Arduino RFID Security Access

http://appdelegateinc.com/blog/2010/10/04/arduino-rfid-security-access/

by dawsdesign • 16 years ago

21 11 16 years ago

roel_v3• 16 years ago

A setup like this is written up in detail in the book 'RFID toys' by Amal Graafstra. Using this same rfid reader, maybe even an Arduino, or maybe it was one of the other projects in the book that used an Arduino. The disadvantage of this setup is that you need power at the door, unless you want to replace the batteries on your door every couple of weeks. I still want to make something like this but for a hidden door - I've got an rfid chip implanted in my hand and I want to be able to unlock a hidden cabinet by waving my hand in front of it :)

bigmac• 16 years ago

Under what circumstances did you decide to get an RFID chip implanted in your hand? I'm genuinely curious.

roel_v3• 16 years ago

Just for the experimentation really, to get some first-hand (pun not intended) experience with it. ('it' being both rfid and implanting stuff). Body hacking for hacking's sake, if you will.

It was quite anti-climactic, really. Turns out there aren't really any good applications for it, except for the 'fun' things like the 'hidden vault' I mentioned. It's quite an undertaking though to make something like that production quality. For example you need a way to unlock the vault even when there's no power. It would probably require some hidden mechanical mechanism that is actuated by a certain series of events. Like most experiments, I mostly lost direct interest after the proof of concept worked. Still if I ever have a proper workshop and a few weeks, or if I ever build a new house for myself, it would be nice...

sunkencity2• 16 years ago

It's much easier to debug and get it to work using a software serial library like newsoftserial, as (in the article) you cannot use the serial port at the same time as the usb serial (it is handy to have a serial session to the device for debug printouts and the like).

http://arduiniana.org/libraries/newsoftserial/

appdelegateinc• 16 years ago

You can still get debug serial working if you set it to 2400 baud.

sunkencity2• 16 years ago

Interesting, the rfid card I've worked with (I did a similar thing) only worked at 9600 baud I think.

dawsdesign• 16 years ago

Actually, I'm doing a follow up piece and this library makes it possible. Thanks!

AndrewHampton• 16 years ago

I got really excited about this, so I immediately went to my local Radio Shack and picked this up. Sadly, my hopes of reading my work ID, passport, and store purchases were dashed when I saw the reader only works with the EM4100 family of RFIDs. I'm not sure what that means other than it won't ready anything I've stuck next to it other than the two supplied RFID tags.

Arduino RFID Security Access

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