RFID on Blackberry

RFID Poker Table

IT executive builds RFID technology into his poker table to completely track the game's every move. ...

... "And because the RFID chips are thin, unnoticeable, and quite flexible, they can be used in the same way as regular cards. " ...

Via Wired.com: RFID-enabled Poker Table

Felica RFID NFC Card

The Felica RFID card is showcased ...

RFID Privacy Amex Style

Amex RFID technology is not without privacy concerns for its cardmembers. Read on. ...

... "Amex has given up on smart card tech and has instead led us down the primrose path with their ExpressPay RFID based technology. " ...

Via Geeks in Paradise: RFID Payment

RFID Dot Wireless Card

Axcess ships new type of corporate ID card with long range wireless, called the Dot-Credential. It is integrated with RFID and can enable hands-free building access control. ...

... "The active RFID and RTLS portions of Dot's capabilities are built on and are backwardly compatible with the existing Axcess 433 MHz platform, which automatically activates tags on-demand to transmit micro-wireless messages as needed from 1 to 300 feet to hidden palm-size receivers. The receivers are connected via standard network (either 802.11X wireless or wired) simultaneously to the enterprise system software and the existing security alarm equipment. The system supports standalone middleware and end-user software provided by Axcess under the e-Supervisor label or via an easy connection to third party middleware and software solutions. " ...

Via Axcess International: Dual Active RFID and RTLS Dot Wireless ID Card

RFID Card Printer Encoder Product Launch

Zebra Technologies launches new R3i and R4i UHF RFID card printer/encoders, which are positioned to improve operational efficiency and security. ...

... "Zebra's new UHF RFID card printer/encoders are suitable for transponder types: EPC Class 0; EPC Class 1, Gen 1; EPC Class 1, Gen 2; ISO18000-6b and 6-c; and others. Available in two sizes, the card printer/encoders feature 4 MB image memory standard, a 16-character LCD display, and an innovative angled, high-capacity card feeder for faster throughput and fewer rejections. They are designed for use with Zebra-designed form factors, and are also compatible with cards provided by other solution providers. Product options include a magnetic encoder, and built-in Ethernet capability. The card printer/encoders are ruggedly built, fast and easy to use. The Zebra R4i model can print as many as 130 single-sided, full-color cards or 102 dual-sided, full color cards per hour. They deliver clear, vibrant color printing and print resolution of 300 dpi. " ...

Via Zebra Technologies: New Zebra R3i and R4i card printer/encoders and Zebra-designed supplies

China RFID Market Largest

China RFID market is accelerating and has successful applications of the technology across many industries. The growth should continue in China as its identity card and access controls for the summer Olympics event drive demand. ...

... "China has become the world's largest market for RFID by value, thanks to huge government spending on China's national ID card program and investments for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. " ...

Via NetworkWorld: 2007 China RFID Industry

RFID Shield Protects Private Information

New stock will protect info privacy on RFID cards when not in active use. ...

... "Paper Tyger, a product line of Chase Corporation, announces the addition of a unique easily printable new product for protecting personal information on contact-less credit cards or Smart Cards. This new patent-pending RFID Shield contains a new security barrier to assure that sensitive information contained on the card's RFID chip remains protected when not in use. " ...

Paper Tyger Launches New RFID Shield

RFID Reader Module: Small Form Factor

WJ Communications introduces a low cost, small form factor Gen2 UHF RFID module, the WJM3000, which is based on its WJC200 reader chipset. The WJM3000 is the size of a compact flash card and uses almost 60% fewer discreet components, compared to currently available modules on the market. This RFID module will exceed industry benchmarks for fast inventory time and longer read and write range with worldwide Generation-2 RFID tags. ...

... "Utilizing WJ's RF expertise and leadership in wireless infrastructure and radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, WJ has developed the WJM family of UHF RFID Reader Module products to enable OEMs to offer RFID functionality in mobile devices while maintaining key parameters such as low cost, light weight and extended battery life. The data connectors provide an easy snap on PCB or a cable connection allowing for easy integration.

The main applications for WJM3000 include: RFID enabled Mobile Devices, RFID Enabled Handheld Readers, RFID Enabled Fork Lift Readers, and RFID Portal Reader. " ...

Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications Revolutionize the UHF Gen2 RFID Reader Module Market ...

RFID Door Entry: Lock

MyKey RFID door lock offers freedon from keys through use of RFID key fob and personal PIN number. ...

... "From the outside, the lock has only a button with a glowing blue light around it, but when you walk up to it and hold your RFID card or keyfob (both included) up to the lock and slide up the front panel to enter your PIN on the keypad, the lock will open all by itself. " ...

Via Gearlog: MyKey

OTI RFID Supports Discover Network Contactless Payment

OTI receives certification for its RFID reader in support of the contactless payment solution for the Discover Network. ...

... "Discover Network, a business unit of Discover Financial Services and Morgan Stanley, announced that it has certified the Saturn 5000 contactless reader developed by On Track Innovations (OTI) (NASDAQ: OTIV), a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions, for use with Discover Network's contactless payment application. The certification process ensures that the Saturn 5000's reader technology is able to support Discover Network's proprietary contactless payment solution. Additional OTI readers are in the certification process.

Compatible with major POS terminal providers and acquirers, Saturn 5000's enhanced features allow the reader to support multiple application programs and read a variety of payments sources, including credit cards and key fobs and cell phones. The console's plug-and-play design and small footprint facilitates quick upgrades of existing POS terminals to accept contactless payments. And because the reader faces the customer, the Saturn 5000 enables easier and faster payment transactions. Additionally, OTI's patented matched antenna technology provides more effective power consumption, reliable and stable communications, and additional levels of security and encryption throughout the communication link. " ...

Via Discover Network: Discover Network Certifies Oti Card Reader For Contactless Payment System, OTI's Saturn 5000 to Support Discover Network's Fast, Secure, and Simple Contactless Payment System Worldwide

RFID Passport: Vicinity Read Technology Not Recommended

Smart Card Alliance responds to the State Department's October 17th Federal Register notice, recommending that the U.S. government reconsider using vicinity read RFID technology for its passport card implementation program. The Alliance sees advantages in leveraging contactless smartcard technology for the ePassport. ...

... "In its response to the State Department's notice, the Alliance provides details of its concerns with the passport card decision to use vicinity read RFID technology, and gives recommendations for measures that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State could implement to improve the passport card program.

The Alliance states many advantages to using contactless smart card technology for the passport card program, including the ability to support electronic verification of authenticity to prevent counterfeiting and to use secure, encrypted communications to thwart eavesdropping and replay attacks, and ensure privacy protection for cardholders. A passport card based on contactless smart card technology can also leverage the infrastructure that is being put in place by DHS and the Department of State to support the new ePassport. " ...

Via Smart Card Alliance: Smart Card Alliance Urges U.S. Government to Reconsider Proposed Passport Card With Long Range RFID Technology

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology.

RFID Hyperscan Collectible Cards ...

Mattel's HyperScan uses RFID technology to support the user experience with collectible cards. ...

... "The HyperScan's cards are much thicker than regular collectible cards -- they're almost as thick as the cover of a hardback book. That thickness provides room for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, which can be read by holding the card about a third of an inch from the scanning area of the console. " ...

Via DAILY SOUTHTOWN: Link

RFID ePassport: Security Lacking Per Alliance ...

Smart Card Alliance comes out against the RFID-enabled ePassport, citing security concerns. ...

... "Using the long read range radio frequency identification (RFID) technology the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and State Department are proposing for passport cards will do little to increase the security of the nation's borders, and opens up possibilities that U.S. citizens could be tracked, the Smart Card Alliance said today. The Alliance contends that a more privacy sensitive and secure passport card solution using the same contactless smart card technology found in the new electronic passports (ePassports) can improve border security without causing delays at crossings ... " ...

Via Smart Card Alliance: Proposed Passport Card with RFID Technology Bad News for Privacy and Security, Says Smart Card Alliance ...

