RFID Inventory RFID Inventory SystemSystem

Shaun Duncan, Thomas Keaten, Shaun Duncan, Thomas Keaten, Auroop RoyAuroop Roy

RFID – The BasicsRFID – The Basics

Used to identify unique items using radio waves. Used to identify unique items using radio waves. A reader communicates with a tag, which holds digital information A reader communicates with a tag, which holds digital information

(e.g., a serial number) in a microchip.(e.g., a serial number) in a microchip.

RFID is like a bar code reader, but the reading is done RFID is like a bar code reader, but the reading is done remotely.remotely. RFID doesn’t require ‘line of sight’RFID doesn’t require ‘line of sight’ Serialized IdentificationSerialized Identification

The microchip, attached to an antenna, picks up signals from The microchip, attached to an antenna, picks up signals from and sends signals to a reader.and sends signals to a reader.

Each tag contains a unique serial number, the Electronic Each tag contains a unique serial number, the Electronic Product Code (EPC).Product Code (EPC).

The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to the reader.information to the reader.

RFID - TypesRFID - Types

CategoriesCategories PassivePassive Semi-PassiveSemi-Passive ActiveActive Semi-ActiveSemi-Active

FrequencyFrequency LowLow HighHigh Very HighVery High Ultra HighUltra High

Interesting Uses of RFIDInteresting Uses of RFID

Wireless ID TagsWireless ID Tags A Barcelona nightclub uses RFID tags to automatically add drinks A Barcelona nightclub uses RFID tags to automatically add drinks

to member’s tabs.to member’s tabs. Montreal is planning to implement an RFID system to allow Montreal is planning to implement an RFID system to allow

registered users easy access to a new public bike system.registered users easy access to a new public bike system.

Game MonitoringGame Monitoring Poker tables are coming equipped with RFID systems to monitor Poker tables are coming equipped with RFID systems to monitor

card movement and allow cameras to follow any desired card movement and allow cameras to follow any desired movement.movement.

Shipping BusinessShipping Business RFID is beginning to proliferate in the shipping industry, allowing RFID is beginning to proliferate in the shipping industry, allowing

for easy tracking of products.for easy tracking of products. This is under fierce attack from many unions and other worker’s right’s This is under fierce attack from many unions and other worker’s right’s

groups for infringing on worker freedom and possible health concerns.groups for infringing on worker freedom and possible health concerns.

What we are doingWhat we are doing

Item level RFID based systemItem level RFID based system

Room 2 Room tracking; location of equipmentRoom 2 Room tracking; location of equipment

Student used, equipment reservation systemStudent used, equipment reservation system

RFID Reader/AntennaRFID Reader/Antenna

Central Server Lab Room

Lab RoomLab Room

What are we doing now?What are we doing now?

TagTag EquipmentEquipment

User InterfaceUser Interface

Current- v1.0Simple Textual

Future Drag and Drop

Why are we doing it?Why are we doing it?

Asset ManagementAsset Management Lots of expensive equipmentLots of expensive equipment

TrackingTracking Multiple UsersMultiple Users

AccountabilityAccountability Reservation system for users Reservation system for users

User email

list

Group

Item overdue

Max reserve

time

Reserved time

Able to activate project

Project list

Assigned door key

Actual time used per item

Total time

used per item

Available items

Expected maximum

completion time

Expected Minimum

completion time

Total non-concurrent time used

intervention list

What we’d like to knowWhat we’d like to know

How many & which items are in the cabinet.How many & which items are in the cabinet.

Who currently has issued items.Who currently has issued items.

Which specific item(s) were removed from the cabinet, and Which specific item(s) were removed from the cabinet, and by whom.by whom.

Time to completion, how items are being used, statistical Time to completion, how items are being used, statistical datadata

How to do itHow to do it

Creating a program to interact with readerCreating a program to interact with reader Java, phpMyAdmin, SQL Java, phpMyAdmin, SQL

Creating appropriate database schema so that all required Creating appropriate database schema so that all required information can be determined. information can be determined. History, times, current tags, past tags, etcHistory, times, current tags, past tags, etc

Tag list & Reservation systemTag list & Reservation system Truncate table? Truncate table? BST?BST? Current Thoughts – BST with DSWCurrent Thoughts – BST with DSW

Appropriate DB vs. Software workload sharingAppropriate DB vs. Software workload sharing

Appropriate QueriesAppropriate Queries

Q & …. A(?)Q & …. A(?)