MONITORING CHILDREN IN THE SHOPPING MALL USING RFID

TECHNOLOGY-CONTROLLING MODULE
NURUL NADIA BT YAHYA
A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of

the degree of Bachelor of Computer System and Networking

Faculty of Computer System & Software Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang
APRIL 2010
ABSTRACT
Normally, security system at shopping mall still at the low level and unsecure.
Nowadays, cases of losing children at'he shopping mall always happen due to old
fashion of security system there. Monitoring Children In The Shopping .Mall Using
RFID Technology-Controlling Module is being developed as a high level of security
system at the shopping mall to decrease this becoming worst problem in this country.
Moreover, the risk of lost children in the shopping mall is really high. Usually parents
bring along their children when go to shopping mall. Many parents cannot monitor
their children at the hectic situation in the shopping mall. Normally, security guard
can just monitor part of the shopping mall area. So the possibilities of the losing
children to find are really low. This system is created to help the security guard in
order to perform their task that is being responsible for the security purpose at the
shopping mall. In the other hand it also can prevent the risk of lost children in the
shopping mall. This system is all about Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID). RFID is
the use of an object applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for
the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Each child that entered
the shopping mall must w94 the RFID band for the security purpose. This system
will appear the alert message when the children are pass through the antennae that is
located at the entrance. After that, the security guard will announce the parents name
for them to take action.
V
ABSTRAK
Biasanya, sistem keselamatan di pusat membeli-belah masih berada pada
tahap rendah dan tidak selamat. Pada masa kini, kes-kes kehilangan anak di pusat
membeli-belah yang selalu terjadi kerana cara lama dari sistem keselamatan yang
terdapat disana. Pemantauan Kanak-Kanak Dalam Pusat Membeli Belah
Menggunakan Teknologi RFID-Mengendalikan Modul (Monitoring Children in the
Shopping Mall Using RFID Technology-Controlling Module) sedang dibangunkan
sebagai satu peningkatan bagi sistem keselamatan .di pusat membeli-belah untuk
mengurangkan masalah mi sebelum menjadi lebih buruk lagi di negara mi. Selain itu,
risiko kanak-kanak yang hilang di pusat membeli-belah benar-benar tinggi. Biasanya
ibu bapa membawa anak-anak mereka apabila pergi ke pusat membeli-belah. Para ibu
bapa tidak boleh memantau anak-anak mereka pada situasi sibuk di pusat membeli-
belah. Biasanya, pegawai keselamatan hanya boleh. memantau sebahagian daripada
pusat membeli-belah. Jadi kemungkinan untuk kehilangan kanak-kanak amat tinggi.
Sistem mi dibuat untuk membantu pegawai keselamatan untuk melaksanakan tugas
mereka yang bertanggung jawab untuk tujuan keselamatan di pusat membeli-belah.
Sistem mi dibagunkan berdasarkan Identifier Frekuensi Radio (RFJD) teknologi.
RFID adalah penggunaan objek diterapkan atau dimasukkan ke dalam produk,
binatang, atau orang untuk tujuan pengenalan menggunakan gelombang radio. Setiap
kanak-kanak yang memasuki pusat membeli-belah perlu memakai gelang RFID untuk
tujuan keselamatan.. Sistem mi akan menenima mesej amaran apabila kanak-kanak
melalui antena yang terletak di pintu masuk. Setelah itu, pegawai keselamatan akan
mengumumkan nama ibu bapa mereka bagi mereka untuk mengambil tindakan.
v i
TABLE OF CONTENT
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CHAPTERTITLE
PAGE
TITLE PAGE
DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY&
EXCLUSIVENESS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
i v
ABSTRACT
v
ABSTRAK
v i
TABLE OF CONTENT
v i i
LIST OF TABLES
x i
LIST OF FIGURES
x i i
LIST OF APPENDICES
x i v
1INTRODUCTION1
1.1 Introducti on1
1.2 Problem Statement2
1.3 Objecti v e3
1.4 Scopes of projects3
2LITERATURE REVIEW5
VII
2.1 Lost children 5
2.1.1GPS 5
2.1.2 Microchip 6
2.1.3 RFID combine with WIFI
Technology 7
2.2RFID 8
2.2.1 Types ofRFID 10
2.2.2 Advantages of RFID 11
2.2.3 RFID benefits vs. Barcode 11
2.2.4 Disadvantages of RFID 12
2.3 RFID vs. Lost Children 13
2.4 Conclusion 15
3METHODOLOGY 16
3.1 Introduction 16
3.2 Project method 17
3.2.1 Requirement Planning Phase 18
3.2.1.1 Research on current
situation 19
3.2.1.2 Analyze the finalize
requirement 20
3.2.2 User Design Phase 20
3.2.2.1 Flowchart 20
3.2.2.2 Use case 22

