Lazer Tag Team Ops Hosting Station

For that past few months I have been on the waiting list for for one of Doug's LTHQ hosting stations.  I missed the prototype run and while I am first on the list for the second batch, it seems a long wait.  Then I saw a product that looked perfect: the Beacon from Griffith Technologies.  It uses a Bluetooth connection to send IR signals, it can learn new signals, and it is battery powered.  Unfortunately, there will be no open API for developers to make their own apps (like a laser tag hosting station or apps to control my Air Hogs helicopters) so I looked for an alternative.  Not seeing one prebuilt, I looked for parts that met my desire:

• Small & Portable
• Battery Powered
• Bluetooth connection
• Adaptable IR interface (multiple formats and frequencies)
• Reasonable sunlight performance
• An open interface protocol so that it can be controlled by a variety of devices

What I came up with:

IOIO Board for Android

The IOIO (pronounced "yo-yo") board costs $45-$50 from Sparkfun.com and interfaces to Android devices directly, or via Bluetooth.  It has built in PWM and sampling functions, can interface directly with Android Devices down to Android OS version 1.6 (the 2 1/2 year old version) and the firmware can be updated by the Android Devices.  Android tablets are cheap, and the old ones can be purchased for less than $100 on E-bay.  Also, Android x86 runs nicely in a virtual box on PC, Mac and Linux computers.  In fact, the only thing that wouldn't be able to run the software would be iOS devices.

Bluetooth vs. Hardwired

I wanted a wireless option for the board, so I bought a cheap Bluetooth USB radio dongle from eBay ($2).  I don't know it the firmware will support it yet, but there are other dongle that are known to work.  Also, the IOIO board is just as able to use a USB cable connected to your Android device (in fact, it can charge your Android device that way)

Use the Sensor module from an LTTO tagger

Brian has done a great job of helping us work with the LTTO gear.  The receiver module from any LTTO tagger should work for this project.  I have a Deluxe with a busted display and enough IRT-2X that I am willing to gut one for this.  I would prefer a TMB module for the red LED's and both 38 & 56 kHz outputs, but for a simple hosting station the Deluxe receiver module should be enough.  With the Deluxe sensor module, I think the soldering would be only 5 wires and a resistor.

Tap Light Case

For a case I decided a large tap light should be perfect. I found a few for $.99 at Goodwill and new one for about $4 each at the local hardware store.  They need to use 4 AA batteries each because the IOIO's voltage regulator needs 5 or more volts.

Open Source vs. Closed Source Software

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.  So that I can get help on polishing the code and interface, I will at least do an open source version based on the reverse engineering of the signals done by http://executedata.blogspot.com/    Doug has signed an agreement to keep the confidential information confidential.  By keeping my source open, I hope that someone with more skills and inside information can make it nicer. :-)