The customer needed a simple and reliable solution for tracking employee arrivals, departures, and lunch pickups without requiring manual data entry via computer. The goal was to minimize human errors and speed up the process. They were looking for a solution that would be highly automated, reliable, and user-friendly.
We developed a comprehensive RFID-based attendance system that combines RFID readers connected to Phidgets Wireless VINT Hubs and controlled by Raspberry Pi. A Python script running on the Raspberry Pi manages the system's core logic. This script automatically restarts the Pi weekly to keep the system clean, and resets itself if it crashes, ensuring consistent operation.
The hardware design is plug-and-play, requiring no soldering or complex installation. We mounted all components in custom 3D-printed enclosures, ready for direct wall installation. Each VINT Hub connects via Wi-Fi or LAN to the Raspberry Pi, which runs our custom Linux-based application. This application handles RFID tag scanning, LED signaling, and sound feedback, then pushes the collected data to a FileMaker database via OData API. From there, data can be processed further as needed.
The system is modular and configurable, enabling different behaviors for each device – for instance, different reactions to invalid scans or custom LED color patterns. Thanks to this architecture, the solution is highly adaptable to varying operational needs.
