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Hey all,
I am interested in the idea of using my phone to control my home theatre equipment. The ability to control any IR equipment with your phone would be a very neat feature and a nice selling point, especially as Google has made clear their intentions to enter the home automation field. However at present it seems very hard to do this with Android.
I know that a solution is to use an IR transmitter connected to the 3.5mm headphone jack. The leader in this market seems to be a company called ThinkFlood who have a product called RedEye Mini. Here's an explanation of how it works...
http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye-mini/#how-does-it-work
Unfortunately for us Android users the software is in beta testing and the RedEye Mini hardware is not compatible yet.
I am wondering if anyone can shed some light on this project and whether it can be achieved yet by any other means?
Also does anyone know whether native support of IR hardware has been considered for Android. Seeing as this technology could very easily be built into phones it seems like a smart move for Google with their home automation drive and all.
I am interested to hear your thoughts and solutions.
Thanks
The concept of home automation would be improved if IR were not used at all. Line of sight comms is very limiting. On the plus side of course it means there are fewer radio waves flying round my house and frying my brain!
I agree 100%. I need to keep all the brain cells I can
Unfortunately though most home theatre equipment still relies of IR and I believe it will for a few more years. Google should jump on IR if they are serious about home automation.
if you use XBMC than there is an nice app to control it and many more.
Controlling the PC is easy as apps can communicate with it via my home network. The problem I have is using my phone to communicate with other equipment such as my TV and AV receiver. For these the only way I can think of controlling them is via IR.
edcoppen, as far as I know you have 2 options for IR on Android:
1/ - Already available DIY solutions -
You can check the Androlirc application (that would be me!)
And a friend of the project has developed a enhanced Audio2IR module that is called Irdroid (mine was just a proof of concept)
You'll have to be (or get) familiar with LIRC to go down that path.
2/ - Anounced and "soon to be available" IR equipped Android devices -
Touchsquid
Conspin Andi One
That a lot of link dropping for a first post, I hope xdadevelopers will let me submit that... (Submit...) Yeah, that's what I thought, you'll just have to look for web sites by yourself then.
Anyway I think we're gonna get some action in the IR/Tablet world soon... Until we get rid of that 30 years old, one way tech (on the plus side, it "owns" 100% of the market and the battery autonomy for a traditional remote control has to be measured in years... that's close to an infinity in the Android world)!
Quite interesting that there will be IR equipped mobile devices any more. I thought the technology would die out. I actually still carry my Nokia N73 with me and from time to time change the channel on the TV in the pub. Great fun!!!
Yeah, I had a nokia 7650 ten years ago with an IR transmitter/receiver and used to have so much fun changing channels in my sports bar. I reckon the technology has less interest nowadays as we move further into the digital age. The best and easiest way to automate your home theatre and stereo systems is to connect them to a pc and control everything from your phone. there are tons of apps in the market that allow you to do this. I have tried a few and am currently using three I find the best: Unified remote (specifically for their spotify remote, which now a days is my stereo system, but they have tons of other remotes and works great over LAN), phonemypc (for me one of the best vnc apps in the market) and remote desktop client, a great RDP app. Whatever you can connect to your pc (with the right hardware/firmware you can even connect all the appliances in your home, even your lights and air-conditioned, to a main server) you can control from your phone, either through LAN - using your home network - or even away from home using the internet (WAN). IR is an obsolete technology in the digital age.
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StreetGuru said:
Whatever you can connect to your pc (with the right hardware/firmware you can even connect all the appliances in your home, even your lights and air-conditioned, to a main server) you can control from your phone, either through LAN - using your home network - or even away from home using the internet (WAN). IR is an obsolete technology in the digital age.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont agree that it is a dead technology... yet! Most AV devices in the home still rely on it and unless i'm mistaken cannot be connected via the PC. Take for example my Samsung TV or my Harman Kardon AVR. I really want to be able to control these from my phone and cant find a viable solution. I have all the apps you mentioned and none of them help me here. You say via the right hardware/firmware can help... but what hardware would you use to connect the two devices I named to a PC, and how mush does it cost?
