An Arduino Project that allows you to lock and unlock any computer with the help of an RFID Reader.

• Motivation
• Installation
• Usage
  • Component Identification
    • Hardware
    • Software
  • Connections
  • Changing the Code
  • Upgrading Firmware
  • Testing
• Contributing
• License

A project built to reduce the time it takes to manually type a password, and allows users to use complex passwords without the worry about forgetting it.

This was a university project that helped me learn the basics of Arduino and C.

This project uses Arduino UNO and hence utilizes Arduino IDE to upload the code onto the Board.

Ensure that you have the latest version of the Arduino IDE installed.

In order to upgrade the Firmware of Atmega16U2 on Board, we use Atmel Flip 3.4.7. Click here to Download the software.

Download the latest version of this project from Releases. As an alternative, you can also clone this repository using

git clone https://github.com/Sabareesh000/Lock_Unlock_A_Computer_Using_RFID.git

The first step is to understand the various components used in this project.

1. Arduino Uno
2. RFID Scanner
3. RFID tags
4. Jumper wires
5. Breadboard

1. Arduino IDE
2. Atmel Flip 3.4.7

Once, you have all the components required for the project, the next step would be to make the connections.

NOTE: Make the Connections exactly as given below; else, you would have to modify the code.

Connections

Once, the connections are made, you are ready to get started with the software part of the project.

Firstly, make sure you add MFRC522 Library to Arduino IDE

To do this, click on this Link.

Download and Extract the repository(library) into the libraries folder in Arduino Sketch Folder.

If you don’t know where the Arduino Sketch Folder is, Don’t worry. Follow the steps given below.

1. Launch Arduino IDE.
2. Click on files and then go to preferences.
3. You should be able to find your Sketchbook location here.
4. Now, navigate to this folder using Windows Explorer.
5. If there is no Libraries folder there, create one.
6. Extract the downloaded MFRC522 Library inside this folder.

Once you are done adding the library, you are all set up for editing the code.

The first change you have to do is modify your UID number.

The Line Highlighted is the UID of my RFID tags. Remove them and add your UID

Once you are done modifying the UID, Its time for you to change the keystrokes.

Keystrokes are the keyboard strokes you make to enter your computer password, in other words the keys you press to enter your computer password. So first, you convert your computer password into keyboard strokes using the USBKeyScan.pdf I’ve added in the repository.

By Default, my code is set to type ABCD as the keystroke(I had set my computer password as ABCD).

To set up your password, you have to edit the highlighted code. Don’t change anything, just go to

buf[2] = 0x04; 

and change 04 into the keystroke number of the first letter of your password using the USBKeyScan.pdf.

Similarly modify the next buf[2] = 0x05 to the second letter of your password.

If you want to add more letters, just copy the template of the code and paste it and modify the key scan numbers into that of your password.

NOTE: Make sure you copy the delay(50); as well

Finally, after modification, upload the code to Arduino Uno by selecting the correct port and correct COM port.

Once you are done with uploading the code, it is time for you to update the Firmware of Arduino in order to change it into a keyboard. So that it can enter your password when locked or press Win+L to lock the computer.

If you haven't installed Atmel Flip 3.4.7 yet, do it now.

Firmware files that are used are present within this repository.

Now, follow the steps given below:

1. Place a jumper on reset and ground and remove it like in the picture
2. Open Atmel Flip and select the firmware file Arduino-Keyboard-0.3.hex.           From File Tab -> Load Hex File
3. Select Run.
4. Remove USB and plug it again.

NOTE: if there was an error in the code and you want to update it and upload it again into your Arduino, you might notice that your Arduino does not show up on your COM ports. Don’t worry, this happens because you have updated the firmware of your Arduino. All you have to do is, repeat the above step but instead of selecting Arduino-Keyboard-0.3.hex you have to select the Arduino-usbserial-uno.hex file and repeat the steps again. Now when you connect, your device will be recognised as Arduino Uno.

Once you are done with updating the firmware, it is time to test your hardware.

Connect your Arduino to the computer and slowly move your RFID tag towards your RFID scanner.

If your computer were in the unlocked state, the Arduino would press Win+L and send it to a locked state. Withdraw your RFID Tag.

If your computer were in the locked state, the Arduino would enter your password based on the keystrokes you have entered in the code and then presses enter to unlock your computer. Withdraw your RFID Tag.

This Concludes all the steps required to create this project. To understand various components and working principle behind it. Read the Documentation present in the folder.