** WARNING : Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health *
What is it
How does it work
WEB-SITE
Advantages
Possible improvements
Objective
The BOX

Team beerConnect: Lucas Tardif, Nicolas DAILLY, Baptiste Morel, fcaron

Published June 21, 2023 © GPL3+

BeerConnect

Connected Tap Machine, works with RFID badge links to an account on a Virtual Machine. Use LoRa and Node-RED for datas processing.

IntermediateShowcase (no instructions)Over 2 days267

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO

Arduino Leonardo

It was a Arduino UNO TheThingsNetworks who was reccognized as an Arduino Leonardo

RFID reader (generic)

Adafruit RGB Backlight LCD - 16x2

To print the state of our System

Breadboard (generic)

National Control Devices Industrial IoT Wireless Water Detect Sensor

I didn't found a water pump.

Relay (generic)

RELAY 5V, GT1080

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

For the main program

The Things Industries The Things Stack

Node-RED

To link our datas with the DB

Microsoft Visual Studio Code Extension for Arduino

For the web-site

Adobe Photoshop

For pictures

Adobe After Effect

For the video

SQL mariadb

For the Database

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Laser cutter (generic)

to make the BOX

Tape, Scotch

To attach our Hardware on the BOX

Story

WARNING : Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health

BeerBox - Automatic Beer Machine

What is it?

Imagine you have an automated beer machine, a bit like an automatic coffee machine, but for beer.

This machine uses specific technologies like RFID to recognize who is actually trying to get a drink. If you are known in our system, your name will be display on the screen once the data processing has recognized your badge ID.

How does it work?

First of all, you will have to register your equipment on The Things Network.
The first step is to create an account on their website. Next, access the console and select the "Gateways" option. Click on "Register Gateway" and fill in the information form, choose a frequency that corresponds to your region, select the "I'm using the legacy packet forwarder" option, and validate your registration. Your equipment should now be registered and ready to be used on The Things Network.

It's only once you've registered your equipment that you'll find the unique keys that will allow your device to send its information over the TTN network.

So, at the start of your program, after following The Things Network tutorials, you will need to enter your credentials/keys to identify your device on your network.

const char *appEui = "XXXXXXXXXXXXXX";

const char *appKey = "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";

To allow your arduino to use the RFID reader, you will need to identify which PIN is used.

#define RST_PIN 9

#define SS_PIN 10

MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);

Same thing for the OLED Screen

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

Then, it start with the RFID badge reader. Each badge has a unique code that is sent to an online platform called "The Things Network". This platform then relays the code to a virtual machine, a computer server that contains a database and a Node-RED.

The database stores information about each badge, such as the owner's bank balance, his name,.... If a badge is scanned for the first time, the server does not recognize the code and sends a message back to The Things Network saying "Unknown". This message is then relayed to the beer machine, which will not perform the service and will display "Unknow Badge " on the OLED screen.

If the badge is recognized, the server checks the badge owner's bank balance. If the balance is less than €4 (the cost of a beer), the server sends the message "Insufficient balance" to The Things Network, which sends it back to the beer machine. In this case, the beer will not be served.

However, if the balance is greater than or equal to €4, the server sends the message "Balance sufficient". At the same time, it updates the database by deducting €4 from the badge owner's balance. This message is sent back to the beer machine via The Things Network.

Since the badge is known, the customer's first and last names are displayed on the OLED screen of the machine. Then, if the beer machine receive the message "Balance sufficient", the pump is activated to serve the beer, else the system inform you that you don't have enough money on your account.

WEB-SITE

To administrate the system, you (administrator) have an access to this Web-Site

Dashboard BeerConnect Web-Site

Using the framework CodeIgniter 4, based on the MVC (Models Views Controllers) architecture, we have designed and implemented this website that serves as an administrative platform. This platform is intended for both administrators and users.

As an administrator, you will benefit from a dynamic and interactive dashboard. This will give you a real-time view of your machine's performance, allowing you to closely monitor the gains generated. In addition, this dashboard provides visibility into the latest consumers and the current state of their balance. This allows you to analyze consumption trends and adapt your strategies accordingly.

User profil - BeerConnect Web-Site

Furthermore, users have full access to their profile page. They can not only modify their personal information but also check their balance at any time. A summary of their activities is also available, offering them complete transparency over their transactions and their use of the platform.

Another advantage for users is the ability to recharge their bank balance directly via their profile page. The process is simple and secure, carried out through a transfer. This makes the user experience more seamless, eliminating the need to travel or use other platforms to carry out transactions.

In sum, our website, based on the MVC model, offers a comprehensive solution for administrators and users. With robust features and an intuitive user interface, the platform ensures an optimal level of management and convenience for all users.

Advantages :

As main advantages, we have the following ideas:

Ease of use: The use of an RFID badge automates the beer distribution process, making the experience more user-friendly and accessible.
Precise measurement control: An autonomous beer dispenser can be programmed to distribute exact quantities of beer for each use, ensuring consistent servings and avoiding wastage.
Speed and efficiency: Automating the distribution process enables quick beverage service, reducing waiting times and improving throughput.
Simplified stock management: An autonomous beer dispenser can have an integrated inventory tracking system, making it easy to monitor the remaining beer quantity, forecast reorders, and minimize stock shortages.

Possible improvements :

As main areas for improvement, we have the following ideas:

Addition of a double verification system with a flow meter and a scale to ensure the perfect serving accuracy for the requested dosage.
Integration of a connection to a professional beer dispenser, allowing the use of beer kegs and CO2 cartridges to serve authentic bar-quality beers.
Easy and quick conversion of the beer dispenser into a soft drinks dispenser, with free soft drinks for individuals committed to not consuming alcohol.
Implementation of a feature to allow users to credit their personal RFID badge via a website.

