WO2007147205A1

WO2007147205A1 - Library label and a storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2007147205A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramachandran Karthikeyan; Rodney Gerard Ryan; Richard Roland Langmaid; Robert John Reed
Original assignee: Express Promotions Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-19
Filing date: 2007-06-19
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: AU2007262658A1

Abstract

A library label including a colour coded representation of a Dewey Decimal System (DDS) number, an RFID tag including data representing an asset number, and a barcode representing the asset number. The label has a visible surface having a first part with the barcode, and a second part with the colour coded representation of the DDS number. The colour coded representation includes adjacent colour bands representing a respective alphanumeric character of the DDS number. The first part is for the back of a media item and the second part is for the spine of the item. A third part of the label includes the RFID tag, and is for the inside of the cover of the item. The third part is elongate and the RFID tag is placed in one of a plurality of selected positions of the third part. A central processing system maintains a database of media data for the media, and at least one subsystem includes RFID readers for reading RFID tags of the labels on the media and provided location data corresponding to the media for the central processing system.

Description

LIBRARY LABEL AND A STORAGE SYSTEM

FIELD

The present invention relates to a library label and a storage system.

BACKGROUND

Libraries currently employ a number of different systems and techniques to maintain records on the media that they hold and the location of that media. The media includes any article or item that forms part of a library's holdings, and may be used or borrowed by users of the library. The media includes books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and newspapers, etc.

Many libraries, when receiving media that will form part of the holdings, separately apply a number of different labels or tags which each relate to different respective parts of systems maintained by the library. For example, the following may be separately applied: a magnetic strip for security purposes; an asset label with an asset number; a label placed on the outside of the media item indicating the allocated number of the Dewey Decimal System (DDS); and a clear label over the DDS number label to provide protection. Some libraries also apply a Radio Frequency Identification (RPID) tag inside the back cover of books. This consumes considerable time before the media can be placed in the library for use, and is relatively cumbersome. For example, each item may need to include five, six or seven different labels depending on the library system used.

Once placed on the shelves of the library, the media can then be checked in and out of the library by reading of the asset label and activating and deactivating the magnetic strip. Within the library the magnetic strip is normally activated. This provides security for the media as an activated magnetic strip can be sensed by readers placed at the entry and exit points of the library if a user transports the media between the entry and exit points. The media is placed in predetermined locations within the library based on the DDS number of the DDS label. A library user is then able to determine the location of the media, after determining the DDS number from a database of the library, and then visually identifying the location by reading the individual Dewey numbers of media placed on the shelves of the library.

A stocktake of the media held by the library is done by reading the individual asset labels applied to the media and comparing the information obtained with that held by a media database of the library.

The use of RFID tags has also presented a number of problems. High frequency (HF) RFID tags (that operate in a 13 MHz band) suffer from reading difficulties when items are placed together, as the tags can cancel each other or be difficult to discriminate. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag (that operate in a band between 860 to 960 MHz) are not as vulnerable to this problem but are affected by moisture, so in many environments they cannot be employed.

Similar considerations apply to storage systems used in other storage facilities, such as video rental outlets and file or document storage facilities. At these premises, determining the items held and their location can be a considerable logistical task.

It is desired to address deficiencies associated with the above, or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a library label, including: a colour coded representation of a Dewey Decimal System (DDS) number; and an RFID tag including data representing an asset number.

The present invention also provides a label for a media item, including: a first part for the cover of the media item; a second part for the spine of the media item; and a third part for the inside of said cover, said third part including an RPID tag.

The present invention also provides a library system, including: a central processing system for maintaining a database of library media data for library media; and at least one subsystem including RFID readers for reading RFID tags of media labels on the library media and providing location data corresponding to the library media for the central processing system.

The present invention also provides a storage system, including: shelves with RFID readers for reading RFID tags of items and generating location data corresponding to the items.

DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a library label;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the library label;

Figure 3 is a view of parts of the label applied to the outside of a book cover;

Figure 4 is a view of another part of the label applied to the inside of a book cover;

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a library system; and Figure 6 is a block diagram of a storage system of the library system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A library system 400, as shown in Figure 5, operates with a label 100, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. - A -

The label 100 can be considered to include three layers, as shown in Figure 2, an adhesive layer 202, a middle layer 204 and a visible layer 206, which can written or printed on. The label 100 is supplied with a backing layer (not shown) that can be removed from the adhesive layer 202. The middle layer 204 is placed between the other two layers 202 and 206, and includes a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 208. The RPID tag 208 is selectively positioned in an inside cover part 134 of the label 100, as discussed below. Data stored on the tag 208 is able to be read by RFID readers of the library system, particularly readers of a number of subsystems 410 to 418 of the library system 400. Subsystems 410 and 412 are also able to write data to the tag 208, and a central processing system 402 includes an RFID device 406 that is able to write data to the tag 208. The data includes asset data representing a unique asset number allocated to a media item when media is received by a library before it is placed in the library for users, and to which the label 100 is affixed. Other data associated with an item may also be written to the tag 208, such as purchase price, publisher, author, borrowers with dates of loan, etc.

