RFID door lock

Here is Makers Local 256's version of what we are thinking of doing.

https://256.makerslocal.org/wiki/index.php/USB_Auth

Required features of Load of Fun lock system

• Cooperation with Sherwin and the rest of the tenants
• Should be extremely reliable. QA / field testing should be fun.
• Should be extremely simple, require no skills (programming, unix, etc.) to change settings, add or remove access.
• Should cheap enough to replace all artists keys or work with the current lock system
• Should have an option to buzz people in for visitors
• Will be internal requiring access to two doors

Solutions

No Networking

• Each door has its own microcontroller and reader, stores its own access list ( SD card? )
• Buzz in system connects directly to lock and uses simple two conductor wire and a button.
• This system limits failure to one door at a time, is very modular.

Wireless Networking

• Jeenodes
  • Do they have enough range?
    • Read that Jeenodes at 100m line of site or 30m indoors. Lower baud-rates improve range.
  • What would the power situation be like?
    • Power off of wall-wart, possibly with battery recharge for power-outage.
  • What are the failure modes?
    • internet out - local activation via keypad/usb key/retina scan
    • power out (internet also out) - battery backup kicks in for a few hours, use local activation
    • it seems like you'd want to always leave the door openable by key for the best failure protection.

Wired Networking

• Ethernet shield and web server
  • One wire between door and router, second wire between router and server, and always on door server. As few "moving" parts as necessary.
  • would require people to be on the loadoffun wireless to buzz people in
  • could store access keys locally incase server melts down
• No ethernet alternative: signal boards via simple copper wire from central web server.
  • plus: no ethernet shield cost.
  • node server (running dyn-dns or similar) authenticates users and then sends command over serial to a usb-attached arduino/similar peripheral. peripheral sets signal lines high for corresponding node devices. Node devices open door locks.
  • node server could run fancy program (auth via tropo sms, email, web app), also just as feasible with wireless networking

Third Party / Complete Solutions

What are the money and time costs of using a pre-packaged solution?

Door Hardware

• Electric door strike
  • we have one but from our tests it will not work on the outside door. Great for door to studio
• Electromagnetic lock
  • requires a battery backup incase power goes out
  • requires a button to be pressed to exit (This could be a motion sensor, with the button just as a backup)