Chapter 1: Project Outline 1.1. Background With the development of digital technologies in recent decades, there has been drastic change in the mode of communication and usages of digital accessories in our day to day lives. It is sure that invention of mobile phone/smart phone has enhanced our life standard and made life easier. A smart phone is a mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability and connectivity than a feature phone. The first smart phones combined the functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a mobile phone. Later models added the functionality of portable media players, low-end compact digital cameras, pocket video cameras, Bluetooth and GPS navigation units to form one multi-use device. Many modern smart phones also include high-resolution touch screens and web browsers that display standard web pages as well as mobile-optimized sites. High-speed data access is provided by Wi-Fi and mobile broadband. In recent years, the rapid developments of mobile app markets and of mobile commerce have been drivers of Smartphone adoption. A mobile application (or mobile app) is a software application designed to run on Smartphone, tablet computers and other mobile devices. They are usually available through application distribution platforms, which are typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store and BlackBerry BlackBerry App World. The term "app" has become popular, and in 2010 was listed as "Word of the Year" by the American Dialect Society. In 2009, technology columnist David Pogue said that newer smart phones could be nicknamed "app phones" to distinguish them from earlier less-sophisticated smart phones. Mobile apps were originally offered for general productivity and information retrieval, including email, calendar, contacts, and stock market and weather information. However, public demand and the availability of developer tools drove rapid expansion into other categories, such as mobile games, factory automation, GPS
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and location-based services, banking, order-tracking, and ticket purchases. The popularity of mobile applications has continued to rise, as their usage has become increasingly prevalent across mobile phone users. A May 2012 comScore study reported that during the previous quarter, more mobile subscribers used apps than browsed the web on their devices: 51.1% vs. 49.8% respectively.
Fig 1: Graph showing use of android phone Android is a Linux-based operating system designed primarily for touch screen mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. Initially developed by Android, Inc, which Google backed financially and later bought in 2005, Android was unveiled in 2007 along with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance: a consortium of hardware, software, and telecommunication companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. The first Android-powered phone was sold in October 2008.
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1.2. Introduction Ultra Communicator for android mobile OS (UC-roid) is a mobile application which is designed to work on android operating system. This application is used for accessing the data of other mobile or any other devices (e. g laptop, PC) which has support to Bluetooth connectivity. Since the craze of mobile phones especially smart phones is growing eagerly every year, in the same ratio the development of mobile application to support those phones is also growing. The basic idea of the application is to establish the connection between mobiles and have a full access to the data e.g. files, e-books, images, documents, music files etc. Once connected, you can explore all your Android videos, photos, and music on the laptop wirelessly.
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
Fig 2: PC explorer
Bluetooth
Fig 3: Bluetooth chat
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The additional function of the application is to provide communication i.e. chat (text/voice) between the connected devices. With the help of application one can view as well as play the media file in his device. Working Principle:
The application is installed in phone and it ask request for connection to other phones, in case of pc or laptops their operating system have default service to connect those devices. Any Bluetooth device in discoverable mode will transmit the following information on demand: •
Device name
•
Device class
•
List of services
• Technical information (for example: device features, manufacturer, Bluetooth specification used, clock offset) Any device may perform an inquiry to find other devices to connect to, and any device can be configured to respond to such inquiries. However, if the device trying to connect knows the address of the device, it always responds to direct connection requests and transmits the information shown in the list above if requested. Use of a device's services may require pairing or acceptance by its owner, but the connection itself can be initiated by any device and held until it goes out of range. Some devices can be connected to only one device at a time, and connecting to them prevents them from connecting to other devices and appearing in inquiries until they disconnect from the other device. Every device has a unique 48-bit address. However, these addresses are generally not shown in inquiries. Instead, friendly Bluetooth names are used, which can be set by the user. This name appears when another user scans for devices and in lists of paired devices.
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1.3. Objectives i. To utilize the strong Bluetooth connectivity power of android smart phones ii. To access data like images, documents, media files, e-books etc without being transferred from one phone to other phone. iii. To establish the connection between android phones and PC/laptops and facilitate communication via text/voice i.e. chat. iv. To communicate between two outrange device with one intermediate host v. To capture wifi network and spread hotspot.
