Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Extend Your Pi
The real magic of the Raspberry Pi happens when you make it a part of something
else. Use the GPIO to connect it to new devices (
Hack #56
). Connect Arduino shields
(
Hack #58
). Add a tiny screen (
Hack #57
), numeric keypad (
Hack #60
), or heat sink (
Hack
#61
). Do all of them, and make something amazing. This chapter is to help get you
started taking the Pi beyond mere Linux computer into something more.
Control GPIO from a Web Browser
HACK 56
Your Raspberry Pi GPIO interface is a gateway to an entire Internet of
Things. Here is a simple way to access it from a web browser.
Every day, more and more devices become network-aware, either intentionally or as
a result of clever hacks. This phenomenon has many names, but the most common
seems to be “Internet of Things.” You can use your Raspberry Pi to help your dumb
devices get smart and join the Internet of Things.
The best way to connect your Pi to other devices is via the GPIO expansion ports. If
you're not sure what that means, go take a quick read through
Hack #14
. These digital
pins will let you wire almost anything into your Raspberry Pi, but once the physical
connection is made, you'll want a framework in place to actually
do
something.
Eric PTAK created a REST framework and web app to control the Raspberry Pi and its
your Pi's GPIO over the Internet (or through a number of language bindings and APIs).
