L A N
Figure 6. System architecture
1) RFID
RFID technology is a key driver of this system.
Low Frequency (LF) systems are specifically selected due to the nature of the applications requires a close range identification, i.e. if a long range identification system such as Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) is used, auditing cannot be individually made for ticket inspection at the gate. Also, LF is the most robust for working in a ‘rough’ environment that includes human bodies and animal-enclosures, in which humidity are typically founded [4]. The proposed interrogation process requires Reader and Tag. The system requires user participation and there are 2 scenarios. First, the e-ticket system requires uses to carry tags with them to use with a reader installed in the zoo, and secondly, a Pocket PC application that requires users to carry a reader to use with an attached tag.
2) Database
Since the RFID tags have limited memory and in order to promote a flexibility of data processing, most of data in the system are stored in the relational database to support decision-making. It is proposed that data i.e. animal information; tourist informationand transactional data are stored centrally which also allows holistic decisions to be made.
3) Local Area Network
The LAN system will allow client-server information service and the network infrastructure will allow all zoo users, i.e. tourists, zoo staff, decision makers, to access the database in a real time.
For example, when a tourist retrieves information at an enclosure, notification will be sent instantaneously to update visiting statistics in a database, thus at any point in time, staffs or decision- makers will be able to retrieve current information.
4) Software Application
As previously mentioned in Section III.A), middleware is required for controlling RFID operations, as well as communicating with the user.
Software er tickets are c checking sys us services in t
simply applyi r example if th s visitor th urist ID is rec and/or adult, ing this card t ID reader) rist to contact a
Figure 8. Us urists may use o or to buy a t
ser interface of tic
n guide
l be recorded i
ure 9. Map inform
analysis
in Figure 10). Visitor statistics from the system enable planners to making strategic decisions;
forinstance ‘what-if’ query i.e. which month of the year has the most visitors, which animal is the most popular, or the home country of the greatest number of tourists and their nationality etc. This information would be beneficial in enabling complex data analysis technique, like data mining to bedeveloped for future work.
Figure 10. e-Ticket system component
The second application in this framework is a mobile tracking. Unlike an e-ticket system that operates by a tourist carrying an RFID tag which interact with installed readers in the zoo. Tourists who use this application have to carry a Pocket PC with on-board RFID Reader to apply with the installed tag in the zoo. The advantage of this system is that a tourist will have more flexibility in accessing information i.e. equipment is independent from other tourists and since a device is handheld, the system can provide more interactivitywith the user.
However, this system may not be practical if they are given to every tourist at the zoogate. This system is proposed to complement the core system; it could be issued to a tourist in a small area, such as the exhibition hall as the return of devicescan be more strictly controlled. The intention of developing this part of the prototype i.e. the mobile tracking system, is to help veterinarian or zoo staff to record and retrieve treatment information for quality animal welfare. An example interface of the mobile tracking system is shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11. Mobile tracking systems
VII.BENEFIT
Implementing the proposed system should contribute to a number of efficiencies and benefits to the zoo as follows:-
1) Improvement to fee collection
Inefficiency from manual ticket inspection would be removed. Using human beings to inspect an entrance ticket at the doorway is a tedious job for zoo staff, also during a peak times, it might be difficult to detect a person who tries not to pay because of crowded conditions. With the e-ticket system, tourists are required to approve their ticket to the system. This would make an inspection more robust, and would make collection of fees from tourists more effective.
2) Tourist satisfaction
The new system will help improve tourist satisfaction by introducing a new service which will assist tourists in learning about the animals’
environment. Tourists can also use information services by interacting with the system in their own language, and to confirm their location within the zoo. These new features would help the zoo to extend their niche markets in attracting visitors who do not speak Thai.
3) Asset protection
Animals are the most valuable asset of a zoo. The new system would help staff take care of the animals more effectively. With hundreds of animal species that behave and live totally differently, people who care for them must try andremember every individual treatment e.g. food and vaccine requirements. This proposed technology would provide comprehensive information that would avoid risks of mistakes and errors (particularly when new staffs are recruited).
The new system will help reduce that risk by providing behavioral information and feeding instructions that can be retrieved by the handheld reader.
4) Reduce paper used
The current system uses a printed paper ticket which does not create any value and is wasted when tourists enter the zoo. The e-ticket system will allow tickets to be reused by other tourists and/or used as a loyalty card for frequent visitors to the zoo.
VIII.CONCLUSIONS
This research discusses the deployment of RFID technology for a zoo operation. A prototype systemis developed for acase study at Chiang Mai Zoo, Thailand. The core system ofthe proposed framework is an e-ticket system where a Low Frequency Tag as an e-ticket to replace a conventional paper ticket. This new system could improve the efficiency of zoo management, especially for ticket checking, as well as introducing tourists to a new experience. Another application is a
Ticket vending
Ticket verification
Instruction guide
Information Service
Data Anaysis Zoo Information
mobile tracking system operated by RFID mobile reader and a Pocket PC. The portability features of this system will offer more special flexibility of object tracking; however it may not be applicable within a real-life scenario if the devices were to be given to all tourists. It is proposed to use this system for animal caretaking and it might also be suitable for loan to tourists in an exhibition area.
This proposed framework should provide both efficiency gains and improved tourist satisfaction at the zoo and it could also apply to similar systems such as fun parks, museums or hospitality services.
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