Hello everyone,
I have a Erisin S2046B in my 2001 BMW E46 and found information, that the RK3188 has several external buses which are partly currently not used in the device. Being an electrical engineer and having some projects in my mind which require some sort of external communication to e.g. microcontrollers, I would like to make use of them.
Did anyone go through the effort to use one of these interfaces?
I read in the sound processor thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/and.../mtc-sound-controlling-bd37xxx-sound-t3234660), that I2C is used there but only limited information on what is done exactly, as it is just a matter of reconnecting the bus lines from the mcu to the rk3188.
I'm not quite sure, if this is the right section, but I would not really consider this "software development". Anyway, if one finds it inappropriate, I would kindly ask a mod to move it to another section
This is great, hopefully it's with guys like yourself tinkering away at these devices we end up with a how new sub-section of interesting mods that can be done for those that like to take stock and improve on it..
Bookmarked for reading as you go through this ... Look forward to some.positive outcomes...
@LC4T, can you be more clear as to what do you plan to achieve? It is no problem to attach another slave (or more) to existing I2C bus, as this bus is a multi-slave in its nature. There's no need to find any interfaces not in use, you are free to use existing, well known one.
As I already mentioned in my posting, I personally plan to connect an external microcontroller and exchange data between the µC and the RK3188. As I don't want to fit the circuitry inside the erisin enclosure, I2C is not the preferable solution.
The principle of I2C and its architecture is known to me, I have already build hardware using I2C But as the existing I2C bus is already connected to at least one slave device, I would be careful with hooking up another one without knowing exactly, what's happening on the bus already. Worst case would be to make the whole existing system unstable. I'd rather use SPI oder UART for my purpose.
In general, this thread should not be seen limited to my intentional use but some sort of collection of information on which buses are present, usable and in use - knowledge base style, so to speak
What's the first solution that comes to your mind when you think of doing something interesting with your I2C?
Some of these units do CANBUS. I'm not sure if there is separate hardware in them or just hookups.
I plan on installing an engine block heater (webasto thermo top c). With the universal wiring kit and control unit, you're only able to set three starting times with a fixed heating time. Additional control units for remote control are quite limited in range and functionality, the "cheap ones" (~200€) only offer "start" and "stop" with the only feedback if the command reached the unit being a blinking led, the ones with the ability to set the starting time from the distance (they claim it works up to 1km depending on the building density) is 350€... There are also GSM units available but also quite expensive and with few functions.
So including a microcontroller would fix all that
If I got it right, the CAN unit is a standalone device, that only decodes relevant data (e.g. gearbox in reverse), so no communication with the android device itself
LC4T said:
I plan on installing an engine block heater (webasto thermo top c). With the universal wiring kit and control unit, you're only able to set three starting times with a fixed heating time. Additional control units for remote control are quite limited in range and functionality, the "cheap ones" (~200€) only offer "start" and "stop" with the only feedback if the command reached the unit being a blinking led, the ones with the ability to set the starting time from the distance (they claim it works up to 1km depending on the building density) is 350€... There are also GSM units available but also quite expensive and with few functions.
So including a microcontroller would fix all that
If I got it right, the CAN unit is a standalone device, that only decodes relevant data (e.g. gearbox in reverse), so no communication with the android device itself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe there are can bus controllers for that device.
You could take a look at IOIO-OTG boards. it might offer some features.
You can make your own can bus for the devices you want to control and use available can bus adapters.
If you're talking about the webasto heater, yes, there are control units with CAN functionality but they are OEM specific (e.g. VW/Audi, Mercedes, BMW,...) and not universal. Also, adding just another interface is not what I intended to do when there are several of them, mostly unused already available
Again: I don't want to use this thread for my specific problem but as a general thread on using the interfaces already present in the unit
LC4T said:
If you're talking about the webasto heater, yes, there are control units with CAN functionality but they are OEM specific (e.g. VW/Audi, Mercedes, BMW,...) and not universal. Also, adding just another interface is not what I intended to do when there are several of them, mostly unused already available
Again: I don't want to use this thread for my specific problem but as a general thread on using the interfaces already present in the unit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. Sure. I like the idea of tapping into the onboard hardware, but it might be good to talk about the limitations and optimal use cases for doing so.
For your case I think you can solve your need without tapping in if the objective is to get it working quickly. If the geek factor is more important then its a moot point.
You could probably tap in using something like this:
sandboxelectronics.com/?product=active-i2c-long-cable-extender-p82b715-module
That might help cut down on noise if you want to run it around the car.
Here's my thoughts.
If you need to control some external DIY device, you need to go with USB ports, which are already available in our devices.
They are just designed to communicate with external world, opposite to I2C or SPI, which are designed for in-system communications only.
Here we have two options:
1. Use native USB communication:
On the headunit side - libusb library which is well-known in Linux world. It might even happen that it is already compiled into the kernel (need to check); otherwise, a libusb.ko module needs to be compiled and loaded.
Nowadays there are many microcontrollers with USB onboard for direct use; and even simpliest MCUs like AVR attiny/atmega can use USB via V-USB library (I've done some just-for-fun projects with it).
2. Use a cheap USB-Serial converter to get a new serial port on a headunit's side. On the MCU side, you'll get a standard UART, which is much simplier than USB for MCU programming.
And returning to your @LC4T idea.
