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Cell phone interface for Parallax Stamp projects — Parallax Forums

Cell phone interface for Parallax Stamp projects

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2000-09-20 00:28 in General Discussion
Hello. Due to the portability of the Parallax Stamp, I have been
trying to develop a few projects that will interface with my car. I
would like it to call up my pager and report information. Due to
this, I need to know if anyone has found a way to interface the Stamp
with a Cellular phone OR a HAM Packet Radio system. Has anyone done
this? Or does anyone know where I may find infomation on how to go
about this?

Also, has anyone else done any projects interfacing an automobile
with the Stamp?

Thanks for any help you all can offer.

Best of Regards,

Todd

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 02:08
    Having been a ham for a few years and run packet for most of that time,
    I'd say you would want to consider making the Stamp act as some sort of
    'smart' terminal and hook it to a TNC. To emulate the TNC function would
    be serious over-kill. Just a thought.

    Michael
    KD6BMV

    contacttodd@y... wrote:

    > Hello. Due to the portability of the Parallax Stamp, I have been
    > trying to develop a few projects that will interface with my car. I
    > would like it to call up my pager and report information. Due to
    > this, I need to know if anyone has found a way to interface the Stamp
    > with a Cellular phone OR a HAM Packet Radio system. Has anyone done
    > this? Or does anyone know where I may find infomation on how to go
    > about this?
    >
    > Also, has anyone else done any projects interfacing an automobile
    > with the Stamp?
    >
    > Thanks for any help you all can offer.
    >
    > Best of Regards,
    >
    > Todd
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 02:49
    At 06:08 PM 9/18/2000 -0700, you wrote:
    >Having been a ham for a few years and run packet for most of that time,
    >I'd say you would want to consider making the Stamp act as some sort of
    >'smart' terminal and hook it to a TNC. To emulate the TNC function would
    >be serious over-kill. Just a thought.

    FWIW, one of the HAM websites has a PIC TNC, as I remember.

    >Michael
    >KD6BMV
    >
    >contacttodd@y... wrote:
    >
    > > Hello. Due to the portability of the Parallax Stamp, I have been
    > > trying to develop a few projects that will interface with my car. I
    > > would like it to call up my pager and report information. Due to
    > > this, I need to know if anyone has found a way to interface the Stamp
    > > with a Cellular phone OR a HAM Packet Radio system. Has anyone done
    > > this? Or does anyone know where I may find infomation on how to go
    > > about this?
    > >
    > > Also, has anyone else done any projects interfacing an automobile
    > > with the Stamp?
    > >
    > > Thanks for any help you all can offer.
    > >
    > > Best of Regards,
    > >
    > > Todd
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 03:55
    Good Day:
    I suggest you go to Parallax.com and download their
    "Cermetek Modem AppKit" info and software. This modem
    is a tiny unit and works great with a cell-phone. I
    use it to send data at 1200 baud without any problems.
    I have had it call a pager and report voltage levels
    as part of a monitoring system. (I use a 3 Watt analog
    phone)

    Andy




    > > > Hello. Due to the portability of the Parallax
    > Stamp, I have been
    > > > trying to develop a few projects that will
    > interface with my car. I
    > > > would like it to call up my pager and report
    > information. Due to
    > > > this, I need to know if anyone has found a way
    > to interface the Stamp
    > > > with a Cellular phone OR a HAM Packet Radio
    > system. Has anyone done
    > > > this? Or does anyone know where I may find
    > infomation on how to go
    > > > about this?
    > > >
    > > > Also, has anyone else done any projects
    > interfacing an automobile
    > > > with the Stamp?
    > > >
    > > > Thanks for any help you all can offer.
    > > >
    > > > Best of Regards,
    > > >
    > > > Todd
    >
    >
    >
    >


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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 04:14
    > At 06:08 PM 9/18/2000 -0700, you wrote:
    > >Having been a ham for a few years and run packet for most of that time,
    > >I'd say you would want to consider making the Stamp act as some sort of
    > >'smart' terminal and hook it to a TNC. To emulate the TNC function would
    > >be serious over-kill. Just a thought.
    >
    > FWIW, one of the HAM websites has a PIC TNC, as I remember.
    >

    You do, in fact, remember Bruce anf the site is www.tapr.org


    Mark Hillier, VE6HVW
    President, HVW Technologies Inc.
    Canadian Distributors of Parallax Products and other Neat Stuff
    Tel: +403-730-8603 Fax: +403-730-8903
    http://www.hvwtech.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 17:37
    Myself and a friend constructed a car alarm last October. Since then we
    have considered connecting a GPS receiver with Packet radio or a cell
    phone so if the
    vehicle is stolen the system would report it's current location. Motorola
    cell phones have an interface and communication protocol to send the
    phone commands. This could be a command to dial 555-1212 for example. The
    interface uses some kind of
    serial connection but there is not much info on the net related to this.
    It does work, a PC-Card cellular modem in my laptop dials numbers on a
    flip-phone without difficulty. The same connector on portable/mobile
    Motorola phones carries many data lines and audio signals, if you can
    figure it out that would sure make a nice project.

