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Configuring, using and debugging chan_mobile on Asterisk

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

If you read the previous post on chan_mobile on asterisk, here is the follow up, straight from Asterisk SVN.

Configuring chan_mobile :-
The configuration file for chan_mobile is /etc/asterisk/mobile.conf. It is a normal Asterisk config file consisting of sections and key=value pairs.
See configs/mobile.conf.sample for an example and an explanation of the configuration.

Using chan_mobile :-
chan_mobile.so must be loaded either by loading it using the Asterisk CLI, or by adding it to /etc/asterisk/modules.conf
Search for your bluetooth devices using the CLI command ‘mobile search’. Be patient with this command as it will take 8 - 10 seconds to do the discovery. This requires a free adapter.
Headsets will generally have to be put into ‘pairing’ mode before they will show up here.

This will return something like the following :-

*CLI> mobile search
Address Name Usable Type Port
00:12:56:90:6E:00 LG TU500 Yes Phone 4
00:80:C8:35:52:78 Toaster No Headset 0
00:0B:9E:11:74:A5 Hello II Plus Yes Headset 1
00:0F:86:0E:AE:42 Daves Blackberry Yes Phone 7

Above is a list of all bluetooth devices seen and whether or not they are usable with chan_mobile.
The Address field contains the ‘bd address’ of the device which is like an ethernet mac address.
The Name field is whatever is configured into the device as its name (default name of the device).
The Usable field tells you whether or not the device supports the Bluetooth Handsfree Profile or Headset profile.
The Type field tells you whether the device is usable as a Phone line (FXO) or a headset (FXS)
The Port field is the number to put in the configuration file.
Choose which device(s) you want to use and edit /etc/asterisk/mobile.conf. There is a sample included with the Asterisk-addons source under configs/mobile.conf.sample.
Be sure to configure the right bd address and port number from the search. If you want inbound calls on a device to go to a specific context, add a context= line, otherwise the default will be used. The ‘id’ of the device [bitinbrackets] can be anything you like, just make it unique.
If you are configuring a Headset be sure to include the type=headset line, if left out it defaults to phone.
The CLI command ‘mobile show devices’ can be used at any time to show the status of configured devices, and whether or not the device is capable of sending / receiving SMS via bluetooth.
*CLI> mobile show devices
ID Address Group Adapter Connected State SMS
headset 00:0B:9E:11:AE:C6 0 blue No Init No
LGTU550 00:E0:91:7F:46:44 1 dlink No Init No
*CLI>

As each phone is connected you will see a message on the Asterisk console :-

Loaded chan_mobile.so => (Bluetooth Mobile Device Channel Driver)
— Bluetooth Device blackberry has connected.
— Bluetooth Device dave has connected.

To make outbound calls, add something to you Dialplan like the following :- (modify to suit)

; Calls via LGTU5500
exten => _9X.,1,Dial(Mobile/LGTU550/${EXTEN:1},45)
exten => _9X.,n,Hangup

To use channel groups, add an entry to each phones definition in mobile.conf like group=n
where n is a number.
Then if you do something like Dial(Mobile/g1/123456) Asterisk will dial 123456 on the first connected free phone in group 1.
Phones which do not have a specific ‘group=n’ will be in group 0.
To dial out on a headset, you need to use some other mechanism, because the headset is not likely to have all the needed buttons on it. res_clioriginate is good for this :-

*CLI> originate Mobile/headset extension NNNNN@context

This will call your headset, once you answer, Asterisk will call NNNNN at context context

Dialplan hints :-

chan_mobile supports ‘device status’ so you can do somthing like

exten => 1234,hint,SIP/30&Mobile/dave&Mobile/blackberry

MobileStatus Application :-

chan_mobile also registers an application named MobileStatus. You can use this in your Dialplan to determine the ’state’ of a device.
For example, suppose you wanted to call dave’s extension, but only if he was in the office. You could test to see if his mobile phone was attached to Asterisk, if it is dial his extension, otherwise dial his mobile phone.

exten => 40,1,MobileStatus(dave,DAVECELL)
exten => 40,2,GotoIf($["${DAVECELL}" = "1"]?3:5)
exten => 40,3,Dial(ZAP/g1/0427466412,45,tT)
exten => 40,4,Hangup
exten => 40,5,Dial(SIP/40,45,tT)
exten => 40,6,Hangup

MobileStatus sets the value of the given variable to :-

1 = Disconnected. i.e. Device not in range of Asterisk, or turned off etc etc
2 = Connected and Not on a call. i.e. Free
3 = Connected and on a call. i.e. Busy

SMS Sending / Receiving

If Asterisk has detected your mobile phone is capable of SMS via bluetooth, you will be able to send and receive SMS.

