Hi Kas
Thanks for the information. It work great as you suggested.
Joystick BT Plus (up to 6 buttons, up to 3 free format datafields) is now
- Joystick bluetooth Commander V4.0 -
and will be available on Google Play as a free upgrade.
RC car remote control
here, Joystick bluetooth Commander is configured as a tool for remotely tuning a PID loop in various projects (DC motor control, balancing bot, Gyro stabilized camera gimbal ...)
For this purpose, buttons are configured as "momentary"
To allow text datafield, Communication Protocol has changed
Please use and adapt this new demo sketch (AndroTest_V13.ino) to your own needs
#define VERSION "AndroTest V1.3 - @kas2014\ndemo for V4.X (6 button version)"
// V1.3 renamed for publishing
// V1.2 Text display ** not backward compatible **
// V1.1 Integer display
// V1.0 6 buttons + 4 data char implemented
// Demo setup:
// Button #1 controls pin13 LED
// Button #2 starts DEBUG
// Button #3 displays demo message
// Button #4 toggle datafield display rate
// Button #5 configured as "push" button (momentary)
// Arduino pin#2 to TX BlueTooth module
// Arduino pin#3 to RX BlueTooth module
// make sure your BT board is set @57600 bps
// better remove SoftSerial for PWM based projects
// For Mega 2560:
// remove #include "SoftwareSerial.h", SoftwareSerial mySerial(2,3);
// search/replace mySerial >> Serial1
// pin#18 to RX bluetooth module, pin#19 to TX bluetooth module
#include "SoftwareSerial.h"
#define STX 0x01
#define ETX 0x00
#define ledPin 13
#define SLOW 1000 // Datafields refresh rate (ms)
#define FAST 250 // Datafields refresh rate (ms)
boolean DEBUG = false;
** The message exceeds the maximum allowed length (9500 characters) **
See my next message
App will be uploaded within a few hours
As of today, Joystick bluetooth Commander has been downloaded 3720 times 
thanks for your ongoing interest
** deprecated, please use AndroTest V1.41 ** see reply #212
AndroTest V1.3.ino
Demo sketch for Joystick bluetooth Commander V4.X
#define VERSION "AndroTest V1.3 - @kas2014\ndemo for V4.X (6 button version)"
// V1.3 renamed for publishing
// V1.2 Text display not backward compatible
// V1.1 Integer display
// V1.0 6 buttons + 4 data char implemented
// Demo setup:
// Button #1 controls pin13 LED
// Button #2 starts DEBUG
// Button #3 displays demo message
// Button #4 toggle datafield display rate
// Button #5 configured as "push" button (momentary)
// Arduino pin#2 to TX BlueTooth module
// Arduino pin#3 to RX BlueTooth module
// make sure your BT board is set @57600 bps
// better remove SoftSerial for PWM based projects
// For Mega 2560:
// remove #include "SoftwareSerial.h", SoftwareSerial mySerial(2,3);
// search/replace mySerial >> Serial1
// pin#18 to RX bluetooth module, pin#19 to TX bluetooth module
#include "SoftwareSerial.h"
#define STX 0x01
#define ETX 0x00
#define ledPin 13
#define SLOW 1000 // Datafields refresh rate (ms)
#define FAST 250 // Datafields refresh rate (ms)
boolean DEBUG = false;
SoftwareSerial mySerial(2,3); // BlueTooth module: pin#2=TX pin#3=RX
int i=0;
byte cmd[6] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0}; // bytes received
byte buttonStatus = 0; // first Byte sent to Android device
long previousMillis = 0; // last time Buttons status was updated
boolean setButtonFeedback = false; // momentary buttons feedback to Android device
long sendInterval = SLOW; // interval between Buttons status transmission (milliseconds)
String displayStatus = "xxxx"; // message to Android device
void setup() {
Serial.begin(57600);
mySerial.begin(57600); // adjust to your BT board
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
Serial.println(VERSION);
delay(300);
}
void loop() {
if(mySerial.available()) { // data received from smartphone
delay(5);
cmd[0] = mySerial.read();
if(cmd[0] == STX) {
i=1;
while(mySerial.available()) {
cmd[i] = mySerial.read();
if(cmd[i] == ETX) {
if(i==2 && cmd[1]>48) break; // Button data
if(i==5 && cmd[1]<3 && cmd[3]<3) break; // Joystick data
}
if(i>5) break;
i++;
}
if (i==2) getButtonState(cmd[1]); // 3 Bytes
else if(i==5) getJoystickState(cmd); // 6 Bytes
else Serial.println("** Communication error **");
if(DEBUG) printDebug(i);
}
} else
sendBlueToothData();
delay(5);
}
