I just wanted to let the community know that I completed my first autonomous robot project and used something for the body which I haven't seen used yet.  Strong-Ties are cheap (58 cents each (US)) and worked rather well for us.  My blog captures a complete parts list, links, lessons learned, source code and a few videos.  If interested, please visit http://techdiy.tv and let me know what you think.

Thanks!
Mike

In my last post:
"In the above thread entries, where I reference"

Please disregard that incomplete thought...I meant to delete that text.

Thanks,
Mike

>>did you see blue bluetooth icon next to clock?
I do have the bluetooth icon in the system tray and when I click it, I see my ardiuno/bluetooth module connected - it's named "itead".  I have removed it and rediscovered it to mimic what you do in your video, but this issue still exists for me.  In the above thread entries, where I reference

>>What status led do on bt shield, did you get it stop blinking?
This is another area of uncertainty for me with respect to my particular bluetooth shield.  Per it's datasheet:

"When power on and disconnect the port, states LED blinks 1time/2s ;
when the module connect and open the serial port, states LED blinks
2times/s."

I have gotten to the mode where it blinks twice per second.  But that doesn't appear to be the same a being paired.

The datasheet also seems to imply the default setting is "slave mode" with the following:
"Default state:
Slave mode, pin code  :1234, device name: H-C-2010-06-01 ,Baud
38400bits/s."

But I would like to confirm that by connecting with a terminal program - which I have been unsuccessful in to doing so far.

I'm still not getting anywhere on this, but I very much appreciate all the details you have provided.  Since my original post, I moved on to a BT shield which is master/slave so I don't believe that is the issue currently (but then again, it still could be).  I will check the traces on the original module I was using to answer that question as suggested.

Currently, I'm trying to connect the itead module found here: http://iteadstudio.com/product/arduino-bluetooth-shield-upgrade-to-v2-2/
Here's the datasheet: http://iteadstudio.com/store/images/produce/Shield/BTshieldv2.2/BTShieldV2.2_DS.pdf

The data sheet it a bit hard to follow.  I've tried using tera-term to connect to the module but am not having success there either.  The problem connecting to the module via tera-term is the terminal is not echoing any of the keys pressed.  Not sure what the deal is but I assume it is some configuration issue I haven't worked out yet.  At any rate, any tips there would be appreciated.

As for the general bluetooth connectivity issue, it seems, based on what I understand from UK350, that my bluetooth module is connected but not "paired".  I do have an entry in device manager for the module: Ports (COM & LPT) > Standard Serial Over Bluetooth Link (COM14).  This coincides with port associated with the bluetooth module in control panel > devices & printers > bluetooth devices > itead.

The status of itead in control panel show it was last connected April 1, 2012 (today) but is not currently connected.  And, the connection type is "authenticated."  This seems to agree with UK350's assessment.

I have confirmed that no other services are using COM14 when attempting to run my Processing code, however, COM14 does not show in the Serial.write() output.  I suspect this is normal for a device that is not paired.

So, I think at this point, I need to figure out how to connect to the module through the arduino using tera-term or PuTTy.  Anyone have some experience with this that can offer some guidance?

Thanks again for all the support.

Thanks for the video.  Very cool of you to take the time.  I think it might help.  What OS are you running?  Some of your screens look quite different from mine but I'll see if I can recreate the steps somehow in Win7.  If not, I have an XP machine I can try as well.

I recorded a screenshare video this morning to show in a bit more detail some of the configuration I mention above.
Please let me know your thoughts. 
http://michaelwittmer.com/wordpress/?cat=82

Also, I did uninstall all the drivers per dxw00d's suggestion.  Issue still exists.

uk350,
How do I initiate the pairing?
My device shows listed in control panel and when I detected the bt device, I entered a pairing code which was gracefully accepted, but how to I initiate a "pair" once the device is installed?

I can see that, but when I installed Windows XP fresh (on a blank hard drive) and only the IOGear BT Dongle, that is essentially what I did.

>>Under which heading those both 2 com# ports are listed?
In device manager under COM Ports, I have:
   Communications Port (COM1)
   Standard Serial Over Bluetooth (COM10)
   Standard Serial Over Bluetooth (COM9)

>>2 Com ports returning the same Bluetooth Device?
Yes.  I have confirmed when I remove the IOGear dongle, both the BT ports disappear from Device Manager.

>>It should not be like this there must be only one com# port for one Bluetooth dongle connected, as such uninstall and reinstall the Bluetooth dongle software on PC.
I have done this.  I agree it is strange.  I thought this may be a due to my having installed the Actiontech drivers 1st and then the IOGear drivers later (on Win7), but I was very surprised to have the same behavior on a fresh Windows XP system with only the IOGear Bluetooth dongle installed.

