Patent ID: 8479986

Claim:
An RFID-based book return apparatus, comprising: a control panel provided to be embedded into a wall of a building so as to be used by a user for proceeding with an automatic book return operation relating to the return of a book that is attached to a book RFID tag; a first touch screen provided specifically for adults to operate easily and conveniently; a second touch screen provided specifically for children and disabled persons to operate easily and conveniently; a cover panel; a controller mounted on the cover panel at an inner side thereof for controlling an operation of an automatic book return software and components/devices related to the operation of the automatic book return software as well; a book transportation channel extending in a direction opposite to the control panel and used for transporting books processed in the automatic book return operation; a book-return gate formed on the control panel while being connected to the book transportation channel; an RFID reader; an RFID antenna mounted on the cover panel at the inner side thereof so as to be used for detecting the book RFID tag while transmitting a corresponding detection signal to the RFID reader; a printer formed with a print-out gate; a first sensor for detecting and determining whether the control panel is approached by the user, and if so, the first sensor is enabled to issue a signal for directing the controller to activate the RFID reader so as to access data registered on the book RFID tag and on a borrower card of the user; and a second sensor for detecting and determining whether the book-return gate is cleared, wherein the book transportation channel is a structure selected from the group consisting of a ramp-type rail structure and a conveyor belt structure, wherein the conveyor belt structure runs in forward and reverse directions, and thus is enabled to transport books carried thereon upward and downward, and simultaneously, the book transportation channel is designed to have a transportation speed to be controlled effectively and conveniently for enhancing a readability of RFID tags which are attached to books being transported thereon, further, the conveyor belt structure is enabled to perform a book rejection operation upon a book having an RFID tag that is not registered correctly.