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DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM

Technical Report · April 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3752.4880

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 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM

N. S. Othman (MA13114)
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP),
26600 Pekan, Pahang Darul Makmur.
MA13114@stdmail.ump.edu.my

ABSTRACT

This project is to design and develop an anti-theft system used in library to detect thefts
of library books using a concept of magnetic field where it includes as a feature, the provision of
a magnetic element in each book. The system for detecting the theft of such books includes the
means for detecting the magnetic elements in such books. At least a pair of Hall cells are used
adjacent to the exit having their outputs connected in circuit opposition to provide a limited
sensing region.[1] The system comprises a metal strip to accompany each book to be detected.[2,
3] This basically use the concept of magnetic sensors detecting the fields associated with
magnetic objects.[4] An improvement in systems in which a magnetized metal strip is secured to
books and in which magnet-sensing means are provided at an exit from the library to give an
alarm if one attempts to remove the books through the exit with the magnetized metal strip. If the
metal strip does not undergo demagnetization, its motion will induce currents in the coils to
operate an indicator such as alarm or LED.[5-7] [8] In other word, system for detecting the
magnetized metal strip consist of detectors sensitive to a magnetic field and with indicators,
which may indicate the presence of a strong magnetic field.[9, 10]

KEYWORD: Magnetic sensor; Hall cell; Metal strip; Magnetized; Demagnetization

INTRODUCTION

Electromagnetism is the technology mostly used in library security worldwide. Electromagnetic

systems are based on proven technology and do not harm magnetic media. The magnetic strips
are difficult to detect and remove, and can't be shielded by the human body or other material. A
magnetic strip is affixed to a book, CD, DVD or video.[11, 12] During check-out, if an item has
not been deactivated, the security gate at the library's exit will detect the strip and sound an
alarm. When the item is returned, the electromagnetic strip is reactivated.[13] Magnetic detection
can be defined from magnetically soft or easily saturable magnetic material, such as perm alloy
foil, is mounted on the protected article and emits magnetic signals which are harmonics of an
interrogating magnetic field generated at an exit station.[14, 15] Electromagnetic systems do not
read or respond to barcodes or RFID tags.[16] Their sole function is to detect the unauthorized
removals of materials.[17, 18] Electromagnetic security systems are reliable and effective, and
the most resistant to tampering and removal. Systems that operate on electromagnetic technology
 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

provide the highest level of security to help your library better protect its collection.[19, 20]
Once the librarian has determined that the patron status and books circulation status are
acceptable, the books may be handed to the patron on the far side of a surveillance gate, or
passed over a magnetic demagnetizer which permits the patron to pass the books through the
security gate without lighting the LED and triggering an alarm condition.[21, 22] The other field
of development which may coincide with this study is the position responsive apparatus utilizing
magnetic field sensing, and in particular to improvements in the effective operating distance of
actuating and sensing devices thereof.[23, 24] The magnetic sensor produces a signal when
excited by an externally applied alternating current (ac) magnetic field.[25, 26] By applying two
periodically varying electro-magnetic fields of the same frequency to the pre-established
location, the presence of the object is determined by unique perturbations of the electro-magnetic
fields produced by the object.[27] A magnetometer can be optionally incorporated in a sensing
system to inhibit erroneous indications produced by magnetic objects.[28-30] One of the
alternative for our design is electronic sensors which have been very effective in deterring theft.
However, such sensors can be difficult to attach to certain products.[31, 32] Another type of
antitheft application is a fastening device and a tool for releasing, which can be attached to an
item in such a manner that the device can be separated only by the use of a special tool located
but unfortunately it is not applicable for a library antitheft system.[33] Last but not least, the
other application is a system and method for protecting a item by an alarm system for protecting
the item includes: an alarm logic, a cable, and a switch. The cable has first and second ends with
the first end adapted to be plugged into the alarm system. The alarm system generates an alarm
when the second end of the cable is not connected to the merchandise item.[34]These are the few
example of antitheft system available in market nowadays with their own specifications and
disadvantages.

METHODOLOGY

Material chosen for the body cover is acrylic material due to excellent optical clarity, excellent
resistance to sunlight so that it is easy for documentation as it can be seen through it. It is also
strong material which is rigid with good impact strength. Acrylic is a material which has
excellent dimensional stability. .