RFID SmartCards AccessControl ...

ASSA ABLOY Identification Technologies supplies the Cartes conference with RFID-enabled smart card for access control. ...

... "ASSA ABLOY Identification Technologies (ITG) will provide 30,000 contactless smart cards to be used by exhibitors, visitors, VIP guests and the organizers themselves. The cards are manufactured by VisionCard, a leading European card manufacturer based in Austria and part of ITG. Among the special features of the card is the printed antenna, which represents a complementary technology to ITG's other core transponder technologies, wire-embedding, wire-transfer and coil winding. VisionCard's long track record and their expertise in high volume printing allow the company to produce high quality printed antennas very cost efficiently and to connect them to any 13.56 MHz IC module available in the market. The cards for the CARTES exhibition are based on Philips mifare 1k chips. Set up of the access control system at the exhibition has been entrusted to French system integrator Tech-Event. For this application, Tech-Event has chosen RFID reader modules manufactured by ACG Identification Technologies, another ASSA ABLOY ITG company. The reader modules provided by ACG, compatible with multiple ISO standards including ISO 14443A/B and ISO 15693, will be used to read all the entry badges issued for the exhibition. " ...

Via ASSA ABLOY Identification Technologies: CARTES exhibition goes contactless with RFID technology from ASSA ABLOY ITG ...

RFID Battery-Assist Passive Tag: Supports Logistics and Manufacturing ...

Intelleflex RFID tags can be used by logistics companies and in manufacturing in long-range, battery-assisted mode for real-time inventory tracking of assemblies in the warehouses. The RFID system can automatically generate a proof of shipment when assemblies are shipped. When used in maintenance operations in passive mode, companies can realize significant benefits from having actionable manufacturing and repair history data in the 64Kb user memory of the RFID tag at the point of use. ...

... "Intelleflex's InfoSure tags and the I-Beam reader are multi-protocol, ensuring global interoperability using EPC standards. InfoSure tags can be used as passive C1G2 tags with any other C1G2 reader or used in the battery-assisted passive mode at long ranges with the I-Beam reader. InfoSure tags offer up to 100-meter read/write range in free space, which translates to 100 percent read/write reliability at standard working ranges in industrial environments. They also offer 64 kb user memory, which is segmented into 1 kb blocks so they can be independently protected for read/write access through passwords. The I-Beam reader can read any EPC C1G2 tag as well as the Class 3 InfoSure tag. Initial product shipments of both the tags and readers are targeted for asset management, yard management, manufacturing and zonal access control applications. " ...

Via Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Announces Availability of its RFID Battery-Assisted Passive Tag and Reader Products ...

RFID Reader Korean Market ...

WJ Communications certifies its RFID reader module for the Korean market. The reader supports a number of mobile form factors. ...

... "WJ Communications, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of RF products and solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets, announced that it has successfully achieved certification from the South Korean government Ministry of Information Communication (MIC), for its RFID UHF WJR7090 reader module and is now approved for sale in Korea. The recently developed WJR7090, is a highly scalable, high-performance, and easy to integrate Gen2 UHF RFID reader module ideally suited for the Korean handheld and mobile market. Packaged in a PCMCIA Type II PC card format, the WJR7090 is compact in size and is ISO18000-6B, ISO18000-6C (Gen2) and Class 1 compliant. The WJR7090, is designed to offer maximum RFID read-range in applications such as handhelds, printers, forklift readers, portal readers, and other mobile devices enabled for RFID functionality. " ...

Via WJ Communications: South Korea Certifies WJ Communications RFID UHF Reader Module ...

RFID Middleware: Automate Integrate ...

Reltronics Technologies has made their system, SmartInstrument, a versatile middleware for automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, widely available in the marketplace. Reltronics strengths lie in automation and identification using remote RFID technology. The SmartInstrument middleware system plays a role in supporting interoperability and integration of multiple, potentially incompatible, solutions. ...

... "One of Reltronics Technologies' fortes is in creating and supporting RFID systems that assist in automating asset and inventory management, identifying drug pedigrees, etc. and which rely upon storage and remote retrieval of data using RFID hardware (Readers, Antennas, Tags or Transponders). Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have whole-heartedly accepted the RFID concepts to implement efficiencies in their workflow and to limit inventories in their warehouses and they have subsequently initiated mandates to their vendors to implement RFID technology in their supplies within set timelines. These mandates are allowing shorter timelines and the industry not only needs many new deployments but also sustain existing deployments. SmartInstrument is a step forward to facilitate transparency in the RFID systems deployment thereby bringing commonality between various RFID protocols and hardware technologies (reader, antenna, and transponders or RFID tags), irrespective of the technology being new or old.

For instance, SmartInstrument enables end-users to deploy new RFID systems while seamlessly supporting all existing RFID systems and eliminating the need for single- sourcing thereby achieving a better return of investment. It fills the need by interpreting any RFID system utilizing any reader (Active, Passive), working on any frequency (LF, HF, VHF, UHF), with any communication protocol (Ethernet, WiFi, RS-232, RS-485), any transponder (Active, Passive), and any standard (EPCGlobal, ISO, AIMGlobal) bringing the much needed commonality into the RFID infrastructure. Reltronics Technologies' focus on bringing interoperability and sustainability into the RFID technology environment is the result of industry satisfaction with the RFID initiative, to enable overcoming the customer perception of which RFID technology to deploy, to enable commonality between the various RFID protocols, to enable a more cost-effective RFID system deployment, and finally to allow the end-users to start small with one RFID system and expand at their own financial pace without having to worry about the RFID system being antiquated. " ...

Via Reltronics: A Novel Idea to Harmonize Automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems ...

RFID Research: Sensor Networks: IBM Consortium ...

IBM consortium wins contract to support the research and development of RFID wireless sensor networks to enable military operations. ...

... "The United States Army Research Laboratory and United Kingdom Ministry of Defence have selected an IBM-led consortium, the newly formed International Technology Alliance (ITA) in Network and Information Sciences, to undertake a research program exploring advanced technology for secure wireless and sensor networks to support future coalition operations, over a potential 10 year period, with a value of up to $135.8 million. Successful future military operations will depend on the capability of coalition forces to quickly gather, interpret and share battlefield information to coordinate actions, so the research will enable interoperability and communications across disparate military units, allowing them to operate more effectively. This Alliance represents a new way of conducting collaborative research by fostering close partnerships among government, academic, and industry researchers in both countries. The ITA creates a critical mass of private sector and government researchers focused on solving military technology challenges central to future coalition military operations; enabling staff rotations among all organizations in the Alliance; and facilitating rapid and affordable transition of technologies with an innovative transition model. " ...

Via IBM: IBM-Led Consortium Wins Ground-Breaking Transatlantic Defense Research Agreement ...

Monza RFID Tag Readers Gen2 Interoperable ...

Impinj's Monza RFID chip and Speedway readers are certified for Generation-2 interoperability. ...

... "Leading Gen 2 RFID solution provider, Impinj, Inc., announced that EPCglobal Inc., the not-for-profit standards organization dedicated to driving global adoption of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) for supply chain excellence, has awarded interoperability marks to Monza tag chips and Speedway readers, certifying that these Impinj products comply with EPCglobal's Gen 2 standard and interoperate with other certified devices. Third-party testing firm MET Laboratories conducted EPCglobal's product interoperability testing as part of an extensive hardware certification and standards compliance program for RFID chips, tags, readers, and printers. MET Laboratories also performed EPCglobal's RFID Gen 2 compliance testing in September 2005, awarding Gen 2 compliance certification marks to Impinj's Monza chip and Speedway reader at that time.

Impinj is the only company to have earned Gen 2 interoperability certification for both tag chips and readers. Monza chips and Speedway readers enable Powered by Impinj solutions available from a variety of RFID vendors and are key components of recent RFID deployments. Impinj has shipped Monza chips in high volume to the industry's leading RFID tag and inlay vendors worldwide since the Fall of 2005. " ...

