2004fall_rfid.pps
TRANSCRIPT
RFID
Radio frequency identification
RFID Journal
• Frequently Asked Questions
• www.rfidjournal.com
How does an RFID system work?
• An RFID system consists of a tag, which is made up of a microchip with an antenna; and,
• An interrogator or reader with an antenna. • The reader decodes the data encoded in the tag's
integrated circuit and the information is passed to the host computer for processing and/or storage.
Are there any health risks associated with RFID and radio waves?
• The waves coming from readers are no more dangerous than the waves coming to your car radio.
Why is RFID better than using bar codes?
• The big difference between the two is bar codes are line-of-sight technology.
• 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.
I could tell how often you have come in the library, what times of day, what you did while you were there, what books you checked out – and you wouldn’t even know you were being scanned.
Combined with other sources of information, this might be a good thing like a Reader’s Advisory service – suggesting other titles you might like.
But, in the hands of unscrupulous people, you can see how damaging this kind of information might be.
Will RFID replace bar codes?
• Probably not. Bar codes are inexpensive and effective for certain tasks. It is likely that RFID and bar codes will coexist for many years.
Is RFID new?
• RFID is a proven technology that's been around since at least the 1970s.
If RFID has been around so long and is so great, why aren’t we all using it?
• It’s a closed-loop system• It’s proprietary – Company B can’t read tags put
on by Company A unless they both use the same RFID system from the same vendor.
• Many of the benefits of tracking items come from tracking them as they move from one company to another and even one country to another.
Is cost a problem?
• RFID readers typically cost $1,000 or more. • Companies would need thousands of readers to
cover all their factories, warehouses and stores. • RFID tags are also fairly expensive – 20 cents or
more – which makes them impractical for identifying millions of items that cost only a few dollars.
• Library RFID tags run in the neighborhood of $.75 per tag.)
low-, high-, and ultra-high frequencies?
• RFID tags and readers have to be tuned to the same frequency to communicate.
• Generally the most common are low- (around 125 KHz), high- (13.56 MHz) and ultra-high frequency, or UHF (850-900 MHz).
• Low-frequency tags are cheaper than ultra high frequency (UHF) tags, use less power and are better able to penetrate non-metallic substances.
• Library tags are in the high frequency range
Passive vs. Active tags?
• Active RFID tags have a battery, which is used to run the microchip's circuitry and to broadcast a signal to a reader.
• Passive tags do not have a battery.• Passive tag read range isn't as far -- typically less
than 20 feet vs. 100 feet or more for active tags.
How much information can the tag store?
• Typically a tag would carry no more than 2KB of data – enough to store some basic information, like a bib record.
read-only and read-write tags
• With read-write chips, you can add information to the tag or write over existing information when the tag is within range of a reader, or interrogator.
• Library tags are read-write – the information can be changed.
What is reader collision?
• The signal from one reader can interfere with the signal from another where coverage overlaps.
• Locate the readers far enough apart so the signal doesn’t overlap.
What is tag collision?
• Tag collision occurs when more than one chip reflects back a signal at the same time, confusing the reader.
• Since they can be read in milliseconds, it appears that all the tags are being read simultaneously.
• Different vendors have developed different systems for having the tags respond to the reader one at a time.
What is the read range for a typical RFID tag?
• Passive Tags:• low-frequency tags are read from a foot or less. • High frequency tags are read from about three
feet. • UHF tags are read from 10 to 20 feet.• Active tags use batteries to boost read ranges to
300 feet or more.
Who are the leading RFID vendors?
• For Library purposes the two big ones are 3M and Checkpoint
• Although there are many different vendors with different areas of expertise.
• Go to the vendor section of RFID Journal• Thousands of companies are using RFID
technology
American Library Association. Office of Intellectual Freedom
RFID Issues Web Pagehttp://www.ala.org/ala/oif/ifissues/rfid.htm
RFID Discussion List: RFID_LIBSend email to To: [email protected]
In the body, type subscribe RFID_LIB Firstname Lastname
Library Law Bloghttp://blog.librarylaw.com/librarylaw/2004/08
bless_you_lori.html
Position Paper: RFID in Libraries. By Lori Bowen Ayre. August 19, 2004
http://galecia.com/included/docs/position_rifid_permission.pdf
8 Ways Libraries Use RFID• 1. Conversion station – Where library data is written to the tags • 2. Staff workstation at circulation – Used to check-in and check-out
materials • 3. Patron self check-out station – Used to check-out books without staff
assistance • 4. Exit sensors – Verify that all books leaving the library have been
checked out • 5. Patron self check-in station – Used to check in books without staff
assistance • 6. Bookdrop reader – Checks in books when patrons drop them in the
bookdrop • 7. Sorter – Automated system for returning books to proper area of library • 8. Portable reader – Hand-held reader for inventorying and verifying that
items are shelved correctly.
Library Uses
• Tags are unique down to the copy level• Rather than purchasing additional tags for
security, a single tag can be used for identifying items and securing them
• Self-check systems have become very popular with both patrons and staff.
• Inventory-related tasks can be done in a fraction of the time
• Sorting can be accomplished automatically
Costs
• Roughly it will cost about $1.70 per item to implement a system, although costs are coming down.
• Servers• Readers• Tags
Best Practices
• Berkeley Public Library • Best Practices for RFID Technology
http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/
BESTPRAC.PDF
Best Practices• • Library information on the tag should be limited to the barcode.
• • Patrons should not have the ability to search the catalog by barcode.
• • Do not utilize wireless connections to communicate between security gates, self-checks or other RFID-reading devices and the ILS database unless more security is incorporated in these communications.
• • The implementation of an RFID system only reinforces the current library duty to make sure their ILS database is as secure from unauthorized entry as possible.
• • Do not implement smart-card RFID patron library cards.
• • Inform patrons that your library utilizes RFID technology.
Our Implementation.
• 1) I wanted a theft detection system that was a one-step circulation process
• 2) Cut the amount of materials loss• 3) Marry the circulation and theft detection
processes• 4) Greater use of circ staff – you can check out
multiple books at the same time• 5) Use of Capital Projects Fund monies 6) Timing – We’re building a new Library