The Bluetooth Low Energy component (BLE)

Here is an example of our animated 2018 greeting card which triggered the lighting of a connected bulb at 0:16.

Using BLE in PandaSuite

PandaSuite integrates BLE into its applications using the Bluetooth GATT standard (Generic Attribute Profile), which defines the interaction between a central application (like a smartphone) and an end device (like a connected bulb or another smartphone). This standard allows for personalized and secure communication between devices. The devices are connected via a BLE characteristic. 

Each BLE characteristic is unique and corresponds to a specific communication action. These characteristics can be integrated into different applications, as long as their identifiers are identical.

Adding a BLE Characteristic

To understand the configuration of a BLE component, let's take the example below of a "remote control" project that controls the display of a slideshow of images (in another project): 

To add a BLE characteristic: 

• Click on Components and add a BLE component.
• In the properties, you have the choice of service between PandaSuite and Custom. By choosing PandaSuite, the BLE characteristic identifier is automatically created. If you choose Custom, you can enter the identifier, which is particularly useful for connecting to a connected device.
• Select the BLE component in the list of objects and click on the right arrow to enter edit mode.

• Click on the + button to add a characteristic
• You can change the identifier or keep the one automatically created.

Triggering the Sending of the Characteristic

To trigger the sending of this BLE characteristic to another device: 

• Choose a trigger (for example, a button)
• Click on the + to add a new action
• Select your trigger event (for example Tap / Click) and select the action Act on a component
• Select the BLE component and the action Trigger characteristic. Choose the defined characteristic.

Triggering an Action via BLE on Another Device

If your device includes a display on another device, it is necessary to create another project that will be installed on this device:

• Create another project
• In this project, add another BLE component
• Add a characteristic with the same identifier.
• Then, select the component and add a new action by clicking on the +
• Choose as trigger event the BLE characteristic
• And select your action