Invisible Multi-Target Doorbell
Several companies sharing the same building all need a doorbell for visitors. The exterior of the buidling may not be altered significantly. Do you have a solution?
We hereby ask Elektor Labs users to propose ideas, suggestions and possible solutions for a multi-target doorbell (see below). This is not a contest (although we may reward the best solution), just a request for your participation. If a good, practical & original solution comes out of this, it will be implemented.
Currently there are two doorbell panels considered ugly and that must be replaced or removed. These panels measure each 40 x 48 x 4 cm (w x h x d).
47 Knowledge Mile actual doorbell 
We DON'T want this, we are looking for an invisible solution.
Let it be clear that the problem we are trying to solve is not distributing the bell signals inside the buiding (we know about multiplexing, busses and all that), but getting the bell signal from the street side into the building in an elegant, high-tech and discreet way.
Anything is possible as long as it is doable within a reasonable budget.
The Problem
A building in the old city centre of Amsterdam houses several companies, Elektor being one of them. To signal their presence, visitors must be able to reach each of these companies through a single, multi-target doorbell. An old-fashioned metal pull lever bell will be added soon. The exterior of the building may not be altered significantly; cabinets full of high-tech electronics may be placed in the space behind the front door (as long as people and objects can pass comfortably).Update
Following the discussions that have developped in the comments below we have renegotiated the specifications with the owner of the building:- it is allowed to drill holes for cameras, but not in the door;
- it is not allowed to build a display in the door, however, a display in the doorpost is possible;
- it is allowed to mount a stylish panel on the building (or place it behind a window, see project photo above). Such a panel could house a display, but not a pushbutton per tenant. Thus a touch display would an option.
Currently there are two doorbell panels considered ugly and that must be replaced or removed. These panels measure each 40 x 48 x 4 cm (w x h x d).
What we don't want
Let it be clear that the problem we are trying to solve is not distributing the bell signals inside the buiding (we know about multiplexing, busses and all that), but getting the bell signal from the street side into the building in an elegant, high-tech and discreet way.
Specifications
- Each company (doorbell target) must be reachable individually without notifying other companies (targets);
- One generic bell, call or code is required for visitors who do not know their target;
- The exterior of the building may not be altered significantly;
- Keep the current doorbell;
- New doorbell on the street side should be as discreet as possible: small, invisible;
- Accessible to disabled people;
- Respect privacy regulations;
- High-tech gadget solution is greatly appreciated.
Some possible avenues to explore
Keep in mind that people with an appointment can be treated differently than people without. The first group can get a code or password, or provide a photo before they show up at the front door.- Secret knock codes
- Facial recognition (beware of privacy issues)
- Voice (password) recognition
- Piece of art
- Other...
Anything is possible as long as it is doable within a reasonable budget.
Diskussion (19 Kommentare)
ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
This weekend I came across Ring2 which is pretty stylish & discreet, but the software seems to be biased to surveilance. Multi-target is not mentioned anywhere.
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purple-bobby vor 7 Jahren
A hidden pico projector keyboard in the pull handle, but it might not work in a sunny situation.
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Claus Wahl vor 7 Jahren
Exactly, oetelaarNG. To make it simple and either intuitive (pull the handle should be ok) or well guided. I believe that Elektor needs to better explain what could be done to the exterior and what is not OK. Could the door have a drilled hole? Could a well integrated screen be recessed in the door or the frame? If no modification at all is allowed on the exterior, most of the suggestions are breaking the 'design rules'.
It seems like a camera is out as it will have to be wisely placed?
Even a voice-system will be difficult.
We still have knocking and pulling the bell, but advanced use of these inputs *will* require some guiding for the visitor, eg with a note. But then, why not make a nice naming plate with some touch input and communication device?
If some form of recessed mounting could be accepted:
Occasional users, old folks etc should be comfortable using it:
Pull the handle, activate a screen with info and touch/keys and place the call. When not in use, the overall color and appearance match the door or frame.
It seems like a camera is out as it will have to be wisely placed?