3.2.2.3 Sequence diagram 23

3.2.2.4 Interface design 27
VIII
i x
3.2.2.5 Database desi gn32
3.2.3 Constructi on Phase33
3.2.4 Transi ti on Phase33
3.3 Hardware Requi rement 34
3.4 Software requi rement 38
3.5 Conclusi on39
/
4IMPLEMENTATION 40
4.1 Introducti on 40
4.2 System Development 41
4.3 Development Codi ng Module 43
4.3.1 Codi ng For Database Functi on 44
4.3.1.1 Creati ng a logi n functi on 44
4.3.1.2 Creati ng a connecti on functi on 45
4.3.1.3 Creati ng a update functi on 46
4.3.1.4 Creati ng a delete functi on 47
4.3.1.5 Creati ng a save functi on 48
4.3.2 Codi ng For RFID functi on 49
4.3.2.1 Open the comm. Port reader 49
4.3.2.2 RFID read tag vi a antennae 50
4.3.2.3 Creati ng data conversi on functi on 51
4.4 Conclusi on 51
5RESULT AND DISCUSSION52
5.1 Introducti on52
5.2 Result and di scussi on53
5.2.1 Login 5 3
5.2.2 Main Menu 54
5.2.3 Membership 55
5 .2.4 Display information 5 6
5.2.5 Register 57
5.2.6 Monitoring 5 8
/
6CONCLUSION 60
6.1 Limitation 61
6.1.1 Cost 61
6.1.2 RFID Tag ability 61
6.2 Recommendation 61
6.2.1 Monitor the location of the
losing children 62
6.2.2 Send the name of location
to the parent's phone number 62
6.3 Research Objective 62
REFERENCES 64-65.
APPENDIX A 66
APPENDIX B 67
APPENDIX C 68
APPENDIX D 69
APPENDIX E 7 0
Li
LIST OF TABLES
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TABLE NOTITLEPAGE
3.1PSM Table32
3.2 Personal Laptop34
3.3RFID Antennae3 5
3.4 RFID Tag36
3 .5 RFlDReade37
3.6 Software Requirement 38
A
LIST OF FIGURES
FGUIRIE NO TITLE
PAGE
3.1 Rapid Application Development (RAD)
18
3.2 Flow Chart for Monitoring Children in
The Shopping Mall Using RFID
Technology-Controlling Module
20
3.3 Use Case for Monitoring Children in
The Shopping Mall Using RFID
Technology-Controlling Module
22
3.4 Sequence Diagram for Registration Module
23
3.5 Sequence Diagram for Login Module
24
3.6
Sequence Diagram for Monitoring Module
25
3.7 Sequence Diagram for View registration Module 26
3.8 Login Form
27
3.9 Menu Form
28
3.10 Membership Form
29
3.11 Display Form
30
3.12 Register Form
30
3.13 Monitofing Form
31
4.1 Overall system operation
42
X I I
4.2 Login coding for Monitoring Children's System 44
4.3 Coding for database connection 45
4.4 Coding for update function 46
4.5 Coding for delete function 47
4.6 Coding for save function 48
4.7 Coding for open comm. Port of reader 49
4.8 Coding for RFID read tag via antennae 5 0
4.9 Coding for data conversion function 5 1
5.1 Login Result 5 3
5 .2 Menu Result 5 4
5 .3 Membership Result 5 5
5.4 Display Result 5 6
5.5 Register Result 57
5 .6 Monitoring Result 1 5 8
5.7 Monitoring Result 2 5 8
X I I I
x i v
LIST OF APPENDICES
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APPENDIXTITLEPAGE
AGantt chart

