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Understanding Device Roles

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Bobby Bonestell edited this page Oct 29, 2026 · 4 revisions

Understanding Device Roles

BlueBuzzah devices work together in pairs, with one device acting as the coordinator and the other as a follower. This guide explains how device roles work and how to choose the right role for each device.

What Are Device Roles?

When you update your BlueBuzzah devices, you can assign each device one of two roles:

PRIMARY Device

  • Acts as the coordinator
  • The BuzzahBuddy app connects to this device
  • Sends commands and timing to the SECONDARY device
  • Controls the timing and coordination of therapy sessions
  • Use this role for: The main device in your setup

SECONDARY Device

  • Acts as the follower
  • Connects to the PRIMARY device on its own
  • Receives commands and timing from the PRIMARY device
  • The BuzzahBuddy app never connects to it directly; it is reached through the PRIMARY
  • Use this role for: The second device in your setup

How Roles Work Together

graph LR
    P[BuzzahBuddy<br/>app] -->| Bluetooth | A[PRIMARY<br/>Coordinator]
    A -->| Bluetooth | B[SECONDARY<br/>Follower]
    style P fill:#05212D,stroke:#35B6F2,color:#fafafa
    style A fill:#35B6F2,stroke:#35B6F2,color:#0a0a0a
    style B fill:#05212D,stroke:#35B6F2,color:#fafafa
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  1. The app talks to the PRIMARY - Starts, pauses and stops sessions
  2. PRIMARY coordinates - Sends commands and timing to the SECONDARY
  3. Synchronized operation - Both devices work in coordination

Dual Device Setups

Updating two devices at once?

  • One device must be PRIMARY
  • One device must be SECONDARY
  • Both devices must be the same hardware version (both v2 or both v3)
  • Both devices will be updated with the same firmware version
  • Role configuration is automatically written during installation

Choosing Which Device Gets Which Role

Consider your physical setup:

  • PRIMARY: Assign to the device the BuzzahBuddy app will connect to
  • SECONDARY: Assign to the device that will follow the PRIMARY

Tip

If you're not sure, it doesn't matter which physical device gets which role. You can always reassign roles in future updates.

How Roles Are Configured

The BlueBuzzah Updater automatically configures device roles during installation:

Role Setting

After the firmware is written, the updater sends the role to the device over USB (SET_ROLE:PRIMARY or SET_ROLE:SECONDARY). The device saves it and restarts.

Automatic Process

You don't need to edit any files manually! The updater handles everything:

  1. You select the role under Choose Devices on the Firmware page
  2. Firmware is installed when you select Update Firmware
  3. The role is set on the device right after the firmware is written ("Setting the role")
  4. Your device is ready to use with its assigned role

Changing Device Roles

Need to swap roles later?

Simply run the BlueBuzzah Updater again:

  1. Connect your device(s)
  2. Select the firmware version
  3. Choose the new role(s) you want
  4. Complete the update process

The new role replaces the old one on the device.

Common Questions

Q: Can I have two PRIMARY devices? A: Technically yes, but they won't communicate with each other as intended. For paired operation, you need one PRIMARY and one SECONDARY.

Q: What if I accidentally choose the wrong role? A: No problem! Just run the updater again and select the correct role. The configuration will be updated.

Q: Do both devices need to be the same firmware version? A: Yes. The BlueBuzzah Updater updates all devices in a run with the same firmware version for compatibility.

Q: Can I use a PRIMARY device alone? A: Yes. A PRIMARY device can operate independently without a SECONDARY device present.

Q: Can I use a SECONDARY device alone? A: No. The BuzzahBuddy app can't connect to a SECONDARY device; it only receives commands through a PRIMARY. For standalone use, choose the PRIMARY role.

Visual Guide: Selecting Roles

Under Choose Devices on the Firmware page:

  1. One device selected:
    • Choose Primary or Secondary in the Role control under the device
    • Primary recommended for single-device use
  2. Two devices selected:
    • The updater sets the roles for you, one Primary and one Secondary
    • You can change either one; each device needs a different role
  3. Choose a version, then select Update Firmware to start the installation

Related Documentation

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