My garage door opener has BlueTooth now!

[Tricon]

So I was bored in the garage and got a wild hair up my ***. I have a lot of motorcycles, and I hate having to park, get off my bike, open my Tundra and open the garage from the mirror.

I took an old bluetooth head set, the kind you put in your ear for your cell phone. Ripped out the speaker, wired a transistor to it and then that transistor to my garage door opener's contacts for the push button. I found a nifty app in the android market called BTMate that helps automate this next process, but now I can open and close my garage from my cell phone. It works by connecting to the headset via Bluetooth, which would normally produce a "beep" in the headset but since I have a transistor there now it sends a signal to my garage door opener to open it, same deal with closing it.

I took this one step further, I bought some NFC (near field communication) tags for a couple bucks, stuck one inside my motorcycle gloves, and programmed my phone to react to that tag by connecting to that bluetooth paired device.

I can now open my garage, by touching my glove to my pocket and it will open my garage from 100Ft. away

I even went a little overboard, but I have a security cam and my media server in the garage. The media server has Bluetooth on the motherboard, so I can remotely login to my server in the garage, view the security cam and see if I forgot to close the garage, or open it for a friend so he can borrow something, and then close it behind him. Haha, I love technology.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Now that is cool. I used to have a really steep drive and had to park my bike way out in the street and hike up the drive if I forgot the remote. But I always have my phone.

 

[ADSR]

ok, we need way more pics and a how to process!!

Too cool, buddy!

 

[AndyL]

They're online - i posted a link to them here a while back

but cautionary tale - certain bluetooth devices beep for very odd reasons Like the 15 min time out; beeps to warn of attempted pairings, etc etc etc.

The liftmaster myq system is perhaps a wee bit more secure...

 

[Tricon]

You can find a Samsung HM1100 or HM1800 online for about $13. Been tested for 2 years, never failed or opened sporadically once. I think thats safe enough for me!

Here's the YouTube video that I found after I started doing this, explains everything, super easy hack. And its pretty much free, no fees or yearly subscriptions.

 

[Jonnynel]

I am interested in doing this but had a few questions. What kind of range are you getting as far as useable distance away from the garage door? I know bluetooth is usually 30ft but was hoping for a longer range. Also how long of a process is it for it to connect and open the door once you tap the nfc chip to the phone. Are there any other steps other than tapping the nfc chip to the phone required?
BTW excellent job and thanks for sharing with the rest of us!

 

[pmiranda]

Obviously, you need a NFC-enabled phone, but that's a pretty awesome little setup you have there.
I was lazy and just have a stockpile of Chamberlain keyfob remotes for bikes and such, but they can be a PITA to use with gloves on.

 

[rshadd]

That's clever. The flash2pass setups work nice too.
http://www.f2ptechnologies.com/

 

[bford]

I've been rocking that setup for over a year now. Ever since my garage door opener battery died, I just got rid of them and used my phone my garage door instead.

So Tricon, are you in the IT industry as well?

 

[Tricon]

^ haha Indeed I am. Complete nerd here, do software for race tracks, NASCAR, Indy, MX, etc.

Jonnynel, Ive gotten consistantly about 100 to 120 ft. It might even go farther, but I havent tried, thats just when I round the corner and can see my driveway, I hit my glove to my pocket and watch the garage open. It feels very futuristic haha. There are no other steps, just get the NFC tag within a mil or so of the phone and boom, garage starts opening up. It has maybe a 2 second lag, if that.

I am interested in doing this but had a few questions. What kind of range are you getting as far as useable distance away from the garage door? I know bluetooth is usually 30ft but was hoping for a longer range. Also how long of a process is it for it to connect and open the door once you tap the nfc chip to the phone. Are there any other steps other than tapping the nfc chip to the phone required?
BTW excellent job and thanks for sharing with the rest of us!

 

[bford]

Cool. Nah wouldn't call you a nerd. Nerd to me is pretty much people that are really smart but don't associate well with other people (pretty much smart introverts).

That's some cool job man. Your a programmer then. I'm more of a IT Admin, setup, maintain everything, network, server, etc etc.

@Jonnynel

Yeah, I also get pretty much the same range ~100 - 120 ft., and as Tricon stated, it has a little bit of lag, ~2 secs...

 

[jam022316]

LOL that's awesome! You're like a techy tim the toolman taylor.

 

[Jonnynel]

Tricon,
Thanks for the info! I think I will give it a try. I saw some earlier versions of this when people used old cell phones but I like the way you did yours better and I have been wanting to try nfc tags for a while also. Thanks again.

 

[Jonnynel]

Ok more questions, What kind of nfc tags are you using? what phone and are what nfc app? I have a galaxy s3. I see NFC launcher seems to be a good one. I just want to make sure whichever tags I get have enough memory and whichever app I use has the ability to not only turn bluetooth on but also connect to the headset without any additional inputs from me on the phone.

 

[Wrenched]

This is just badass. Nice work!

 

[Tricon]

I use GarageMate (BTMate), it makes the pairing, opening and closing all neat and tidy with one huge button, worth the buck. Then NFC Task Launcher for the NFC setup. I bought my tags from Tagstand.com I believe, all of those are fine with space. You can get them on Amazon too, pretty much all the tags on there should work fine.

I use a Galaxy Note 2, pretty much your exact phone with a bigger screen, so you should be good to go!

 

[Tricon]

Just wanted to update, its two months in and I havent had a single issue. Even got a new phone and it paired right up and started working like a charm again. Its pretty damn convenient having a garage door opener in your pocket at all times, I use it every single day.

