There are a variety of ways the Chameleon Wi-Fi Reader can be connected to the internet to automate uploading data.
Connection examples
Permanently installed Wi-Fi Access Point
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Android phone using Portable Hotspot
Detailed Instructions: |
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iPhone using Personal Hotspot
Detailed Instructions: |
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Pocket Wi-Fi device
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The Chameleon Wi-Fi Reader needs to 'learn' the Wi-Fi connection details in order to connect to the internet. The details needed are the SSID (the name of the Wi-Fi connection) and the Wi-Fi password.
The Wi-Fi Reader can scan for available Wi-Fi signals and can see a list of SSID's and we will use this as a way to communicate the details to the Wi-Fi Reader.
The device providing these details is called the 'Config Beacon'. It's a beacon because it is broadcasting the information to all devices.
The format for the Config Beacon's SSID is: [ssid]<=>[password in reverse]
If the Wi-Fi access point details were:
SSID: MattsPhone
Password: abcd1234
Then set the Config Beacon's SSID: MattsPhone<=>4321dcba
When the Wi-Fi Reader attempts to connect to the internet it will see the characters <=> and will learn the SSID and password.
Note: There is a security risk involved as we are publicly broadcasting the password. To reduce the risk we are only broadcasting this information for a short period of time (minutes) and are displaying the password in reverse.
Rename the SSID to include the password in reverse in the format:
eg SSID as: MattsPhone<=>4321dcba
Plug in a sensor, reset the Wi-Fi Reader, it will look for "<=>" and collect the SSID and password.
Wait for it to say: Trying SSID: MattsPhone
Then on the smartphone, rename SSID back to
eg: SSID: MattsPhone
Wait for the Wi-Fi Reader to connect and say Upload Confirmed/
Now the SSID and password are saved in the Wi-Fi Reader and the Config Beacon is no longer required.
When configuring a Wi-Fi Reader to connect to a permanent Wi-Fi Access Point, use a smartphone as the Config Beacon.