RFID Question

[jls944]

My friend is looking for a solution that will tell him exactly where his laptop, remote, keys, etc are in his house. I told him RFID technology would probably be the best solution. As I don't know a lot about the technology, what specific products would he need to purchase (manufacturer)? He wants the most accurate and solid for this. There cannot be any 'down-time'. He doesn't have a budget for the project. Any recommendations?

 

[Rupp]

My friend is looking for a solution that will tell him exactly where his laptop, remote, keys, etc are in his house. I told him RFID technology would probably be the best solution. As I don't know a lot about the technology, what specific products would he need to purchase (manufacturer)? He wants the most accurate and solid for this. There cannot be any 'down-time'. He doesn't have a budget for the project. Any recommendations?

There isn't a technology available that can do this with the accuracy you describe for less than thousands of dollars. Some users have tried to use the iAutomate readers to triangulate within their homes and couldn't achieve "room" accuracy. This was using 3 readers at a cost of ~ $449.00 for each reader.

http://www.iautomate.com/r500ha.html

 

[IVB]

Rather than rfID, I vote for 10 sets of keys, and several identical programmable remotes so he always has one within reach.

 

[DeLicious]

this will sound dopey, but gps is generally accurate to 3 meters... i guess he could attach gps units to each of those some how but he may not get good reception inside.

other than that.. <shrug>

 

[gatchel]

see if you can dig up some of those 1980's keychain beepers, you know, the ones that would beep several times when you clap your hands really loud.
I can see the remote and keys but the laptop? I can picture it now,"Has anyone seen my laptop?" Yes dear it was stuck in the couch cushion...


Edit:


Still available at China Wholesale:

http://www.sz-wholesale.com/P/Keychain-Fin...nder-14055.html

They even have a skull and a clown version:

http://www.sz-wholesale.com/P/Keychain-Fin...l-out-3376.html

 

[SnyperBob]

What happened to putting your keys in one location, and leaving the remote in one room one?

lol, anyway, I think it would be more affordable to just have him change his habits and keep everything in the same place. Other than that, the only other thing that would work is the hand-clap cheap keychains

Maybe RF readers in every room. When he brings something into the room, he can scan it

 

[jls944]

Rupp - What products were you talking about that would cost thousands of dollars? I'm also looking for a similar RFID solution in a commerical environment. Something similar to tracking inventory and identifying where they are in the store. Thanks.

 

[Rupp]

Rupp - What products were you talking about that would cost thousands of dollars? I'm also looking for a similar RFID solution in a commercial environment. Something similar to tracking inventory and identifying where they are in the store. Thanks.

Have a look at iAutomate. It's a semi DIY that is currently being used in prisons, hospitals, and retirement homes.

Then there are the big boys.
http://www.amtel-security.com/index.html
http://www.wisetrack.com/rfid.html

 

[nsisman]

Funny you should ask !

I just posted last week about the same thing almost. (different board though) !

Look in eBay under "Sharper Image Key Finder" or " key finder" or "key locator" amd also look in google for "key ringer"

I haven't decided yet which one to get but knida like the first one because the base will start to beep if i gets too far from where it is supposed to be.

$40 or $50 for one of these doesn't seem too bad with the car dealers wanting over $100 for these new chipped keys. (and that's for a Chev)

Let me know what you decide to get if any.

None of them will interface with HA that I know of .

Neil

 

[Steve]

Have a look at iAutomate.

Unless Rupp knows something we don't or something has changed, I would stay away from iAutomate. They *may* have a decent product, but their support/response time gets an F-. Some details in this thread.

 

[ver0776]

I have read about projects using BlueTooth on multiple PCs to Triangulate position. Here are some links, although they are not the original ones I read about... In doing my research, there is also 802.11 Triangulation for positioning, virtual GPS, etc. If someone can'y find their laptop though, I doubt they will find their way through all of this though =)

http://www.navizon.com/FAQ.asp

http://www.ece.ucdavis.edu/~chuah/classes/...oothTri_ppt.pdf

http://architecture.mit.edu/house_n/docume...eLarson2006.pdf

http://www.csd.uwo.ca/faculty/katchab/pubs/wimob2007.pdf

Ack, work calls, no more links. I am very interested in projects like these if anyone else finds anything.

Vaughn

 

[IVB]

Have a look at iAutomate.

Unless Rupp knows something we don't or something has changed, I would stay away from iAutomate. They *may* have a decent product, but their support/response time gets an F-. Some details in this thread.

F minus? That implies it gets points, just not enough to pass.

You need to actually respond to customers in the same calendar year as the question, or else do don't deserve any points at all.

 

[AceCannon]

My friend is looking for a solution that will tell him exactly where his laptop, remote, keys, etc are in his house. I told him RFID technology would probably be the best solution. As I don't know a lot about the technology, what specific products would he need to purchase (manufacturer)? He wants the most accurate and solid for this. There cannot be any 'down-time'. He doesn't have a budget for the project. Any recommendations?

My hopital uses something called Awarix to track patients, equipment. Something tells me it isn't cheap.


http://www.awarix.com/caregiver.html

 

[dkemme]

My hopital uses something called Awarix to track patients, equipment. Something tells me it isn't cheap.


http://www.awarix.com/caregiver.html

These systems are incredible! I can look at a screen and tell which room a nurse is in. The docs were quite nervous they would make us wear them and our significant others would be able to find US.

Could you install an RFID reader in each doorway and then at least tell him the last room it was in? Would be hard to tell which cushion the keys are under though.

 

[SnyperBob]

My friend is looking for a solution that will tell him exactly where his laptop, remote, keys, etc are in his house. I told him RFID technology would probably be the best solution. As I don't know a lot about the technology, what specific products would he need to purchase (manufacturer)? He wants the most accurate and solid for this. There cannot be any 'down-time'. He doesn't have a budget for the project. Any recommendations?

My hopital uses something called Awarix to track patients, equipment. Something tells me it isn't cheap.


http://www.awarix.com/caregiver.html

Are these the systems that require ugly ass antennas every 4 feet down the halls? A hospital near me has some sort of crazy system, and there's tons of antennas everywhere. Must be

I know the hospital near me has a system in the birth area. They put a wrist strap on the baby and set them up for their room. If anyone tries to remove the baby from the room, either by bringing it out the main door, the window, or even the bath....an alarm goes off.

Doors and windows are all wired up for the alarm setup.