Trossen Robotics puts together some cool contests! This Automatic Deadbolt System was the second prize winner in the latest contest. I could just imagine how it could be used, hold on I will unlock the door for you, darn I don’t have a good signal with my cell phone, hold on I will walk over to the door and manually turn the knob to let you in. 
Thanks to Dave (fish123456) for creating this cool invention.
“I was inspired to do this project when I saw some of the other uses that an RFID passive reader has been used for. I noticed that many people have created a system whereby they install a reader on the outside of their front door and use an RFID tag to unlock it, and let themselves in. I wanted even more control over my front door, so I added the ability to remotely lock/unlock the door from any computer with internet access, or as is shown in the video, a cell phone. Now I can control access to my house from anywhere. In addition, I found that the RFID key fob I used would charge even on the other side of the door and transmit back to the reader through the door. Now I don’t have to worry about mounting something on the outside of my door, which makes it that less “interesting” for would be thieves or passerbys (and makes it much less aggravating for my land lord! ) Thanks for running these contests, they are a great way to expo projects.
Equipment Used:
* Phidget RFID Kit (http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store…t-EM4102-.aspx)
* Kwikset Powerbolt 1000 (got it on e-bay for $65)
* A couple relays, a pc board, and some wire
* Laptop
* Cell phone (not necessary, but fun)
Software:
* Visual Studio .NET 2005
* C#
* Phidget RFID API
* IIS on Windows Vista”
December 12th, 2007
You think the source code for this is available somewhere?
I love looking at the source code for projects like this.
/Patrick/
December 13th, 2007
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December 13th, 2007
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December 13th, 2007
This is killer. I love it! Nice job.
December 13th, 2007
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December 13th, 2007
Wow. Now if you can figure out how to do that without that USB cord that would amazing.
December 13th, 2007
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December 14th, 2007
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December 16th, 2007
That is the greatest idea ever.
December 17th, 2007
Hi all, I am the one who did the project. I searched google for “youtube rfid door” to find my video really quickly and discovered this posting! I didn’t know anyone was really looking at this outside of the Trossen robotics site. To answer Patrick’s question, I have the code, but it’s not really in a “finalized” state to send out. I would have to comment it better before offering it up. It’s by no means complicated, either. It’s written in C# and uses the Phidgets .NET API to control the 5v outputs. If I ever get around to releasing source, it will be on that site, so check back there from time to time!
http://forums.trossenrobotics.com/showthread.php?t=1211
December 27th, 2007
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May 14th, 2008
I think you could run the phidget 8/8/8 using a Zigbee wireless mesh network which would interface the lock, and any other phidget, into a home automation network through RF instead of the USB cable. just a thought, wish I had time to try it.
May 16th, 2008
Joshua, yeah, I thought about Zigbee and some cheaper RF components. I’ve done nothing else with this since the original project. I bought an Arduino and have been messing around with that. Thanks for the suggestion. It’s just too pricey for hobbyist stuff (for me at least).