Via Impinj: Impinj’s Gen 2 RFID Monza Tag Chips and Speedway Readers Earn EPCglobal Interoperability Certification ...

RFID Security: NSF Funds Smart Tag Research ...

National Science Foundation, NSF, provides funding to increase the privacy and security of RFID smart tags, through better cryptographics.

... "Strengthened security for smart tags - the wireless devices that allow drivers to zip through automatic tollbooths or pass a security desk with the flash of a card - is the aim of a new initiative that has received $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation. Led by Kevin Fu of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the researchers are developing much-needed cryptographic protocols, hardware and applications for the increasingly common devices. Millions of consumers already use smart tags—wireless devices that use radio waves to identify and authenticate people and things - and they will become more numerous, says Fu.



Smart tags - which include Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags—are already used to track items from library books to merchandise to cattle. Increasingly, they are replacing the magnetic stripe cards used in security badges and mass transit cards, sometimes also serving as electronic cash. The tags will soon be incorporated into documents such as passports; their use is being explored for tracking medical records and prison inmates. But the tags, which also include contactless smart cards and low-resource sensors, are a technology that has crept in from the edge of the Internet and they present new challenges in terms of security and privacy issues, says Fu.

The unique environment presented by smart tags - they can operate without human intervention and without a physically connected power source - presents unique security concerns, says Fu. Smart tags automatically respond to the device that reads them, so human users don't have the traditional means of giving or denying consent to the reader. This infrastructure of untrusted readers and tags requires an approach that preserves privacy while maintaining the flexibility and convenience that the tags offer.

The new consortium, dubbed the RFID ConsortiUm for Security and Privacy (RFID-CUSP), takes these operating conditions into account and is designing new cryptographic definitions, algorithms and models that will lay the solid foundation on which secure applications can be built. As part of their project, the researchers are working with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The project will result in the first completely open, publicly available software for experimenting with RFID security and privacy. " ...

UMass Amherst: UMass Amherst-Led Research Will Protect Consumers by Ramping Up Security for Smart Tags

Kevin Fu: "Open cryptanalysis of existing RFID protocols will give assurance in the soundness of reliable RFID technology. At UMass, we are investigating how to build secure RFID-based systems. "

The Sensor Revolution: Industry & Commerce: "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stands among the fastest-proliferating sensor technologies. RFID systems combine electromagnetic sensing with radio communications. RFID tags and interrogators can be used to track inventory in a warehouse or collect tolls from moving cars. "

Understanding Contactless Smart Card Technologies and Some of the Leading Reader/Card Product Providers (PDF): "That transmission could then be replayed to a reader to gain access illicitly at some time in the future. In contrast, today’s secure contactless cards and readers (such as XceedID ISO-X and HID iCLASS) employ a myriad of cryptographic techniques. These techniques encrypt data in ways that render it useless to an illicit user. Thus, traditional proximity cards and readers provide inferior communication security when compared to secure contactless smart cards and readers. "

RFID Wawa Brand Card ...

Wawa brand card leverages RFID technology to simplify the retail experience. ...

... "The Wawa brand cards contain radio frequency identification technology, known as RFID, that the store's payment system can read without direct contact. The transaction requires no swipe, no signature and no numbers punched. " ...

Via Virginian-Pilot: Local market slow to embrace RFID tracking technology ...

RFID-Enabled Auto Rentals

Hertz plans RFID enabled auto rental process ...

... "In fact, you may not even be given a key. Instead, you simply make use of your RFID-enabled customer card, walk up to your car, and away you go. " ...

Via MobileMag: Hertz to abandon keys for car rentals, adopt RFID

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data ...

Unilever collaborates with IBM and T3Ci to test interoperability of the emerging EPCIS RFID data standard. The standard focuses on the efficient use of real-time data among partners in the supply chain. ...

... "The standard is designed to help better enable retailers, manufacturers and organizations throughout the supply chain to overcome information overload and share information to improve business processes. This milestone marks the first step toward delivering interoperability based on the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) for exchange and query of RFID data. IBM and T3CI are the co-chairs of the EPCglobal EPCIS Working Group. The objective of the Working Group is to create common interfaces among RFID software, allowing organizations to exchange and leverage RFID data independent of the applications in which data is created or stored. For organizations throughout the supply chain, this will deliver greater value by allowing them to inexpensively capture large volumes of detailed data at each stage of the supply chain and share that data among trading partners. While retailers today can provide manufacturers with large amounts of data about RFIDtagged products, until now there has been no simple and standardized way for manufacturers to sort through the volumes of raw data and perform queries to use it to improve product introductions, promotions and distribution of new products.



The new EPCIS standards-based ability to query RFID data will provide organizations with near real-time RFID data from their trading partners, for the first time giving manufacturers access to the precise information they need. Unilever North America, a global manufacturer of foods, home care and personal care products, also announced today its plans to pioneer use of the EPCIS standard to query RFID data provided by retailers. Unilever will conduct a trial using IBM's EPCIS implementation to collect and access information from within the company's manufacturing environment and from trading partners. By leveraging IBM and T3Ci reports and analysis, Unilever is looking to create additional business value in the areas of promotion management, supply chain visibility and metrics, as well as RFID readability. " ...

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data: Via T3Ci: IBM and T3Ci Successfully Pilot Open Standard to Enable Manufacturers to Leverage RFID Data and Improve Supply Chain Processes: Unilever Among First Manufacturers to Pioneer New Interface to Connect Data Among Trading Partners ...

EPCIS standard ...

Software Action Group: "EPC Information Services (EPCIS) Phase 2: Create one or more normative technical specifications that will facilitate the development of interoperable EPCIS systems. "

Background on Unilever ...

Unilever awards HR outsourcing contract to Accenture: "Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including twelve EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as: Knorr, Hellmann's, Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk, Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 206 000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of EUR40 billion in 2005. "

Info on T3Ci ...

T3Ci: The RFID Analytics and Applications Company: "T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, offers a broad range of RFID software and services, representing the most comprehensive RFID vision in the industry. T3Ci develops software and provides enterprise-class solutions for managers of RFID initiatives who are responsible for delivering business value from their company's RFID investment. T3Ci's enterprise-class solutions include RFID analytics as well as a suite of high-value applications for retail suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and major retailers. Applications include Out-of-Stock Management, Promotions Execution Management, Deductions Management, and Product Authentication. "

RFID Video Gaming Integration ...

Mattel integrates RFID technology to enhance the gaming experience. ...

... "This fall Mattel will release a hybrid video gaming system utilizing CD-ROM and RFID technology that is targeted at tweens. HyperScan, as the system will be called, combines video gaming and card collecting in one device. " ...

RFID Video Gaming Integration: Via Fast Company ...

RFID Alternative: Rubee Network Tags ...

IEEE works on the IEEE P1902.1 standard, an improvement on the RuBee visibility network protocol. RuBee is a bidirectional, on-demand, peer-to-peer, radiating, transceiver protocol operating at wavelengths below 450 Khz. The RuBee protocol works in harsh environments with networks of many thousands of tags and has an area range of 10 to 50 feet. ...

... "One of the advantages of long-wavelength technology is that the radio tags can be low in cost, near credit card thin (1.5 mm), and fully programmable using 4 bit processors. Despite their high functionality, RuBee radio tags have a proven battery life of ten years or more using low-cost, coin-size lithium batteries. The RuBee protocol works with both active radio tags and passive tags that have no battery. IEEE P1902.1, IEEE Standard for Long Wavelength Wireless Network Protocol, will provide for asset visibility networking that fills the gap between the non-networked, non-programmable, backscattered, RFID tags widely used for asset tracking and the high-bandwidth radiating protocols for IEEE 802.11 local area networks and IEEE 802.15™ personnel area and data networks. " ...

