[Q] [DEV] Dock communication protocol - Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everyone,
I'm new on this forum, but as i'm really a new user, I can't post my question in the development section, so I do it here.
I've a project of an Android Application that require a speed data connection between the tablet and a own-built device (not built yet, but in project, and I try to get as much information as possible before starting).
That's why I thought ASUS EEEPad Transformer and its dock connection port for this.
My question has two parts. Is there any way to send informations from a own-built device to the Transformer throught the dock communication port and what does look like the protocol ?
Is it possible to buy as a spare part the Transformer dock connector (like the the one on the keyboard dock) ? Maybe at ASUS ?
If anyone have some information, thanks in advance for the reply.
Johnny
PS : Sorry if my english writing is bad, but it's not my first language.

of course there's a way...since the dock port does work...
the problem is it's not documented.
the TF will eventually have a USB Dongle (and the dock itself already has 2 USB ports). your best bet is probably via the USB interface. you'll probably need to write a driver for your custom-made device but that's probably your best option moving forward.
not sure what your device is, but if it you only need it for limited input...try to have it behave and identify itself as a joystick, translate your signals to various joystick signals, then have your app translate them back.
no idea what you're doing so i'm just speculating here.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Thanks for your answer.
The device I project to build is intended to capture audio signals from a guitare or a microphone (through XLR/Jack inputs) and send them to the transformer to a specific app.
I also imagine a direct microphone input option but i fear the audio chipset of the Transformer isn't good enough to have a correct quality.
The final goal is to transform the Transformer into a mobile music composition and capture studio.
If it can help you helping me more accuratly...
Johnny

Related

Parallel/Serial ports for PPCs

Hi There
Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a mini-USB to Serial (or parallel) device on the market? Something that would provide PPCs like the K-JAM/WIZARD with a serial/parallel port.
I know they are available for desktop PCs, but what about hand-helds?
Ken
not without USB host. However you can use bluetooth to serial. I got ones of these:-
http://www.merlinbluetooth.co.uk/merlinbluetooth/promi-bluetooth-module-p-33.html
Bluetooth-serial
Thanks for that; it looks great, so I will (I imagine) need to get some software to read/write to that device.
At the device end I should be able to configure some Data Acquisition circuitry.
My problem is that I don't get access to the Vario/K-JAM until Christmas Day - it's a present from my wife - so I have no idea about writing stuff to access the bluetooth system Does it present itself as some sort of I/O?
I've just bought the NSBASIC/CE, so I was hoping to be able to write the necessary stuff with that.
The K-JAM looks a great bit of kit, but I'm never satisfied until I can get two-way interaction with the outside world in both Digital and analogue.
Thanks again,
Ken
It appears as a com port "COM5" on mine. You can open it just like normal using CreateFile / WriteFile etc

Music dock for Android?

Hey all, I was wondering if there is something like a music dock for Android phones. Something like the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 would look great. Something that has a remote control and communicates with the device (not just headphone jack in). If it works with iProducts then even better.
Suggestions?
If i am not mistaken a new mode was have to be incorporated into android as unlike the iphone that has a dock mode using its cable all the android devices either have mini usb or propriatary jacks that use the same usb specs in a different form factor!!
The best bet would be to use the standard audio jack but sell a bluetooth remote control to go with it, then using a modded open source music player and bluetooth drivers supplied by the dock maker do the functions you have suggested!!
I would buy one!!
Bluetooth remote hey? Haven't seen any around (that would work with android). I'd still prefer a dock like I described since I would then need only one remote control, not two.
zeusalmighty said:
Bluetooth remote hey? Haven't seen any around (that would work with android). I'd still prefer a dock like I described since I would then need only one remote control, not two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah your way sounds the best, its just getting that feature added to Android as as ASOP so the phone would be able to take commands via usb as it seems it would need to be a system level command chain! so pluggin it in and seeing it popping up saying mass storage, pc suite, charge only and also have an Audio docking option would be the ultimate goal before the docks go into the design room!
Or maybe the dock is bluetooth 2.0 and all it does is hold the phone and charge it? that would take hardly any modification!! these are the ideas that need putting to companies like creative etc!! they should have no bother making models for the HTC ranges! and maybe samsung
No bluetooth please, sound quality over AD2P sucks.
A decent solution would be a standard 3,5mm-connected remote interface, just like on corded Nokia or Apple handsfree; luckily enough SGS's sound quality is decent.
A USB connector would simply be astounding, although quite difficult to implement: remember the iphone has a line out in its bottom connector so a dock is kinda straight-forward to make; going through USB either means rerouting the line out from the DAC (impossible to realize just with software) or creating a standardized driver to connect an external DAC. Read: nobody is gonna do it, as no big company is willing to go through the trouble of making something (very) hi-end only.
*Drools while dreaming of an USB attached DAC/amp*
Considering that most Android phones can connect in USB mode, there could be an external dock that plays the mp3s' on the phone. On the other hand, this makes your phone no different than a flash disk.
Shouldn't there be a protocol for docking this kind of devices? I think phone makers are really losing the game by not creating a protocol for wired music docking, the result is that there is a TON of peripheral for iProducts (from hifi to cars) but almost none for anything else. Crying shame.
In the end a 3.5mm would be the most realistic solution but still, i'd like some sort of remote control.
i would be quite happy with a cable that has a male 3.5mm on one end and a female apple dock connector on the other.
you wouldnt have problems then when you were round at a party and all they got is an ipod dock with no line in.
cant the enterprising chinese come up with a solution?
EDIT**on closer inspection i found that cablejive are doing something called a dock input cable. i would post a link but im not allowed
it may be what im looking for
Didnt seen anything abaut a dock...
However i got this product from Belkin and it works very cool for my intentions.
**cant post since im "new user" tho, google it: "BELKIN bluetooth music receiver F8Z492"
Its just tap 1 button and play the music via bluetooth (A2DP), very nice quality.
I suppose the above are both working solutions, though I don't really like the Dock input cable. I mean, you lose the ability of remote controlling your player and you would use that only with iPod / iPhone enabled hifi systems, which I find redundant (why buy such a hifi system if you have Android? Then again if you already have one, that changes things).
to be honest it wouldnt take much to develope the librarys for the controls through a usb cable, but with no ones builds being asop and a non general development tree with the xda scene as it is, it would be virtually impossible to the get this now very fragmented market of phones to have a standard for docks! heh i might even put this to someone I have consulted for in the US about bluetooth technologys to see what he thinks!
anarchyuk said:
to be honest it wouldnt take much to develope the librarys for the controls through a usb cable, but with no ones builds being asop and a non general development tree with the xda scene as it is, it would be virtually impossible to the get this now very fragmented market of phones to have a standard for docks! heh i might even put this to someone I have consulted for in the US about bluetooth technologys to see what he thinks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the idea would best apply to "personal hifi systems". Something like boom-boxes or even small audio systems. These could provide basic functionality through their standard lcd screen and remote control, but when you add a phone on, they'd have a really nice looking screen and new features (depending on the phone itself). Bluetooth can already music-pair with other devices but I think there are better prossiblities using USB (not to mention that your phone would be charging at the same time).
I think it's time for people to stop looking at docking as gimmicky and start developing docking methods that actually add to the user experience as well as functions.
zeusalmighty said:
I think the idea would best apply to "personal hifi systems". Something like boom-boxes or even small audio systems. These could provide basic functionality through their standard lcd screen and remote control, but when you add a phone on, they'd have a really nice looking screen and new features (depending on the phone itself). Bluetooth can already music-pair with other devices but I think there are better prossiblities using USB (not to mention that your phone would be charging at the same time).
I think it's time for people to stop looking at docking as gimmicky and start developing docking methods that actually add to the user experience as well as functions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you think about how many media functions a modern smart phone has its crazy even samsung dont start shipping range specific docks for android devices!
I would love nothing more than my phone being on a dock over night charging! when i wake up to the alarm/custom song/internet radio station i press a button that keeps the music on then pops up todays appointments and meetings on my calendar! Then to top it off a text to speech engine reads out the headers from all my emails before cooking my breakfast and kissing me on the cheek goodbye
someone please make one before christmas time!
dan 6a said:
someone please make one before christmas time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I think we may have missed Christmas (!!) but I believe there is something in the pipeline from one manufacturer that is developing Android docking solutions for later this year.

[Q] Is Transformer viable option for Student?

I am looking to acquire this tablet for use at school. Bought a 17" ASUS in 2007, just too big to lug around campus.
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
I truly hope this is the right solution for what I need! I got my first Android phone in April (Epic 4g) and am learning new stuff everyday.
I'm not sure about your other questions but I do know about the dock/tablet charging. You can charge both of them at the same time if you have the tablet docked, just insert the charging cable into the dock and it will charge both. Also, you can keep the tablet docked to the keyboard forever if you wanted to.
Basically, the dock charges your tablet until it reaches 100%, then doesn't charge it unless the tablet battery gets below 95%. The tablet draws power only from the dock until it reaches 3%, then it starts taking power from it's own battery.
Hope this answers your questions about the dock+tablet functionality
EDIT: also check this thread to see which office app is best for excel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1085173
i2IDIUM said:
I am looking to acquire this tablet for use at school. Bought a 17" ASUS in 2007, just too big to lug around campus.
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
I truly hope this is the right solution for what I need! I got my first Android phone in April (Epic 4g) and am learning new stuff everyday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Trust me you wouldn't want to use stylus to write down stuff. It's more efficient to type notes.
- The office software that comes with eee pad doesn't have print option, but I've seen apps on android market that let you print.
- Not sure about 100% full functionality, but there is a nice excel alternative that is part of the office package.
- no MATLAB
- I connected to ad-hoc networks just fine. Didn't use them for sharing internet though.
- Both charge at the same time just fine.
- Some docks were sold with broken charging. But most of them charge just fine. It even charges without tablet part.
For printing needs check out PrinterShare on the market it is not free, but it works very well.
I am not gonna lie to you, TF is a great piece of hardware, Honeycomb it the best Tablet OS outhere, but for studying you will be limited with the office applications compare to a regular Windows/mac notebook... apart from that I don't see a problem as you can have all sorts of compatibility with regards to http, ftp exchange etc.. other stuff commonly used on campus.
Thanks for the input.
My final question is where is the best place to but it? The way I see it I have two options.
Newegg. No sales tax, saves me ~$40
Best Buy (brick n mortar). Sales tax, but also ability to get a full refund it not pleased within 14 days.
Any suggestions on this?
On where to buy it, this may be of interest to you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1177461
According to that thread, some other shops will also accept the coupon thanks to some kind of "price match" system.
i2IDIUM said:
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Typing would be much faster
- If by HW you mean writing up simple papers and doing online research, then yes.
- There are few Android apps that lets you print to network printers, but not sure what kind of file types they support or if they work well on honeycomb
- There are office apps with spreadsheet support, but they are no where close to MS office, don't expect to draw fancy graphs n stuff
- No MATLAB, and I don't think you'll see any scientific simulation tool for honeycomb anytime soon.
- Adhoc tethering has problems, but there are workarounds.
- Dock always charges the tablet, so I dont think there is going to be any issues with not being able to charge the dock and the tablet at once.
- I dont have a dock, so cant explain more.
Bottom line : you are better off with a regular notebook (12~13”) or even a netbook for that matter. Right now, I cant recommend an android tablet for a technology/science major student.
to respectfully disagree with some of the above.
you can print from TF. Google cloud print works great. Plenty of apps for note taking.
Polaris or gdocs for excel....
TF is great option for a student
I will say with a stylus you do get the handwriting experience, I use it for taking notes down during meetings and works great. But for classes yes typing might be better unless you need to draw out a diagram or word problem or something like that then stylus would be nice to have.
I believe you can do everything you need to with a transformer, it has definitely bridged the gap between a tablet for consuming data and a tablet that consumes and creates data. Just need to find the right apps that get you what you want, and don't shy away from remoteing into a machine if need be using splashtop.
Personal Experience
Using it for school, overall functions as well as a laptop. Unable to do CAD work or any high end windows program, but for relative usage its good.
Oh and the best part. File transfer without worries for viruses.
Posting from my new tablet
What is best way to sell used laptop? Posted on FB, posting in local classifieds... anything else?

[Q] securing tablet for general public

Hi all,
I make a application android for my customers but my customers want to allow their customers access to tablet with my application "blocked". The final user can't quit my application, he can simply use my application.
Tablet must have ethernet (via usb to lan adapter), the bottom button bar must be hidden.
Can you recommend me a model ?
Thanks a lot,
I have tested the Toshiba folio 100, but with no driver video for the graphic card with andro 3.0.
Andro 3.0 is required for the usb to lan adaptater
I have try too the acer iconia a200, but isn't rootable for the moment,
now I try the samsung galaxy tab
hi Alexandre,
we have the same problem for a new project.
Do you think it's possible do do it without rooting the device ?
Hi,
may be if you wantt stay in dhcp and if you have usb lan driver in your os.
Thanks,
Andrdev said:
hi Alexandre,
we have the same problem for a new project.
Do you think it's possible do do it without rooting the device ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lenovo thinkpad offers alot of security for the tablet and is integrated into the framework and not a app alone, which makes breaking the security alot harder for regular users even with root enabled.
i think its a question of users/companies wanting security they get Thinkpad tablet for that, which cisco client included for vpn as well.
Hi dexter,
Do you test this tablet?
Do you think it's possible to wake up this tablet automaticaly the morming? by a magic packet or a rtc alarm?
Thanks,
Hi Alexandre17220,
I think we are working on similar projects because it seems we have tested the same tablet and we are also lookgin for the followinf important things :
-A- securing the environnement by prohibiting the user to access the Os interface
-B- use a ethernet device via an USB adapter.
We have tested the following ones :
- Toshiba Folio 100 (ok for point A & B but not enough tested on HC 3.2)
- Acer Iconia A200 (the european tablet seems to be not rootable yet)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab P7510 (rootable without any problem so point A must "workable", but we habe problems with point B : do you connect your Tab with Ethernet ?)
Regards,
André
Hi André,
The samsung galaxy is very good, I have rooted it via this link http://galaxytabhacks.com/galaxy-tab-10-1-hacks/how-to-root-galaxy-tab-10-1-the-easy-way/
Yes my application dialog with a server via http request. So I don't want use wifi because it's slow and very limited.
If you want to hide the bottom bar you can use this code :
Code:
try {
Process myproc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(new String[]{"su","-c","service call activity 79 s16 com.android.systemui"});
myproc.waitFor();
} catch (Exception e) {
Toast.makeText(this, "impossible to kill the bottom bar", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
Thanks,
alexandre17220 said:
Hi dexter,
Do you test this tablet?
Do you think it's possible to wake up this tablet automaticaly the morming? by a magic packet or a rtc alarm?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tested the firmware on my acer a500, but not the physical lenovo hardware, but thats not important here.
and since wifi is going offline during deepsleep on tegra2 tablet, i doubt any magic packet can awaken any tegra tablet unless you force wifi always on, but then alot of angry users will complain about battery life.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A

