Multi-code filtering & collection: Proposal and performance evaluation

This paper proposes an extension of GS1 EPCglobal Filtering and Collection, referred to as Multi-code Filtering and Collection (F&C). With the Multi-code F&C, supply chain visibility applications can collect only the events associated with the interested type of unique Identification Numbers (IDs) even where GS1 IDs, ISO IDs, and proprietary IDs coexist and are read by a single or group of Readers/Writers. The essential component of Multi-code F&C is an extended Tag Data Translation engine which translates the set of meta data (PC bits) and the binary ID read from one RFID Tag into the specified representation normally in the form of Universal Resource Name (URN). We also developed a subscription mechanism and interface between application and Multi-code F&C which is conformable to that of GS1 Application Layer Event. This way, the filtering of IDs, even in case of ISO or proprietary IDs, can be conducted in the single procedure. We evaluated the Multi-code F&C performance experimentally to find the developed system can handle at least 135 RFID Tags per event report and the computational load of extended Tag Data Translation and the generation of mixed reports notification are fairly light. We also clarify the required extensions in ISO standards to realize the Multi-code F&C.