Android - How to enable Bluetooth to be always on? - android

Two question on Bluetooth development on Android:
Is there a way to enable Bluetooth to be always on (I might have a long device discovery phase in my application) in Android? As far as I can see the default value is a count down from 120s.
Does it exist any open source Bluetooth API implementations?

Bluetooth implementation is now available in the Android 2.0 API.
See this and this.

Enabling Bluetooth to be always on, may not be a good decision, if your only concern is long discovery delay ("battery life"-wise).
As for third-party Bluetooth APIs, the only thing that I've heard of is iAnywhere Blue SDK (from Sybase, not free, only evaluation version available), which covers some of the features, that will be supported in the future from the system/bluetooth and bluez packages.
According to the Android's Bluetooth roadmap, most of the long waited things like Java API, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR will be implemented, at one point in the future.
Good luck with your project.

On 2.3.6 I can keep the device always visible by putting the delay 0:
Intent di = new Intent(BluetoothAdapter.ACTION_REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE);
di.putExtra(BluetoothAdapter.EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION, 0);

The Bluez stack on Linux is an open source implementation. It's also available on Windows but the API is much more complete on Linux.
When you say, 'enable Bluetooth to always be on' do you mean, always trying to discover other devices?
Most bluetooth chips have a deep sleep mode, where the chip is mostly down and just comes up a to check for activity on any established links. It will only wake up to full power when you want it to do something (discovery, make a connection) or there is activity on an existing link.
Yeah, it uses more battery power than if the Bluetooth were totally off but it's not a total vampire.

private void ensureDiscoverable() {
if(D) Log.d(TAG, "ensure discoverable");
if (mBluetoothAdapter.getScanMode() !=
BluetoothAdapter.SCAN_MODE_CONNECTABLE_DISCOVERABLE) {
Intent discoverableIntent = new Intent(BluetoothAdapter.ACTION_REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE);
discoverableIntent.putExtra(BluetoothAdapter.EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION, 300);
startActivity(discoverableIntent);
}
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/bluetooth/BluetoothAdapter.html#ACTION_REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE

BlueCove is an open-source bluetooth implementation for Java.
It works on a lot of different machines and if correct there is a Android compatible version lurking around somewhere.

Related

Can an Android device act as an iBeacon, with Flag?

I want to transmit iBeacon data packet from android phone, with data flag.
Data Flag (0x01) is Bluetooth GAP specification that represents beacon's capability.
My situation:
Currently, I'm trying to advertise using BluetoothLeAdvertiser. But it doesn't works as I thought. I found that, I can only advertise "Manufacturer specific data".
BluetoothManager manager = (BluetoothManager) getSystemService(BLUETOOTH_SERVICE);
mBluetoothAdapter = manager.getAdapter();
mBluetoothLeAdvertiser = mBluetoothAdapter.getBluetoothLeAdvertiser();
// Settings here
mBluetoothLeAdvertiser.startAdvertising(settings, getAdvertiseData(), mAdvertiseCallback);
My current result:
What I want:
Common iBeacon data packet(Image below) has data flag, Type 0x01. And I want to add this flag to my iBeacon advertise packet.
That means, I want add Raw data "0x020106" to head part of the packet.
How can I archive this?
Etc:
I have already read about question below, but it doesn't help for my problem.
Can an Android device act as an iBeacon?
Also, I already have read that android ble api doesn't support Data flag.
But the comment was in 2015, is there any hopeful changes now?
https://github.com/AltBeacon/android-beacon-library/issues/141
Unfortunately, this is not currently allowed by the Android BLE APIs, so the library cannot this.
Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
Unfortunately, Android's Java BLE APIs expose no way of doing this. I researched this topic to answer the Android Beacon Library Issue you referenced. The Java APIs only let you advertise either service data or manufacturer data. They are simply not flexible enough to let you specify any other advertising PDUs. This has not changed as of May 2016.
You might be able to do what you want by dropping down to a lower level and talking to C BlueDroid APIs. But doing this would require a rooted device and perhaps installing a custom Android OS image to give you access.