    -William

    contacttodd@y... wrote:

    > Hello. Due to the portability of the Parallax Stamp, I have been
    > trying to develop a few projects that will interface with my car. I
    > would like it to call up my pager and report information. Due to
    > this, I need to know if anyone has found a way to interface the Stamp
    > with a Cellular phone OR a HAM Packet Radio system. Has anyone done
    > this? Or does anyone know where I may find infomation on how to go
    > about this?
    >
    > Also, has anyone else done any projects interfacing an automobile
    > with the Stamp?
    >
    > Thanks for any help you all can offer.
    >
    > Best of Regards,
    >
    > Todd
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 18:09
    At 11:37 AM 9/19/00 -0500, you wrote:

    >Myself and a friend constructed a car alarm last October. Since then we
    >have considered connecting a GPS receiver with Packet radio or a cell
    >phone so if the
    >vehicle is stolen the system would report it's current location.

    This sounds like a great application for APRS (Automatic Position Reporting
    System), a GIS that allows real time tracking of GPS equipped vehicles.
    Hams have been using this for years to track everything from vehicles to
    near space balloons. Look here for info:

    http://www.qsl.net/kd4rdb/aprs.htm

    On this page under 'Trackers' look at the Tiny Trak. It'a PIC based
    Transmit only TNC thats perfect for GPS trackers. Works with the AX.25
    packet protocol which these days can be decoded with a sound card. Bear in
    mind that to use any of this on amateur radio frequencies you need a licence.

    Duncan
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 19:11
    Two ideas: newer cell phones (digital, pcs, and the like) usually have
    an RS-232 interface cable as an accessory. Most of these cell phones
    turn into modem like devices, emulateing an AT command set. so you
    don't need a modem, write your stamp program as if it is connecting to
    the other computer via a dialup modem. (warning, Sprint PCS sells these
    cables w/ software for $100, but if you go to manufactur web sites, and
    third party sites, you can typically get these cable between $25 and $50)

    If your cell phone does not support this mode, you can allways use DTMF
    to transmit limited amounts of information via an audio interface. (if
    your cell phone has a headset option through a 2.5mm jack, or on nokia
    phones via a $5? adapter, then you could use this to send/receive DTMF
    or if you have a FSK or simillar modem audio.)

    some hi-end phones support IRDA, i am unfamilliar with regards to the
    negotiation of the speed of such a connection. it may be possible to
    utilize this, but haven't looked at the specs.

    nearly all cell phones have accessory cables which allow you to connect
    a modem/fax or any POTS device. you can purchase a POTS line interface
    (or roll your own, check out Nuts and Volts, or Electronics Now.) then
    use the stamp or DTMF tone generator/detector to transmit and receive
    data.

    if you don't want to buy the cable and have a hackable phone, connect
    the keypad to a i/o expander, so you can dial out with the stamp, and
    hook the speaker/microphone up to the stamp's DTMF in/out or use a DTMF
    encoder and decoder chip set.

    just some ideas

    joshua

    Excerpts from Stamp_List: 19-Sep-100 [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Cell phone in.. by
    contacttodd@y...
    > Hello. Due to the portability of the Parallax Stamp, I have been
    > trying to develop a few projects that will interface with my car. I
    > would like it to call up my pager and report information. Due to
    > this, I need to know if anyone has found a way to interface the Stamp
    > with a Cellular phone OR a HAM Packet Radio system. Has anyone done
    > this? Or does anyone know where I may find infomation on how to go
    > about this?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 19:53
    Joshua,

    Thanks for your information, that's exactly what I was
    looking for! I am trying to build an alarm for my
    automobile that will interface with a cell phone. If
    someone steals my car, I want the ability to dial up
    the car and turn it off. If you have anymore ideas on
    how to better develop my concept, please let me know.
    Your advice was excellent, I would love to hear more
    input if you have the time.

    Thanks again!

    Todd

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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 21:48
    At 11:53 AM 9/19/00 -0700, you wrote:
    >Joshua,
    >
    >Thanks for your information, that's exactly what I was
    >looking for! I am trying to build an alarm for my
    >automobile that will interface with a cell phone. If
    >someone steals my car, I want the ability to dial up
    >the car and turn it off. If you have anymore ideas on
    >how to better develop my concept, please let me know.
    >Your advice was excellent, I would love to hear more
    >input if you have the time.
    >
    >Thanks again!
    >
    >Todd

    Good Idea, but the reason something like this isn't on
    the market... Suppose that when you turned your car
    "OFF", the robber was crossing an intersection, railroad,
    or on an 8-lane hwy and was killed, or killed someone
    else because of your actions of turning the car off.

    YOU my friend would be charged with vehicular homicide.

