Food inventory and expiration tracking using RFID technology

• Main Authors: Bondoc, Francis Eric T., Odicta, Fred Carlo G., Patag, Katrina Angela U., Pio, Marian Feliz D.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Food industry and trade > Inventory control; Inventory control > Automation; Food > Shelf-life dating; Food > Storage; Radio frequency identification systems
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/14477
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper presents a study of how a food inventory system can be implemented using RFID technology. RFID transponders operating at 13.56 MHz were used to identify the items being placed inside the refrigerator. Different antenna types, specifications, and orientations were tested to see which configuration will be most functional for the project. It was also tested if the proposed system could be implemented in a cold environment. After the tests, two loop antennas being positioned parallel to each other in the middle of the refrigerator were finally employed. The system also calculated the expiration of the items scanned using their average shelf-lives. An LCD screen was used to display the list of items inside the refrigerator, together with each item's expiration date. The display also alerted the user whenever an item has expired or is about to expire, and showed the number of expired items.