Android Remote Display App

[mibzzer15]

Just reporting in to let you know the app works on a AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 2, running CyanogenMod v11, android 4.4.2. Im going to buy a blutetooth adapter soon so I will let you know how it works then.

 

[garetgarrett]

Give me a day or so to think of a way to implement the volume control. I'm not a programmer at all but have messed with some stuff regarding the Uniden protocol in the past.

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Sure, I don't expect you to code it for me, just some ideas on how you would like to interact with it.

The simplest way would be to just make a menu with 0-15 on it, but that's kind of crude. It'll take a bit more work to make a dialog that mimics the built-in volume control popup (and also responds at the same time to changes made with the knob on the scanner)

 

[garetgarrett]

I'm happy to see such interest in my little program.

I should have also asked what model scanner you all are using?

 

[praxidike]

Sure, I don't expect you to code it for me, just some ideas on how you would like to interact with it.

The simplest way would be to just make a menu with 0-15 on it, but that's kind of crude. It'll take a bit more work to make a dialog that mimics the built-in volume control popup (and also responds at the same time to changes made with the knob on the scanner)

Cool. I was thinking of a slider to go up and down from 0 through 31. Simple buttons could work also. I'm just thinking the slider would be better if the phone was rotated.

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[praxidike]

Scanners used and tested: 396xt and 996xt. Both work on this end.

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[KevinC]

This adapter...

Bluetooth Serial Adapter RS232

Samsung S4

BCT15, tried it on my BCD436HP, no joy, it freaks out and locks up.

 

[garetgarrett]

This adapter...

Bluetooth Serial Adapter RS232

Samsung S4

BCT15, tried it on my BCD436HP, no joy, it freaks out and locks up.

Thanks for the report. I considered getting that same adapter. I just found one similar for a bit less.

Did you happen to notice if the model number popped up when you connected to your 436? When the connection is first established, I send the request for model number. After a successful response, I start polling for PWR, STS, and GLG repeatedly. It might be the PWR command or the way I am handling the other command responses.

Since I don't have a 436 to play with, I'll have to wait until the protocol is published to make much progress.

Just a little update: I've been working on the preferences and I hope to have those and the volume control working this weekend.

 

[praxidike]

How are you going to do the volume?

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[KevinC]

Thanks for the report. I considered getting that same adapter. I just found one similar for a bit less.

Did you happen to notice if the model number popped up when you connected to your 436? When the connection is first established, I send the request for model number. After a successful response, I start polling for PWR, STS, and GLG repeatedly. It might be the PWR command or the way I am handling the other command responses.

Since I don't have a 436 to play with, I'll have to wait until the protocol is published to make much progress.

Just a little update: I've been working on the preferences and I hope to have those and the volume control working this weekend.

I don't believe the model popped up. I recall trying the MDL command last night serially and it didn't work...but I was tired so it could have been operator error.

ETA...

Serial MDL does work...guess I was tired.

ETA again...

All of your commands seem to work serially.

 

[garetgarrett]

How are you going to do the volume?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

What do you think about using the volume control buttons on the S4? I normally don't like it when apps use the volume control for their own purposes, but I think it could work here. Otherwise, I can put a little button on the action bar that lauches a dialog (it would look just like the standard volume control dialog, could include squelch, too). I'll examine the STS response to see if the user is adjusting volume with the scanner's dial and update the dialog, so it will work either way.

I don't believe the model popped up. I recall trying the MDL command last night serially and it didn't work...but I was tired so it could have been operator error.

ETA...

Serial MDL does work...guess I was tired.

ETA again...

All of your commands seem to work serially.

Hmm. I wonder if the STS command response has a different format... there sure are a lot more display lines. I've been watching the other thread with the "Scanner Screen" software, so there's some examples over there I can take a look at. I'll take a shot at getting it working.

 

[KevinC]

Hmm. I wonder if the STS command response has a different format... there sure are a lot more display lines. I've been watching the other thread with the "Scanner Screen" software, so there's some examples over there I can take a look at. I'll take a shot at getting it working.

I can post the serial response if you want or you can PM me and we can take this offline.

