RFID Readers with Active Tags for HomeSeer

[pmonahan]

Hello to all.

We're looking for a very small group of HS power users to test a new product that we distribute.

We are in the process of developing a software plug-in for use with HomeSeer and our line of RFID Readers that are specifically modified for use with HomeSeer.

The RFID Reader is an adaptation of the RFID reader that we sell presently at:

http://www.iautomate.com/r500sp.html

(Note the HS Version will cost less that what you see at the link above)

**This link added 02/17/05:

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

The RFID Reader will be able to detect the presence of Active RFID tags and **also** detect when an RFID tag has left the range of the Reader.

You can see the tags here:

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

Multiple readers can be daisy chained on a CAT5 cable and each RFID Reader is range adjustable to detect enrolled tags.

A variety of Active tags are available for; assets, people, cars, etc.

You can imagine the possibilities of outputs, logging, control ;

- Control Lights, Gargage when vehicle enters or leaves property
- Detect if vehicle is in the garage
- Detect a person entering or leaving a room or property
- Arm or Disarm Security by individual
- Control, Lights, Music, and Temperature based upon the presence of tag
- Control, Lights, Music, and Temperature based upon the absence of tag
- Track location of domestic help or children by logging in to website
- Inhibit Video, Audio or other controls if "Tag" is not present.
- Track physical assets and perform notification if "removed"
- Send Notifications if kids leave range of coverage
- And Much Much More.

If you like to participate in the Beta Test, please make certain that you meet the following requirements:

- At least One Year of HomeSeer Experience
- WIN2000, WINNT, or WINXP NO WIN98 Users Please
- Can dedicate at least 2 hours/week on testing this system and can
maintain this for at least 6 weeks.
- Can provide detailed frequent written feedback
- Can afford to purchase 3 or more Readers (w/substantial beta discount)
- Can dedicate time and resources to implement installation with 2 weeks

If you meet the requirements, please send an email to:info@iautomate.com

A decision will be made in the near future.

The HS Specific readers will be discounted 40% only for approved beta testers, and the plug-in will be provided for free. (The price you see for the R500SP full featured reader is more expensive than the HS Reader, which cannot be published yet)

I will personally contact beta testers who express an interest via email to discuss the beta pricing.

Thank you.

Peter Monahan

[Rupp]

Peter,
You stated as one of the requirements :

Can afford to purchase 3 or more Readers (w/substantial beta discount)

They are listed on the web site at $389.00. How much of a discount are you offering? At over $1100 this is quite an investment.

[pmonahan]

Thank you. I've modified the post to address this issue. Although it seems expensive, there's a lot of value in the capabilities it provides. The possibilities are quite endless.

[flagg]

What is the maximum range of the reader when using regular and long range RFID tags?

[pmonahan]

With the supplied OMNI Directional antenna the maximum range is 400'. There is an optional High Gain Antenna that is presently available, but we want to withold that until the first six week test is completed. This will simplify testing, then we can push the range limits later.

[flagg]

How much can you limit the range? I mean, What is the smallest range that the reader can monitor? Say, a 5ft radius or a 20ft. radius?

[flagg]

Can detection be limited using directional antennas to say a horizonal plane or be limited to an area in from of the antenna 45 degrees wide?

[pmonahan]

RFID Reader Range

How much can you limit the range? I mean, What is the smallest range that the reader can monitor? Say, a 5ft radius or a 20ft. radius?

The range can be tuned via software from One Foot to a Maxium of up to 400 Feet

[electron]

Is anyone else having trouble emailing this email address? My email just bounced back saying it can't resolve the domain name.

[flagg]

Sorry for the other questions, Should have looked at the website first. Now, for a question that was not listed on the website. What is the size of these RFID tags? Is it possible to make one small enough to wear as a ring or a watch?

[pmonahan]

Directional Antenna

Can detection be limited using directional antennas to say a horizonal plane or be limited to an area in from of the antenna 45 degrees wide?

Yes, within limitations and a margin of error typical of 433.92 MHz. Will will not be performing any directional testing in the first phase however.

Our goal is to test the software interface as the hardware and RF transmission has been proven to be quite reliable already.

[pmonahan]

RFID Tags

Sorry for the other questions, Should have looked at the website first. Now, for a question that was not listed on the website. What is the size of these RFID tags? Is it possible to make one small enough to wear as a ring or a watch?

There are three tags presently in stock and shipping.

The Metallic Asset Tag is 3-3/8" x 2-3/4" x 1/4" (Good for laptops, toolboxes)
The Covert Tag is 3-3/8" x 2-1/8" x 1/8" (wallet card)
The Auto Tag is 3-3/8" x 1-1/4" x 1/4" (windshield)

We have pre-production models on both a Wrisband and a KeyFob version that will ship in 2nd Quarter

[pmonahan]

Dns ?

Is anyone else having trouble emailing this email address? My email just bounced back saying it can't resolve the domain name.

We're receiving quite a volume of beta requests at this address as well as the usual SPAM ;-)

Might be your ISP

[George]

Knowing the HS community and their response when plugins went up 10 bucks, I also have trouble believing that people from this site are beating down your door to give you close to $1000 with no plugin definitions. This leads me to the question of ''Is this known by and sanctioned by HST"? Doesn't this come very close to the no commercialism usage clause if HST does not know about this?

I also have to believe that with the wide adoption of RFID in the near future that these receivers would have to be coming down in price and we'll probably see them cheaper anyway in probably a year from now.

[pmonahan]

Single vs Multiple Readers

You're receiving quite a volume at an initial investment of $700? What am I missing?

Why are beat testers required to buy 3 units? Why not one? What can I do with three that I can't do with one other than increase my range of which one would cover most homes?

It's important to test overlapping fields with multiple tags and multiple readers on one bus.

Examples:

A reader tuned for "Garage Only"
A reader tuned for "Master Bedroom"
A reader tuned for "Office"

If on the other hand a single reader is tuned for the whole house, then walking in the garage could turn on the Master Bedroom Lights, or have other undesired results.

We hope that our testing will make the Readers ready for retail in the next four weeks at which time all HomeSeer users will have the opportunity to purchase single readers if that is all that they require.

We realize that three readers might be too much for some users and that is why we set one of the requirements for testing for those who feel they can afford it (at a 40% discount).

If it is not a wise decision for a particular user at this time, we ask that they withold their purchase until the retail product is released. Please don't stretch your household budget if it will be burdensome for you.

Thanks

Peter