Incoming SMS’s cause Asterisk to create an inbound call to the context you defined in mobile.conf or the default context if you did not define one. The call will start at extension ’sms’. Two channel variables will be available, SMSSRC = the number of the originator of the SMS and SMSTXT which is the text of the SMS.
This is not a voice call, so grab the values of the variables and hang the call up. So, to handle incoming SMS’s, do something like the following in your dialplan

[incoming-mobile]
exten => sms,1,Verbose(Incoming SMS from ${SMSSRC} ${SMSTXT})
exten => sms,n,Hangup()

The above will just print the message on the console.

If you use res_jabber, you could do something like this :-

[incoming-mobile]
exten => sms,1,JabberSend(transport,user@jabber.somewhere.com,SMS from ${SMSRC} ${SMSTXT})
exten => sms,2,Hangup()

To send an SMS, use the application MobileSendSMS like the following :-

exten => 99,1,MobileSendSMS(dave,0427123456,Hello World)

This will send ‘Hello World’ via device ‘dave’ to ‘0427123456′

DTMF Debouncing :-

DTMF detection varies from phone to phone. There is a configuration variable that allows you to tune this to your needs. e.g. in mobile.conf

[LGTU550]
address=00:12:56:90:6E:00
port=4
context=incoming-mobile
dtmfskip=50

change dtmfskip to suit your phone. The default is 200. The larger the number, the more chance of missed DTMF. The smaller the number the more chance of multiple digits being detected.

Debugging :-

Different phone manufacturers have different interpretations of the Bluetooth Hands free Profile Spec. This means that not all phones work the same way, particularly in the connection setup / initialization sequence. I’ve tried to make chan_mobile as general as possible, but it may need modification to support some phone i’ve never tested.

Some phones, most notably Sony Ericsson ‘T’ series, dont quite conform to the Bluetooth HFP spec. chan_mobile will detect these and adapt accordingly. The T-610 and T-630 have been tested and work fine.

If your phone doesnt behave has expected, turn on Asterisk debugging with ‘core set debug 1′.

This will log a bunch of debug messages indicating what the phone is doing, importantly the rfcomm conversation between Asterisk and the phone. This can be used to sort out what your phone is doing and make chan_mobile support it.

Be aware also, that just about all mobile phones behave differently. For example my LG TU500 wont dial unless the phone is a the ‘idle’ screen. i.e. if the phone is showing a ‘menu’ on the display, when you dial via Asterisk, the call will not work. chan_mobile handles this, but there may be other phones that do other things too…

Important: Watch what your mobile phone is doing the first few times. Asterisk wont make random calls but if chan_mobile fails to hangup for some reason and you get a huge bill from your telco, dont blame me ;) (not ME, the developer!)

Feedback, Support, Please can you make Mobile Phone X work… etc :-

as always, bugs should be reported at http://bugs.digium.com

email the man responsible for this mess at david.bowerman at gmail.com or dseeb_ on #asterisk & #asterisk-dev irc.

VoIP for Braille PDA named Voice Sense?

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

Although not really a VoIP or IP Telephony device, this could be a best way to give visually impaired people access to mobile computing, and of course a communication medium. Since it comes with all the tools packed in, like WiFi, Bluetooth, it will be simple(?) task to create a VoIP application.
Follow the link to get complete information.
Geemodo: Braille PDA named Voice Sense

Published on July 22nd, 2007 under , , , , ,

Voiis Mini combines VoIP, music and IM

Source: voipcentral.org

voiis-mini_28

The image in the right hand side is Voiis Mini. I am sure you would be surprised when I explain the functions of this tiny device. It is all-in one. I mean VoIP, Music and Instant Messaging.

Axes-made Voiis Mini primarily depends upon Bluetooth connectivity to provide above-mentioned services.

With Voiis, you can stream music from Windows Media Player/iTunes and enjoy Skype calls. The device has a phonebook of 500 entries.

It comes with a with a PC antenna which can extend the signal up to 100 meters. It also supports IM clients.

Features:

1.A built-in microphone

2.1.2″ LCD display

3.A headphone jack

4.A long battery life of 6 hours (72 hours standby)

5.Supports Skype and MSN Messenger

The price of the high versatile Voiis is around $130. It is available in Japan.

Image:

Published on June 19th, 2007 under , , , , , ,

Skype asks help from FCC to soften Carriers hold on apps and devices

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

VoIP IP Telephony @ http://snapvoip.blogspot.com

The Skype division of online auction company eBay filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission last week asking regulators to end the practice of carriers’ controlling which devices and apps are used on their networks. Skype also asked the FCC to oversee an industry group that would create open standards for wireless networks.

Two public-interest groups are mulling similar action. And a handset maker in Taiwan is preparing to release a cell phone based on open-source software that it wants to sell independently of carriers.

Skype’s position

In its petition, filed Feb. 21, Skype asks the FCC to apply the so-called Carterfone rules to the wireless industry. Those rules were enacted in the 1960s to force wired-telephony monopoly AT&T to let consumers connect phones and other devices to its network, even if the devices were not made or approved by AT&T. (Skype software lets users make free long-distance calls using voice-over-Internet Protocol.)