void sendBlueToothData() {
static long previousMillis = 0;
long currentMillis = millis();
if(setButtonFeedback == true) { // allow momentary button visual effect
previousMillis = currentMillis + 250;
// previousMillis = currentMillis - 200;
setButtonFeedback = false;
}
if(currentMillis - previousMillis > sendInterval) { // send data to smartphone
previousMillis = currentMillis;
// Data frame transmitted back from Arduino to Android device:
// < 0X02 Buttons state 0X01 DataField#1 0x04 DataField#2 0x05 DataField#3 0x03 >
// < 0X02 01011 0X01 120.00 0x04 -4500 0x05 Motor enabled 0x03 > // example
mySerial.print((char)0x2); // Start of Transmission
mySerial.print(getButtonStatusString()); mySerial.print((char)0x1); // buttons status feedback
mySerial.print(GetdataInt1()); mySerial.print((char)0x4); // datafield #1
mySerial.print(GetdataFloat2()); mySerial.print((char)0x5); // datafield #2
mySerial.print(displayStatus); // datafield #3
mySerial.print((char)0x3); // End of Transmission
}
}
String getButtonStatusString() {
String bStatus = "";
for(i=0; i<6; i++) {
if(buttonStatus & B100000 >>i) bStatus += "1";
else bStatus += "0";
}
return bStatus;
}
int GetdataInt1() { // Data dummy values sent to Android device for demo purpose
static int i= -3000; // Replace with your own code
i += 111;
if(i >0) i = -3000;
return i;
}
float GetdataFloat2() { // Data dummy values sent to Android device for demo purpose
static float i=50; // Replace with your own code
i-=.8;
if(i <-50) i = 50;
return i;
}
void getJoystickState(byte data[5]) {
int joyX = (data[1]<<7) + data[2];
int joyY = (data[3]<<7) + data[4];
joyX = joyX - 200; // Offset to avoid
joyY = joyY - 200; // transmitting negative numbers
if(!DEBUG) {
Serial.print("Joystick position: ");
Serial.print(joyX);
Serial.print(", ");
Serial.println(joyY);
}
// Your code here ...
}
void getButtonState(int bStatus) {
switch (bStatus) {
// ----------------- BUTTON #1 -----------------------
case '1':
buttonStatus |= B000001; // ON
Serial.println("\n** Button_1: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "LED <ON>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
break;
case '2':
buttonStatus &= B111110; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_1: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "LED <OFF>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
break;
// ----------------- BUTTON #2 -----------------------
case '3':
buttonStatus |= B000010; // ON
Serial.println("\n** Button_2: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "DEBUG <ON>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
DEBUG = true;
break;
case '4':
buttonStatus &= B111101; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_2: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "DEBUG <OFF>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
DEBUG = false;
break;
// ----------------- BUTTON #3 -----------------------
case '5':
buttonStatus |= B000100; // ON
setButtonFeedback = true;
Serial.println("\n** Button_3: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Motor #1 enabled"; // Demo text message
Serial.println(displayStatus);
break;
case '6':
buttonStatus &= B111011; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_3: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Motor #1 stopped";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
break;
// ----------------- BUTTON #4 -----------------------
case '7':
buttonStatus |= B001000; // ON
setButtonFeedback = true;
Serial.println("\n** Button_4: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Datafield update <FAST>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
sendInterval = FAST;
break;
case '8':
buttonStatus &= B110111; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_4: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Datafield update <SLOW>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
sendInterval = SLOW;
break;
// ----------------- BUTTON #5 -----------------------
case '9': // configured as momentary button
// buttonStatus |= B010000; // ON
Serial.println("\n** Button_5: ++ pushed ++ **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Button_5: ++ pushed ++";
break;
// case 'A':
// buttonStatus &= B101111; // OFF
// // your code...
