Raspberry Pi will change the game in RFID industry [Insight]

Anyone has spent some time on googling "RFID" will soon realise comprehending RFID-product should earn you a doctorate degree. The toughest part is the "RF" in this 4-character word, it involves the selection of right RF reader and tag, system design and installation, not to mention the expensive middle-ware software and application software part. These factors lead to long sales and project cycle, eventually unsuccessful user experience.

HK-RFID has over 10 years of RFID design and deployment experience and we believe Raspberry Pi might be the game changing solution, bringing extra value in the whole RFID value-chain. 

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost mini-computer, with a proper program installed, it will be capable to handle basic RFID reader setting, data processing and provide data output. The user-skills required should be as simple as typical household WiFi router setting. 

We are developing a web-interface on Raspberry Pi (Project code: IMPRESS), so user-friendly that user doesn't require any programming skill or RFID knowledge. One single set of Raspberry Pi and RFID reader would be enough to cope with instant DEMO request, and small-scale business applications such as Attendance, Inventory Listing, Media trigger, etc. All it takes is just mapping IDs to what your names and actions, with a few clicks on a web-interface. 

Automatic data delivery to server by Raspberry Pi, in a customised format, would make system integration so easy that the programmer no need to study the long API document or call any library. They just need to set the network setting and all data will be auto-update into database. 

HK-RFID is capable of integrating Raspberry Pi into any of its RFID reader in their product series, as one single product. However, doing so may add up extra-cost to the product and bringing less value because users have fewer upgrade options. 

Raspberry Pi, as a part of RFID system, will accelerate the wide-use of RFID, including the evolving Bluetooth low energy (or BLE, BT4.0, ibeacon) and near-field-communication (NFC) technologies . The same platform can apply to any BLE dongle to perform more network or database related function. 

We welcome any comment and partnership, or proposal of co-development. Please provide your comment by send to our email: info@hk-rfid.com

Apps-in-a-Box : Raspberry Pi x RFID [Beta] [Lab]

We are so excited to introduce you all an innovative approach to use RFID reader products, by connecting Raspberry Pi to RFID readers. We are developing a tentative project named: IMPRESS platform, which is a web-service on Raspberry Pi, talking with Empress RFID readers, and others.

The basic idea is running your applications on Raspberry Pi just like any PC, and let it control a or multiple brainless RFID readers. We offer a web-interface just like household WiFi router for reader settings, as well as basic business applications.

If you are not sure what Raspberry Pi is, please visit following reference link; What is Raspberry Pi?

Video is on the way, but first please read the details explained in Q&A manner; 

Q: Why connect Raspberry Pi to RFID readers?

A: By doing so, you can have

• much cheaper "self-maintained mini-computer" (less than USD 40) that talks with your RFID readers, without any skill-set to handle RFID's protocol and calling APIs, etc.
• a website to configure the readers and do a lot more business applications;
• a lot more choices on connectivity, such as, LAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, SD-Card, Video ouput HDMI, etc.; instead of ordering expensive RFID reader options. 

Q: What can Raspberry Pi do with the data get from RFID readers?

A: Raspberry Pi can 

1) Auto record and deliver to server, send email 

2) Send email or trigger outputs, alarms or camera, etc

3) Process more logic such as record the first/last seen ID, their time and duration, and missing IDs

4) Mapping meaningless long ID with more meaningful names, such as student names, employee names, etc., may be export a report.

Q: What kind of readers will be support?

A: Our IMPRESS-Preloaded Raspberry Pi will support

1. Empress 2.4GHz Active RFID readers from HK-RFID [primarily]
2. Bluetooth Low Energy (iBeacon) readers
3. NFC readers
4. Other client requested RFID equipment

Q: What kind of applications or services will offer on this IMPRESS web platform?

A: Apart from basic setting of readers, we will offer several most popular RFID applications, depends on the license purchased from users

1. Attendance
2. Prohibited zone (access control)
3. Signage or media-content trigger
4. EAS anti-theft
5. Sensor data
6. Inventory list

Q: How to make it work?

A: You just need to 

1. Purchase the IMPRESS-SDK kit which include a Raspberry Pi and a Empress 2.4GHz Active RFID-kit from HK-RFID, 
2. Enjoy the unboxing, connect up Raspberry Pi with any HDMI display and reader, configure the network settings on a browser
3. Set your business applications and there you go

Q: How many readers each Raspberry Pi can support?

A: ONE

Q: When will it be available?

