A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled Android application that connects to UV sensor hardware to provide real time UV index monitoring and intelligent sunscreen application timing for safe sun exposure.
The UV Light Sensor app ensures sun safety by providing:
- Real-time UV monitoring through a BLE connection to UV Sensor Hardware
- Personalized sun exposure calculations based on skin type, SPF, and altitude
- Smart sunscreen timing with countdown alerts and background notifications
- Interactive UV data visualization with real time charting
- Location-aware altitude detection for enhanced UV exposure accuracy
- 📊 Real-time UV Index Display: Live UV measurements
- ⏱️ Intelligent Timer System: Personalized countdown based on scientific sun exposure formulas
- 🧴 Sunscreen Application Tracking: Smart timing for when sunscreen protection wears off
- 👤 Personal Profile Management: Customizable skin type (1-6 scale) based on the Fitzpatrick scale
- 📍 Location-Based Calculations: GPS altitude integration for accurate UV Altitude factor
- 📱 Background Monitoring: Foreground service maintains timing even when app is minimized
- 🎨 Theme Support: Dark/light mode switching with smooth animations
- 📈 Data Visualization: Interactive line charts showing UV index trends over time
Below is the Profile page, showing the details the user can put in. On the left is the Light Mode view, and the right shows the Dark Mode.
Along with that, a preview of the app in use is shown below. The timer adjusts accordingly, taking into account any changes in elevation and UV index.
The app uses a scientifically-based formula to calculate safe sun exposure time:
Safe Time = (SPF × Skin Factor) / (UV Index × Altitude Factor) × 60 minutes
The app implements the Fitzpatrick scale, a scientifically recognized system for classifying skin types based on UV sensitivity:
| Type | Classification | Skin Factor | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | Very Fair | 0.3 | Always burns, cannot tan |
| Type II | Fair | 0.4 | Usually burns, sometimes tans |
| Type III | Medium | 0.5 | Sometimes burns, usually tans |
| Type IV | Olive | 0.6 | Rarely burns, tans easily |
| Type V | Brown | 0.7 | Rarely burns, always tans |
| Type VI | Dark Brown | 0.8 | Never burns, always tans |
Additional Factors:
- Altitude Adjustment: +10% UV intensity per 1000m elevation
- Safety Limits: 2-hour minimum, 6-hour maximum exposure times
| Category | Technology |
|---|---|
| Language | Java |
| Architecture | Fragment-based with Service integration |
| BLE Communication | BluetoothGatt, BluetoothLeScanner |
| Location Services | Google Play Services Location API |
| Data Visualization | MPAndroidChart |
| Background Processing | Foreground Service with notifications |
| Local Storage | SharedPreferences |
| UI Components | Custom animations, Material Design |
app/src/main/java/com.example.bletest3/
├── FragmentPagerAdapter.java
├── HomeFragment.java # Main UV monitoring and timer logic
├── IntroViewPagerAdapter.java # Handles the intro screen functions
├── MainActivity.java # Intro Screen navigation
├── MainActivity2.java # Fragment navigation and data coordination
├── ProfileFragment.java # User profile and settings management
├── ScreenItem.java # Intro Screen Data Model
├── skinType.java # Skin type data model
├── skinTypeAdapter.java # Spinner adapter for skin types
├── skinTypeData.java # Skin type data provider
└── TimerForegroundService.java # Background timer service
res/
├── anim/ # Holds button animations (entering and exiting)
├── drawable/ # Holds assets related to UI and theming
├── layout/
| ├── activity_main.xml # UI for the intro screen
| ├── activity_main2.xml # Navigation Container
│ ├── fragment_home.xml # Main monitoring interface
│ ├── fragment_profile.xml # Profile setup interface
| ├── item_skintype.xml # Skin Type Layout for the Spinenr
│ └── layout_screen # UI for each intro screen
├── anim/ # Custom animations
└── menu/ # Bottom Navigation Menu
- Device Name: Must broadcast as "UVSensor"
- Service UUID:
19B10000-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214 - Characteristic UUID:
19B10001-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214 - Data Format: Integer UV index values (0-10+)
- Update Frequency: Configurable (default: 5-second intervals)
- Android API level 21+ (Android 5.0 Lollipop)
- Bluetooth Low Energy support
- Location services capability
- Either Android Studio with Android SDK
or - Physical Android device with BLE capability (BLE testing requires real hardware)
- Obtain compatible UV sensor hardware (or build custom BLE UV sensor)
- Configure sensor to broadcast as "UVSensor" with specified UUIDs
- Ensure sensor transmits UV index as integer values
-
Clone or Download the repository
git clone https://github.com/your-username/UV-Sensor-App.git cd UV-Sensor-App -
Open in Android Studio
- Import project
- Sync Gradle files
-
Configure permissions (automatically handled in AndroidManifest.xml)
- Bluetooth permissions
- Location permissions (required for BLE scanning)
- Foreground service permissions
-
Build and Install on Emulator or Android Device
- Profile Configuration: Enter your name, select skin type (1-6), and specify sunscreen SPF
- Permission Grants: Allow Bluetooth, location, and notification permissions
- Device Pairing: The app will discover and connect to UV Sensors with a manual button
- Connect to Sensor: Tap "Scan" to discover and connect to your UV sensor device
- Monitor UV Levels: View UV index readings and chart data
- Apply Sunscreen: When applying suncreen, tap "Apply Sunscreen" to start the protection timer
- Background Monitoring: Timer continues running even when app is minimized
- Reapplication Alerts: Receive notifications when sunscreen protection expires
For development/testing without hardware:
- Use profile name "Testing" to enable simulation mode
- App generates random UV index values and lowered times for testing timer functionality
- Scan timeout: 30 seconds
- Connection retry: Automatic with user feedback
- Data refresh: Every 5 seconds when connected
- Low power mode: Optimized for battery efficiency
- Minimum safe time: 2 hours (safety override)
- Maximum calculated time: 6 hours (practical limit)
- Real-time adjustment: Timer adapts to changing UV conditions
- Background persistence: Maintains timing when app is backgrounded
- More UI Animations
- Cloud data synchronization
- Saved Historical Tracking
- Chart Functionality Without Application of Sunscreen
This app provides estimates based on scientific formulas but should not replace professional medical advice.
- UV exposure formula based on dermatological research
- MPAndroidChart library for data visualization
- Google Play Services for location integration
- Android BLE documentation and community resources
- Dermatological studies on skin type classification