Attendance Checker

Project Description

This project was created in collaboration with the Engaging Girls in Ubiquitous Intelligence and Computing (GUIC) Summer Camp initiative as part of the National Scientist Foundation-funded University of Nevada, Las Vegas ITEST project. http://nsil.sites.unlv.edu/ITEST.html

Objective: Students will make an attendance checking system using Arduino to efficiently take attendance in a SMART classroom.

Applications: Traditional attendance can be time-consuming, with teachers roll calling or using a seating chart to ensure students are present. This process is known to shift the focus and learning in the classroom. An automatic attendance checker is not time-demanding and allows teachers to focus on instruction. The automatic attendance checker allows for a smooth learning process and greater security in the classroom.

Prerequisites

Materials Needed

• ESP32 Microcontroller
• MFRC522 Module
• 2 LED’s, 1 green and 1 red
• Servo Motor
• Breadboard
• Wires (Male to female)
• USB Cable
• Computer

Important Arduino Installations

Boards (found in “Board Manager” tab)

• ESP32

Libraries (found in “Manage Libraries” tab)

• Blynk
• ESP32Servo
• MFRC522

Set-Up

Servo Motor Connection

• Red Wire connects to 5V pin
• Brown Wire connects to GND pin
• Yellow Wire connects to digital pin

RFID Reader & ESP32 Connection

Blynk App - Mobile Dashboard Template

• Components
  • Student names with corresponding strings, stating "Absent" or "Present"
  • 3 LED's connected to corresponding students (use for testing purposes)

Blynk App - Datastreams Template

• Components
  • 3 student names with string data types
  • 3 virtual pins with integer data types (for testing purposes)

Running the tests

1. Tap the card on the RF module.
2. If the UID of the card matches the one stored in the Blynk table...
   • In the Blynk table, the student’s status changes from “Absent” to “Present.”
   • Output to the serial monitor that the student has been checked in.
   • The green LED lights up, and the red LED turns off.
   • The servo motor moves in order to open the door.
3. If the UID of the card does not match the one stored in the Blynk table...
   • Output to the serial monitor that access has been denied.
   • Nothing changes in the Blynk Table.
4. If the student was already checked in...
   • The servo motor moves to open the door.
   • The green LED lights up, and the red LED turns off.
   • Nothing changes in the Blynk Table.
5. The class’s attendance should reset to “Absent” for all students after a certain period of time. This simulates a class period. a. Use a time period of 1 minute in order to test that this works.

Output

Arduino Serial Monitor Output

Blynk App Output

Attendance Checker Demo https://github.com/cpilande/AttendanceChecker/assets/120698868/c4153ec7-69c1-43b5-93f0-278a85f08143

Suggested Resources

ESP32: How to read RFID tags with a RFID Reader https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJLjFm4Ipro&t=297s

Built with

• Arduino
• Blynk App