How to add support for a new device in BioEra

There are two possible ways:

• We do the full implementation
• You do it yourself.

1. We develop the driver

Advantages:

• we do full implementation of the driver free of charge
• driver is fully integrated in BioEra
• information about the driver and the company is included in documentation
• device name is listed in DeviceSet element and can be selected using BioEra interface
• device name is added on main bioera page along with link to your company and logo image (if you provide it)
• the implementation takes usually less than 2 weeks (assuming no unexpected problems), implementation starts after we get the device
• we provide support and make sure that device works in all next versions of BioEra

Requirements:

• you need to provide a device which fully implements all required functions
• the device is provided free of charge and permanently, you can replace it later with another (newer) model (we send old device back when the new one arrives)
• you answer all questions about the communication _protocol details

Implementation type (select one):

• you provide full specification of the communication protocol; we implement it (recommended)
• you provide a compiled driver/library with java interface and full sources, full API and a simple example how to use it
• if this is a BLE device you provide full specification of the communication and data format (no binary libraries)

Computer-device communication:

• Most bioera devices communicate over serial port,  this includes all interfaces which emulate serial port e.g.: USB-to-Serial dongles, Bluetooth with serial interface, infrared links and others
• Direct communication to USB,  you need to provide your driver to access USB data stream
• Bluetooth LE 4.0. We implement communication with your device.

Redistribution:

• We include the driver (implemented by us) along with every BioEra release.
• We do NOT include/distribute any external software or libraries which is required for the device to function (e.g. dongle drivers which install serial port in the system).

2. You do it yourself

Note, this option is rarely selected but possible:

• you need some java programming knowledge
• you use ExternalSource element to do it (there is an example of a simple implementation in development manual)
• you implement full interface to the device (including serial port connections, transfer etc)
• you provide full support and make sure it is compatible with next BioEra versions (we provide support for the ExternalSource)
• you are responsible for driver redistribution
• an example driver implemented that way: http://proatech.com/be/manual.html#kt88

Any questions about the above can be sent by email or posted on forum.