Can I ask this DIY question?

[samantha_c]

Dear all,

I'm a computer programmer but never had any formal education in electronics (although I think I know enough on how to isolate circuits).

I work in a company that does a lot of community outreach by allowing its employees to meet clients by driving company cars. However, irresponsible staff members were taking car keys from the key hanging board and not returning them, sometimes for weeks, which causes problems for other employees.

I need to design an analog switch of sorts, that can detect an event whereby a set of car keys have been removed from the hanging board. The switch must then send a digital signal to a program I created in order to track the whereabouts of the keys.

I'm not sure who to talk to but I wondered if an electrician might be able to help me with this?

I'm happy to read tutorials and shop for parts if I was pointed in the right direction. But if this falls outside the purview of an electrician, can someone please tell me who I can consult regarding my problem?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[littlespark]

Hmm... it can be easy to turn the hook that the keys hang from into a switch, but all that tells you is the key is not on the hook. It won’t tell who has it, and who hasn’t returned it.

if you already have a program to book the keys in and out, then it’s just refining that system and make sure everyone knows how it’s supposed to work

 

[Lister1987]

GPS & RFID keyfobs would be easier. RFID for asset management and GPS for tracking.

Would be easier to write a program for that and use those to achieve the desired goal rather than trying to cobble some other fandango.

 

[DanMcLiverpool]

What language do you write in?

If you need to know that the right keys are on the right hook you'll need to integrate something like an RFID reader. In .Net there are loads of libraries about for you to do this. But you'll need to check the range suits your requirements (i.e. if the set of keys dangle in a way that the RFID fob/sticker isn't close enough you'll get false readings).

If it was me, and you can rely on people putting the correct keys on the correct hook, I would have the hook behave as a really simple switch as somebody mentioned. As soon as it detects the keys are lifted off, start counting (you could even do this with an Arduino in C).

 

[DPG]

As soon as someone puts a set of keys back on the wrong hook the system falls over.

 

[Darkwood]

There are several ways to do this..

If you have a small fleet then buy some door entry card readers and a butch of cards and assign the cards to each member of staff who require the vehicles, the readers can act like a signal to open a specific box via an electromagnetic lock, this way you know what key was taken, what time and by who.

If you have a larger fleet then I am sure there maybe a system out there that works in a similar way that can be adapted to suit your needs ...
If you can expand on the info' her like staff no's and vehicle no's etc I might be able suggest possible solutions.

 

[PEG]

I've been here....
All members of staff with access and authorisation to have keys,sign up to return when agreed. Any key or fob not returned,is replaced at retail cost,and charged equally between ALL members of staff.

Transform a liberal and general disrespect for all,in to a focussed alliance with other staff,in loathing the one or few,who imposed the system.

....Don't end up on my desert island...