Even a voice-system will be difficult.
We still have knocking and pulling the bell, but advanced use of these inputs *will* require some guiding for the visitor, eg with a note. But then, why not make a nice naming plate with some touch input and communication device?
If some form of recessed mounting could be accepted:
Occasional users, old folks etc should be comfortable using it:
Pull the handle, activate a screen with info and touch/keys and place the call. When not in use, the overall color and appearance match the door or frame.
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eduino.io #oetelx vor 7 Jahren
You are assuming that someone will instantly understand how all this high tech stuff works.
I think this assumption is wrong.
A doorbell should be a doorbell (in my opinion).
Maybe the answer should be simple, use the original pull-handle, attach a switch.
A little note on the side "Pull one time for company-1, pull 2 times for company 2"
I can not imagine many more businesses behind one door.
A little circuit, based on a microprocessor (small arduino) can be used to time the interval between the pulse(s) and actuate one of the small relays (one per company) to sound a bell.
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Pokinwilly vor 7 Jahren
I would play around with the given "The exterior of the building may not be altered" : putting on the door a (flat) OLED panel that would look like the current upper door panel when OFF. thus, the exterior would visualy not be altered in normal (off) condition.
When door bell is used, the display would animate (and buzz on opening hours to gain attention from visitor). Then go through a rather classical menu (as observed on coworking spaces) :
Which company you are visiting ?
Do you have an Appointment ? If yes, type your name (system will ring correspondent desk phone)
If no appointment, system would ring front desk/general ring
When door bell is used, the display would animate (and buzz on opening hours to gain attention from visitor). Then go through a rather classical menu (as observed on coworking spaces) :
Which company you are visiting ?
Do you have an Appointment ? If yes, type your name (system will ring correspondent desk phone)
If no appointment, system would ring front desk/general ring
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Claus Wahl vor 7 Jahren
Well, one possible solution would be to activate a voice to tell to pull again when the name of the tennant to visit is mentioned.
Add to that a BLE beacon to give instructions to an app;
Address: Felderstrasse 34a
Tennants: Rory
August
Lilly
Lion
McDonald
Entry code:
And you may press the name or enter a given entry code.
Pressing a name sends the request to the correct tennant, entry code may open the door directly.
Should all be doable with a good BLE5 module eg with nRF52840 (the Norwegian alternative ;-) )
A camera system may be best implemented over WiFi, though.
Add to that a BLE beacon to give instructions to an app;
Address: Felderstrasse 34a
Tennants: Rory
August
Lilly
Lion
McDonald
Entry code:
And you may press the name or enter a given entry code.
Pressing a name sends the request to the correct tennant, entry code may open the door directly.
Should all be doable with a good BLE5 module eg with nRF52840 (the Norwegian alternative ;-) )
A camera system may be best implemented over WiFi, though.
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kenski vor 7 Jahren
In the USA we use what are called Telephone Entry Systems that have video screens displaying names of tenants and three, four, or five digits to dial on a telephone keypad that calls to any land line or cell phone/smart phone to contact the resident, who can unlock the front door by touching "9" on the telephone keypad that generates a standard (Bell System) touchtone that is detected by the Entry unit. Some variation of this might be interesting to use in this case. Perhaps Rasperri PI 3s with WiFI to signal from a touch screen to other Raspberry PIs (or Arduinos) to activate the bells might work.
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Claus Wahl vor 7 Jahren
OK, so this resembles typical semi-tech projects I have taken on throughout the years. And more often: not taken...
It seems you have to mature the proposals - and I still feel it needs some careful considerations of eg security:
Are you at all afraid of unauthorised access to the lobby?
As the lobby may be better protected and have normal and understandable communication equipment, the real issue is who and how to let people in.
Here in Norway, the postman has no time to wait for the door, and you never know who he/she is today or tomorrow. Keys and codes have been tried here - with little success (lost, forgotten, not understood..you name it).
A possible way would be:
* Pull doorbell
* camera(s) (one for tall people and one for low/disabled?) activates.