The visible layer 206 has printed thereon, as shown in Figure 1, a barcode 110 representing the asset number and a column 112 of vertical bands 114 to 124 placed in a vertical sequence. Below the barcode 110 the alphanumeric characters of the asset number are printed. The first band 114 of the column 112 is used to include indicia or colour representing a media type of the item, such as a book, CD, DVD, newspaper, etc. The remaining bands 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 each represent an alphanumeric character of the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) number for the media item to which the label 100 will be affixed. Each band 116 to 124 includes a colour that represents the character and also includes indicia being the printed character. The DDS number is also printed in a band 140 below the barcode 110. Above the barcode 110 the name of the library can be printed.

Other data obtained from the library system 400 can also be printed on to the label 100.

For example, the title of the media item and the author of the media item can be printed on the inside cover part 134 of the label 100, together with abstract or summary describing the item.

The label 100 in plan view, as shown in Figure 1, has an inverted L shape that can be considered to be comprised of three parts 130, 132, 134. The first part 130 is for printing of the library name, the barcode 110 and the DDS number 140. The second adjacent part 132 of similar size is for printing of the column 112. The first part 130 is designed to be placed on the outside rear surface 306 of the back cover 302 of a media item 300, as hsoen in Figure 3, and the second part 132 is designed to be affixed to the spine 304 of the item 300. Accordingly, the first and second parts 130, 132 are joined by a notional vertical fold line 142. The third part 134 is elongate and extends from the bottom of the first part 130 at a notional horizontal fold line 144. By folding along the fold line 144, the third part 134 is designed to be affixed to the inside surface 308 of the back cover 302 of a media item 300, particularly a book 300, a magazine, or a DVD, CD or video case.

When the label 100 is produced, prior to printing, the RFID tag 208 is selectively positioned along the elongate third part 134. The first and second parts 130, 132 can be of a size that is typically of a similar size to that of a standard HF RFID tag 208, such as that manufactured by UPM Raflatac (http://www.upmraflatac.com ). The third elongate part 134 of the label 100 is of a length that is about four or five times the length or height of the first and second parts 130, 132. The length and width of the third part 134 of a label is such that up to four or five RFID tags 208 could be placed along the third part 134, but not overlap in the third part 134. The label 100 can be produced by a machine, such as an XP5000 Flexographic Press produced by Mark Andy, Inc (http://www.markandv.com/maequipment/xp5000.cfm) fitted with a P500 RFID inlay insertion system produced by Tamarack Products Inc.

(http://www.tamarackproducts.com/rfid.html). The machine inserts the tag 208 in a position determined by a servo motor of the machine. The control of the servo motor is adjusted so as to be driven at a rate that changes for each label produced so as to place the RFID tag at different positions along the third part 134 for each subsequent label 100, and then revert to the initial position. This changes the position of the RFID tag 208 in a label 100 for succeeding labels in a batch of labels 100. When the labels 100 are respectively applied to a batch of media items, and the items are placed adjacent one another, it is unlikely that the tags 208 will be in a position that causes them to interfere with one another and prevent the tags 208 being accurately read. For example, the speed of the server motor can be controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that is programmed so the servo motor accelerates between each tag insertion, sequentially for each respective subsequent label produced, so as to place the tags 208 of subsequent labels in different positions 150, 152, 154, 156, 158 on the elongate third part 134 of a label 100. This is particularly advantageous as it assists with reading of the tags, particularly for thin books 300 placed adjacent one another.

Once the labels 100 have been manufactured by the machine and supplied, they can then be printed on using the library system 400. The visible layer 206 is printed with the barcode 110, the DDS column 112 and other material using a printing device 408 of the central processing system 402.