    Beau Schwabe IC Mask Designer
    National Semiconductor Network Products Division
    500 Pinnacle Court, Suite 525 Mail Stop GA1 Norcross, GA 30071
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 22:27
    If he steals he get what he deserves

    Beau Schwabe wrote:
    >
    > At 11:53 AM 9/19/00 -0700, you wrote:
    > >Joshua,
    > >
    > >Thanks for your information, that's exactly what I was
    > >looking for! I am trying to build an alarm for my
    > >automobile that will interface with a cell phone. If
    > >someone steals my car, I want the ability to dial up
    > >the car and turn it off. If you have anymore ideas on
    > >how to better develop my concept, please let me know.
    > >Your advice was excellent, I would love to hear more
    > >input if you have the time.
    > >
    > >Thanks again!
    > >
    > >Todd
    >
    > Good Idea, but the reason something like this isn't on
    > the market... Suppose that when you turned your car
    > "OFF", the robber was crossing an intersection, railroad,
    > or on an 8-lane hwy and was killed, or killed someone
    > else because of your actions of turning the car off.
    >
    > YOU my friend would be charged with vehicular homicide.
    >
    > Beau Schwabe IC Mask Designer
    > National Semiconductor Network Products Division
    > 500 Pinnacle Court, Suite 525 Mail Stop GA1 Norcross, GA 30071
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 22:51
    Excerpts from Stamp_List: 19-Sep-100 Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Cell phon.. by
    Beau·Schwabe@a...
    > Good Idea, but the reason something like this isn't on
    > the market... Suppose that when you turned your car
    > "OFF", the robber was crossing an intersection, railroad,
    > or on an 8-lane hwy and was killed, or killed someone
    > else because of your actions of turning the car off.
    >
    > YOU my friend would be charged with vehicular homicide.

    i don't doubt that there would be a strong legal case for wrongful death
    or similar arguement.

    But i'm fairly sure that this does exsist on the market. it is
    typically marketed as an anti-car jacking device.

    when you are car-jacked, you leave the car and press another remote in
    your pocket. the car can be driven two minutes or so, and then locks
    the doors, disengages the ignition, and honks the horn/siren or similar
    attention grabing device.

    i haven't been able to find this feature on a commercial alarm. perhaps
    they have been taken off the market, or it's just a figment of my
    imagination.

    so all this is for educational purpose only. consult your lawyer,
    doctor or psycic to make sure this is legal...

    joshua
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-19 23:06
    Excerpts from Stamp_List: 19-Sep-100 Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Cell phon.. by
    Beau·Schwabe@a...
    > Good Idea, but the reason something like this isn't on
    > the market... Suppose that when you turned your car
    > "OFF", the robber was crossing an intersection, railroad,
    > or on an 8-lane hwy and was killed, or killed someone
    > else because of your actions of turning the car off.
    >
    > YOU my friend would be charged with vehicular homicide.

    True, it is dangerous to shut down the engine. What if it was drastically
    slowed down 30 seconds after you left the car by reducing the fuel? A stamp
    could be programmed to slow down the engine 30 seconds after the seat belt
    is removed by controlling a solenoid blocking the fuel line with a small
    bypass line in parallel with the blocking solenoid. Most car jackers
    wouldn't put the seat belt on, so if your Stamp monitored the drivers seat
    belt, it could prevent starting without it, or shut down after a short time.
    You would have to make sure you put it back on if you take it off to get
    your wallet or something.

    Lets see the guy get away while only being able to drive 20 MPH, oh yeah,
    and the horn going off!
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-09-20 00:28
    Two comments on this project
    1) My low-tech antitheft device on a 1979 Mazda RX-7 was a hidden
    toggle switch on the electric fuel pump. With the pump switched off,
    the car would run for a few blocks and then die. Until Beau's comment,
    I didn't realize what an adverse legal position I could be in.
    2) If someone really wants your car, they will just tow it away.
    Here in LA that means your positional system might help locate the
    frame in a chop shop.
    Dennis

    Beau Schwabe wrote:

    > At 11:53 AM 9/19/00 -0700, you wrote:
    > >Joshua,
    > >
    > >Thanks for your information, that's exactly what I was
    > >looking for! I am trying to build an alarm for my
    > >automobile that will interface with a cell phone. If
    > >someone steals my car, I want the ability to dial up
    > >the car and turn it off. If you have anymore ideas on
    > >how to better develop my concept, please let me know.
    > >Your advice was excellent, I would love to hear more
    > >input if you have the time.
    > >
    > >Thanks again!
    > >
    > >Todd
    >
    > Good Idea, but the reason something like this isn't on
    > the market... Suppose that when you turned your car
    > "OFF", the robber was crossing an intersection, railroad,
    > or on an 8-lane hwy and was killed, or killed someone
    > else because of your actions of turning the car off.
    >
    > YOU my friend would be charged with vehicular homicide.
    >
    > Beau Schwabe IC Mask Designer
    > National Semiconductor Network Products Division
    > 500 Pinnacle Court, Suite 525 Mail Stop GA1 Norcross, GA 30071
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