Are you planning to use head unit only as a control panel for your device, so that you only need a big touch screen with a nice UI to set up your externa DIY device, then go off letting that device to work alone? Don't you plan having your head unit always turned on to track time and on/off your heater? Because latter solution is really bad, as our head units are very power hungry.
7floor said:
Here's my thoughts.
If you need to control some external DIY device, you need to go with USB ports, which are already available in our devices.
They are just designed to communicate with external world, opposite to I2C or SPI, which are designed for in-system communications only.
Here we have two options:
1. Use native USB communication:
On the headunit side - libusb library which is well-known in Linux world. It might even happen that it is already compiled into the kernel (need to check); otherwise, a libusb.ko module needs to be compiled and loaded.
Nowadays there are many microcontrollers with USB onboard for direct use; and even simpliest MCUs like AVR attiny/atmega can use USB via V-USB library (I've done some just-for-fun projects with it).
2. Use a cheap USB-Serial converter to get a new serial port on a headunit's side. On the MCU side, you'll get a standard UART, which is much simplier than USB for MCU programming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IOIO OTG solution gets you here plus there are established libraries etc.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki
The OTG version allows it to be powered from the host also. That could make it easy to develop and move around.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki/Getting-To-Know-The-IOIO-OTG-Board
pounce said:
The IOIO OTG solution gets you here plus there are established libraries etc.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki
The OTG version allows it to be powered from the host also. That could make it easy to develop and move around.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki/Getting-To-Know-The-IOIO-OTG-Board
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From $20 for the board on AliExpress to almost $40 elsewhere? No, thanks These guys want too much for their solution. This is the price of a Raspberry PI, a complete computer.
For that price, I would prefer putting a Raspberry under dashboard, connect with WiFi, for example, and have much more flexibility than gives the IOIO.
As to IOIO - as a prototyping board it might be useful, but not for a well-finished DIY project based on a single cheap MCU with a minimum of components, where total cost of it would be much lower than cost of that board.
It is like using ATmega256-based Arduino boards for the purpose of watching a button and blinking a LED, where the $0.5 worth ATtiny13 is an overhead.
Such a boards are probably good for Hackaton events, where you have to show something working after a few hours of quick-and-dirty work, but not for thoroughly designed DIY project.
Depends on how much you value your time and what an existing product offers you for your solution. Many people aren't as price sensitive. I certainly wasn't suggesting the IOIO as the only solution, but for an open ended or more generic solution to get hardware support external to the head unit is generally fits the bill. Established libs for interacting saves some time. Nice bunch of people put it together and there have been some fun projects.
Like I mentioned before, it might be a good idea to discuss what the objective would be to adding smart hardware in the solution through, I2C, USB, bluetooth, wifi or whatever. I think the OP is looking to discuss the general idea and not super specific solutions that might lead a person to pic a very specific ic and com. Well, I know that was the purpose because the OP has redirected me to the point.
You bring up a good point though. You say you would rather put Pi under the dash. I would also for controlling things. In fact Pi or some duino realtime solution is always going to be better for interacting with an auto. This is especially the case when the purpose might be controlling something that is powered like a motor or something life critical. At this point though we are not talking about android or these head units. You are talking about perhaps the method of communication between two systems. Not really for this forum.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------
I'd like to have more input/output trigger wires for events. We have a backup wire, but I'd like more for other things. An example might be to support a passenger side view camera. Sure, there are ways to hack it in by switching the backup video input, but that's a simple example. Power on a wire sends an event in android on the unit.
Do we have GPIO possibility on any of these units?
CanBus via Uart?
Does anyone know how the CanBus connection works? My MTCB Unit came with an adapter box which turns some messages into external signals (like illumination, reverse), but also seems to forward messages via serial into my Head Unit. At least that's how i guess that the steering wheel buttons are working.
Now, there are some messages that i wish to interpret and send, and also some i would interpret different. My idea was to get some kind of filter (maybe software, maybe a dedicated micro controller) in between the CanBus adapter and the service on my head unit. But right now, i have no idea how to verify my understanding of the setup, since no tty device on the HU seems to directly reflect my button presses. There's one, that pours out something unreadable on key press, but this also does it if i touch the screen, so i guess that's not the CanBus adapter itself.
I suspect that the information in already interpret before it gets into the android system, and only the relevant messages are forwarded, or even pre-processed. I suspect that the only way to get to the signals is to listen on the CanBus adapters RX/TX lines, and maybe finally put an microcontroller in between. If unlucky, the adapter might also filter out messages before i can get them, and i need to access the CanBus directly.
htt p://i.imgur.com/P1QzXta.jpg?1 << CanBus Adapter
I would appreciate any hints on this topic, especially information on the CanBus Adapter.
From what I can see on the PCB and I have read about the can adapter:
The adapter itself only interprets data from either can bus or analog signals and forwards them to the android unit via some sort of serial interface, most probably UART. As you have almost no way to get an inside look into the software running on the microcontroller, I would suggest to design a seperate device, that way you can be 100% sure to get all the messages and filter yourself.
I ordered some can bus adapters to see what i can read. Maybe i will first have a look into the data on the serial line when i finished moving house and had time to unpack my gear
I have a can bus HU, when i listen to the radio or music player, i haven't information on display of my car (CLK MERCEDES). I read the new units have dual can bus and information of radio appears on car display. Ther's a way to modify my HU to dual can bus? I have to change a can bus decoder? My can bus decoder is B200.