This project involved a circuit system of a detector, alarm, led light and also a micro controller.
The circuit consist of a sensor and an alarm so that whenever the magnetic field passes through it
the sensor will detect and the alarm will produce sound. The red light will also turn on. The
circuit will be connected to the DC power source of 5V. Arduino will be used as a micro-
controller in the system so that it can function well.
 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

CAD DESIGN

Arduino box

Demagnetizer device Metal strip

Sensor

L.E.D bulb

Buzzer

Wood platform

Figure 1: Isometric view

Figure 2: Front view

 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

Figure 3: Side view

Figure 4: Top view

 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

SENSOR

Magnetic sensors convert magnetic or magnetically encoded information into electrical signals
for processing by electronic circuits. Magnetic sensors are solid state devices that are becoming
more and more popular because they can be used in many different types of application such as
sensing position, velocity or directional movement. They are also a popular choice of sensor for
the electronics designer due to their non-contact wear free operation, their low maintenance,
robust design and as sealed hall effect devices are immune to vibration, dust and water.

Magnetic sensors are designed to respond to a wide range of positive and negative magnetic
fields in a variety of different applications and one type of magnet sensor whose output signal is
a function of magnetic field density around it is called the Hall Effect Sensor. Hall Effect
Sensors are devices which are activated by an external magnetic field. We know that a magnetic
field has two important characteristics flux density, (B) and polarity (North and South Poles).
The output signal from a Hall effect sensor is the function of magnetic field density around the
device. When the magnetic flux density around the sensor exceeds a certain pre-set threshold, the
sensor detects it and generates an output voltage called the Hall Voltage, VH.

Hall Effect Sensor Principals

 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

Hall Effect Sensors consist basically of a thin piece of rectangular p-type semiconductor
material such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium antimonide (InSb) or indium arsenide (InAs)
passing a continuous current through itself. When the device is placed within a magnetic field,
the magnetic flux lines exert a force on the semiconductor material which deflects the charge
carriers, electrons and holes, to either side of the semiconductor slab. This movement of charge
carriers is a result of the magnetic force they experience passing through the semiconductor
material. As these electrons and holes move side wards a potential difference is produced
between the two sides of the semiconductor material by the build-up of these charge carriers.
Then the movement of electrons through the semiconductor material is affected by the presence
of an external magnetic field which is at right angles to it and this effect is greater in a flat
rectangular shaped material. The effect of generating a measurable voltage by using a magnetic
field is called the Hall Effect.

The output voltage, called the Hall voltage, (VH) of the basic Hall Element is directly
proportional to the strength of the magnetic field passing through the semiconductor material
(output ∝ H). This output voltage can be quite small, only a few microvolts even when subjected
to strong magnetic fields so most commercially available Hall effect devices are manufactured
with built-in DC amplifiers, logic switching circuits and voltage regulators to improve the
sensors sensitivity, hysteresis and output voltage. This also allows the Hall effect sensor to
operate over a wider range of power supplies and magnetic field conditions.

Hall Effect Sensors are available with either linear or digital outputs. The output signal for
linear (analogue) sensors is taken directly from the output of the operational amplifier with the
output voltage being directly proportional to the magnetic field passing through the Hall sensor.
This output Hall voltage is given as:

Where:
 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

VH is the Hall Voltage in volts

RH is the Hall Effect co-efficient

I is the current flow through the sensor in amps

t is the thickness of the sensor in mm

B is the Magnetic Flux density in Teslas

Hall Effect Applications: Sideways Detection

Sideways or slide-by detection is useful for detecting the presence of a magnetic field as it moves
across the face of the Hall element within a fixed air gap distance for example, counting
rotational magnets or the speed of rotation of motors. Depending upon the position of the
magnetic field as it passes by the zero field center line of the sensor, a linear output voltage
representing both a positive and a negative output can be produced. This allows for directional
movement detection which can be vertical as well as horizontal.
 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

EXPECTED TESTING RESULTS

It is expected that the system will detect any other magnetic field that passes through it by
detecting, sensor, and also alarming by produce sound and light. In this system we are using
magnetic strips as an object that will make the system detect which means, if this system will be
applied at a library, this strips will be stick and covered at the back cover of the book. To ensure
that it is not easy to be seen, the books in the library will be sealed so that it is not easy to be
detached.

CONCLUSION

The design and fabrication are just the estimated figure with some considerations. Therefore, the
actual result will vary. Lastly the fabrication of anti-theft system can be done using our
engineering knowledge. This project also expected to be economical as it is targeted for all the
society to get the benefits from it. Life cycle engineering is the engineering and design of
products and processes to minimize the cost and environmental impact for the life cycle phases
of a product. [35] Hence it is important also to create an device which have a long life cycle and
follows the criteria as above.
 MECHANICAL SYSTEM DESIGN,29 APRIL 2016
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG, PEKAN, MALAYSIA

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