Android Question Keep wifi direct on/External device detect android

[Stern0m1]

I want an external wifi device, an esp8266 to detect when an Android phone is near by.
Im thinking to use wifi direct. Is there a way i could have wifi direct stay on?
Is there a better way?

Thanks

 

[Erel]

Wifi direct will not work with ESP8266. You can create an app that runs in the background and broadcasts UDP messages every few seconds.

 

[Stern0m1]

The app would have to be constantly checking if the esp8266 is nearby?

Would this consume a lot of resources, drain the battery?

Is there anyway to communicate without first establishing a network?

Thanks

 

[Erel]

The app would have to be constantly checking if the esp8266 is nearby?

You will either need to broadcast a message every few seconds or listen for one.

Would this consume a lot of resources, drain the battery?

It will consume resources. Hard to say whether it will be significant or not.

Is there anyway to communicate without first establishing a network?

It will work automatically assuming that the device will connect to the same local network that the ESP8266 is connected to.

You can improve this solution by checking for the location with FusedLocationProvider.

 

[Stern0m1]

Any better ideas to implement what im trying to do? Doesn't have to be with esp8266.

Esp8266 is ideal because its so cheap.



The concept is for some module to "sense" when a phone is nearby?

Thanks

 

[tigrot]

It's feasible using BLE. You have RSSI which gives you the rough distance of the transmitter. You can use wi-fi but doesn't give Good results.

 

[Erel]

You will still need to have a process running in the background searching for the BLE beacon.