M M
BFlow Chart6 7
C
I
Use Case Di agram6 8
DSequences Di agram

6 9
ERFID Pi ctures7 0
CHAPTER 1
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INTRODUCTION
1.1Introduction
This system is all about Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID). RFID is the use of
an object applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the
purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read
from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. Most RFID
tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and
processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency signal, and
other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting
the signal.
This system will use East Coast Mall (ECM) as a case study. Nowadays,
kidnapping of kids cases in Malaysia is increase rapidly. Furthermore, parents
always lost their children while they are busy shopping things at shopping mall. To
overcome this kind of problem, RFID is one of the solutions. When parents go for
shopping at East Cost Mall (ECM), they bring along their children. Before they
enter the mall, they must go to counter and the security guard at the mall gives the
children RPJD rubber band. Their parents have to make sure that their children
wear the RIFD rubber band. The purpose of wearing the RFJD rubber band is to
make sure the security guard know the location of the children at the East Coast
Mall (ECM) area, This can be done by using remote RFID id surveying. The
children are monitored by computer at a security guard's room. If parents notice
that their children is lost, they can go to the security guard's room and ask for their
children's location.
/
1.2 Problem statement
Normally, security system at shopping mall still at the low level and unsecure.
Nowadays, cases of losing children at the shopping mall always happen due to old
fashion of security system there. The system is being developed as a high level of
security system at the shopping mall to decrease this becoming worst problem in
this country.
The risk of lost children in the shopping mall is really high. Usually parents
bring along their children when go to shopping mall. Many parents can not monitor
their children at the hectic situation in the shopping mall. Normally, security guard
can just monitor part of the shopping mall area. So the possibilities of the losing
children to find are really low. This system is created to help the security guard to
detect the location of the lost children and automatically can prevent the risk of lost
children in the shopping mall.
Beside that, parents also faced the hardness of monitoring children especially
when they are busy in a shopping mall. Due to hectic situation in a shopping mall,
parents face difficulties of monitoring their children. This system can help parents
as well to overcome their problem in monitoring their children in a shopping mall
while they are busy shopping their things.
2
Nowadays, our country finds a lot of children kidnapping cases. The cases
increase rapidly day by day. Because of this problem, many parents worry to bring
their children to the crowded places especially shopping mall. This system creates
to monitoring children even in a crowded area. Parents no need to worry to their
children anymore.
1.3 Objectives
The objectives of the system are:

1.3.1To develop a monitoring system that can detect losing children at the
shopping mall using RFJD technology

1.3.2To help parents monitoring their children in East Cost Mall (ECM)
1.4 Scopes of project
The scopes of the system are

14.1The target user of this system is the security guard at the East Cost Mall
(ECM) in order to ease the security guard while using this system.
1.4.2 The system is use simple database that have name of the children and
parents, address, and parents mobile number.

1.4.3This system is developing for the infrastructure of the East Coast Mall
(ECM).