RFID Alternative: Rubee Network Tags: Via IEEE: IEEE BEGINS WIRELESS, LONG-WAVELENGTH STANDARD FOR HEALTHCARE, RETAIL AND LIVESTOCK VISIBILITY NETWORKS

RFID MasterCard PayPass KeyFob ...

Good look at the Mastercard Paypass keyfob, based on RFID technology ...

... "The new MasterCard PayPass is an RFID token that uses radio frequency keys to authorize purchases. " ...

Via Popgadget: Citibank's RFID PayPass credit card ...

... "The average time consumers spend waiting in line is 7.4 minutes, but starting this fall, Citibank Banking Card cardholders in New York will begin zipping through checkout lines faster. They will be able to make their purchases quicker with the innovative, new tap-and-go Citibank MasterCard PayPass,a free, speedy companion payment device to the Citibank Banking Card, Citibank's ATM/debit card. Similarly, Citi will begin to pilot MasterCard PayPass for its credit card customers this fall. The PayPass key fob device fits on a key chain for easy access, so customers can make payments on purchases with a simple tap on a PayPass reader at participating merchants...and go. Following the initial launch in the New York market beginning this fall, Citibank plans to roll out 2.5 million PayPass debit devices across the country.



With the Citibank MasterCard PayPass, there is no need to swipe a banking card or hand it to a cashier to make a purchase. Customers simply tap their PayPass-enabled key fob on the PayPass reader at participating merchants and they are on their way. The purchase is automatically deducted from their checking account. When the lights flash on the reader, the transaction is complete. Tap-and-go convenience makes payment faster than using cash, check, even a card. Also, tracking smaller purchases is easier than when paying with cash, and no signature is required for purchases under $25 at select merchants. " ...

Via Mastercard International: Citibank Introduces Tap-and-Go Convenience for Its Debit Customers: Citibank MasterCard PayPass Fits on a Key Chain, Does Not Have to Be Swiped or Handed to a Cashier, Saves Time ...

RFID Human Identification: Appropriate Uses ...

Broad use of RFID technology for human identification is not supported at this time by the DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee, due to the increase in privacy and abuse risks. ...

... "There appear to be specific, narrowly defined situations in which RFID is appropriate for human identification. Miners or firefighters might be appropriately identified using RFID because speed of identification is at a premium in dangerous situations and the need to verify the connection between a card and bearer is low. But for other applications related to human beings, RFID appears to offer little benefit when compared to the consequences it brings for privacy and data integrity. Instead, it increases risks to personal privacy and security, with no commensurate benefit for performance or national security. Most difficult and troubling is the situation in which RFID is ostensibly used for tracking objects (medicine containers, for example), but can be in fact used for monitoring human behavior. These types of uses are still being explored and remain difficult to predict. " ...

Via The DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee: The Use of RFID for Human Identification: A DRAFT REPORT (PDF) ...

RFID Staff-Less Library System ...

RFID-enabled library system caters to riders of public transportation in Taiwan . ...

... "The staff-less computer-operated library employs a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a self check-in and check-out system, allowing residents to enter the library by inserting a RFID library card ... " ...

RFID Staff-Less Library System: Via Taipei Times: Staff-less library opens at MRT station ...

RFID Technology Healthcare Purchasing Partnership ...

Healthcare purchasing organization partners with Zebra Tech for RFID technology needs. ...

... "According to The Institute of Medicine, medical errors cause up to 98,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. Bar coding applications have been shown to substantially reduce costly and dangerous medical errors, and the recent 17th Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey found that medical error reduction and patient safety will remain top business objectives for hospital IT executives in 2006. Zebra's bar coded wristbands, unit-dose pharmacy labeling and employee badge solutions help enable patient safety improvements at the bedside and throughout the hospital with patient registration/identification, medication labeling, lab specimen collection, radiology film labeling and surgical instrument tracking applications. Bar coding and RFID are at the heart of many patient safety initiatives, says David Crist, vice president of sales at Zebra Technologies. Zebra is committed to working with Amerinet and its members to deliver these solutions in a way that minimizes medical errors and enhances safety. Zebra is a leading manufacturer of specialty thermal printing solutions including wireless, mobile and high-performance label and wristband printers designed to meet the needs of the healthcare market. Zebra also offers printing supplies, including highly durable, ready-to-print ZBand Direct wristbands, which were awarded the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership of the Year Award in the field of medical informatics. Use of these wristbands ensures accurate patient identification and enables healthcare providers to meet patient safety and privacy standards, such as those set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In addition, Zebra's newly introduced antimicrobial wristband coating further improves the safety and quality of care by reducing the spread of dangerous and costly hospital infections. " ...

RFID Technology Healthcare Purchasing Partnership: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND AMERINET ANNOUNCE NEW TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT: Zebra to provide Amerinet members with its full line of bar code, card and RFID printers, supplies and services ...

RFID Gen2 Transition ...

Industry making transition to Generation 2 RFID ...

... "RFID markets, increasingly concentrated on the Gen 2 specification, show signs of a healthy transition to the next phase of RFID implementation: full integration at the enterprise level, backed by deep management commitment. When WalMart's new CIO, Rollin Ford, addressed his troops upon taking office last week, he confirmed the company's unabated enthusiasm for RFID ... " ...

RFID Gen2 Transition: Via ABI Research: Scalability, Interoperability, Performance: ABI Research Highlights RFID's New Mantra ...

European RFID Reader

Symbol launches European RFID reader compliant with ETSI standards and based on Microsoft Windows CE OS. ...

... "The XR480 reader builds on Symbol's commercially proven XR400 RFID reader platform and supports the European ETSI 302-208 standard reliable read performance for today's industrial-scale RFID implementations. The XR480 also delivers Generation 2 (Gen 2) dense-reader mode operation which enables the flexibility to support the European standard as it evolves. The XR480 is the only commercially available EPC-compliant RFID reader approved for use in Europe to provide support for up to eight read points which helps decrease deployment complexity and increases flexibility. The Symbol XR480 is also the first commercially available EPC-compliant RFID reader in Europe based on the Windows CE operating system. By utilizing Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, the XR480 RFID reader enables seamless integration and interoperability with existing IT infrastructure while reducing the support costs associated with multi-platform environments. " ...

European RFID Reader: Via Symbol: Symbol Launches RFID Reader for Europe

RFID European Union Public Hearings ...

EU starts public hearings on RFID technology, hoping to spark debate abd understand issues. ...

... "The European Commission last year established an RFID inter-service group to co-ordinate the gathering, analysis and internal dissemination of information concerning RFID technology and its uses. Building on this, the Commission has started today to launch a wide public debate on the opportunities and challenges associated with RFID. To exploit the economic potential of RFID, privacy and consumer concerns associated with the use of RFID tags need to be handled constructively, with the assent of all stakeholders. Furthermore, to enable RFID to deliver on its potential for growth and jobs, Europe needs to agree on common technical standards, to ensure RFID interoperability across borders, and also on a common radio spectrum band for RFIDs to use. The public debate on RFID launched by the Commission today will rely on a series of workshops to build consensus on key issues associated with the use of RFID. These workshops will address RFID applications, end-user issues, interoperability and standards, and frequency spectrum requirements. They will take place in Brussels between March and June 2006 and their conclusions will assist the European Commission in drafting a working document on RFID. This document will be published in September in an online consultation. Additional feedback obtained will then be analysed and integrated in a Commission Communication on RFID, to be adopted before the end of the year. This feedback could lead to amendments of the e-privacy-Directive which is up for review this year. The Communication will also address the need for other legislative measures for RFID, such as decisions on allocation of spectrum. " ...

RFID European Union Public Hearings: Via EUROPA: Commission launches public consultation on radio frequency ID tags ...

RFID China Human ID Growth ...

RFID-enabled human ID growth is accelerating in China. ...

