IoT-Based Smart Door Lock System with Fingerprint and
IoT-Based Smart Door Lock System with Fingerprint and
Abstract
Doors are important components in a home, serving as entry points, room dividers, and
security barriers. Door locks have evolved from manual mechanisms to automatic systems
using technologies such as passwords, face sensors, and fingerprint sensors. To enhance
practicality and efficiency, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based Smart Door Lock system
using keypads and fingerprint sensors was developed in this research. The system was built
using the Waterfall model Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and utilizes Firebase
for real-time data communication and control through an Android application. Black box
testing was conducted to verify the system’s functionality, achieving a 100% success rate
across 20 trials. The system offers enhanced security and remote access control, with
potential applications in both residential and commercial settings.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that connects computing devices and
everyday objects through networks without requiring direct human interaction.
IoT involves smart devices with processors, sensors, and communication devices
that collect, send, and process data from their environment. The collected data is
shared through IoT gateways or edge devices, then sent to the cloud or analyzed
locally [1]. As a technology that supports Industry 4.0, IoT integrates the physical
world with the digital, enabling broad and flexible connectivity. Although still in
the early stages of development, IoT offers a wide range of modern solutions and
services with a global network of interconnected devices, using standardized and
interoperable communication protocols [2].
Doors play an important role in a home, as they are not only the main access for
residents to enter and exit, but also serve as the main element that provides security
and privacy. As an integral part of a home's structure, the door is often the first
point of interaction for anyone who enters, making it an essential element in
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Journal of Information Systems and Informatics
Vol. 6, No. 3, September 2024
creating a first impression of the home [3]. Currently, mechanical locks that are
still manual in nature are commonly used to secure doors [4]. However, along with
the development of technology, door security systems have also progressed.
Various digital door security systems have been developed, offering more
sophisticated and efficient solutions to improve the safety and comfort of home
residents [5]. Nowadays, automatic door locks are available that can be accessed
using various methods, such as passwords, facial recognition sensors, fingerprint
sensors, or even E-KTPs that have been recorded during automatic key
generation. This technology offers a higher level of security and convenience for
room owners, allowing them to manage access more easily and safely [6].
The main advantage of using door lock technology is its ability to precisely manage
who can access a room. This technology solves problems related to lost keys,
duplication of manual keys, as well as the difficulty in managing multiple keys for
different rooms. The more rooms there are, the more keys there are to store, which
can be a time-consuming and cumbersome process to find the right key [13].
Despite the advancements in door lock technology, many existing systems lack
flexibility, remote control features, or integration with modern IoT infrastructures.
This creates a gap for systems that are both secure and practical while providing
seamless remote monitoring and control. Therefore, the need arises to develop a
door security system that is safe, practical, and efficient by combining PIN and
fingerprint sensors based on the ESP-32 microcontroller and utilizing Android
applications as the remote access control and monitoring. This research combines
several door lock access methods in previous studies that have been mentioned to
further advance usability and enhancement of door lock technology both used in
residential or commercial environments.
2. METHODS
The methodology employed to achieve the objectives involves five stages of the
system development life cycle, specifically using the waterfall method. Each stage
is executed systematically, as depicted in the Figure 1 [14].
Figure 1 shows the various stages in the development of the research. These stages
include initial requirements analysis, system design, implementation, testing and
system maintenance. However, this research only focuses on the testing phase, so
the other stages are not discussed in too much detail.
The initial stage of this process, known as requirements analysis, covers various
factors such as the device to be used, desired features, and other software-related
aspects. This stage involves collecting relevant literature from various sources such
as books, journals, notes, and the internet. Such literature serves as a valuable
reference to review the research material and acquire relevant knowledge.
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2.2. Design
The design stage follows the needs analysis and focuses on creating models based
on the needs that have been identified during the analysis stage. This modeling
process involves the use of various tools, including system overviews, schematic
designs, hardware designs, and application or software designs.
