Electronics > Electronics
Need Something Built for me... any sugestions?
Mister35:
Hi, I own a business and need a relatively simple device built for me. I have searched everywhere and this product dosn't exist.
All it is, is a Key Holder that Beeps every 20 seconds if the Key is removed.
Basically, take on of these: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/195529/Eldon-8-Key-Tag-Rack/
Glue Some magnets to the Tags, and use Magnetic switches attached behind the holder. Key is removed, the thing beeps at 20 second intervals.
Would like it to Plug in to AC outlet.
I would like it to be nice and sturdy.
Anyone have any ideas of where I can get this made for me? Anyone want to make it. Ill pay for it of coarse.
Employees have a bad habbit of taking keys to use them, then setting them down somewhere, or putting them in their pocket. This beeping would prevent that from happening.
Let me know if yall have any ideas.
Keep in mind, It will get heavy use and should be built really sturdy.
Thanks - Steven
jwatte:
What most places do is to attach a really big sprocket or metal plate to the key. I'm talking half a pound of steel. Then you aren't as likely to accidentally put it in your pocket.
The problem with the key beeping is that it requires a battery to do that. It can be done, but I think the entire solution would be somewhat unwieldy.
I'd estimate design and prototype cost for a one-off somewhere between $3k and $10k, depending on what place you end up with.
Mister35:
Wow, I was thinking about someone who has some tinkering experience building one with parts from radio shack.
Its a prety simple device.
I guess what im stopped at is this: How do I make it beep only once every 20 seconds? I can get a Buzzer or beeper, but I only want it to go every 20 seconds. How would I make that work?
jwatte:
--- Quote ---I only want it to go every 20 seconds. How would I make that work?
--- End quote ---
You can use a 555 timer, for example. Or a small ATtiny microcontroller like the ATtiny25, which would be total overkill, and you'd want to make sure it sits in sleep mode most of the time to save on battery, but it would be an easy solution to implement.
Regarding the cost estimate: The problem with having other people doing things for you is that they need to spend a lot of their time figuring out what it is you really need done. You also mentioned it had to be robust. One of many things that need to be solved: Charging the key fob battery while they key is on the rack end up. This is hard to make so it works even when people put the key back sloppily. You might be able to use the charging current as a detector that the key should not beep, so a poorly put-back key will keep beeping, perhaps.
In general, in engineering: The first one is always expensive -- then you can do work to make 10,000 ones very cheaply :-)
Soeren:
Hi,
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---All it is, is a Key Holder that Beeps every 20 seconds if the Key is removed.
--- End quote ---
Which part should beep, the key or the locker?
And how loud?
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---Glue Some magnets to the Tags, and use Magnetic switches attached behind the holder. Key is removed, the thing beeps at 20 second intervals.
--- End quote ---
I assume it's the locker/rack you want to make the noise, but will that help any?
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---Would like it to Plug in to AC outlet.
--- End quote ---
Best way to do that is by using a "wall wart"/mains adapter, as, if anyone build you a power supply and your office burn down from a flaw in the components it's made of, the one building it will be liable and can be sued dry. With an adapter, only the manufacturer of the adapter can be sued.
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---I would like it to be nice and sturdy.
--- End quote ---
Nice like...?
Sturdy like...?
We don't know your taste or your references (which may be very different from ours, so please be specific). "Nice" may be hard to describe, but what level of abuse does it need to withstand?
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---Anyone have any ideas of where I can get this made for me? Anyone want to make it. Ill pay for it of coarse.
--- End quote ---
I could make you such an item, but even if jwatte is quite off the mark (like a factor 10 or so if we're talking my salary, which is higher than US engineers same), I don't think you'd like having to pay for shipping from Denmark, nor the higher component prices.
If I'm wrong here, you're welcome to send me a PM.
(If nothing else, I could design it and either you or I could find someone to put it together - Which city/state BTW?)
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---Employees have a bad habbit of taking keys to use them, then setting them down somewhere, or putting them in their pocket. This beeping would prevent that from happening.
--- End quote ---
If it's not the key part that beeps, how would it prevent an employee from pocketing the key?
--- Quote from: Mister35 on December 17, 2012, 07:57:56 AM ---Let me know if yall have any ideas.
Keep in mind, It will get heavy use and should be built really sturdy.
--- End quote ---
What trade?
I've built handheld terminals for use by cargo train handlers using them with gloves rougher than welding gloves :)
A suggestion:
Assuming they need the key for say 20 minutes on average, it would perhaps be "polite" to hold the beeping off for that time. Then starting with single beeps for some interval, then slightly more aggressive double beeps for a while and then a really annoying tripple beep or something like that (could be gradually increased as well, just like the intervals could be shortened gradually).
What if two (or more) keys are missing and one is returned.
How about a rotor light or a xenon flasher/strobo to assist ;D
To really get the ideas floating, it would help knowing...
How rough treatment are likely?
How many keys?
How loud
Should the key locker/rack be lockable?
If the locker beeps and it annoys people, wouldn't they just turn it off?
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