Greetings,
I would like to make the following setup: an LED (or a group of 3-5) toggled by a wireless signal, in a small package – comparable to a cigarette pack or smaller. The LED state will be updated once every 3 minutes. I expect the lights to be on for 30 minutes a day or less. This is where specifications end and possibilities begin, and I would like to ask your advice on the best way to proceed.
I would very much prefer to have the device run on a battery, but it should last for 3 months or more, and the battery should be easy to buy and replace. Is this kind of battery life possible with wireless connection? Note that it can be asleep most of the time. Another possible option, from what I've found, is power via computer's USB port – this would be less desirable though.
As to connectivity, I thought of two options: first, a Wi-Fi connection to an existing network. In this case, the device should ping a remote server once every 3 minutes and receive the LED state (on or off). Second, it could have a bluetooth connection to an Android smartphone, and receive the state from an app (which will connect to a server). I can code as far as the app goes, and I assume it should be fairly easy to toggle an LED.
I have researched a little on battery life, and found some articles that recommend making a custom controller, with all the non-essential components cut out. This is not an option for me, because I have no experience in electronics. If you could suggest a setup that requires minimal adjustments, this would be perfect. I do not have any hardware yet.