Bluetooth

Bluetooth Logo

Bluetooth is quickly becoming the world's leading technology for short-range wireless data communications. It can be used to quickly and conveniently pass data wirelessly, over-the-air, between 2 devices.

Specifications

• Bluetooth 5 - Specifications: https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/bluetooth-core-specification/bluetooth5

Profiles

There are a wide variety of Bluetooth profiles and associated protocols/standards/specifications and required services to be implemented, however the following list represents the most common (starting with the complete list from Bluetooth organization's official site):

• Bluetooth Profiles Overview: http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/Profiles.aspx

1. Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/A2DP.aspx
2. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP): http://developer.bluetooth.org/KnowledgeCenter/TechnologyOverview/Pages/AVRCP.aspx
3. Health Device Profile (HDP): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/HDP.aspx
4. Hands-Free Profile (HFP): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/HFP.aspx
5. Human Interface Device Profile (HID): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/HID.aspx
6. Message Access Profile (MAP): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/MAP.aspx
7. Personal Area Network Profile (PAN): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/PAN.aspx
8. Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP): http://developer.bluetooth.org/TechnologyOverview/Pages/PBAP.aspx

Beacons

BLE

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a Bluetooth profile created specifically for reducing battery size and wattage requirements as well as adding capabilities around networking transceivers into a mesh deployment where transceivers in motion are constantly dropping in and out of range of specific receivers is beneficial (such as tracking movement of inventory, customers via SmartPhone as Beacon, pets via collar Beacon and even tagged wildlife within limited ranges such as game preserves with fences or natural barriers yet quite open areas). As such it is rapidly becoming one of the most commonly used technologies for implementing Beacon-based tracking systems and can be seen as a rival yet slightly differently focused alternative to the other most popular alternatives which are RFID & NFC.

• ANT / Bluetooth 4.0 beacon evaluation kit for home automation solution to support humans and pets: http://www.gsm-modem.de/M2M/m2m-componets/ant-bluetooth-4-0-beacon-evaluation-kit-for-home-automation-solution-to-support-humans-and-pets/

Products

MMV-200 hooked up to a TV

BT Multimedia devices

• SONY Ericsson - Bluetooth Media Center MMV-200 (Official Product page): http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/accessories/overview/mmv-200?cc=us&lc=en
• SONY - Digital Media Port Bluetooth® Interface: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061949
• Sony Ericsson MMV-200 Bluetooth Media Viewer - Full Specs: http://phones.mphone.co.uk/bluetooth/mmv-200.html
• Bluetooth your phone to your TV: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029453,49252462,00.htm

Sony Ericsson's Bluetooth Media Center MMV-200

• SONY Ericsson - Bluetooth Media Center MMV-200 (SUPPORT SITE): http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/accessories/mmv-200?cc=en&lc=ca | archive
• Review of media centre Sony Ericsson MMV-200: http://www.latest-mobile.com/articles/review/sonyericsson-mmv200_3566

TV set top boxes

• Panasonic SH-FX570KE-K wireless transmitter and receiver: http://www.soundandvision.co.uk/adaptors-readers/panasonic-sh-fx570ke-k
• Panasonic "SH-FX570KE-K" wireless transmitter and receiver

BT Keyboards

VKB

• i-Tech Virtual KeyBoard (VKB): http://www.golantechnology.com/I-Tech.html (by Golan Technology)
• VKB Support (drivers, manual, FAQ, etc): http://vkb-support.com
• HowStuffWorks -- How "Virtual Laser Keyboards" (VKB) work: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/virtual-laser-keyboards.htm

Security & Facility Access devices

• Bluetooth Relay - Bluetooth Control Devices: http://www.controlanything.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=NCD&Category_Code=Bluetooth_Relay_Controllers

BSIG

Bluetooth Special Interest group (BSIG) is a group of approximately 4000 powerful executives and influential developers who back Bluetooth as the de facto Ubiquitous short-range, off-network data communication technology. The group is comprised primarily of the major electronics companies and device manufacturers.

BSIG is a privately held, not-for-profit trade association founded in September 1998. The Bluetooth SIG itself does not make, manufacture, or sell Bluetooth enabled products. The SIG member companies are leaders in the telecommunications, computing, automotive, music, apparel, industrial automation, and network industries. SIG members drive development of Bluetooth wireless technology, and implement and market the technology in their products. The main tasks for the Bluetooth SIG are to publish Bluetooth specifications, administer the qualification program, protect the Bluetooth trademarks and evangelize Bluetooth wireless technology.

