FAQ’s
1. What is RFID?
Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. There are several methods of identification, but the most common is to store a serial number that identifies a person or object, and perhaps other information, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna (the chip and the antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag). The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader. The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on to computers that can make use of it.
2. Is RFID New?
RFID is a technology that’s been around since World War II. Until recently, it’s been too expensive and too limited to be practical for many commercial applications. But if tags can be made cheaply enough, they can solve many of the problems associated with bar codes. Radio waves travel through most non-metallic materials, so they can be embedded in packaging or encased in protective plastic for weatherproofing and greater durability. And tags have microchips that can store a unique serial number for every product manufactured around the world.
3. Is RFID better than using bar code?
RFID is not necessarily “better” than using bar codes. The two are different technologies and have different applications, which sometimes overlap. The big difference between the two is bar code is a line-of-sight technology. That is, a scanner has to “see” the bar code to read it, which means people usually have to orient the bar code toward a scanner for it to be read. Radio frequency identification, by contrast, doesn’t require line of sight. RFID tags can be read as long as they are within range of a reader. Bar codes have other shortcomings as well. If a label is ripped or soiled or has fallen off, there is no way to scan the item. In addition, standard bar codes identify only the manufacturer and product, not the unique item. The bar code on one milk carton is the same as every other milk carton, making it impossible to identify which one might pass its expiration date first.
4. Will RFID Take Away My Job?
RFID technology will not take away anyone’s job. Instead it will be freeing you from the tasks barcodes constrained you to. RFID will allow staff more time to interact with Library patrons, save time with sorting books and allows for better organization of books. Essentially, RFID is there to let you work more efficiently and allow for patrons to check out books faster.
5. What is High Frequency?
High-frequency: This is generally considered to be from 3 MHz to 30 MHz. HF RFID tags typically operate at 13.56 MHz. They can be read from less than 3 feet away and transmit data faster than low-frequency tags. But they consume more power than low-frequency tags.
6. What is a Reader/Writer?
An electronic device for performing the process of retrieving data from a Transponder and, as appropriate, the contention and error control management, and channel and source decoding required to recover and communicate the data entered at source. The device may also interface with an integral display and/or provide a parallel or serial communications interface to a host computer or industrial controller.
7. What is a Transponder?
An electronic TRANSmitter/resPONDER, commonly referred to as a Tag.
8. How Does ELiMS® Work?
ELiMS® is a solution derived from the integration of RFID, Logistics Management and Operational Research Technologies.
Books and items in the Library are tagged with passive RFID tags.
Each tag is programmed to contain information and management data needed for each book/item.
The borrowing and returning of items can now be made real-time with the use of autonomous ELiMS® components like Borrowing Station offering ease of loan and fast loan-return cancellation.
9. What is the frequency used by the system?
The frequency of operation is 13.56 MHz. In Singapore, mobile phone is operated at a frequency of either 900MHz or 1.8 GHz.
10. Is it possible to “break” into the tag and change the information inside?
The data inside the tag is encrypted. The user needs to know the data format and firmware command sequence before data can be extracted. Hence, it is extremely unlikely to break into the tag and change its content.
11. How does a Borrowing Station work?
The friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows patron to borrow items with ease using the ELiMS® Borrowing Station.
Step 1 : Patron selects the language he/she prefers.
Step 2 : Patron insert his/her identity/membership card
Step 3 : Patron places a book/items on the borrowing pad.
The GUI will interactively display title of item, due date, loan quota etc with appropriate sound prompts.
A borrowing session is completed when the membership card is removed from the card slot. A receipt of the transactions, which took place will then be printed and issued by the Borrowing Station.
Or simply refer to the instructions on the How to Check In & Out Page
12. How does a Sorting Station work?
The ELiMS® Sorting Station has a dual function. It does a second confirmation on loan cancellation and displays the compartment number of the book or display message for items under transition.
By reading the compartment number on the screen, the library back room staff need not manually read and sort items now. Instead, they now simply put the book to the appropriate section for return to the shelf.
13. What are the operational advantages from ELiMS®?
ELiMS® has tremendously improved the mundane operational workflow and handling of the daily returns and sorting of collections for the Library staff.
The system fully automated borrowing Station reduce the public’s borrowing queue time and the fully automated book drop and sorting stations speed up the returned and sorting of items, enabling a shorter turnaround time for items to return to.
I just finished reading the FAQ’s. This really looks great. All is well at the Smyrna libary and gates should be installed shortly.