VTAP PRO BLE GATT server

This feature provides an easy way for apps running on BLE capable devices, for example under iOS, Android or Windows, to connect to a VTAP100‑PRO‑BW reader, be notified when data is available and to read the entire tap payload with a single read.

BLE GATT (Bluetooth Low Energy Generic ATTribute Profile) is how most Bluetooth Low Energy devices transfer data, by exposing Services which in turn define a number of Characteristics or data values. This is how standard BLE services such as HID keyboard are implemented, in this case defining a standard set of characteristics then adopted by the Bluetooth SIG standards organization. It is also common for devices to expose custom BLE services for specific purposes, where the standard services and their characteristics are not ideal or are not supported natively by host devices.

VTAP PRO BW readers can act as a BLE GATT server, from v1.0.3.3 release of VTAP connectivity firmware (VCF). This exposes a proprietary service that allows a host BLE device to read tap data payloads and to send tap responses to the VTAP in the form of action data. This feature is currently only available for users to configure on VTAP PRO readers in Local mode. Please contact vtap‑support@dotorigin.com if you would like to discuss implementation of this feature on VTAP PRO readers in Cloud mode.

The advantage of using a custom BLE GATT service for this purpose, especially with an iPhone or iPad, is that the VTAP100‑PRO‑BW reader does not need to be paired with the host device within its operating system, but can be directly discovered and connected from within the app itself using the iOS CoreBluetooth API. This behaviour is relatively simple to implement, is supported by Apple and requires no special app developer permissions or MFi certification to publish an app in Apple’s App Store using this feature. The app can scan for and connect to the VTAP PRO reader directly and can read tap data without requiring keyboard focus. The app can also write back action responses, such as triggering user feedback (LEDs or buzzer) or controlling VTAP reader connected relays.

This option is an alternative to using the existing VTAP PRO BLE HID keyboard emulation feature to send tap data to a Bluetooth host device. The VTAP PRO BW cannot act as a both a BLE HID keyboard and a BLE VTAP GATT server at the same time.