A: 2014 Fall, please contact us if you want to follow our development progress or Pre-order. We welcome any comment and partnership, or proposal of co-development.

Email:

General Enquiries:         info@hk-rfid.com

Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation

[Success Case] Axper Vision II optical visitor counter achieved 95% accuracy in one theme park at low light

Axper Vision II twin-lens visitor-counter camera successfully achieved over 95% accuracy in one theme park at very low light and high volume.

A theme park theater has a entrance where 80 visitors per minutes through a 3m wide opening and 4m height. This embedded system requires minimal installation and tuning efforts even under  high contrast environment and low light situation. The accuracy could be up to 99% if there are not too many umbella carriers under that rainy days.




Visit our company website for more information.

AXPER VISION II VISITOR COUNTER

What is Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE)?

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is now one of the latest technologies in micro-positioning and it is implemented in iOS 7 as the iBeacon feature. Here are two short video clips about iBeacon for you to understand how it works in different situations.

iBeacons: What They Are And How They Work

In this video, the speaker of the presentation introduces iBeacon to you and how it is being used in the retail industry now.

iBeacon Technology

Part 1 :

Part 2:

This video is a detailed presentation about the highly accurate micro-positioning technology which is based on BLE. They designed and demonstrated how museums such as Museum Louvre can make use of the BLE for navigation of visitors. With BLE, visitors will be able to load the right piece of information of the museum into their smartphones at the right place and right time. If you want to know how the programming codes works, you can also listen to the explanation of features of the codes by their engineer.

Please click into this link to understand more about the possibilities of BLE and feel free to contact our specialists to let us provide you with a customized BLE solution.

Video Sharing: Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE) Marketing on i-Devices, ibeacon application demo

This was a fascinating video that was taken in Oct. 2012, edited recently and put on youtube. This internal project made use of the state-of-the-art technology at that time (BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY or BLE or BT4.0), and it was well-finished by our talented engineers. We are still waiting for related open protocol and faster-development by Apple to encourage us  to plan something bigger.




"We are very excited about this new technology and we can produce tag and readers right-away. It has a very good synergy effect with Empress 2.4Ghz Active RFID product line. While some companies are able to mimick ibeacon and be so pro-active in the field, we are afraid that Apple's coming announcement may not responding the request of the iBeacon players, at the end became another "passbook"."   - commented by CTO, Kevin Wan.

Well, let's wait and see. 

We are 10 years old!

Time flies and we have grown from an incubatee to a worldwide leading RFID product designer and solution provider! To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong RFID (HK-RFID), 50 members and friends gathered at The Cityview Hotel at the company annual party.

The party was kicked off by Mike’s thank you speech to all current and previous employees for their contribution to HKRFID success. Everyone enjoyed the delicious buffet lunch and mini-games prepared by the HR department.

The party came to a climax when everyone received a red pocket from the lucky draw session! Lastly, the group photo had marked the end of the joyous day!

Here, we would like to share our happiness and joy with you all! 

Tree are lethal, especially in highly populated cities. That are why we need Tree Tagging!

Whenever there is a strong typhoon or heavy rainstorm, many trees would fall down as a natural process. But in highly populated cities such as Hong Kong, the falling trunks are highly lethal.

The management of trees is a hot topic in Hong Kong; tree experts and inspection teams hit the road and look at the trees by naked eye; general public are encouraged to report the threatening trees. How to keep track on the record of trees? And how to report the location of tree?

Here comes the solution: Tree Tagging by using RFID nail tag.

We recommend using High frequency ISO15693 or so called NFC-V, with a appropriate smartphone APP, it enables us to get the tree information, including its identity, location and type. The firemen can find out the tree and remove it quickly!

For tree expert team, just tap the tag with the RFID reader, they can get the details of health records. The tree tag is a High Frequency RFID tag and can still function when it is wet. It should be noted that the installation of tree tag requires professionals to make sure the tree tagging is safe and sound.

Contact: sales@hk-rfid.com

Brilliant! Tag your rental bikes!

It is the era of paperless operation. Bike rental business should be able to catch up with the trend! And...RFID can help!

With Garrison Responsive Tags, no more hand-written or paper rental records are needed. Empress RFID readers and the smart system will do that for you.

It’s awesome yet simple! What you need is just-

- Garrison Responsive Tags tagged bikes

- Empress Handheld Active Reader

- A smart system

It offers

Unique Bike IDs - each bike is entitled an unique ID with the tag for trace and check

Improved Security - you can track the bike within defined distance

Paperless Record - the system do the e-recording for you

Errors Minimization - clear and systematic records of clients information with bike ID

What are you waiting for? Go get the impressive technology for your rental business today!

