Adopting RFID for body parts tagging: a Local Association Network approach

Adopting an innovative technology often requires extensive intelligence research. A major value indicator for RFID Technology adoption is how the potentials of RFID can translate into actions to improve business operational efficiency [1]. This paper presents a Local Association Network (LAN) approach to developing RFID enabled visibility systems for body tagging. On site testing validates the proposed approach. User feedback strengthens our belief that the proposed approach would help facilitate RFID technology adoption in body tagging. © 2010 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

RFID assisted object tracking for automating manufacturing assembly lines

RFID technology provides a wireless means to detect and identify objects. In this paper, an RFID assisted object tracking system is developed to track the object movement and further predict object positions in the assembly lines. To overcome the problems of the object tracking accuracy with certain amount of readers with omni directional aerial, a convex model for range-free cooperative object tracking is proposed in the manufacturing assembly lines. Further to enhance the assembly line efficiency, a particle filter model is developed to further process the object tracking results to improve the tracking accuracy. The proposed tracking system can also forecast the movement state of objects in the assembly lines. © 2007 IEEE.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Clothing-Integrated Human-Technology Interaction

Due to the different disabilities of people and versatile use environments, the current handheld and screen-based digital devices on the market are not suitable for all consumers and all situations. Thus, there is an urgent need for human- technology interaction solutions, where the required input actions to digital devices are simple, easy to establish, and instinctive, allowing the whole society to effortlessly interact with the surrounding technology. In passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, the tag consists only of an antenna and a simple integrated circuit (IC). The tag gets all the needed power from the RFID reader and can be thus seamlessly and in a maintenance-free way integrated into clothing. In this thesis, it is presented that by integrating passive UHF RFID technology into clothing, body movements and gestures can be monitored by monitoring the individual IDs and backscattered signals of the tags. Electro-textiles and embroidery with conductive thread are found to be suitable options when manufacturing and materials for such garments are considered. This thesis establishes several RFID- based interface solutions, multiple types of inputs through RFID platforms, and controlling the surrounding and communicating with RFID-based on/off functions. The developed intelligent clothing is visioned to provide versatile applications for assistive technology, for entertainment, and ambient assistant living, and for comfort and safety in work environments, just to name a few examples

RFID assisted object tracking for automating manufacturing assembly lines

RFID technology provides a wireless means to detect and identify objects. In this paper, an RFID assisted object tracking system is developed to track the object movement and further predict object positions in the assembly lines. To overcome the problems of the object tracking accuracy with certain amount of readers with omni directional aerial, a convex model for range-free cooperative object tracking is proposed in the manufacturing assembly lines. Further to enhance the assembly line efficiency, a particle filter model is developed to further process the object tracking results to improve the tracking accuracy. The proposed tracking system can also forecast the movement state of objects in the assembly lines. © 2007 IEEE.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Novel development of distributed manufacturing monitoring systems to support high cost and complexity manufacturing

In the current manufacturing environment, characterized by diverse change sources (e.g. economical, technological, political, social) and integrated supply chains, success demands close cooperation and coordination between stakeholders and agility. Tools and systems based on software agents, intelligent products and virtual enterprises have been developed to achieve such demands but either because of: (i) focus on a single application; (ii) focus on a single product; (iii) separation between the product and its information; or (iv) focus on a single system characteristic (e.g. hardware, software, architecture, requirements) their use has been limited to trial or academic scenarios. In this thesis a reusable distributed manufacturing monitoring system for harsh environments, capable of addressing traceability and controllability requirements within stakeholders and across high cost and complexity supply chains is presented. [Continues.

SECURE TRACKING SYSTEM FOR NEXT GENERATION CIT PRODUCTS

The Cash in Transit (CIT) industry demands reliable and innovative products from its suppliers to ensure safety and reliability within the industry. Product innovation has been directed at a bespoke tracking system for the Cash in Transit industry, which can meet its stringent requirements and excel above the capabilities of standard, readily available tracking systems. The presented research has investigated the state of the art in tracking and localisation systems and has highlighted Wi-Fi as a potential novel Cash in Transit tracking solution. With research into 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and the effects in a CIT environment, the technology has been understood and demonstrated in terms of its advantages and weaknesses when applied to CIT. The research has shown that 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is a novel and viable solution for both wide area tracking and localised tracking of a Cash in Transit security box by testing innovative ways of detecting theft using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi in a set of specific real-world scenarios. An embedded tracking system was developed and a thorough evaluation undertaken using a series of practical usage scenarios. The results show the proposed tracking capability is very effective and ready for initial effective use within a Cash in Transit security box

MODELISATION ET SIMULATION DE L'INTRODUCTION DE TECHNOLOGIES RFID DANS DES SYSTEMES DE CONFIGURATION A LA DEMANDE

L'IDentification par Radio-Fréquences (RFID) permet une identification rapide et efficace des objets. Dans les systèmes de personnalisation de masse, elle promet un apport considérable grâce à sa capacité à gérer des flux d'information complexes caractérisant ce type de systèmes.Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les impacts de la RFID sur les systèmes de configuration à la demande (CTO). Nous nous basons sur un cas réel pour apporter une mesure fiable et directement exploitable. La littérature à ce sujet offre souvent des mesures sommaires, théoriques ou qualitatives, d'où l'originalité de la thèse.L'étude est réalisée par une approche de simulation à évènements discrets et évalue l'apport des technologies RFID à deux niveaux. Le premier concerne des changements directs du système (e.g. accélération des maintes vérifications caractérisant la CTO, libération de ressources...). Ces changements influencent la performance du système en termes de temps de séjour, de taux de retard des commandes, etc. Le deuxième niveau concerne des changements profonds tirant profit d'une visibilité accrue des produits et de la facilité d'une collecte de données rigoureuse. Ces changements se focalisent sur l'allocation dynamique de la charge de travail. La remise en question des processus à l'occasion de l'introduction d'une technologie RFID constitue un point original en raison du manque de publications soulignantsuffisamment cet avantage.Nos expérimentations ont montré que les apports des technologies RFID dans un système CTO sont indéniables. De plus, repenser le fonctionnement du système afin d'exploiter plus profondément le potentiel de la technologie accroit les bénéfices.Radio Frequency IDentification allows quick and secure identification of objects. In mass customisation systems, RFID technologies can be peculiarly efficient, because they are able to support the complex flows of information which characterize these systems.In this study, we focus on RFID technologies effects on configuration to order (CTO) systems.We base the research on an existing case in order to obtain reliable information directly usable by decision makers. The rarity of studies offering quantitative, detailed and real case based measures makes the originality of this thesis.RFID technology implementation's effect is analysed by a discrete event simulation approach and is presented in two levels:The first level relates direct changes brought about by RFID (e.g. faster execution of the many checks due to the wide range of products, reduced workload for resources ). These changes have an impact on system's performance in terms of lead time, late orders' rate, etc.The second level is axed on deeper changes occurring due to the increased product visibility and the ease of collecting large amounts of data with an RFID technology.These changes mainly focus on the dynamic allocation of workload. Reconsidering of processes and proposing changes deeper than the simple direct technology impact is a breakthrough, in this study, because of the lack of publications highlighting this benefit adequately.In conclusion, RFID contribution in CTO systems and, extensively, in assembly to order systems may be undeniable. Moreover, beyond the direct technology impact, rethinking how the system works by exploiting the deeper potential of technology can increase profits.ST ETIENNE-ENS des Mines (422182304) / SudocSudocFranceF