Objective :

The ultimate goal of our product would not be to offer a replacement for bartenders but rather to provide them with a support tool that would help lighten their workload. In the case of our soft drink example, it would be to offer a free soft drink fountain for designated drivers at student parties. All of this while remaining an affordable and versatile product due to its adaptability for both beer and soft drinks.

The BOX :

To Create the box, we used the basedBox model and it is 29cm high, 21cm wide, and 15cm deep.

To globally synthesize the entire process for the functioning of this beer tap, here is the Poster for the Day of Project

Poster for the Day of Project 2023

Code

code

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <TheThingsNetwork.h>

const char *appEui = "1202200009022002";
const char *appKey = "C2EF2AC186AB04937AAC87E0E7ADA12E";

#define loraSerial Serial1
#define debugSerial Serial

#define freqPlan TTN_FP_EU868

TheThingsNetwork ttn(loraSerial, debugSerial, freqPlan);

#define RST_PIN         9          
#define SS_PIN          10         

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);  
MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);  

const int RELAY_PIN = 7;  

void setup() {
  loraSerial.begin(57600);
  debugSerial.begin(9600);

  while (!debugSerial && millis() < 10000)
    ;
  ttn.onMessage(message);
  debugSerial.println("-- STATUS");
  ttn.showStatus();

  debugSerial.println("-- JOIN");
  ttn.join(appEui, appKey);
  while (!Serial);   
  SPI.begin();     
  mfrc522.PCD_Init();
  delay(4);
  mfrc522.PCD_DumpVersionToSerial(); 
  pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT);
  
  lcd.init();                   
  lcd.backlight();
  lcd.setCursor(2,0);
  lcd.print("Presentez ");
    lcd.setCursor(3,1);
  lcd.print("un badge !");

}

void loop() {

  if ( ! mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
    return;
  }

  if ( ! mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
    return;
  }

 byte payload[4];
  for (byte i = 0; i < mfrc522.uid.size; i++) {
    debugSerial.print(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
    RFID= RFID+mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i];

  
    int length = mfrc522.uid.size;


    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(3, 0);
    lcd.print(" Verification !");

    for(int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
      payload[i] = mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i];
    }
  }    
    ttn.sendBytes(payload, sizeof(payload));

  byte data[64];

  int length = ttn.poll(data, sizeof(data));
  
  //je teste si j'ai une rponse
  if (length > 0) {
    String response = "";
    
    for (int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
      // je transforme ma reponse en string
      response += (char)data[i];
    }

    if (response == "SoldeIn") {
      //badge reconnu et budget suffisant pour tirer une bire
      //je spare ma rponse en fonction des positions des virgules pour pouvoir rcuprer le nom, le prnom ainsi que le solde du compte li au badge
    int index1 = dataStr.indexOf(',');
    int index2 = dataStr.indexOf(',', index1 + 1);
    int index3 = dataStr.indexOf(',', index2 + 1);

    String etat = dataStr.substring(0, index1);
    String nom = dataStr.substring(index1 + 1, index2);
    String prenom = dataStr.substring(index2 + 1, index3);
    float solde = dataStr.substring(index3 + 1).toFloat();


    //j'affiche les donnes sur l'cran
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
    lcd.print(nom +" "+ prenom);
    lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
    lcd.print("Solde : "+ String(solde)+" e");
    delay(3000);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
    lcd.print("OK");
    lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
    lcd.print("EN COURS");
    digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH);
    delay(9000); //attention a ne pas mettre un temps trop lev pour viter de faire dborder votre verre :/
    digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(2,0);
    lcd.print("MERCI ");
    lcd.setCursor(3,1);
    lcd.print("BEAUCOUP !");
    delay(3000);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(2,0);
    lcd.print("Presentez ");
    lcd.setCursor(3,1);
    lcd.print("un badge !");

    } else if (response == "SoldeOut") {
      //badge reconnu MAIS budget insuffisant pour tirer une bire
      //je spare ma rponse en fonction des positions des virgules pour pouvoir rcuprer le nom, le prnom ainsi que le solde du compte li au badge
      int index1 = dataStr.indexOf(',');
      int index2 = dataStr.indexOf(',', index1 + 1);
      int index3 = dataStr.indexOf(',', index2 + 1);

      String nom = dataStr.substring(index1 + 1, index2);
      String prenom = dataStr.substring(index2 + 1, index3);
      float solde = dataStr.substring(index3 + 1).toFloat();


      //j'affiche les donnes  l'cran
      lcd.clear();
      lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
      lcd.print(nom +" "+ prenom);
      lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
      lcd.print("Solde : "+ String(solde)+" e");
      delay(2000);
      lcd.clear();
      lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
      lcd.print("SOLDE");
      lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
      lcd.print("INSUFFISANT");
      delay(3000);
      lcd.clear();
      lcd.setCursor(2,0);
      lcd.print("Presentez ");
      lcd.setCursor(3,1);
      lcd.print("un badge !");
    } else {
      //badge inconnu 
      lcd.clear();
      lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
      lcd.print("BADGE INCONNU");
      delay(3000);
      lcd.clear();
      lcd.setCursor(2,0);
      lcd.print("Presentez ");
      lcd.setCursor(3,1);
      lcd.print("un badge !");
    }
  }  
  //je m'assure que la pompe soit bien teinte  chaque fin de loop.
  digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW);
}


void message(const uint8_t *payload, size_t size, port_t port)
{
  debugSerial.println("-- MESSAGE");
  debugSerial.print("Received " + String(size) + " bytes on port " + String(port) + ":");

  for (int i = 0; i < size; i++)
  {
    debugSerial.print(" " + String(payload[i]));
  }

  debugSerial.println();
}

BeerConnect