If an IR transmitter could be built into a watch 10 years ago I see no reason why it coultn't easily be added to a mobile phone. I know its personal preference but I would see it as a strong selling point.
IR hardware range too weak
My older HTC Windows phone had IR support, I had hoped to install AV remote sw on it. Found out the hard way that the IR range on many phones that had the hardware was only a few feet. It was intended as a bidirectional business card sharing type of thing before bluetooth took over. I'm thinking bluetooth is why most phones don't even have the IR hardware built in anymore.
I'm currently looking for a T-Mobile Froyo phone that has IR with sufficient range for AV remote use, any experts out there?
I don't want to depend on any dongles plugged in to the phone, but I would consider an external wireless box that had the IR command set and transmitter and a wireless way to communicate with the phone, preferably bluetooth so I don't have to turn on the wifi radio every time I use it.
i have a new enough Sammy tv to use DLNA etc, but that means turning on the wifi.
Hello everyone. I have been searching for threads all day and have not found much information about being able to hook up devices into some kinda of USB interface or serial interface on Android devices. The closest thing I can find is this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1202082
There has to be a host controller on these phones right? I would think that if there is a micro SD read reader on the phone, there would be one. Am I the only one thinking this? What is the best way to find out?
My inspiration comes from the ArduPilot project . I think this is pretty sweet but I think it could be way more powerful with a full operating system versus a limited micro controller. An additional fun link of, what most can imagine, my final goal: http://www.wimp.com/helmetcam/
I am posting this on the Evo 4G general thread due to owning it and it would be easy to disassemble, if there is something I need to look into.
I want to look finding (or creating) a robotics application for the android OS to map *connected* servo controllers (not bluetooth connected, Arduino powered, etc..) that will also allow remote users to control the phone multiple threads to control the UV or UAV. Examples: 1: Flying the RC Plane while viewing the video stream on the phone's multiple cameras (integrated or attached). 2: Executing autopilot application and monitoring it's progress through two-way communication from a controlling "base" station (PC, Server, Tablet, etc..). Maybe executing multiple RC vehicles at once.
I have a feeling that this would help many others with other types of monitoring projects (What comes to mind: Home security, Car Security, garden monitoring, etc..) This could also help the creation of other commercial products.
Any input and direction you can give would be appreciated.
Hello,
I would like to hear some opinions about my personal want-sth-to-do project. I want to use NFC to open my house doors, including the front door, garage and bedrooms door. In addition, I want to be able to control my air-conditioning system, TV and audio system. I want to integrate some sort of IP/CCTV cameras into my personal system. Just to improve the system, I will develop a Android App to control it via an API.
So, to make this project possible, come to my mind three ways:
1. [Arduino]
- Using the Arduino and its shields to develop the entire system. It will take a while and be hard in some points such as IPCAM recording.
2. [RaspberryPi + Arduino]
- Using the RaspberryPi connected to some Arduino shields using the GertDuino (GPIO expansion boards that make RaspberryPi compatible with Arduino Shields).
- This options seems to be the best option for now, but I dont know if RaspberryPi is able to handle the entire system.
3. [IOIO-OTG]
- IOIO-OTG is a board that make any android device as the heart of the system, making you just program in Java and control the GPIO and UART.
- The benefit is that I can develop it using some Android Stick, however, I need to search about available shields for it.
In addition, I need to think how to separate the core of the system from the sensors such as nfc readers. I do not think that wiring over the entire house is the best way... but I didn't found any wireless sensors...
Someone want to give some opinion? I will update the thread with the sensors I'm looking around and so...
I'd go the arduino (maybe more than one) + raspberry-pi (maybe more than one) way.
the ioio seems to be some µc that runs a firmware that connects to android and provides all i/o pins to android... so nothing you couldn't do yourself with an arduino or something similar.
I'd start with the devices you want to connect. Air conditioning might be controlled using Infrared emitters - would that work?
NFC Readers can be built from an arduino AFAIK, but you'll need some sort of field bus or wireless connection between all the parts...
