[Lab] QR / Registration / ??? Concept

[Alan Gardner]

The idea of using a robot to dispense pre-printed materials is alluring,
but it seems like it might be more failure-prone than print-on-demand. My
low(ish)-cost proposal:

- Partition your attendees by last name, so each last name can only use one
terminal. Put the attendee list for each terminal on a USB key (maybe a
SQLite database?).
- Have n terminals, each with a range of last names, with a B&W laser
printer attached directly
- Attendees check-in on the terminal with a unique code from an email, and
the local printer prints on demand and updates the database on the USB key.

Each terminal is stand-alone, so there's no risk of network issues. You
might want to have n+1 terminals, so you can move the USB key to a new
terminal in the event of a printer/computer failure.

Just a thought.


On Wed, Jan 29, 2014 at 12:07 PM, Jamie <jamie at steppinofftheedge.com> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm working on web site component of a conference with Carleton U and the
> organizer mentioned a desire to improve the registration check-in process.
> Thought maybe someone on this list might have seen a solid solution or have
> an idea on creating one?
>
>
> *The Details*
>
>    - Most conferences default to having pre-printed schedules, name
>    badges and materials available through a volunteer base co-ordinating
>    people into lines based on last name to get their materials.
>
>    - Some use QR code or kiosk to input email and on-demand print of same
>    name badges, materials, etc.
>
>    - They would like to find a balance between the two which have the
>    pros of each and none of the cons - no lines, small need for volunteer army
>    to checkin but not at-risk of printer malfunction or network issue from
>    on-demand print.
>
> My brain went to grocery store self-checkout change return system concept.
> Some kind of setup that allows:
>
>    - pre-printed materials placed into envelopes that are numbered and/or
>    QR coded
>    - When person arrives they provide email or QR code
>    - The system drops their envelope out for pickup.
>    - If network goes down, volunteers only need to check name to # to
>    numerically find an envelope.
>
> No idea of budget - but I'd be happy to connect the dots for anyone
> interested in pursuing.
>
> Jamie
>
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