PERIPHERAL SENSORS FOR ANDROID 

HELPS SOFTWARE APPLICATION  DEVELOPERS
 ENGINEER FRESH AND TRULY USEFUL SOLUTIONS
- Looking to monetize Android device application opportunities?
- Need a wireless sensor/data collection solution ?
- Building or evaluating an M2M opportunity?
- Need a small step startup for a large project to evaluate feasibility?

 

Developers for Android device mobile applications may require a greater choice of sensor types
than just the few built-in device sensors, -more than the built-in acceleration,
GPS, rotation, touch, light sensors on your phone or tablet.

Photologic Ltd. offers the custom made external hardware module you may need.

Some peripheral sensor possibilities:
COLOR SENSING
  
VIBRATION LOGGING
  
SWITCH OPEN-CLOSE COUNTER
  
THERMOCHRON LOGGER
  
ANDROID VOLTMETER
 
 
 
  
DETECT OR MEASURE COLOR 
AND LUMINANCE FOR QUALITY 
CONTROL, ROBOTICS, PRESENCE, 
OR ANY OF  THOUSANDS
 OF APPLICATIONS. $2.25 IC
   
MEASURE, SENSE OR LOG
 VALUES FOR ALL SORTS OF
 NEW APPLICATIONS.
MACHINES & EQUIPMENT,
  
COUNT AND RECORD 
MECHANICAL STATES USING
SWITCHES. EG. DOOR 
OPENINGS, TRAMPOLINE
 JUMP COUNTER.
EXAMPLE
   
COLLECT RECORDED 
TEMPERATURE 
OVER DAYS WEEKS AND MONTHS.
EXAMPLE: MODEL TA
  
MEASURE VOLTAGE FROM
OTHER SENSORS SUCH AS
FLOW CONTROL, LIGHT, 

 Other sensors: Dust Sensor, Magnetic Proximity, Temperature&Humidity Sensor
 
 
We have the basic ability to produce entry level sensor hardware for android devices.
   - That is, an external box communicating to the Android device using Bluetooth or WiFi link. 

    Unfortunately complicated sensor projects cannot be offered by Photologic Ltd.

The sensor module consists of the sensor, a microprocessor, and a Bluetooth or WiFi  Radio.
The module is usually powered by a 9 volt DC source such as a wallmount AC Adapter.
The user writes an application on the Android device to communicate with the circuit board radio.

A sensor application may be required in a wide range of industry verticals application areas.
Utilities, vehicle fleet management, connected vehicles, remote asset monitoring, 
digital signage, security, vending machines, POS, smart homes, consumer 
      connected devices, healthcare. 

      

      In most cases, the user writes the Android device application to run from the 
      Bluetooth data generated by the Photologic hardware module. The user does not have to design any hardware.

HYPOTHETICAL APPLICATIONS Using Photologic Ltd. custom design hardware:
 Example:  Temperature collection
 1. User chooses a sensor to monitor temperature in a greenhouse 100 feet away.
 2. Photologic Ltd. provides a module containing the sensor, with Bluetooth Radio Class 2
           The module is powered by wallmount adapter. The module sends temperature
            values to the Android device by command-response technique.
 3. User develops the software application to receive data, display it, and log it.
 4. One time hardware box cost:  $300 to $1,000 USD
 5. Thereafter cost: $100 to $300 USD each
 

Example: Ultra violet light measurement (dosimeter).
 1. Ultra Violet UV-A or UV-B measurement, using GaN UV Photodiode sensor, 
    eg. http://www.photologic.ca/PDU-G101A.pdf
 2. Photologic Ltd. provides a circuit containing the sensor, with Bluetooth Radio Class 2
     Powered by "constant on" power source. Data transfers to Android device by
     command-response technique. The data is raw digital conversions of UV light intensity. 
 3. User software application to receive data, display it, and log it.
 4. One time cost: $300.00 to $1,000 USD
 5. Thereafter cost: $100.00 to $300 USD each
 

Example:  Door Switch Open-Close Counter
 1. Door activity monitoring uses a door switch with hardware module .
 2. Photologic Ltd. provides the module with Bluetooth Radio Class 2  In this case the
     module is powered by wallmount adapter. The module streams counter value to the
Android device.
 3. The user writes software application to receive data, display it.
 4. One time cost: $300.00 to $1,000 USD
 5. Thereafter cost: $100.00 to $300 USD each
  e.g.  Youtube video example using magnetic door switch