SkzBR said:
Hello,
I would like to hear some opinions about my personal want-sth-to-do project. I want to use NFC to open my house doors, including the front door, garage and bedrooms door. In addition, I want to be able to control my air-conditioning system, TV and audio system. I want to integrate some sort of IP/CCTV cameras into my personal system. Just to improve the system, I will develop a Android App to control it via an API.
So, to make this project possible, come to my mind three ways:
1. [Arduino]
- Using the Arduino and its shields to develop the entire system. It will take a while and be hard in some points such as IPCAM recording.
2. [RaspberryPi + Arduino]
- Using the RaspberryPi connected to some Arduino shields using the GertDuino (GPIO expansion boards that make RaspberryPi compatible with Arduino Shields).
- This options seems to be the best option for now, but I dont know if RaspberryPi is able to handle the entire system.
3. [IOIO-OTG]
- IOIO-OTG is a board that make any android device as the heart of the system, making you just program in Java and control the GPIO and UART.
- The benefit is that I can develop it using some Android Stick, however, I need to search about available shields for it.
In addition, I need to think how to separate the core of the system from the sensors such as nfc readers. I do not think that wiring over the entire house is the best way... but I didn't found any wireless sensors...
Someone want to give some opinion? I will update the thread with the sensors I'm looking around and so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find your ambition high. But as someone running an Insteon Smart Home with an ISY994i, I can't help but feel you are trying to make a fairly cost effective and secure option more expensive and less secure. Mobilinc integrates with tasker, so you could set it up to unlock doors and stuff pretty easy with NFC.
Best of luck with your search.
me likes
DThought said:
I'd go the arduino (maybe more than one) + raspberry-pi (maybe more than one) way.
the ioio seems to be some µc that runs a firmware that connects to android and provides all i/o pins to android... so nothing you couldn't do yourself with an arduino or something similar.
I'd start with the devices you want to connect. Air conditioning might be controlled using Infrared emitters - would that work?
NFC Readers can be built from an arduino AFAIK, but you'll need some sort of field bus or wireless connection between all the parts...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with DThought. Including a Raspberry Pi would allow some pretty intense processing power.
If you want to limit the amount of wiring you do, you could actually use a USB wifi dongle on the Raspberry Pi. You could then make some simple protoboards/PCBs with an Arduino with a wireless shield for each thing you want to control. This would likely be a more expensive solution than plain wiring but it would allow a lot of flexibility. Especially if you had each of the Arduino clients very similar so that they are interchangeable.
You could also try using Xbee Arduino wireless shields in case you don't want to use regular wifi.
This sounds like a very good project. I hope it works out for you. :laugh:
Introducing the PiPUB (Powered USB Board).
The all-in-one Raspberry Pi power supply and USB hub.
Hey all,
Just wanted to gather interest for something that I am working on.
See attached photos...
What it is/has:
A x4 Port, Powered USB Hub
A Power supply for the Raspberry Pi with overvoltage protection built in.
A Power Switch that completely removes power from the Raspberry Pi after initiating a safe shutdown
An IR receiver
A Remote On/Off switch for any single IR command "learnt" from a remote of your choosing
And IR extender - Gives you the ability to stick the Pi to the back of your TV and have the IR receiver discreetly mounted to the bottom of the screen.
All of this and the ability to fit within your current Raspberry Pi Case
Let me know what you think. Would any of you be interested in one?
Edit:
Kickstarter campaign started: https://www.kickstarter.com/project...b-and-power-control-for-raspbe?ref=nav_search
So, it's actually just something like this?
Improved schematic:
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Not really.
Your schematic shows bypassing the raspberry pi protection circuits. Although this is fine if you know 100% that you have a decent power supply. However, I don't consider this ideal.
My board does away with the microUSB port used to power the Raspberry Pi. Instead it has its own standard DC 5V power in (see picture) which has its own protection circuit equal to that of the Raspberry Pi. It then splits the power supply to the hub and Pi, dedicating constant 5V supply to the Pi through the GPIO. This means when you plug in your USB powered HDD into the PiPUB, the sudden current draw does not effect in any way the power supply of your Pi and your Pi is protected from power surges.
