Reading and Writing RFID tags

TL;DR

UAttend is a software that allows students to use their UCards to scan into class via RFID, eliminating the need for iClickers, MentiMeter, Quickly, or other attendance tools.

Why?

As a student, managing multiple attendance apps for different professors can be inconvenient. Since students use their UCards daily, we can leverage this existing form of identification for attendance purposes. UAttend simplifies this process by using the UCard as a reliable and easily accessible ID for tracking attendance.

What?

UAttend is a GUI-based application that interfaces with an RFID reader to update attendance records and other relevant data. Here’s the flow of the application:

The UCard is scanned by the RFID reader.
The RFID reader sends the information from the UCard to the Arduino.
The Arduino converts the hexadecimal data into human-readable information.
Python scripts process the data received from the Arduino.
The data is displayed in the GUI for easy access.

How?

UAttend combines both hardware and software to function efficiently.

Hardware

Arduino
HiLetGo RFID Kit
Readable and Writable RFID Card

Languages and Development Tools

Qt Designer (for GUI design)
Python (for script execution)
Arduino IDE (for RFIP data reading)

Challenges

First time making a pyQt application
Trouble with choosing a pyQt development software
Finding an RFID scanner that reads chip data
Can't read a real UCard due to an out-of-range frequency and encryption
Lack of experience with version control

Conclusion

UAttend simplifies attendance tracking by using students' UCards via RFID, eliminating the need for multiple apps. For professors, it offers a reliable, secure system that ensures accurate attendance while minimizing the risk of fraud. With seamless integration of hardware and software, UAttend is an efficient, user-friendly solution for all classrooms.

Future Applications

UAttend can evolve beyond attendance tracking into a comprehensive student management system. Future applications include:

Automated Grading Integration: Linking attendance with participation or performance to streamline grading
Event Check-ins: Extending RFID use to track student participation in campus events or activities
Data Analytics: Analyzing attendance patterns to identify trends or provide insights on student engagement
Remote Integration: Adapting UAttend for online classes, where students can check-in virtually using their UCard

These advancements could further enhance campus operations and student engagement.