1.4. Features Ultra Communicator is android application designed to run on smart phones, which supports most of the features related in the field of communication. The main remarkable features are:o
Bluetooth chat (Text/voice chat)
o
File sharing File transfer and access authority (Eg.pdf documents, jpeg, word, e-book etc)
o
Spread hotspot (Captures wifi and spread virtual network)
o
Outrange communication with the aid of intermediate host (It helps to extend the range of Bluetooth)
o
User friendly interface Fully secured (It asks user authority to access the files)
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Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1. Literature Review The mobile applications market is currently undergoing rapid expansion, as mobile platforms continue to improve in performance, and as the users’ need for a wide variety of mobile applications increases. The latest mobile platforms allow for extensive utilization of network resources, and thus offer a strong alternative to workstations and associated software. Android is a mobile operating system that is based on a modified version of Linux. It
was originally developed by a start of the same name, android, Inc. Google wanted android to be open and free; hence, most of the android code can do so by downloading the full android source code. The main advantage of adopting android is that it offers a unified approach to application development. Android application is developed in android software development kit (SDK). It contains a debugger, libraries, an emulator, documentation, sample code, and tutorials. Android development tools (ADT) plug-in for Eclipse is an extension to the Eclipse IDE that supports the creation and debugging of android application. In case of android, the most recommended integrated development environment is Eclipse, which is a multilanguage software development environment featuring an ex tensible plug-in system. The version history of the Android mobile operating system began with the release of the Android beta in November 2007. The first commercial version, Android 1.0, was released in September 2008. Different versions of android b y its API are listed as: Versions
Android (1.0-1.1-1.5-1.6), Android (2.0-2.0.1-2.1-2.2-2.2.3-2.3-2.3.2-2.3.3-2.3.7),
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Android (3.0-3.1-3.2) and Android (4.0-4.0.2-4.0.3-4.0.4-4.1-4.2 Jelly Bean, API level 17) When we come in the part of layout design XML is mostly recommended for the android platform. It is a markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. Android provides a straightforward XML vocabulary that corresponds to the View classes and subclasses, such as those for widgets and layouts. The advantage of declaring UI in XML is that it enables to better separate the presentation of application from the code that controls its behavior. In case of programming language Java is used for the development of android apps because it is well known by developers, open source, secured, faster, platform independent. Wi-Fi is a popular technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data
wirelessly (using radio waves) over a computer network, including high-speed Internet connections. The Wi-Fi Alliance defines Wi-Fi as any wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards. A device that can use Wi-Fi (such as a personal computer, video-game console, Smartphone, digital camera, tablet or digital audio player) can connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point. Such an access point (or hotspot) has a range of about 20 meters (65 feet) indoors and a greater range outdoors. Hotspot coverage can comprise an area as small as a single room with walls that block radio waves or as large as many square miles. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances
(using short-wavelength radio transmissions in the ISM band from 2400 – 2480 MHz) from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs) with high levels of security. Created by telecom vendor Ericsson in 1994, it was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization. Bluetooth operates in the range of
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2400 – 2483.5 MHz (including guard bands). This is in the globally unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz short-range radio frequency band . Version
Data rate
Maximum rate
Version 1.2
1 Mbit/s
0.7 Mbit/s
Version 2.0 + EDR
3 Mbit/s
2.1 Mbit/s
Version 3.0 + HS
24 Mbit/s
Version 4.0
Bluetooth Protocol Stack:
Bluetooth is defined as a layer protocol architecture consisting of core protocols, cable replacement protocols, telephony control protocols, and adopted protocols. Mandatory protocols for all Bluetooth stacks are: LMP, L2CAP and SDP. In addition, devices that communicate with Bluetooth almost universally can use these protocols: HCI and RFCOMM. Radio Frequency Communications (RFCOMM) is a cable replacement protocol used to create a virtual serial data stream. RFCOMM provides a simple reliable data stream to the user, similar to TCP. Many Bluetooth applications use RFCOMM because of its widespread support and publicly available API on most operating systems. Additionally, applications that used a serial port to communicate can be quickly ported to use RFCOMM.