Pretty neat stuff! I need this kind of setup!
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I am the co developer of the PiPUB and have a few more technical and operational details to add.
The hub controller is a Multiple Transaction Translator type meaning all 4 ports run at their maximum speed regardless of the generation of USB device that is connected. Some hubs are slowed down when earlier generation devices are connected.
The PiPUB plugs into one of the existing USB ports by a small, near flush PCB connector. For the keener DIY’er you can solder the USB data lines to the back of the Pi’s USB connector.
All upstream and downstream USB ports are protected against ESD by high speed, low capacitance TVS diodes.
5V power is inputted via a standard 5.5x2.1mm DC connecter through a 3A poly fuse and large TVS for over-current and voltage protection. Power to the Pi is then split off through a 1.1A poly fuse to the GPIO pins, similar to the existing power distribution on the Pi. We have loaded up all USB ports to 500mA and had the Pi running with negligible voltage drop.
You can use either the on board IR receiver or plug in the IR extension. They both work at 38Khz which is fairly common amongst remotes. These pass IR from your remote to the Pi via GPIO 18 and also to the microcontroller to control the power to the hub and Pi. You can map your particular remote to control XBMC.
There is a power button and LED that sits to the left of the audio jack above the Pi’s status LED’s.
If the Pi is OFF, pushing the power button or the learned IR remote button turns the power ON. If power is ON and the power script is installed or the XBMC addon we have created is installed, our board will initiate a safe shutdown. If neither is installed power will be switched off straight away. GPIO 23 and 24 are used for this.
On board is an open collector transistor that allows you to switch loads up to 250mA from GPIO 25. The intent of this is to allow people to control their own peripheral like a fan if desired.
It fits into the Black Multicomp and ModMyPi Cases without modification. It is then up to you to drill and cut the holes you want. We recommend the Black Multicomp case as it is an easy plastic to work with, it is the cheapest and certainly looks the part! In the future we hope to design a 3D printable case and a laser cut acrylic case similar to the Adafruit version for people to make.
If you have any suggestions on how we could improve the design and function it would be much appreciated.
Great little board, where do I get one?
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Thanks! We will be running a little Kickstarter campaign in the next week or two. Will let you know.
Great board! I was looking for a solution to shutdown the Raspberry Pi with a remote control.
Will this board work with the new Raspberry Pi B+? (Just ordered one to get rid of my hub...)
I've got 2 suggestions:
1. add a radio control-module (receiver and sender), so you will not only be able to shutdown the Raspberry Pi but also devices like an external HDD or the TV pluged in a radio controlled power outlets.
(background: I'm using my RPi as server with an external HDD and a printer as well as a wifi-router and when i'm leaving home, I don't use it, so I'm looking for a convenient way to shutdown all devices.)
2. offer a case suited for the Rpi+PiPUB (perhaps as stretchgoal in your kickstarter-campaign?)
Unfortunately it won't work with the B+ as the power button sits where the new set of USB ports are. We may look at producing a B+ version if our Kickstarter is a success (starting in the next 24hrs).
1. If the other devices you are looking at controlling have IR then the PiPub has AUX pads which you could solder 2-3 IR LED's to in series. It is connected to GPIO25 with a transistor so the LED's can be powered correctly. Using LIRC and a script I can see no reason why you couldn't get it to shutdown/power-up your other devices when the learnt IR button for the PiPub has been received. I haven't tried this but it seems more than plausible.
But it sounds like you are using RF controlled power outlets which I'm unsure how you could interface.
2. Like you suggest we would love to offer a case as a stretch goal. Most likely just a laser cut acrylic or 3D printable design. However it would be awesome if we could get Multicomp to modify their design to suit the PiPub!
Kickstarter up and running...
Hi all,
Kickstarter campaign is up.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/22555674/pipub-powered-usb-hub-and-power-control-for-raspbe?ref=nav_search
Please spread the word and help us make this a reality.
Ah, great! Perhaps, shutdown the RPi via IR is enough. I'll see
I got some new questions...
