looking for a door timer

[Jax]

anybody know where I can find something that records the time a door is opened and closed?

i'm getting ready to rent out a room in my studio for band rehearsal and i can't be there every time a band uses the room.

thanks

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Jax

anybody know where I can find something that records the time a door is opened and closed?

i'm getting ready to rent out a room in my studio for band rehearsal and i can't be there every time a band uses the room.

thanks

Hi

Perhaps a burgler alarm system?

[Jax]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

Perhaps a burgler alarm system?

Obviously a good idea - but the alarm system that's already there only records the time if someone breaks in.

There must be a device that can log the time. I looked at a bunch of keypad locks online and none of them say they do this.

Anyone else have a suggestion?

[paully]

This is a one-shot deal. How about a simple AC wall clock, set to 12:00, and powered by a motion sensor? As long as the band's in the room and moving, the clock will run. Most sensors can be set to turn off at about 5-10 seconds after motion ceases. Of course the clock would have to be re-set after every band. A sensor powered VCR might be a better option. If all else fails, I'm not busy. How much do you pay?

Paul

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Jax

Obviously a good idea - but the alarm system that's already there only records the time if someone breaks in.

There must be a device that can log the time. I looked at a bunch of keypad locks online and none of them say they do this.

Anyone else have a suggestion?

Hi

You have a bit of a specialised requirement that involves a few "unknowns", like, for instance, how often you'll visit the place and if there's a secure, locked, office or room there.

You can rig a camera system that stores the image and event time on a PC. You could use an external trigger, like a door switch, to trigger the camera and to stop it when the door is closed.

Then you'd need to play through the recording to see the time/date stamping.

It has the advantage of videoing whoever is entering/leaving the door.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by paully

How about a simple AC wall clock, set to 12:00, and powered by a motion sensor? A sensor powered VCR might be a better option.
Paul

That might work, although I think I could lose some time to the band taking a break and leaving the room for 30 mins to an hour. Not a bad idea, though.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

You have a bit of a specialised requirement that involves a few "unknowns", like, for instance, how often you'll visit the place and if there's a secure, locked, office or room there.

You can rig a camera system that stores the image and event time on a PC. You could use an external trigger, like a door switch, to trigger the camera and to stop it when the door is closed.

Then you'd need to play through the recording to see the time/date stamping.

It has the advantage of videoing whoever is entering/leaving the door.

You're right, a few details are in order here:

I'm at the studio 3-4 days a week, and there's a control room with a window between it and the room to be rented. Your idea is good, but I don't think I want to search a video to find when then band leaves. The simpler the better.

There must be a way to rig the lock to a timer so that when it is unlocked, the timer starts, and when locked again, the timer shuts off. And hell - if they forget to lock the door - then I'd charge for a full day.

Looks like a trip to a store that sells door locks is my next move.. probably should've done that first.

[paully]

OK Jax, you got me thinking. If that's all you need, here's a SIMPLE solution. You need to install a lockable deadbolt on the door, then use the lock's bolt to trip a physical-trip switch located proximate to it. The clock can be AC powered, or just use a 9 VDC powered clock. Any reasonably competent carpenter can install it all. I'm going to try to attach a diagram/pic to explain. Hope it works this time.

Best, Paul

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by paully

OK Jax, you got me thinking. If that's all you need, here's a SIMPLE solution. You need to install a lockable deadbolt on the door, then use the lock's bolt to trip a physical-trip switch located proximate to it. The clock can be AC powered, or just use a 9 VDC powered clock. Any reasonably competent carpenter can install it all. I'm going to try to attach a diagram/pic to explain. Hope it works this time.

Best, Paul

Hi Paul

But couldn't the band dead lock the door from the inside (most dead locks are accessible both sides) so that the clock is only ticking for the time the door was open?

If you can get normally open or changeover reed relays (I'm not sure on this) you could fit a magnetic switch to the top of the door that would do more or less the same as a dead bolt switch.

I don't think there is an easy fix for this!

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Jax

You're right, a few details are in order here:

I'm at the studio 3-4 days a week, and there's a control room with a window between it and the room to be rented. Your idea is good, but I don't think I want to search a video to find when then band leaves. The simpler the better.

There must be a way to rig the lock to a timer so that when it is unlocked, the timer starts, and when locked again, the timer shuts off. And hell - if they forget to lock the door - then I'd charge for a full day.

Looks like a trip to a store that sells door locks is my next move.. probably should've done that first.

Hi

You wouldn't search through a video... it would only record for as long as the door was open... seconds, minutes at the most. So several sessions would be minutes of viewing with date stamped confirmation and video of who came through the door.