* Picture and a audible signal is sent all tennants.
* Allow voice in both directions. The tennant to first press the speak button owns the conversation until released/reject.
* The one accepting the visitor meets or opens the door. If possible, a 2 door system could increase security.
* Log of traffic may be saved according to local regulations.
* Once inside, private security kicks in - and more logging may be done.
I would suggest you forget all secret knocking and face recognition. Codes forgotten, systems to update. If I was asked to send a picture of myself, I would react... Maybe in the future we'll carry a picture, fingerprint sample, iris sample and blood/DNA sample. Not so today.
I may be on the conservative side here, but I have yet to see fancy systems survive for long.
It seems you have to mature the proposals - and I still feel it needs some careful considerations of eg security:
Are you at all afraid of unauthorised access to the lobby?
As the lobby may be better protected and have normal and understandable communication equipment, the real issue is who and how to let people in.
Here in Norway, the postman has no time to wait for the door, and you never know who he/she is today or tomorrow. Keys and codes have been tried here - with little success (lost, forgotten, not understood..you name it).
A possible way would be:
* Pull doorbell
* camera(s) (one for tall people and one for low/disabled?) activates.
* Picture and a audible signal is sent all tennants.
* Allow voice in both directions. The tennant to first press the speak button owns the conversation until released/reject.
* The one accepting the visitor meets or opens the door. If possible, a 2 door system could increase security.
* Log of traffic may be saved according to local regulations.
* Once inside, private security kicks in - and more logging may be done.
I would suggest you forget all secret knocking and face recognition. Codes forgotten, systems to update. If I was asked to send a picture of myself, I would react... Maybe in the future we'll carry a picture, fingerprint sample, iris sample and blood/DNA sample. Not so today.
I may be on the conservative side here, but I have yet to see fancy systems survive for long.
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Claus Wahl vor 7 Jahren
The project seems interesting - as a good solution could make it a global product, plus it challenges the minimal design aspect as well as the functional KISS for the non-tech users.
So - how and where would you like a suggestion? To what detail?
I believe that making use of the old doorbell handle is a challenge in itself; no-one expect these to be operational anymore. Likewise, a door without any hint of inhabitants (like a list of tennants) is confusing as you have only street name and number to indicate correct door. Such a solution is normally only used for 'secret' clubs and low profile firms/people.
So the project restrictions seems odd & interesting. I vote for a sensible, elegant list of tennants, eg a brass label as a touch key for each entry. Old fashioned and elegantly simple, understandable for all. Add hidden camera, door telephone, door unlock, and let it all communicate with (...RS-485 or...) a BT 50 long range mesh.
Each appartment: visitor-sound-signal, [visitor-status-light & display], speak-with-the-visitor-key and an open-door-key. Budget: EUR 600,- for door (ex lock and cam) plus EUR 300 per appartment. Development is free - just because it is too entertaining to have a cost.. ;-)
So - how and where would you like a suggestion? To what detail?
I believe that making use of the old doorbell handle is a challenge in itself; no-one expect these to be operational anymore. Likewise, a door without any hint of inhabitants (like a list of tennants) is confusing as you have only street name and number to indicate correct door. Such a solution is normally only used for 'secret' clubs and low profile firms/people.
So the project restrictions seems odd & interesting. I vote for a sensible, elegant list of tennants, eg a brass label as a touch key for each entry. Old fashioned and elegantly simple, understandable for all. Add hidden camera, door telephone, door unlock, and let it all communicate with (...RS-485 or...) a BT 50 long range mesh.
Each appartment: visitor-sound-signal, [visitor-status-light & display], speak-with-the-visitor-key and an open-door-key. Budget: EUR 600,- for door (ex lock and cam) plus EUR 300 per appartment. Development is free - just because it is too entertaining to have a cost.. ;-)
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ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
The first thing to do, I think, is to compile a list of possible approaches. Then a solution idea can be selected to be worked out.
Of course you are free to start working right away if you feel inspired.
Doorbell ideas can be posted as separate projects on Elektor Labs. A link to such a project can be posted as a comment on this page so they are easy to find.