1. As I understand, the PiPuB has an external power supply. Does this power supply power the Raspberry Pi as well, or does the RPi "still" need its own power supply? (could save one power outlet)
2. Is this IR expansion cable anything special, which can only obtained by you? Would be nice to buy it afterwards if neccessary.
Yup. One of best things about the PiPub is that it removes the need for heaps of cables. The single 5V 3A power supply poweres the USB hub and the Raspberry Pi.
The IR extension is nothing special. You can find these on the internet or even a local electronics store. We tested a few and found some to be less ideal than others in terms of practicality. The one we're offering is what we deemed to be the best option but you may very well find something better...
Thanks!
One last question comes to my mind:
How can I use an IR remote with XBMC? In your video, you showed how to program one button of the remote. But what about the rest? I.e. the Flirc USB stick comes with special software to provide this functionality.
phoenix0_4 said:
Thanks!
One last question comes to my mind:
How can I use an IR remote with XBMC? In your video, you showed how to program one button of the remote. But what about the rest? I.e. the Flirc USB stick comes with special software to provide this functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XBMC can be configured to receive IR commands through the GPIO port. The PiPub has an on board IR receiver that is connected to GPIO 18 and also an optional external IR receiver that can be connected. You have to run through a bit of configuration to learn your remote and assign the buttons to a function. Some good info about it here.
wiki.openelec.tv/index.php/Guide_To_lirc_rpi_GPIO_Receiver
druss.pp.ua/2012/08/raspbmc-lirc-gpio-xbmc-en/
ah, I see. Thanks again. I also found some how-tos in german.
So, I backed your project by pledging for a PiPub + power supply. Would be a nice "toy".
BTW, I found a similar kickstarter-project (but without IR or a switch). It's called "Raspiado". (because I'm new in this forum, I can't post a link, sorry.)
phoenix0_4 said:
ah, I see. Thanks again. I also found some how-tos in german.
So, I backed your project by pledging for a PiPub + power supply. Would be a nice "toy".
BTW, I found a similar kickstarter-project (but without IR or a switch). It's called "Raspiado". (because I'm new in this forum, I can't post a link, sorry.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the support.
Yea, unfortunately the Raspiado beat us to it with the KickStarter. I think the Raspiado is nice, but does not solve many of the Pi's issues. I don't understand the purpose of thes long custom USB cables if you're trying to reduce clutter.
What we wanted to focus on is the main issues faced by users of the Raspberry Pi in MediaCentre applications. This being said, the PiPub is still very useful in other applications. Just the power switch alone is massive capibility addition. See: https://www.modmypi.com/pi-supply. This sells for $23USD. Our PiPub is $33USD and does this while still fitting inside your Raspberry Pi case!
Thanks again for your support. :highfive:
Please repost this elsewhere and help us spread the word.
I just made the announcement in a german Raspberry Pi-forum and in the OpenELEC-forum. Perhaps it will help...
phoenix0_4 said:
I just made the announcement in a german Raspberry Pi-forum and in the OpenELEC-forum. Perhaps it will help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that.
Josh.5 said:
Thanks for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're welcome.
Do you know any htpc-forum, which could be another good address?
Alternative
Now that this project did not happen, there is an alternative add-on board available, called RemotePi Board (msldigital.com), it has similar functionality, the IR receiver and power controller but no additional USB ports. Because they have a version for the Raspberry B+ which has 4 USB port this may be a non-issue.
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/k600-smart-tv-keyboard
Supports three devices and six platforms. Connects via included Logi Unifying Receiver (UR) or Bluetooth (BT) to Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android TV/Android mobile devices (Fire TV), Windows, macOS, iOS, and Chrome OS
I initially set it up for WebOS on my LG OLED with its included USB UR as Device 1. Then got it connected by BT to my FireTV Cube as Device 2. Remembered I had a spare older UR for my K400 that I was using on my FireTV so set it up with the Cube as Device 3. I'll get around to ditching the Cube BT connection.
The setup is a little obscure. If you have Windows, the easiest way is to use Logi's UR Connector app and set it up on the PC and then move the UR to what you want to control.
https://download01.logi.com/web/ftp/pub/controldevices/unifying/unifying250.exe