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Automated Self Loan KIOSKs Smarten up Libraries

7/1/2018

Introduction

Today, many librarians have been freed up from time-consuming repetitive workloads because an increasing number of libraries that are leveraging cutting-edge technology to smarten up their loans/returns processes and collection management. Now, library staff will have more time and autonomy to devote themselves to higher value library services for their patrons.

This customer is a supplier of RFID-based automation products for libraries. Their wide array of library products contains a self-loan station, which is a kiosk apparatus integrating a borrower card or identity certificate reader, a payment system, a receipt printer, as well as a touch screen monitor providing simple steps for patrons to borrow/return library items, including books, DVDs, magazines and other materials.

Each kiosk is connected to the library management system via an IoT network, so that local check-in/check-out records can keep synchronized with the centralized database, and inter-library loans can be implemented and reservation services can be offered. With this payment system, the borrower submits a security deposit to allow their personal ID card or any other chip-based identity certificate to be used as a borrower card.

Self-loan kiosks can be connected to other automatic equipment in the library such as smart bins, automated sorters, conveyors and/or automated shelves, so that the items each patron wants to borrow can be immediately located and sent to the pick-up points, and returns can be instantly checked in, sorted, re-shelved or placed in a holding area without human intervention.

Application Requirements

In addition to identity certificate/borrower card readers, payment system, slip printer and a touch screen monitor, the customer also wanted the self-service kiosk to be integrated with a digital camera to provide video surveillance. Furthermore, as the library might deploy other automation products in the future, the computer embedded in the kiosk should provide multiple I/O support to connect all interior components as well as exterior equipment in a highly integrated manner. Versatile I/O functionality requirements usually run contrary to the need for small sized embedded computers with aesthetic looks and appeal but Advantech solved all these seemingly contradictory requirements with their exclusive fanless computer offering.

Solution

Advantech’s ARK-1124U is a fanless palm-sized embedded computer providing multiple I/O support within a highly compact mechanical design and an optional dual layer ARK-Plus module and iDoor I/O expansion module.

ARK-1124U provides support for a full-sized miniPCIe slot with a SIM holder which can be used to enable WIFI/3G/LTE wireless communications, multiple serial communication ports, as well as USB ports for connecting with other components inside the kiosk installations. Furthermore, the ARK computer can be optionally combined with a second layer of ARK-Plus to expand storage and I/O capabilities and/ or an iDoor I/O expansion module, so that this mini-sized computer can support connection with a greater number of devices and cater for future application needs.

In terms of software support, ARK-1124U is preinstalled with Advantech’s IoT device management platform WISE-PaaS/RMM, which provides support for most communication protocols so that the system can easily connect with the customer’s other library automation products or other 3rd party products in an integrated IoT network, providing remote monitoring functions such as remote system diagnosis and library management, as well as cloud applications such as inter-library data exchanges or reservation services.

The software suite contains a very easy-to-use dashboard development tool for the system integrator to design customized dashboards for data display and remote monitoring needs. The system also supports Windows 10, providing convenient options for Microsoft IoT development and management services to integrate and orchestrate a large number of device types with greater ease.

Benefits

Library automation and intelligent functions to reduce manual workloads and provide convenience to patrons with a simplified and efficient loans/returns processes.
Small footprint computer with flexible I/O and unique module expansion design
IoT and cloud functions with platform-ready software support which effectively shortens development times for faster time to market