// break;
// ----------------- BUTTON #6 -----------------------
case 'B':
buttonStatus |= B100000; // ON
Serial.println("\n** Button_6: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Button #6 ON"; // Demo text message
break;
case 'C':
buttonStatus &= B011111; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_6: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "Button #6 OFF";
break;
}
// ---------------------------------------------------------------
}
void printDebug(int nByte) {
if(nByte ==2) {
Serial.print("buttonStatus: "); Serial.print(buttonStatus);
Serial.print(" bin: "); Serial.println(getButtonStatusString());
Serial.print("Button: < ");
}
else if(nByte ==5) Serial.print("Joystick: < ");
else Serial.print("*error*: < ");
for(int j =0; j<nByte+1; j++) { Serial.print(cmd[j]); Serial.print(" "); }
Serial.println(">");
}
EDIT: This sketch assumes that your BT card is configured @57600bps
I have just tried the version 4 of joystick BT controller, but don't get any response in the serial monitor with sketch AndroTest V1.3.ino.
What does Arduino pin #2 and #3 means? I used the same setting as for joystick BT controller v3.1 but it doesn't work. Any ideas what to do?
Hi hulkpeppe, welcome to the Forum as a new contributor
What does Arduino pin #2 and #3 means?
Digital I/O #2 to be connected to TX pin from Bluetooth module
Digital I/O #3 to be connected to RX pin from Bluetooth module
...but it doesn't work. Any ideas what to do?
I need more information to make a clever guess 
I understand you are already seasoned with V3.1 and AndroLEDV10_3.ino
Android side (smartphone/tablet screen):
- go to Option/About and confirm that installed version is V4.0 (or higher)
- can you move the joystick and display position at bottom left
- are you connected ("connected to: XXX", green text)
Arduino side:
4) are you using AndroTest V1.3.ino (or higher)
5) are RX/TX connected as per above
6) is your Bluetooth card already configured @57600 bps (most are 9600bps by default)
7) is your Bluetooth card LED solid red (blinking red = not connected)
8 ) is your Serial monitor configured @57600 bps
Finally:
9) your serial monitor should anycase display:
AndroTest V1.3 - @kas2014
demo for V4.X (6 button version)
does it ??
- any additional information ??
Please advise
@all
Please confirm V4.0 works OK for you
I'm using Itead BT shield and here are not Arduino pin #2 and #3 routed to BT TX and RX. I made a strap from Arduino pin #2 to BT shield TX and Pin #3 to RX. But still no sucess. :~
Yes, I got the V3.1 and AndroLEDV10_3.ino working with serial monitor and was able to visulize button #1 ON/OFF.
All checkpoints (1-7) in your answer are fulfilled.
In the Androind BT commander I observed some information under Data1 and Data2 (not under Data3). When I push any buttons they only got activated (green) a very short time.
I don't see that LED at Arduino pin#13 got active when pushing button 1.
In the Androind BT commander I observed some information under Data1 and Data2 (not under Data3)
Interesting
IF
- Data1 cycles from -3000 to 0 with 111 increment (see GetdataInt1)
- Data2 cycles from 50 to -50 with -0.8 increment (see GetdataFloat2)
- Data3 shows "xxxx"
THEN
Arduino to Android communication is OK
Android to Arduino communication is not wired correctly
When I push any buttons they only got activated (green) a very short time
Makes sense, Arduino will always feed back its own real buttons position and overwrite the Android display
Assuming you have the "Master/Slave" model:
- make sure the switch is in DAT mode
- place the TX jumper on pin 4 and the RX on Pin 5
- change "SoftwareSerial mySerial(2,3);" to "SoftwareSerial mySerial(4,5);"
Should work
Hi Kas
Can you please post the communication protocol for Total RC commander V1.1 ?