Regards
7floor said:
.... There's no need to find any interfaces not in use, you are free to use existing, well known one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well known interfaces - that's the keyword.
For example I would like to output current FM-frequency, radio station name, song title to the existing (factory) FIS display in a car. Via CAN bus, because the display talks CAN.
Now I would at least have to know which units have CAN capability.
Yes, I could go the USB to RS232 to CAN dasy-chain-adapter route, but I consider that all but a clean solution
Oskar
Related
*update, the conclusion is that the current software is useless and as of the ppc6800 and the following HTC models, the IRDA port is either crap or non-existent, for that reason I am building a powered, universal adapter to turn any phone into a remote*
hello. first off, yes I know there are old threads about this, but they are dead and had a different take on this topic. I am looking to know if anyone has gotten any tv remote control software working on the mogul. I don't care about the distance so I dont want to hear about how the mogul is ill-equipped to do this, I just want to know what software works as I will use\make a IR repeater\booster that will give me all the range I need.
I have tried the following software
1-PDAWin tv remote controller simply crashes when I press any button
2- noviiRemote is not compatible with our IR
3- RemoteControl II v.2.12 stays it is incompatible with our processor and for that reason, it turns off the IR access... but the rest of the software works ??? odd
4- UniversalRemoteCE 4.0 Tested by wagonis, froze his phone with every try
5- Total Remote does not work, freezes when I try to record a signal.
Untested
6- UltraMote
can't find
7- VITO remote
so to recap. Has anyone found a working software? I will give a free IR booster\repeater to anyone who can point me to a proper and working programmable universal remote control software that works over IR and not the web (or even better, anyone who can get PDAWin tv remote working )
thanks.
Honestly, I've tried 4 different softwares from that list and none worked, if anything they kept crashing my phone...so I gave up before I caused any damage to my phone. If you figure out which one works though, please list it, I'd like to know and try it.
can I know which was teh 4th that did not work so I can update my list please?
UniversalRemoteCE 4.0 froze up my phone every time I tried to use it
Many have tried. I am pretty sure no one has succeeded.
in my best Airplane - The Movie voice
"good luck, we're all counting on you"
my best suggestion is to buy an older known compatible phone with stronger irda
i looked into it a bit ago and came up with a good solution and found two of the phones on ebay for $20...but never bought them
i know it would be convenient to use our daily cell for this feature...but its an uphill battle
dont give up...lol
double post
Since the whole software thing does not seem to work... I am going to set out on making my own! My goal is to make a universal-universal remote app; even cross-platform, and the way I will do this is with external hardware. Since most new phones do not have a good IR port, I will make an external IR port that plugs into phones, mark my words!
I will keep people up to date on this
I'll subscribe to this thread to keep tabs on this. Good luck.
Well I am very excited to say that things are moving along nicely. Unfortunately, my local electronics supply shop (that is actually worth going to) is closed during weekends since its a small business who's main clients are engineering students during the year . This means that My full prototype (with range booster) will have to wait, but the basic premise is working, and, depending on my schedule, I should have a working prototype soon. I have already gotten in contact with a few chinese companies to compare the price of production of the modules.
well, the project is coming along well, but I need some input from the community. 1 is a note, 2 is the important question.
1- the software will be open source. The exact format still has to be determined, but the main lead right now is java so that i can be universal for all phones (except the Iphone that will need its own app).
2- Should it be powered or not? The module is coming along well, but I need some input. If it is powered, I have to make the tough decision between having the ext-usb plug sticking out on the edge of the board, meaning you have a 9v battery dangling from your phone or a short cable (1-2 feet) that plugs in the ext-usb port and the module rests next to you. What is the best route for this? (Ideally I would love bluetooth, but I do not have the electronic know-how for this)
julienrl said:
well, the project is coming along well, but I need some input from the community. 1 is a note, 2 is the important question.
1- the software will be open source. The exact format still has to be determined, but the main lead right now is java so that i can be universal for all phones (except the Iphone that will need its own app).
2- Should it be powered or not? The module is coming along well, but I need some input. If it is powered, I have to make the tough decision between having the ext-usb plug sticking out on the edge of the board, meaning you have a 9v battery dangling from your phone or a short cable (1-2 feet) that plugs in the ext-usb port and the module rests next to you. What is the best route for this? (Ideally I would love bluetooth, but I do not have the electronic know-how for this)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not make all? Powered and not. Corded and not. Are you encasing the electronics? If just for the Mogul how 'bout a phone case type add on putting the IR port on the right end of the phone while you're at it so we don't have to rotate our screens? That being said, with the Mogul getting dated, how 'bout for newer phones lacking IR ports all together like the touch pro and touch pro 2? Oh, maybe someone could help you out with bluetooth.
Well its not just for the mogul, it is going to work universally for all HTC phones and will be one little tweak away from working with other phones.
As far as corded or not, I think I will make it non corded and then you can just add it. It will cost a few cents extra but save alot on production costs of 2 different modules (if I go with powered, unpowered can easily be both).
The reason I am not doing powered and unpowered is that the powered requires a case and a battery and starts getting a little big (the size of half a thumb approximately), while the unpowered one is about 0.5mmx0.5mm. Also, making the powered one requires a much greater production cost as it would be made in china because if I make it myself, the powered one would be about 4 inches by 2 inches as I can't make the small traces myself, many of the parts are hard to come by and suftace mount is hard to do.