 

[praxidike]

What do you think about using the volume control buttons on the S4? I normally don't like it when apps use the volume control for their own purposes, but I think it could work here. Otherwise, I can put a little button on the action bar that lauches a dialog (it would look just like the standard volume control dialog, could include squelch, too). I'll examine the STS response to see if the user is adjusting volume with the scanner's dial and update the dialog, so it will work either way.

That could work maybe. An indication of what current volume the user is at should be displayed on the app. Of course raising it no more than 31 would have to be implemented.



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[garetgarrett]

Also, my main goal in creating this was to have something to use in the car that would run in the background so I could run a navigation app in the foreground. I don't like fooling with the touchscreen too much while I'm moving, and only need notification when a channel becomes active

I realize others might like to use it just around the house or something, and so having the full array of buttons would be extremely useful. How do you guys intend to use it?

 

[praxidike]

Well I had planned to mount my phone up in the car, use it to control the scanner in the trunk of the car, raise volumes. It beats running cables to the back of the car from the front.

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[DaveIN]

I'd most likely use it around the house with a Nexus 7 for display/control. So far it looks like its doable as far as the app runs. I'll need to test it with the serial interface when it arrives.

 

[garetgarrett]

I can post the serial response if you want or you can PM me and we can take this offline.

Sure, great idea, feel free to PM me... if you could get me several different samples of the STS command that would be helpful. Whenever you get time.

That could work maybe. An indication of what current volume the user is at should be displayed on the app. Of course raising it no more than 31 would have to be implemented.

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Easy-peasy, those slider controls can have a max value set on them. No prob.

Here's a little history on the evolution of this app...

If you can believe it, I just got my first cell phone at the beginning of this year.

I was previously using a HomePatrol hooked up to a Rasberry Pi computer and GPS in my car. I wrote some custom software in Tcl/Tk, using map tiles from OpenStreetMap.org. When the scanner was receiving, the map would highlight the area that was transmitting, and a popup would appear with the system/dept/channel/uid (also had different icons for different agencies)

You can see the status indicators across the top bar: GPS indicator, Map zoom level, Volume level, Recording indicator, and scanner connection indicator. The volume indicator showed both a number, and a 3 or 4 different icons plus mute, according to the volume level.

It was pretty cool, but I had wires running all over the place and I had to wait for the RPi to boot up and shutdown. Due to the unique hardware/software configuration, it had an extremely limited audience (just me!) This android version works better, and is usable by more people. Could be even cooler once I get better at java and the android api.

 

[praxidike]

Good deal. I wouldn't worry too much about it looking pretty right now. Just get everything in that one could possibly want, then focus on a nice layout, etc.

 

[DaveIN]

Answering a couple questions:

I'm going to try putting it up on google play this weekend. It'll be my first time so I'm not sure what's involved. There's also a few settings that are hard-coded that I will have to make available as preferences. Please consider this beta-level software. I welcome your comments/suggestions.

The bluetooth adapter is powered from a 5v mini-usb. There's a couple different models available. The one shown above was $48 from ebay. It's a higher-powered model that came with a gender changer, wall plug, and usb cable. There's a cheaper one (about $14) also on ebay RS232 Bluetooth Serial Adapter Communication Master-Slave Modes 5V It comes just as you see it: a bare board. I haven't tested this model yet, but I plan to.

EDIT: the exact model I got is this: Wireless Bluetooth RS232 Serial Adapter | eBay

These adapters take a bit of setup (baud rate, flow control, etc) before they'll work. I'll be glad to give advice if you get one and run into trouble.

Also, I should mention some of the limitations:

It's really only meant to work in Scan/Search mode. Other 6-line display modes might work.

You must also use display mode 3 if you want to see unit id's. If you have set up alpha tags for unit id's, they must begin with "UID:" to be recognized (the prefix is stripped before displaying on the overlay)

There are special characters on the scanner display that don't render on android (you see the "?" in a diamond). I'll have to either make my own font or replace them with images.

OK, got the adapter in the mail today. I have the Bluetooth connected and cable connections. Can you provide a writeup for the terminal programming?

Thanks!

EDIT: I used the same model you listed: Wireless Bluetooth RS232 Serial Adapter | eBay

 

[praxidike]

OK, got the adapter in the mail today. I have the Bluetooth connected and cable connections. Can you provide a writeup for the terminal programming?

Thanks!

What kind of adapter do you have?

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[DaveIN]

The dongle garetgarrett used from eBay see the link above.