[DEMO] Empress (2nd Generation) EM02-ETH active RFID reader

Continue with the previous post and video, today we are showing you a demo clip of how to install both the hardware and software in 5-minute time.

5 minutes! Just the time needed to make yourself a cup of fine coffee! Isn’t it amazing?!

Yes! The installation is as simple as setting up your wii connection at home, just plug into few cables and it’s done! Of course you have to turn the machine on as well.

For the software part, the whole procedure is illustrated clearly in step by step manner. So you will be able to understand how it can be configured and readied for your use.

Empress HH - Latest Upgraded Empress Handheld Reader

Together with latest upgraded stationary reader EM02-ETH, we have also upgraded our Empress Handheld Reader for Active RFID Tags. The new model is called Empress HH (PN: EM02-HH)

Let's see what's new in this coolest Empress member!


4 Key features:

- Compatible with latest Emperss Transponders, such as Sense, Responsive, Tempcorder, and other future series. 

- newly added RSSI, also shows transponder battery status, GPIO, etc.

- better sensitivity setting, fine and accurate Gain adjustment 

- faster computation power on your hand


More user-friendly and easier to be carried around!
It becomes smaller and lighter. The new design is less clumsy and better fit-in-hand.

More responsive and upgraded software!
Now, your reader is responding even faster in just a few seconds. The sensitivity is strengthened and adjustable for your convenience.

Larger memory and improved battery!
It stores more data and works longer hours to make your operation more effective and efficient.

It became better, however, still with a simple user interface! You are going to find out more about this new machine in the video.

In today's video, we are going to show you how this new machine works! With its light weight, it is designed to be carried around easily. Its waterproof and dustproof outer case make it applicable to different industrial environments. A 2D Barcode scanner is installed for wider application.

Once you start running the program, you are able to read all the tags nearby, within a few seconds. Along with the tag ID, signal strength and battery level of the detected tags are also shown on the screen for better management. The reader also allows distance control of your tags, such as enabling the LED of it.

The Setting page is like the Control Panel of your computer, for you to adjust the settings of your reader. for example, you can change the sensitivity of the reader by altering the 'gain'.

This demonstration video is going to show you more about how to get it start with your Empress handheld reader.

The launch date is Oct. 2013. Pre-order today.

Cross links:
HK-RFID active tag page
Active-rfid.Net page

How to evaluate your chain retail shop's performance? Retail-101 Question.

Lecture Note:  Retail-101;  Question NO. 1 :

How can you evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns
and your retail chain performance?

In real life, retail stores are hard to judge or predict the sales performance, compared with virtual online stores; Online marketing campaigns do have a lot of KPIs whereas the physical ones do not.

Virtual online stores can be easily evaluated using indicators like no. of (new/old) visitor, staying duration, sales conversion rate, and something as simple as junior school Maths.

For physical retail shops, the effectiveness of any marketing campaign remains unclear, until after the sales of the month results poorly. Why?

The key difference is lacking REAL TIME visitor monitoring in physical retail shop. 

It's very easy to do that with Axper's Vision II and Performance Plus!!!

Axper Vision II people traffic counter and retails analytic software Performance Plus can provide business intelligence by offering KPI just as timely &amp and easy as online  shops.

How it works? 

When we want to understand real sales performance opportunities and additional sales potential of a retail store, we will generally employ a equation as shown below:

Total sales	=	Traffic	X	% sold	X	Average sales
$500	=	100 people	X	10% or 10 transactions	X	$50

The web-base analytic software can integrate Traffic Data (No. of Visitor) with Sales Value from POS and staff HR management (STS-approach), bringing you the full picture for each of your shops. And with the user-friendly interface, you can set up various bar charts and pie charts to show the performance of your retail business around the globe 24/7.

The holistic conversion rate is now online and most importantly, REAL TIME for multiple shops shown on one single Map, thanks to Axper and Performance Plus. After that, you can have a general idea of what gives rise to an unsatisfactory turnover and pin point the problems;

• Pricing strategy? Traffic high vs low sales?
• Lack of ads?  Traffic low vs low sales?
• Lack of serving staff?  Traffic high vs low staff ?
•  ....etc.