... "RFID has arrived in China in an unprecedented manner: In-Stat forecasts that over 100 million tags shipped in 2005, and more than 2.9 billion tags will be shipped by 2009. Major RFID usage will be first on human ID, and then on product ID. The issuance of an RFID tag inlaid resident ID card by the Ministry of Public Security to over 1.3 billion people starting in 2004, is one of the biggest RFID projects in the world. " ...

RFID China Human ID Growth: Via In-Stat: RFID In China—From Human ID to Product ID

RFID Reader Tag Interoperability: Class 3 Tags ...

WJ Communucation establishes reader interoperability with Class 3 RFID tags. ...

... "WJ Communications, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of RF solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets, announced that it has successfully completed interoperability testing of its multi-protocol UHF Reader Platform with Class 3 RFID tags from Intelleflex Corporation. This expands the capability of WJ's high performance reader platform to include Class 3 RFID tags in addition to EPCglobal Gen1, and C1G2 tags. " ...

RFID Reader Tag Interoperability: Class 3 Tags: Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications' UHF C1Gen2 RFID Reader Platform Stakes Lead With Semi-Active Support: Successful Interoperability Testing With Class 3 Tags From Intelleflex Demonstrated ...

Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Corporation Announces Class 3 RFID Developers' Training: "Intelleflex's semi-active, battery-assisted RFID products offer long range (up to 100 meters in free space) and high read/write reliability ( > 99% in real-world environment), together with a large user memory. These features open up a whole new set of applications that bring tremendous business value, beyond mere identification through unique serialization of good and assets. "

Intelleflex is a Silicon Valley company focused on the next-generation of RFID systems. Intelleflex will bring to market high-performance, high-reliability, EPC-compliant transponders and readers. Intelleflex tags will have the capability of interoperating with all EPC-compliant readers, and are targeted to provide the longest read range and the highest read/write reliability available in the industry. In addition, Intelleflex offers value-added features such as application-specific security, long battery life, and the capability to add sensors.

RFID Generation 2 Technology Standards ...

Manhattan Assoc supports compliance with the Generation 2 RFID Technology Standards ...

... "This latest evolution in RFID technology and standards, commonly referred to as Generation 2, is being adopted by Wal*Mart and Target. The two retailers plan to have their suppliers begin using these new standards to move goods through their supply chains. Suppliers to the two companies are expected to make this transition by mid-year. Manhattan Associates supports the migration to these latest RFID standards and can help companies with new RFID deployment. Generation 2's major goal is to ensure interoperability between all EPC Global Generation 2-compliant devices and tags. " ...

RFID Generation 2 Technology Standards: Via Manhattan Associates: Manhattan Associates Helps Companies Achieve Compliance with Class 1 Generation 2 RFID Technology Standards ...

RFID Proximity Device: Healthcare Application ...

... "RF IDeas, Inc., creators of single-badge solutions for physical and logical access control and security, has shipped its 30,000th RFID proximity device for use in the healthcare industry. The milestone is confirmation of RF IDeas' leadership position in the emerging field of single sign-on authentication and access systems, as well as the growing adoption of this technology in healthcare organizations, where protection of patient information as mandated by HIPAA is crucial. RF IDeas will be demonstrating its cutting-edge solutions at booth #1851 of HIMSS, February 12-16, 2006. " ...

RFID Proximity Device: Healthcare Application: Via RF Ideas: RF IDeas Ships Its 30,000th Proximity Reader for Smart Card Access in the Healthcare Field

RFID-Enabled Smart Card ...

QI Sys is developing RFID smart cards for contactless payment applications ...

... "QI Systems Inc., a leading developer and integrator of smart card payment, access control and tracking solutions, announced that QI product engineers are now developing hardware and software components that support RFID-enabled contactless payment systems. RFID-enabled payment systems are rapidly gaining in popularity with merchants and consumers in the U.S. Small-value transactions can now be quickly completed using a payment card with a built-in microchip and wire-loop antenna utilizing very-short-range (several inches) radio waves to securely transmit account information from the card to the merchant point-of-sale terminal. There is no need for the merchant to swipe the card through a reader, so the cardholder always remains in control of the card and transaction time is optimized. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are actively promoting contactless-payment versions of their cards. The International Standards Organization has established an implementation specification enabling these credit-card leaders to share a common transmission protocol. That in turn facilitates the programming of a single merchant point-of-sale terminal to accept and process transactions from all three companies’ payment cards/devices. Merchants and cardholders alike should benefit significantly from the enhanced convenience and security offered by a broader selection of contactless payment solutions. " ...

RFID-Enabled Smart Card: Via QI Systems Inc.: QI Systems Inc. Developing Products for RFID-Enabled Smart Card ...

RFID Credit Card Solution ...

SmartCode launches RFID-enabled solution for the credit card market ...

... "SmartCode Corp. - The RFID Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of low cost, high performance RFID hardware solutions announced its new SmartPay RFID solutions for the Contactless RFID Credit Card Market. Specially designed for the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Chase Blink, SmartCode's new SmartPay RFID solution enables a time efficient contactless procedure for credit card transactions. Not requiring any physical contact between the credit card and the terminal, the SmartPay Credit Card RFID solution enable Merchants and Consumers to reduce card processing time and increase Point Of Sale throughput. The SmartPay Credit Card RFID solution also translates to lower maintenance costs and increased flexibility of terminal positioning such as on the counter, drive through installations or embedded into a variety of fixtures. Wall Street Journal and research firm TowerGroup estimates the market for transactions valued at less than $5 accounted for $1.32 trillion in consumer spending in 2003, representing more than 400 billion transactions. In addition, more than 37 million Americans are willing to use their cards for $5 or less and an estimated 6.5 million Americans would be comfortable using cards for transactions of less than $1, according to a study released late last year by the research firm Ipsos-Insight. " ...

RFID Credit Card Solution: Via SmartCode: SMARTCODE CORP. unleashes low cost RFID TO THE $1.32 trillion micro payments market: SmartCode Corp.'s new SmartPay Product line offers embedded RFID solutions for Visa, MasterCard and American Express RFID Credit Card solutions ...

RFID e-Passport Security Breach ...

... "A Dutch television program Nieuwslicht recently worked with local security firm Riscure to successfully crack and decrypt a Dutch-prototype RFID passport. " ...

Via Engadget: Dutch RFID e-passport cracked -- US next? ...

Via Riscure: Privacy issues with new digital passport: "The new digital passport lacks in the protection of personal details of the passport holder. An attacker intercepting the contactless communication between the passport and the border control system can get access to the personal information held on the chip inside the new passport. ... Riscure is a Security Lab based in the Netherlands. Riscure evaluates the security of smart cards, mobile phones and related systems for banks, credit card companies, GSM operators, smart card manufacturers, organisations deploying digital IDs and companies in the pay television industry. "

RFID Growth: Smartcards EPassports ...

Research shows that RFID growth will come from smart card applications ...

... "The study - RFID Forecasts, Players and Opportunities 2006-2016 - reveals that although the lion's share of RFID shipments, in terms of volume produced, will be for high volume items such as post, drugs, pallets, cases, tyres and consumer goods, a disproportionate percentage of revenue will be achieved through RFID deployments in the ePassport and smart card markets. " ...

RFID Growth: Smartcards EPassports: Via Security Document World - Biometrics, Passports, ID Cards and Visas: ePassports and smart cards to boost RFID revenue ...

RFID Radio Frequency Identification in Banking ...

RFID adoption expected in banking and financial services to drive outstanding customer services. ...

... "Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technology being developed by retailers that should migrate to banks. Customers would be automatically identified by the RFID-encrypted card in their wallet as they pass through the door, prompting a personalised welcome to flash up on a computer screen. " ...

RFID Radio Frequency Identification in Banking: Via Reuters: Less waiting, fingerprint check coming to your bank ...

Use Gen2 RFID for Pilots Starting Now ...

With EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) products reaching the market, Zebra Technologies shares its experience as a ten-year veteran of RFID innovation with Gen 2 do’s and don'ts to help companies avoid potential implementation issues. ...

