III Gallery

Outcome

Intention

Today we are seeing a rise in electronic security systems placed in everyday objects. At the head of this trend is the shift in home security away from traditional key and lock systems toward new electronic keyless entry. Companies such as Nest and Latch come to mind as leaders in that emerging field. It isn’t just front doors that are getting an upgrade, though, as many other devices are becoming augmented with electronic security tech. Everything from gym lockers to bike locks can be seen making this shift to RFID enabled systems in recent years.

Move up Delete Move down

Goal

With this project I wanted to demonstrate the possibility of translating a magnetic RFID signal into the 90-degree rotation of a cam motor. In the majority of mechanical lock systems today, the fundamental unlocking mechanism is simply the key’s ability to rotate a cam by 90 degrees, which in turn translates into the unlocking of the rest of the system. Today we have the ability to replace mechanical lock cams with servo motors that can be remotely operated and are similar in size. This “unlocks” a world of possibility in terms of augmenting everyday objects with security, while simultaneously increasing the ambient nature of that security.

Move up Delete Move down

Outcome

Right now the RFID scanner sends a signal to the Argon when It has determined that there is an RFID signal nearby, and then the Argon actuates the small Servo motor to turn 90 degrees therefore mimicking the cam of a lock.

Move up Delete Move down

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <MFRC522.h>

// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
//#include <MFRC522.h>

//#include "MFRC522.h" //obtained from source mentioned above
 
#define SS_PIN SS
#define RST_PIN D2

Servo myservo;

int led = D5;
 
MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);	// Create MFRC522 instance.
 
void setup() {
	// Initialize serial communications with the computer
	Serial.begin(9600);	
	mfrc522.setSPIConfig(); // sets up SPI config
 
	mfrc522.PCD_Init();	// Initialize RC522 card
	Serial.println("Start Scanning");
	pinMode(led,OUTPUT);
	digitalWrite(led,HIGH);
	
	myservo.attach(D6);   // attach the servo on the D6 pin to the servo object
}
 
void loop() {
	// Look for new cards
	digitalWrite(led,LOW);
	delay(3000);
	if ( ! mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
		Serial.println("card not detected");
		return;
	}
	Serial.println("New card Detected");
	digitalWrite(led,HIGH);
	myservo.write(90);
    delay(1000);
    myservo.write(0);
    delay(1000);
	digitalWrite(led,LOW);
	
	//Read tapped card data
	if ( ! mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
		return;
	}
    
	//Dump all card data to Serial
	mfrc522.PICC_DumpToSerial(&(mfrc522.uid));
	
	
}

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Next Steps

The prototype is hardly at an MVP stage and in a further application would require the system to be remotely controlled and have an auxiliary power source such as a battery. Additionally, my system lacks the capability to distinguish one RFID source from another so I would have to build in a way to distinguish individual signals and determine which one should be allowed to open the device.

Move up Delete Move down

Reflection

In the next iteration of this device I want to find a way to distinguish RFID signals from each other to allow an actual level of security in the device. I also want to find a way to make my circuit more compact so that this system could be integrated at the scale I am talking about.