GPS / Radiosignal device for 'getting warmer' game.

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Question

GPS / Radiosignal device for 'getting warmer' game.

by Nanna_Dragoe Feb 22, 2017 2:32AM PST

Hallo

I really need help to figure out what kind of technology I should use for this current event and if something similar has already been made that I can just purchase. I will try to explain:

We are participating at an exhibition and want for the exhibition guests to come visit our exhibition stand. That we will do, by handling out small GPS signal devices or radio signal devices all over the exhibition that will lead people to our exhibition stand, a little bit like the 'getting warmer' game. The outhanded devices should start beeping louder and louder as soon as you get closer to our exhibition stand, this by either connecting to a second GPS device or a radiosignal device located at our exhibition stand at all times.

I hope this makes sense. I really need help as I do not know anything about this subject.

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Re1: GPS device

by Nanna_Dragoe Feb 22, 2017 3:26AM PST

Thank you for answering my question

We would like to avoid making people download an application, otherwise it would diffenetly be a solution. with the beacon technology. (if there is no other solution this might me our last shoot) A thought I had was also if a key finder could be a possible solution, but turning it around and give people the key finder and leave a phone at the exhibition stand. Then when the guest walkes into the signal of the phone the key finder will start to beep. But the main issues here is that 1. such a key finder application often only connects with one key finder at the time (we need around 50-70). 2. We need to manually start the 'search' from the phone. and 3. The key finder will probably beep all the time.

Our budget really depends on the amount and the final solution.

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Where to buy?

by Nanna_Dragoe Feb 23, 2017 12:22AM PST

Hi

Thank you for you answer.

So, as I can understand from you, bluetooth is not an option?
We are aware that it might cost a few hundred. Do you know who makes this kind of device?

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I think you misunderstood me.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 23, 2017 10:22AM PST

I didn't find such a device. You would have to make it and if you can't there are ways to use under 100 buck smart phones (along with your custom app) to make this happen.

But you dismissed the ready to use plentiful devices and are now a little lost.

Such a thing from scratch would be something I'd expect a final year electronics grad to do as their senior project.

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What about RFID?

by Nanna_Dragoe Feb 24, 2017 1:51AM PST

okay. Is it possible that you know anything about RFID?
Some tells me that it might be a solution.

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Re: RFID

by Kees_B Forum moderator Feb 24, 2017 2:30AM PST

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification tells a lot about it.

For example, it's used to tag a car. Than the toll stations can identify the car when it passes. It's explained in http://www.rfidjournal.com/blogs/experts/entry?10743

I don't think it's what you want, but why not ask that 'some' to explain how he sees it working?

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Yes, I know about RFID

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 24, 2017 9:32AM PST

It's short range means it's a dead end for your idea.

https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-get-an-Arduino-to-find-the-distance-to-an-object swings us back to RSSI giving an approximate range.

It's truly a shame you want a custom device and have spent this many posts dismissing the cheapest exit. (cheap smartphones.)

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RFID

by ShobhitaSingh Apr 21, 2017 4:08AM PDT

RFID stand for Radio-frequency identification. Mostly, It is used in electromagnetic field that assist to automatically identification and track tags attached to objects. Although, RFID technology has entered in the hospitality sector. Hotel man, now a days. are using RF technology for secure access controlling system like RFID hotel Key cards, hotel guest room door locks etc.

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Post was last edited on April 21, 2017 8:25 AM PDT

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Kees_B · Answer 1 · Feb 22, 2017 3:11AM PST

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Answer

Re: GPS device

by Kees_B Forum moderator Feb 22, 2017 3:11AM PST

Seems like a smartphone app would a possibility, if GPS can be received reliably inside the exhibition hall (which is somewhat doubtful, my TomTom works far better in the open air than at home, and my home is much smaller than an exhibition hall). Usually shops works with beacons inside the shop to trace the customer, not with GPS.
But a phone probably is too expensive to hand out. What's your budget per device?

r. proffitt · Answer 2 · Feb 22, 2017 10:06AM PST

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Answer

GPS indoors?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 22, 2017 10:06AM PST

That's a well roasted subject. I hope you find the priors and not get too burned up about this dead end (for indoors.)

The cost of a custom device is going to be in the few hundred range after you factor in case, battery, display and such. I take it this is your first rodeo so you get to learn all this and might dismiss those that went before you. I don't mind that at all.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bluetooth+directional+and+distance+finder tells us that's a dead end too. The PDF at https://cseweb.ucsd.edu/classes/fa06/cse237a/finalproj/almula.pdf puts the final nail in the coffin about bluetooth for your system.

It's a shame you won't go with a smartphone and app. Then you could have other ideas to explore. It's not like these are expensive. Here it's certainly cheaper than your custom hardware.

GPS / Radiosignal device for 'getting warmer' game.

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