Distributed aisle-level scanning approach for RFID shopping systems

The emergence of new wireless technologies opened new opportunities to develop more efficient information systems. RFID is among those technologies, which extended the potential of wireless identification, and represent a potential replacement to old-fashioned identification systems such as the barcode system in retail sales. This paper presents a new RFID-based cost efficient approach for pervasive retail sales. The suggested new system architecture is based on aisle-level scanning and new event management procedures at the level of RFID middleware. It also discusses the impact of deploying such systems in retail stores, and more specifically supermarkets, on the supply chain. The motivation behind such approach is not only reducing the number of RFID readers compared to existing RFID based systems, but providing customers with an interactive shopping experience and fast checkout and bill payment, making this new approach transparent, efficient and cost effective.