• Bluetooth - Official Lincensed Products (Directory): http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/Products/Products/

WebHID

• Upcoming WebHID API - access Bluetooth/USB HID devices in Web Applications: https://blog.scottlogic.com/2019/04/03/upcoming-webhid-api.html

Tools

• Cordovarduino: http://github.com/xseignard/cordovarduino (Cordova/Phonegap plugin that enable you to use serial communication from an Android device to a serial over USB capable one)

Resources

• Bluetooth Smart Ready Products (LIST): http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Bluetooth-Smart-Devices-List.aspx (phones, tablets, PCs, and TVs that can connect with both traditional Bluetooth products and super energy-efficient Bluetooth Smart sensors)
• iOS -- Supported Bluetooth profiles: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT204387 | DOCS
• Android -- Supported Bluetooth profiles: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/bluetooth/package-summary.html | DOCS
• Company/OEM Directory (off of Bluetooth.org): http://www.thewirelessdirectory.com/Bluetooth-Development/Semiconductors-Bluetooth-Radio-IC.htm
• Bluetooth - Official Product Directory: http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Product-Directory.aspx
• High-Speed Video over Bluetooth: http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/High-Speed-Video.aspx
• Skype support for Bluetooth: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10914/what-features-does-skype-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch-support?fromSearchFirstPage=false

Tutorials

• How Bluetooth Works: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/bluetooth-basics/how-bluetooth-works
• Connecting to Bluetooth devices with Java: http://www.aviyehuda.com/blog/2010/01/08/connecting-to-bluetooth-devices-with-java/
• Simple Android and Java Bluetooth Application: http://luugiathuy.com/2011/02/android-java-bluetooth/
• Oracle -- J2ME - The Java APIs for Bluetooth Wireless Technology (Part 1): https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/javame/index-156193.html
• Oracle -- J2ME - The Java APIs for Bluetooth Wireless Technology (Part 2): https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/systems/bluetooth2-156149.html
• Connecting iOS & Android to Arduino with Bluetooth: http://don.github.io/slides/2013-11-13-mobilephilly-bluetooth/# (using PhoneGap/ApacheCordova)
• Android Bluetooth Where can I get UUID?: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4032391/android-bluetooth-where-can-i-get-uuid
• Detect proximity using Bluetooth LE “Proximity” profile Android: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/19639891/detect-proximity-using-bluetooth-le-proximity-profile-android
• sdptool - control and interrogate SDP servers: http://examplenow.com/sdptool/usage
• How to fix the Bluetooth on your Android: http://www.smartmobilephonesolutions.com/content/how-to-fix-bluetooth-android-cell-phone
• 10 of the most annoying Android 5.0 Lollipop problems, and how to fix them: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-lollipop-problems/
• iOS ANCS notifications to Android via BLE: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/23178277/ios-ancs-notifications-to-android-via-ble
• How to Locate a Hidden or Lost Bluetooth Device: https://www.howtogeek.com/803007/how-to-locate-a-hidden-or-lost-bluetooth-device/

External Links

• wikipedia: Bluetooth
• wikipedia: A2DP
• wikipedia: AVRCP
• What Is Bluetooth?: https://www.howtogeek.com/748634/what-is-bluetooth/
• Tech History -- How Bluetooth got its name: http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1269737&page_number=1
• What is Bluetooth - Bluetooth FAQ/info: http://www.distagage.com/blqu.html
• BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY TO HARNESS THE SPEED OF 802.11: http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/Press/SIG/BLUETOOTH_TECHNOLOGY_TO_HARNESS_THE_SPEED_OF_80211.htm
• Bluetooth comes to set-top boxes: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/10/bluetooth_stb/
• Where do I find password to enable VKB connection?: http://www.expansys.co.za/ft.aspx?k=44427
• iOS 6 Bluetooth problems: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4318307
• iPhone iOS6 bluetooth connectivity problem: https://discussions.apple.com/message/19650417
• Bluetooth paired devices connection problems (in code): http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18466067/bluetooth-paired-devices-connection-problems
• Bluetooth 5 Boosts Speed, Capacity And Range To Support ‘Connectionless’ IoT: http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/networks/bluetooth-5-capacity-iot-beacons-193901
• Connect a Bluetooth device to Microsoft that does not have or require a transceiver: http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/952818
• Developer integrates Android Wear notifications on iOS: http://sdtimes.com/developer-integrates-android-wear-notifications-ios/
• Use your Android smartwatch with an iPHONE - Developer hack shows Apple notifications on a Moto 360 watch: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2965135/Use-Android-smartwatch-iPHONE-Developer-hack-shows-Apple-notifications-Moto-360-watch.html
• New Bluetooth SIG MESH Standard Extends Reach: https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/304613/new-bluetooth-standard-extends-reach.html
• Province of NB's plan for (Bluetooth based) COVID-19 contact-tracing app denied by Ottawa: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-contact-tracing-app-new-brunswick-national-1.5618973
• What Is ELK-BLEDOM on my Bluetooth List?: https://www.howtogeek.com/796376/what-is-elk-bledom-on-my-bluetooth-list/

See Also

WiFi | Radio | Mobile Phone | SmartWatch | Wearables | VoIP | SR | VR | AR | GPS | LBS