The RFID device 406 and the printing device 408 can be combined into one device of the central processing system 402, so that when a media item is received, the central processing system 402 can be used to allocate an asset number and a DDS number, and the label 100 processed so as to simultaneously print the barcode 110, the column 112 and write the asset data to the RFID tag 208, together with other media item data required for placement of the item in the library. The other data written to the tag 208 includes location data, representing the position of the item within the library, transaction data representing the loan status of the item, and security data representing that the item must be maintained within a security perimeter of the library. The security perimeter normally corresponds to the library building and its entry and exit points. If desired, the transaction data may be used as the security data.

Once data has been written to the label 100 and the barcode 110, the column 112 other material printed, the label 100 can be affixed to the media item, such as a book 300, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The barcode 110 is printed on the first part 130 of the label, and the column 112 is printed on the second part 132 of the label 100 so that when the label 100 is placed on a book 300, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first part 130 corresponds to the back 302 of the book 300 and the second part 132 corresponds to the spine 304 of the book 300. This allows the DDS column 112 to be easily recognised and read by users of the library. The colour coding of the DDS characters applied to the item significantly assists user's in locating media items, and also assists librarians ensuring items are placed in the correct location sequence within a library's media storage system 422 (eg shelves). To place the label 100 on a media item 300, the label 100 is folded along the fold lines 142, 144, and the elongate third part 134 is placed in the book 300 so as to rest on the inside surface 308 of the back 302 of the book 300. The details printed on the elongate 134 can then be read by a person opening the book so as to view inside surface 308 of the rear cover 302.

The central processing system 402 and the subsystems 410 to 418 are all computer processing systems that communicate with one another using a local or wide area network (ie a LAN and/or WAN). The communications network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of the two. The central processing system maintains a library database 404 that holds, with reference to a media item's asset data, all item data relating to a media item as required by the library system 400. This data includes transaction data, location data, data representing the DDS number allocated and the asset data used as a reference. The central processing system 402 is able to provide data from the library database 404 to the RFID device 406 using SIP2 (Standard Interchange Protocol V2.00), as published by 3M, or NCIP (National Circulation Interchange Protocol) by the National Information Standards Organisation (NISO) (both protocols are discussed at http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en US/librarv/home/resources/protocols). The RFID device 406 may be a MRlOl HF Mid Range R/W Reader produced by Feig Electronics Inc. (http://www.feig.de, part of the OBID i-scan HF range of products).

A transaction subsystem 410 of the library system 400 is used to check media in and out of the library. The subsystem 410 is able to read and write data to a tag 208 so as to indicate the transaction state or loan status for a media item, ie whether it is properly on loan or not.

A security subsystem 412 of the library system 400 includes RFID readers that are placed at various points around the perimeter of the library, particularly the entry and exit points of the library. The security subsystem 412 is able to read security data and other data from the RPID tag 208 so as to determine whether an alarm condition has occurred. The library system 400 can have various alarm conditions, for example to indicate a stolen media item or an improperly loaned item.

A location subsystem 414 of the library system 400, as shown in Figure 6, includes RFID readers 502 that are able to read location data from the tags 208 of the labels 100 or simply read the asset data and combine that with other data associated with the readers 502 so as to produce item location data for the central processing system 402. The location subsystem 414 is able to form part of the storage system 422 used by the library, and can effectively be used to provide intelligent or smart shelves 510 for the library media.

The storage system 422 includes storage shelves 510 and the location subsystem 414. RFID readers 502 of the location subsystem 414 are each connected to a respective shelf 512, 514 and 516 or positioned in a location adjacent that shelf. A reader 502 is assigned to read the tags 208 of the labels 100 of the media items 300 located in the respective shelf 512, 514 or 516. The readers are able to interrogate or excite the tags 208 of the items 300 located in the shelves 510 so as to receive a read signal including the asset data and any other item data written to the tags 208. Based on the strength of the read signal and the time at which the read signal is received following generation of the excitation or interrogation signal, the reader 502 is able to determine the distance of the tag 208 that transmitted the read signal from the reader 502, and in turn the location of the media item 300 on the shelf 512, 514 or 516 can be determined. By correlating and analysing the strength and return times of all of the read signals received by the readers 502 of the shelves 510, the location subsystem 414 is able to determine a precise distance between each reader 502 and a media item 300 on the shelves 510, and the locations of the items 300 on the shelves 510. The distances determined are used to generate the location data for the central processing system 402. Even if the media items 300, such as books, are closely stacked on the shelves 510, the location subsystem 414 is able to determine within millimetres the position of the items 300 along the respective shelves 512, 514 and 516.

A stocktake subsystem 416 of the library system is able to perform stocktake processing by accessing the location data provided by the location subsystem 414 and comparing the location data with similar data maintained by the library database 404 of the central processing system 402.