"SINCE LAST WEEK, DOOR OPENED 304 TIMES"
 

Example: Turn a relay switch on or off.
 1. User develops the Android app to simply turn a relay on or off.  Send a command.
 2. Photologic Ltd. provides the relay switch module  with Bluetooth Radio Class 2
     The module is powered by wallmount adapter. 
 4. One time cost: $300.00 to $1,000 USD
 5. Thereafter cost: $100.00 to $300 USD each


TURN THINGS ON AND OFF BY REMOTE CONTROLLING A RELAY
The above examples are just meant to show how external hardware can work with Android to solve real world sensing. We understand that every need is different!
- Unfortunately complicated sensor projects cannot be offered by Photologic Ltd.

 


HARDWARE ELEMENTS OF PROJECT THAT PHOTOLOGIC LTD. CAN SUPPLY:
Access to various commercial sensors
When choosing a sensor, it should have a simple interface.
Eg. A voltage output or I2C bus interface or SPI, TTL serial, RS-232 Serial
Example sensor:
DS18S20 High PrecisionThermometer

http://www.photologic.ca/ds18s20.pdf
Microprocessor circuit
Microchip PIC Microprocessor programming using MPLAB ICD2
Onboard Bluetooth Radio

FCC Certified with "FCC Number" Example: Roving Networks (Microchip)
Model RN-42 Class 1, Class 2, Class 4.0
Embedded on microprocessor circuit board.
 
Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing
 
1 to 500 pcs. About 3" x 3" max size contains sensor mount, microprocessor
and Bluetooth radio.
 
Enclosures
 
Hundreds of styles of "off the shelf" ABS plastic enclosures.
 
Some design of entry level
 Android software.
 
Program application code on Android for Receiving Bluetooth Data, Display,
 Save to Folder.  Basic simple functions only.


OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT MAY BE ADDED TO PERIPHERAL SENSOR MODULE: 
  SD Memory Card Storage
 
Use to log data independantly of bluetooth Android device connected.
eg. record sensor data for days and months. Then collect data at
 users convenience with Android device
 
  RS-232 Interface Port
 
Communicate with Serial Interfaced equipment or sensors that
input/output RS-232 or TTL serial data. 
  Printer Parallel
   LPT Input Port
 Receive data from print cables, and transmit it to
Android device to record and display paperless printout, or parse data.
 
  Printer Parallel
  LPT Output Port
 
Print to printers that have legacy Centronics IEEE-1284 
Parallel Interface. Eg. POS Receipt Printers, Label Printers,  
Ticket Printers, Dot Matrix and Laser Printers.
 
  Timestamp Clock Calendar
 
Real Time Clock chip example: ISL-1208  to timestamps events.
10/22/13 5:28PM 
  Digital Counter
 
Count events (eg. mechanical or electrical)  such as ON/OFF states.
Example count drops with optical sensor to 10 million drops.
 
  LCD Display
 
Display text data sent from Android user application
 
  iButton Port
 
Communicate with popular Thermochron temperature logger  or
 Serial Number iButtons, example:  DS1921G, or DS1990
 
  Sensor I2C Port
 
Board level communication to certain sensors with this interface.
 
  Sensor SPI Port
 
Board level communication to certain sensors with this interface.
 
  Analog to Digital Port
   (A/D Converter)
 
Measure voltage outputs of certain sensors. 
eg.8 bit, or 10 bit A to D conversion.
 
  Relay Contacts
 
Control relay(s)  from Android device ON/OFF
Couple the contacts with user supplied power relay  to control switch
 for Light, Motor,Fan, window,Lock, garage door/ gate.
RELAY

Here is an example of using Android wireless interface to a temperature logger: Model TA 


Photologic Ltd.(since 1995) is a successful small developer of hardware, mainly peripheral interface such as
that used with serial and legacy parallel interfacing and circuits to sensors and instruments.
Photologic Ltd. ships
daily to U.S. and
International
Destinations
using UPS Courier
 

  PHOTOLOGIC LTD.   FEDERAL BUILDING,   39 QUEEN ST., SUITE 214, COBOURG,  ONTARIO CANADA   K9A 1M8
                                          TEL: (905) 377-8915    EMAIL Rick Hoffman

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