LSL Stream Stops Emitting Data When Networking Widget Deactivates

[Dimitris-Sekertzis]

Problem

After starting an LSL stream in the OpenBCI GUI, if the Networking widget becomes inactive, the stream temporarily stops emitting data.
Detected with App LabRecorder, which shows in real-time the size of the recording file.

Expected behaviour

The LSL stream should continue running independently, even if the Networking widget is inactive or loses focus.

Actual behaviour

The LSL stream hangs or pauses when the Networking widget becomes inactive, disrupting downstream applications that rely on real-time streaming.

Steps to reproduce

1. Launch OpenBCI GUI.

2. Navigate to the Networking tab and start an LSL stream.

3. Observe data being received by LabRecorder.

4. Make the Networking widget inactive or close it.

5. Notice that LabRecorder stops receiving data or the recording file size stops growing.

Operating System and Version

The problem was observed in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

GUI Version

OpenBCI GUI v6.0.0-beta.1

Are you running the downloaded app or from Processing/VSCode?

The downloaded app.

Type of OpenBCI Board

Cyton.

GIF of the issue

[retiutut]

Fixed in #1249 . You are welcome to try running this branch locally.