1.4.4This system is being developed for security guard's use to detect the
location of children at the level 1 of East Coast Mall (ECM).
3
1.4.5 This system is the upgrading of security system in the East Cost Mall for
the customer's needs especially to upgrade the system for monitoring
children at the shopping mall.
4
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1Lost Children
There are too many cases of lost children especially in the shopping mall. The
case is increase rapidly day by day. There are several techniques to overcome the
cases of lost children and at
the same time to prevent the problem.
2.1.1 GPS
One of a parent's greatest fears, maybe their greatest fear, is losing their child.
Amber Alert GPS can overcome the fear. Imagine having a product that uses the
latest in GPS and cellular technology. The company is run by parents for parents
and revolves around the President's initiative to protect children and give parents
peace of mind. The Amber Alert GPS 2 0 is the world's smallest, most powerful
GPS tracking device. Tracking your child is as easy as placing a call or sending a
text. Simply place the device in a pocket, purse, backpack or car. You can also
attach it to a wrist, ankle, or belt. Call or text the AAGPS device, and within
seconds you will receive a detailed map and address of their exact location right on
your web-enabled phone. You can also track one or more devices from your
5
computer. You can make Safe Zone area in your neighborhood. You will receive an
alert when your GPS is carried outside that location. The safe zone can easily be
changed or cancelled in seconds from your cell phone or from our website. You
receive an SOS Button so if your child needs help, he can press the GPS SOS
button and you will immediately receive an alert with his location. If your child is
in a threatening or dangerous situation, or has a medical emergency, he can press
and hold the SOS button. There are no limits to the uses of the Amber Alert GPS.
Vehicle tracking, pet tracking, special needs children and seniors, luggage tracking,
and more. An amazing and efficient new technology [1].
2.1.2 Microchip
A Mexican company has launched a service to implant microchips in children
as an anti-kidnapping device. The Mexican distributor of the VeriChip invents a
rice-size microchip that is injected beneath the skin and transmits a 125-kilohertz
radio frequency signal. The Mexican distributor is marketing the device as an
emergency ID under its new VeriKid program. The service has even garnered the
backing of Mexico's National Foundation of Investigations of Robbed and Missing
Children, which has agreed to promote the service. According to a press release
announcing the collaboration, the foundation has estimated that 133,000 Mexican
children have been abducted over the past five years. The chip also could be used to
identify children who are found unconscious, drugged, dead or too young to
identify themselves. The VeriChip is injected under the skin of the upper arm or hip
in an outpatient procedure. A special scanner reads the RF signal emitted by the
microchip to obtain the device's ID number, whiCh then is entered into a database to
access personal data about the individual. Other potential uses of the chip,
according to company officials, include scanning unconscious patients to obtain
their medical records or restricting access to high-security buildings by scanning
workers to verify their clearance [2].
6
7
2.1.3 RFID combine with Wifi Technology
A children's theme park in Denmark is using a combintion of wireless
technologies to track very important assets: kids gone astray. Not only does the
service use RFJD
and Wi-Fl, the interface to it is through the parents' mobile
phones. It recently began offering a service called "Kidspotter," which entails
renting a wristband with Wi-F i-enhanced radio frequency identification
(RFID) tag
on it for a child's arm. Parents also get a map of the site, If they lose sight of their
child, parents can send a text (SMS) message to the Kidspotter system, which will
automatically send a return message stating the name of the park area and the
coordinates of their child's location. Parents can locate their child on the map
provided. The application is representative of synergies emerging between wireless
technologies. Wi-Fi, as you know, has been honed primarily for locally mobile
communications. Meanwhile, RFID has garnered attention for real-time asset
tracking - whether those assets are animal, vegetable or mineral. These two
technologies shall meet, at least occasionally, when organisations decide it doesn't
make sense to run separate wireless infrastructures to support both capabilities.
High-frequency RFID systems operate in the 850 MHz to 950 MHz and 2.4 GHz to
2.5 GHz ranges, overlapping somewhat with 802.11 b and g, which run at 2.4 GHz.
wireless LAN real-time location tracking system can pinpoint the whereabouts of
both traditional 802.11 devices (computing devices and handsets with 802.11
interfaces) and other types of assets (medical equipment affixed with 802.11-
enabled RFID
tags, for example) using a single Wi-Fi network infrastructure. For
location tracking, this technology called time difference of arrival (TDOA). Three
or more receivers in Wi-Fi access points document the arrival times of a radio
signal. Then triangulation software uses the measurements to determine an asset's
location [3].
8
2.2Radio Frequency IdentificatiOn (RFID)
RFJD (radio frequency identification) is a technology that incorporates the use
of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency (RF) portion of
the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal, or person.
RFID is coming into increasing use in industry as an alternative to the
bar code.
Furthermore, radio frequency identifier (RFID) also is a generic term that is used to
describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number)
of an object or person wirelessly, using/radio waves. It's grouped under the broad
category of automatic identification technologies.
A bar code (often seen as a single word, barcodc) is the small image of lines
(bars) and spaces that is affixed to retail store items, identification cards, and postal
mail to identify a particular product number, person, or location. The code uses a
sequence of vertical bars and spaces to represent numbers and other symbols. A bar
code symbol typically consists of five parts: a quiet zone, a start character, data
characters (including an optional check character), a stop character, and another
quiet zone.
Radio frequency (RF) is a term that refers to alternating current having
characteristics such that, if the current is input to an antenna, an electromagnetic
(EM) field 'is generated suitable for wireless broadcasting and/or communications.
These frequencies cover significant portion of the electromagnetic radiation
