초록 ▼

An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information

An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library via patron self-check in devices. The shelves are periodically scanned with a mobile RFID scanner for updating inventory status.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.](a) an interrogator located in a checkout area of the library for interrogating at least one article which the patron wants to borrow and substantially simultaneously interrogating a patron identification (ID) card which identifies a patron to the system, the interrogator r

[What is claimed is:] [1.](a) an interrogator located in a checkout area of the library for interrogating at least one article which the patron wants to borrow and substantially simultaneously interrogating a patron identification (ID) card which identifies a patron to the system, the interrogator receiving a response signal containing the stored article identification information for each of the articles to be borrowed and patron identification information from the ID card, wherein the interrogator receives the response signals regardless of the orientation of the articles or patron identification card, and wherein the interrogator may substantially simultaneously receive response signals from a plurality of tagged articles;(b) an inventory database including a list of articles in the library and the circulation status of each of the articles, the database receiving the patron identification information and the article identification information for each of the articles to be borrowed; and(c) a processor in communication with the database for updating the circulation status of the articles to be borrowed.