid() )
    {
        pThreadParameter->ifc.binningHorizontal.write( ssp.horizontalBinningOrDecimation_ );
    }
    else if( pThreadParameter->ifc.decimationHorizontal.isValid() )
    {
        pThreadParameter->ifc.decimationHorizontal.write( ssp.horizontalBinningOrDecimation_ );
    }
    if( pThreadParameter->ifc.binningVertical.isValid() )
    {
        pThreadParameter->ifc.binningVertical.write( ssp.verticalBinningOrDecimation_ );
    }
    else if( pThreadParameter->ifc.decimationVertical.isValid() )
    {
        pThreadParameter->ifc.decimationVertical.write( ssp.verticalBinningOrDecimation_ );
    }
    pThreadParameter->ifc.height.write( pThreadParameter->ifc.heightMax.read() );
    pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerPathSelector.write( 0LL );
    pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerTriggerSource.writeS( "ExposureEnd" );
    pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerSetNext.write( 0LL );
    pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerPathSelector.write( 1LL );
    if( 0 == ssp.setNr_ )
    {
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerTriggerSource.writeS( "UserOutput0" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerTriggerActivation.writeS( "LevelHigh" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerSetNext.write( 1LL );
    }
    else
    {
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerTriggerSource.writeS( "Off" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerSetNext.write( 0LL );
    }
    checkedMethodCall( pThreadParameter->pDev, pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerSetSave );
}
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This function will configure the sequencer on the device to take continuously
// images where the images are smaller and as fast as possible. Then wait for
// user input to change to set 1. To change the sequence edit the 's_SequencerData'
// data array and recompile the application.
void configureSequencer( ThreadParameter* pThreadParameter )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    try
    {
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerMode.writeS( "Off" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerConfigurationMode.writeS( "On" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerFeatureSelector.writeS( "ExposureTime" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerFeatureEnable.write( bTrue );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerFeatureSelector.writeS( "CounterDuration" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerFeatureEnable.write( bFalse );
        for_each( s_SequencerData.begin(), s_SequencerData.end(), [pThreadParameter]( SequencerSetParameter & setParameter )
        {
            configureSequencerSet( pThreadParameter, setParameter );
            setParameter.expectedFrameRate_ = pThreadParameter->ac.mvResultingFrameRate.read();
        } );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerSetStart.write( 0 );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerConfigurationMode.writeS( "Off" );
        pThreadParameter->sc.sequencerMode.writeS( "On" );
    }
    catch( const ImpactAcquireException& e )
    {
        cout << "An error occurred while setting up the sequencer for device " << pThreadParameter->pDev->serial.read()
             << "(error code: " << e.getErrorCodeAsString() << ")." << endl;
        s_boTerminated = true;
    }
}
 
//=============================================================================
//================= helper functions ==========================================
//=============================================================================
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Calls the function bound to an mvIMPACT::acquire::Method object and displays
// an error message if the function call did fail.
void checkedMethodCall( Device* pDev, Method& method )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    const TDMR_ERROR result = static_cast<TDMR_ERROR>( method.call() );
    if( result != DMR_NO_ERROR )
    {
        cout << "An error was returned while calling function '" << method.displayName() << "' on device " << pDev->serial.read()
             << "(" << pDev->product.read() << "): " << ImpactAcquireException::getErrorCodeAsString( result ) << endl;
    }
}
 
//=============================================================================
//================= main implementation =======================================
//=============================================================================
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
void liveThread( ThreadParameter* pThreadParameter )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    // Now configure SFNC(Standard Features Naming Convention) compliant features(see http://www.emva.org to find out more
    // about the standard and to download the latest SFNC document version)
    //
    // IMPORTANT:
    //
    // The SFNC unfortunately does NOT define numerical values for enumerations, thus a device independent piece of software
    // should use the enum-strings defined in the SFNC to ensure interoperability between devices. This is slightly slower
    // but should not cause problems in real world applications. When the device type AND GenICam XML file version is
    // guaranteed to be constant for a certain version of software, the driver internal code generator can be used to create
    // a interface header, that has numerical constants for enumerations as well. Refer to the code generator chapter in
    // the C++ documentation under 'Use Cases' for details.
    configureDevice( pThreadParameter->pDev );
    configureSequencer( pThreadParameter );
 
