Bluetooth Connection

When using the Bluetooth option, the range is typically 15 to 30 feet, depending on building construction.

The Bluetooth option may be preferred under certain circumstances when the X-ACT Tablet does not maintain WiFi connectivity in the absence of Internet access. This is an Android issue that varies depending on the Android device and the operating system version.

The Bluetooth module may also be prefered when it is desirable to maintain Internet access with the tablet while being operated. When using the WiFi module, the Android tablet will not be able to maintain Internet connectivity at the same time.

Before configuring the app for Bluetooth operation, you need to pair the tablet with the Bluetooth radio on the X-ACT Bridge Controller. 

Power up the X-ACT Bridge Controller and enter the Bluetooth setup on the tablet. There are two types of Bluetooth radios that can be used interchangeably. One has an ID of "HC-05" and the pairing key is "1234". The other has an ID of "Sure" and the key is "0000".

Once the tablet and Buetooth radio are paired, enter the Bluetooth setup page on the app by clicking on Bluetooth Setup in the menu.

Figure 3: Bluetooth Setup page

Make sure the proper device (HC-05 or Sure) is selected and click OK. There are no custom settings for the Bluetooth option. 

Connection to multiple Bluetooth devices

The Bluetooth radio can only be paired with one Android device at a time, so if you pair the Bluetooth radio with a second tablet, it will lose the pairing with the first tablet, even though the first tablet will still show the X-ACT as paired. This is a characteristic of the Bluetooth protocol as the tablet has no way to know when the Bluetooth device has reset its pairing information. If you want to re-pair with the first tablet, you will have to select it in the tablet's Bluetooth Settings -> More Settings and click "Forget" before attempting to pair again.

The Bluetooth radio only enters pairing mode for a few minutes after power up, so always recycle power on the X-ACT Bridge Controller before attempting to pair with the Bluetooth radio.