Of course you are free to start working right away if you feel inspired.
Doorbell ideas can be posted as separate projects on Elektor Labs. A link to such a project can be posted as a comment on this page so they are easy to find.
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eduino.io #oetelx vor 7 Jahren
I have more questions than answers.
- Spreken we hier Nederlands of Engels of Duits in dit deel van de NL site?
- De foto blijkt niet te horen bij het onderwerp, is van ander huis, waarom ?
- Wat is het budget van de oplossing?
- Wanneer moet het klaar zijn?
- wie keurt de oplossing goed of af?
- Moet het een "hack" zijn of moet het netjes jaren blijven draaien?
- Waarom zou je dit oplossen met elektronica?
- Is een mooie mechanische oplossing niet veel beter passend bij het pand en ook beter voor de levensduur?
Mijn visie op een deurbel : een deurbel is een deurbel, als je er tegen moet praten, allerlei draaiknopjes moet instellen, touch-screen moet aanraken, dan is het geen deurbel meer.
Het moet geen intelligentie-test zijn voor wie binnen wil komen. Het moet ook werken voor wie de taal niet spreekt.
Stel je voor : je staat voor de deur met je armen vol met spullen en je hebt 1 vinger over om te drukken, dat moet lukken.
Als je iets gaat maken met een QR code scannen (die een GET request doet op een externe webserver) die weer via NodeRED gekoppeld is aan push-berichten van de bewoner die dan een alert krijgt op zijn smart-tv of telefoon dat er iemand voor de deur staat, tja dan is het voor mij geen deurbel meer.
- Spreken we hier Nederlands of Engels of Duits in dit deel van de NL site?
- De foto blijkt niet te horen bij het onderwerp, is van ander huis, waarom ?
- Wat is het budget van de oplossing?
- Wanneer moet het klaar zijn?
- wie keurt de oplossing goed of af?
- Moet het een "hack" zijn of moet het netjes jaren blijven draaien?
- Waarom zou je dit oplossen met elektronica?
- Is een mooie mechanische oplossing niet veel beter passend bij het pand en ook beter voor de levensduur?
Mijn visie op een deurbel : een deurbel is een deurbel, als je er tegen moet praten, allerlei draaiknopjes moet instellen, touch-screen moet aanraken, dan is het geen deurbel meer.
Het moet geen intelligentie-test zijn voor wie binnen wil komen. Het moet ook werken voor wie de taal niet spreekt.
Stel je voor : je staat voor de deur met je armen vol met spullen en je hebt 1 vinger over om te drukken, dat moet lukken.
Als je iets gaat maken met een QR code scannen (die een GET request doet op een externe webserver) die weer via NodeRED gekoppeld is aan push-berichten van de bewoner die dan een alert krijgt op zijn smart-tv of telefoon dat er iemand voor de deur staat, tja dan is het voor mij geen deurbel meer.
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ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
Dear oetelaarNG, in answer to your questions:
- It may be confusing, but there is no Dutch or German part of Elektor Labs. There is only one website. At Elektor Labs you can post in any language you like, but most people will use English as most people can understand it. If you post in Dutch you severly limit the reach of your post.
- The original photo showed the solution we do not want.
- Budget: just let your imagination flow, but if it will cost 100,000 euros the solution will probably not be used.
- Delivery date: as usual, as soon as possible. But first it is important to have a good idea, then we can see how long it will take to build.
- The owner of the building chooses the solution he likes the most.
- It is supposed to work for many years.
- Because we are Elektor and we work with electronics. But other solutions & technologies are acceptable too.
- Maybe, if you can come up with one.
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Vajk von Ipolyi vor 7 Jahren
Was hat der englische Artikel auf einer Deutschen Domain zu suchen ?
Ich empfinde es immer wieder als ärgerlich und Frechheit,
insbesondere von einer "Redaktionierten Seite",
daß sich die Herren keine Mühe machen, Artikel zu übersetzen.