    // Send all requests to the capture queue. There can be more than 1 queue for some devices, but for this sample
    // we will work with the default capture queue. If a device supports more than one capture or result
    // queue, this will be stated in the manual. If nothing is mentioned about it, the device supports one
    // queue only. This loop will send all requests currently available to the driver. To modify the number of requests
    // use the property mvIMPACT::acquire::SystemSettings::requestCount at runtime or the property
    // mvIMPACT::acquire::Device::defaultRequestCount BEFORE opening the device.
    TDMR_ERROR result = DMR_NO_ERROR;
    while( ( result = static_cast<TDMR_ERROR>( pThreadParameter->fi.imageRequestSingle() ) ) == DMR_NO_ERROR ) {};
    if( result != DEV_NO_FREE_REQUEST_AVAILABLE )
    {
        cout << "'FunctionInterface.imageRequestSingle' returned with an unexpected result: " << result
             << "(" << mvIMPACT::acquire::ImpactAcquireException::getErrorCodeAsString( result ) << ")" << endl;
    }
 
    manuallyStartAcquisitionIfNeeded( pThreadParameter->pDev, pThreadParameter->fi );
 
    mvIMPACT::acquire::Request* pRequest = nullptr;
    // we always have to keep at least 2 images as the displayWindow module might want to repaint the image, thus we
    // can free it unless we have a assigned the displayWindow to a new buffer.
    mvIMPACT::acquire::Request* pPreviousRequest = nullptr;
    unsigned int cnt = {0};
    const unsigned int timeout_ms = 2500;
    while( !s_boTerminated )
    {
        // wait for results from the default capture queue
        int requestNr = pThreadParameter->fi.imageRequestWaitFor( timeout_ms );
        pRequest = pThreadParameter->fi.isRequestNrValid( requestNr ) ? pThreadParameter->fi.getRequest( requestNr ) : nullptr;
        if( pRequest != nullptr )
        {
            if( pRequest->isOK() )
            {
                ++cnt;
                // here we can display some statistical information every 100th image
                if( cnt % 100 == 0 )
                {
                    cout << "Info from " << pThreadParameter->pDev->serial.read()
                         << ": " << pThreadParameter->statistics.framesPerSecond.name() << ": " << pThreadParameter->statistics.framesPerSecond.readS()
                         << ", " << pThreadParameter->statistics.errorCount.name() << ": " << pThreadParameter->statistics.errorCount.readS()
                         << ", " << pThreadParameter->statistics.captureTime_s.name() << ": " << pThreadParameter->statistics.captureTime_s.readS()
                         << ", " << "AOI: " << pRequest->imageWidth.readS() << "x" << pRequest->imageHeight.readS() << endl;
                }
#ifdef USE_DISPLAY
                pThreadParameter->displayWindow.GetImageDisplay().SetImage( pRequest );
                pThreadParameter->displayWindow.GetImageDisplay().Update();
#endif  // #ifdef USE_DISPLAY
            }
            else
            {
                std::cout << "Error: " << pRequest->requestResult.readS() << endl;
            }
            if( pPreviousRequest != nullptr )
            {
                // this image has been displayed thus the buffer is no longer needed...
                pPreviousRequest->unlock();
            }
            pPreviousRequest = pRequest;
            // send a new image request into the capture queue
            pThreadParameter->fi.imageRequestSingle();
        }
        //else
        //{
        // Please note that slow systems or interface technologies in combination with high resolution sensors
        // might need more time to transmit an image than the timeout value which has been passed to imageRequestWaitFor().
        // If this is the case simply wait multiple times OR increase the timeout(not recommended as usually not necessary
        // and potentially makes the capture thread less responsive) and rebuild this application.
        // Once the device is configured for triggered image acquisition and the timeout elapsed before
        // the device has been triggered this might happen as well.
        // The return code would be -2119(DEV_WAIT_FOR_REQUEST_FAILED) in that case, the documentation will provide
        // additional information under TDMR_ERROR in the interface reference.
        // If waiting with an infinite timeout(-1) it will be necessary to call 'imageRequestReset' from another thread
        // to force 'imageRequestWaitFor' to return when no data is coming from the device/can be captured.
        // cout << "imageRequestWaitFor failed (" << requestNr << ", " << ImpactAcquireException::getErrorCodeAsString( requestNr ) << ")"
        //   << ", timeout value too small?" << endl;
        //}
    }
    manuallyStopAcquisitionIfNeeded( pThreadParameter->pDev, pThreadParameter->fi );
 
