Control Your Garage Door With Your Smartphone Thanks To BlueRadios

The Housecall Smartphone Garage Controller frees the user from needing a “clicker” which can often get lost or run out of power. Furthermore, anyone with a smartphone can be given password protected access, eliminating the need for multiple clickers.

The first of a suite of controllers and sensors to be released under the Housecall brand, the Smartphone Garage Controller utilizes the recently released Bluetooth Smart standard, a low energy version of Bluetooth that uses approximately 1% of the electricity and has 3 times the range of traditional Bluetooth. It was developed by the Bluetooth standards organization for use in everyday household items, which do not need to transmit as much information as a voice stream. Appearing on the first consumer products in 2011, including the Apple iPhone 4S, and Droid Razr this standard will allow for the development of countless household items controllable via smartphone. It will be standard on most phones by 2012.

Installation is simple with the Housecall Smartphone Garage Controller. The patent pending design requires no tools. It simply snaps over the wires connecting the opener motor and the opener button, where metal blades will pierce the wire insulation to establish electrical connection. A keyhole slot on the bottom allows for mounting to a wall. It requires no batteries, borrowing its electricity from the existing lines. Once in place, it is paired with the user’s phone, where a special application must be installed to interact with the device. The user can then use the application to open or close the door or check on the status, as long as it is in range. The application will allow the user to select the appearance of their “clicker”, choosing from an old classic style, a modern look, a futuristic, or fanciful skin.

For users with older smartphones without Bluetooth Smart capability, BlueRadios offers the Housecall BlueBridge. The BlueBridge converts standard Bluetooth signals to Bluetooth Smart signals, which it then rebroadcasts, allowing any Bluetooth smartphone the ability to work with Housecall. It does this automatically, and can work with an unlimited number of Bluetooth Smart devices, not just Housecall. It has a reception range of 300 feet, and can plug into any standard electrical outlet or USB powered port

For users who desire the ability to open, close, and monitor their garage door from anywhere, BlueRadios offers the Housecall BluePortal Server. BluePortal allows the user to connect via the smartphone application from anywhere to control and monitor their garage door. It connects to any internet source in the home, whether cable or phone line based, and then provides a gateway for the user to log into remotely. It is a standalone device and does not require the presence of a computer.