Ich empfinde es immer wieder als ärgerlich und Frechheit,
insbesondere von einer "Redaktionierten Seite",
daß sich die Herren keine Mühe machen, Artikel zu übersetzen.
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ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
@Vajk von Ipolyi - you probably use the URL www.elektormagazine.de/labs. The official URL however is www.elektor-labs.com and the .de site simply redirects to the English site.
@Mik. L - even at Elektor the people have the right of time off, sometimes even on Sundays and end-of-the-year festivities.
@all, sorry for the confusing photo, I hope the new one is better.
@Mik. L - even at Elektor the people have the right of time off, sometimes even on Sundays and end-of-the-year festivities.
@all, sorry for the confusing photo, I hope the new one is better.
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Joerg Fricke vor 7 Jahren
@Vajk von Ipolyi: Sorry, I disagree. Each time I'm looking for information and find something that looks promising but is written in (e. g.) Chinese, Hungarian, or Finnish language, I'm sad because translator applications usually don't do a good job.
On the other hand, this is a site for people interested in electronics. Show me someone who would love to be involved in any STEM activity but cannot read English, and I show you someone who has or will have serious problems.
So, by publishing this request in English (the original might be written in Dutch), the number of people with direct access and understanding is increased by about two orders of magnitude as compared to a German publication.
@Mik. L: I agree wholeheartedly! If indeed this photo doesn't show a part of the real house in Amsterdam, and taking into account the fact that neither the requester nor the editor seem to answer justifiable questions within reasonable time, investing thoughts and time into this request seems to be a waste of energy. Disappointing ...
On the other hand, this is a site for people interested in electronics. Show me someone who would love to be involved in any STEM activity but cannot read English, and I show you someone who has or will have serious problems.
So, by publishing this request in English (the original might be written in Dutch), the number of people with direct access and understanding is increased by about two orders of magnitude as compared to a German publication.
@Mik. L: I agree wholeheartedly! If indeed this photo doesn't show a part of the real house in Amsterdam, and taking into account the fact that neither the requester nor the editor seem to answer justifiable questions within reasonable time, investing thoughts and time into this request seems to be a waste of energy. Disappointing ...
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purple-bobby vor 7 Jahren
The photograph of the bell pushes is a bit confusing. The only examples of what I think you are talking about is at 164 Prinsengracht or 47 Egelantiersgracht. A single knob which you pull and via a cable (like a bicycle brake cable) rings a bell (mechanically) in the house.
So the others suggestions of a pull/push knob which you can rotate and a small display which (when inactive) looks like an engraved brass name plate. The knob could be a joystick as well or the amount you pull it out affects/selects the function.
In the inactive state, the e-ink/paper 'brass' plate display tells the user to pull the knob.
Pulling the knob wakes up the system and gives a short quite general ring.
If less than six bells, each name/address could scroll pass and the user could pull (or push) the knob to ring their bell. Rotating the knob could stop and reverse the scroll, to locate the name/address.
If lots of bells the knob could be a joystick to enable a drill down binary search of names/address.
A short gentle pull could wake the selection system; a long hard pull could be general ring or activate voice output and recognition.
The bells would be networked and connected by either Wi-Fi or twisted pair.
An NFC reader in the display could read tags sent to expected people so the correct bell is rung without searching.
So the others suggestions of a pull/push knob which you can rotate and a small display which (when inactive) looks like an engraved brass name plate. The knob could be a joystick as well or the amount you pull it out affects/selects the function.
In the inactive state, the e-ink/paper 'brass' plate display tells the user to pull the knob.
Pulling the knob wakes up the system and gives a short quite general ring.
If less than six bells, each name/address could scroll pass and the user could pull (or push) the knob to ring their bell. Rotating the knob could stop and reverse the scroll, to locate the name/address.
If lots of bells the knob could be a joystick to enable a drill down binary search of names/address.
A short gentle pull could wake the selection system; a long hard pull could be general ring or activate voice output and recognition.
The bells would be networked and connected by either Wi-Fi or twisted pair.
