READERS
IN LIBRARIES:
Our readers can be used for
Access control, Time & Attendance, Vending machines, industrial and other
applications where Reading the data from the Card only is required.
Readers
in RFID library are used in the following ways:
Ø Conversion
station: where library data is written to the tag
Ø Staff
workstation at circulation:
used to charge and discharge library materials
Ø Self
check-out station: used to check out library materials without
staff assistance
Ø Self
check-in station: used to check in library materials without
staff assistance
Ø Exit
sensors: to verify that all material leaving the library
has been checked out
Ø Book-drop
reader: used to automatically discharge library materials
and reactivate security
Ø Sorter
and conveyor: automated system for returning material to
proper area of library
Ø Hand-held
reader: used for inventorying and verifying that material
is shelved correctly.
LAN Enabled RFID Reader – EAD RFID:
EAD
RFID is a combination of our Ethernet Adapter – EAD 01 and the RFID reader
module. This unit contains our EAD 01 B Board level Serial to LAN converter,
RFID module which can read the Tags and Built-in Antenna to pick up the RFID
signal, a buzzer to indicate the successful reading of the card and a
LED-indication.
The
Unit can additionally support Time Stamping function with Real Time Clock as an
Option. This unit can store up to 20 K of Data in its memory until the Server
or PC software polls to pick up the data. (With a 10 digit Tag and Time Stamp,
upto800records)
We can also customize this product for System Integrators or Software
developers to meet their software requirement.
Common Uses of RFID:
RFID systems can be used
just about anywhere, from clothing tags to missiles to pet tags to food -
anywhere that a unique identification system is needed. The tag can carry
information as simple as a pet owners name and address or the cleaning
instruction on a sweater to as complex as instructions on how to assemble a
car.
Here are a few examples of
how RFID technology is being used in everyday places:
Ø
RFID systems are being used in some hospitals
to track a patient's location, and to provide real-time tracking of the
location of doctors and nurses in the hospital. In addition, the system can be used to track the whereabouts of
expensive and critical equipment, and even to control access to drugs,
pediatrics, and other areas of the hospital that are considered
"restricted access" areas.
Ø
RFID chips for animals are extremely small
devices injected via syringe under skin. Under a government initiative to
control rabies, all Portuguese dogs must be RFID tagged by 2007.When scanned
the tag can provide information relevant to the dog's history and its owner's
information.RFID in retail stores offer real-time inventory tracking that
allows companies to monitor and control inventory supply at all times.
Ø
The Orlando/Orange County Expressway
Authority (OOCEA) is using an RFID based
traffic-monitoring system, which uses roadside RFID readers to collect signals
from transponders that are installed in about 1 million E-Pass and Sun Pass
customer vehicles.
ADVANTAGES
OF RFID:
The
reliability of the system, its ease of operation, and the flexibility of
tagging all kinds of media easily, are important criteria in choosing an RFID
system. The main aim for today's libraries in adopting RFID is the need to
increase efficiency and reduce cost. Automation and self-service can help
libraries of all sizes achieve these aims, and RFID has the added advantage
that it can also provide security for the range of different media offered in
libraries. The technology can also improve circulation and inventory control,
which helps allocate human and financial resources. This means that libraries
can relieve their professional employees of routine work and operational tasks.
All
of the tags used in RFID technology for libraries are "passive." The
power to read the tags comes from the reader or exit sensor (reader), rather
than from a battery within the tag.
A
few libraries use "smart" card, which is an RFID card with additional
encryption, is an alternative to merely adding an RFID tag on staff and user
identification cards. Not only does that identify users for issue and return of
library materials, but also for access to restricted areas or services.
This
would make it possible to make it into a "debit" card, with value
added upon pre-payment to the library and value subtracted when a user used a
photocopier, printer, or other fee-based device, or wished to pay fines or
fees.
Self-charging/Discharging:
The
use of RFID reduces the amount of time required to perform circulation
operations. This technology helps librarians eliminate valuable staff time
spent scanning barcodes while checking out and checking in borrowed items. For
the users, RFID speeds up the borrowing and return procedures.
Reliability:
The
readers are highly reliable. Several vendors of RFID library systems claim an
almost 100 percent detection rate using RFID tags. Some RFID systems have an
interface between the exit sensors and the circulation software to identify the
items moving out of the library. Were a library user to leave the library and
not be caught, the library would at least know what had been stolen.
If
the user card also has an RFID tag, the library will also be able to determine
who removed the items without properly charging them.
Other
RFID systems encode the circulation status on the RFID tag. This is done by
designating a bit as the "theft" bit and turning it off at time of
charge and on at time of discharge. If the material that has not been properly
charged is taken past the exit gate sensors, an immediate alarm is triggered.
Another option is to use both the "theft" bit and the online
interface to an integrated library system, the first to signal an immediate
alarm and the second to identify what has been taken out.
High-Speed Inventorying:
A
unique advantage of RFID systems is their ability to scan books on the shelves
without tipping them out or removing them. A hand-held inventory reader can be
moved rapidly across a shelf of books to read all of the unique identification
information. Using wireless technology, it is possible not only to update the
inventory, but also to identify items, which are out of proper order.
Automated Materials Handling:
Another
advantage of RFID technology is automated materials handling. This includes
conveyor and sorting systems that can move library materials and sort them by
category into separate bins or onto separate carts. This significantly reduces
the amount of staff time required to ready materials for re-shelving.
Optional Components:
Optional
RFID system includes the following three components: RFID Based Book Tracking System CHAPTER 5 APPLICATIONS & ADVANTAGES
·
RFID Label Printer
·
Handheld Reader
RFID
label Printer:
An
RFID printer is used to print the labels with an individual barcode, library
logo, etc. When the print is applied, it simultaneously programs the data in to
the chip. After this process, the RFID label is taken from the printer and
applied to the book.
Handheld Reader/Inventory Wand:
The
portable handheld reader or inventory wand can be moved along the items on the
shelves without touching them. The data goes to a storage unit, which can be
downloaded at a server later on, or it can go to a unit, which will transmit it
to the server using wireless technology. The inventory wand will cover three
requirements:
Screen
the complete book collection on the shelves for inventory control Search for
books, which are miss helved Search for individual book requested.