 

[jlmotox]

Sweet!!

 

[kiatech]

Gonna have to try this

 

[koditten]

I just want to be clear here. The NFC ags are just used to activate the phones BT without actually touching the phone?

The hack was first started without the NFC tags, and the tags are just another convenience? correct?

I'm looking forward to doing this hack.

Thanks for posting and bumping it back up.

KO

 

[slickgt1]

holy **** that's brilliant. Gonna do this too.

 

[bczygan]

Now, if only my wife was Bluetooth activated...

 

[Tricon]

Correct, the NFC tags just make it easy for me to open my garage by touching my moto glove to my pocket. Its merely triggers the event that is opening BTMate and tiggering the button. Its been crazy useful, I mean, Ill be mowing the lawn or something and want in the garage and I just pull my phone out of my pocket and bam....yea...Im that lazy

I just want to be clear here. The NFC ags are just used to activate the phones BT without actually touching the phone?

The hack was first started without the NFC tags, and the tags are just another convenience? correct?

I'm looking forward to doing this hack.

Thanks for posting and bumping it back up.

KO

 

[Krash Kadillak]

Can you wire up a daughter so she remembers to pay her cell phone bill or do her laundry?

 

[GRN96WS6]

Nifty I wish I had the smarts to do this.....I just can't think of stuff like that ha! I have a mini remote opener attached to my bike key that I use when I ride.

 

[koditten]

I was in Radioshack yesterday. They had all the parts except the HM1800. They had a HM1300. Any chance that one is comparable?

 

[5spdfrk]

Fantastic idea!

 

[Totallymetal]

Great idea! Years ago I wired a keychain remote to the highbeam wire inside my headlight bucket. All I do is hit my high beam switch once and it opens or closes... The keychain just happened to use a 12V battery, so it was a snap.

 

[Tricon]

Sorry for lagging in getting back to you, was in Abu Dhabi for work. I'm not sure if the HM1300 works, it has to beep when you connect to it, and beep when you disconnect. Thats about it.

I was in Radioshack yesterday. They had all the parts except the HM1800. They had a HM1300. Any chance that one is comparable?

 

[MackMan]

Cool idea.... all this time I've just carried a spare opener in my pocket but that still requires me to stop and reach for it. You also mention you can open yours remotely.. How did you fix that up? I always have this paranoia when going on vacation or whatever, just about the time I'm too far to turn back and check I start panicking... is the garage door closed?!

 

[Tricon]

I have one of my security cams in garage, so i can view the video feed from anywhere in the world on my phone. I have a home server that is on 24/7 doing backups of our computers, hosting music/videos, recording TV and Security cams etc. and it has bluetooth as well! So I can check my phone, see the garage is open, login to my server from my phone and connect to the BT headset which will make my device close the garage....and I can watch it happen right there on my phone. Technology is awesome haha.

 

[cnc-me]

Doing something similar for the air compressors. (they are located in another building)

 

[Tricon]

Cool! Post up some details when you finish it. Are you trying to use your phone to switch the compressors on/off? How far do you need to go?

 

[cnc-me]

Now, if only my wife was Bluetooth activated...

 

[Flash69]

I have one of my security cams in garage, so i can view the video feed from anywhere in the world on my phone. I have a home server that is on 24/7 doing backups of our computers, hosting music/videos, recording TV and Security cams etc. and it has bluetooth as well! So I can check my phone, see the garage is open, login to my server from my phone and connect to the BT headset which will make my device close the garage....and I can watch it happen right there on my phone. Technology is awesome haha.

Ok, I am an IT guy and I understand everything you are doing however I would like some details as to the specifics. I am looking for some cameras so if you don't mind post the details on your cameras. Also which app you are using to hit bluetooth via your server?

On the remote access subject how are you logging into your network from outside? I suspect you are using VPN. If so please let me know what you are using because I need to get some type of remote access setup at home also.

Thanks!

 

[Tricon]

Bluetooth Im just using the windows devices settings, connect to the headset and it opens the garage, disconnect and it closes the garage.

As far as cameras I have an assortment, I have some IP cams I found online, dont remember the model at the moment, but I also have a Defender Sentinel system with 8 cameras and a DVR with remote access. I bought this for $349 on sale...no idea why its $649 now? Its absolutely amazing though, sends me emails with screen shots when it detects motion on the screens that Ive designated...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ULT4K4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

As for remote access to computers, I use LogMeIn.com...their free account is great and does everything you need from your android phone, or any java enabled device.

 

[koditten]

I'm bumping this so I can find it easy. Planning on doing it after rounding up parts tomarrow.

 

[MN4x4]

You win the RedNeck Hack of the Week. Congratulations!

 

[koditten]

I finished up mine last night. Works great! I'm still playing around with the range, but so far it has the same range as the original remote for the door opener.

This will be so handy for opening the door(s) with out going the house or to one of the vehicles.

The only thing I did different was to add aligator clips to the end of the wires. All my openers have the screw tabs. With the aligator clips I don't have to mess around with unscrewing the screw and wrapping the wire ends around the screws. Secondly, I wasn't sure which door was going to get my "prototype". I can just unclip and move to another door if I choose.

I'm pretty sure I will be building 3 more of these, since I have a total of 4 ovehead doors.

Thanks, Lou.

Later

KO

 

[koditten]

Felt like bumping this thread again. I'm working on converting all my door openers to this mod. I like it a lot!

KO