spectrum, extending from nine kilohertz (9 k}{z),the lowest allocated wireless
communications frequency (it's within the range of human hearing), to thousands of
gigahertz(GHz).
RFII) does not require direct contact or line-of-sight scanning. An RFID
system consists of three components: an antenna and transceiver (often combined
into one reader) and a transponder
(the tag). The antenna uses radio frequency
waves to transmit a signal that activates the transponder. When activated, the tag
transmits data back to the antenna. The data is used to notify a programmable logic
controller that an action should occur. The action could be as simple as raising an
access gate or as complicated as interfacing with a database to carry out a monetary
transaction. Low-frequency RFID systems (30 KHz to 500 KHz) have short
transmission ranges (generally less than six feet). High-frequency RFID systems
(850 MHz to 950 MHz and 2.4 GHz to 2.5
GHz) offer longer transmission ranges
(more than 90 feet). In general, the higher the frequency is the more expensive the
system.
An antenna is a specialized transducer that converts radio-frequency (RF)
fields into alternating current (AC) or yice-versa. There are two basic types: the
receiving antenna, which intercepts RF energy and delivers AC to electronic
equipment, and the transmitting antenna, which is fed with AC from electronic
equipment and generates an RF field..
A transceiver is a combination transmitter/receiver in a single package. The
term applies to wireless communications devices such as cellular telephones,
cordless telephone sets, handheld two-way radios, and mobile two-way radios.
Occasionally the term is used in reference to transmitter/receiver devices in cable or
optical fiber systems. Some transceivers are designed to allow reception of signals
during transmission periods. This mode is known as full duplex, and requires that
the transmitter and receiver operate on substantially different frequencies so the
transmitted signal does not interfere with reception.
A transponder is a wireless communications, monitoring, or control device
that picks up and automatically responds to an incoming signal. The term is a
contraction of the words transmitter and responder. Transponders can be either
passive or active. A passive transponder allows a computer or robot to identify an
object. Magnetic labels, such as those on credit cards and store items, are common
examples. Active transponders are employed in location, identification, and
navigation systems for commercial and private aircraft. An example is an RFID
(radio-frequency identification) device that transmits a coded signal when it
receives a request from a monitoring or control point [4].
9
2.2.1 Types of RFID
RFID can be dividing into three types. There are be either active, semi-passive
(semi-active) or passive.
Passive RFID tags have no internal power supply. The minute electrical
current induced in the antenna by the incoming radio frequency signal provides just
enough power for the CMOS integrated circuit (IC) in the tag to power up and
transmit a response. Most passive tags signal by backscattering the carrier signal
from the reader. This means that the aerial (antenna) has to be designed to both
collect powers from the incoming signal and also to transmit the outbound
backscatter signal. The response of a passive RFID tag is not just an ID number
(GUID): tag chip can contain nonvolatile EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory) for storing data. Lack of an onboard power
supply means that the device can be quite small: commercially available products
exist that can be embedded under the skin. As of 2005, the smallest such devices
commercially available measured 0.4 mm
x
0.4 mm, and are thinner than a sheet of
paper; such devices are practically invisible. Passive tags have practical read
distances ranging from about 2 mm (ISO 14443) up to about few meters (ISO
18000-6) depending on the chosen radio frequency. Due to their simplicity in
design they are also suitable for manufacture with a printing process for the
antennae. Development targets are polycarbon semiconductor tags to become
entirely printed. Passive RFID tags do not require batteries, and can be much
smaller and have an unlimited life span.
Semi-passive RFII) tags are very similar to passive tags except for the addition
of a small battery. This battery allows the tag IC to be constantly powered. This
removes the need for the aerial to be
designed to collect power from the incoming
signal. Aerials can therefore be optimised for the backscattering signal. Semi-
passive RFID tags are faster in response and therefore stronger in reading ratio
compared to passive tags.
10
1 1
Active RFID tags or beacons, on
the other hand, have their own internal
power source which is used to power any ICs and generate the outgoing signal.
They may have longer range and larger memories than passive tags, as well as the
ability to store additional information sent by the transceiver. To economize power
consumption, many beacon concepts operate at fixed intervals. At present, the
smallest active tags are about the size of a coin. Many active tags have practical
ranges of tens of meters, and a battery life of up to 1 0 years [5].
/
2.2.2Advantages of RFID
Radio frequency identifier (RFID$) can track inventory in a warehouse or
maintaining a fleet of vehicles, there is a clear need for a fully automated data
capture and analysis system that will help you keep track of your valuable assets
and equipment. Active Wave RF]D technologies provide unique solutions to
difficult logistical tracking of inventory or equipment which is particularly in
applications where optically based systems fail and when read/ write capabilities are
required. The technology is stable, and evolving, with open architectures becoming
increasingly available [6].
2.2.3 RFID Benefits Vs Barcode
The optical nature of barcode requires labels to be "seen" by lasers. That line-
of-sight between label and reader is often difficult, impractical, or even impossible
to achieve in industrial environments. In order to function properly, a barcode
reader must have clean, clear optics, the label must be
clean
and free of abrasion,
and the reader and label must be properly oriented with respect to each other. RFID
technology enables tag reading from a greater distance, even in harsh environment.
In addition, the information imprinted on a barcode is fixed and cannot be changed.
Active Wave RF]D
tags, on the other hand, have electronic memory similar to what
1 2
is in your computer or digital camera to store information about the inventory or
equipment. This information can be dynamically updated [7].
There are the advantages of REID Vs Barcode:
No line of sight requirement
The tag can stand a harsh environment.
Long read range.