The reason that none of the programs work is because they require raw IR port access, not the IRDA protocol.
dj13241 said:
The reason that none of the programs work is because they require raw IR port access, not the IRDA protocol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats ok, this is a hardware\software combination so the IR will work.
I think I love you man. I've been looking for this since before I got my Mogul in my hands.
Manicmoguladdict said:
I think I love you man. I've been looking for this since before I got my Mogul in my hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol I hear ya. Everything is being delayed because the store I usually go to was selling IR LEDs for 4 bucks and they don't specify voltage so I had to order some online. I just need to get that stupid LED so that I can be done with the hardware and get working on the software.
I am still waiting on those diodes. I bought molding and casting material so that our IR emitters will look better than a loose set or components soldered on an extusb port
Anyone going to china who can buy ExtUSB ports for 50 cents with the breakout port? I got that quote from a company but I don't like sending unsecured payments and 10$ per extusb port + breakout board is going to make it pretty expensive for us. If so, let me know, I would like to buy a batch.
thanks.
since our device will work on many phones, instead of creating threads in every forum of every device, we decided to opt for a twitter account where we will keep everyone up to date on this project.
Spread the word!
http://twitter.com/wrctweets
Found this thread searching for a Bluetooth to IR converter, so I could use my Rhodium as a universal remote.
I was wondering... since all modern smartphones have Bluetooth, why not make a powered BT -> IR converter, which uses the HID standard? Since most phones have a HID application already (my old SE K750i could be used to control my desktop computer with HID), you don't need a lot of development on the phones itself. You'd need a way to program the conversion table (key 5 -> send PLAY IR sequence), I guess. You could then have a simple HID remote on simple phones or a full blown custom skinnable remote on a WVGA smartphone.
It would really be nice to have a Philips Pronto (or similar) universal remote where you can operate all sorts of equipment.
unfortunately, working with bluetooth at that level would be well beyond my expertise and bring the cost up $$$$$ because of the low volume of production. Also, making the drivers for this would be much harder and way to phone-specific, killing the intent of this device. Also, the way this works, it should work with any standard IR device.
I have a p4000 and am upgrading to a touch pro2, when I upgrade again in 2 years, I don't want to have to start the project over .
Finally, bluetooth device = more components = bulkier and = batteries!
I am getting back home late tonight and I will get back to work on the project (got the LEDs the day I was leaving).
ps. I do appreciate all feedback and comments.
thank you
julienrl said:
unfortunately, working with bluetooth at that level would be well beyond my expertise and bring the cost up $$$$$ because of the low volume of production. Also, making the drivers for this would be much harder and way to phone-specific, killing the intent of this device. Also, the way this works, it should work with any standard IR device.
I have a p4000 and am upgrading to a touch pro2, when I upgrade again in 2 years, I don't want to have to start the project over .
Finally, bluetooth device = more components = bulkier and = batteries!
I am getting back home late tonight and I will get back to work on the project (got the LEDs the day I was leaving).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry for being off topic, but do you know when the touch pro 2 is coming out in Canada ? And who's gonna get it telus, roger, fido or bell ?? (hope this is coming to Telus)
hehe, its out with telus waiting for mine in the mail now!
Inbound Ir
Will your Module accept inbound ir transfer? I am using a polar hr monitor that uses ir to download files to my phone. I've been looking for an upgrade option with ir without success. If your module will work, this is great news. Keep up the good work.
Hello everyone I am looking for any programmers, hackers that develop a RFID remote program to open my garage door. If you know of any programs that could do that please tell me. I already tried tweaking G-remote but it doesn't work.
The HTC touch Pro does not have an RFID transmitter.
You need an RFID enabled device ( Intermec) and the RFID adapter to communicate with your RFID device. I am curious on one thing, is your garage RFID or Infra Red? there is a huge difference...
If your garage is IR, then most of the handheld phones do not have IR range strong enough to emit to these.
Isn't the HTC touch Pro RFID, and IR compatible so that you can you can use it as a remote like G-remote. Hell you can control anything with g remote why not a garage door, everything is possible right ? and it would be nice that you could open any garage doors if you have the DIP switch codes.?
look everyone if I could I would do this myself but I can't, so money could be involved in exchange for what I am looking for.
thank you,
HTC Raphael not a G-Remote
I have worked with a lot of RFID and IR devices. The simple answer about this phone it is not RFID capable.
Now for IR. the device has an IR port. But it does not have enough wave strengh to broadcast at distances longer than 3 to 5 feet. So in order to do what you want we would need to replace the IR Sensor,Get additional power and write the code to interface with the device and OS. All these mods would void the warranty on the device and make it cost prohibitive, but if you got time and lot's of money it is a cool project.
WinCe soft has created some remote software for TV and DVRs.
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=22506&associateid=17
Also you can take a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/campaigns/fastertomarket.aspx?WT.srch=1
and see if someone has a device with the capabilities you are looking for.
well well then I tought I was screwed but since you know alots about RFID & IR maybe you could help me, find another way, and a better understanding. I saw somewhere somekind of old radio that reads RFID and records everything ex. listening to a phone and get the voicemail code through RFID, recording the DIP codes etc. What is that ?
Intermec ?
