Add Python sample for sending image data.

README.md

@@ -4,10 +4,25 @@ The ecal-camera-samples is a set of projects around sending and receiving image
 
 After installation, you have 2 components available:
 
-1. A **sender application** `ecal_camera_snd` that publishes the data of a webcam device to an eCAL topic
-2. A **monitor plugin** that can display the image data in the eCAL Monitor
+1. A **sender application** `ecal_camera_snd` (C++) that publishes the data of a webcam device to an eCAL topic, and a Python version achieving the same thing, called `webcam_grabber`.
+2. A **monitor plugin** (C++) that can display the image data in the eCAL Monitor
 
-# How to install prebuilt binaries
+# Python Setup 
+
+It's recommended to start the `webcam-grabber` in a virtual environment.
+Then install all necessary requirements
+```bash
+pip install -r ./requirements.txt
+```
+Additionaly, install the python wheel matching your python version, and operating system.
+E.g. if you are using Python 3.11 64bit on a Windows operating system, and eCAL 5.12.1, run
+```bash
+pip install ./ecal5-5.12.1-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl
+```
+The wheels can be downloaded from the Github releases page [here](https://github.com/eclipse-ecal/ecal/releases).
+
+
+# C++ Setup - How to install prebuilt binaries
 
 1. [Install eCAL](https://eclipse-ecal.github.io/ecal/getting_started/setup.html) (obviously 😉)
 2. Go to the [release page](https://github.com/eclipse-ecal/ecal-camera-samples/releases) and pick the version matching your OS and eCAL Version
@@ -21,7 +36,7 @@ After installation, you have 2 components available:
     sudo dpkg -i ecal-camera-samples*.deb
     ```
 
-# How to build it yourself
+# C++ Setup - How to build it yourself
 
 ## Windows
 
@@ -68,17 +83,17 @@ After installation, you have 2 components available:
 
 # Usage
 
-## eCAL Camera Sender
+## eCAL Camera Sender (C++)
 
 This application captures the stream from a specified camera and publishes it via eCAL. Optionally, the resolution of the image as well as a maximal framerate can be specified.
 
 Usage:
-```
+```bash
 ecal_camera_snd [topicName] [cameraName] [OPTIONAL_resolutionWidth] [OPTIONAL_resolutionHeight] [OPTIONAL_maxFps]
 ```
 
 Command Line:
-```
+```bash
 topicName:        Name of the eCAL Topic to publish to
 cameraName:       Path to camera. Call --list-cameras to list
                   available cameras. 
@@ -95,6 +110,24 @@ Example:
 ecal_camera_snd compressed_image_protobuf /dev/video0 640 480 10
 ```
 
+## eCAL Camera sender (Python)
+
+Run the python script `webcam-grabber.py`.
+You will be able to see the published data in eCAL Monitor.
+
+```bash
+python .\webcam-grabber.py --help
+usage: webcam-grabber.py [-h] [--camera-id CAMERA_ID] [--compressed] [--topic-name TOPIC_NAME]
+
+optional arguments:
+  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
+  --camera-id CAMERA_ID
+                        Which camera to use for feed
+  --compressed          send compressed image instead of raw image
+  --topic-name TOPIC_NAME
+                        topic name to publish
+```
+
 ## eCAL Monitor Plugin
 
 After running cmake --install on the monitor plugin, you can view the published camera image in the eCAL Monitor GUI in the detailed view under the Camera Receiver tab.

ecal_camera_snd_python/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# Webcam Grabber
+
+This sample code demonstrates how to read camera input as images and publish them on eCAL in protobuf format, as ROS compressed or raw images.
+
+## Installation
+It's recommended to start the `webcam-grabber` in a virtual environment.
+Then install all necessary requirements
+```
+pip install -r ./requirements.txt
+```
+Additionaly, install the python wheel matching your python version, and operating system.
+E.g. if you are using Python 3.11 64bit on a Windows operating system, and eCAL 5.12.1, run
+```
+pip install ./ecal5-5.12.1-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl
+```
+The wheels can be downloaded from the Github releases page [here](https://github.com/eclipse-ecal/ecal/releases).
+
+
+## Usage
+Run the python script `webcam-grabber.py`.
+You will be able to see the published data in eCAL Monitor.
+
+```
+python .\webcam-grabber.py --help
+usage: webcam-grabber.py [-h] [--camera-id CAMERA_ID] [--compressed] [--topic-name TOPIC_NAME]
+
+optional arguments:
+  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
+  --camera-id CAMERA_ID
+                        Which camera to use for feed
+  --compressed          send compressed image instead of raw image
+  --topic-name TOPIC_NAME
+                        topic name to publish
+```

ecal_camera_snd_python/datatypes_collection/LICENSE.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+are met:
+
+ * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+   copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
+   disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided
+   with the distribution.
+ * Neither the name of copyright holder nor the names of its
+   contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
+   from this software without specific prior written permission.
+
+THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+"AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
+FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
+BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
+LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
+CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
+LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN
+ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

ecal_camera_snd_python/datatypes_collection/pyproject.toml

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+[build-system]
+requires = ["setuptools"]
+build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
+
+[project]
+name = "datatypes_collection"
+license = {file = "./LICENSE.txt"}
+version = "0.1.0"