RFID Based Book Tracking System CHAPTER 5 APPLICATIONS & ADVANTAGES

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.