What is RFID?

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RFID Defined

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless technology used to transmit

information from tags attached to objects in order to automatically identify and track those objects.

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RFID Components

There are three basic components to RFID systems.

TAGS READER MIDDLEWARE

Middleware is the interface needed between the reader and the existing company database or information management software.

Readers are devices that emits radio waves to RFID tags within range. Upon receiving the signal, the RFID tag sends back its data to the reader.

A tag consists of a microchip and an antenna. Tags can either be active (contains its own power source) or passive (no power source).

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RFID KioskRFID is everywhere. Do you know much about it? For instance, RFID is an exciting technology that seems so thoroughly modern but has actually been around for quite some time. If you’re not aware of RFID’s history, you might wish to view that portion of the kiosk. If you’d like to see ways that RFID is currently being used, there is a section on that. Because the impact that RFID can have in libraries is so amazing, a special section was created to highlight the many ways it affects particular functions. The future of RFID is fascinating to ponder so that is discussed as well. Finally, some Frequently Asked Questions about RFID are presented with answers to those questions. Get started learning about RFID now.

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Historyof RFID

CurrentUses

of RFID

Futureof RFID

RFID FAQ’s

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History of RFID

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RFID is not a "new" technology. It is fundamentally based on the study of electromagnetic waves and radio, which was rooted in the 19th century work of Michael Faraday, Guglielmo Marconi and James Clerk Maxwell. The concept of using radio frequencies to reflect waves from objects dates back as far as 1886 to experiments conducted by Frederick Hertz. Radar as we know it was invented in 1922, and its practical applications date back to World War II, when the British used the IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) system to distinguish friendly aircraft returning from missions on mainland Europe from from unfriendly aircraft entering British skies.

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History of RFID

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Even after the hostilities of World War II ended, the military continued to develop RFID technology. Government officials realized in the late 60's or early 70's the need for security and safety surrounding the use of nuclear materials and that fostered further development of RFID tagging of equipment and personnel. 

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History of RFID

Then, around 1977, the technology which had been developed in government labs for military applications was transferred to the public sector. Two early adopters of RFID were the railroads and the farm industry. Keeping track of their ‘mobile’ assets was the key benefit. As word got around about RFID’s effectiveness, more applications were sought in other industries.

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Current Uses of RFIDThe role of RFID is not just confined to aircraft identification and train and cattle tracking anymore; it is also lending a hand in various commercial uses. Manufacturing plants started using RFID in the 1990’s. The systems used in manufacturing track parts and work in the process for reduction of defects, managing production of various versions and increasing output. The technology has also been useful in closed looped supply chains for years. More and more companies are turning to this technology for tracking shipments among supply chain allies. Not just manufacturers but retailers also are using RFID technology for proper placement of products and improvements in the supply chain.

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Current Uses of RFID

RFID is used today for the hands-free payment of goods and services. For example, key fobs embedded with an RFID chip can be waved in front of a gas pump and payment is made.

Exxon/Mobile’s Speedpass™ program has been around the longest (since 1997) and has millions of users.

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Current Uses of RFID

Florida’s Sun Pass program, because it utilizes RFID technology, enables members to pay their tolls without stopping at a booth. Paying this way even earns its members a discount.

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Current Uses of RFID

Libraries just seem a natural fit for RFID technology. Most library functions can make use of RFID in some form or another. Click on any function below for more information about how libraries are using RFID.

Checking InChecking Out Security Inventory

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RFID in Libraries

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Checking Out Using RFID at the circulation counter allows for rapid check-out of library materials because information can be read from RFID tags faster than from barcodes and several items in a stack can be read at the same time.

For patrons using self-checkout, there is a marked improvement because the patron does not have to carefully place materials within a designated template.  Additionally, patrons can check-out several items at the same time.

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RFID in Libraries

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Checking Out BENEFIT: A major benefit to using RFID in libraries is the reduced handling of materials by staff – thereby reducing opportunities for repetitive stress injuries. Workplace injuries caused by the repetitive motions related to flipping books and angling books under barcode readers cost libraries millions of dollars every year, and lead to pain, limited physical range, and other problems.

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RFID in Libraries

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Checking Out

Click on the links below to learn more about repetitive stress injuries in libraries.

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http://www.browndailyherald.com/campus-news/library-shelvers-suffer-from-repetitive-stress-injuries-1.1669135

http://www.esao.on.ca/clients/libraries/ergonomic_tips.pdf

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RFID in Libraries

When a RFID system is properly "tuned", there are fewer false alarms than with older technologies. Libraries with experience in both electromagnetic (EM) and RFID security systems, report a 50 to 75 percent reduction in false alarms.

How does a tag know if a book has been checked out or not?

Some RFID systems encode the circulation status on the RFID tag by designating a data bit on the RFID tag as the "theft" bit and turning it off at time of check-out and on at time of check-in. If the material that has not been properly checked-out is taken past exit sensors, an immediate alarm triggers.

Security

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RFID in Libraries

Just the presence of security gates in a library is a strong deterrent for theft. However, it’s also important to have staff who are diligent about investigating gate alarms. Library staff should be trained and regularly reminded to stop patrons when an alarm goes off, not just wave them through. Understandably, it can beuncomfortable approaching a patron whohas set off an alarm. Something that canmake encounters friendlier is knowing whatitem triggered the alarm. Some RFIDsystems have an interface between the exit gates and the circulation system to identify items leaving the library. It is much easier to inquire about one item than a wholebag full. Also, if a patron runs out of the libraryand is not intercepted, the library would at least know what was stolen.