Android Bluetooth IOException:connection refused

Alright here's the deal. I got two Galaxy Nexus phones both with bluetooth enabled.
I've written a bluetooth connection management app that I use for device discovery and connectivity. It also outputs all the available UUIDs the devices can support.
Looking from http://www.bluetooth.org/Technical/AssignedNumbers/service_discovery.htm the following standard UUIDs are exposed from Galaxy Nexus devices.
0x1116 - NAP
0x112f - PBAP (Phonebook Access Profile)
0x111f - HFP (Hands free)
0x1105 - OPP (Object Push Profile)
0x1112 - HSP (Headset Profile)
0x110c - AVRCP
0x110a - A2DP
I am trying to connect via the OPP profile (UUID 00001105-0000-1000-8000-00805F9B34FB) and push objects (files) between the devices. I've gone though the entire Android API documentation on how to discover, pair/bond (threading etc.) and manage all bluetooth connections. I've managed to successfully connect and talk to a legacy board device via the SPP (0x1101) profile.
However, when I try to use socket.connect() between the two galaxy nexus phones, the pairing dialog shows up and I click Pair button on both devices. After that, I immediately get a Connection Refused IOException. Note that after pairing has occurred once I never get asked again which makes sense since the secure link is cached.
If I can't connect to these standard profiles using these standard UUIDs why are they exposed? How can I connect from my app to any of these profiles and interact with them? Is it because my app is not somehow trusted? What's weird is that even the Share functionality on Android does not work at all either. Is this something completely broken on Android?
Please avoid giving me hints to use the "well known UUID SPP one 0x1101" like the docs say. This is not what I want. I have a fairly good understanding of how this stuff works and I am looking for a real solution or explanation of the problem.
I've seen the typical "reflection" solution but I do not understand why is this still a problem on Android? Why do people use reflection to make this work? Can we file a bug on Android to fix this?
If those UUIDs are standard any app should be able to connect and interact with them. Why is this an issue and why do I get this exception?
Thanks in advance.
UPDATE
So for some reason the object push in the Android system started working. I actually attempted to connect via my app and it was not working. Then, I went to the Contacts app and tried to share a contact which magically worked. Then, I went back to my app and it now it works...wow. That is very weird and there must be an explanation to this.
I ran into this same issue and managed to find a solution that worked for me.
In my case I using three different test devices (Nexus 5, Galaxy S4, Note 2) and for some reason, the Note 2 wouldn't connect to my Bluetooth module yet the other two would.
The reasoning I've found is that Bluetooth drivers vary, and slightly different connection methods are needed to create a connection between different devices.
The three methods I use are called 'Secure', 'Insecure' and 'Reflection method'/'hax'.
switch(connType)
{
case Secure:
tmpSocket = device.createRfcommSocketToServiceRecord(_uuid);
break;
case Insecure:
tmpSocket = device.createInsecureRfcommSocketToServiceRecord(_uuid);
break;
case Hax:
Method createSocket = device.getClass().getMethod("createRfcommSocket", new Class[] {int.class});
tmpSocket = (BluetoothSocket)createSocket.invoke(device, Integer.valueOf(1));
break;
}
In my case, the Secure mode worked for both the Nexus 5 and Galaxy S4 however it didn't work for the Note 2.
After some testing I discovered the Note 2 only works using 'Insecure' mode, so to cater to this, I basically attempt a connection and cycle through the different modes if necessary. When attempting a different connection mode I simply prompt 'retrying connection'. So, if the connection fails using secure, then I will attempt using Insecure and then using the reflection method.
I haven't run into the case where one of these three methods haven't worked.
Have you tried using a nonstandard profile? i.e. a custom UUID just for your app. This will also help you know your are (most likely) only connecting to your own app rather than some other app that is registered with the same profile.
From my experience, Bluetooth pairing is very buggy for the first pair attempt. However, using a custom UUID helps this somewhat.
The reflection method (I think) was originally an attempt to fix a bug with a specific device, however I think some people found success in using it elsewhere as well. The device was called the Spica or something similar.
As one of the comments also posted, I would also try connecting again after failing.
Basically write code that plans to fail the first attempt, but then the code tries to connect again in 5 seconds if there was a failure.
These are imperfect solutions but Bluetooth implementation on Android is also imperfect (IMHO). Hope that helps
EDIT
Based on the question update and comments:
I agree something is definitely buggy. Part of the problem I think is the BT drivers vary and each has a different BT stack with different quirks. I also found a question that makes use of both the reflection method AND custom UUID, AND other standard methods. This seems extreme to me but it does cover the most ground. Unfortunately as app developers we have no control over the low level stack/code/drivers.
I have found with my two Bluetooth sharing apps that the first pairing is always tricky.
I'm glad to know it's not just me.

