Question

We are starting to develop a new application and I’m searching for information/tips/guides on application architecture.

Application should:

1. read the data from an external (USB) device
2. send the data to the remote server (through internet)
3. receive the data from the remote server
4. perform a video call with to the calling (support) center
5. receive a video call call from the calling (support) center

6. support touch screens

7. In addition: some of the data should also be visible through the web page.

So I was thinking about:
On the server side:

• use the database (probably MS SQL)
• use ORM (nHibernate) to map the data from the DB to the domain objects
• create a layer with business logic in C#
• create a web (WCF) services (for client application)
• create an asp.net mvc application (for item 7.) to enable data view through the browser

On the client side I would use WPF 4 application which will communicate with external device and the wcf services on the server.

So far so good. Now the problem begins. I have no idea how to create a video call (outgoing or incoming) part of the application.
I believe that there is no problem to communicate with microphone, speaker, camera with WPF/C#. But how to communicate with the call center? What protocol and encoding should be used?

I think that I will need to create some kind of server which will:

• have a list of operators in the calling center and track which operator is occupied and which operator is free
• have a list of connected end users
• receive incoming calls from end users and delegate call to free operator
• delegate calls from calling center to the end user

Any info, link, anything on where to start would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

Answer 1

I suggest using an existing service (Skype, Google Chat, …) and control if from your WPF application(s) for the operator and client.