Luggage simulation: description

Preface
Comparing with programming access database and validating users' input, this is a much funny case for me. That's why I put this part in my note.


Requirement description
This is a part of an airport case. It simulates how luggage passes check. The following paragraphs quote from the document for our case study 2 of HAN MISD program 2006-2007.

Simulation program (page.5)
The luggage handling process must be simulated with a windows program that does insert and/or updates in the database. Time triggered events must simulate transport from checkpoints to queues, checks and transport from checkpoints to the gates. The program must be made using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Again, the choice for the IDE is yours. This does not have to be the same IDE as you use for the windows program.

Main functionality (page.11)
All checked in luggage items must be transported from the check in counter to their appropriate gates. During this transport the items have to pass several checkpoints.


All luggage must pass checkpoint C1 (x-ray control). Depending on destination, a luggage items must pass several other checkpoints, like C2 (drug dogs) and/or C3 (manual control by an employee). Before each checkpoint there is a queue, in which items are waiting to be checked. The transport from checkpoint to the next queue and from checkpoint to gate is currently done by employee, but might be automated using conveyor belts in the future. It is possible that an item misses a control that it should have passed. This is checked at the gate. When this is the case, the item is placed back into the queue of C1. It is also possible that an item passes a checkpoint it did not have to pass, or it passes a checkpoint twice, but that is no problem. Items that have passed all their checkpoints with good results, are checked out of the system and placed in the airplane. Items that are rejected at one of the checkpoints are alse checked out of the system. In that case, the owner of the item is not allowed to board.

Your task for this part is building a program simulates the checks at the checkpoints. Every luggage item that checked in, should be moved to the queue of the first checkpoint that it has to pass. When it is its turn, the item should be checked and then moved to its next checkpoint. The database must keep track of all queues and all checks. You can simulate the moving and checking by doing inserts or updates in your database. Keep the following in mind for the simulator:

* Each check takes some time. For instance 30 seconds +/- a random value for checkpoint 1.
* A luggage item has some chance to be rejected. For instance 5% at checkpoint 1.
* Moving an item from a checkpoint to the next queue takes some time.

Information description (page. 12)
* A luggage item is checked at a checkpoint at a certain time.
* A check can have a result 'ok' or a result 'not ok'.
* A luggage item is checked out at a certain time.
* Check out time must be later than check in time.