An NFC reader in the display could read tags sent to expected people so the correct bell is rung without searching.
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Mik.L vor 7 Jahren
Assumptions:
- Doorbell on photo is Italian and not related to the Amsterdam problem.
- Input is reduced to pull or release lever bell.
Number and implementation of targets are essential and should be clarified.
For a limited number of targets this proposal might be applicable:
1. Choose: Pull until address is selected (either by lighting LED beside each name for e.g. 1 second or OLED display with scroll list)
2. Select: Release (e.g. LED blinks now)
(3.) Correction: within e.g. 5 seconds back to step 1
4. Ring: Pull e.g. 5 seconds after correct selection (e.g. LED stopped blinking)
(5.) TimeOut: No further action after e.g. 10 seconds (e.g. LED off)
Otherwise a speech recognition system might be the most elegant solution ...
- Doorbell on photo is Italian and not related to the Amsterdam problem.
- Input is reduced to pull or release lever bell.
Number and implementation of targets are essential and should be clarified.
For a limited number of targets this proposal might be applicable:
1. Choose: Pull until address is selected (either by lighting LED beside each name for e.g. 1 second or OLED display with scroll list)
2. Select: Release (e.g. LED blinks now)
(3.) Correction: within e.g. 5 seconds back to step 1
4. Ring: Pull e.g. 5 seconds after correct selection (e.g. LED stopped blinking)
(5.) TimeOut: No further action after e.g. 10 seconds (e.g. LED off)
Otherwise a speech recognition system might be the most elegant solution ...
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ElecAW vor 7 Jahren
The existing pull knob can be used as a two-dimensional input. Rotating the knob with mechanical clicks as feedback lets the visitor select the address; 0 clicks is generic, 1 click subaddress A, etc.
Pulling the knob activates the signal for the door bell and lets the authentic mechanical bell ring. This works for a limited number of addresses, 20 clicks is not practical.
Pulling the knob activates the signal for the door bell and lets the authentic mechanical bell ring. This works for a limited number of addresses, 20 clicks is not practical.
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solar vor 7 Jahren
As variation on my former idea the rotating switch can be replaced by a rotating pulse coder connected to an up-down counter. The number turns a led on at the corresponding name. With the right name illuminated pull the handle for "ringing". Advantage: less critical rotation angle and direct feed back to the name.
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solar vor 7 Jahren
From the whole description, for me the remark not to modify the look of an Amsterdam canal house is most important. So leave the look of the pull-out handle as it is, only modify it in the sense that when rotating a selector switch behind the door is activated. The positions are numbered and the total number is depending on the number of inhabitants. At a separate place there can be a list with names and corresponding numbers. When pulling the handle a circuit is activated that produces a digital code corresponding to the selected number. A microprocessor can be used but also the "old fashoned" coder - decoder from remote controllers like SAA 5000 or SAB 3011 can be used via two wire bus connection as Koen suggested. With the right coding, the power can be supplied over the same wires.
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oszi vor 7 Jahren
to find the easiest solution it is necessary to know a little bit more about the wiring and the doorbells. Do all bells have a single wire (i.e. twisted pair), which come together at one place like star?
If yes all bells could be left like they are, whithout need of a microcontroller in every bell. This makes it easy to change the bells later in the flats/offices. To read the knobs I would suggest a small ATmega which can be programmed to control only one or more bells. This makes it easy when a company changes the office, or the floor and the knob can stay at the same place.
If it shall be more inovative I would suggest also a bus system like RS485. But then you need a controller in every bell.
If yes all bells could be left like they are, whithout need of a microcontroller in every bell. This makes it easy to change the bells later in the flats/offices. To read the knobs I would suggest a small ATmega which can be programmed to control only one or more bells. This makes it easy when a company changes the office, or the floor and the knob can stay at the same place.
If it shall be more inovative I would suggest also a bus system like RS485. But then you need a controller in every bell.
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Joerg Fricke vor 7 Jahren
Hi,
I feel we would need some more information before a solution can be proposed.
