Frictionless Attendance System Using BLE

Abstract

This paper presents a frictionless, low-cost, and privacy-preserving smart attendance system using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and mobile devices. The system preserves privacy by relying solely on anonymized device identifiers without tracking location outside designated beacon zones or collecting personal data. The proposed system enables automatic attendance recording through proximity and behaviour-based verification of signals. Unlike traditional RFID or manual systems, the approach eliminates physical friction and human intervention. The system incorporates two-step verification using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) smoothing and exit hysteresis to ensure reliable detection. The system infrastructure supports correlation-based proxy detection through continuous RSSI time series collection, enabling future server-side implementation without app changes. Experimental results demonstrate an 81% reduction in false positives (from 21% to 4%) and a 77% reduction in missed detections (from 13% to 3%), with high scalability for classroom environments.