Just a little background.  I have been in IT for over 20 years and have an EE, so I'm not a noobie when it comes to the PC, but I am very new to Arduino and of course this BT connectivity.  I hope this doesn't come across like boasting - I only mention this to clarify I do know what I'm doing (to some degree)

I really appreciate you sticking with me here.  Thank you.

-m

I'm not sure if it is permitted to post links on this forum, but in case it is permitted, i have documented my struggles in a fairly detailed manner here: http://michaelwittmer.com/wordpress/?p=621

My PC doesn't have in integrated Bluetooth. 

After disabling my on board serial port, I only have Com1 and Com10 returned by Serial.List()

Device manager shows 2 Bluetooth devices.  One on Com9 and one on Com10.

Since my last post, I have installed the arduino software on Windows XP and the same issue is present there.  The only difference is, several COM ports are listed, but not both Bluetooth COM ports.

Additionally, I purchased a bluetooth shield and it is suffering from the same error.  So, this seems to be a system side issue but not specific to 1 PC or a specific bluetooth module.  I have an Ubuntu system as well, but haven't tried it yet because I'm not sure how easy I'll be able to find compatible bluetooth drivers for either one of my dongles.

I updated the baud rate in the sketch to 115200 but it still doesn't work. 

Regarding the other suggestion, I'm not exactly sure how to confirm my Windows 7 is "Paired" with the Bluetooth module. 

In Control Panel > Devices and Printers, I do see the Arduino, but when I right click it and go to Properties > Hardware, I see Standard Serial over Bluetooth Link (Com9) listed in the Device Functions box.  The issue here is, in my Processing code, Serial.List() does not return Com9. 

I performed a Windows "Troubleshoot" operation on the Bluetooth device but it returned no issues found.

In Device Manager, Under Ports (Com & LPT), I have Com1, Standard Serial over Bluetooth Link (Com9), and Standard Serial over Bluetooth Link (Com10).

So, it looks like I have two serial ports assigned to Bluetooth but only one of these 2 is returned with the Serial.List() function (com1 is also returned).

On a side note, the Bluetooth module has a red LED which doesn't stop flashing. 

Should I expect the flashing to stop at some point if things are working properly?

Is it possible this isn't going to work because my bluetooth module is "Master-Only" ?

Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks,
Mike

NI$HANT,
You are right, I do have them backwards but on purpose.  My mistake, I should have mentioned that.  I simply wanted to start with the LED on and then toggle it off for testing, but I failed to update the comment.  At any rate, it should toggle either way. 

Sirbow2,
Thanks for the baud rate tip...I will look into that now. 

You guys rock!

Thanks,
Mike

[Some background:]

I would really appreciate some assistance in troubleshooting this pesky issue I'm having....

Some background:
I have the latest rev of Uno and a JY-MCU Bluetooth module and am having an issue getting simple communication going.  I have a Windows 7 setup.  My PC indicated Com10 as the COM port for my USB Bluetooth dongle (I've tried 2 separate dongles).
I have an LED connected to port 8 on the Arduino and ground.  The BT is connected to TX, RX, 5v, and Gnd on the Arduino.
The PC is paired to the Bluetooth module.

The Goal:
The basic goal is to send a 'H' or 'L' to the Arduino via BT to toggle the LED (similar to the standard sample code floating around which I used as a starting point)

The Problem:
I can upload the code to the Arduino - no issue there.  But, nothing visible happens when I run the Processing code.  The LED on the Arduino does not change states.  It works when connected to the PC via USB but not when running over Bluetooth.

Here's my arduino code:

Code:

char value;
int ledpin = 8;
void setup() {
  pinMode(ledpin, OUTPUT);         // set ledpin to Output mode
  Serial.begin(9600);              // make sure processing code baud rate matches
  digitalWrite(ledpin, LOW);       // start with the LED off
}
void loop() {
  if( Serial.available() )         // check for serial data
  {
    value = Serial.read();         // load data into 'value' variable
  }
  if( value == 'H' )               // if 'H' was received
  {
    digitalWrite(ledpin, LOW);     // turn ON the LED
  } else {
    digitalWrite(ledpin, HIGH);    // otherwise turn it OFF
  }
  delay(100);                      // wait 100ms for next reading
}

Here is my Processing code:

Code:

//Processing code
import processing.serial.*;

void setup() {
  println(Serial.list());
  Serial port = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[2], 9600);
  port.write('L');
  delay(5000);
  port.write('H');
  delay(5000);
  port.write('L');
  delay(5000);
  port.write('H');
}

Once site I visited indicated that my Bluetooth module was a Master only.  I'm not sure if this is a factor, but wanted to mention it in case it is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.