Portable database
Multiple tag read/write.
Tracking people, items, and equipment in real-time.
2.2.4 Disadvantages of RFID
Dead areas and orientation problems - RFID
works similar to the way a cell
phone or wireless network does. Just like these technologies, there may be certain
areas that have weaker signals Or interference. In addition, poor read rates are
sometimes a problem when the tag is rotated into an orientation that does not align
well with the reader. These issues can usually be minimized by properly
implementing multiple readers and using tags with multiple axis antennas.
Security concerns - Because RFID is not a line of sight technology like bar-
coding, new security problems could develop. For example, a competitor could set
up a high gain directional antenna to scan tags in trucks going to a warehouse. From
the data received, this competitor could determine flow rates of various products.
Additionally, when RFID is used for high security operations such as payment
methods, fraud is always a possibility.
1 3
Ghost tags - In rare cases, if multiple
tags are read at the same time the reader
will sometimes read a tag that does not exist. Therefore, some type of read
verification, such as a CRC, should be implemented in either the tag, the reader or
the data read from the tag.
Proximity issues - Tags cannot be read well when placed on metal or liquid
objects or when these objects are between the reader and the tag. Nearly any object
that is between the reader and the tag reduces the distance the tag can be read from.
/
High cost - Because this technology is new, the components and tags are
expensive compared to barcodes. In addition, software and support personnel that
are needed to install and operate the RF]D
reading systems (in a warehouse for
example) may be more costly to employ.
Unread tags - When reading multiple tags at the same time, it is possible that
some tags will not be read and there is no sure method of determining this when the
objects are not in sight. This problem does not occur with barcodes, because when
the barcode is scanned, it is instantly verified when read by a beep from the scanner
and the data can then be entered manually if it does not Scan.
Vulnerable to damage - Water, static discharge or high power magnetic surges
(such as from a close lightning strike) may damage the tags [8].
2.3RFIID vs. Lost Children
Parents taking their children to Legoland theme parks need not worry about
losing their children. Children entering the parks will be fitted with an
RFII)
bracelet that can be tracked anywhere within its boundaries which is means that
should they run off and find themselves lost, the parks' staff will easily be able to
track them down and alert parents via SMS. The scheme launched in Denmark last
month and if successful it's likely to be seen in other amusement parks in the group
such as Legoland Windsor in the UK. The 'Kidspotter' scheme represents the latest