🔔 SchoolBell - Automated School Bell System

Currently deployed and operational at BVB School, Nadiad 🏫

An intelligent IoT-based school bell automation system that combines modern web technology with Raspberry Pi hardware to deliver precise, reliable bell scheduling for educational institutions.

🌟 Live Implementation

This system is actively running at BVB School, Nadiad, successfully automating their daily bell schedule and providing administrative control through a modern web dashboard.

🎯 Project Overview

SchoolBell is a complete IoT solution that automates school bell operations through:

Web Dashboard: Modern Next.js interface for schedule management and system control
Raspberry Pi Controller: Hardware interface for bell control with offline capability
Firebase Integration: Cloud synchronization and real-time data management
Multi-level Security: PIN-based authentication system with brute force protection

🏗️ System Architecture

┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐
│   Web Dashboard │◄──►│    Firebase     │◄──►│  Raspberry Pi   │
│   (Next.js)     │    │   (Database)    │    │   (Controller)  │
│                 │    │                 │    │                 │
│ • Schedule Mgmt │    │ • Data Storage  │    │ • GPIO Control  │
│ • Manual Control│    │ • Command Queue │    │ • Local Storage │
│ • Activity Logs │    │ • Device Status │    │ • Scheduling    │
│ • Settings Panel│    │ • Sync System   │    │ • Time Sync     │
└─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘

✨ Key Features

🔔 Automated Bell Scheduling

Pre-configured school timetables (weekday/Saturday)
Period-based scheduling with break management
Special day override capability for events/holidays
Offline operation with local data persistence

🎛️ Manual Control System

Instant bell activation through web interface
PIN-protected emergency controls
Configurable bell duration (1-10 seconds)
Real-time status feedback

📊 Activity Monitoring

Comprehensive logging of all bell activities
Real-time system status monitoring
Device connectivity tracking
Historical activity reports

🔒 Multi-level Security

Site PIN (8 digits): Dashboard access control
User PIN (8 digits): Manual control and schedule modifications
Master PIN (10 digits): System configuration and PIN management
Brute force protection with progressive delays

🌐 Cloud Integration

Firebase-based data synchronization
Remote system monitoring and control
Automatic backup and recovery
Cross-platform accessibility

📅 Default Schedule Implementation

Monday to Friday

Period 1:    08:15 - 08:55
Period 2:    08:55 - 09:35
Short Break: 09:35 - 09:45
Period 3:    09:45 - 10:25
Period 4:    10:25 - 11:05
Period 5:    11:05 - 11:40
Long Break:  11:40 - 12:00
Period 6:    12:00 - 12:40
Period 7:    12:40 - 13:20
Period 8:    13:20 - 14:00

Saturday

Period 1:    08:15 - 08:55
Period 2:    08:55 - 09:35
Short Break: 09:35 - 09:45
Period 3:    09:45 - 10:25
Period 4:    10:25 - 11:05
Period 5:    11:05 - 11:45

🚀 Quick Start Guide

Prerequisites

Raspberry Pi (3B+ or newer recommended)
Node.js 18+ for dashboard development
Python 3.7+ for Pi controller
Firebase account
GPIO-compatible relay module

1. Dashboard Setup

cd dashboard
npm install

Create .env.local with your Firebase configuration:

NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID=your-project-id
NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_API_KEY=your-api-key
# Add other Firebase config variables

# Development
npm run dev

# Production build
npm run build

2. Raspberry Pi Installation

Choose your preferred installation method:

Option A: Standard Installation (Recommended)

cd dietpi
sudo ./install.sh

Option B: Pyrebase Version (Lightweight)

cd dietpi
sudo ./install_pyrebase.sh

Option C: Hybrid Node.js Bridge (Advanced)

cd new-dietpi
sudo ./install.sh

3. Firebase Configuration

Create a Firebase project
Download service account key
Place in appropriate directory based on installation method
Update project ID in configuration files
Deploy Firestore security rules

4. Hardware Setup

Connect your bell system to Raspberry Pi GPIO:

GPIO 22: Primary relay control
GPIO 23: Secondary relay control
3.3V/GND: Relay module power

