Button Input Device Hardware

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Pieter2008

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Hi guys.
Need some advice and direction. Busy developing a software system where one of the specifications would be that a central pc (where the software is installed) picks up when a person has pressed a button. Say for instance People A,B and C, I need to be able to tell when anyone of them has pressed a button and identify which one.

So basically I'm looking for some or other hardware solution (wireless preferred) where they have a single buttoned device or something that transmits a signal when pressed and gets picked up by the server pc. I have no hardware experience whatsoever, so any help would be deeply appreciated.

EDIT:The number of different people that should be uniquely identified could reach up to about 10 I guess.
 
Hi Pieter2008,
Building your own hardware I would certainly look at arduino but then you would need to build the enclosure as well.
From your description I started thinking of what you would use the device for. Voting systems comes to mind I did a google on that and this site could provide the solution for you but I suspect that it is going to take away the fun of writing the central PC software.

Could you provide a bit more info on what you want to use the device for?

Regards

Tim
 
The XBee wireless units could also be quite handy. And depending how you set it up you should be able to get by without the need for an additional microcontroller.

Basic premise, have one XBee plugged into your server computer, you can read the data it receives via serial.

Each person has an Xbee module with several buttons attatched. As far as I understand, each unit has a unique address which can be transmitted with digital IO values.

Will also require you to build your own enclosures. Xbee modules range in price from R350-R500 per unit, have a look at NetRam as a local supplier.
 
Thanks Tim. Yes I have been looking at the Arduino. Really exciting, because it's a world completely new too me. I have also been looking at the wifi chips as mentioned by Gareth.
Unfortunately I am not at liberty to say too much about the project, but I believe I should be able to meet all my needs with the hardware you guys suggested. Once again thanks.
 
Think you hit the nail on the head Gareth. Have been looking at the similar 'Polulu Wixel' before having read your post. Definitely steering in that direction. Thanks
 
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