Here is the link for Intermec RFID readers
This plugs in to their 700 Model ( which also supports bar code and Cell GSRM Band), This connects via IR to the device so we may be able to use the SDK and connect to the Touch Pro.
http://www.onesource.intermec.com/products/rfid2_ip4/index.aspx
Send me a PM and I can get s general idea of what you are trying to acomplish...
ronin said:
Now for IR. the device has an IR port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, this is driving me nuts.
Could you please tell me in simple, layman's terms *exactly* where the IR port is located on a CDMA Touch Pro? I can't find anything that looks like a window.
Why not mod the garage door rather than the TP?
ronin said:
I have worked with a lot of RFID and IR devices. The simple answer about this phone it is not RFID capable.
Now for IR. the device has an IR port. But it does not have enough wave strengh to broadcast at distances longer than 3 to 5 feet. So in order to do what you want we would need to replace the IR Sensor,Get additional power and write the code to interface with the device and OS. All these mods would void the warranty on the device and make it cost prohibitive, but if you got time and lot's of money it is a cool project.
WinCe soft has created some remote software for TV and DVRs.
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=22506&associateid=17
Also you can take a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/campaigns/fastertomarket.aspx?WT.srch=1
and see if someone has a device with the capabilities you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe instead of modding the TP, you could find a suitable module to convert your garage door to Bluetooth. Just a thought, but it would save you having to void the warranty on your TP.
mstevens said:
Ok, this is driving me nuts.
Could you please tell me in simple, layman's terms *exactly* where the IR port is located on a CDMA Touch Pro? I can't find anything that looks like a window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CDMA Touch Pro does not have IR port...
the Iphone works with an DSRL Remote app. I have an HTC HD2 and it works with winmobile 6 and with android now. Does somebody know an app which works on android or winmobile 6 like the DSRL Remote camcorder app ?
Greeting from Germany
Carsten
been thinking of that for some time now, would LOVE that. But I read somewhere that it may be a problem to use the USB port as host...
http://www.gphoto.org/ ?
i recently found out that it is possible to do this with a nintendo ds but it requires some DIY work or paying someone to do this for you, surprisingly even in germany there seem to be some people building these.
my uncle bought one of these cables/modules for his canon 5dmk2 a few weeks ago. since i got my hands on it I thought about how awesome such a feature would be (preferably wireless) on an a phone.
I would love something like that! An android phone would make the holy grail of dSLR remote controls. Time intervals, exposure settings, super-smooth HDRI with bracketing of multiple photos, live view, hell even motion activated shooting (figure out a way to detect motion from image through the live view and trigger a shutter release every time that happens).
Anyone up for this?! I'll be getting both my SGS and 5DMKII in about a month, super willing to beta-test
I'd love this too for Nikon Devices!
minus30 said:
I'd love this too for Nikon Devices!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible. Only drawback is that a laptop is needed like with the iphone app.
So a possible setup would be like this:
Camera <-> USB cable <-> Laptop running Linux <-> WLAN/Edge/3G <-> Android
The only big dislike is the laptop in that chain
klaus27 said:
It is possible. Only drawback is that a laptop is needed like with the iphone app.
So a possible setup would be like this:
Camera <-> USB cable <-> Laptop running Linux <-> WLAN/Edge/3G <-> Android
The only big dislike is the laptop in that chain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the same setup used for the iPhone, it's basically a remote control setup and I can't really see how it helps that much, it feels like more of a gimmick rather than something helpful since you still need to carry a laptop with you.
Now, if the camera could be directly connected to the phone, that'd be awesome, since you pretty much carry a phone with you at all times.
zeusalmighty said:
It's the same setup used for the iPhone, it's basically a remote control setup and I can't really see how it helps that much, it feels like more of a gimmick rather than something helpful since you still need to carry a laptop with you.
Now, if the camera could be directly connected to the phone, that'd be awesome, since you pretty much carry a phone with you at all times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the point. It is not possible... well, everything is, but the effort cannot be worth the outcome.
It is more likely to do it with an Arduino board with Wlan chip and USB host.
But then again, you have to reverse engineer the Nikon and Canon protocols or use the linux library.... Should be possible, but you need to buy some hardware anyway.
Check this:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...h/gphoto/remote.html&cd=1&hl=de&ct=clnk&gl=de
Cheap plug-computers like sheevaplug or this one: http://www.ionicsplug.com/cumulus.html would make it kind of easy as they run linux, have USB connector(s) and have WLAN (sheevaplug needs USB WLAN stick).
Cross-compiling gphoto library, writing a software which talks through gphoto to the cam and report the capabilities back to the connected Android / Iphone.
Only (major) drawback is that those plug computers need a power supply. I have seen someone running sheevaplug with solar panel .
Sheevaplug is around 75€, so quite affordable.
I need to connect my 5DM2 and check whether things like touch-focus, live preview and stuff would be possible...
What do you think about the power plug issue?
Hehe, I like how you assumed that I can understand these things I dont
At work atm but will try to read through the article, but as I understand so far, this guy uses a small linux computer that can communicate through a WLAN adapter so you basically have a wifi remote control. Looks pretty darn cool, especially for the money, and using a solar panel would be awesome!
Only thing is that it doesn't have that much to do with android as far as I can tell, if it's a web interface then you can use it with any device, right?
