First off this is not homework. I legitimately work for a small business and have noticed an issue in our operation that might be easily and cheaply solved using a neat little Arduino system. I am a budding hobbyist and was interesting in testing my luck with Arduino. So here is what I want to make.
In our bakeshop we use a pa system to call orders of Malasadas (badly made doughnuts) from front of house to the kitchen. This system usually works ok in low stress and quite situations. However, it relays on the memory of our bakers and is not audible under normal kitchen noise. Moreover, it discriminates our deft baker and strains the rest of the team. This essentially lays out our issues with the system.
What im looking to make (and have no experience in working with arduino and very limited experience in java) is a system using two devices. One device will sit with the cashiers, will allow them to input orders of malasadas (sold as individual unites ranging from 1 to several dozen, common orders are 1 or 2 dozen), including what topping was requested (sugar, cinnamon, bare, chocolate), and allow them to cancel a started order (not necessary to cancel an already sent order). It should probably also have a display. The second system would sit in the kitchen, be able to print out orders (similar to a pizza place where the order is taped to the box), visually and acoustically alert bakers to orders...but not be annoying, and communicate with the first device wireless.
How would I do this? What components would make this system work? Does anyone want to help program this?
I don't know what your budget limit is, but I would be inclined to use a PC or laptop for this, even a cheap used one. You could easily locate a printer in the kitchen connected to the PC by cable. If you really do need a second PC in the kitchen it would be easy to connect to the first PC by ethernet cable or wifi.
It is not a trivial project to program an Arduino to do what you describe - assuming the users need screens to read and buttons to push. Remember that users will need to be able to scroll back to see what they did a few minutes earlier - the computer will take the place of their memory. Printing onto paper may also be a challenge.
I was looking to play around with arduino anyways and as for fun....yea I'm going to love it! Honestly I would rather do it with a small arduino unit since there are space limitations. Also a full sized paper print seems like a huge waste. Especially when the text 90% of the time will consist of "12 Malasadas"
As far hardware goes, you should be able to get by with a pair of Unos as your bases. The first device will need some display and user interface. Probably something like this. The second device will need a way to print it, so probably something like this. You will also need to device how you want them to be visually/acoustically notified. Would a couple of flashing LEDs and a buzzer do the trick? Or do you need some obnoxious strobe light and fog horn?
You have various options when it comes to wireless. XBees are popular, easy to use and reliable, but a bit pricey. There are general 433/315 MHz devices that are cheaper, but are a bit more difficult to use.
As far as alerts go. If you go with the thermal printer, perhaps you can add a small & bright LED to it. Have it strobe a few times when it prints a new order? (I set up my iPhone to flash the tiny built-in camera LED when it rings....thing lights up the whole room! I usually "see it" ring more often than I hear it. Even in the next room. )
The advice on components is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks!
I was planing on just using a bright LED and buzz for notification, however, the huge HAL-ish button is an interesting alternative...I wonder how it will hold up against dough.
Can anyone point me in a good direction as far as programming this? either through which libraries to look up or Tutorials (<---might be easier at the moment for me). I will definitely need a User interface for the front of house unit, data formulation for Xbee to xbee? then printing that info using a Thermal printer (<--- excellent suggestion!)
Thanks again Arduinians! Im excited to start obtaining parts!
Fractal25:
Can anyone point me in a good direction as far as programming this? either through which libraries to look up or Tutorials (<---might be easier at the moment for me).
When you order the hardware, it usually comes with example code that you can load and play around with.
Fractal25:
Can anyone point me in a good direction as far as programming this? either through which libraries to look up or Tutorials (<---might be easier at the moment for me).
When you order the hardware, it usually comes with example code that you can load and play around with.
Also, on the Adafruit product pages, you can click the tab under the photos that says "tutorials". I know they have (at least) one for the printer, touchscreen, and XBee.
Despite the complexity of their sample code it is really simple to use.
I just did a Serial.begin and some Serial.print calls. Nothing to it. Just make sure you power it with a reasonable power supply or it is pretty pathetic.
Hahaha I'm not sure Malasadas can be saved.