First of all, I'm sorry for my very vague explanation and question, my knowledge in this field is extremely lackluster.

So I need a device, preferably a button, which sends a signal to a PC. Thats the simple version.

The extended version would be that a lad that owns a shisha-bar asked me if I could install him something like an anti table flashover system. In the evening, especially on friday and saturday, the bar is always quite full, and most of the time, tables are occupied by people that came at around 7 p.m. and stay up until 2 a.m., which is okay, but his problem is that they usually only order something to drink or a shisha when they arrive, and nothing after that. He wanted to put some leds on the tables anyways to light up when it's darker, and he invited me to some shisha to ask me what he could do (Mind I'm going to a Software Engineering School, and had very basic to almost no experience in the field of electrics and so, the most I've had was putting a server on a Raspbery PI, and I guess that doesn't even really count). So I suggested him to make like a button on the tables, and when someone arrives they have to press the button. So at the beginning the table doesn't illuminate at all, after they pressed the button the leds should start flashing green and the table number should be displayed on like a laptop or something and how long they already had to wait, so a waiter can go to said table and take orders. And once he took the orders, he can confirm the table via the laptop, so the table starts to continuosly light green for about 2 hours, that long he can accept no orders, but after 2 hours the table will start continuosly luminating red, which means that he will send a waiter to the table again and either take another order or ask them to leave. He also wants to see how long they had overtime, which will be done in the program.

Phew, that was quite a long text to write for something as simple as I need it. So my guess is that we will need a Laptop for the program and everything (maybe one of those Tablet-Laptops that are sometimes used for cash registers), x buttons/devices and maybe something like a phillips harmony hub if they're like infrared buttons, to be honest I don't really know. That's why I'm here to ask you experts.

What I have experience with is programming, and I can write the program in less than a weekend, if I knew how the signal is received. Maybe something along the lines of socket programming, or maybe have like a bridge that gets HTTP requests from the buttons containing their table number, I do not know, I'm taking wild guesses here.

So what I want from you guys is a button/device that I can look into that fits my needs, and if it can control leds or if there is an own rgb-controller for those, that too.

Thank you in advance, I hope this isn't too off-topic or anything like that, but I really want to help that lad.

EDIT: What I've already thought of, is maybe something with an Arduino, that like both controlls the leds and sends and receives the signals from the button/device.

 

EDIT: What I've already thought of, is maybe something with an Arduino, that like both controlls the leds and sends and receives the signals from the button/device.

There is no shortage of options available including the use of Arduino or similar uC (Micro-Controller). A simple Google of Arduino will bring up dozens of hits and code samples on how to get LED RGB PWM signals from an Arduino including different color schemes. Using for an example a RGB LED strip. Features like not just colors but fade in and Fade Out can also be employed. The possibilities are endless including the use of wireless.
I would start with a blank sheet of paper and layout tables (get a table count) and then consider a DIO (Digital In/Out module which offers enough digital in and out to cover the table count. This would be a central module you write your initial code around. Each table would have its own uC be it Arduino or a small custom board to carry out the various commands from your software. It all starts with a table count before considering the hardware and then writing a few software routines. That being my initial thoughts anyway.

Ron

 

The wiring and power are the most important aspects to consider first.

Batteries are not going to last long enough- if you are lighting up a bunch of LED's.
Wires are a pain, unless you bolt the tables down and run the wires under the floor.

 

The wiring and power are the most important aspects to consider first.

Batteries are not going to last long enough- if you are lighting up a bunch of LED's.
Wires are a pain, unless you bolt the tables down and run the wires under the floor.

I asked him that already, but he likes to be able to move around the tables, which means no bolting the tables. Are there any strong batteries/akkumulators to keep leds powered on, which maybe only have to be changed every 3 months min.? I don't really know much about these things so sorry if I may sound dumb.

 

Ask yourself this simple question:

"why don't I see this type of system in other bars?"

Because there is no simple solution to the power problem, batteries suck, recharging is a pain, wires are not convenient, etc.

 

Ask yourself this simple question:

"why don't I see this type of system in other bars?"

Because there is no simple solution to the power problem, batteries suck, recharging is a pain, wires are not convenient, etc.

Something I have noticed in US Chains (restaurants) including Chili's, Applebee's and a few others are small and heavy gizmos (for want of a better word) which allow customers to do anything from order menu items, to play games and pay their bill all wireless. They refer to the units as "tablets" and during non business hours they charge their batteries. A small portion from one of several articles reads in part:

Score one for the machines. On Tuesday, Applebee’s announced plans to install a tablet at every table in its 1,860 restaurants across the United States. Customers will be able to use the devices to order food, pay the bill, and ignore their dining companions by playing video games.

Ron