Android Bluetooth Low Energy Motorola API pairing

I am working on using the BT 4.0 API that Motorola has provided with the RAZR. In one of their documents it states to use the Android API to pair before connecting and using their framework. Per their instructions I have been pairing with OS Bluetooth settings application, but it never prompts me for a key. It will pair but doesn't appear to bond, and this is critical for me.
My question is, when they say "using the Android API" is this referring to simply using the OS Bluetooth utility to pair before hand (like I have been doing), or is there some way to do it with code in my application. They reference the "createBond()" function which, to my knowledge, is not an accessible function (at least not without some squirrely libraries or reflection).
Any advice is greatly appreciated, especially anyone who has used the API successfully, if they could give an account of their process. I'm just looking for some clarity at this point :)
Lloyd,
You are correct, follow the instructions in the link you posted.
Outside of coding, when they say use the standard android api for "non-le" operations, they mean go ahead and pair the ble device the same way you would any bluetooth classic devices inside android settings -> wireless & network -> bluetooth -> scan for devices.
If the device you are using is a motorola le compatible device the ble device will be paired but not connected.
Now, in the code, you can detect this paired device through the same method of
BluetoothAdapter.getDefaultAdapter().getBondedDevices()
To double check if your Android Phone is LE compatible, run this code:
public static boolean checkBLESupport() {
boolean deviceSupportsLE;
try {
#SuppressWarnings({ "unused", "rawtypes" })
Class object = Class.forName("android.server.BluetoothGattService");
deviceSupportsLE = true;
} catch (Exception e) {
deviceSupportsLE = false;
}
return deviceSupportsLE;
}
And to double check if the bluetooth device you paired is LE, when you are looping through the bonded devices.
Check the device with this code.
if (device.getBluetoothClass() == null) {
Log.i(TAG, "This device is BLE compatible");
b = true;
} else {
Log.i(TAG, "This device is not BLE");
b = false;
}
Now for establishing connection from your LE compatible phone to your LE compatible bluetooth device, follow the Gatt service instructions under the link you posted. http://developer.motorola.com/docs/bluetooth-low-energy-api/
Take note that under this example it is connecting to a bluetooth low energy heart rate monitor.
If you are not trying to connect to the heart rate monitor with LE heart rate profile, here is a link to another Motorola document that details creating your own LE Profile to use with the GATT framework. http://developer.motorola.com/docs/bluetooth-low-energy-gatt-framework-api/
If the instructions are not clear enough at any point in either of these documents, motorola offers sample android applications using the frameworks in those documents.
I guess motorola stack has BLE support. But what i feel is that it does not pair with the devices that require bonding though It does work some sensors. I have tried with a proximity sensor that require bonding. It never gets paired though the devices is discovered with Razr which even does not with S3.
There's a helpful video here.
Late to the game, but can confirm -
If your BLE Peripheral requires bonding, Moto X - and some other older Motorola devices - MUST be paired via Bluetooth Settings prior to programmatic connection via the Android GATT interface.
If you bond via the createBond method, or reading of an encrypted characteristic, your connection will be dropped typically in under 60 seconds, despite DDMS logs that show a good bond may be established.

