Countdown timer Android app with IOIO output. When the timer goes off, it pulls the pin high, or low.  The article demonstrates a proof of concept usage with a single LED, but this could easily be adapted for other usages: light switches and appliance control, detonators, etc.

For additional background information on interfacing Android with IOIO, check out my other introductory tutorials:

Android + IOIO + Simple Digital Output

Android + IOIO + Simple Digital Input

Android + IOIO + Simple Analog Output

Android + IOIO + Simple Analog Input

Background on Android development, IOIO, and electronics:

Meet IOIO

IOIO for Android Beginners Guide

IOIO Wiki

Android Developer’s Guide

Hardware

Parts needed:

  • Android Device (1.6+, 2.1 for Bluetooth)

  • IOIO (available at Sparkfun)

  • LED

  • 330 ohm resistor

  • Breadboard

  • Power supply

  • Hook-up wire

Assembly

For instructions and diagram, check out:  Android + IOIO + Simple Digital Output

Software

Get the source

With the circuit assembled, the next step is to get the demo application on the Android device. You can either download the pre-built .apk or checkout the source from Github:

git clone git://github.com/mitchtech/android_ioio_countdown_timer.git

If you are building from source, you will also need to import the IOIO Library project, and optionally the IOIO Bluetooth library projects, both available here:

git clone git://github.com/ytai/ioio.git

Install, connect, profit!

Finally, upload the app to the Android device (or browse to this page on the device and download the apk above). Connect the device to the IOIO, and start up the app.

Controlling other devices

Here’s an updated video using the same source code and essentially the same circuit (transistor controlled relay) to control a 12V fire alarm bell.


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