Final Design Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Od4j9alWQ-aWPw2foj5QGyWb4Tw1RAWn/view?usp=sharing

Background

The integrated card reader and timestamp system was developed as part of the Industrial Design course at Lund University in Sweden, under the guidance of Professor Per Kristav, a specialist in industrial design. This project was executed in collaboration with MiThings, the company contracting our team, ensuring the alignment of the project with industry standards. The project followed the Double Diamond design process, which includes four phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. This comprehensive approach facilitated a thorough exploration from initial research to final product delivery.

Problem

The core challenge assigned was to design a robust, user-friendly, and adaptable card reader system that could seamlessly integrate into the existing technological infrastructure of the client. The card reader needed to ensure secure and efficient access control and include a timestamp functionality to accurately record entry and exit times. The main requirements were:

A card reader capable of working in multiple scenarios such as opening locked doors, registering people, and possibly other applications like payment or medical device integration.
The reader must be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, necessitating weather resistance and robustness.
The device should provide user feedback through visual and auditory signals rather than a screen, especially for outdoor environments.
Integration of a secondary identification method (e.g., PIN code) to enhance security during certain hours.

Solution

Discover Phase:

The discovery phase involved extensive market research to understand current technological trends and user needs. Initial brainstorming sessions with the team and discussions with stakeholders helped in identifying the versatile applications of the card reader. The research highlighted the necessity of a weather-resistant design and the importance of intuitive user feedback mechanisms. The team explored existing card readers and potential improvements, such as better ergonomic design and enhanced security features.

Define Phase:

In the define phase, the insights from the discovery phase were synthesized into a clear problem statement. The team identified the core issues to be addressed, including the need for a versatile, secure, and user-friendly card reader. Specific design goals were set, focusing on robustness, user feedback, and ergonomic design. The decision was made to use a blip for external card scanning due to its better weather resistance compared to a slit for card insertion.

Develop Phase:

During the develop phase, the team turned the defined goals into tangible design concepts through ideation, sketching, and prototyping. Various technologies and design options were considered, including PIN entry and biometric scanning. Initial sketches and prototypes were created to visualize different design directions. The design was iteratively refined based on feedback from stakeholders and users. Key design decisions included:

Opting for a PIN code as the secondary identification method due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
Choosing sound feedback over a screen for outdoor usability, with green and red LED lights indicating successful and unsuccessful PIN entries, respectively.
Designing the housing to be weather-resistant and ergonomically optimized, with a focus on intuitive button placement and visibility.

Deliver Phase:

In the deliver phase, the final design was refined, tested, and prepared for production. The CAD modeling process began with creating detailed sketches and 3D models. The design included a keypad, clock-in button, and markings to indicate card reader functionality. Prototypes were 3D printed and iteratively improved based on testing. The final model was painted and assembled, ensuring that it met all the specified requirements and provided a modern, appealing look. The interactive development approach and continuous user feedback integration were crucial in achieving a design that was both innovative and attuned to user needs.

Conclusion

The project successfully resulted in a robust and user-friendly integrated card reader and timestamp system, tailored to the client's requirements. The comprehensive application of the Double Diamond design process ensured thorough research, clear problem definition, iterative development, and meticulous delivery of the final product. The collaboration with MiThings and the continuous integration of stakeholder feedback were pivotal in creating a product that not only met but exceeded the operational and ergonomic expectations.

Industrial Design - NFC Card Reader