Card reader

[Tom1234]

I would like to create a card reader project . My problem is that i don't know what sensor to use.
I need something which read card (maybe magnetic card) and recognize different cards. (For example the card A is assign to user A and card B is assign to user B).

I need suggestions about what sensor is better for this project.
something like that is ok ?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mifare-RC522-Card-Read-Module-Tags-SPI-Interface-Write-and-Read-/121432339169?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c45ee72e1

 

[LabVIEWguru]

If you want to read and write RFID cards, that would be the way to go. These are the cards that are automatically read from a reader embedded in a door (or whatever.) What you see in your example is an interface and will require a microcontroller or PC interface and programming to read and write to the card.

If it's RFID you are interested in, you can search for "RFID" and get a lot of hits. You can search here for RFID and see what discussion threads come up.

Same with "Magnetic stripe cards." These are the cards (like your bank card)

http://www.sonsivri.to/forum/index.php?topic=47516.0

is a thread I participated in.

To build a system is (obviously) going to require some research and time. Once you figure out what you want to do members here will be glad to help.

[Tom1234]

I think rfid is a good solution. Any suggestion for the sensor ?


The above link from ebay is look like a decent solution?

[pablo2048]

I think rfid is a good solution. Any suggestion for the sensor ?


The above link from ebay is look like a decent solution?

If the price is important -> look for 125kHz cards (EM4xxx standard), if security is important -> look for 13.5MHz cards (for example Mifare)... When selecting such reader also look for libraries available - this can spare you hours of develompent your own library..

[LabVIEWguru]

Sure - the cards are readily available and cheap. Before I purchased the reader/writer I would email the seller and make sure he/she can provide you with specs, pinout and command set to the on-board device. If they can't provide you with the information, find another vendor.

Get a development board (again, if you use something like Arduino the libraries are probably out there, as Pablo pointed out) and get to it.

There used to be a number of videos on youtube showing the operation of boards like this. You might check there, too.

[CocaCola]

If you just want to get your feet wet and get a feel for the tech on the cheap, your link above is one such offering or try a search for 'MFRC522' for others...  You can also pick up more fobs or even compatible 13.56MHz cards for literally pennies delivered...  The MFRC522 chip (and that Asian break out board) is well documented and plenty of turnkey source code can be found, you can be up and playing within minutes for under $5...

For example...

http://playground.arduino.cc/Learning/MFRC522

[Tom1234]

I was thinking to use something from dspic33 family controller.

Where can i find any library for an MFRC522 or for other rfid module of 13.56MHz ?? (compatible for ccs compiler  for dspic33)

[CocaCola]

I was thinking to use something from dspic33 family controller.

Where can i find any library for an MFRC522 or for other rfid module of 13.56MHz ?? (compatible for ccs compiler  for dspic33)

http://bit.ly/1nUpHMh