MinumOS Remote App

Update 2/2/2023: An open beta early release of this app is now available on Google Play!

As of release 2023.1, it is now possible to wirelessly control MinumOS using an android device.  This avoids the need to run long runs of HDMI and USB cables, instead positioning your main computer up close to the projector and sensor and controlling at the shooting line via phone or tablet.

To do this, first install MinumOS Remote from the Google Play Store and then connect your android device to the same local network as the main MinumOS computer (Wifi is required, but internet access is not.  If you do not have good signal where your simulator is set up, you might consider using a separate wifi router just for your MinumOS installation).

Upon launching the app, you will see it searching for "servers" (the main MinumOS computer). 

If MinumOS is running on the network already it will appear in a list along with some information about how the app can connect with the main computer.

Tapping the server in the list will highlight it orange and fill out the HTTP Port, Server IP Address, and Server Port fields on the left hand side of the app.  Tapping Connect will then connect to the server.  This is a multi-step process where it first ensures that the remote has all the data that is necessary to function.  It checks this according to the MinumOS version number as well as the version numbers for every installed module on the main computer.  If any of these are out of sync, it will grab updated versions from the main computer.  The first time you sync things up can take a while, especially if on a slower network. However, the app will store updated versions locally so you should not need to sync again unless you update MinumOS or one of the modules (even then it will only sync updates required).

Once everything is in sync, the remote app will finish connecting and mirror what is on the main screen for wireless control.

If things do not work as smoothly as described above, there are a few settings that are available in the main MinumOS software that may help.  In the Settings menu (upper right), you will now see a section called "Remote" which contains the following relevant settings:

• Enable Discovery: This will turn off auto-detection for the server on the remote.  If Server IP, Server Port, and HTTP Port are all still known, connection with the remote application will still be possible by manually filling out these fields in the app
• Discovery Port: If discovery is turned on and the devices are on the same network, but the server does not show up in the list, ensure this value matches on the app and the server.  If it matches and it still does not show, that port may be used for something else.  Try selecting a different port in both the main software and the remote app
• HTTP Port: To sync up data, MinumOS hosts a local HTTP server.  This is the port it runs on.
• Server Name: This is the name that appears associated with the server in the list on the MinumOS Remote app.  If you run multiple instances of MinumOS on the same network, it may be useful to edit this value to differentiate which one is which.
• Server Port: This is the port that is used to communicate with the server after a successful connection

It is recommended to stick with the default settings unless you encounter issues.  If you do make edits to these settings, make sure you are selecting ports that are not reserved or in use by other processes.