Website and ordering prototypes

I put together a simple website to summarize the important stuff. Also you can now purchase limited quantities of the prototypes.

http://alistairdickie.com/blueflyvario

Prototype 0.4b

I have updated the hardware slightly for the next batch of prototypes. The circuit board size and layout is almost exactly the same, and it is still in a TicTac box. The new v4 circuit diagram is below.

Essentially, I have just added a line from pin 17 of the PIC to pin 5 of the RN42. This allows me to hold the RN42 in reset. I updated the PIC code to do this if the battery voltage is too low on start (below 3.6V). This means it is impossible to connect via bluetooth if the battery is too dead. If you are connected, it will keep on discharging all the way past 3.6V. To provide some feedback to the user, on startup the green LED2 now flashes fast if the battery is full, if it is below 3.6V it flashes slow (1 second on/off).

There is also a test point (TP1) to access PIO4 on the RN42 if that is needed. 

Android App Updated

Just a minor bug fix to stop the "BlueFlyVario has stopped working" that was happening when you exited the app. It was the way I was shutting down the audio stuff. All fixed now. It should push out via Google Play today. 

Audio Updates

I just updated the audio aspects of the app, pushed the code to GitHub, and uploaded version 0.3b(4) to Google Play. Apart from a few little bug fixes the new things are:

• Added preferences (in Setting|Vario|Audio) for:
• Vario Audio Threshold - Above this value the vario starts beeping. The default is 0.2m/s
• Vario Audio Cutoff - Below this value the vario stops beeping. The default is 0.05 m/s. This means that the vario continues to beep during the range 0.5 to 0.2 m/s. 
• Sink Audio Threshold - Below this value the the sink Alarm sounds. The default is -2.0 m/s. The current sink alarm is a pleasant female English voice saying "Sink-Sink-Sink..." Should you not want to hear it set the sink alarm to something like -10. 

The sink alarm audio file is currently not user settable. I intend to do that at some stage. In the meantime I am seeking a better default sink alarm sound. I am not quite sure what the best sound is. Although I am sure there is something better than being told over and over again that you are in sink. If you have suggestions let me know.

I have not implemented it yet, but I do intend to change the speed of playback if the sink is greater (more sink = slower playback = lower pitch). 

More Prototypes

The first batch of prototypes is delivered to testers. There was much more demand than I had anticipated. I have just ordered the components for the next batch. Make sure to contact me if you want one and I will put you on the list. 

Code on GitHub

I have put the code for the Android app up on GitHub to coincide with the initial release of the app on GooglePlay and the shipment of initial prototypes to testers. If you want to get stuck into editing the code contact me. 

Prototype 0.3b Shipped

I have lots of good news. The best is that I have shipped the first batch of prototypes to testers in the US, Australia and Peru. Most of the information in this post is for lucky testers.

First - Thanks

A huge thank you for supporting this project as a tester!

Second - Install the app

If you scanned the QR code on the side of the box it would have taken you here.

You will need to install the app on your device. Get it from Google Play.

Third - The hardware

To reiterate and update info from a previous post - some important stuff you need to know:

• Turn on the switch on the side of the device and you should see the blue light flashing. 
• Pair it with your Android device using the code 1234.  
• Ignore the flashing green light, it is left over from some hardware debugging.
• A full battery lasts 17 hours [at least - that was the old battery - I have not tested the new one]. Plug in a mini-USB connector to charge it. The red light goes on. When it goes off the BlueFlyVario battery is fully charged.
• The USB connector does nothing other than charge the battery. The data pins are not connected to anything.

Fourth - Using the app

• Open the BlueFlyVario app and press Menu|Connect device.
• Read about it here: http://blueflyvario.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/android-app-ready-to-play-with.html
• New features have been added - there is some map stuff now and much more.
• I am not sure where to continue. There is so much to use and customize...
• Email me if it is not obvious.