[x3d-public] dynamic cycleInterval changes

[Don Brutzman]

Here is the specification comment I submitted regarding this issue.  Improvements welcome.

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Comment on 19775-1: Abstract X3D Definitions - V3.3
8.4.1 TimeSensor
http://www.web3d.org/documents/specifications/19775-1/V3.3/Part01/components/time.html#TimeSensor

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Issue: TimeSensor cycleInterval needs to be modifiable when running

It is not feasible to modify TimeSensor cycleInterval without major
machinations and likely failure.

Spec sayeth:

8.4.1 TimeSensor
"An active TimeSensor node ignores set_cycleInterval and set_startTime
events. An active TimeSensor node also ignores set_stopTime events for
set_stopTime less than or equal to startTime."

Email discussion illustrates difficulties with modifying cycleInterval
without error.
Subject: dynamic cycleInterval changes
http://web3d.org/pipermail/x3d-public_web3d.org/2016-November/005566.html

Issues such as event-arrival nondeterminism, usability and HTML5/DOM
interoperability are all interrelated on this topic.

Best place to fix this is in TimeSensor algorithm/code itself.  Necessary
change is to make TimeSensor cycleInterval modifiable when running in order
to avoid two-phase commits and a host of other difficulties.
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all the best, Don
-- 
Don Brutzman  Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br       brutzman at nps.edu
Watkins 270,  MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA   +1.831.656.2149
X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman