Ideas for my new project (long)

Wireless & IoT
1

Hi everyone,

I was looking at some of the products at Spark Fun when I stumbled onto this forum and I thought someone might be able to help me. I have a very limited knowledge of electronics (meaning I have assembled a few kits following schematics and instructions) and this is what I’m trying to do:

I have an Electrohome projector (to which I retroffited a different, less expensive light source, but that was a different project…) which has a non working IR sensor. What does work, however, is the RS232 serial port. I have a list of commands in ASCII and I’ve been succesful in controlling the projector when connected directly to the serial port in my PC. The problem with that is that I dont feel like wiring an rs232 cable all the way from my PC to the living room ceiling.

So, I’ve looked at a few wireless options:

First I thought of an IR receiver connected to the RS232 port to which I could send commands through a programmable remote. I’ve found one that’s “ready-to-plug” but its almost $200, and I still have to figure out how to translate the ASCII commands into IR commands.

Also, I thought of getting a Bluetooth/RS232 adapter but the ones I’ve seen that are suitable are expensive, easily over $140. Did I mention I have a limited budget for this? With this approach at least I wouldn’t have to translate any of the ASCII commands, just route them to a different COM port.

I only need one-way communications, so maybe I can build something simple using one of the bluetooth modules for sale here? or maybe some other kind of easier/cheaper RF module?

Wow, this turned out to be the longest post I’ve ever written. Sorry about that. Any suggestions/ideas/schematics/whatever will be very appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Andres

2

Hello

Try the Serial Miniature Bluetooth RF Link w/ USB Dongle, under the Wireless Communications, Page 2. This module provides a simple Bluetooth Serial Port. All you need is a 3V powersupply, TX/RX hooked to the module, infact you can use any standard USB bluetooth dongle and it would be able to connect to the module over Serial Port Profile(SPP). I have used this without any problem.

HTH

Jay

3

I’ve read your post and I think that you know how to convert bluetooth to InfraRed so can you please give me some knowledge ??

I mean some schematics of putting IR signalz directly on the wires instead of wirelessly…??

So please reply,

And I’ll try my best to talk to you about my project if I ever get to know how to control it via bluetooth