Lock Box

Overview

We all have had that awkward situation when you need to open that locked box to get your staffs but suddenly realize that you forget where you put the key at. Our objective is to make a box that will be opened by your eyes. The user would press a button to enter the password, then a light would blink and take the state of both eyes (one might be closed, the other open), then the light would flash again and the state of both eyes would be taken again, then repeat again. The code would compare the three readings and compare them to the accepted code and either unlock the box or remain locked.

Team Members

Yuanxiao Gao
Samuel Hoff
TA: Mo Wu

Objectives

Make a box that is is able to be unlocked by putting in the correct combination. The combination will be entered by turning a dial, just like combination padlock. When the dial turns to a specific number, there will be a signal sent to an Arduino. When the user wants to enter a code he will press a button to select the action he wants to perform (change the code or unlock the box) and then enter the code with the dial. The way the number will be translated from the position of the dial to a number of the code is by using a light sensor to detect a unique signal from an LED. There will be two codes: one that is 4 digits long and one that is twice is long. The first code is changeable and when entered can both open the box and allow the user to change it. The second is a backup code that allows the user to change the first code, in case the user forgets the code.

The main goals of this project are to:
1. Design a dial and housing that allows the dial's position to an Arduino.

2. Build the interface that allows the user to specify which code he will be entering.

3. Write C++ code on Arduino IDE that allows the user to control the box.

4. Design the locking mechanism and the bottom part of the box.

5. Assemble and test.

Challenges

Accurately reading a number based on the position of the dial.

Writing code to perform all of the functionality desired.

Finding a proper power supply.

Budget

LEDs
3-D printing
Locking relay