Pulling GPS data from Blackjack II GPS over bluetooth/usb

[Guest mslaney]

Hi all (especially Paul),

I had an idea that may be completely impossible, but would be wonderful if it could work.

Would there be any way of setting up the Blackjack II to allow your computer to connect to it, via bluetooth or usb, and get the data from the internal GPS to use as a receiver for software on the computer? It seems as though since the device is set to allow internal transfer of the data over a COM port that it would be relatively simple to write a program that opens up another COM port to the computer and just forwards everything from one to the other.

Could someone please let me know how difficult this might be. My programming skills are about .001 notch above zero, so I might be way off.

Thanks,

Matthew

[Guest thelostsoul]

The easiest possible way I can imagine would be to make a program that installs on the device to get the GPS data, then connect the device to the PC using activesync and have another program on the PC running that looks for a pulls the data from the program on the device.

Can I do this? Give me four more years to go to and graduate college with my B.S. in Comp-Sci :)

[Guest mslaney]

The easiest possible way I can imagine would be to make a program that installs on the device to get the GPS data, then connect the device to the PC using activesync and have another program on the PC running that looks for a pulls the data from the program on the device.

Can I do this? Give me four more years to go to and graduate college with my B.S. in Comp-Sci :)

That is pretty much what I had in mind minus the ActiveSync part as my limited knowledge of ActiveSync makes me think it wouldn't be a great platform for a continous data stream, but I may be wrong.

Anyone who can do this? Unfortunately, I can't pay as much as it would cost to hire a programmer under normal circumstances, but I could definately shell out what it would cost for me to get a BT gps for my laptop.

[Guest thelostsoul]

It's a lot easier to use the connection that ActiveSync establishes then to make your own drivers to establish a connection to the device, so it would need activesync (or I suppose the WM Center on Vista), but I don't expect anyone to be making anything like this for a long time...

[Guest mslaney]

UPDATE: I found a program designed to do exactly what I want. Better yet it's freeware. The problem is that it is not compatible with WM6 Standard. I have two questions for anyone here:

1. The program author excepts donations and I am prepared to make one if he can alter his code to be compatible with my BJII; is there anyone else here who would do the same? If I direct him to this forum post, he might be more likely if more people will donate.

2. Is there anyone who, if he doesn't want to try to make a compatible version, might be capable of doing so if I beg him for the source code?

Thanks,

Matthew

Edited January 14, 2008 by mslaney

[Guest tyborg]

UPDATE: I found a program designed to do exactly what I want. Better yet it's freeware. The problem is that it is not compatible with WM6 Standard. I have two questions for anyone here:

1. The program author excepts donations and I am prepared to make one if he can alter his code to be compatible with my BJII; is there anyone else here who would do the same? If I direct him to this forum post, he might be more likely if more people will donate.

2. Is there anyone who, if he doesn't want to try to make a compatible version, might be capable of doing so if I beg him for the source code?

Thanks,

Matthew

mslaney, I am very interested in what you are talking about, but unfortunately not that able to fork over extra cash right now. As far as what I'm looking for, ActiveSync would be out for me because I need to get GPS data via bluetooth to my camera. Sure, all of this is to have one less gadget to buy/carry/charge/lose, but it would be very kick ass. With all the standalone, bluetooth gps receivers out there, this seems an obvious need, considering this phone has both capabilities. Keep me posted--if you get something to work, I may be able to help you down the line.

BTW, what is the name of said freeware?

[Guest mslaney]

mslaney, I am very interested in what you are talking about, but unfortunately not that able to fork over extra cash right now. As far as what I'm looking for, ActiveSync would be out for me because I need to get GPS data via bluetooth to my camera. Sure, all of this is to have one less gadget to buy/carry/charge/lose, but it would be very kick ass. With all the standalone, bluetooth gps receivers out there, this seems an obvious need, considering this phone has both capabilities. Keep me posted--if you get something to work, I may be able to help you down the line.

BTW, what is the name of said freeware?

The freeware is GPS2Blue (http://users.skynet.be/hofinger/GPS2Blue.html). It apparently will work great on Pocket PC and WM pro devices. I haven't been able to get in contact with the author, but if I ever do, I'll update everyone from this thread.

[Guest tyborg]

I'm not sure if this is going in the right direction but I found a Microsoft page on Bluetooth virtual COM ports. I went through the menu, but had no option to select a COM port at the end. Maybe someone will have better luck.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/hel.../bluetooth.mspx

[Guest Wizkid69]

Has anyone tried this yet? Just curious...

http://mehere.glenmurphy.com

You can map your Bluetooth COM port with your BlackjackII and/or pulling the data over the USB/Bluetooth.

I have not been able to do that with my Bluetooth or USB. Let me know if you can do it.

[Guest]

any updates on this?

[Guest Mysterious Caveman]

any updates on this?

I wish I had time to do this. I have a BSc in Computer Science and getting my MSc in Computer Engineering. However, I'd have to learn all about how data is pulled from the GPS unit and programming on WM platform (not THAT big of a deal). Realistically, it would probably take me a couple weeks to get a beta release complete. If someone else hasn't made such a program by this summer, I may consider this as a little side project. To be totally honest though, I'd more interested in making a single application that keeps track of all my minutes/sms if an efficient way and takes care of the BJ2's LEDs -- and is freeware (but accepting donations). Any other developers out there? Maybe a collaborative project would be possible?

Edited April 16, 2008 by Mysterious Caveman

[Guest Creamy Goodness]

why do you say gps2blue is not compatible? it says on the website: " It works surely on most Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5 and Windows Mobile 6 Classic (and Professional) based PDA"

http://users.skynet.be/hofinger/GPS2Blue.html

well i guess it may have been updated since you posted that... someone should test it!

Edited April 16, 2008 by Creamy Goodness

[Guest jmerc83]

why do you say gps2blue is not compatible? it says on the website: " It works surely on most Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5 and Windows Mobile 6 Classic (and Professional) based PDA"

http://users.skynet.be/hofinger/GPS2Blue.html

well i guess it may have been updated since you posted that... someone should test it!

I tested the program, it gives the error:

"GPS2Blue doesn't work on SmartPhone or Windows Mobile 6 Standard!"

A shame, because I think its ability to reset the SiRF chipset may have helped

me fix my BJ2's GPS (works once in every 10-20 hard resets,  but itstops working

within a day).