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How hard is it to get an iPhone to control Parallax's new BlueTooth doo-hickey? — Parallax Forums

How hard is it to get an iPhone to control Parallax's new BlueTooth doo-hickey?

ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
edited 2013-03-13 21:22 in General Discussion
Inspired by Parallax's new BlueTooth Roving Networks module http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/145859-New-Product!-Roving-Networks-RN-42-Bluetooth-Module?p=1169039#post1169039 I've been wondering how difficult it is to write applications (or whatever) to get an iPhone, etc. to control such a device.

I know nothing about BlueTooth or iPhone apps, so I'm curious how hard it might be to control just a couple of functions this way. In other words, the app might have only a couple of "buttons".... and the device attached to the BlueTooth only needs to receive the signal and perform a task. No two-way communication is required.

Would this be a bit-banging jungle pitted with code-lined quagmires of Microsoft quicksand waiting to swallow me whole... or what?

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2013-03-12 21:42
    As far as I've been able to find out, the iPhone (and IOS in general) does not support the serial protocol used by the RN-42. I haven't delved deeply enough into the IOS API to see if there's some way around this. Bluetooth Low Energy protocol is supported (see techBasic for an application that uses this) and you can use WiFi and Telnet, but not SPP (Serial Port Protocol).
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-03-12 21:49
    The NovaComm MDCS71 will work with 3rd generation iPads and iPhone4s and newer running iOs6. It won't work with other devices though.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2013-03-12 21:56
    It's not IOS, but related: I've used the Android App BlueTerm to get a terminal like emulator via the Bluetooth serial port.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-03-12 22:31
    Thanks everyone....

    Okay, uh, so it sounds impossible (especially for one so clueless as I) to use this particular BlueTooth device.

    So I have another question: is there any standard type of device similar to this BlueTooth doo-hickey that any and all mobile devices could use? In other words, is there some sort of off-the-shelf module similar to BlueTooth that would accept signals from an iPhone, and an Android, and an etc.? Or does each mobile device require its very own type of doo-hickey at the other end?

    Thanks for the insights.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-03-13 05:47
    ElectricAye wrote: »

    So I have another question: is there any standard type of device similar to this BlueTooth doo-hickey that any and all mobile devices could use? In other words, is there some sort of off-the-shelf module similar to BlueTooth that would accept signals from an iPhone, and an Android, and an etc.? Or does each mobile device require its very own type of doo-hickey at the other end?

    Yes. WiFi modules.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2013-03-13 06:32
    Don M wrote: »
    Yes. WiFi modules.

    Not exactly true. :-)
    Android do not accept ad hoc connections. So with WiFi you need a router in the middle. As far as I know apples have no problems.
    With Bluetooth modules last time I checked apple tablets and phones required a "certified" peripheral, while with Android you have not problems.

    Massimo
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-03-13 12:08
    max72 wrote: »
    Android do not accept ad hoc connections.
    Massimo

    Starting with Android 4.0 (ICS) yes it does. It's called "WiFi Direct". :-)
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2013-03-13 12:43
    This iPad to Prop tutorial is interesting. It uses the seeedstudio bluetoothbee, and it requires a "housebroken" iOS device. I'm not sure exactly what that entails, but there are links in the article. I've had a bluetoothbee easily connected to my iMac using SPP (serial port protocol), but as noted above, that isn't an apparently an option with stock iOS devices.

    While on links, try this recent one on How-to-use-those-cheap-Bluetooth-modules-with-the-Prop
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2013-03-13 14:12
    Don M wrote: »
    Starting with Android 4.0 (ICS) yes it does. It's called "WiFi Direct". :-)
    Great!
    I searched the web for info but I didn't ask in the right forum.
    I'll test it :-)
    Thanks again,
    Massimo
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2013-03-13 19:27
    ElectricAye wrote: »
    So I have another question: is there any standard type of device similar to this BlueTooth doo-hickey that any and all mobile devices could use?

    We use the the HC05 blue tooth modules ($5) as cable replacement to the prop. Initialize it via serial with a text script, and pair it just like any earphone or head set. then we map I/O to other pins (like 24 and 25) instad of 30 and 31. When the prop reboots, you're up and running. We run at 230400 baud, I think it starts to slow down at about 50 feet due to errors. Peter runs his at 3M but I don't know how far he goes.

    The HC05 is handy since it can be assigned a logical name string, and its easier to select which device is being connected to, rather than the com3 - com21 mess with multi props over USB. Sal's whole lab is set up with these, and he just terminals in from a netbook.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-03-13 21:22
    A wealth of knowledge. Thanks everyone for shedding some light on this for me.
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