Solution Overview
SkyeTek’s RFID Smart-Device solution allows original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate RFID into their machines and devices in order to enhance the operator experience, authorize usage, improve product reliability / performance, and preserve recurring revenue coming from the sale of consumables, disposables, and replacement parts.
The Smart-Device solution is comprised of the following:
- SkyeModules, RFID reader modules, embedded inside of machines and devices
- RFID labels placed on consumables, disposables, and/or replacement parts or RFID badges carried by operators and users
- RFID tag / badge provisioning provided through SkyeTek Provisioning Services or SkyeAPI (ie, for OEMs that source their own tags and own RFID printer-encoders)
- Optional:
- SkyeTek Professional Services for specification and integration support
- SkyePlus accessories (antennas and multiplexers) to accommodate multiple read zones or specific antenna topologies o SkyeAPI for integration with host applications
How the Solution Works
Once a SkyeModule has become embedded inside a machine or device and RFID tags have been affixed to consumables, disposables, and replacement parts or RFID badges have been provided to users, the following authentication and authorization processes automatically occur at the point-of-use:
- Product Authentication o A new consumable, disposable, or part (with RFID tag) is placed inside or near the machine
- The SkyeModule embedded inside the machine reads the RFID tag and applies an authentication policy (previously defined by the OEM during the provisioning process) to determine acceptability of the following:
- Brand / model / serial number
- Placement / orientation
- Physical characteristics (eg, age, wear, temperature, etc)
- The results of the authentication process tell the machine how to proceed:
- Successful: SkyeModule signals that the consumable / disposable / part is usable
- Unsuccessful: SkyeModule signals that the consumable / disposable / part is not usable and provides exception codes for message display
- User Authorization
- A user presents an RFID badge in front of a specified read point on the machine
- The SkyeModule embedded inside the machine reads the badge applies an authorization policy (previously defined by the OEM during the provisioning process) to determine the following about the user:
- Proper authentication
- Identity and/or role
- Level of functionality allowable to user (eg, normal vs. administrative mode)
- The results of the authorization process tell the machine how to proceed:
- Successful: SkyeModule signals that the user has been authenticated and sends an authorization level
- Unsuccessful: SkyeModule signals that the user has been denied access and provides exception codes for message display
Solution Elements
The Smart-Device RFID solution is comprised of SkyeTek hardware, software, and services as well as best of breed third-party RFID tags and printers. SkyeTek brings them all together into one seamless solution that maximizes return on investment (ROI) and minimizes integration time, cost, and complexity.
Software
SkyeAPI – SkyeTek’s application programming interface (API) offering seamless integration between host-side applications and SkyeModules. Supported languages / frameworks are ANSI C and .NET.
SkyeSecurity – Standards-based symmetric and asymmetric encryption / signing where anti-counterfeiting, anti-tampering and privacy are required.
SkyeOS – SkyeTek’s embedded RFID reader operating system providing every SkyeModule with superior functionality, reliability, and upgradeability. Made available on a software license basis for customers that use ReaderDNA reference designs.
Hardware
SkyeModules – Embeddable RFID reader modules that lead the industry in cost, space, and power efficiency. Available in three form factors and operation in HF (13.56 MHz) and UHF (860 – 960 MHz).
ReaderDNA – Reference designs of SkyeModules allowing OEMs to integrate the entire module design, or just the analog sub-section, directly onto the main circuit board.
SkyePlus – Accessories such as antennas, multiplexers, and interface boards required for unique geometries and multiple read points.
Developer Kits – Tool kits that contain all the RFID hardware and software required to build a proof of concept.
RFID Tags – SkyeTek works with the industry’s leading RFID tag manufacturers such as UPM Raflatac and Avery-Dennison in order to best meet the tagging needs of customer applications.
RFID Printer-Encoders – SkyeTek works with the industry’s leading RFID printer-encoder manufacturers, such as Zebra, Avery-Dennison, and Intermec to meet the printing needs of its applications.
Services
SkyeTek Professional Services – SkyeTek can turn-key the entire integration effort or provide assistance in specific areas. Either way, customers benefit from SkyeTek’s industry-leading experience resulting in reduced project cost, risk, and time-to-market. Services include project management, requirements gathering, specification development, hardware selection / integration / customization, regulatory testing / certification, and training.
SkyeTek Provisioning Services – SkyeTek can provision tags / badges on behalf of its customers so that the only task remaining is to affix labels or assign badges. Mapping of SKU numbers to RFID tags or identities / roles to RFID badges and the subsequent printing / encoding process is managed by SkyeTek. SkyeTek Support – SkyeTek’s support technicians have years of experience helping customers troubleshoot problems when the need arises.