What I was thinking was more in the likes of a replacement for the $100+ timer triggers with your phone. I think it should be possible but maybe people wouldn't invest in it (though I think they should).
BTW, I just remembered that you can also trigger the camera through the headphone jack, as with those diy remote releases. Do you think there could be a way to use the SGS headphone jack to cause shutter releases? You wouldn't get any control of the settings from the phone, but you could still program time intervals or bulb shots! Hey, even motion sensing shots, provided you dock your phone some place. And you have to admit it doesn't sound too difficult, right?
See the diy thing here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Rem...or-Canon-Cameras/step2/Cut-off-the-ear-peice/
If/when someone does make something like this, I would think a small netbook would be sufficiently portable, compared to a 15" or 17" laptop, to use as the "host" device.
zeusalmighty said:
Hehe, I like how you assumed that I can understand these things I dont
At work atm but will try to read through the article, but as I understand so far, this guy uses a small linux computer that can communicate through a WLAN adapter so you basically have a wifi remote control. Looks pretty darn cool, especially for the money, and using a solar panel would be awesome!
Only thing is that it doesn't have that much to do with android as far as I can tell, if it's a web interface then you can use it with any device, right?
What I was thinking was more in the likes of a replacement for the $100+ timer triggers with your phone. I think it should be possible but maybe people wouldn't invest in it (though I think they should).
BTW, I just remembered that you can also trigger the camera through the headphone jack, as with those diy remote releases. Do you think there could be a way to use the SGS headphone jack to cause shutter releases? You wouldn't get any control of the settings from the phone, but you could still program time intervals or bulb shots! Hey, even motion sensing shots, provided you dock your phone some place. And you have to admit it doesn't sound too difficult, right?
See the diy thing here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Rem...or-Canon-Cameras/step2/Cut-off-the-ear-peice/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. The thing is there are ready to use solutions out there which do exactly what you are requesting.
My approach was a different one. I wanted to be able to mount the camera somewhere, connect sheevaplug, then go somewhere and remotely control the camera in every aspect. Imaging you have to shoot a marriage. You could place the camera somewhere, take a seat somewhere and see exactly the live-view image from the camera, can point somewhere on the touchscreen to focus on that point, control exposure settings and hit the button to take the shot.
That was my approach. If I would be able to achieve this just with a sheevaplug computer for 75€, that would be great. But there still is the issue with the power necessary to run the computer.
Another problem would be to gain the time needed to write the app. I am able to do that, but time is rare...
I can understand the appeal, as I said it would be awesome to have such a setup, just not for me so far. I'll try to understand how the shutter release works through the remote and report here, i think the headphone jack would be really nice considering that no amount of extra equipment would be necessary, apart from the cable.
Just a quick question, why would you require any coding on the phone, why not use a VNC-like application and install the official canon application on windows?
zeusalmighty said:
I can understand the appeal, as I said it would be awesome to have such a setup, just not for me so far. I'll try to understand how the shutter release works through the remote and report here, i think the headphone jack would be really nice considering that no amount of extra equipment would be necessary, apart from the cable.
Just a quick question, why would you require any coding on the phone, why not use a VNC-like application and install the official canon application on windows?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you ever tried to watch a movie through a VNC connection?
Sheevaplug is driven by a Marvell ARM CPU, no x86 which would be needed by Windows. So only possible way would be to install linux with virtualization, setup windows XP in a container, install EOS software and a VNC server, then use a crappy VNC client on Android to control my camera? Sounds like a crappy setup to me
Having a small, slick and performant native UI would be muuuuuuch better.
I personally don't think that you will succeed with this headphone jack thingie. But I wish you good luck
Hehe, thanks
Good luck with ur project.
Lookie what I just found...
Googling aroud on more general terms for this topic, i found someone pointing to libgPhoto, a multi platform camera control lib: *crap, cannot post links, wtf*
*edit* google for libGphoto, it also has a remote.
Looking a bit further, i came across this:
google for : gitorious agphoto2 commits / master
Now i haven't found any more info on the project yet, but this looks like a project that some of us here on XDA could maybe join in on.. The only problem that then remains is the usb-usb cable There's an actual start on porting an existing lib available!
Just to keep this discussion running (I am not a programmer).
Take a look at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg00321.html They are making progress on a workable solution...
klaus27 said:
I see. The thing is there are ready to use solutions out there which do exactly what you are requesting.
My approach was a different one. I wanted to be able to mount the camera somewhere, connect sheevaplug, then go somewhere and remotely control the camera in every aspect. Imaging you have to shoot a marriage. You could place the camera somewhere, take a seat somewhere and see exactly the live-view image from the camera, can point somewhere on the touchscreen to focus on that point, control exposure settings and hit the button to take the shot.
That was my approach. If I would be able to achieve this just with a sheevaplug computer for 75€, that would be great. But there still is the issue with the power necessary to run the computer.
Another problem would be to gain the time needed to write the app. I am able to do that, but time is rare...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just want cash
I'm in for this and would pay for software like this. I even got time for programming but cant do this alone. Just got my nikon D5000
Revisit: Direct Tether for xoom?
With all of our marvelous hacking friends, I don't see why we couldn't expect direct tethering for a DSLR on Xoom or other tabs with usb capabilities.
