I'd like to create a device, that can read some buttons and sensors and based on that send signals like "next song", "pause", "louder" etc. via bluetooth to a smartphone. It should act similar like bluetooth headphones, that have buttons for louder and pause. I wouldn't want to have an app for this on the phone and it should be crossplattform useable.
My idea to do this:
What I thought of was to buy a bluetooth module and flash it with some firmware of the headphones that I mentioned before. Or maybe alternatively the firmware of a bluetooth keyboard.
Now my questions:
Is this possible?
Can you find such firmware open-source?
Does my solution work?
Do I need anything else but the Arduino and Bluetoothmodule? Does it have to be a specific bluetooth module?
If you have to ask this question, you likely currently do not have the required skills to build such a device.
max11gen:
4. Do I need anything else but the Arduino and Bluetoothmodule? Does it have to be a specific bluetooth module?
First you have to figure out which Bluetooth standard you need to use. Bluetooth Classic is used for head phones but BT Classic needs a lot of power. You would need to charge your device every day. BLE is low power but cannot be used for audio. So headphones likely do not have BLE support. Which in turn lets me suspect your phone would not have an application/service that just looks for "remote" control. iOS and Android likely know that headphones have controls.
max11gen:
and it should be crossplattform useable.
This makes your requirements even more complicated. There is a reason boxes with devices like this often have compatibility logos printed on them and often they support only some platforms. Platform providers often want customers to buy into a system and not use crossplatform stuff.
max11gen:
I'd like to create a device, that can read some buttons and sensors and based on that send signals like "next song", "pause", "louder" etc. via bluetooth to a smartphone.
BLE does not work like that. The application layer does not send anything. Your device would be a peripheral/server. It would update a characteristic in a service but if no client (the smartphone) application is reading it nothing is send.
First of all: Thanks for this comprehensive answer! I really apreciate you taking the time.
Klaus_K:
If you have to ask this question, you likely currently do not have the required skills to build such a device.
Well, I wouldn't expect to build this in a day or two. I think it's a good idea to try and grow by challenging myself. And when I run into something, I can't figure out on my own, I can still try and seek for help here.
Klaus_K:
First you have to figure out which Bluetooth standard you need to use. Bluetooth Classic is used for head phones but BT Classic needs a lot of power. You would need to charge your device every day. BLE is low power but cannot be used for audio.
I think in this case I would rather use Bluetooth classic and just connect the device to an outlet. It's not important for me that it is mobile.
Klaus_K:
So headphones likely do not have BLE support. Which in turn lets me suspect your phone would not have an application/service that just looks for "remote" control. iOS and Android likely know that headphones have controls.
That's exactly what I thought, too. That's what I meant by flashing some headphone firmware or maybe bluetooth keyboard firmware onto the device such that the phone "thinks" the device are headphones (or a keyboard).
Klaus_K:
This makes your requirements even more complicated. There is a reason boxes with devices like this often have compatibility logos printed on them and often they support only some platforms. Platform providers often want customers to buy into a system and not use crossplatform stuff.
Well, in the special case of headphones, I think I never saw ones, that could not be used on Android AND iOS. But if you say, it makes it that much more complicated, I will probably first try to make it work on one platform and then possibly extend it.
max11gen:
Well, I wouldn't expect to build this in a day or two. I think it's a good idea to try and grow by challenging myself. And when I run into something, I can't figure out on my own, I can still try and seek for help here
That is a good attitude. I just wanted to make sure you know it is challenging. I do not want you to get frustrated when you believe it should be easy. Sometimes beginners take on projects that are a bit above their skill levels, which is hard to judge from a few posts.
You will need to do some research. Bluetooth is a more complex subject.
Klaus_K:
That is a good attitude. I just wanted to make sure you know it is challenging. I do not want you to get frustrated when you believe it should be easy. Sometimes beginners take on projects that are a bit above their skill levels, which is hard to judge from a few posts.
You will need to do some research. Bluetooth is a more complex subject.
Good luck with your project.
Well, I am an absolute beginner on everything electronics and hardware related. However, I do have quite some experience with C++ at least.