[developer needed] Android device as bluetooth headset for phone

Well here is what’s needed by me and by general demand that I noticed:
We need an application that will enable an android device (a tablet for instance) to act as a Bluetooth headset and dialer for another phone
I have searched through the forums but with no luck, all that I found where similar questions but unanswered!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844605
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=720397
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=905938
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=868062
So to sum it up I think we need a developer that can help us out also am willing to pay for it or buy it of the market if that’s what it takes
Cheers & thanks in advance
(PS: if this is not the proper place for something like this, please excuse the noob and redirect me to the proper thread)
Please guys. I'am looking to and is also willing to pay for it.
I'm also willing to pay for the application. Please someone help us?
bump!!
bump!!
come on guys... any thing?!?
bump
this should be a default feature for android...
I have been asking for the same thing, Moscow Desire is looking into it with LeeDroid to try and implement something by porting it from a phone I think...I'm waiting on pins and needles.
The thread on it is here, the last couple pages:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23447188&posted=1#post23447188http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23447188&posted=1#post23447188
It's not what we're looking for.
In the thread they are trying to get bluetooth headsets to work on a tablet.
We are looking for an app that can get a tablet to connect to a phone and make calls.
For example, I have my tablet built into my car and connectet to my car radio via cable. It would be nice if it could make and receive calls.
Bluetooth dialer
simonmbjornes said:
It's not what we're looking for.
In the thread they are trying to get bluetooth headsets to work on a tablet.
We are looking for an app that can get a tablet to connect to a phone and make calls.
For example, I have my tablet built into my car and connectet to my car radio via cable. It would be nice if it could make and receive calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! I have been searching for the same solution from months but the onle thing i have found is,
"dealextreme.com/p/minipad-a9-1-lcd-bluetooth-dialer-headset-white-94840"
so untill any developer work on true bluetooth applitacation which can fulfill our needs this is the only thing we can use.
I started a thread on this then discovered that it's been asked plenty of times before. After doing research I have discovered the following things:
1) It is possible to replace the Bluetooth stack on Android
2) We would have to make Android play the role of the hands free and not an audio gateway
3) This has been implemented - http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/bluetooth-hands-free-car-kits/parrot-asteroid
4) The stack on Android is BlueZ
5) The devs at Cyanogen mod have been working with the Android Bluetooth stack
From what I can see, we would have to modify the Hands-Free Profile in the Bluez stack to play the hands-free role. If we could somehow load in another profile or edit the existing one, that might do the trick. I'm not too familiar with Bluetooth, but I will be going over code tonight to see if I can come up with an idea.
touchpad webos has this capibility
I have a hp touchpad with cynogenmod 9 that dual boots to webos. In webos, i can link via bluetooth to my blackberry phone. I can call and receive via a dialer app in webos. I have not been able to figure out how to do this on the android boot. I can pair the device but haven't figured out how to do in android. Hoping since wedos went open there might be an app for android to mirror the webos capibility.
I've posted support for this development in a number of forums and in other threads here at XDA. This would be a huge deal for the 'android-as-car-stereo' idea. There are a number of suppliers that make USB-->DAC-->RCA(composite) converters, and that takes the shoddy internal DAC out of the equation for most tablets. All that is left is the need for bluetooth call transfers to the tablet.
hopefull news
people check this out:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funkyandroid.phonelink
its to connect between tablet and android phone hopefully this might lead somewhere!!
I have a Bluetooth transmitter (B-Speech RTX1) attached to my AV-receiver and want to use my phone with headphones as a speaker system. There has to be an app that plays the stream once we can connect a transmitter via HFP profile with the phone I guess...
I don't know if my wish is related to this thread, but there is a thread explaining how to enable HFP in Android by editing the "audio.conf".
I get the new options but am not able to connect the transmitter to my phone. I guess I will have to buy BT-headphones...
I too am looking for this service to be done (using my tablet in my dash of my car connected to my amp's/speakers). Another post for this can be seen here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844605
I just tried the method posted in the link above by hudl.. but it didn't work. My tablet still pairs with my phone like before, no way to connect them, nor the "use for phone audio" option from my phone to the tablet. :-( Still no solution as of yet.
I think this might work for ya
I haven't tried it yet, but am downloading it now. After much searching I think this is what we've been looking for.
jimbill88 said:
I haven't tried it yet, but am downloading it now. After much searching I think this is what we've been looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
???
I'd love to see this and would happily pay towards development of this. Parrot Asteroid seems to handle incoming HFP, HSP and A2DP profiles very well. I too have modified the audio.conf file and can also see the additional options.. My phone just doesn't know what to do with it!
Is there anyone who can point this thread in the right direction? It's the only piece of the puzzle left for android carpc tablet goodness.
Thanks,
MrNorm
Just reviving interest in this thread again as tablets in cars are becoming more and more common.
Checking if any developer is still willing to help out, I am sure there are plenty of willing users waiting with their wallets ready
Cheers
Mario
Parrot did it for sure. It would be an awesome feature. I wish things just worked like that by default... someone needs to re-invent a BT-like connection where everything on a device is exposed... a phone should be a BT keyboard/mouse/airmouse/headset/speaker/monitor/camera/drive/sdreader/modem/gps/serial-console/etc as well as being on the opposite end of each of those things. And without needing a separate app for each of those things that is even possible/created.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/04/18/using-the-galaxy-player-3-6-as-a-bluetooth-handset/
If we could use Samsungs work in this player we could easily implement it.

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