Patent ID: 6704690
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G06K,G07F

Abstract:
A library monitoring system comprising a number of borrowable items, each item having a radio frequency identification device mounted thereon, the radio frequency identification device having a unique identification code; a processing unit coupled to a database containing an indication of the location of each library item, and to a borrowed item returning location as well as a number of returning stations located at different geographical locations remote from said library location; wherein the borrowed item returning location and returning stations comprise a receptacle into which the borrowed item may be inserted, the receptacle comprising an antenna which detects an insertion of a library item having a radio frequency identification device mounted thereon, the borrowed item returning location, in response to the insertion of a library item into the receptacle, detecting the identification code and sending the identification code corresponding to the returned library item to the processing unit, the processing unit, in response to the received identification code, updating the information on the database relating to the returned library item to indicate that the returned library item has been returned to the library.