TheZuneLune said:
With all of our marvelous hacking friends, I don't see why we couldn't expect direct tethering for a DSLR on Xoom or other tabs with usb capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am teaching myself how to use my DSLR, and I begin thinking... "Wow, a lot of these settings could be a lot easier and more intuitive to control... why isn't there a DSLR powered by Android?"
Anyway, I found this thread and I figured I'd post my Xoom hooked up to my Canon. ..Not that either recognizes the other.
The BCM4330 has a number of listed features that our SGS2s do not appear to have. For instance, the chip in question has listed support for Bluetooth 4.0+HS (so, I assume the Bluetooth low power standard) and FM Transmission/Receive, however all sources state that the SGS2 only supports up to Bluetooth 3.0, does not have Bluetooth high speed (virtually the same as Wifi direct, I'm told, but may not have the same level of uptake) and there are no references to FM transmission.
Without relevant APIs or sources I assume none of these unused features can be utilised. Is it a possibility that Samsung removed some components of the chip to reduce bulk?
What's confused me about this entire situation is that the original Galaxy S and the iPhone4 feature this same chipset, but there's not even a mention of Bluetooth3.0 even though they appear to support it . . . weird. Perhaps I've completely failed to understand the nature of these chipsets, but if I'm not being completely stupid then it'd be nice to explore how one could fiddle with our precious phones to extend its capabilities.
Bump
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HazzBazz said:
The BCM4330 has a number of listed features that our SGS2s do not appear to have. For instance, the chip in question has listed support for Bluetooth 4.0+HS (so, I assume the Bluetooth low power standard) and FM Transmission/Receive, however all sources state that the SGS2 only supports up to Bluetooth 3.0, does not have Bluetooth high speed (virtually the same as Wifi direct, I'm told, but may not have the same level of uptake) and there are no references to FM transmission.
Without relevant APIs or sources I assume none of these unused features can be utilised. Is it a possibility that Samsung removed some components of the chip to reduce bulk?
What's confused me about this entire situation is that the original Galaxy S and the iPhone4 feature this same chipset, but there's not even a mention of Bluetooth3.0 even though they appear to support it . . . weird. Perhaps I've completely failed to understand the nature of these chipsets, but if I'm not being completely stupid then it'd be nice to explore how one could fiddle with our precious phones to extend its capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Example:
Back then, at MWC 10, Samsung introduced the Samsung Omnia HD (i8910) which has alot of things AND an FM transmitter, when the device was actually launch, it didn't have the FM transmitter, modders and coders saw & knew that this device have the component, even proved with a secret code and an app they build, but no one has ever managed to get it to work.
So far of being a costumer at Samsung corp. I noticed 2 mistakes that they are repeating:
1. Samsung can't manage to get solid 30fps at 720p devices and 1080p.
2. Samsung rls products with an FM transmitter but they never support it and doing everything that we won't manage to get it work.
The fact that this chip is capable of performing all those tasks does not mean it is capable of doing all those task simultaneously. There might be some hardware challenges/contradictions between the different roles.
For instance, bluetooth 4.0 requires filtering above 3GHz of more than 10dB, while at the same time the chip is capable of Wifi on 5GHz; both are supposed to be on the same antenna so either you can not use the chip for Bluetooth 4.0 AND wifi 5GHz or you have to use some very complicated filter depending on which mode you're using. If they have not supplied this filter inside the chip then it becomes a bit complicated to use both modes.
The FM transceiver could very well be connected to the same internal power amplifiers as wifi but a wifi antenna does not look like an FM antenna.
It is not always possible (actually seldom) to use all the specifications of a chip at the same time with the same hardware setup. (Though often the user won't notice because it is not able to check the specification, like ultra low power and high speed often conflict.)
The features you mention are integrated into the chip itself, so it's not possible to "offload" them. However, they may leave out necessary off-chip components and/or enabling software.
For example, FM is popular in Korea. Many Samsung models targeted to the Korean Market include FM capability. It requires extra hardware though, including a rather primitive looking FM antenna. The corresponding models for other parts of the world leave this out. I presume Samsung doesn't see the popularity of FM in other parts of the world to be enough to make up for the extra cost in the handset.
Drivers and such require work, too. So while the chip may support the capability, they may postpone the software development for various reasons. If the hardware support is fully intact, it might be possible to make something work, but it could require some very deep hacking.
requist's response is interesting and seems like a possibility, although a quick reading of the Broadcom product page seems to suggest they've accounted for mixing capabilities in the chip design. Hard to tell without more detailed info.
Disclaimer: I'm not an official spokesperson. Opinions expressed here are mine and not those of my employer.
requist said:
The fact that this chip is capable of performing all those tasks does not mean it is capable of doing all those task simultaneously. There might be some hardware challenges/contradictions between the different roles.
For instance, bluetooth 4.0 requires filtering above 3GHz of more than 10dB, while at the same time the chip is capable of Wifi on 5GHz; both are supposed to be on the same antenna so either you can not use the chip for Bluetooth 4.0 AND wifi 5GHz or you have to use some very complicated filter depending on which mode you're using. If they have not supplied this filter inside the chip then it becomes a bit complicated to use both modes.
The FM transceiver could very well be connected to the same internal power amplifiers as wifi but a wifi antenna does not look like an FM antenna.
It is not always possible (actually seldom) to use all the specifications of a chip at the same time with the same hardware setup. (Though often the user won't notice because it is not able to check the specification, like ultra low power and high speed often conflict.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
time division multiplexing.
