Conceptual idea: RFID solenoid door lock

Want to just shoot the breeze? Forum 42 is the place!

Moderator:Moderators

User avatar
*o*
Senior Member
Posts:3765
Joined:Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:40 pm
Location:sydney, australia
Conceptual idea: RFID solenoid door lock

Post by *o* » Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:15 am

well,

as all you know security and privacy is important.

So, picture this!

you walk up to your room there is no handle on the door, you swipe a tiny keyfob a small green light glows you hear a click and the door is able to easily swing open.

But what if you forget your RFID tag? simple! you swing open a tiny panel (in the floor (under the carpet) and you type a super secret code and the door swings open.

Simple conceptual block diagram:

Image

RFID scanner: The scanner i plan to use is this one

Relay: Probably a 2A relay

Solenoid: This will be a custom built setup the solenoid will operate a deadbolt lock

Microprocessor: This will probably be a PIC16F84

Keypad: Something like This which will interface with the microcontroller to operate the relay. Or something like this

Reed switch: When the dorr is open the solenoid is not out but when the reed switch is closed the solenoid locks again.

The other componnent i would need would be something on the inside to open the door from the inside.

Questions:

Could anyone write the program for the microcontroller?

what would be the best microcontroller to use?

How could i make the keypad work?

How could i increase the signal strength of the RFID reader?

Thanks for the help everyone!

EDIT: or i could use something like this
Penn & Teller wrote:It's BULLS#%@

User avatar
Black Six
Moderator
Posts:1991
Joined:Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:34 pm
360 GamerTag:Black 5ix
Location:MD
Contact:

Post by Black Six » Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:04 am

They already exist to some extent. My school uses RFID for access to some rooms. I'm not sure how secure it is, but it's there.
"It's not that life's so short, it's just that you're dead for so long." -Anonymous
Threads Closerized: Lost Track, Whoops

User avatar
gamecube6
Posts:478
Joined:Sat May 27, 2006 5:39 pm
Location:New Jersey: Only the Strong Survive
Contact:

Post by gamecube6 » Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:20 am

there is a book on how to make it, the same publisher as ben's book it's called

"RFID toys"

search for it! 8)
Image
Image
Image

Adeptus
Posts:43
Joined:Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:13 pm

Post by Adeptus » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:39 pm

Some of the places I've worked have had them.
They're usually referred to as "proximity card" locks (or proxi card for short...)

I'd say they're pretty secure, even the military uses them.
Image

User avatar
totokan
Senior Member
Posts:1785
Joined:Wed May 18, 2005 12:29 pm
Location:127.0.0.1
Contact:

Post by totokan » Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:35 pm

I believe a company adverts in discovery or popsci or one of those science-ey mags an rfid lock mechanism. It uses RFID and has an access program for a PC. It seems to use regular handles, and key-shaped rfid tags. Basically, a simple RFID solution for the non-electronical-engineer home user.
Shhh! I'm not officially back yet.

User avatar
NiN^_^NiN
Posts:494
Joined:Fri May 07, 2004 3:54 am
Location:Australia
Contact:

Post by NiN^_^NiN » Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:50 pm

You can already buy a door knob which the RFID builtin it also has a external keypad which u could have under your floor if u really need it.

User avatar
totokan
Senior Member
Posts:1785
Joined:Wed May 18, 2005 12:29 pm
Location:127.0.0.1
Contact:

Post by totokan » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:15 am

Wow, NiN, I thought you left... Also, I think you mean it has the rfid scanner built in, as having the RFID built in would make it so that it would do nothing except be a scannable device...
Shhh! I'm not officially back yet.

User avatar
*o*
Senior Member
Posts:3765
Joined:Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:40 pm
Location:sydney, australia

Post by *o* » Fri Sep 01, 2006 3:28 am

lol the main thing i like about this is the fact i could but it myself.

yeh...

does anything think it would be work ok?
Penn & Teller wrote:It's BULLS#%@

User avatar
totokan
Senior Member
Posts:1785
Joined:Wed May 18, 2005 12:29 pm
Location:127.0.0.1
Contact:

Post by totokan » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:54 am

I think it would work fine, but how would you program the system to recognize your tags?
Shhh! I'm not officially back yet.

sammy
Posts:568
Joined:Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:13 pm

Post by sammy » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:59 am

A system like that is used in my city's swimming pool. It doesn't have the keypad though. :roll: I've seen a lot of hotels that use this system as well. Would be cool to have on your door or something.

User avatar
gannon
Moderator
Posts:6974
Joined:Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:48 pm
Location:Near that one big lake
Contact:

Post by gannon » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:56 am

I think the easiest way to set a password on the RFID lock system would be a hex jumper matrix...although that'd mean 32 jumpers per byte of the key system

User avatar
*o*
Senior Member
Posts:3765
Joined:Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:40 pm
Location:sydney, australia

Post by *o* » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:32 pm

Luckily the reader/tag dont need programming (check the link)

I think it will work however i have no idea how to deal with the keypad...Anyone know how to work with PIC's well enough to help me?

I have scavenged a whole bunch of pinball solenoids and have been hooking them up to power to see them go (ouch they hurt!) they are a bit loud but when i wrap them in foam they are quite quiet.

My only worry is catastrophic system failure (my room being uncaccessable) and i havent figured out how to prevent this yet.
Penn & Teller wrote:It's BULLS#%@

User avatar
gannon
Moderator
Posts:6974
Joined:Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:48 pm
Location:Near that one big lake
Contact:

Post by gannon » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:59 pm

*o* wrote:My only worry is catastrophic system failure (my room being uncaccessable) and i havent figured out how to prevent this yet.
How about a saw or sledgehammer? :P

User avatar
*o*
Senior Member
Posts:3765
Joined:Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:40 pm
Location:sydney, australia

Post by *o* » Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:18 pm

i was thinking more along the lines of a backup battery vut destructions good also :P
Penn & Teller wrote:It's BULLS#%@

User avatar
totokan
Senior Member
Posts:1785
Joined:Wed May 18, 2005 12:29 pm
Location:127.0.0.1
Contact:

Post by totokan » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:02 pm

*o* wrote: I have scavenged a whole bunch of pinball solenoids and have been hooking them up to power to see them go (ouch they hurt!) they are a bit loud but when i wrap them in foam they are quite quiet.
what non-salvagable tables are you getting these from?
Also, about catastrophic system failure, just set it so that battery dead= unlocked. Or, better idea, just use a nice, big sledgehammer.
This is totokan, reminding you to protect pinball!
Shhh! I'm not officially back yet.

Post Reply