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2.2. Methodology Android development is a complex process, the successful implementation of Android Mobile Application Development projects by and large depends on the development approach itself. We at this level strongly believe in following a systematic and professional development approach. Agile Methodology :
Agile methods represent a relatively new approach to software development, becoming wide-spread in the last decade. The ideas behind these methods originate from the principles of Lean Manufacturing (in the 1940s) and Agile Manufacturing (1990s), which emphasized the adaptability of enterprises to a dynamic environment (Salo,2006). The unique features of agile methods derive from the list of principles found in the ―Agile Manifesto‖: individuals and interactions are more important than processes and tools, working software is more valuable than comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration is preferred over contract negotiation, and adaptability is valued higher than creating and following a plan (Agile Alliance, 2001). Agile Development Model is based on iterative development, wherein the entire software development life-cycle is broken down into smaller iterations (or parts). The project scope and requirements are clearly laid down, at the start of the development process. This type of model is best suited for large size projects as it helps to minimize the overall risk and lets the project adapt to changes quickly.
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Fig 4: Agile model
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Chapter 3: Progress to date 3.1. Work Accomplished List of work that we have carried out during the time of proposal submission to till date are briefly described below. We are on the schedule and have tried to meet the committed activities that were mentioned in the proposal. Preliminary Research and Study
Since study and research has no any end and takes much time .We are almost at the end of the project requirement analysis part. We have work through different development tools and took the suggestion about android development, problems that may encounter from the expertise. During research we have much spent time in learning to use ADK (Android Development Kit) in Ecllipse. Since Ecllipse provides an environment for android developer. Android application development is the most growing technology in the recent IT field. This research has motivated us for further development. User Interface design
We have designed the UI of application with the help of XML which is known as Activity in Android. This method greatly simplifies the UI design process, moving much of the static creation and layout of user interface controls and definition of control attributes, to the XML, instead of littering the code. It creates a potential distinction between UI designers (who concern themselves more with layout) and developers (who know Java and implement application functionality). Developers can still alter the content of a screen programmatically when necessary. Complex controls,
like
ListView
or
GridView,
are
usually
populated
with
data
programmatically. XML layout resources are stored in the /res/layout project directory.
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The interface of the application is fancy and user friendly. Since our project is still in development so we have used Android Virtual Device to mitigate the running environment of the application in smart phone. Chat message box window have been developed successfully. Unlike other modules are also in developing phase. Similarly to carry out the functional work java class file and java code essential in our project.
Fig 5: User Interface
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Development
We use Eclipse IDE as development tool which provides the integrated development environment for android project development and requirements are coded in Java programming language. Java programming language is used to code functional code whereas XML code for layout. We have learned to use Eclipse and Android SDK. Database design
For database we use SQLite which is the light weight database used in small projects and also in android project development. The SQLite database is used in Android for storing and managing application data. The SQLite database is an open source lightweight transaction SQL database engine. There are other means of storing application data in Android rather than a database (they are known as Preferences), but those are more often used to store a very small amount of information, like usernames and passwords, so that users are not prompted for their credentials every time the application is started. Communication and connection:
Any Bluetooth capable device is able to discover new device in a network on demand by providing information such as: device name, device class and other technical information. A Bluetooth device is able to connect with the help of UUID(universal unique identifier) of neighbour device. UUID helps to uniquely identify device in a network. Most commonly used identifier by the manufacturer of device is 48-bit MAC address. Application is capable of discovering device in network and establishing connection between them. Further it successfully transmits a message through Bluetooth. Two way Bluetooth chat can be made when message is typed in a chat box.
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3.2. Work Remaining To make our project complete and running some of the major works is to be done and the works to be accomplished in coming future are listed below: Enhancing the UI (User Interface)
To make the fancy look of the application we are planning to change the designing to meet the standard of the market.
