IR Proximity Sensor-Based Inventory Stock Tracker

Efficient, accurate, and user-friendly inventory tracking designed for small businesses. This project leverages a PIC16F877A microcontroller and IR proximity sensor to streamline inventory management without the need for complex databases.

🎯 Purpose and Benefits

Manual inventory tracking can be time-consuming and error-prone. This system addresses these challenges by offering a cost-effective, real-time solution for managing stock levels, tailored for the needs of small businesses.

Key Benefits:

• Eliminate Human Error: Automates stock tracking for greater accuracy.
• Simple Operation: Intuitive keypad and LCD interface for easy use.
• Portable System: Lightweight, with no reliance on external storage.

🔑 Features

• Real-Time Stock Updates: Tracks item movement using IR sensor signals.
• Four Functional Modes:
  1. Stock Tracker Mode: Automatically increment/decrement stock based on sensor detections.
  2. Browse Item Stocks: View current stock levels for all tracked items.
  3. Add Item ID: Register new items for tracking.
  4. Remove Item ID: Delete items from the system.
• Customizable Tracking:
  • Supports up to 5 item IDs during runtime.
  • Assign unique 4-digit IDs to inventory items.
• Clear Visual Feedback: Displays current stocks and menu options on a 16x2 LCD.

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🛠️ Hardware Components

• PIC16F877A Microcontroller: Core of the system for signal processing and control.
• IR Proximity Sensor: Detects item movements with adjustable distance thresholds.
• 3x4 Matrix Keypad with MM74C922 Encoder: Facilitates user input for menu navigation.
• 16x2 LCD Display: Provides real-time feedback on stock and system status.

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📊 Performance and Testing

The system was tested under various conditions to evaluate its reliability. Below are the detection success rates:

Object Type	Lit Room	Dark Room
White Object	19/20	15/20
Black (Non-Reflective)	2/20	0/20
Black (Reflective)	18/20	16/20

Observations:

• Reflective objects are detected more reliably.
• Detection improves significantly in well-lit environments.

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🔍 Limitations

1. Volatile Data: Stock data resets when the system powers off.
2. Manual Item Selection: Users must select the item ID before tracking.
3. Limited Capacity: Supports only 5 item IDs at a time, with a max stock of 100 per item.

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💡 Recommendations for Future Enhancements

• Replace the IR sensor with an ultrasonic sensor for improved accuracy.
• Add persistent storage to retain data after shutdown.
• Explore options for wireless data transfer and integration with external systems.

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🔄 System Workflow

1. Startup Menu: Choose from four operational modes.
2. Stock Tracking:
   • Input the item ID to track.
   • Select increment or decrement for stock adjustments.
   • The system updates stock in real-time upon IR sensor detection.
3. Browsing and Management:
   • Navigate through item stocks.
   • Add or remove item IDs via the keypad.

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👥 Contributors

• Matthew Caballero: Project Manager and Hardware Lead
• Pedrito Edzel Resano: Software Development Lead
• Paul Emmanuel Corsino: Software Co-Developer

Developed under the CpE 3201 course at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City.

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📅 Project Timeline

Task	Timeline
Proposal Approval	April (4th week)
Hardware Setup	May (1st week)
Software Development	May (2nd week)
Testing & Debugging	May (3rd week)
Submission	May (4th week)