NFC project inspiration please?

[theperson333]

Hi,
  I am doing A-level computing (United Kingdom), and the coursework element, quite naturally, requires you to program a solution. This can include programming a microcontroller or other embedded platforms. I'm quite interested in using NFC in my project. Has anyone got any basic ideas that I can build into a project? I've only used arduino to date, but I'm willing to learn. I'm a lot more fluent in VB.net, so ideas that also include some kind of desktop element would be good

P.S. Ideas do not need to include NFC, I just find it interesting, so would prefer an NFC incorporating project.
P.P.S. Not sure if this would be suitable for the projects forums, so I put it here.

Thanks.

[Fred27]

My latest NFC project was using my NFC implant to unlock my PC. The microcontroller emulated a keyboard and just typed Crtl-Alt-Del and the password. I used an MSP430 but you could do this with any microcontroller that can manage USB HID.
0xfred.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/nfc-login-version-1-0/

If you like coding in VB.net there's always a raspberry pi running windows 10 IoT. It's still a little rough round the edges and feels like a beta, but has promise and might suit you.
http://ms-iot.github.io/content/en-US/GetStarted.htm

[Wilksey]

You could use NFC as a login to a system, or as a security override type of thing perhaps?

[Maxlor]

A couple of things I used NFC for in the past, maybe it'll be of some inspiration:

- Per-unit calibration data for a product where we couldn't add a direct electrical connections without having to jump through tons of regulatory hoops.
- My business card. For phones that support it, it's a lot quicker than a QR code, which is the fallback.
- Distributing WiFi info. Again, fallback is manual entry.
- Inventory tracking.
- (merely as a user:) Hong Kong's octopus card.

I wouldn't recommend using it for authentication-related things. The ID and storage-based mechanisms aren't secure. There are crypto-capable chips available though.