... "Do go straight to Gen 2 if you are starting RFID pilots now: Gen 2 protocols offer significant performance enhancements over the first generation of EPCglobal UHF protocols, including superior tag throughput, improved accuracy and compliance with global spectrum regulations. Many new vendors have committed to supporting EPC Generation 2, allowing users to leverage standards-based interoperability among tags, interrogators, printer/encoders, etc. as well as aggressive pricing spawned by competition. " ...

Use Gen2 RFID for Pilots Starting Now: Via Zebra: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES REVEALS TOP 5 RFID GEN 2 DOs and DON'Ts ...

RFID Enabled Customer Card ...

NEC Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd launches the first-of-its-kind RFID-enabled customer card (NECare Customer Card) which will improve customers' experience. NECare Customer Card will store relevant details of customer's purchase, warranty, and service records. The details are maintained in the central database for quick retrieval. ...

... "With the incorporation of NEC's Ubiquitous Can Change concept and the utilisation of advanced RFID technology, NEC is proud to be the first in to introduce RFID-enabled customer-centric card. The advent of the NECare Customer Card marks another milestone in the customer-centric approach to our business for which we have always been recognised in the IT market. It also speaks volumes of our commitment to customer care, said Mr. David Ng, Senior Vice President, Business Services Group, NEC Solutions Asia Pacific. " ...

RFID Enabled Customer Card: Via NEC Solutions Asia Pacific: NEC launches first-of-its-kind RFID-enabled customer card, NECare Customer Card: Instant identification and prompt service for card holders at NECare Centre ...

RFID eIdentity USB Reader: Passport Capable ...

ASK introduces USB-connection RFID reader that has shown interoperability with Interfest e-passport standards. ...

... "ASK launches the RDR 400 series of contactless USB readers, designed for performance, security and ergonomics. RDR 400 readers are ideal for contactless logical/physical access control, identity, banking and PC-based applications. Based on CPL 400 couplers, the RDR 400 series is high speed, low cost, multi-standard and multi-application; its unique and powerful RF interface means that RDR 400 readers support all current ISO dual interface/contactless cards and contactless tickets.

RDR 400 has passed successfully e-passport Interfest interoperability tests taking place in November in Singapore. These tests involved 124 different passports complying with ISO14443 type A or B standards from 28 countries to be tested on 40 readers. ASK reader reached the best performances both in terms of interoperability and communication speed. ASK is breaking new ground in emerging markets such as e-identity and banking where clients need technology partners with superlative expertise in both RFID card and reader technology " ...

RFID eIdentity USB Reader: Passport Capable: Via ASK: ASK launches new contactless USB reader RDR 400 series ...

Founded in 1997, ASK is now the supplier of the most comprehensive range of contactless cards, tickets, RFID tags and readers on the market. All products comply with ISO and EPC standards. ASK addresses the mass transit, access control, e-government ID, supply chain and logistics markets. 50 million contactless cards, tickets and RFID labels are already in use worldwide. ASK’s manufacturing plant is located at its Sophia-Antipolis headquarters in France, with regional offices in Paris, Singapore and Westport, USA.

Fingerprint RFID Security Sensor ...

Company is developing a fingerprint-secured RFID device for potential use in smart payment transactions and contactless applications. ...

... "Five-year-old Digital Defense Group says its credit-card-size token, which contains a fingerprint sensor and an RFID chip, is compliant with MasterCard International's PayPass contactless-payment program and can potentially be used for Internet transactions as well as payments in stores." ...

Fingerprint RFID Security Sensor: Via Digital Transactions: Digital Defense Group Set to Launch a Fingerprint-Secured RFID Card ...

RFID Emergency Card: Enables Electronic Health Record ...

MedicAlert will show its RFID-enabled smart-card for enabling emergency medical care through the use of identification and electronic health records. ...

... "MedicAlert will be showcasing technology products - the MedicAlert® E-HealthKEY, the Health Enhancement System (HES), and the RFID Emergency Card in response to the federal government’s goal to give all Americans electronic medical records in the coming years. Within a few years, one-third of all Americans will be elderly – about 77 million people – the single biggest demographic group in the country. Globally, the U.S. will have the largest population of elderly people in the history of the world. " ...

RFID Emergency Card: Enables Electronic Health Record: Via MedicAlert: MedicAlert® to showcase technology at the White House Conference on Aging ...

MedicAlert® is committed to providing technology-based solutions and is an active member and a leader in developing interoperability standards with all the major Healthcare IT standards organizations. The MedicAlert® repository uses Web service interfaces to support standard Electronic Health Records (EHRs), including electronic drug prescriptions and for patient record interoperability. These activities will ensure the rapid development and deployment of standards to improve the quality of care, lower healthcare costs while increasing patient safety. MedicAlert® is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1956 with a mission to protect and save lives, is headquartered in the United States and has international affiliates in nine countries.

Additional resources on uses of RFID to support emergency health care or electronic health care identification:

Health Care CIO Runs Internal RFID Test - Computerworld: "Halamka said this month that when the chip is scanned by an RFID reader, an identifying number directs physicians to his medical records, which are stored electronically at CareGroup's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "

VeriChip launches secure database to consult health care data stored on implantable RFID chips: "VeriChip is a miniaturised, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) which can be used in a variety of security, emergency, and health care applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip is composed of FDA-accepted materials and contains a unique verification number which can seamlessly integrate to the GVS Registry."

RFID can be a matter of life and death in the medical world | WTN: "Radio frequency identification technology is often touted as a way to improve supply chain management. But in the health care world, the technology is bringing other, perhaps more important benefits: safety and security."

Wireless RFID: Parking Application ...

Laurie Sullivan explores the application of RFID technology to parking meter payment process. ...

Wireless RFID: Parking Application: Via CommsDesign: Wireless RFID helps feed parking meters ...

... "A Canadian company is adding RFID technology to its popular pay-by-cellular phone parking application, making a wave of a credit or ATM card as powerful as a fistful of quarters. " ...

Digital Payment (formerly Digital Pioneer) is an innovative leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of leading-edge revenue-management hardware, software and wireless solutions for the multi-billion-dollar parking industry. The company’s products provide complete financial tracking, control and reporting on parking revenue collected by cities, municipalities, parking management companies, private operators and national parks, from customer payment through to bank deposit. In June 2005, Digital Payment was ranked as the ninth fastest growing company in Canada by Profit Magazine.

Blink RFID Contactless Credit Cards ...

RFID contactless credit cards free users from swiping and signing and make shopping more effortless. Jennifer Lawinski explores the Blink RFID technology being tested by Chank Bank in its Visa and Mastercard credit cards. ...

Blink RFID Contactless Credit Cards: Via InformationWeek: RFID Contactless Credit Cards Work In The Blink Of An Eye ...

... "The process involves waving a credit card with the embedded RFID chip in front of a scanning device that connects it with the credit account. The card must be within 20 centimeters of the scanner in order to be read. " ...

RFID Technology ISO9001:2000 Certification ...

HID achieves ISO9001 certification for the design, manufacture, and distribution of RFID technology. ...

RFID Technology ISO9001:2000 Certification: Via HID: HID Achieves ISO9001:2000 Re-Certification for Design, Manufacture, and Distribution of RFID-Based Contactless Smart Cards and Readers: The Management System Certification Encompasses Excellence Meeting Customer and Regulatory Requirements While Continually Improving HID's Product Performance ...

... "HID Corporation, the premier manufacturer of contactless access control cards and readers for the security industry, announced that is has achieved ISO 9001:2000 re-certification for quality management and its system certification that encompasses manufacturing. HID first received ISO9000 certification on June 1, 1999, ISO 9001:2000 certification on June 1, 2002 and has been continuously certified while they maintain focus on continuous process improvements for the company's entire iCLASS 13.56 MHz, Prox 125 kHz, and Wiegand card and reader technology design, manufacture and distribution processes. To attain ISO9001 certification, all certified companies must be in conformance to the ISO9001:2000 standard that requires companies to do what is needed to fulfill the customer's quality requirements, enhance customer satisfaction, manage the processes or activities and to achieve continual improvement of their performance in pursuit of these objectives. " ...

