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Locked out of my apartment building.

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(@hayttom)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 61
Topic starter  

I live in an apartment building in Kyiv, Ukraine, that has an RFID entry system.  Usually I can enter with an RFID key but today it failed and I had to wait some time in the cold for somebody to leave the building, when I darted in and started typing this.

There is also a digital button system.  Visitors key in the apartment number and negotiate entry and then residents can buzz people in.  (Today I could see its lights on, so the system was probably mainly working.  I suppose the problem was my key, although how can an RFID tag fail?) 

There is no entry code (unlike at my friend's building) and as I live alone and don't know or share a language with any other residents I couldn't call anybody. 

While shivering outside I thought how great it could be if I could key in my own apartment number and then trigger my entry via my phone.  Also my wife (who lives in eastern Ukraine) could do this when she visits.  Obviously I would have to modify the intercom device in my apartment.  I have a Google Home device.  How could I develop this?  

Tom

 

 

Tom


   
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Sean451
(@sean451)
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It sounds like you want to know how to break into an RFID-controlled apartment building.

--->Sean

(◕(' 人 ') ◕)


   
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(@hayttom)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 61
Topic starter  
Posted by: @sean451

It sounds like you want to know how to break into an RFID-controlled apartment building.

--->Sean

I can show you my title deed (I own my flat) if you like!

Tom


   
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byron
(@byron)
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Posted by: @sean451

It sounds like you want to know how to break into an RFID-controlled apartment building.

To be fair it seems he only wants to know how to remotely buzz someone in from the facility already present in his apartment, I guess by the press of a button that allows the door to be opened.   So the app on phone would need to activate something in his apartment to press the button. 

@hayttom

maybe something like the following link could be bodged to work for you.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/SwitchBot-Smart-Switch-Button-Pusher/dp/B07B7NXV4R/ref=asc_df_B07B7NXV4R/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309954504712&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17215004979424053752&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006941&hvtargid=pla-449441422020&psc=1

 

Edit: Not sure that link worked out to well but search for 

SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher, No Wiring, Wireless App or Timer Control, Add SwitchBot Hub Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, HomePod, IFTTT


   
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(@hayttom)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 61
Topic starter  

Thanks Byron for coming to my defense.  Maybe Sean was only joking.

 

As I own the intercom device in my apartment I could open it up and make something trigger the 'buzz' signal electronically.  What's the best general information flow from my phone, through my Google Home device, to something that creates the buzz signal?

 

 

Tom


   
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byron
(@byron)
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@hayttom - I don't have any experience of using Google Home so if you don't get some better advice from others you could try a Google and peruse info like the first web site I found when I googled.

https://www.instructables.com/Control-Devices-Using-Google-Assistant-/

I hope you succeed and are not left out in the cold. 😎 


   
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MadMisha
(@madmisha)
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Posted by: @hayttom

While shivering outside I thought how great it could be if I could key in my own apartment number and then trigger my entry via my phone.  Also my wife (who lives in eastern Ukraine) could do this when she visits.  Obviously I would have to modify the intercom device in my apartment.

More information on this device would be helpful. How does it communicate to the system? I mean, If you open it up, is there a simple switch that you can solder to and add a relay to complete the circuit? I would assume you would still want the physical button there. I know that you can get some Arduinos to be integrated to Google home or Alexa but I actually don't know much about how to trigger it from outside your home(I have never actually set mine up).

Edit: Apparently you can and you can use this code assistant-relay but repurpose it.

 

You mentioned something about your phone. I know some systems can place a phone call to the residence and you can press a number on your phone to buzz in. Is that the case or are you just saying that you want to use your phone to activate it?

 

Some more information that might be helpful, are you close enough to get your home wifi signal from the front door?


   
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(@hayttom)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 61
Topic starter  

Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions and questions.

This morning, with trepidation, I went downstairs to go shopping ... and found the door had been propped open with a brick, indicating that the system is not working generally.  This seemed more likely anyway because as far as I know, RFID tags are pretty indestructible.

Turning now to dreams of other projects...

Tom


   
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