A display board 418 of the library system 400 provides interactive user interface displays for users and librarians of the library to assist with obtaining information on media, based on the data held by the library system 400. This will include the location of media in the library and data on other media that may be relevant to specific media items of interest. The display board subsystem can include advertising displays placed throughout the library to advise of media held.

The library system 400 and the label 100 are particularly advantageous as they allow efficient management and introduction of media within a library. Providing a combined asset number, colour coded DDS number representation and RFID tag in one label 100 enhances the processing involved in introducing media to the library, and in addition provides a number of mechanisms for identifying a media item. For example, if the equipment within a library is unable to read data from the RFID tag, the asset number can be obtained by a barcode reader of the library system 400 by reading the barcode 110. The colour coded Dewey column 112 also facilitates location and placement of media within the library, and if desired could be machine read by the library system 400. Staggered placement of the tag 208 on the label 100 also allows HF tags to be used effectively when items are closely stacked adjacent one another.

Furthermore, the storage system 422 allows the automatic location of items that have been placed on storage shelves 510 of the system 400. The location data generated by the location subsystem 414 is particularly advantageous for determining holdings and in particular performing a stocktake of assets held by a library.

Aspects of the system and library described above can also be readily applied to other item storage facilities, such as video rental outlets and file or document storage facilities. Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A library label, including: a colour coded representation of a Dewey Decimal System (DDS) number; and an RFID tag including data representing an asset number.

2. A library label as claimed in claim 1, including a barcode representing said asset number.

3. A library label as claimed in claim 2, including a first part with said barcode, and a second part with the colour coded representation of the DDS number.

4. A library label as claimed in claim 3, wherein the colour coded representation includes adjacent colour bands representing a respective alphanumeric character of the DDS number.

5. A library label as claimed in claim 4, wherein respective colours are allocated to characters of DDS numbers.

6. A library label as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first part is for location on the back of a media item and the second part is for location on the spine of the item.

7. A library label as claimed in claim 3, including a third part including said RFID tag.

8. A library label as claimed in claim 7, wherein said third part is elongate and said RFID tag is placed in one of a plurality of selected positions of said third part.

9. A library label as claimed in claim 8, wherein said positions are sequentially selected.

10. A library label as claimed in claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein said first part is placed on the cover of a media item, said second part is placed on a spine of said cover, and said third part is placed inside of said cover.

11. A library label as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first and second parts share a first fold line, and said first and third parts share a second fold line.

12. A library label as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second fold line is substantially perpendicular to said first fold line.

13. A label for a media item, including: a first part for the cover of the media item; a second part for the spine of the media item; and a third part for the inside of said cover, said third part including an RFID tag.

14. A label as claimed in claim 13, wherein said third part is elongate and said RFID tag is placed in one of a plurality of selected positions of said third part.

15. A label as claimed in claim 14, wherein said positions are sequentially selected.

16. A label as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein said first and second parts share a first fold line, and said first and third parts share a second fold line.

17. A label as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second fold line is substantially perpendicular to said first fold line.

18. A label as claimed in claim 17, including a barcode representing an asset number for the media item.

19. A label as claimed in claim 18, wherein said RFID tag includes data representing said asset number.

20. A process for producing labels as claimed in claim 15, including controlling the speed of a servo motor of a machine for producing said labels so as to sequentially adjust an insertion position of said RFID tag for the labels.

21. A process for producing labels as claimed in claim 18, wherein the speed of said servo motor is accelerated for subsequent labels by a programmable logic controller.

22. A library system, including: a central processing system for maintaining a database of library media data for library media; and at least one subsystem including RFID readers for reading RFID tags of media labels on the library media and providing location data corresponding to the library media for the central processing system.

23. A library system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said media labels comprise a label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.

24. A library system as claimed in claim 22 or 23, including at least one of a security subsystem, a transaction subsystem, a stock subsystem, a media location subsystem and a display board subsystem.

25. A storage system, including: shelves with RFID readers for reading RFID tags of items and generating location data corresponding to the items.

26. A storage system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the location data represents the position of said items on said shelves.

27. A storage system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said location data and asset data read from the tags is sent to a central processing system for maintaining a database of item data including said asset and location data.

28. A storage system as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein the location data is generated based on the distance between an RPID reader and an item on the shelves.

29. A storage system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the distance is determined based on at least one predetermined characteristic of a read signal received by the RPID reader.

30. A storage system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said RPID tags are respectively included in media labels comprising a label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.