As the largest manufacturer of contactless access control readers and cards for the security industry, HID has shipped over 250 million credentials to customers worldwide. HID pioneered the development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for physical access control. Proximity and iCLASS® technologies can be housed on the same credential and combined with other technologies such as magnetic stripe, barcode, or contact smart chip modules. This provides users the ability to leverage their investment in existing systems while seamlessly upgrading to new technologies and adding new applications. For increased security, users can add a photo ID or anti-counterfeiting element such as a hologram or ultraviolet ink. HID’s experience in developing card technologies enables them to play a critical role in the evolution and adoption of contactless smart card technology used for applications such as access control, IT secure authentication, digital cash, the storage of biometric templates, and the storage and retrieval of critical information.

RFID Chips: Digital ID World: NYC ...

RFID Chips: Digital ID World: NYC: Via Forbes: The Week Ahead: Nov. 7-11 ...

... "RFID chips will be one of the topics of discussion at the Digital ID World conference in New York City. The event brings together banks, credit card providers, analysts and security technology companies like Microsoft and VeriSign ... " ...

Healthcare RFID: Zebra ProductLine Agreement ...

Zebra inks product-line agreement to serve the healthcare supply chain with RFID printing and other identification technology. Zebra's partner, MedAssets, leverages technology into the healthcare supply chain through best-of-breed solutions. ...

Healthcare RFID: Zebra ProductLine Agreement: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND MEDASSETS ANNOUNCE NEW 3-YEAR AGREEMENT: Zebra to provide MedAssets customers with full line of bar code, card and RFID printers, supplies and services ...

... "Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand specialty printing solutions for business and process improvement, has signed a new three-year full product line agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, a leading healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO) and supply chain services company. The full line agreement makes Zebra’s bar code, card and RFID printers as well as its supplies and service agreements available to MedAssets' customers for a wide range of identification, tracking and access control applications. " ...

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, “smart” label, receipt and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs and better customer service. The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.

MedAssets, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, improves healthcare providers’ margins and cash flow through revenue cycle and supply chain initiatives. As a strategic business partner, MedAssets can replace multiple vendors and decrease supply costs by 3% to 10% and increase net patient revenue by 1% to 3%. Proprietary information technology is used to work with and improve existing IT assets and work processes. MedAssets, through its revenue cycle subsidiary MedAssets Net Revenue Systems, provides best-of-breed revenue solutions, including strategic pricing, pre-bill charge capturing and ongoing chargemaster management tools, all of which have been peer reviewed by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. In addition, MedAssets offers the only technology enabled systems that manage claim denials and link supply cost data with charge data to ensure accurate charges and defendable markups for all patient identifiable supplies, including costly medical devices. MedAssets, through its supply chain subsidiary MedAssets Supply Chain Systems, operates the fastest growing group purchasing organization and supply chain services company in the U.S. and builds customized solutions encompassing procurement of common medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, physician preference supplies, food and nutrition items, and capital equipment.

RFID Card Monthly Train Passess: SNCF ...

RFID Card Monthly Train Passess: SNCF: Via Psion Teklogix: PSION PLC: Major contract win ...

... "The WORKABOUT PRO configuration includes: a Symagery 2D Imager to read an encrypted barcode on the passenger's ticket; an RFID reader to read RFID cards (monthly passes); radio card for data synchronization when the train enters the main stations; and a Bluetooth connection to a portable printer. After 4 weeks of live testing with 120 controllers and several products, SNCF has agreed this contract with Psion Teklogix. SNCF has selected the WORKABOUT PRO mobile computer for its features in terms of ergonomics, battery life and data capture performance for both barcode and RFID. " ...

Psion (PON.L) is listed on the London stock market. Its operational business, Psion Teklogix, is a global provider of solutions for mobile computing and wireless data collection. The company’s fully integrated mobile computing solutions include rugged hardware; secure wireless networks, robust software, professional services, and exceptional support programs. Psion Teklogix is committed to helping its customers reap the benefits of new and emerging technologies, including image capture and RFID. With over three decades of industry experience, Psion Teklogix has customers in more than 80 countries around the world, and over 36 sales and support offices in 17 countries.

RFID China Partnership: Printing Solutions

Zebra partners to deliver RFID and printing solutions to the Chinese market. ...

RFID China Partnership: Printing Solutions: Via Zebra Tech: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITAL CHINA JOIN FORCES TO BRING BEST-OF-BREED PRINTING SOLUTIONS TO CHINESE ENTERPRISES: Largest and most recognized brand in the bar code and RFID industry partners with China's pioneer IT distributor to bring industry-leading solutions to Chinese customers ...

... "A signing ceremony, held earlier today in Beijing with Digital China, marks a milestone for Zebra's PartnersFirst channel development program in China. Launched in March 2003, Zebra's PartnersFirst program was designed to help deliver value-driven bar code, wireless and RFID-based solutions to a wide range of end customers in industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, government, transportation, logistics and more. Globally, the program has been successful earning a five-star rating (out of five) from VARBusiness Magazine. A redesigned program for the China market was launched last year. Today's alliance with Digital China is significant to Zebra's development, and testament to its increasing growth and commitment to this dynamic market. Under the terms of the agreement, Digital China will become Zebra's value added distributor (VAD) in China's auto-ID field. The alliance will enable Digital China to expand its presence in this lucrative market. Currently, Digital China’s distribution network and wide-reach is unparalleled, with access to over 6000 agents throughout Greater China. " ...

Digital China Holdings Limited was spun off from Legend Holdings Limited and separately listed on the mainboard of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited on 1 June 2001 (HK:0861) . Digital China is the number one IT products distributor and systems integrator as well as a leading networking product developer in China. The company provides hardware and software solutions to its clients, with a strong focus to add value to them. Digital China engages in three groups of businesses: Distribution, Systems, and Services.

Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, smart label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold nearly five million printers, including wireless/mobile solutions and RFID printer/encoders, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies.

RFID Sweden National Electronic Passport Initiative ...

RFID support the Swedish Police Department in their national electronic passport initiative. ...

RFID Sweden National Electronic Passport Initiative: Via Arcontia: ACG ID and Arcontia roll out the new passport reader chosen by the Swedish Police Department: 320 contactless readers will form the backbone of the Swedish Police Department’s electronic passport infrastructure ...

... "ACG Identification Technologies, a leading component and technology supplier in the smart card and RFID markets, and Arcontia AB, a contactless smart card reader supplier in RFID markets, announce that their customized passport readers were chosen by Setec and the Swedish Police Department for use within the country’s nationwide electronic passport project. In total, 320 units were installed in local police stations across the country to be used by citizens when collecting their newly issued electronic passports. " ...

ACG Identification Technologies is an independent component and technology supplier serving the entire value chain of smart card and RFIDbased systems. Headquartered in Walluf (Germany), ACG has 21 locations throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Arcontia has been active in the RFID technology since 1996 and is today a developer of a comprehensive range of contactless smart card readers and terminals, complying with ISO14443 A/B and MIFARE standards. The product range addresses e-ticketing and e-government markets as well as the supply chain management and logistics market. Local office is based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

RFID Smart Cards: Norwegian Rail: National eTickets ...

Arcontia supplies RFID smart card solutions to Norwegian Rail in support of national eTicket program. ...

RFID Smart Cards: Norwegian Rail: National eTickets: Via Arcontia: Arcontia rolls out the new e-ticketing reader chosen by Norwegian State Railways (NSB): 1000 contactless smart card readers for the new onboard electronic ticketing system will be the new equipment for train conductors in Norway ...

