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RfIP Framework
Overview
The Radio Frequency Integration Platform (RfIP) framework is a distributed system
designed to harvest and report Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) data from
across an enterprise using patented RfIP hardware devices. The framework is both
scalable and extensible because of its pluggable architecture. The RFIP framework
API also allows 3rd party developers to customize and extend the framework to meet
their solution’s needs.
RFIP is built using Microsoft’s .NET framework. Developer’s can take advantage of
the Common Language Runtime (CLR) and Common Type System (CTS) to develop plug-ins
for the framework using any supported .NET language (i.e. VB.NET, C#, J#,etc.)
High Level Installation Architecture
The RFIP framework is intended to be deployed in a distributed configuration in
order to manage RFID load and service an entire enterprise. The framework can be
configured as a global framework when an enterprise has multiple buildings and
campuses that may exist in different cities or on opposite sides of the globe.
The most basic view of the framework’s installation architecture is comprised
of five distinct parts.
- LRNI Antennas
- RfIP Hardware
- Standalone RFID Readers
- Data Processing Server(s)
- RfIP Database
3rd Party Integration
The RfIP framework provides a web service API through which applications can
interface with the framework. The API is completely web service enabled and allows
for such actions as:
- Managing Assets
- Managing RFID Tags
- Managing Asset Categories
- Locating Assets
- Starting/Stopping the system
The web service API has a wealth of functionality that 3rd party applications can
used to develop there own front end applications on top of to harness the power
of the RfIP Framework. To view the complete web service API, click
here.
In addition to the web service API, the system can publish application level
events to other applications using simple XML formatted messages. Some of these
events include:
- Asset Appear
- Asset Disappear
- Asset Intra-zone Move
- Asset Inter-zone Move
- Asset State Change
- System error
The way in which events are published is configurable. The plug-in mechanism discussed
earlier allows for publishing to queues, web services, databases, or any other service.
Click here for
the event publishing documentation.
Monarch Web Application
Monarch is a web based application that showcases the full functionality of the RfIP
Framework. Monarch can be used as the primary application for asset management, or it
can be used as an administration console in conjunction with another 3rd party application
built on top of the RfIP Framework.
The following screenshots show Monarch in action. If your browser supports automatic image
resizing, these images may be distored if resized to a smaller size. Either turn off
automatic image resizing, download the images and view them locally, or maximize your
browser window. Microsoft Internet Explorer seems to resize automatically.
- Monarch Web Console
- Asset Location Reporting
- View World Locations
- Manage Categories of Assets
- Manage Assets
- Manage World Locations
Zone Demo
The demo located here demonstrates how Monarch visually shows
the location of RTLS zones on a floor plan.
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