I got a question that I also just posted up on Reddit
Imagine this scenario, a restaurant, 5 tables, each table with some sort of 555 timer based device coupled with an RF transmitter and 2 physical buttons, one that calls the waiter and the other that asks for the bill, and an arduino with a receiver module that will receive communication and know which table had pressed which button and transform this into a beep on a computer alongside a label on the screen with the table number… Is this acomplishable? What do I need to have in mind?
Yep, a lot of restaurants have these now… Well, all the high end restaurants. You can make something more simple and cost effective for “family owned” restaurants…
I agree with Steve. Make as simple as possible, which would make it inexpensive…
It’s certainly possible, but I would just use cheap Android tablets at each table (chained to the table!) and a PC running a webserver at the host station. PC could even be a Raspberry Pi!
I’m positive that the lifetime cost of my solution would be lower. I could deliver that solution in a weekend. Wanna pull the trigger on it?
[edit] And I posted that before I read 'Mac’s link.
Cheap tablets? I haven’t seen any under $100… That’s not cheap. This concept is what places like Applebee’s use. But they’re in large, bulky enclosures.
As for the long term, how many tablets will break in a week? A month? People are destructive animals… Especially a 2 yr old!
Lots of tablets [under $60. All it needs is wifi and a browser. Can likely get even better pricing if you buy in quantity direct from China via Alibaba.
codlink:
Cheap tablets? I haven’t seen any under $100… That’s not cheap. This concept is what places like Applebee’s use. But they’re in large, bulky enclosures.
As for the long term, how many tablets will break in a week? A month? People are destructive animals… Especially a 2 yr old!
Reason for the question was I wondered if the transmitter could be done without a microcontroller. I do like that keyfob idea.
Anyway, after taking a quick look on Alibaba and finding WiFi Android tablets for $35 each (qty 10), I’d still consider the tablet approach first. With stuff like this, scope creep tends to happen really quickly.
Here’s the Adafruit 4 way fob. The important point is that it uses the aforementioned encoder/decoder sets to ID and “marry” fobs and receivers. Using cheap and “long” range Tx/Rx sets to carry the info.
I know that the xbees can transmit to each other without needing a microcontroller. What I don’t know is if the PC at the receiving end can get access to the MAC address of the transmitter.
stevech:
lyndon:
Reason for the question was I wondered if the transmitter could be done without a microcontroller.