At issue is U.S. carriers’ practice of restricting their networks to approved handsets and applications sold by the carriers themselves. Carriers often require that handsets use specific techniques to lock the devices for use only on their networks.
CTIA’s CEO had this to say; ""Skype’s self-interested filing contains glaring legal flaws and a complete disregard for the vast consumer benefits provided by the competitive marketplace. Skype’s "recommendations" will freeze the innovation and choice hundreds of millions of consumers enjoy today. The call for imposing monopoly era Carterfone rules to today’s vibrant market is unmistakably the wrong number."
But before jumping in to any conclusions, visit CTIA and check them out, specially the current members.
A Columbia law professor decried the practice in a position paper he posted on the Web in February. In a synopsis on his blog, Tim Wu asserts that wireless carriers are "aggressively controlling product design and innovation in the equipment and application markets to the detriment of consumers."

Carriers are blocking or controlling the rollout of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, advanced short message service, mobile browsers, legal image and audio file transfers, and call timers, Wu wrote.

Follow the links to read more

EE Times Call out to wireless carriers

Prof. WU’s "Wireless Net Neutrality: Cellular Carterfone on Mobile Networks"
CTIA

Skype Conference phone kit by Trendnet, TVP-SP4BK.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com


Trendnet has released a bluetooth enabled Conference phone for Skype, TRENDnet ClearSky Bluetooth VoIP Conference Phone Kit for Skype (TVP-SP4BK), shown above. It includes an bluetooth adapter for your computer that connects to the internet and Skype.In addition to looking very cool, The best part of the phone is that it allows hands-free VoIP conferencing via Bluetooth. The phone is available now for about $170.
The unit includes an integrated LCD screen and touch pad that lets users view Skype contacts, call history, status and SkypeOut credit balance. Also to be noted is that the phones battery is charged via USB cable.
Bluetooth has a range of about 300 feet according to the manufacturer and the fully charged battery has 4 hours of talk time and up to 72 hours of standby time.

You can also use the TVP-SP1BK as a bluetooth wireless extension to skype if you want some thing like a cell phone.

Links;
TVP-SP4BK,
TVP-SP1K

Published on January 21st, 2007 under , , , ,

Nerd Vittles tricks out trixbox and calls it easy as 1..2..3 for Trixbox 1.2.3.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

As usual NV (Nerd Vittles) has done it again. This time with Trixbox 1.2.3 the open source IPPBX. The newbies guide includes setting up of trixbox 1.2.3 (hey Vittles where is the Trixbox 2.0? just kidding) add FreePBX and a plethora of NV goodies. At the end you will have a fantastic VOIP IP Telephony solution, IPPBX based on TrixBox which is in turn based on ever popular Asterisk IPPBX.
Here are some goodies from NV;
The Game Plan.
Hardware Setup.
Upgrading TrixBox from a Prior Version of Asterisk@Home.
Loading CentOS/4 and TrixBox 1.2.3
Securing Your Passwords.
Securing and Activating A2Billing
Securing SugarCRM Contact Management.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It!
Upgrading TrixBox to Support MailCall.
Updating freePBX to the Latest Release.
Securing Asterisk.
Activating Bluetooth Support. HAH!
Activating Apache HTTPS Support.
IP Configuration for Asterisk.
Designing Your PBX System.
Initial Setup of freePBX.
Configuring freePBX Trunks.
Well so far I have reached only the middle of the article. I guess you head over to NV and digest the whole article.

He has a tip for windows Trixbox setup! Look for this info in the article.
HOT TIP: For a turnkey version of TrixBox 1.2.3 that runs on your Windows desktop and includes the entire setup we’ll be discussing as well as an out-of-the-box setup for 10 extensions and two VoIP providers.
Well done NV, I will have mine without the wine, I am already drunk with info!.

Published on October 31st, 2006 under , , , , ,

Old wine in new bottle: Retro handsets making a comeback through wireless and VoIP

Source: voipcentral.org

Retro Handsets with PC and mobile

Retro handsets, which we see only in old movies now are coming back with new technologies like VoIP and mobile phones. We can use old-fashioned handsets with new technologies by attaching them with our PC or mobile phones. The handsets can be attached with your mobile and home PC.

The Propeller SF styled, the retro handsets are just like old-fashioned telephone handsets with old curly lead. These hefty handset plugs into any mobile with hands free socket.

Hulger, the leading company in retro handsets released its handset in 2003. Hulger now offer a range of five retro handsets, two of which come with a cordless Bluetooth configuration.

They looks quite stylish and attractive to our eyes. The cost of retro handsets with Bluetooth models has starting from 86.00 and the wired models are 40.

All the phones work with most mobiles and can be hooked up to PCs for VoIP calling with their 8 Y*Cable.

Via: DIGITAL HANDSETS

Published on July 5th, 2006 under , , ,

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