RFID RFID Inventory Inventory

SystemSystemShaun Duncan, Thomas Shaun Duncan, Thomas

Keaten, Auroop RoyKeaten, Auroop 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 A reader communicates with a tag, which holds

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

RFID is like a bar code reader, but the reading is RFID is like a bar code reader, but the reading is done remotely.done 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 The microchip, attached to an antenna, picks up signals from and sends signals to a reader.signals from and sends signals to a reader.

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

The antenna enables the chip to transmit the The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to the reader.identification 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 Interesting Uses of RFIDRFID

Wireless ID TagsWireless ID Tags A Barcelona nightclub uses RFID tags to A Barcelona nightclub uses RFID tags to

automatically add drinks to member’s tabs.automatically add drinks to member’s tabs. Montreal is planning to implement an RFID system Montreal is planning to implement an RFID system

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

Game MonitoringGame Monitoring Poker tables are coming equipped with RFID Poker tables are coming equipped with RFID

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

Shipping BusinessShipping Business RFID is beginning to proliferate in the shipping RFID is beginning to proliferate in the shipping

industry, allowing for easy tracking of products.industry, allowing for easy tracking of products. This is under fierce attack from many unions and This is under fierce attack from many unions and

other worker’s right’s groups for infringing on worker other worker’s right’s groups for infringing on worker freedom and possible health concerns.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 Room 2 Room tracking; location of equipmentequipment

Student used, equipment reservation Student used, equipment reservation systemsystem

RFID Reader/AntennaRFID Reader/Antenna

Central Server Lab Room

Lab RoomLab Room

What are we doing What are we doing now?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 activat

e project

Project list

Assigned door key Actual

time used per item

Total time used per item

Available items

Expected maximum completio

n time

Expected Minimum completio

n time

Total non-concurren

t time used

intervention list

What we’d like to What we’d like to knowknow

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

Time to completion, how items are being Time to completion, how items are being used, statistical dataused, statistical data

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 Creating appropriate database schema so that all required information can be determined. all required 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(?)