Configure the wifly module on your LAN, and put its ip address in the ‘ip’ box on the ‘advanced’ page of the device as it appears in Vera, after adding it. Leave the port at 2000 which is the wifly default.
The module adds a new trigger event for the reader, “A Tag is detected”. Put the tag code in the box in the trigger configuration apge and a scene will trigger when the tag or card is swiped.
To find out what the code is for a particular tag or card, swipe it, then look at the ‘Tag’ variable at the bottom of the ‘advanced’ page of the device configuration.
Now you can swipe in and out of your home, disable alarms etc.
I think it’s only compatible with UI5 because that’s all I have.
Awesome work! I just ordered a ton of arduino and xbee parts for a project, need to order more stuff, might add this to my list! Thanks for making me spend more money! looking forward to trying this out!
i ordered the RFID Reader - RedBee Experimenters Kit and the wifly device and your module work very good. http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10074
The most difficult for me is to setup the wifly module in my wireless network
You need to forces the wifly RN-XV device to boot up in ad-hoc mode for setup
I plug the redbee rfid+ wifly in my usb pc and and connected a cable PIN1 to PIN8 on the RN-XV to supply the required 3.3V power in PIN 8 (+ 3.3 v in PIN 8 = This forces it to boot up in ad-hoc mode.) . Basically the device creates it’s own wifi network, that you can then log into.
when the wifly is in ad-hoc mode you can connect your pc to the wifly network : SSID: WiFly-GSX-XX (where XX is the final two bytes of the devices MAC address)
The manual gives the following information about the network the RN-XV creates:
SSID: WiFly-GSX-XX, where XX is the final two bytes of the devices MAC address
Channel: 1
DHCP: OFF
IP address: 169.254.1.1
Netmask: 255.255.0.0
To send commands and data to the WiFly I’m using TeraTerm (Windows Hyperterminal has problems with the WiFly, apparently, so don’t use it). I’ve done all this on Windows 7. http://www.rovingnetworks.com/resources/download/86/Teraterm
We want to get into Command mode:
I connect to the device on 169.254.1.1 and port 2000. The device greets me with “HELLO” to indicate that I am connected.
At this point, I can type $$$ and hit return to enter command mode.
Now you can setup the module’s wifi settings (hit return after each command):
set wlan phrase
set wlan ssid
save
reboot
Now you can install the plugin in your vera and you can start you radio with rfid (squeezebox), disable alarms open the door etc.
As I’ve experienced some trouble (poor range) with the active RFID, I am about to switch to passive rfid which seems to be more stable.
I am about to place an order for the two products in the first post but I’d like to get some advice on which tags/fobs/cards that are compatible with this reader.
I would highly apreciate if you provided me links from sparkfun.com
upon looking at this again is this completly wireless?
It looks like you add the wifly modue to the reader and configure via a usb cable either via the pc or vera but then once configure it is battery operated or similar? and can be placed anywhere in the home?
Do i have this correct? would like to get this underway in my home since all other bits are now up to speed
Okay done some more reading and have worked out the below - hopefuly useful to others just reading, appolagies if obvious to thouse more technical.
so - The wireles module actualy plugs directly into the RFID reciver. No soldering or wiring required - just push it in.
The wireless module allows for the unit to opperate wirelesly in the home so, no, it is not plugged into vera or the pc (hope i am correct here) but instead operates wirelesly with vera.
The power can be gained from either a normal barrel plug power supply or from the usb cable pluged into a power adapter or perhaps plugged into the pc if you want it near the pc. I would go for barrel adapter or usb cable and usb to plug socket converter; since the unit it wirless seems silly to have it plugged directly into the pc.
Following the info above and other manual reading of the wifly you then enter the IP address of the Wifly into the Vera driver - this then alows you to exchange commands and use it as desired.
I am of course gussing a lot of this but think i am close any way? please let me know if i am off the mark as just trying my best to get my head round things.
I notice none of this comes in any kind of casing but i am guesing you can just use any caseing type realy. Will ask when i order and let you all know how i get on.
Many many thanks to the developer for this - been looking for a similar soloution for some time to say the least.
just searching for an enclosure… any sugestions - gonna have to look nice for the wife to except it being on the wall lol.
I have a “roll your own” home security system so want for the swipe in swipe out to set hyouse states. e.g swipe out would set hall camera to position and armed, inform me if windows or doors are open and if they are opened once aremd sen me an email, begin recording, sound alarm - all that kind of stuff.
Obviously then on swipe back in have it set house states dependant on time of day.
will be ace - just got to give it a go i suppose - will be sure to report back.
just about to place the order but searching for the enclosure first.
Anouther think this could do with is an LED indicator or audable sound to acknowledeg the swipe if the key fob.
Can someone comment on the range when using the key fobs? The Keri system fobs we use here at work have to physically touch (within mm of) the reader before they register.
The RedBee has a range of 4.5", but that can vary depending on various conditions
I'm interested in using this plugin to control my Ergo pet feeders, possibly epoxy encasing the receiver and velcro'ing to the underside of the feeder bowls, the tags would be on thier collars and would touch the feeder bowl if they had their heads in the bowl. Do the tags need to be within the antenna area or will they register from an angle?
I am still searching out a good enclosure / case so will let you kno when i find one - the unit is wuite large thought so you have have dificaulties mounting underneath a pet food bowl and on battery power if thats what your thinking?
the unit is wuite large thought so you have have dificaulties mounting underneath a pet food bowl
Nah, I consider it to be very small, it's only ~9cm square (~3.5") and the bowls are about ~8", sloped with a big cavity/void underneath, so there is plenty of room, if it works.
I didn’t even look at the power requirements, but it’s not an issue as the feeder plugs into a power outlet that’s right there.
Battery powering may be an issue for you.
The Barrel connector allows you to connect generic DC wall type power supplies, rated 6V to 12V. You should use a power supply with a current rating sufficient enough to power the board, XBee modules, and any relays and/or push buttons that you have connected. The board itself pulls about 80mA with nothing connected and the antenna enabled. Disabling the antenna saves about 30mA which might be useful for battery powered applications.
I'm not sure why they mention disabling the antenna?
no real drama here either on the not using batteries as i too can power from the mains justw as a thought if i expand this set up in the future as a result of things workign well.
looking forward to trying this out!