These tools that can be seen in table 1 serve as essential components in visually
representing the structure and relationships within the system. Using these
modeling techniques, the design stage aims to create a clear and comprehensive
blueprint that will guide the subsequent development and implementation stages
of the project.
2.3. Implementation
This stage involves developing a smart door lock system design. The database
implementation as well as the data communication between the device and the
mobile application used Firebase, while the programming languages used were
C/C++ and Java. In addition, some hardware is also used in this research,
including ESP32, fingerprint sensor, keypad, relay module, jumper cable, lcd i2c,
solenoid door lock, 12V power supply, push button, and stepdown module. The
hardware implementation results, and system overview will be provided in section
3.
2.4. Testing
Black box testing is a crucial stage in the software development process that aims
to ensure the smoothness and reliability of the program that has been created. This
testing stage is very important to identify and correct errors or deficiencies in the
program flow[15]. The black box test results, that will be provided in section 3,
show that each scenario has been successful and as expected [16].
2.5. Maintenance
Maintenance is the final stage of the project that allows assessment of the
achievement of the set goals. This stage ensures the continued effectiveness and
usability of the smart door lock system. In addition, maintenance provides an
opportunity to make necessary updates or upgrades according to evolving needs
and requirements. With good maintenance, the system can continuously adapt to
changes, ensuring optimal functionality and high security for its users.
This system overview aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how the smart
door lock system works and facilitate the delivery of information regarding various
aspects and features of the system. This description covers the various
components and interactions that occur within the system, thus providing a
comprehensive view for the user or developer. Figure 1 will clarify and illustrate
in detail the overview of the smart door lock system, assisting in the visualization
of the structure and workflows involved.
Figure 2 is a system overview of the smart door lock system in this study. This
figure shows the relationship between each component, starting from the ESP32
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which acts as a microcontroller that will process input and output from each
sensor. Keypad, fingerprint sensor, and push button act as input from the user
which is then processed by ESP32 and gives a trigger to the relay which will
activate the door lock solenoid. The mobile application is used as a control and
monitoring device that is able to access the door lock and monitor door lock
activities through firebase as data communication and database connected to the
internet.
Figure 3 is a schematic design of the smart door lock system in this study. Each
electronic hardware is connected into a single unit, each PIN on the device is
connected to each PIN on the ESP32 to then function as expected. This circuit
uses a 12V AC power source which is used to supply the door lock solenoid and
uses a 12V to 5V stepdown module to supply other modules including ESP32.
At this stage, the electronic components that have been designed in the schematic
are implemented into a real device. This process involves mounting and
connecting the components on the circuit board, as well as ensuring all modules
function properly according to the initial design. As a protector and to add
aesthetic value to the device, a container is also designed for the electronic
components that have been designed by adjusting the shape and size of the
components.
Figure 4 is the result of the hardware implementation of the smart door lock
system in this study. Figure (a) shows the device that is the container of each
electronic component. Figure (b) shows electronic devices that have been
connected using PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and implemented in a customized
container. Figure (c) shows the final result of the hardware implementation which
is the result of all the components that have been put together.
The software design was developed and implemented in the form of an Android-
based application. The application was designed specifically for the mobile
platform, allowing users to access and control the smart door lock system through
their Android device. This process involved the creation of an intuitive interface
as well as the integration of features that support the main functionality of the
application, ensuring an efficient and effective user experience. As such, users can
utilize the full capabilities of the system directly from their smartphone or tablet.
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Figure 5 is the result of the software or android application for the smart door
lock system in this study. Figure (a) shows the home page of the application, where
the home page displays the smart door lock devices that have been added, each
device has a switch button that acts as access to open and close the door lock
device. Figure (b) shows when the device on the home page is selected, it will
display several additional menus or features such as edit device, delete device, add
fingerprint, change device PIN, activity log to monitor door lock activity, and key
for guest to create a temporary key. Figure (c) is a monitoring display in the
application, where every door lock access is done, it will be recorded and displayed
on the activity log page.