[paully]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

But couldn't the band dead lock the door from the inside (most dead locks are accessible both sides) so that the clock is only ticking for the time the door was open?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hey Geoff,

Not if it was a deadbolt with key access on both sides. Just plug the inside keyhole. Or remove the inside hand lock if that's what it has. The only way to cheat would be to have a buddy on the outside who would re-lock you in. tutt Now I know that for the most part musicians aren't geniuses, but...

As long as the deadbolt remains unlocked, the door can be opened and closed as often as they want, and the clock will still run. Lock it up from the outside when done and the clock stops.

Best, Paul

[Jax]

Originally Posted by paully

OK Jax, you got me thinking. If that's all you need, here's a SIMPLE solution. You need to install a lockable deadbolt on the door, then use the lock's bolt to trip a physical-trip switch located proximate to it. The clock can be AC powered, or just use a 9 VDC powered clock. Any reasonably competent carpenter can install it all. I'm going to try to attach a diagram/pic to explain. Hope it works this time.

Best, Paul

Now THIS is like!

Something very WWII spy about this approach. Makes me want to call in a bombing run or something.

All I have to figure out is where to hide the clock... probably in the small storage room above the door.

Thanks Paul and Geoff for the good ideas! thumbsup thumbsup

[2leod]

Hey Jax,

A buddy of mine put up a video surveillance system to monitor a kiosk he set up for the local B&B's that was motion sensored. The idea was that the kiosk is open during the day for tourists to check availability of the B&B's and even reserve rooms with the self directed touch screen, but locked up after the Tourism Centre's hours. The motion sensing camera would only record (to the computer) if someone was there during closed hours (like some misunderstood youth trying to jimmy the kiosk) and I recall the software looked like a midi roll, IOW really easy to see when and how long for the the recording. If you want, I can check into that system for you if this is what you have in mind.

[firby]

Just put one of those magnetic card readers on the entrance side of the door. Those will talk RS422 to a pc somewhere which will run the whole show. That's how corporate america does it...

[Jax]

Originally Posted by 2leod

Hey Jax,

A buddy of mine put up a video surveillance system to monitor a kiosk he set up for the local B&B's that was motion sensored. The idea was that the kiosk is open during the day for tourists to check availability of the B&B's and even reserve rooms with the self directed touch screen, but locked up after the Tourism Centre's hours. The motion sensing camera would only record (to the computer) if someone was there during closed hours (like some misunderstood youth trying to jimmy the kiosk) and I recall the software looked like a midi roll, IOW really easy to see when and how long for the the recording. If you want, I can check into that system for you if this is what you have in mind.

2leod,

I've thought about the motion sensing idea. The problem with it is that a band playing in a room would toggle the camera into recording for most of the time they were there. I'd have alot of video to look through just to find when they entered and left.

Thanks for the ideas, all. Keep 'em coming!

[Jax]

Originally Posted by firby

Just put one of those magnetic card readers on the entrance side of the door. Those will talk RS422 to a pc somewhere which will run the whole show. That's how corporate america does it...

Hey firby - cool idea, but I've looked at those systems and they cost a bit more than I'd be willing to spend on this. And there's no way to tell who used the card if they hand it off to a friend and then deny having used it again - even though I'd still try to charge the original cardholder for the time.... maybe I'm knit-picking here though.

So far, I'm thinking Jim's idea of a lock-triggered camera that films for a specified amount of time would work best. Although I'm not sure how much less (or more) they can cost than your idea.

Today I finally have time to make the rounds at the security lock type of stores. It'll be interesting to see what they've got.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Jax

So far, I'm thinking Jim's idea of a lock-triggered camera that films for a specified amount of time would work best. Although I'm not sure how much less (or more) they can cost than your idea.

Hi

I still think my door switch (not lock switch) system that switch a surveillance camera that records to your pc is the simplest to set up and only records while the door is open so you have a visual and timed record of who is using the room and when they take breaks or leave.

There are lots of companies doing surveillance kits.

[2leod]

Originally Posted by Jax

2leod,

I've thought about the motion sensing idea. The problem with it is that a band playing in a room would toggle the camera into recording for most of the time they were there. I'd have alot of video to look through just to find when they entered and left.

Thanks for the ideas, all. Keep 'em coming!

I do like the switched clock idea - simple is always good. As for the system my buddy put together (it was fairly inexpensive, IIRC) there wasn't any video to scroll through, the frames, which you could set the intervals for, were recorded to the HD, the software just showed a black bar on a time line for the duration of the recording, and a thumbnail would show up wherever you clicked on the bar. Geoff is right though, there are plenty of different surveillance kits available, one should be able to do what you want. If you want any more info on the one my friend did, let me know and I'll get the scoop from him.