Security

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RFID in Libraries

Some of the most frequently stolen items in a library are CDs or DVDs. Previous attempts to curb theft included locked cases and keeping discs behind the circulation counter. Both solutions are inconvenient for patrons and staff.

RFID makes securing CDs and DVDs a little easier. The case itself can be tagged with a regular tag or the disc can be tagged with a circular hub tag. Tagging the disc is helpful to staff who won’t have to open the case to know the DVD is in there. The reader should be able to detect the disc through the case during checkout.

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RFID in Libraries

Checking In RFID technology enables automated materials handling. This includes conveyor and sorting systems that can check in library materials and also sort them by category into separate bins or onto separate carts. This significantly reduces the amount of staff time required to get materials

ready for re-shelving.

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RFID in Libraries

Checking In Many people believe that a sorter is a big system that runs in a central circulation center. While no doubt that’s true, the real benefit can be realized for every library in a sorter as small as three bins. A key element in the RFID business benefit is speed. Getting your fast-moving items back on the shelf or in the fast moving items area is critical to increased circulation and service. Making holds accessible in a hurry saves patron/student/staff time and improves your ability to deliver exceptional public service.

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RFID in Libraries

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Click the following link to view videos of automated sorting technologies.

http://www.tech-logic.com/solutions/watch-it-work.asp

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RFID in Libraries

A unique advantage of RFID systems is the ability to scan books on the shelves without tipping them outward from the shelves or removing them. Library personnel can use a hand-held RFID reader, moving it rapidly across a shelf of books, to read all of the unique identification information for the items on a shelf. Using wireless technology, it is possible not only to update the inventory, but also identify items which are out of proper order.  This helps to identify items that have been misplaced in the stacks or shelves.

Inventory

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RFID in Libraries

With RFID not only does the cost of doing an inventory in the library go down, the odds of actually completing regular inventories goes up. RFID has enabled the library at California State University, Long Beach to inventory 5,000 books per hour, and the Vatican Library in Rome estimates the ability to inventory 120,000 tagged items in its collection in half a day, as opposed to the full month it took to do so before implementing RFID.

Inventory

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RFID in Libraries

Taking inventory with RFID technology has also proven to be extremely useful and cost-effective in terms of locating lost or mis-shelved items. The library at Cal State-Long Beach reported finding 300 items that had been recorded as lost or missing upon its first RFID-enabled inventory. The library at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas found 500 such items after tagging its 600,000-plus collection, and estimated saving $40,000 in potential replacement costs as a result.

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Future of RFID

Until recently, the high cost of RFID has limited its use. Nowadays, tags that once cost $1 a piece are falling into the 10-cent range. Even the size of tags are going down. There are some tags now that could fit on the head of a pin.

The world will be very different once readers and RFID tags are everywhere. In an RFID-enhanced future, the benefits would accrue not just to businesses, but also to consumers.

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Future of RFID

Easy shopping:

You could purchase or rent items by simply walking out of a shop with them. The RFID payment device in your pocket and the RFID tags in the items you carry would allow any payment to be made automatically.

Easy returns:

You might be able to return RFID-tagged items of apparel without a store receipt. The unique identifier in the tag would reference a database record with the time of purchase and the original price – and even credit card information, if desired.

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Future of RFID

RFID will allow the expansion of car-sharing services, such as Zipcar, that allow members to locate and unlock any group vehicle.

RFID is also going to make things safer for hospital patients. In the future, chip-embedded sponges will be counted and located during and after surgery which will help eliminate surgical errors and

improve patient safety.

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RFID FAQ’s

How does an RFID tag differ from a barcode?

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RFID FAQ’s

The answer is: There are several key benefits RFID tags offer:

1. Speed: An RFID reader can read tags faster than a bar code scanner can scan bar codes. Some RFID readers can perform up to 1,500 reads/second.

2. Read Distance: Depending on the equipment configuration, it is not uncommon to read RFID tags at distances of 3 meters between the tag and the antenna. This area is commonly referred to as the "read field".

3. Identification: RFID tags transmit unique identifiers. A barcode indicates the type of item it is printed on. An RFID tag indicates not only the type of object it is attached to, but also a unique serial number. Thus an RFID tag can distinguish a given item from every other one in the world.

4. Simultaneous vs. Sequential scanning: RFID readers can identify multiple tags within the read field. The most common application of this capability is for the reader to report all tags within its read field.

5. Non-Line of Sight: Depending on the frequency being used, radio waves can penetrate most materials.

6. Durability: RFID tags can still operate even if they get dirty. Some products have RFID tags embedded directly during their manufacturing.

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RFID FAQ’s

If I check out a book from the library with an RFID tag in it, could satellites track the item back to my house?

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RFID FAQ’s

The answer is: No

Basic RFID tags only transmit identifiers in fairly close proximity to reading devices, and have no awareness of their geographical location in a global sense. More sophisticated and expensive devices, particularly those equipped with GPS (global positioning system) technology, are capable of providing continuous and fairly precise geographical data. RFID is a rudimentary wireless device; that is what makes it inexpensive and easy to deploy on a widespread basis.

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RFID FAQ’s

Are RFID tags ever implanted in people?

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RFID FAQ’s

The answer is: Yes

The FDA approved the implantation of RFID microchips in animals and humans back in 2004. One company, VeriChip Corp., currently offers a surgically implantable low-frequency RFID tag. It is about the size of a grain of rice. Proposed uses include storage of medical data, kidnapping deterrence, building access, and even implantable payment technology. This device transmits a unique identifier at a distance of up to several feet. It has provoked grave concern among privacy advocates.

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What is RFID?

RFID Defined

RFID Components

RFID Kiosk

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History of RFID

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Current Uses of RFID

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Future of RFID

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