Does the FloJack use a battery?

[TomsonParticipant]

FloJack looks great! I am interested in it. There are some questions about FloJack.
1. Can it read Mifare S50 card unique ID?
2. Can it read Mifare plus card unique ID?
3. To read mifare unique id, I just need to buy FloJack ($59.99) and download open source sdk to develop custom iOS app, right?
4. How to physically protect FloJack? any lock accessary?
5. Is there a button cell in Flojack?

Thanks

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Tomson, the FloJack support Mifare S50 and Mifare plus card reading (all supported protocols discussed here).  With the FloJack and our open source SDK you will be able to develop your own app that reads and writes NFC tags that conform to the NFC Forum specifications.  The FloJack doesn’t have any sort of physical lock.  The FloJack runs on a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that you can find at any local convenience store.

I hope that answers your questions… what’s your use case like?  perhaps we can help to get your application developed quicker.  We are sharing code snippets regularly with customers.

thanks.

[TomsonParticipant]

I am developing visitor log iPad app, iPad stands at the door of office with physical lock. I hope the app can read our university Mifare staff card to simplify sign in and out procedure. It looks that FloJack meets read Mifare card technical requirements. But I have 2 concerns.

* How to physical protect FloJack?

* FloJack uses CR2032 coin cell battery, which has to be changed when it has no power. Is there any approach to avoid change coin cell? Can FloJack use iPad to charge battery? This is the main concern.

Thanks.

[RichardKeymaster]

* How to physical protect FloJack?

The FloJack is build with a rugged housing and reinforced audio jack.  If you intend to enclose the tablet and FloJack, make sure the outer walls are non-metalic.  Metal can interfere with the read performance of the FloJack.

* FloJack uses CR2032 coin cell battery, which has to be changed when it has no power. Is there any approach to avoid change coin cell? Can FloJack use iPad to charge battery? This is the main concern.

You can avoid the need of a coin cell with a flex adapter that we will be offered soon after the FloJack release.  This adapter allows for 5V power to be injected into the FloJack as opposed to from the coin cell battery.  This is how we have our internal test devices set up.  You will been to create a cable that plugs into the iPad and draws out the 5V power pin, while still connecting the FloJack to the audio port.  SO in essence you’ll have two connections, one to the audio port and the other to the 5V power line on the bottom connector.

I hope that helps,

Richard

[TomsonParticipant]

 

Thanks for your valuable suggestion about physical protection.

You will been to create a cable that plugs into the iPad and draws out the 5V power pin, while still connecting the FloJack to the audio port.  SO in essence you’ll have two connections, one to the audio port and the other to the 5V power line on the bottom connector.

The cable for FloJack charging occupy iPad bottom connector, how to charge iPad? I think the perfect way is that both FloJack and iPad can be charged at the same time. Can the adapter support it?

Tomson

 

[RichardKeymaster]

Tomson, yes both charging the iPad and powering the FloJack are possible.  You will need to make such an adapter or we can help you with it.  From an implementation standpoint, it’s trivial but if you want an adapter that stands the test of time then we may need to give your final requirements some thought.  It’s all a matter of how much you want to spend.

Richard and the Flomies.

[TomsonParticipant]

yes both charging the iPad and powering the FloJack are possible.  You will need to make such an adapter or we can help you with it.  From an implementation standpoint, it’s trivial but if you want an adapter that stands the test of time then we may need to give your final requirements some thought.

Thanks Richard. I have been looking for this adapter for a few weeks. Unfortunately I can’t find what I want. Do you plan to design adapter which can charge ipad and give power to Flojack simultaneously? If no, can you give me some advices?

[TomsonParticipant]

Or can Flojack be charged separately without iPad?

• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by  Tomson.
• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by  Tomson.

[RichardKeymaster]

The FloJack can be powered separately using any regular USB power plug (5V supply).  The hardware is not meant for this method of use however, so you will need to manage the installation with care to make sure things don’t break.  It may take a bit of rigging before you get it right.

[TomsonParticipant]

Hi Richard,

I still have no idea about how to charge Flojack with usb power plug. 🙁

Any tip is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Author]

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