Using a Nexus S as a keyfob via NFC and Elk M1G?

[etc6849]

I'm curious if anyone here has tried using the Nexus S as a keyfob yet? I'd like to explore an option that would use an Elk M1G, but I'm open to other suggestions.

If there's nothing that will work with the Elk directly, all I need to make things work is some device to read the NFC code and output it as ascii or hex over a socket port via tcp/ip or via a COM port when my phone comes within an 1" of a pad. I have zero experience with NFC, so I'm hoping someone here does

 

[electron]

One thing I have done in the past when using RFID keyfobs is remove the tiny chip/antenna from the fob, and embed it into my phone chassis, so I could use my phone to access doors. Worked pretty well. A little more difficult nowadays with the tighter tolerances on current phones, but depending on the size of the RFID hardware, you might be able to do this until NFC is more common.

 

[tmbrown97]

These are pretty slick too - used them at the office; they're small enough to stick on your phone under the case, or on just about anything else.


I'm having trouble getting the answers I'm looking for - it looks like the NFC chip in that phone is a reader, not a transmitter - right? So it wouldn't be able to talk to a reader on the M1?

 

[js19707]

[..]
I'm having trouble getting the answers I'm looking for - it looks like the NFC chip in that phone is a reader, not a transmitter - right? So it wouldn't be able to talk to a reader on the M1?

Apparently, the Nexus S RFID hw supports read and write, but the Android SDK doesn't (yet?) support it. See http://gibraltarsf.com/blog/?p=13 for details, including the workaround implemented for writing tags

 

[etc6849]

Thanks for all the replies...

WRT to NFC
What's a good RS232 interface to use? I was thinking that I could write code that links the volume up button so that the NFC chip would send a command when I held volume up for x seconds...

Keyfob Dis-assembly
Dan, are you talking about the keychain type keyfobs or the cards? I think this idea is worth giving a try!

 

[electron]

Yep, talking about the typical HID access cards and keychain fobs. It can be tricky to take it apart (it's pretty easy to damage the antenna), but if you have some space in your phone somewhere (battery compartment, or somewhere underneath the shell), then it's worth a shot. The HID sensors Work2Play linked, look even easier to integrate.

 

[etc6849]

They do look nice... but will the HID Microprox cards work with this reader: http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=185 ?

I'm also guessing that the ELKM1PR will work with the KP2 and through sheeting and vinyl siding (<1")...?