Dirty_Jerz said:
time division multiplexing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not solve hardware conflicts.
Hi chaps,
I'm just wondering which GPS chipset the device uses, and therefore what the spec sheet numbers are for cold start, etc.
jimcpl kindly posted the device's dmesg output in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20531460
but there's no sign of the GPS. Would someone mind posting the dmesg output (or just the tail end) with the GPS up and running so I can see if there's anything in there?
On the Tab 7 the GPS is integrated with the modem, but presumably the Player lacks a modem so it will have the GPS connected somewhere else perhaps more easily accessible from Linux (though one never knows - it might be cheaper to use an existing package even if it's not fully activated)
Thanks
Hi,
I just checked and did another dmesg with the GPS enabled, and also running Navfree, but I don't see anything in the dmesg re. GPS. Do you know what to look for?
Jim
No not really.
I suppose the GPS chip may be directly connected to one of the GPIOs and the firmware and setup is all handled by a userspace library talking to it through a sysfs/dev entry (which are automatically setup by the kernel, without necessarily any indication of what's attached).
Looking at the sysfs might give some clues, but really don't worry too much, I'll do some digging once mine turns up.
Ah, I see that the GPS comms are handled by a library called libgps*.so (can have different suffixes depending on the hw manufacturer), so doing some reverse engineering of this file is probably the next step in order to work out where the chip is attached and what it is.
Interestingly the GPS comms pass through libril as is the case on devices with a modem.
Also vaguely interesting is the fact that "Cell Standby" has used 67% of my battery use (which is ~20% of the battery) overnight. Does anyone know where the UI gets this info from? If it's just summing the CPU time used by some process attached to libril*.so (which would normally handle modem comms, as well as the GPS) that would be fair enough, otherwise it's a conundrum (I guess we don'[t really have a modem in the device which we just can't access....)?
Re chipset, I didn't spot anything in the strings of the various libraries, but I only had a quick look. It is, however, a Broadcom chipset as I can see the function entry points to the static library that Broadcom supply built into libgps*.so.
I must see whether Broadcom supply source (very unlikely) or binaries to the general public and not just large companies....
lardman said:
Interestingly the GPS comms pass through libril as is the case on devices with a modem.
Also vaguely interesting is the fact that "Cell Standby" has used 67% of my battery use (which is ~20% of the battery) overnight. Does anyone know where the UI gets this info from? If it's just summing the CPU time used by some process attached to libril*.so (which would normally handle modem comms, as well as the GPS) that would be fair enough, otherwise it's a conundrum (I guess we don'[t really have a modem in the device which we just can't access....)?
Re chipset, I didn't spot anything in the strings of the various libraries, but I only had a quick look. It is, however, a Broadcom chipset as I can see the function entry points to the static library that Broadcom supply built into libgps*.so.
I must see whether Broadcom supply source (very unlikely) or binaries to the general public and not just large companies....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Broacom is one of the least open-source friendly companies on the planet.
I was considering the Galaxy Player, but if the GPS is from Broadcom I'm not touching it with a ten foot pole.
Assuming it uses the same version of the GPS as the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab (no way I can see to recognise it from the strings in the binary, but if anyone has any ideas I'm all ears), then this is also the same chipset as the Nokia N950 uses, and the N950 runs Maemo/Meego which makes things nicer.
Namely there's a kernel driver for the chipset, but this is just a gateway and one requires the firmware and userspace binary to talk to the GPS chip. On the N950 this is in a binary-only daemon.
So not ideal, but at least a kernel driver possibly exists (I've not checked whether it works on the Tab or Player), so it's a step in the right direction; just some reverse engineering to do now (or for my usecase, which is porting Meego to the device, just see if the binary will run)
lardman said:
Assuming it uses the same version of the GPS as the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab (no way I can see to recognise it from the strings in the binary, but if anyone has any ideas I'm all ears), then this is also the same chipset as the Nokia N950 uses, and the N950 runs Maemo/Meego which makes things nicer.
Namely there's a kernel driver for the chipset, but this is just a gateway and one requires the firmware and userspace binary to talk to the GPS chip. On the N950 this is in a binary-only daemon.
So not ideal, but at least a kernel driver possibly exists (I've not checked whether it works on the Tab or Player), so it's a step in the right direction; just some reverse engineering to do now (or for my usecase, which is porting Meego to the device, just see if the binary will run)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty rare for there to be a kernel driver for anything but reset/power management GPIOs - most of these devices use a serial interface that the GPS libs or userspace daemon talk to.
I can't find any YP-G70 teardowns for more details... Got kinda tempted at BBY today... If it's Broadcom I'm staying away, if it's something else I might go for it.
Entropy512 said:
It's pretty rare for there to be a kernel driver for anything but reset/power management GPIOs - most of these devices use a serial interface that the GPS libs or userspace daemon talk to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, certainly there's still work to do, but knowing how to power the device up is a nice freebie, rather than needing to reverse engineer that too.
Entropy512 said:
I can't find any YP-G70 teardowns for more details... Got kinda tempted at BBY today... If it's Broadcom I'm staying away, if it's something else I might go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's definitely Broadcom I'm afraid, the libgps.so strings contains a load of functions that appear to come from Broadcom (I can't list any right now, it's on a different computer, but can do so this evening if you're interested)