The more the customer traffic, the more stimulating  the sales. Together with  application of Axper's Vision II, Performance Plus substantiate the relationship between sales performance and traffic level with high readability, from which you will yield an insight of what needs to be improved and how to provoke customer traffic, enhance sales conversion and formulate an array of  retail planning strategies. These help further  facilitates decision in Merchandising, Budgeting, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources Management, Customer Relationship Management, and so on. More importantly, you can get the real-time visualized analysis at your convenience!

It truly streamlines and systematizes entire planning process for Retail Operations Analysis, with LEAST EFFORT but GREATEST RESULT!


Don't forget the homework - Cross reading:
A Peek on 3D Vision Camera in-action!
Visual-Based Visitor Counter for Retail or Events



Contact us for more information!

www.hk-rfid.com  |  www.active-rfid.net

[Contact Our Specialist]

Watch me replacing the coin battery for Hussar and Garrison Tag.

Many people may not understand how RFID tags work, let alone having an idea of how to change their batteries. Here you will have a deep insight into how easy that can be!

This time our focus is on two tags, Hussar tag (NT02) and Garrison tag (RT02) respectively. The frequency of all our active RFID tags are 2.4Ghz band.  The former one is generally for convenient access tracking with its characteristics of extremely small, slim and light design; the later one is for asset management at industrial level, made of  super hard plastic materials with its characteristics of mount-on-metal, dust-proof and waterproof . Garrison Tag also has bluetooth low energy (BT4.0), which is an open-protocol option.

For these two powerful tags, the process of changing batteries is NOT complicated at all. With its user-friendly design, it only takes you almost 1/6 time of cooking a cup noodle, as easy as changing the battery of your mobile phone!

www.hk-rfid.com  |  www.active-rfid.net
[Contact Our Specialist]

Asset Tracking Management System (ATMS), leveraged in MTR

Have you ever thought of the SIMPLEST way to keep track of every component and spare part EFFECTIVELY and EFFICIENTLY?

You may ask...

Could it be ECONOMICALLY attained WITHOUT SINGLE HUMAN ERROR?

Given that an increasing need of a large scale of asset tracking will magnify in the near future, we specifically designed an Asset Tracking Management System (ATMS), which is user-friendly, accurate and reliable for enterprise to manage their asset effectively, efficiently and economically without single human error!

This ATMS helps worker to record the check-in/check-out time for bulky spare parts to which unfriendly barcode labels are no longer useful. The Low-Power Active RFID tags runs on a coin batteries lasting for 3 years, and beacons every second to report their ID to the Empress system networks. A few readers can easily cover large workshop.

From an applied perspective, MTR thoroughly utilized ATMS to streamline the process of asset tracking with high operational efficiency.

We made these be the history:

X  Complicated procedure & red tape

X  Manually track asset 

X  Human Error

X  High installation cost

(*ATMS is empowered by EMPRESS 2.4Ghz RFID system)

[Case Study - ATMS in MTR.pdf]

For any enquiry, please contact HK-RFID sales representative.

Or visit our website for more product information.

www.hk-rfid.com  |  www.active-rfid.net

Arthome, a pottery studio makes use of mobile-marketing (NFC/QR) in their masterpiece gallery

Whether it is a Tai-Chi style hidden in the vase or 12 abalones on the clock, each art piece has a fascinating story to tell! 

Hong Kong creative pottery artist, Mr. Alan Lai, has combined his sense of art with the latest smartphone technology to link up their friends and tell stories. By making use of NFC/QR code, smartphone users can enjoy the videos delivered from artists, exchange the concepts on facebook. 

It is just like the creator walks along with you and explain about his creation one by one. Teachers and classmates are now tightly bonded together on facebook, thanks to the Smart Poster that link to class schedule and Fan page of Arthome. 

In this business case, there are 4 types of links. After tapping of each of those, the visitor will be directed to

• product pages showing size, names, and creator
• youtube video describing the details and the creation process
• Arthome fan page on facebook (on poster)
• Class schedule, announced on facebook (on poster) 

NFC-shop.net: www.nfc-shop.net

ARTHOME: www.arthome.hk

HK RFID: www.hk-rfid.com 

Email:

General Enquiries: info@hk-rfid.com

Sales Enquiries: sales@hk-rfid.com

Environment Monitoring in Data Centers

How do you monitor temperatures in your data centers currently? Is it useful and cost-effective? Probably no due to high measuring costs and efforts or inaccurate data. We have a much better solution for you. Read our newly published Data Center Case Study and you will find the answer!

For most companies, turning the air-conditioners to the lowest possible temperature every day and manual monitoring seems to be a feasible way to combat the temperature monitoring challenges brought by increasing processor speed and server rack density. However, such solution risks facility reliability and increases overall costs. 