#ifdef USE_DISPLAY
    // stop the displayWindow from showing data we are about to free
    pThreadParameter->displayWindow.GetImageDisplay().RemoveImage();
#endif // #ifdef USE_DISPLAY
 
    // In this sample all the next lines are redundant as the device driver will be
    // closed now, but in a real world application a thread like this might be started
    // several times an then it becomes crucial to clean up correctly.
 
    // free the last potentially locked request
    if( pRequest )
    {
        pRequest->unlock();
    }
    // clear all queues
    pThreadParameter->fi.imageRequestReset( 0, 0 );
}
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// This function will allow to select devices that support the GenICam interface
// layout(these are devices, that claim to be compliant with the GenICam standard)
// and that are bound to drivers that support the user controlled start and stop
// of the internal acquisition engine. Other devices will not be listed for
// selection as the code of the example relies on these features in the code.
bool isDeviceSupportedBySample( const Device* const pDev )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    if( !pDev->interfaceLayout.isValid() &&
        !pDev->acquisitionStartStopBehaviour.isValid() )
    {
        return false;
    }
 
    vector<TDeviceInterfaceLayout> availableInterfaceLayouts;
    pDev->interfaceLayout.getTranslationDictValues( availableInterfaceLayouts );
    return find( availableInterfaceLayouts.begin(), availableInterfaceLayouts.end(), dilGenICam ) != availableInterfaceLayouts.end();
}
 
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
int main( void )
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
{
    DeviceManager devMgr;
    Device* pDev = getDeviceFromUserInput( devMgr, isDeviceSupportedBySample );
    if( !pDev )
    {
        std::cout << "Unable to continue! Press [ENTER] to end the application" << endl;
        cin.get();
        return 1;
    }
 
    try
    {
        std::cout << "Initialising the device. This might take some time..." << endl << endl;
        pDev->interfaceLayout.write( dilGenICam ); // This is also done 'silently' by the 'getDeviceFromUserInput' function but your application needs to do this as well so state this here clearly!
        pDev->open();
    }
    catch( const ImpactAcquireException& e )
    {
        // this e.g. might happen if the same device is already opened in another process...
        std::cout << "An error occurred while opening the device " << pDev->serial.read()
                  << "(error code: " << e.getErrorCodeAsString() << ")." << endl
                  << "Press [ENTER] to end the application..." << endl;
        cin.get();
        return 2;
    }
 
    // start the execution of the 'live' thread.
    cout << endl
         << "Press [1] [ENTER] to switch to sequencer set 1." << endl
         << "Press [0] [ENTER] to switch to sequencer set 0." << endl
         << "Press [ENTER] to end the application." << endl << endl;
    ThreadParameter threadParam( pDev );
    thread myThread( liveThread, &threadParam );
    while( s_boTerminated == false )
    {
        char in;
        cin >> in;
        checkInput( &threadParam, in );
    }
    myThread.join();
    return 0;
}