processing-android usb serial error

[precociousmouse]

Hey there! I am trying to use the library in an app that passes the content of text messages through to an arduino. The device I am using for this is a Pixel XL running 7.1.1

My problem is that I receive the following error popup when I connect the device to the arduino:

Port: null
Check the following items:

1. Make sure AndroidManifest.xml contains use-feature tag for android.hardware.usb.host
2. USB serial is connected to the device

I do have the use-feature tag in the xml, and the device is connected but I can't get the app beyond that error.

Any thoughts why this could be the case?

[gpinwiz]

I also am having the same problem. Testing on a Samsung Galaxy Avant (cheapie) with Windows 8.1, Processing 3.2.2, AndroidMode 0252 and Android SDK 23. I get this error with.. import io.inventit.processing.android.serial.* and String portName = Serial.list(this)[0]; in setup().

Just to check that the manifest is right (I don't do much XML) ...<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:versionCode="1" android:versionName="1.0" package=""><uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.usb.host"/><uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="15" android:targetSdkVersion="23"/><application android:debuggable="true" android:icon="@drawable/icon" android:label=""><activity android:name=".MainActivity">android:theme="@android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar"&gt;<intent-filter><action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/><category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/></intent-filter></activity></application></manifest>.

Any help getting this working would be awesome!

[precociousmouse]

Rtcme, I think you are missing some parts on the XML, you need to have a reference to the device filter XML doc and have that in the res/XML directory - maybe that might fix your problem?

[gpinwiz]

Hi precociousmouse. Thanks for the pointer. I don't have that device filter xml. I found this ... http://journeytounknownsoundscapes.blogspot.com/2013/12/how-to-arduino-with-android-really-good.html. Would you set everything up like this guy did? Also, I found the manifest XML in the main sketch folder where the pde file is, but can't for the life of me find " device_filter.xml" in "{processing project root}\res\xml". Actually, I can't find "res/xml" at all. Any other tips? Thanks, and I hope you get yours straightened out too.

[precociousmouse]

hey there, the device_filter.xml file will need to be added, and just is a reference list of device IDs for the boards you will be connecting to the device. You just need to create the xml folder in the res directory, add in the xml file.

One thing which I'm not sure you are doing is that you will need to export a signed app from processing, then use apktool to decompile it from the command line. Make the changes to the manifest file and add in the xml file in the folder that's generated from the decompile, then use apktool again to recompile. To run on the device you will also need to re-sign the app with jarsigner in the command line.

[gpinwiz]

Thanks a ton. You are right, I didn't know about any of that. Do I need to follow those steps every time I want to test the app on the device after I modify the code?

[precociousmouse]

I'm pretty sure you do - if you do get it working though, let me know as I can't seem to find a solution for my issue

[dbaba]

I haven't yet tested this module on Android 7 as I don't have the device. Beside that, can you tell me the Arduino model? Arduino UNO or other things?
Anyway, I try to look for Android7.

[precociousmouse]

hey there! It's an arduino uno r3. I am just doing some further tests to see how far it will go before it starts throwing the error. Currently I am just about to try just including the lib and declare Serial port; to see if that throws a problem.

[precociousmouse]

ok, so far I have successfully installed the app with the lib included and the definition of port as a Serial without it dying. Will now try to open the port and see if that's what causes the issue.

[precociousmouse]

ok, have discovered the breaking point - when I try to establish port as a connection:

port = new Serial(this, Serial.list(this)[0], 115200);

It breaks and throws the port:null error I originally found. I have also tested this on a colleague's nexus running android 7.0 with the same issue. Any thoughts? I have attached my apk if you wanted to download it and check it with apktool

text_receive-release-signed.apk.zip

[gpinwiz]

Precociousmouse - thanks again for your help. I'll give this a try soon, and I'd be happy to let you know if I get it working.

[precociousmouse]

No problem :) due to pressing deadlines I have had to go for plan b (a Bluetooth shield) but am happy to help testing out any new builds

[Scott12334]

I am having the same problem as precociousmouse did you ever figure out how to make it work?