2004Fall_RFID.pps

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