RFID Inventory Management And
Tracking System
Greg McDaniel
Hashem Garner
Adam Kesner
Thomas Harris
Presentation Agenda
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Project Overview
Hardware
Prototype Checkout System
Database & Web Reporting Tools
Please hold all questions until the end of the
presentation.
Greg McDaniel
RFID Inventory Management System
• Prototype System
▫ Replace UPC Barcodes
▫ Uses RFID Tags
 Passive RFID
• Benefits
▫ Enhanced Inventory Tracking
▫ Simplified Checkout
Project Background
• Current Systems
▫ Universal Product Codes ( UPCs)
• Limitations
▫ Shoplifting
▫ In-Store Inventory Tracking
▫ Inefficient Checkout
• Alternative
▫ Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFIDs)
What are RFIDs?
• Radio Frequency Identification Tags
• Common Uses
▫ E-ZPass
▫ Passports
▫ Security Badges
Benefits of RFIDs
• Faster Checkout
▫ Speedy
▫ Fewer Complications
• Numerous Other Potential Applications
▫ Improved Inventory Tracking
▫ Anti-theft
▫ Expiration Dates (grocery stores)
Project Components
• Hardware
▫ RFID Reader
• Software
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Checkout System
Database
Stored Procedures
Web Reporting Tools
Adam Kesner
Hardware
• RFID Operation
• Types of RFID Tags
• Required Capabilities
▫ Major Objectives
▫ Minor Objectives
• RedBee RFID Reader
• Interference
RFID Operation
• Necessary Components
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Interrogator
Antenna
RFID Tag
PC
Power Supply
RedBee RFID Scanner
Types of RFID Tags
• Active
▫ Contains Battery
▫ Transmits Signal Autonomously
▫ Range of up to 100 Meters
• Battery Assisted Passive (BAP)
▫ Requires External Source to Wake Up
▫ Significant Higher Forward Link
▫ Greater Read Range
• Passive
▫ Energy Transferred Using RF from Reader
▫ Range of 3-5 Meters; Usually Less
RFID Button, Credit Card, Key Fob and Reader
Major Objectives
• Accurate Identification
▫ System is Useless Otherwise
• Cost Efficient
▫ Prototype Cost: $150
• Remote Scanning
▫ Ideal Functionality, Not Achieved
• Near Instantaneous Operation
Minor Objectives
• Filter Foreign Tags
▫ Handled Effectively
• Read Tags at Various Orientations
▫ Parallel Orientation Offers Best Range
▫ Functions at all Orientations
• Operate in Store Environment
▫ Repetitive Use
RedBee RFID Reader
• Interfaces with EM4001 IC
▫ Key Fobs, Capsules, Cards, Buttons etc.
▫ 125 KHz Low Frequency
• Receives 32-bit ID
▫ Utilizes 24 bits for Our Products
▫ 8 Bits for Brand, Product, Unique ID
• Sufficient Read Range
▫ Roughly 10 cm
RedBee RFID Reader
• Power Supply Options
▫ Via USB
▫ Regulated 12V Barrel Connector
▫ Supply 5V to Vcc Pin
• Tag ID Transmitted via USB
▫ Stream of Serial Data
▫ Read from COM Port as a File
Interference
• Foreign Tags in Range of RedBee
▫ HF Tags do not Interfere
▫ 125 kHz Tags Handled by Software
• Valid Tag and Foreign Tag in Range
▫ Reliable Data Received
▫ Valid Tag Recognized
• Multiple Valid Tags in Range
▫ Unreliable Operation
▫ Unpredictable Results
Hashem Garner
Software Architecture
• Basic Components
▫ Viewer
 GUI
▫ RFReader
 Hardware Interface
▫ Database
 Database Interactions
Code Conventions
• Based on Oracle/Sun Recommended Best
Practices
▫ Camel-Case
▫ Small Files
 Less than 2000 lines
 One class with specific purpose
▫ Comment Conventions
▫ Indentation and Whitespace Usage
Viewer
• Handles User Interactions
▫ Display Current Order
▫ Select/Remove Item
▫ Finalize Transaction
• Custom Panel
▫ Display Order Item
 Align Columns
▫ Aesthetically Pleasing
RFReader
• Reads Data from RedBee Reader
▫ Parses Data
▫ Formats Data
RedBee
Reader
Buffer File
RFReader
Data Sent
to Viewer
Data
Formatted
Data
Parsed
Database
• Item Lookups
▫ Price
▫ Brand
▫ Product
• Finalize Transaction
▫ Insert New Transaction/Sales
 Transaction Number
 Totals
Database Design
Thomas Harris
The Database
• IMS Requires Tracking Large Amounts of Data
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Current Inventory Levels
Inventory Orders
Sales Transactions
Pricing History
Stored Procedures
• Used to Access Data in the IMS Databases
• Database Gatekeeper
▫ Select
▫ Insert
▫ Update
• Security
• Change Localization
Database Testing
• Test Data Generation
▫ Automated
▫ Pseudo-Random Data
▫ Simulate Inventory Flow
• Verified Basic Database
Design
▫ Table Structure
▫ Stored Procedures
• Provided Test Data for Web
Reporting Tools
Web Reporting Tools
• Honors Component
• IMS Trending and Summaries
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Current Inventory
Price Trending
Purchase Order History
Sales Summary
Software Architecture
• Web Presentation Layer
▫ Custom Data Presentation
• Business Layer
▫ Shared Methods
▫ Data Abstraction
 Stored Procedures
 Data Objects
Current Project Status
• Working Prototype Checkout System
▫ RFID Scanning Implemented
▫ Functional GUI
▫ Itemized Receipt
• Stored Procedures
▫ Standard, Secure Database Interface
• Web Reporting Tools
▫ Displays Useful Statistics
▫ Basic Model for Future Reports
Future Plans
• Improve Hardware
▫ Tags
▫ Reader
• Investigate Secondary Applications
▫ Loss Prevention
▫ Locating Misplaced Items
▫ Real-Time Store Inventory Tracking
• Address Limitations
▫ Chicken and Egg Problem
 Industry Initiative?
▫ Cost of Implementation
Questions?