Need help with proximity sensors
Need help with proximity sensors
(OP)
Hello everyone, new to the forum and this is my first post. I apologize if this isn't the correct place to ask this, I'm starting a project and I need some help if you guys don't mind. To give an example of what I'm trying to do, say there's a sensor on a bandsaw, The sensor would detect a person within only about 1 meter, which would then be sent real time to a website or app. The app would be able to show what machine is being used at what time. I would like the sensors to be a single small self contained unit so It can be easily retrofitted to new machines, or machines can be moved without having to mess with disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. Unfortunately I know very little about this so I don't know how to piece this together.
What I need help with is if anyone can give me pointers or even buzz words for how I'd go about this. Doing some research it sounds like a retro reflective IR sensor could do what I want, but from there I'm lost. How would I link multiple sensors across a large room together, preferably without long wires running along the floor/ceiling? How would the sensor then upload the information to a server, either at the location or at a separate location? Now I'm not expecting anyone to walk me through all this but if anyone can point me in the right direction or any sort of tips that be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help
What I need help with is if anyone can give me pointers or even buzz words for how I'd go about this. Doing some research it sounds like a retro reflective IR sensor could do what I want, but from there I'm lost. How would I link multiple sensors across a large room together, preferably without long wires running along the floor/ceiling? How would the sensor then upload the information to a server, either at the location or at a separate location? Now I'm not expecting anyone to walk me through all this but if anyone can point me in the right direction or any sort of tips that be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help





RE: Need help with proximity sensors
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RE: Need help with proximity sensors
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Need help with proximity sensors
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RE: Need help with proximity sensors
I was thinking a retro reflective IR sensor because it could be a single device without needing to wire the emitter and detector together, thus eliminating as much wiring as possible. Having a loose detector would simplify it a good deal. Most likely some types of equipment will need a different type of sensor that works better but more of how to make all this work together is the tougher part. Maybe dumbbells could use something like a piezo to sense the pressure of the weight, and ellipticals as well to sense the vibrations...
I'll read into RFID's as well to see if I could possibly make that work.
Again thank you very much for the help. I'm trying to read as much as I can on this subject to get a better understanding, but many parts of this I don't know the terminology to research.
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RE: Need help with proximity sensors
http://epc4roi.com/ski_lift_access
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/tickets-and-passe...
http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?4193
Almost all of the larger ski resorts are using UHF RFID badges. The really good news is that the same badge can also be used with a password for entry into the gym to begin with. In some gyms, fingerprints are used for entry, which could be still be used in case the user forgot their badge, and a temporary badge could be issued.
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RE: Need help with proximity sensors
RE: Need help with proximity sensors
I've actually done something like this: globetrot on a budget
What you need is a simple wireless system that has its data "gathered" by a master unit. Each 'spot' consists of a transmitter that signals "active" or "inactive" to the master unit. The spots are all simply accelerometers attached to the equipment. Since all the equipment involves motion when they're in use you automatically get assured knowledge when the piece of equipment is 'in use' without any wires or RFID cards, etc., etc.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Need help with proximity sensors
Thank ypu
RE: Need help with proximity sensors
The barbels have to move too... The 'spots' can be affixed to one end of a dumbbell. The master can do things like tally the total dumbbells that are active.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com