Table 1 is the scenario and results of testing the door lock access feature through
the application. Testing was carried out with 2 test scenarios and got the results
fulfilled or appropriate.
Table 2 is the scenario and results of testing the door lock access feature through
via keypad. Testing was carried out with 2 test scenarios and got the results fulfilled
or appropriate.
Table 3 is the scenario and results of testing the door lock access feature via
fingerprint sensor. Testing was carried out with 2 test scenarios and got the results
fulfilled or appropriate.
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Table 4 is the scenario and results of testing the door lock access feature via push
button. Testing was carried out with 1 test scenario and got the results fulfilled or
appropriate.
Table 5 is the scenario and results of testing the door lock monitoring activity.
Testing was carried out with 1 test scenarios and got the results fulfilled or
appropriate.
3.6. Discussion
The results from the smart door lock system's development and testing reveal a
robust and functional solution that integrates both hardware and software
components effectively. The system successfully incorporated key inputs such as
a keypad, fingerprint sensor, and push button, with an Android-based application
providing an interface for remote control and monitoring. The system's
performance met the expectations outlined in the test scenarios, and all
components, both hardware and software, worked cohesively to achieve the
desired functionality.
One of the key strengths of this project is the seamless interaction between
hardware and software components. The use of the ESP32 microcontroller as the
central processing unit enabled the smart door lock system to handle multiple
inputs (keypad, fingerprint sensor, and push button) efficiently. The ESP32’s
ability to process data and communicate with a mobile application through the
internet (via Firebase) ensures real-time monitoring and control, which enhances
the system's utility in both domestic and commercial settings.
On the software side, the Android application offers an intuitive user interface,
allowing users to control and monitor the system remotely. The integration of
features like activity logs, guest key creation, and device management adds to the
system’s robustness and user-friendliness. The successful execution of these
features in testing demonstrates the reliability of the system.
Despite the system's success, there are areas that could benefit from further
development. For example, while the ESP32 provides adequate functionality, the
system could potentially be enhanced by incorporating more advanced
microcontrollers or additional communication protocols such as Zigbee or Z-
Wave to improve scalability and integration with other smart home systems.
Another area for improvement is the fingerprint sensor, which currently works
based on binary (registered/unregistered) identification. Implementing a more
advanced biometric authentication system with support for multiple user profiles
or higher security features could increase the system's appeal for use in more
sensitive or high-security environments. Finally, while the Android application
functions well in this initial implementation, expanding its compatibility to iOS
platforms would make the system more accessible to a wider audience.
Additionally, incorporating more real-time data analytics or integration with cloud-
based services could further enhance the monitoring capabilities.
The results from this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the smart door lock
system in providing a reliable and user-friendly access control solution. The
hardware and software components were successfully integrated, and the system
performed well in all test scenarios. The system’s functionality can be further
extended by making improvements in biometric security, platform compatibility,
and scalability. Nonetheless, this project provides a solid foundation for further
development and presents a practical solution for secure access management.
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4. CONCLUSION
The research on the Smart Door Lock system has been successful, meeting
expectations for door lock access through Android applications, keypads,
fingerprints, and push buttons. The design and development process involved the
seamless integration of hardware and software components, ensuring that each
feature functions optimally and addresses user needs. The Android application
includes essential features such as door lock access, device management (CRUD),
fingerprint addition, PIN changes, activity logs, and temporary PINs, optimally
utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling remote monitoring and
control with Firebase RTDB for efficient, real-time data storage to
communication. The system was tested 20 times with a 100% success rate across
various scenarios, proving its reliability. For practical applications in both
residential and commercial environments, this system will be able to provide
enhanced security and ease of access. Future research should focus on testing the
system under different environmental conditions and integrating additional
security features, such as RFID and facial recognition, to further enhance
flexibility and security. Expanding the system’s capability into a broader Smart
Home ecosystem and ensuring system operability during power outages through
the integration of UPS are also potential areas for improvement.
REFERENCES
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