[hackpgh-discuss] Re: RFID timeclock
- From: Jake S <jskiba99@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "hackpgh-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <hackpgh-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2015 19:05:06 -0500
I was reading this as android phone/tablet + ntfs being the replacement for a
computer/reader and not users using their phones to tag in? I think then you
wouldn't be using your phone tablet, but some other nfctag.
I've played a little bit with NFCtasker in the past to take action based of a
certain tag, that might help spark some ideas. The one reason you may want to
do it with android phone/tablet is to provide a touch interface for a second
factor (4 digit pin or similar) so John Doe can't clock me in and out just for
fun with my tag, he would also have to know my pin. If he does know my pin,
well then that's my problem not the timekeepers.
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2015 18:47:17 -0500
Subject: [hackpgh-discuss] Re: RFID timeclock
From: ajc317@xxxxxxxxx
To: hackpgh-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sure, wasn't worried about the inheirent issues with RF. It's clearly getting
adopted and relatively safe. I was more referring the that handling of that
information in the app. If Someone got a hold of the tablet, would they be able
to spoof my phone since I clocked in to the tablet using my phone? Would, say,
the author of that app have the ability take that information and use it for
some other purpose?
At this point, I should just start reading up on it, but I have other things to
do. It was a concern. As long as the information isn't linked to other account
information, then it seems safe enough.
On Tuesday, March 3, 2015, Joseph Ates <joey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Security would largely depend on how the apps were set up. NFC comms are
usually less than 2", so I envision the employee application would need to
actively approve before sending their identification number. Also, there's some
nice security measures in android as to which apps handle particular NFC scans.
In other words, I don't see this being a background service that can somehow be
tripped or exploited without the user's knowledge.
On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 5:17 PM, Anthony Cascone <ajc317@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I know they make NFC shields. We have an NFC reader shield at the shop
somewhere. I think Parallax makes that too.
I do like the idea of only using a tablet for the time clock. It's got the
hardware you need. If all you have to do is keep it plugged in, which you would
need to do anyway, that could be a viable option.
Still playing devils advocate, since I can't help myself. If you are using the
NFC from someone's phone, is there a security issue with storing that
information in a database? I wouldn't want to have someone scan my phone and be
able to spoof it. I'm not all that familiar with the protocol, but it may be
important to use it properly. Not sure I would trust waving my phone over that.
That is, if it even had NFC. Stupid iPhone...
On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 5:04 PM, Joseph Ates <joey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Anthony!
Yeah. I think scanning NFC from android apps is a no go situation under lock
screen conditions. That being said, there's a developer option to keep the
screen awake when connected to usb (or usb power sources) which would be ideal
for the "clock" tablet.
USB would of course be cool as well. As an aside, I also think it would be cool
if one could leverage the android accessory USB protocol/interface as a NFC
reader to a tablet as the accessory in the standard can double as a 500mA
power source. [1] I think there's even an arduino mega[2] designed for use as
an android accessory, so all it'd need is an NFC reader shield.
[1] https://source.android.com/accessories/protocol.html
[2] http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/adk.html
On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 4:00 PM, Anthony Cascone <ajc317@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dude, you're alive.
NFC makes sense for the reasons you pointed out.
Personally, I'm not an app developer and would rather avoid it, but could make
sense. At tablet would be cool because of the built in display, but there would
be details like would the app have to be active to receive the NFC. If you had
to wakeup the tablet every time to wanted to punch in/out you might as well
drop the NFC aspect. All that said, there may be an app for that... again, I'd
look before you build something.
There are USB NFC interfaces too. Just saying.
On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 3:49 PM, Joseph Ates <joey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
To be honest, I think NFC is a bit more accessible to do this kind of
application considering it's in the back of most android/windows smart phones.
You could use a Nexus tablet as the "clock" and have employees use their
smartphones to scan past it. You could also issue small cards with embedded NFC
tags for those employees who don't have smartphones.
On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 2:03 PM, Anthony Cascone <ajc317@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm not aware of any projects that currently exist that you could just copy and
past, but I'll be honest, I didn't bother searching at all. I'll leave that to
you.
In its most basic form, you'll need an RFID reader, tags, and some sort of
computer. Depending on how you want it set up, you could use your own computer,
or get a dedicated system. A RaspberryPi would be more than sufficient if you
want a dedicated, low power, portable system. Regardless, of the computer, for
ease of integration, I would recommend a USB enabled RFID reader. That can be
fairly cheap if only need it to operate indoors. Parallax has one I think. If
you needed it our doors, you'll have to pay more or you a mixture of parts to
get it to play nice with a computer.
Once you have the reader, you'll need something to listen to the reader on the
computer, and then log the time/date that the tag was read. From there, it's up
to you on how the data is displayed.
I have a feeling that such a project might already exist, but it shouldn't be
too hard to whip something up.
On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 5:37 PM, Chris Williams <cwilliams2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Please forgive my lack of clarity.
Anthony's explanation most accurately described the goal. The RFID tag will be
the timecard for the timeclock. The tag will initiate when a person has clocked
in and out. In addition, I want to create a log with timestamps.
-Chris
On Friday, February 27, 2015, Anthony Cascone <ajc317@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
While we are playing the guessing game. I suspect he means a time tracking
system using RFID tags to "punch in" and out.
A device that generated tag IDs that corresponded to the current time would be
an interesting project though.
Regardless, additional details would help to understand the scope.
On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 10:07 AM, Yevgeniy Soroka <ukranians2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I suspect he means an RFID chip which transmits the time when you scan it? -Geno
On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Tim Cannon <timmycninja@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
start by explaining what you mean, RFID is usually passive and simply transmits
an ID over low frequency radio.
On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 9:33 AM Chris Williams <cwilliams2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Hack Pittsburgh,
I am interested in learning how to develop an RFID timeclock. Chad suggested
that I ask the group.
Where is a good place to start?
Thanks!
-Chris
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