Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The current invention relates to attendance monitoring systems that integrate advanced fingerprint sensor technology with cloud-based data logging. Traditional methods of attendance tracking, such as sign-in sheets or manual entry, are prone to errors and inefficiencies. Fingerprint-based systems offer a reliable and efficient alternative. This invention leverages a combination of fingerprint recognition, the ESP32 microcontroller, and additional components to create an efficient and automated attendance monitoring system that displays data on both an LCD and an OLED screen, logs data to Google Sheets, and sends email notifications when a person is late.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Existing attendance monitoring systems often rely on manual entry or other identification methods such as RFID sensors. These methods have significant drawbacks, including the possibility of errors and technical issues. Fingerprint-based systems provide a unique solution by ensuring that attendance is recorded quickly and accurately when the individual scans their fingerprint. Several patents have explored biometric systems:
US Patent No. US20060119159A1 describes a biometric-based system for tracking attendance and providing access control.
US Patent No. US20110242019A1 details a method and system for monitoring attendance using biometric technology, reducing the risk of fraud and improving accuracy.
US Patent No. US20130002447A1 presents a system for managing attendance using fingerprint sensors, ensuring accurate logging and real-time data management.
Additionally, various Indian patents have contributed to the development of biometric attendance monitoring systems:
Indian Patent No. 201621012392A discloses a biometric-based attendance tracking system that integrates with a central database for storing attendance records
.
Indian Patent No. 201741038091A describes a student attendance and monitoring system using fingerprint technology to ensure accurate and efficient attendance logging.
Indian Patent No. 201841028686A focuses on a method and system for real-time attendance monitoring and management using fingerprint recognition, highlighting the integration of such systems in educational institutions and workplaces.
Despite these advancements, there is still a need for a cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-use system that integrates modern microcontrollers, displays, and cloud-based data logging for real-time feedback and control.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of this invention is to develop an automated attendance monitoring system using fingerprint technology with cloud-based data logging and email notifications for late arrivals. The specific aims are:
1) To ensure accurate and secure attendance tracking.
2) To provide real-time feedback to users and administrators.
3) To minimize the possibility of proxy attendance.
4) To integrate additional features such as notifications and data logging.
5) To create a user-friendly interface with low power consumption.
6) To display data on both an LCD and an OLED screen.
7) To log attendance data to Google Sheets for easy access and analysis.
8) To send email notifications when a person is late.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate typical implementations of this invention and should not be considered limiting, as the invention may have other equally effective implementations.
Figure 1: Block diagram of the proposed system
Figure 2: Circuit diagram of the system Figure 3: Proposed prototype model.
EXPERIMENTAL HARDWARE COMPONENT DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVICE
The proposed invention features an attendance monitoring system using fingerprint recognition, controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller. The essential components of the system are described below:
1) ESP32 Microcontroller
The ESP32 is a powerful microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, making it ideal for IoT applications. It acts as the central control unit, processing fingerprint data, managing system operations, and handling data transmission to Google Sheets and email notifications.
2) Fingerprint Sensor
The fingerprint sensor captures and processes the unique fingerprint data of users. It sends this data to the ESP32 for authentication and logging.
3) Relay
The relay acts as an electronically operated switch. It is used to control external devices such as doors or alarms based on the authentication results from the ESP32.
4) Buzzer
The buzzer provides audio feedback to users, signalling successful or failed authentication attempts. It enhances user interaction by providing immediate auditory confirmation.
5) OLED Display
The OLED display presents real-time information to users and administrators, including welcome messages, attendance status, and error notifications. It offers a clear and interactive interface.
6) LCD Display
The LCD display provides additional real-time feedback and detailed information about attendance logs and system status. It serves as a secondary display for users and administrators.
7) Power Supply
The system uses a voltage regulator to convert input power to the required levels for the components, ensuring stable and reliable operation.
WORKING METHODOLOGY
The proposed attendance monitoring system operates on the principle of fingerprint-based authentication. The process is as follows:
1) User Authentication: When a user scans their fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor, the sensor captures the fingerprint data and sends it to the ESP32.
2) Data Processing: The ESP32 processes the fingerprint data, comparing it with stored templates to authenticate the user.
3) Feedback Mechanism: If authentication is successful, the relay can activate external devices (e.g., unlocking a door), and the buzzer sounds to provide auditory confirmation. The OLED and LCD displays show a success message. If authentication fails, the system provides an error notification via the buzzer and displays.
4) Attendance Logging: The ESP32 logs the attendance data locally and transmits it to Google Sheets over Wi-Fi. This allows for easy access and analysis of attendance records from any location with internet access.
5) Real-Time Display: The OLED and LCD screens provide real-time updates on user status and system operations, ensuring transparent and immediate feedback for users and administrators.
6) Late Arrival Notifications: If a user scans their fingerprint after a predefined cutoff time, the system sends an email notification to the user and/or administrator, alerting them of the late arrival.
CLAIMS
1) An automated attendance monitoring system consisting of: a) a fingerprint sensor, b) an ESP32 microcontroller, c) a relay, d) a buzzer, e) an OLED display, and f) an LCD display, which securely records attendance and logs data to Google Sheets.
2) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor provides authentication based on fingerprint data.
3) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the ESP32 microcontroller processes fingerprint data, controls the system's operations, and transmits data to Google Sheets.
4) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the relay controls external devices based on authentication results.
5) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the buzzer and OLED display provide real-time feedback to users.
6) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the LCD display provides additional real-time feedback and detailed information.
7) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the ESP32 microcontroller logs attendance data to Google Sheets for cloud-based storage and analysis.
8) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the ESP32 microcontroller sends email notifications when a person is late.
ABSTRACT
This invention relates to an advanced attendance monitoring system that employs fingerprint technology for secure and accurate attendance tracking. The system includes an ESP32 microcontroller for data processing, a relay for controlling external devices, a buzzer for auditory feedback, and both OLED and LCD displays for real-time information. It logs attendance data to Google Sheets and sends email notifications for late arrivals, providing a reliable, user-friendly, and efficient solution to traditional attendance tracking methods, ensuring accurate logging, reducing the potential for proxy attendance, and keeping all stakeholders informed of attendance status. , Claims:1) An automated attendance monitoring system consisting of: a) a fingerprint sensor, b) an ESP32 microcontroller, c) a relay, d) a buzzer, e) an OLED display, and f) an LCD display, which securely records attendance and logs data to Google Sheets.
2) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor provides authentication based on fingerprint data.
3) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the ESP32 microcontroller processes fingerprint data, controls the system's operations, and transmits data to Google Sheets.
4) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the relay controls external devices based on authentication results.
5) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the buzzer and OLED display provide real-time feedback to users.
6) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the LCD display provides additional real-time feedback and detailed information.
7) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the ESP32 microcontroller logs attendance data to Google Sheets for cloud-based storage and analysis.
8) The system as claimed in 1, wherein the ESP32 microcontroller sends email notifications when a person is late.