Smart card door lock with an entry log
A lock opened by a card instead of a key; it logs who entered and when, and any card can be revoked from the dashboard in seconds instead of changing the lock.
The problem
A key doesn't identify who holds it: it can be copied without the owner knowing, losing it means replacing the whole cylinder, and it can't tell you who entered or when. In offices, storerooms, and shared apartments, the question isn't how to lock up but who opened the door at a given hour — a question a card answers and a key doesn't.
How it works
- PassingThe user taps their card on the reader at the door.
- VerificationThe system compares the card number with the list of authorized people.
- OpeningThe electric lock opens for a set number of seconds and then locks automatically.
- RejectionAn unauthorized card is rejected with a beep, and the attempt is logged.
- LoggingEvery operation is saved: the card number, the time, and the result.
- ManagementAny card can be authorized or revoked from the dashboard without touching the lock.
Project features
- One of the easiest projects on the list to build: all its parts are simple and available.
- Access is revoked in a second instead of replacing a lock that costs a hundred dinars.
- The log answers who entered and when — something a key can't do.
- An instantly convincing live demo: tap an authorized card and a rejected one.
- A solid foundation for attendance or access-control systems.
Parts
All the parts you need in one place. Remove what you already have, and swap parts to fit your budget. Parts with a photo are available in our store at their current price.
Prices are estimates and may change. Parts marked “other supplier” are ordered outside our main store.
Expected challenges
These are the main obstacles to expect during the build, laid out clearly so you know them before you start.
- When the power goes out, you must decide whether the door opens or stays locked, and each option has its risks.
- Cheap RFID cards are easy to clone with available devices.
- The door must open from inside without a card — a safety requirement, not an option.
- The electric lock's consumption spikes at the moment it opens, which affects the power supply.
- Storing the access list locally so the system keeps working when the internet is down.
The consultation gives you a solution for each one.
Expected committee questions
Prepare your answers in advance: these questions come up often in defenses of similar projects.
- What happens to the door in a power cut — does it open or stay locked, and why?
- RFID cards are easy to clone, so how can security be improved?
- How does the lock keep working when the internet is down?
- How is a lost card revoked quickly?
Students' experiences
Add a comment on the idea: +2 points. Or share your experience with photos of your build: +10 points. Every 50 points become a JD 5 discount voucher on parts orders.
Need solutions to the challenges and a complete technical path?
In the consultation we give you a solution for each challenge above, plus a practical build plan from the first step to the last: technologies, libraries, wiring diagram, timeline, and tips for the defense.
- Consultation session
- PDF with solutions and a plan
- 20 د.أ فقط