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[on:]

Hi,

I am a newbie to OSHW and basically belong to Commerce field. I just got an Arduino starter kit from Tenet Technetronics.

I wanted to build a simple key locator.

Scenario is that this device will be placed near entrance door of the house. So whenever someone with the tagged key enters the house within the locatable range of the device, the buzzer from the device starts on. In order to turn off the buzzer the key which is tagged needs to be hanged or placed near that device.

Can anyone help me in regards to which sensors should be used to achieve the task.

[Reply #1 on:]

Sounds like you need both long-range RFID and short-range RFID.  The long range sensor would detect keys near the door.  The short range sensor would detect keys on (or near) the hook(s).

How many sets of keys do you need to track?  If it's more than one then you will probably need multi-tag RFID: something that can sense more than on RFID tag in the sensor field at one time.

[Reply #2 on:]

Thanks a lot John.....

But I'm still bit confused as to how to use them. Exactly what are the names of these RFID sensors....?

It would be gr8 if it can accommodate more keys.....

[Reply #3 on:]

When I read the topic I hoped the goal of your project was was to create a portable key locater.  Your plan is great, but do a warm up exercise of building a box able to locate keys, remote controls and tools when it us carried around the house.  I have never lost my vehicle so completely that it couldn't be found.  The same can't be said about my keyring.   Good luck and get busy.

jc

[Reply #4 on:]

hi jc,

thanks for ur interest..... i actually gave a thought on that earlier.... but then i thought that it will be useful only when key is lost..... but the actual thing is that WHY that key should be lost in order to find it....?? at least not within the house.... rit? and even though what is the use of OSHW then...?? it is used to interact with real life objects.....

hence came with this idea which will at least keep me systematic (at least with my keys) while entering my sweet home.....

ur inputs r appreciated.... but i really want to go with this idea..... can anyone pls help me with this....i am absolutely a newbie.... and know nothing about electronics tooo except few basics.....

t&r
sahil

[Reply #5 on:]

sahilamin,

I still reccomend that you start by cooking a mouse, not an elephant.  You will eat sooner.  Every bit of the work you do for the small project will contribute directly to the big project.  You will learn both to program and to build hardware.  

Success will come much easier and sooner.  After you do the little project you will do the large project faster, better and cheaper. All of the parts will be reused.

Find a dumb little RFIO demonstration project and duplicate it.  Then make it better.  Then make yours.  There are good tutorials on how to solder and make things on Youtube.  As soon as you make one llittle thing that works you will no longer be a noobie and you will know enough, and be confident enough, to ask good questions.  Get busy. 

[Reply #6 on:]

In order to turn off the buzzer the key which is tagged needs to be hanged or placed near that device.

for this last part I would use microswitches to hang my key's on, it's easy to registrate.
When the key is on the switch the switch will be down and send An input signal.

[Reply #7 on:]

for this last part I would use microswitches to hang my key's on, it's easy to registrate.
When the key is on the switch the switch will be down and send An input signal.

thanks a lot for the inputs.....i appreciate it.....at least someone understood what I meant to ask.... i guess this sort of helps would lead me to finalize the device....

t&r
sahil

[Reply #8 on:]

working on fritzing to explain in a better way.....