I'm not sure if you would call it a polling station.
This is my quest:
I want at my main desk a small device that reception staff could push a latching switch and a light in all the exam offices would come on in four separate offices to signify that there are charts pending. When the last chart is pulled, the button could be pressed and the status light would go off.
My question is, can I do this over 802.11(#)/(Internet of things), BT, or some other MgHz Transceiver/Receiver?
So you want one switch to control a set of remote lights and you don't want to run wires. The switch turns all the lights on at once and later turns all the lights off at once. Have I got it right?
Can you plug the remote lights in or do they have to be battery powered?
Yes. That is correct. Remote lights plugged would be ideal. I was thinking of two buttons. One to turn on a simple LED in four offices, another to turn on an led in a managers office. But yes, that is it. Nothing fancy like controlling a submarine.
I think that the ESP8266 WiFi modules might be a good solution. You can program them through the Arduino IDE and they have a few I/O pins suitable for input switches or output LEDs.
Here is an article about installing the ESP8266 add-on to the Arduino IDE:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/esp8266-thing-hookup-guide/installing-the-esp8266-arduino-addon
You can get the ESP8266 modules for under $3 each. You will need a 3.3V AC adapter for each one and that may cost an additional $7 each.
John;
These require internet connection? Our Wifi internet you have to select "accept" button. How would that work? I'm thinking it will not. I was on ebay and saw these:
and these:
Any ideas
How long distance do you need? You can probably use cheap nrf24l01 devices for this task if the range is good enough
less than 100 feet. Probably 75 MAX!!!
I just found these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-NRF24L01-SMD-1-27MM-wireless-transceiver-module-Small-Size-/400489040899?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276
They require no pin adapters. Would that work, attached to this?:
marine_hm:
These require internet connection? Our Wifi internet you have to select "accept" button. How would that work? I'm thinking it will not.
No, internet is not needed. You are thinking wrong.
An esp can act as an access point on its own, if needed or useful.
Hello, no, using esp modules will not requure internet access, just access to your office wifi lan, each module connecting wirelessly to your wifi router. All this requires is the SSID and password.
The easiest esp modules i have found are the WeMos D1 minis. No complex programming upload or power regulator circuits to set up, they're all built in. Upload your sketch from the Arduino IDE just like an Uno or Nano. You can power the completed units using inexpensive phone chargers.
WeMos D1 Mini on Ali Express $4.00 free postage
Paul
PaulRB:
just access to your office wifi lan, each module connecting wirelessly to your wifi router. All this requires is the SSID and password.
This would be the normal way to go, but the office lan is not even needed if one of the esps switches to AP mode and the others connect to its WiFi.
PaulRB:
. All this requires is the SSID and password.
I understand SSID, password, but how would I get it to choose "agree" to terms button?
marine_hm:
but how would I get it to choose "agree" to terms button?
It does not matter how, because you just don't have to.
Whandall:
This would be the normal way to go, but the office lan is not even needed if one of the esps switches to AP mode and the others connect to its WiFi.
I was wondering about that... This would be what I call the base unit attached to maybe arduino mini and toggle push button. then the others would be the receivers and the LEDS turn on?
marine_hm:
I understand SSID, password, but how would I get it to choose "agree" to terms button?
Its hard to be sure, but i expect you only see that button when you access the internet through your browser. The units won't need to do that.
Whandall:
This would be the normal way to go, but the office lan is not even needed if one of the esps switches to AP mode and the others connect to its WiFi.
Good suggestion, unless thick walls block the esp wifi signal, in which case using the building's lan would overcome that. Slightly tricky part would be how the esp units find each other's ip addresses. You would problably have to speak to the IT team and arrange for one of your modules to be given a fixed IP address.
marine_hm:
I was wondering about that... This would be what I call the base unit attached to maybe arduino mini and toggle push button. then the others would be the receivers and the LEDS turn on?
With esp/wemos you would not need an Arduino as well. You can connect your buttons/leds directly to them.
marine_hm:
This would be what I call the base unit attached to maybe arduino mini and toggle push button. then the others would be the receivers and the LEDS turn on?
The way a WiFi communication is established (with or without router) has no influence on the behaviour or roles of the nodes.
PaulRB:
Slightly tricky part would be how the esp units find each other's ip addresses. You would problably have to speak to the IT team and arrange for one of your modules to be given a fixed IP address.
Or you could run a mini DHCP server on the AP node.
How would you best describe signal range? Would it cover about a 75 foot radius, through a wall or two?
If you have access to WiFi in each location you can use the router for the connection, no problem.
If not, you will have to do some tests with (different?) esp modules.
Whandall:
If you have access to WiFi in each location you can use the router for the connection, no problem.
Each location does get wifi. So you're saying these will work? It just connects using SSID, password: sends, receives data all without selecting "accept" like I would normally do when connecting my phone and searching the web?
PaulRB:
With esp/wemos you would not need an Arduino as well. You can connect your buttons/leds directly to them.
esp/wemos? Just a button on one and an led attached to the others? What would I use to program it. I barely know arduino IDE? I actually suck at it, normally need help with the simplest of tasks.
I'm hoping I can use the IDE and maybe an FTDI cable to upload to the esp. That much, I think I can handle. Unless I forget a curly bracket....
Yes! I can program it using the arduino IDE. No other modules needed. I think I'm going to buy one and play with it. See if I can see it on my home network, probably less buggy than the NRF24L01 maybe.
Would I be able to turn on/off an LED with my phone connected to it? Thinking of possibilities.