📁 Project Structure

SchoolBell/
├── dashboard/                 # Next.js Web Dashboard
│   ├── app/                  # Next.js 13+ app directory
│   │   ├── api/             # API routes
│   │   └── components/      # React components
│   ├── lib/                 # Utility libraries
│   ├── public/              # Static assets
│   └── firebase.json        # Firebase hosting config
│
├── dietpi/                   # Standard Pi Controller
│   ├── main.py              # Primary controller script
│   ├── install.sh           # Installation script
│   └── requirements.txt     # Python dependencies
│
├── new-dietpi/              # Hybrid Node.js Bridge Version
│   ├── firebase-bridge.js   # Node.js Firebase interface
│   ├── main.py              # Python bell controller
│   └── install.sh           # Hybrid installation
│
└── Documentation/
    ├── DEPLOYMENT.md         # Detailed deployment guide
    ├── QUICK-PI-SETUP.md    # Rapid Pi setup instructions
    └── SOLUTION-SUMMARY.md   # Technical implementation details

🔧 Configuration Options

Environment Variables

Dashboard

PI_BASE_URL=http://192.168.1.100:5000
NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_PIN=12345678
NEXT_PUBLIC_USER_PIN=87654321
NEXT_PUBLIC_MASTER_PIN=1234567890

Raspberry Pi

# GPIO Configuration
RELAY_PIN_1 = 22
RELAY_PIN_2 = 23

# Bell Settings
DEFAULT_BELL_DURATION = 5  # seconds

# Security
MASTER_PIN = "1234567890"  # Change this!
USER_PIN = "87654321"      # Change this!

🛠️ API Reference

Dashboard API Endpoints

GET /api/pi-status - Check Pi connectivity
POST /api/ring-bell - Manual bell activation
GET /api/logs - Retrieve activity logs
POST /api/sync-schedule - Force schedule synchronization

Pi Controller API

GET /api/status - System status and health
POST /api/ring - Direct bell control
POST /api/update_schedule - Schedule updates
GET /api/logs - Local activity logs

🔍 Monitoring & Troubleshooting

System Health Checks

# Check Pi service status
sudo systemctl status schoolbell

# View real-time logs
tail -f /home/dietpi/schoolbell/bell.log

# Test GPIO functionality
python3 -c "import RPi.GPIO as GPIO; GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM); GPIO.setup(22, GPIO.OUT); GPIO.output(22, GPIO.HIGH)"

Common Issues & Solutions

Pi Not Responding

Verify network connectivity
Check service status: sudo systemctl status schoolbell
Review logs for error messages
Confirm Firebase configuration

Bell Hardware Issues

Test relay connections
Verify power supply to electromagnet
Check GPIO pin assignments
Test with manual API calls

Time Synchronization Problems

Enable NTP: sudo systemctl enable ntp
Manual sync: sudo ntpdate -s time.nist.gov
Check internet connectivity
Verify timezone settings

🚀 Deployment Strategies

Cloud Hosting Options

Vercel (Recommended): Easy deployment with automatic HTTPS
Firebase Hosting: Integrated with Firebase backend
Netlify: Alternative static site hosting
Self-hosted: On-premise deployment option

Production Considerations

Use environment variables for sensitive configuration
Enable Firebase App Check for additional security
Set up monitoring and alerting systems
Configure automated backup procedures
Implement SSL/TLS certificates

🔒 Security Best Practices

Change Default PINs: Update all authentication codes before deployment
Network Security: Use VPN for remote access when possible
Regular Updates: Keep all dependencies and system packages current
Access Logging: Monitor and review all system access attempts
Backup Strategy: Regular data backups and recovery testing

🤝 Contributing

This project is designed for educational institutions. Contributions welcome for:

Additional schedule templates
Enhanced security features
Mobile application development
Integration with school management systems

📄 License

Private educational use license. Contact for commercial licensing options.

🎓 Educational Impact

Currently serving BVB School, Nadiad with:

✅ Automated daily bell scheduling
✅ Reduced manual intervention requirements
✅ Improved schedule adherence
✅ Enhanced administrative control
✅ Real-time system monitoring capabilities

Built with ❤️ by Sohel

Making school operations smarter 🔔

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 2 Commits
dashboard		dashboard
dietpi		dietpi
.gitignore		.gitignore
.gitmodules		.gitmodules
README.md		README.md

sohelshekhIn/SchoolBell-IOT

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