SkiffTracker
Jon (of Skiff fame) has asked us to consider some projects to pimp up the skiff:
- Fitting an electronic lock to the front door that can be remotely opened, ideally via the web. This would only be used in working hours when people are in the building or nearby. It's getting annoying getting up every 10 minutes to let people in.
- Setting up a couple of status display screens upstairs and one downstairs too showing things like upcoming events at The Skiff, recent tweets about The Skiff, BuildBrighton / BrightArray.
- Creating some kind of check-in board, maybe using RFID so members can keep track of how much they are using the space. (and maybe something fun like a 10 second theme tune could be played to welcome them ;) Again would be ideal if this linked to a web api. Could also be used to give an idea of how many desks are available.
- Creating a fun way to track purchases of Skiff snacks so we can run tabs for people and potentially get stock level alerts.
- Any other ideas you have for electronically augmenting different parts of The Skiff for the benefit of members.
Ideas
Either RFID tags or 1-wire iButtons to identify skiff-mates (and BuildBrightonians). Reader by the door to open the lock. Two readers in the kitchen to keep track of mate's premium or standard snack usage (one reader for each type of snack). Transmit via xbees to a server in the skiff somewhere. All the intelligent stuff can be done on the computer.
Web based system for user managment. Could track both user's snack usage & in/out status (enabling display of x-many people in the skiff, y desks free).
Need a way of mapping RFID to user. Site could have a log of all IDs it's seen, and a way of mapping IDs to accounts.
Could link to twitter (add as a preference)
Links
Ebay -ELECTRIC DOOR ENTRY LOCK/RELEASE FOR YALE TYPE LOCKS Seems like a cheap way of doing the door entry thang.
Parallax RFID Reader Seems lots of people have used these with arduinos. Can get RFID buttons/cards/keyrings for about £1 each.
Vague pricing
3 x arduino (door, kitchen & server). 3 x RFID reader (door + 2x kitchen). 1 x electronic door lock
If wireless: 3 x xbee, breakout boards + shields