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Send text messages from propeller — Parallax Forums

Send text messages from propeller

mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
edited 2013-10-21 16:05 in Propeller 1
Anyone have an idea on how I could send text messages from a propeller? I have internet access and was thinking could use some kind of service like www.freetxt.ca/ to send the messages. I have tried connecting a prop to the internet before and failed before. Was wondering if anyone had some ideas/examples

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-10-20 21:35
    I know of two ways to do this (I know there are more).

    The smart way with Tubular's Telit board.

    The dumb way with relays.

    I haven't had success with using a Prop on the internet either. I did get the relay version to work though.

    The relay control text messager was done before I videoed my projects. I'm very tempted to wire it up again to record the fun sound it made as it sent a text message.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2013-10-20 21:39
    GSM does that mean i need to pay a cell phone provider a service fee?
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-10-20 21:54
    mctrivia wrote: »
    GSM does that mean i need to pay a cell phone provider a service fee?

    Yes.

    I just borrow the SIM card from my $100 a year prepaid normal cell phone to use in the relay controlled version. You can do the same with the Telit version. Assuming you have a cell phone to borrow it from.

    I can see where this has limited application if you want to leave the Propeller available to text all the time.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2013-10-20 22:59
    unfortunately I do not want to have to pay an extra $100/year just to be able to send text messages. Especially when I have fiber optic internet connection only 3 feet away.
  • Mike GMike G Posts: 2,702
    edited 2013-10-21 03:49
    Most providers have services that allow text messaging using SMTP or a simple HTTP post. http://www.twilio.com/sms has a nice middle ware service for handling SMS.

    The Spinneret or W5200 board of the quick start connect easily to the internet.
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2013-10-21 03:59
    @Duane Degn, I love your relay SMS system!

    Heck, even if there are other solutions like Spinneret, it would be tempting to add the relay sound effects.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2013-10-21 10:48
    mctrivia wrote: »
    Anyone have an idea on how I could send text messages from a propeller? I have internet access and was thinking could use some kind of service like www.freetxt.ca/ to send the messages. I have tried connecting a prop to the internet before and failed before. Was wondering if anyone had some ideas/examples

    My BASIC Stamp 2p Alarm System used a PINK (NetBurner) module to send e-mail to my vtext address. So whenever there was an alarm event I would receive a text message. Most cellular carriers have an e-mail address corresponding to the subscriber phone number so you can send a TXT message via e-mail. For example, to send a text to a Verizon phone you would e-mail ##########@vtext.com

    You should be able to use the Spinneret or the WIZnet QuickStart board to accomplish this.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2013-10-21 13:22
    Almost all carriers (major ones anyway) provide an email service for delivering text messages. Here's a list: http://20somethingfinance.com/how-to-send-text-messages-sms-via-email-for-free/
    To confirm, I just tried it and it works on AT&T. I'm guessing you could set up a net service with PINK or similar system that could run a simple POP3 email client. I think that someone has already written a POP3 client on the Propeller to work with the old uController spinstudio Ethernet board (which I know you have, BTW) but I can't remember what that board is called to look up the code. That would probably be useful for your purposes.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2013-10-21 16:05
    Spin studio would be nice as it is cheap and low part count system. Though I didn't think anyone had much luck with it. I can easily set up my server to convert get commands to emails if that is easier
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