Hi,
I am designing an LED bulb that could be controlled via wifi, for this purpose I am using ESP8266 (Adafruit's Huzzah Board). Following many online tutorials I was able to control an LED over wifi.
Few basic things that were required to make it run successfully was to have a running Apache server and php
SSID and Password of the wifi network I am connecting to. (these credentials were to be put on the code that was written on Arduino IDE).
Now, to make it a commercial product this approach is not feasible as one doesn't have the freedom to upload the code with the SSID and password of the customer's wifi on the ESP module which is packed inside the LED housing. So how do I make this product commercially viable?
Here's what I think : 1> Supply the product with another wifi router like Philips Hue supplies a bridge with it's kit.
2> Each bulb's ESP module will come programmed with SSID and Password of the router being supplied with it.
3> Connect the wi-fi router(the supplied one) with the home wi-fi router using ethernet cable.
4> Develop an app using either Android Studio or use Blynk as that omits the need to have your own cloud service for the customers to be able to control their product without any problems.
Is this the correct and only way to make it commercially successful?
What also confuses me is that after connecting my bridge/supplied router to the home network my Bulb connects to it, now does my phone needs to be connected to this router or simply be connected to my home wi-fi router ? Also how will my App detect the Bulb is on network? I know that needs to be in the coding part of the App, but what is the algorithm behind detecting ESP module or any wifi module that's connected to a network? I mean what kind of IF THIS THEN THAT procedure would lie behind detecting the module on network by the app.
Are there other ways to connect your wi-fi bulb with the home wifi without needing additional bridge or router and could be controlled straight away through an app?
If anybody can help me explain the concept of it from absolute basics it'd be highly appreciated.
Also what picture I have in my mind of a successful Wi-Fi led bulb is that, I should plug it in, connect the bridge/router and my phone to the wifi and be able to control it, then if i change home, i do exact same procedure and it should work.
I am sorry i am being unable to structure my thoughts in a proper order but I am very confused at the moment.
Thanks Everyone.