Connecting scales to Healthcare app

Integrating Smart Scales with a Healthcare App Using BLE

In the modern healthcare industry, integrating smart devices into mobile applications is essential for convenient and accurate data monitoring. One of our recent achievements is the successful connection of smart scales to the Healthcare app using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology.

Why Use Bluetooth Low Energy?

Bluetooth is one of the most popular technologies for wireless data exchange. However, there are two main types of Bluetooth connections:

1. 1. Classic Bluetooth is used for devices that require constant connection, such as headphones or speakers. These devices support continuous data transmission.
2. 2. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is an energy-efficient technology that does not require a constant connection. BLE is ideal for devices like smart scales, which need to operate for long periods without frequent charging.

BLE Standardization

One of BLE's advantages is its standardization. Devices that adhere to BLE standards can connect to any smartphone without additional configuration. However, if a device does not meet the standard, app developers must write additional code to establish the connection.

Connecting Non-Standard Scales

The smart scales integrated into our app did not comply with BLE standards. The manufacturer provided documentation outlining how to read and interpret the weight data correctly. The primary task was to use this documentation to retrieve and display the weight values accurately in the app.

Using the React Native BLE PLX Library

To connect BLE devices in a React Native app, we used the react-native-ble-plx library. It offers all the necessary functions to scan, connect, and interact with BLE devices.

import { BleManager } from 'react-native-ble-plx';

export const manager = new BleManager();

Creating a single instance of BleManager allows for managing all BLE operations.

Requesting Location Permissions

For BLE to function correctly, the app must request location permissions from the user. This enables the app to determine if the device is within Bluetooth range.

  try {
    const granted = await PermissionsAndroid.request(
      PermissionsAndroid.PERMISSIONS.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION,
      {
        title: "Location Access Required",
        message: "This app needs to access your location to detect Bluetooth devices",
      }
    );
    if (granted === PermissionsAndroid.RESULTS.GRANTED) {
      console.log("Location permission granted");
    } else {
      console.log("Location permission denied");
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.warn(err);
  }
} 

Conclusion

By integrating smart scales with the Healthcare app, users now have a convenient tool for accurately monitoring their weight and managing their health. The use of BLE technology ensures a reliable and energy-efficient connection, while the React Native BLE PLX library simplified the development process. Our users can now access critical health data quickly and effortlessly.