Explore computer
The main aim of our project is to explore pc via Bluetooth with help of application. When two android devices are connected wirelessly, with limited access privilege one can explore PC data e.g. text documents, image, videos, Pdf files, music etc.
Wi-Fi tethering
Tethering refers to connecting one device to another. In the context of mobile phones or Internet tablets, tethering allows sharing the Internet connection of the phone or tablet with other devices such as laptops. Connection of the phone or tablet with other devices can be done over wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), over Bluetooth or by physical connection using a cable for example, through USB. If tethering is done over Wi-Fi, the feature may be branded as a Mobile Hotspot. The Internet-connected mobile device can thus act as a portable wireless access point and router for devices connected to it.
Test in real devices
The final step of our projects is to publish our full complete project, test it in all devices.
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Documentation
Software documentation is the formal text written document which either explains how it operates or how to use it, or may mean different things to people in different roles. It includes different information about the project e.g: requirement statements, system specification, technical statement and user manual. Since up to till date we have completed the basic architectural design part of the application. We have to go through the detailed interior and exterior design of the application. We were able to establish the Bluetooth connection between the devices and able to send and receive message. Bluetooth 4.0 is the latest version which is said to be low energy consuming technology and in near future most of the Smartphone are going to integrate this technology. Our application is to work as communication media using the recent technology
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4. Problems Encountered Every new project when we get involved in is likely to throw up different issues and challenges but it is difficult to assume in advance what kind of problems will percolate during a particular project. Some of the problem that encountered during development phase is listed briefly as below:Emulator
An emulator is hardware or software or both that duplicates (or emulates) the functions of one computer system in another computer system (the host), different from the first one, so that the emulated behavior closely resembles the behavior of the real system. The Android SDK includes a mobile device emulator — a virtual mobile device that runs on our computer. The problem with android AVD is that it doesn’t support Bluetooth and hence it has created a problem to test our applications without using a physical device. Testing in real device
The major problem we encountered during course of our project development is with the project testing. Since the Android Emulator does not support Bluetooth it was had for us to try test our code for Switching, Bluetooth connection and paring devices. Since our application is targeted for android version 4.0 and above, so device with this configuration is still in the process of procurement at department. Bugs and errors
Software bugs and errors are very common in the jargon of software development. We cannot neglect those errors but should handle carefully. A software bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or causes it to behave in unintended ways. Due to our inexperience in development of android application, we have to come through
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enormous bugs and errors. Some of them were easily recoverable while others created a serious problem and took lots of time to recover them. Design
The overall system design is the creative part of the project and it takes much brainstorming of the team members. It is really a challenging task to meet the system requirements with best designing. Due to inexperience in our work, it was difficult to finalize the best design. Guidance and Support
Since android development is a complex process and it was not a common project. Android is upcoming technology, so expert in it are very less in number and we could not get proper guidance. Many bugs and errors created an ambiguity during the development, which sometimes made us hopeless. Time management
Time has great significance in every aspects of our life, it is the key factor for the success. During our academic life it is very difficult to manage time. And at the project development phase it was a major problem that we couldn’t meet the committed time period as mentioned in proposal. Team coordination
Obviously all team members are not always available due to their own personal circumstances. Also all members are not equally talented.
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5. Conclusion Hence, at the time of preparation of this progress report we have come up to the (5065) % of the project. Since developing a Android application is not a regular task for us as we are new at this and we need to develop our base in developing Android application its been hard but interesting and a opportunity to learn and enter in a new field of software application development. We have designed the graphic UI in XML since it is the most convenient and maintainable way to design application user interfaces is by creating XML layout resources. Application is designed for smart phone so we created fancy icons, buttons, chat box for the fancy look. The main problem was we had a hardware inconvience for testing the project. Android emulator doesn’t support for Bluetooth connectivity and pairing of devices. Despite of several limitations and complexity we are eagerly working hard in project and will meet our commitment in the stated time. Concluding to the report we have included all our project activity up to now, task remaining, problem encountered and theories related to our projects.
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References www.wrox.com, 3 Feb, 2013 www.androiddeveloper.com, 10 March, 2013 www.androidbigresource.com, 5 June, 2013
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