The photo shows 16 name plates, each under a circular "shield" which can be mistaken at first glance to carry a bell button. But at closer inspection, the "button" seems to turn out to be just a screw.
1. Are these 16 "buttons" indeed without any function, in the present state?
2. Would 16 buttons be enough to address all possible contact persons including the generic call?
Is the current doorbell activated by some lever, separated from the tableau with 16 plates, and not shown in the photo?
3. If so, does "the bell must be retained" only mean that it should not be dismantled, or should it stay a functional part of the call system?
4. Regarding the panel the 16 plates are mounted on: What material is used, of which thickness is it, and can it be taken down (temporarily) without problems?
Best regards,
Joerg Fricke
I feel we would need some more information before a solution can be proposed.
The photo shows 16 name plates, each under a circular "shield" which can be mistaken at first glance to carry a bell button. But at closer inspection, the "button" seems to turn out to be just a screw.
1. Are these 16 "buttons" indeed without any function, in the present state?
2. Would 16 buttons be enough to address all possible contact persons including the generic call?
Is the current doorbell activated by some lever, separated from the tableau with 16 plates, and not shown in the photo?
3. If so, does "the bell must be retained" only mean that it should not be dismantled, or should it stay a functional part of the call system?
4. Regarding the panel the 16 plates are mounted on: What material is used, of which thickness is it, and can it be taken down (temporarily) without problems?
Best regards,
Joerg Fricke
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ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
The project description & photo have been updated to answer most of these questions.
- We don't want 16 buttons, we want something invisible.
- Probably, the number of targets/destinations does not really matter.
- The current mechanical bell must remain as it is today, but can be used as part of the new system in case that would be practical.
- Please forget that 16-button plate, it was just an illustration of something we do not want.
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Koen Coolsaet vor 7 Jahren
There are existing solutions for you're situation. In example Comelit is offering such thing, 2-wire system!! (Not trying to advertise though, just trying to give some ideas). They work with a bus-system. Each bell-knob is read by an interface. Each interface has a unique adress on the bus. Each doorbell in the appartment reacts on that unique adress only, except it can react on a universal adress too. I myself lack the knowledge to put something together like that but i think with a few microcontrollers this should be possible. Maybe you can just read the knobs straight into the microcontrollers (Arduino?Rpi? Or equivalent...)
Nice challenge btw. Is there camera-image or the ability to talk?
Nice challenge btw. Is there camera-image or the ability to talk?
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ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
Thank you for the suggestion. For our situation, distributing the bell signals inside the building is not the problem. The problem that we want to solve is how to get the signal into the building without modifying the building's exterior. We do not want a big panel with tens of buttons, we want an almost invisible solution. Possibilities would be to use a camera, or sound detection or some other smart way. Everything is open, nothing has been defined. If you can imagine an elegant, good-working solution with a camera, camera it will be. If, on the other hand, voice detection works better, it may be voice detection.
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ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
- use the pull-handle as a selector switch
- fake door panel is really OLED display
- micro touch keyboard projector in door handle
- speech recognition
- face recognition
- secret knock code
- QR code reader
- telephone entry system
- select target from scrolling list
- Ring2-like system
Some are more practical than others. Other suggestions can be added. We can do a vote.Would anyone be interested in working on such a project? The objective would be a project article in Elektor Magazine. Elektor can pay for the parts & PCBs. We cannot pay the hours, but we pay an author's fee and royalties on the product's sales are possible too.
ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
- with appointment
- without appointment (postman, etc.)
People with an appointment can get a temporary code or password, or they can provide a photograph before the appointment for facial recognition. These people can also be informed what to expect and what to do. Like when you reserve a hotel room and you get a code to enter the building.People without an appointment can use the obvious doorbell, hoping that someone in the building will respond.
Once inside there can be a more elaborate interface with touch screens and buttons and what not to contact the person of interest.
purple-bobby vor 7 Jahren
As you pull the bell pull it extracts some biometrics from your hand and rings a specific target, otherwise general bell.
ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren
ClemensValens vor 7 Jahren