Raspberry Pi iBeacon in under 30 seconds

[ben53252642]

Hi Folks,

I spent about 10 hours figuring out how to do this and put together a simple 30 second guide to setting up an iBeacon (which runs automatically on boot) on Raspberry Pi (although this should work for other Linux systems as well)

Here goes:

nano /etc/init.d/ibeacon

Paste the contents of this:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/bash
### BEGIN INIT INFO
# Provides: ibeacon
# Required-Start: $all
# Required-Stop: $all
# Default-Start: 2 3 5
# Default-Stop:
# Description: ibeacon
### END INIT INFO

case "$1" in
'start')
        bluetoothadapter="hci0"
        ogf="0x08"
        ocf="0x0008"
        ibeaconprefix="1e 02 01 1a 1a ff 4c 00 02 15"
        uuid="5A 4B CF CE 17 4E 4B AC A8 14 09 2E 77 F6 B7 E5"
        major="00 08"
        minor="00 05"
        power="C8 00"
        /bin/echo "Starting iBeacon..."
        sleep 5
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" up
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" noleadv
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" noscan
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" pscan
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" leadv 3
        /usr/bin/hcitool -i "$bluetoothadapter" cmd $ogf $ocf $ibeaconprefix $uuid $major $minor $power
        ;;
'stop')
        /bin/echo "Stopping iBeacon..."
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" noleadv
        /bin/hciconfig "$bluetoothadapter" down
        ;;
*)
        echo "Usage: $0 { start | stop }"
        ;;
esac
exit 0

Run these two commands:
chmod 755 /etc/init.d/ibeacon
update-rc.d ibeacon defaults

Reboot the Raspberry Pi and you should have a broadcasting iBeacon within about 30 seconds of it booting up.

I use an iPhone app called Dartle to see if its broadcasting.

iPhone app Pilot for Domoticz can make use of iBeacons.

Please note that changing the UUID in my experience seems to result in the iPhone not detecting the iBeacon, only certain UUID's appear to be accepted. To make it unique you can change the minor and major numbers.

[ben53252642]

Gizmocus if you see this, I'm wondering how difficult it would be to add a broadcast an iBeacon tick box within Domoticz hardware?

The code to start an iBeacon can be reduced to a single line.

[gizmocuz]

What would you like todo with an iBeacon?

[ben53252642]

Pilot app for Domoticz has the ability to turn devices on and off if it comes in range of an iBeacon.

Personally I prefer the l2ping method for detecting if my phone is in range but I figured since I found out how to do it, may as well post it.

iBeacon is useful cause iPhones specifically listen for them and it's possible to judge the iPhones distance from the beacon.

[ben53252642]

Actually you know what would be really cool?

A dedicated "I'm home" iPhone app, that turns on a single Domoticz device the second it spots an iBeacon.

It could do that via calling a HTTP url making it compatible with virtually every home automation system.

If iBeacon detected = httpget this URL

Another option instead of the l2ping method.

[gizmocuz]

Sounds nice indeed... but can you differentiate rooms ? like rooms next to each other ? with a wall from 10cm in between ?
Could a PIR not also do the trick ?

[ben53252642]

Gizmocus the iPhone can detect down to about 30cm its distance from the beacon, its very accurate.

I have setup more than one at a time for testing around my apartment, although it's best to use a different UUID for a seperate iBeacon.

Here is a list of UUID's

https://github.com/seboslaw/iBeacon-UUID-Repository

Actually Gizmocus you just gave me another idea...

I see no reason why this iPhone app couldn't allow more than 1 HTTPGET url if it detects x iBeacon UUID.

[patoo77]

Actually you know what would be really cool?

A dedicated "I'm home" iPhone app, that turns on a single Domoticz device the second it spots an iBeacon.

It could do that via calling a HTTP url making it compatible with virtually every home automation system.

If iBeacon detected = httpget this URL

Another option instead of the l2ping method.

Isn't it what Pilot is already doing?
If you have any request to improve the way I implemented it, I'd be more than happy to help
Let me know

[gizmocuz]

Or the IFTTT, with a geo location

[MrGee]

Or the IFTTT, with a geo location

iBeacons are more accurate & localized
you could for example have one in the living room and another in the kitchen
It would then be possible to automatically lower the light in the kitchen when you walk (with your phone) to the living-room

I actually plan to do something similar in the bedroom for an automatic "night mode"

Hi Folks,
Please note that changing the UUID in my experience seems to result in the iPhone not detecting the iBeacon, only certain UUID's appear to be accepted. To make it unique you can change the minor and major numbers.

Thanks Ben, this looks awesome
do you know how to change the transmitting power?
this to make sure the iBeacons are not overlapping (each other or rooms)
I noticed power="C8 00" in the script must be some HEX code

[gizmocuz]

It would then be possible to automatically lower the light in the kitchen when you walk (with your phone) to the living-room

doesn't that mean it needs to constantly be in communication ? Sending real-time info ?
If yes, that would cost a lot of battery

[pvm]

I implemented the scenario using a Fibaro eye detecting motion and delayed turn off (and some blockly).

[gizmocuz]

Yep, that's what i said in my second reply "Could a PIR not also do the trick ?"

[simon_rb]

Just used this and worked flawlessly on my Pi3! Thanks

Could be handy if iBeacon could be added to hardware as it could switch on/off switch when your home/away. Would cut out the middle man app.