Check out OPEN CV
     this is open source camera vision software.
There is lots of chatter and help on the forum.
Placing the software on a cheap platform ( $100 ) is possible.

Gus




Roger Weichert wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> I was approached yesterday to offer a solution to a problem a 'herd  
> testing'
> company has with obtaining 'dairy cow identification numbers' from  
> the RFID
> system already built into the dairies.
>
> They want a simple device they can clip to the front of a led  
> display (7 or
> 8 seven segment displays) that will transfer the number to their own
> equipment.
>
> They cant physically tap into the existing displays because they  
> would have
> to modify the display in every dairy they go to (which is  
> impractical) and
> the manufacturer of the equip already in the dairies will not  
> provide info
> on the protocols used to send the numbers to the display (despite 5  
> years of
> negotiation)
>
> Apparently the herd testers take their own equipment to each dairy  
> to obtain
> milk samples but it only stays there a couple of days. They return  
> each
> month.
>
> That exists of their own RFID antenna and reader to identify each  
> cow, then
> a palm device and a printer to spit out a label to go on each 250ml  
> sample
> container.
>
> They obtain two samples per cow from two milkings. The samples are  
> then
> taken back to the lab where they use a robotic sorter before being  
> analysed.
>
> Apparently they have investigated using a camera in a box, hung on  
> the front
> of the dairies display, and then using an OCR program to identify the
> number.
>
> I suspect the best way would be to 'crack' the communications  
> feeding from
> the reader to the display, though exactly how to do that is my  
> dilemma.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions how to go about it, or any other  
> ways of
> capturing the ID numbers.
>
> The two brands of RFID systems already in the dairies are made by  
> DeLaval
> and Westfalia.
>
> Regards, Roger
>
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http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist