Univision Intelligent Technologies Ltd
Date: 26 March 2003
By: C. P. WONG
Reference: Card_Reader_Solution.doc
Subject: System proposal
This paper provides a very brief description of each system component that is around the application of
the RFID contactless smart card readers. The following applications will be described:
- Point-Of-Sales System
- Library Booking System
- Room Access System
- Card Issuing System
- User Enquiry System
- Toll/Fare Controller
- Car Parking System
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Point-Of-Sales System
System Architecture
The Point-Of-Sales (POS) System consists of a POS terminal and a card reader. The card reader is
attached to the POS terminal through RS232 serial interface, and the POS terminal may be a stand-
alone machine or connected to a central database via RS232/RS422 or LAN interface. A printer is also
attached to the POS terminal for receipt printing.
The card reader may contain two rows of displays: one for value to be deducted from the card, and
another for remaining value on the card.
Card
Reader POS Terminal
PRINTER
System Operations
The POS terminal holds a table of all saleable items. Such information may be downloaded from a
central database (CDB). Protocol may be established between the POS terminal and the card reader to
perform the following functions:
1. Total value to be deducted from the card is sent from the POS terminal to the card reader.
2. The card reader shows the value to be deducted from the card.
3. When a card is presented on the card reader, the remaining value of the card is shown.
4. The value obtained from the POS terminal is deducted from the card.
5. The updated remaining value of the card is shown again.
6. The card reader replies to the POS terminal with the information such as card number, value
deducted from the card, and the updated remaining value of the card.
7. The POS terminal sends to the printer with the information such as saleable items, card
number presented on the card reader, the value deducted from the card, and the updated
remaining value of the card.
However, if the card reader detects that the card does not contain enough value to be deducted, the
above transactions on the card reader shall be happen, and the card reader replies to the POS terminal
that no transaction will be carried out. The display areas will flash to indicate to the operator and the
card user about this situation. The deduction will become manual and the card reader will be reset to
idle situation.
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Library Booking System
System Architecture
The Library Booking System (LBS) consists of a booking terminal and a card reader. The card reader
is attached to the booking terminal through RS232 serial interface, and the booking terminal is
connected to a central database via RS232/RS422 or LAN interface.
Card
Reader Booking Terminal
System Operations
The booking terminal holds a table of temporary booking items for the current card user presented on
the card reader. Protocol may be established between the booking terminal and the card reader to
perform the following functions:
1. A card is presented on the card reader.
2. The booking terminal validates the card from the central database.
3. For each book, an entry is registered together with the card number onto the temporary
database.
4. Upon completion of booking, the temporary database is updated to the central database.
5. The card is removed to terminate the booking.
When books are returned, the following functions will be performed:
1. A card is presented on the card reader.
2. The booking terminal validates the card from the central database.
3. For each book, an entry is removed from the central database.
4. Upon completion, the card can be removed to terminate the transactions.
With adequate installation, the booking terminal may be used without operator invention.
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Room Access System
System Architecture
The Room Access System (RAS) consists of an access controller and a number of card readers. Each
card reader is attached to the access controller through RS422 interface either in daisy chain fashion or
star fashion, and the access controller may be a stand-alone machine or connected to a central database
via RS232/RS422 or LAN interface.
Card
Card
Reader Access Controller
Reader
Operator Card
Terminal Reader
Card
Card
Reader
Reader
For room access, the card reader will carry two antennas with one external antenna responsible for
getting access into the room, and the internal antenna responsible for energy saving purpose. The
operator terminal attached with a card reader is for administrative purpose to the access controller. The
communication link between the operator terminal and the access controller may be RS232/RS422 or
LAN interface.
System Operations
Initially, the card readers installed in each room have no record of any card information and therefore
no operation is performed on the card reader even when a valid card is presented on the card reader
antenna areas.
The access controller holds a table of currently active card information for each card reader at the
room. Protocol may be established among the operator terminal, access controller, and the card reader
at each room to perform the following functions:
At the operator terminal:
1. A card is presented to the card reader attached to the operator terminal.
2. After all the necessary information entered through electronic form, the card information
together with other data from the electronic form is entered into the access controller.
3. The access controller in turn updates to the card reader at the particular room.
4. If the room is not occupied anymore, the card information will be removed from the access
controller and the record inside the card reader at the room will be erased.
At the room reader:
1. A card is presented to the antenna outside the room.
2. The card reader inside the room checks from the list as updated before from the access
controller.
3. If successful, the mechanical lock on the door is released to open.
4. The antenna inside the room closed to the slot area is ready.
5. As long as the card is present to the antenna inside the room, the electricity switch is kept
intact.
6. If the card is removed away from the internal antenna, the power supply switch remains intact
for a while to avoid accidental removal of the card from the slot.
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Card Issuing System
System Architecture
The Card Issuing System (CIS) consists of a card issuing terminal and a card reader. The card reader is
attached to the card-issuing terminal through RS232 interface, and the card-issuing terminal may be a
stand-alone machine or connected to a central database via RS232/RS422 or LAN interface.
A video camera may be attached to the card-issuing terminal to provide facial information capture for
storage onto the central database. A video printer may also be attached to the card-issuing terminal to
provide card-printing capability to each issued card.
CAMERA
Card Card Issuing
Reader Terminal
PRINTER
System Operations
The card-issuing terminal may hold a list of ready to use card information. Any card presented on the
card reader will be checked from this list. If the card is found on the list, card-issuing process may be
commenced.
When a new card is presented on the card reader ready for initialization, the card issuing terminal will
collect the card information, together with previously prepared information as filled into the electronic
form, to update the central database about the newly created card. When camera is available, the card
user may be taken the facial image and the captured data (most likely JPEG format) will be stored onto
the central database as well.
Depending on the application, the new card may be printed with some useful information for initial
identification.
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User Enquiry System
System Architecture
The User Enquiry System (UES) consists of a user terminal and a card reader. The card reader is
attached to the user terminal through RS232 interface, and the user terminal may be a stand-alone
machine or connected to a central database via RS232/RS422, LAN, or wireless interface.
The enquiry system is where any card user may be able to check, verify, and update some of the
information stored in the card. With adequate installation, such enquiry system may also be used to
perform pre-paid function.
Card
Reader User Terminal
System Operations
When a card is presented on the card reader, the user terminal will bring up options of services for the
card user to select from. Where appropriate, such user terminal may be configured as videophone like
system for teleconferencing between the two parties, for example library enquiry, room reservation
enquiry, etc. If payment is involved, such information may be logged onto the central database for
future enquiry and validation.
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Toll/Fare Controller
System Architecture
The toll/fare controller is embedded with a card reader, which is used to control access to the
transportation facility of the card user. Such controller may be connected wirelessly to the central
database when the vehicle is parked close to the depot, where receiver is waiting there to collect
information that may be coming out from the toll/fare controller.
Toll/fare controller
System Operations
The controller may have a table of cards that are not required to pay for anything. Else payment will be
applied to each card presented onto the card reader. If not enough payment can be made on the card,
then a warning sign (audible or whatever) may be triggered to inform the situation.
Upon parking to the depot, the controller will download the entire transaction history to the central
database for backend data consolidation.
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Car Parking System
System Architecture
The Car Parking System (CPS) consists of a car-parking controller, one entry module, and one exit
module. The entry/exit module is a set of card reader, gate barrier, and ground loop antenna. The
entry/exit module is attached to the controller through RS422 interface, and the controller may be a
stand-alone machine or connected to a central database via RS232/RS422 or LAN interface.
(Entry)
Card Car Parking
Reader, Controller
Gate Barrier
& Loop
(Exit) Card Operator Card
Card
Reader,
Reader Terminal Reader
Gate Barrier
& Loop
Another card reader may also be attached to the car-parking controller for group member access to the
car-parking area. The operator terminal attached with a card reader is basically used for payment
calculation.
System Operations
The car-parking controller holds a table of valid cards that may be used to access the car parking area.
Protocol may be established within the entry/exit module itself and the car-parking controller to
perform the following functions:
At Entry:
1. A card is presented on the entry module.
2. The card reader inside the module verifies the card with the controller.
3. If successful, the barrier is released to open and the ground loop antenna is used to monitor the
present/absent of the vehicle.
4. The card reader informs the controller that the vehicle is passed through.
At Exit:
1. A card is presented on the exit module.
2. The card reader inside the module verifies the card with the controller.
3. If successful, the barrier is released to open and the ground loop antenna is used to monitor the
present/absent of the vehicle.
4. The card reader informs the controller that the vehicle is passed through.
If payment is required, the following functions will be performed at the operator terminal:
1. A card is present on the card reader.
2. The card is verified with the controller.
3. If successful, payment amount is calculated based on car-parking management.
4. The operator terminal informs to the controller about the ready exit of the card.
To allow group member to access the car-parking area, the card reader attached directly to the
controller will be used to verify the access right.
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