Implementation and integration of radio-frequency identification system: a practical approach
| Published date | 03 June 2019 |
| Pages | 13-16 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-02-2019-0009 |
| Date | 03 June 2019 |
| Author | Hirak Jyoti Hazarika,S. Ravikumar |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Implementation and integration of
radio-frequency identification system:
a practical approach
Hirak Jyoti Hazarika and S. Ravikumar
1. Introduction
Radio frequency identification
(RFID) is an automatic identification
technology that is used to track items by
sending data to readers through radio
waves. RFID tags provide information
on the items to identity, activity,
location, and data stored inside through
readers and application software is used
to make the information useful for
security. Library management system
includes areas such as circulation,
cataloging and barcoding have direct
effects on users satisfaction. RFID was
introduced in the late 1980s, and RFID
tags and readers have gone down quite a
bit, making this technology available to
a broader market.
RFID is a grouping of radio
frequency–based technologies in which
the information is contained on chips in
tags affixed to library resources. This
RFID technology is basically used for
Issue and Return, which is normally
called staff station readers while the
ones used at building departures are
usually called sensors. An RFID tag is
mostly thin, flexible and smooth, with
remote induction technology, to fit in
with the information system to record
patrons’ loan history, improve the
efficiency of library inventory and
strengthen circulation and safety
management (Kern, 2004). Currently,
this has been the majorly used in
Library Environment to replace
traditional method which is basically
called barcode and magnetic tape with
wireless technology (Yu, 2007).
Migrating from the old barcode
management system to RFID
technology is a more reliable, effective,
real-time and scalable library data
management system. RFID produces a
solution in managing, collecting and
distributing books effectively (Lau
et al., 2008). It outperforms the barcode
system because line of sight is not a
requirement. Currently, many libraries
are equipped with high frequency (HF)
RFID tags and readers operating
internationally at a frequency of 13.56
MHz (Bansode and Desale, 2009). The
advantage of the 13.56 MHz operating
system is that the frequency is available
in most countries. This frequency has
been reserved for industrial, scientific
and medical applications. However, the
ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID
system surpasses this efficiency by
increasing the reading range and
providing multi-reading capacity
compared with the HF RFID system in
library automation systems (Molyneux,
2011)(Table I).
Library data management systems
can implement quick shelving of books
using the UHF RFID technology so that
any misplaced items can be detected
easily using portable readers. The
capability of the UHF RFID to read
multiple tags simultaneously with lesser
distortion error compared with the HF
RFID technology facilitates book
inventory applications. UHF RFID is
more efficient for implementation for
security gates because of its capability
to detect a tag in a longer range than HF
RFID. The incremental utilization of
UHF tags in the logistics and retail
industries has brought down the cost of
the UHF tags over the years. Comparing
HF RFID and UHF RFID tags, the HF
tag is complex with multi-turned coils,
whereas the UHF tag is small and has a
single turned and single-layer loop
antenna. Therefore, the pervasive use of
the UHF RFID tags results in a lower
manufacturing cost (Figure 1).
It is enterprise software that finally
uses the data captured by the readers
and uses the information to provide
real-time visibility to the process using
the Koha online public access catalogue
(OPAC). In some cases, RFID
middleware is developed, which lies
between the hardware infrastructure and
the software application as a common
interface that manages data flow
between the two and manages the
hardware infrastructure. In this case,
Avior technologies has developed
middleware for the Central Library.
RFID middleware software integrated
with Kiosk Machine for issue return
through this Kiosk machine user can
issue and return by self’s and RFID
middle ware software also integrate
with Gate and Staff Station for
controlling the Hardware devices.
Middleware software carries out the
work like check-out, check-in, book
detail searching, patron details, RFID
tagged books, link reader etc. This
software is based on Perl language with
SIP2 and NCIP base system, which is
very helpful for integration with any
Integrated Library Management System
software. After receiving data from the
user interface, this tier:
Formats data as per the software
protocol of the RFID reader and
communicates to the reader;
Send queries to the Koha database;
and
Update users’ with their data.
In the third tier, there are two
applications: the first one is the RFID
reader and the second one is the Koha
MySQL database. The reader does all
the communications with the tags
by sending appropriate ISO15693
supported commands (Figure 2).
The RFID tag is made up of a
microchip with a unique identification
number and the antenna to be able to
transmit these data to the reader
wirelessly. RFID tags have high data
LIBRARY HITECH NEWS Number 4 2019, pp. 13-16, V
CEmerald Publishing Limited, 0741-9058, DOI 10.1108/LHTN-02-2019-0009 13
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