Connecting Smart Beacons to your PC or MAC
Hi Kickstarters!
We have had a lot of questions about whether our Smart Beacons can connect to a PC or MAC which we have lightly covered in our FAQs. The short answer is YES. However, we would like to take a moment and expand on that for just a minute.
First, let us quickly take a closer look at the Smart Beacon. Our Smart Beacons use the BlueGiga BLE112-A Bluetooth 4.0 Single Mode module. This module has a built-in programmable 8051 processor and a built-in antenna. With this comes an open development platform that allows developers to create their own firmware applications. Smart Beacons make use of the BlueGiga module by providing power in the form of a 3V CR2032 coin cell battery and all of the pins to interface with it on our own very small custom designed PCB.
Ok, now that we understand the inner workings of the Smart Beacon we can discuss BlueGiga's BLED112 USB Bluetooth 4.0 Dongle.This dongle plugs into anything that is USB enabled. You can use it for detecting and interacting with Smart Beacons as well as testing your firmware scripts before flashing them onto a Smart Beacon. Most of this functionality is provided already by BlueGiga. However, we plan to offer a desktop widget that will allow for creating local and cloud connected interactions around Smart Beacon events.
Put simply, you do not need a mobile device in order to create interactive experiences around our Smart Beacons. If your kid does not have a smartphone, give them a Smart Beacon and let the USB dongle connected to your desktop computer, laptop or home server do the work letting you know when they have come home or left.
This functionality also opens up the door for personal networking applications like home automation and security. Not to mention all of the sensor and add-on module possibilities that can be connected to your Smart Beacons.
While our aim during this Kickstarter project is to provide Smart Beacons and a robust local and cloud connected proximity application, the expansion and development opportunities are nearly endless.
As we continue to see similar products with singular purposes, high energy requirements and staggering retail price points, we are committed to providing a single low energy platform that provides virtually unlimited uses while still being affordable.
Now you know! ;)
As always, we really do appreciate all of the support and feedback we are receiving.
Go team tōd!
Jon, Don and Michael
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Apr 26, 2012 -
Jun 3, 2012
- 2 created · 33 backed
- Jonathan Prevo 269 friends
- Website: todhq.com
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Comments
Creator Rowdy Robot on May 2, 2012
@ping4 / gregrae - You would need the TI Debugger to flash the firmware on the Smart Beacon. We have a Mini Development and 'regular' Development reward that offers this. With the debugger unit you plug into the debug pins located on the bottom of the Smart Beacon, where the battery is located. In the future I believe the BlueGiga firmware OS will allow for flashing via USB and perhaps even over the air but not at this time.
Creator ping4 / gregrae on May 2, 2012
After I receive the smart beacon, can you tell me what else i will need to flash a new program onto the 8051 mcu? Can it be done over-the-air with BlueGiga's BLED112 ? Thanks!
Creator Rowdy Robot on May 2, 2012
Jose,
That's a great idea! In fact, we are in the process of creating an update video that will show the 3 core events (in range, out of range and scheduled) as well as some demonstrations of the distance at work so everyone can get a better idea of the scale we are talking about.
As far as waiting, even though the Smart Beacons will be manufactured by the end of July and released to developers that want to get started developing their own firmware and add-on modules, we unfortunately have a longer development window to make sure the mobile apps and cloud are ready to go.
Without being a developer, having the Smart Beacons before the software release would not be recommended as they would not have any real functionality for users yet.
Creator Jose M on May 2, 2012
Great explanation and it's refreshing to see how open you are with the whole thing! Do we really have to wait until October to get our tags? :-)
May I also suggest a future update for the less technically inclined? Maybe a video showing the BLE app on an iPhone talking to a a toc tag? You could pick one of the concepts shown on the introductory video and expand on that.
Cheers!