Android Application Bluetooth visibility duration

Is there a way to let my application be discoverable for a time the app is running? I tried to do this with
Intent discoverableIntent = new Intent(BluetoothAdapter.ACTION_REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE);
discoverableIntent.putExtra(BluetoothAdapter.EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION, 0);
startActivityForResult(discoverableIntent, DISC_DURATION);
as shown on Android Developers, but the Duration of 0 doesn't work so the default value 120 is set. Is there a way to set it as visible all the time?
there is no mean for keep Bluetooth discoverable all time.
At the time when you want to find some new devices or other devices can find your device you have to make it discoverable.
After that your device will interchange a shared MAC id and will make a paired.
Performing device discovery is a heavy procedure for the Bluetooth adapter and will consume a lot of its resources. Once you have found a device to connect, be certain that you always stop discovery with cancelDiscovery() before attempting a connection. Also, if you already hold a connection with a device, then performing discovery can significantly reduce the bandwidth available for the connection, so you should not perform discovery while connected.
for more info see this
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/wireless/bluetooth.html#DiscoveringDevices
There is no way for you to set bluetooth to be continuously discoverable on any 2.* version of Android; see this bug report. It seems like the limitation has been removed in 3.* versions, but I haven't seen any confirmation of this.
I come to the conclusion on three devices I have.
ANDROID v 4.3 and higher : EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION 0 works no limit
ANDROIND v 4.1 : EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION 0 is max 1 hour. Have to change manually to no limit in parameters.

Make Bluetooth on Android 2.1 discoverable indefinitely

I'm working on a research project which involves Bluetooth and the Android OS. I need to make Bluetooth discoverable indefinitely in order for the project to continue.
The Problem:
Android limits discoverability to 300 seconds.
I cannot ask the user every 300 seconds to turn discoverability back on as my application is designed to run in the background without disturbing the user.
As far as I am aware, there is no way to increase the time though Android's GUI. Some sources have called this a safety feature, others have called this a bug. There may be a bit of truth in both...
What I'm Trying / Have Tried:
I'm trying to edit a stable release of cyanogenmod to turn the discoverability timer off (it's possible; there's a configuration file that needs to have a single number changed). This isn't working because I'm having verification problems with the resulting package.
During the past week, I downloaded the cyanogenmod source code, changed a relevant class in the hope that it would make Bluetooth discoverable indefinitely, and tried to recompile. This did not work because (a) the repo is frequently changed, leading to an unstable code base which fails to compile (OR, it could be that I'm using it incorrectly; just because it looked like it was the code's fault in many instances doesn't mean I should blame it for all the problems I encountered!) and (b) the repo decides to periodically "ignore" me (but not always, as I have gotten the code base before!), replying to my synchronization/connection attempts with:
fatal: The remote end hung up unexpectedly
As you might imagine, the above two issues are problematic and very frustrating to deal with.
More Info:
I'm running Android 2.1 via cyanogenmod (v5 I believe). This means the phone is also rooted.
I have a developer phone, which means that the bootloader is unlocked.
My phone is an HTC Magic (32B).
The Big Question:
How can I make Bluetooth indefinitely discoverable on Android?
See the following link:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/wireless/bluetooth.html#ConnectingDevices
Specifically, the last sentence in the paragraph below:
Enabling discoverability
If you would like to make the local device discoverable to other devices, call startActivityForResult(Intent, int) with the ACTION_REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE action Intent. This will issue a request to enable discoverable mode through the system settings (without stopping your application). By default, the device will become discoverable for 120 seconds. You can define a different duration by adding the EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION Intent extra. The maximum duration an app can set is 3600 seconds, and a value of 0 means the device is always discoverable.
So, this should work:
Intent discoverableIntent = new Intent(BluetoothAdapter.ACTION_REQUEST_DISCOVERABLE);
discoverableIntent.putExtra(BluetoothAdapter.EXTRA_DISCOVERABLE_DURATION, 0);
startActivity(discoverableIntent);
If you check out the BluetoothAdapter class
you will find the hidden method:
public void setDiscoverableTimeout(int timeout)
Now you only have to find out how to use it. You have to do a method invocation to do so.

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