The communication from the android device to the arduino and between the arduino and the android device.
Total RC commander is the "video aware" version of Joystick BT Commander V4.x
They both share the same Communication Protocol with Arduino
Communication from Android to Arduino (or to any microcontroller)
- Joystick information:
Joystick data is transmitted as an integer = 2 Bytes (Most Significant Byte + Less Significant Byte)
according to this data frame:
This is the relevant Android (Java) code snippet from Joystick Bluetooth Commander:
final int XvalB = Xval + 200;
final int YvalB = Yval + 200;
if((((Xant!=Xval) || (Yant!=Yval)) || (mTimeoutCounter>=mMaxTimeoutCount && mMaxTimeoutCount>-1))) // joystick position changed, or timeout occurred
sendMessage( new String(new byte[] {STX, (byte) (XvalB / 128), (byte)(XvalB % 128), (byte)(YvalB / 128), (byte)(YvalB % 128), ETX } ));
So, for Xval=0 Yval=0:
XvalB = YvalB = 200
XvalB / 128 = YvalB / 128 = 1
XvalB % 128 = XvalB % 128 = 72
Data frame: <2 1 72 1 72 3>
for Xval=100 Yval=100:
XvalB = YvalB = 300
XvalB / 128 = YvalB / 128 = 2
XvalB % 128 = XvalB % 128 = 44
Data frame: <2 2 44 2 44 3>
The data frame is send via BlueTooth to the arduino board and decoded.
This is the AndroTest V1.3.ino code snippet:
void getJoystickState(byte data[5]) {
int joyX = (data[1]<<7) + data[2];
int joyY = (data[3]<<7) + data[4];
joyX = joyX - 200; // Offset to avoid
joyY = joyY - 200; // transmitting negative numbers
}
- Button information:
Each time an android button is pressed, the following data frame is transmitted
<STX, buttonState, ETX>
buttonState is transmitted as a Byte value and reflects the state of the pushed button
Button #1 ON: 1 Button #1 OFF: 2
Button #2 ON: 3 Button #2 OFF: 4
Button #3 ...
On the Arduino side, data frame is decoded in getButtonState()
void getButtonState(int bStatus) {
switch (bStatus) {
// ----------------- BUTTON #1 -----------------------
case '1':
buttonStatus |= B000001; // ON
Serial.println("\n** Button_1: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "LED <ON>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
break;
case '2':
buttonStatus &= B111110; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_1: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "LED <OFF>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
break;
// ----------------- BUTTON #2 -----------------------
case '3':
buttonStatus |= B000010; // ON
Serial.println("\n** Button_2: ON **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "DEBUG <ON>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
DEBUG = true;
break;
case '4':
buttonStatus &= B111101; // OFF
Serial.println("\n** Button_2: OFF **");
// your code...
displayStatus = "DEBUG <OFF>";
Serial.println(displayStatus);
DEBUG = false;
break;
....
}
Communication back from Arduino to Android:
Arduino code
void sendBlueToothData() {
....
mySerial.print((char)0x2); // Start of Transmission
mySerial.print(getButtonStatusString()); mySerial.print((char)0x1); // buttons status feedback
mySerial.print(GetdataInt1()); mySerial.print((char)0x4); // datafield #1
mySerial.print(GetdataFloat2()); mySerial.print((char)0x5); // datafield #2
mySerial.print(displayStatus); // datafield #3
mySerial.print((char)0x3); // End of Transmission
....
}
Data frame transmitted back from Arduino to Android device: (by default, every 1000ms)
< STX Buttons state 0X01 DataField#1 0x04 DataField#2 0x05 DataField#3 ETX >
example: < 0X02 001011 0X01 120.00 0x04 -4500 0x05 Motor enabled 0x03 >
Button state:
This is a six character string reflecting the Arduino state for buttons position
button #1,#2,#4: ON, all others: OFF >>> 001011
This feedback avoid any discrepancy with the Android device button state
An Arduino Reset will reinitialize the Android buttons, Two way communication is mandatory for "clean" control
Button state string is created in the getButtonStatusString() function.
