IoT Application on Smart and Secure Shopping System using RFID, Zig-Bee and Gossamer Protocol

Anything that can be connected to a network qualifies to become a smart object. Exciting use cases and products can be generated by interconnecting these smart objects with the internet. A secure and smart shopping system is one such use case developed using IoT. In a departmental store all items can be connected with each other. This leads to formation of a smart shopping system. In such an IoT system, an inexpensive UHF RFID tag can be attached to each product. On the other hand, each shopping cart can be equipped with an UHF RFID reader. Along with it, the smart cart will also have a microcontroller, an LCD touchscreen, a Zig-Bee adapter, and a weight sensor. The smart cart is able to proactively read the items put into a cart via the UHF RFID reader. A micro controller is installed on the cart for data processing whereas the LCD touchscreen is for the user interface. Zig-Bee technology can be used for communication between the smart cart and server. Weight scanner installed on the smart cart ensures that no malicious customer can buy products without paying for them. At the checkout point, the customer pays using the generated billing information on the smart cart. To ensure that that all the items in the cart have been paid, RFID reader can be used before the exit door. Using cryptographic methods for communication between the server and smart cart, security of data will be guaranteed, as no outside adversary will be able to gain hold of the data transferred. This makes the system confidential and maintains integrity. In addition to this, in order to protect the RFID system from DoS attacks, Gossamer protocol can be implemented which will ensure an even more secure system. Having such a system gives two benefits. Firstly, it prevents customers from waiting in a long queue at checkout. Secondly, by making the product shelves smart inventory management becomes easy and efficient. Implementation of such a smart shopping system and secure shopping system will ensure enhanced shopping experience.