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wireless question
#1
Hi,
I want to embark on a Python project, that requires some "wireless" insights. Maybe somebody here can help.
Application purpose: a room with a gathering of photographers, giving points (scores) to images that are projected.
Stone age: voters show a card with a number on it, somebody reads those, adds them up in excel, sum = score.
Bronze age: i developed a Python application with multiple USB numpads, connected to 1 USB port . Works wonderfully well, still in use. Many cables!
Iron age: I developed a "wireless" app with many microbits (radio), collecting the votes on the PC via the microFS module. Works like a charm.
But: I would need to build a housing with buttons and batteries around each microbit , very time consuming, also somewhat expensive.

Hence the question: what about buying wireless numpads, not bluetooth but Rf radio.
I need an Rf radio dongle in the PC, and all the numpads send a number (vote) that is processed. I don't need to know who voted what.
The rest would be the same as the USB app, only without wires.
But what dongle ? One that comes with a numpad?
Will Python be able to read it? All I need is, a voter presses 5, and the central app adds 5 to the total.
Any thoughts on that?
Thx,
Paul
It is more important to do the right thing, than to do the thing right.(P.Drucker)
Better is the enemy of good. (Montesquieu) = French version for 'kiss'.
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#2
This sounds like a perfect application for LoRaWAN.

This is just a small sample of what's available for various docs, but will give you a taste of value (or not) for your project.
I am not associated with any of the companies mentioned above, but experiment with many of their products
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#3
Thanks,
never heard of LoRaWAN, but i'll check it out.
Paul
BTW, i also have developed a:
neolithic version: bought 20 TV remotes, and an IR Flirc.
Works like a charm, except that voters are not always disciplined.
The Flirc needs to be in the line of sight of the remote, and in a
crowded room, this may be difficult.
It is more important to do the right thing, than to do the thing right.(P.Drucker)
Better is the enemy of good. (Montesquieu) = French version for 'kiss'.
Reply
#4
Quote:The Flirc needs to be in the line of sight of the remote, and in a
crowded room, this may be difficult.

Take a look at: https://www.semtech.com/lora/lora-applications for a look at some of the applications that are using LoRaWAN.
Since it is relatively new, many of unaware of it's existence.

Note that there are many companies that are building equipment to use this technology, not just the ones mentioned above. Swarm does I believe have the largest satellite presence with 72 in orbit.

It can be used without satellite, since it has a 9 mile range (ideal) but nodes are popping up in unexpected areas, networks are linked.
It's quite fascinating, but not for everyone (yet). I'm in my 70's, so doubt that I will do anything famous with it, but fun none the less.
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#5
I'm doing some research on this as well, but found little information

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#6
If budget is not a problem, you can buy plenty of ready-made solutions.

The most accessible DIY is to use micro-controllers that you can program in Python,
sending both a number (score) + identifier of the sender.
I built a prototype, but you will be hard-pressed to make something under 50 $.
Not in a cardboard box, but a real casing, with stylish buttons.

Maybe a solution is to buy simple numpads, and replace the interior with the controller + electronics,
thus reducing the DIY aspect and budget considerably.
Paul
It is more important to do the right thing, than to do the thing right.(P.Drucker)
Better is the enemy of good. (Montesquieu) = French version for 'kiss'.
Reply


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