String getButtonStatusString() {
String bStatus = "";
for(i=0; i<6; i++) {
if(buttonStatus & B100000 >>i) bStatus += "1";
else bStatus += "0";
}
return bStatus;
}
Datafields:
Data is transmitted as ASCII characters using Serial.print()
Numbers are printed using an ASCII character for each digit
120.00 >>> 0X31, 0X32, 0X30, 0X2E, 0X30, 0X30
So < 0x02 001011 0x01 120.00 0x04 -4500 0x05 Motor enabled 0x03 >
is actually transmitted as
< 0x02, 0x30,0x30,0x31,0x30,0x31,0x31, 0X01, 0x31,0x32,0x30,0x2E,0x30,0x30, **
** 0x04, 0x2D,0x34,0x35,0x30,0x30, 0x05, 0x4D,0x6F,0x74,0x6F,0x72,0x20,0x65,
** 0x6E,0x61,0x62,0x6C,0x65,0x64, 0x03 >**
without commas and spaces
Should you have additional questions, let me know
Firstly thanks Kas this is a great app/sketch.
I too couldnt get it to work but after some playing around i got this to work with these settings:
// Arduino RX to TX BlueTooth module
// Arduino TX to RX BlueTooth module
// make sure your BT board is set @9600 bps
//Set Serial Monitor rate to 9600 bps
Thanks Kas for the protocol information
@Maudey
Thanks for the feedback
I edited reply #182 based on your comments
Please post an App screenshot, together with your screen size and resolution
This will help me optimizing App display layout
What BT brand are you using ??
Most boards default to 9600bps, which is a bit slow
I strongly suggest to boost your board @57600bps
@tolisn63
Did you try the on board mini router ??
I hardwired connection between IP camera and router and still have to observe any noticiable lag 8)
Hi Kas
The mini router did not come in yet. I'm waiting to see how it goes.
Hi kas
Thank's for your help! Now it works fine for me
I really appreciate this app/sketch 
Hi I have a small problem. I didnt get receive any of datafields.
Hi kas
Thanks for your help! Now it works fine for me
I really appreciate this app/sketch
Thanks hulkpeppe for this positive feedback
Hi I have a small problem. I didn't get receive any of datafields.
I bit more information would definitely help ...
I use your basic sketch and your app, but under datafields in android is only xxxx
I use your basic sketch and your app, but under datafields in android is only xxxx
Not a lot of additional info's
Carefully review those 9 questions and answer YES/NO
Android side (smartphone/tablet screen):
- go to Option/About and confirm that installed version is V4.0 (or higher)
- can you move the joystick and display position at bottom left
- are you connected ("connected to: XXX", green text)
Arduino side:
4) are you using AndroTest V1.3.ino (or higher)
5) are Bluetooth TX connected to D2 and RX connected to D3
6) is your Bluetooth card already configured @57600 bps (most are 9600bps by default)
7) is your Bluetooth card LED solid red or green (blinking = not connected)
8 ) is your Serial monitor configured @57600 bps
Finally:
9) your serial monitor should anycase display:
AndroTest V1.3 - @kas2014
demo for V4.X (6 button version)
does it ??
- any additional information ??
Hi Kas,
I think your “Joystick bt commander” is brilliant – just what I want for some projects I am looking at.
However, I am having intermittent problems connecting from Android to Arduino via HC-05 module and very rarely get data from Arduino to Android. Is there a correct boot up sequence between Arduino and Anroid or doesn’t it matter?
When I changed the baud rate in AT commands I used AT+UART=57600,0,0 – is that correct?
Also I think I may have a mismatch of Wiring diagram/ino code/Android app. Can you email me details of where I can get the latest drawings/codes etc.
Again – brilliant application
Many thanks
Bob
YES I have 4.0 version
YES I see changing position on bottom left
YES I am conncted
YES I using ArduinoTest V1.3.ino
YES I have Connected Bluetooth in right way
YES I have solid led
YES Is my serial monitor configured @57200 bps
YES My serial monitor display that information