The Tempcorder™ tags - Sense Tag and Moist Tag, possess accurate digital sensors, ensuring temperature and humidity data are measured reliably and automatically. Upon simple installation process of RFID readers and PC with the tags, any changes could be detected and notified for timely adjustments or preventive actions.  

With this automatic temperature monitoring system, human errors in measurement as well as wasted energy in cooling system could be greatly saved to lower costs. Better environment management could be achieved at the most cost-effective way now. 

Download and read the publication here for more details:

For inquiries, please contact our sales representatives:
sales@hk-rfid.com

You can also visit our website and Facebook page to explore more:

www.hk-rfid.com
www.active-rfid.net

www.facebook.com/hkrfid

Tempcorder™ Tags Videos

How much do you know about the Tempcorder™ series? What functionalities do the different tag models possess and how could they be applied in various applications? Watch the latest videos on our YouTube channel to learn more!

The first video features the temperature sensing functionality of Sense Tag. Simulating an environment of both high and low temperature, temperature changes in the surrounding areas of Sense Tag are accurately measured. The data is sent along to the reader and reflected on the PC instantly. High sensitivity and accuracy enable an efficient and reliable temperature control process, which can be flexibly applied in various applications.

Watch video: Tempcorder™ Sense Tag Demonstration

The second video demonstrates the humidity sensing functionality of Moist Tag. When the tag is blown by a hair dryer, Moist Tag detects the humidity changes in the surroundings accurately while the corresponding data is reflected on PC simultaneously. Alternatively, when the tag is covered by wet tissue, Moist Tag functions in a timely manner - detecting humidity changes and sending accurate data to the PC. With Moist Tag, complicated and manual efforts in monitoring humidity level could be saved while accuracy and efficiency could be greatly enhanced.

Watch video: Tempcorder™ Moist Tag Demonstration

The third video showcases the special product design and high sensitivity of Extreme Tag. Equipped with an external probe, Extreme Tag is capable of sensing temperature in extreme conditions or dangerous zones such as railway tracks and mining tunnels. Its probe is placed in contact with extremely hot or cold objects to measure temperature directly in real time while the body of the tag remains at another less extreme environment. The smart design and functionality of Extreme Tag makes the most impossible temperature data capturing not only possible but easy, safe and accurate.

Watch video: Tempcorder™ Extreme Tag Demonstration

                                     

More application videos are on our YouTube channel. Please visit the channel:

www.youtube.com/hkrfid

For inquiries, please contact our sales representatives:
sales@hk-rfid.com

You can also visit our website and Facebook page to explore more:

www.hk-rfid.com
www.active-rfid.net

www.facebook.com/hkrfid

Sense Tag Application Case

Want to explore the features and functions of Sense Tag and see what it can do to help save costs for your environment monitoring process? The newly published Sense Tag Application Case will sure help you.

Temperature sensing and monitoring has become a common trend today. Suitable for diverse applications, Sense Tag is specially designed and manufactured to be able to be attached to various objects such as server racks, walls and stores in most areas using double sided tape or the hole at the top of the tag. Whether it is to prevent overheating, maintaining temperature level or just taking data for reference; Sense Tag provides you a simple and cost-effective solution.

With Sense Tag, changes of temperature in designated area could be known in real time through the system while corrective actions could be taken instantly. This contributes significantly to higher efficiency and lower costs, especially to industries which temperature monitoring is of extreme importance like data centers and greenhouses. Extra resources are no longer wasted to maintain temperature as it can now be accurately monitored and adjusted accordingly.  

Download and read the publication here for more details.

For inquiries, please contact our sales representatives:
sales@hk-rfid.com

You can also visit our website and Facebook page to explore more:

www.hk-rfid.com
www.active-rfid.net
www.facebook.com/hkrfid

RFID-enabled Building Component Database System (BCDS)

HK RFID has over 5 years of experience in implementing RFID in construction industry in HK. Our client bases cover all local developers and contractors. This RFID system can easily integrate with the logistics flow, quality assurance flow and BIM, it is highly praised and recommended by property owners. 

Turn-Key Solution
Regarding this RFID-enabled building component database system, we provide total solutions including hardware and software, as well as consultancy on how to implement in different construction materials.

Partnership
We are looking for interested overseas partners to promote, offer support and implement the same system to overseas market.

For any enquiry, please contact HK-RFID sales representative.

Or visit our website for more product information.

www.hk-rfid.com  |  www.active-rfid.net