... "Arcontia AB, a contactless smart card reader supplier in RFID markets, announces that its contactless smart card readers were rolled out to the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) for use within the nationwide electronic e-ticketing project. In total, 1000 pocket PC’s with the attached compact flash readers are to be used by train conductors across the country. The Norwegian company Unified Consulting and Arcontia have been cooperating since February 2005 regarding the implementation of the electronic ticketing issue in the Mobile Terminal system (the MT project) for the Norwegian State Railways. " ...

Arcontia has been active in the RFID technology since 1996 and is today a developer of a comprehensive range of contactless smart card readers and terminals, complying with ISO14443 A/B and MIFARE standards. The product range addresses e-ticketing and e-government markets as well as the supply chain management and logistics market. Local office is based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Reference on RFID Smart Cards for eTicketing:

Via CIOInsight: Ahead of the Game: Designed by Hewlett-Packard Co., Cisco Systems Inc., and Fortress GB Ltd., the system includes RFID-enabled smart cards that must be scanned at one of the stadium's 84 turnstiles for entry. The smart cards were used by 85,000 fans last season - they are included with season tickets ...

RFID Alladin eToken: Entertainment Company Selects

Entertainment company selects Alladin's RFID eToken for secure application access. ...

RFID Alladin eToken: Entertainment Company Selects: Via Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd: Leading Entertainment and Media Enterprise Selects Aladdin eToken ...

... "As the most powerful two-factor authentication token available today, Aladdin eToken now provides one of the world's largest international entertainment companies with a powerful, yet easily deployed solution for ensuring that employees securely gain access to critical applications and confidential data - an important process highlighted by its auditors. Aladdin eToken also offers unmatched password management capabilities, allowing both employees and the organization to simply create and manage password policies that match the needs of the company and its divisions. " ...

About the size of an average house key, the award-winning Aladdin eToken is easy to use and highly portable, providing users with powerful authentication by requiring something they have, the tamper-proof eToken, and something they know, a password. It is used for secure network logon, secure VPN, Web Sign-On, Simple Sign-On, secure email, and numerous other applications. eToken is available in smart card and USB form factors featuring physical access (RFID) capabilities and one-time password technology.

STMicroelectronics RFID UHF Memory Chip

STMicroelectronics shows modest revenue growth and good profit margin expansion. STMicro's track records includes introduction of UHF RFID memory chip to the EPC marketplace. ...

STMicroelectronics RFID UHF Memory Chip: Via STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics Reports 2005 Third Quarter and Nine Month Revenues and Earnings ...

... "In RFID, ST introduced an ultra-high frequency contactless memory chip, compliant with the latest Electronic Product Code (EPC) specifications. ST's XRAG2 RFID chip delivers interoperability, enhanced security, and optimized performance for next-generation supply-chain and logistics applications. " ...

RFID BioCards ...

RFID BioCards: Via Flowsense: FlowSense and Digital Defense Group partner to pursue the RFID Biometric Access Control Market ...

... "Digital Defense Group's RFID-based technology will position FlowSense to better serve the government and commercial market place, stated Bill Schlueter, Manager of Biometric Solutions Business Development for FlowSense. Digital Defense Group's series of biocards are clearly in its own category above and beyond traditional smart card systems, and we are excited about their applications and possibilities. " ...

RFID High-Tech Casinos ...

Bob Keefe explores the use of RFID radio frequency identification technology in casinos to track customer activity ...

RFID High-Tech Casinos: Via The Sun News: Casinos go high-tech to track gamblers

... "Optical readers display every card that's dealt on a monitor in the casino's back office, while radio frequency identification, or RFID, devices embedded in chips record every chip bet or won, and every folded hand. " ...

RFID Contactless Payment Cards ...

Axalto RFID contactless payment cards are being supplied to KeyBank for contactless debit role ...

RFID Contactless Payment Cards: Via Axalto: Axalto Provides Contactless Payment Cards for KeyBank Debit Card Rollout in the United States ...

... "Axalto, the world's leading provider of microprocessor cards, is supplying more than two million MasterCard® PayPass™ cards to KeyBank for the first contactless debit card rollout in the U.S. Axalto contactless payment smart cards enable cardholders to simply tap their card on the reader or within one inch of a point-of-sale terminal at checkout, instead of swiping their card or handing it to a store employee. The terminal quickly emits a signal acknowledging payment confirmation. The payment transaction is then processed. The KeyBank MasterCard PayPass card – available beginning September 1 – also includes a magnetic stripe, allowing consumers to use it at any location that accepts MasterCard debit cards. " ...

Microsoft on RFID

Microsoft and its partners have a vibrant RFID program underway. Much of Microsoft's focus is on the mid-market: small and medium sized businesses. They are developing an RFID services architecture and have multiple pilots underway to build their competence in the RFID marketplace.

Via Microsoft Business Solutions: The Little Chip That Will Change Your Supply Chain Forever: Microsoft Business Solutions recently announced that it was expanding the scope of its RFID initiative to help small and midmarket businesses meet RFID technology compliance mandates from large trading partners and drive efficiencies in internal operations. For example, Microsoft and several partners recently are collaborating to assist a U.S.-based midmarket snack manufacturer in their RFID implementation.

Microsoft RFID Architecture: Microsoft Architecture for RFID: The fully integrated Microsoft architecture for RFID embraces a vision for increased operational efficiency and reduced costs. It provides a framework for enabling the exchange of RFID related data in near real time across disparate systems and corporate boundaries. It also supports standards for global data synchronisation and interoperability with EPC.

Reference materials on Microsoft RFID Technology:

Microsoft Unwraps Technology at TechEd 2005 to Spark Greater Adoption of RFID: Microsoft's RFID infrastructure taps the power of the .NET Framework, SQL Server and Visual Studio .NET to make integration and deployment of RFID easier and less cost: Businesses around the world are evaluating how RFID technologies can enable them to streamline business processes and provide real-time visibility into their supply chain. However, adoption of RFID is hindered by many factors, including complexity of device management, lack of standards, limited solutions to cleanse volumes of data, and costly integration with existing business applications. Microsoft Corp.'s RFID infrastructure is intended to address these pain points and stimulate faster adoption of RFID. Built on top of the .NET Framework, Microsoft's RFID technology can be embedded within third-party applications or used on its own to capture and interpret data from sensors and manage business events in an easy-to-deploy, user-friendly environment. Companies may use RFID technology to enhance business processes, saving them time and money and improving their visibility into key business performance metrics.

Microsoft plans RFID software in 2006: Via CNET News.com: Microsoft plans early next year to release the RFID Services Platform, a middleware product that connects the hardware that monitors RFID signals with the business software that can make sense of the information.

Microsoft offers RFID system for postal services: Via InfoWorld: Microsoft is marketing an RFID (radio frequency identification device) package for postal services at a stamp exhibition in Taiwan, hoping to woo the government's post office and potentially forge a new line of business for the software maker.

UID RFID ProgramManagement Office ...

RFID Program Management Office: Via SAIC: SAIC Awarded Navy Automatic Identification Technology Program Office Contract ...

... "SAIC and its subcontractor team bring valuable Navy logistics experience and practical integration expertise in AIT technical development and insertion, said Jim Cuff, general manager of SAIC's Logistics and Engineering Solutions Business Unit. Our team has had a key role in the Department of Defense's Unique Identification (UID), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Common Access Card implementations. Our success has resulted from maintaining close liaison with the commercial community, engaging with industry standards organizations and bringing a high level of quality management and operational analysis. " ...

RFID National eID Cards ...

RFID National eID Cards: Via Agfa: Agfa supplies high security identification cards system to Thales: Thales Security Systems will produce highly secure e-ID cards with contactless chip for Moroccan population ...

National eID cards with RFID technology are going global ...

... "The Moroccan DGSN (Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale) has awarded the French company Thales Security Systems (TSS) a contract for a complete card production and personalization system. This highly secure national e-ID card contains an integrated RFID module (Radio Frequency Identification). As part of this project, Agfa’s business unit Specialty Products will provide TSS with a complete sub-system consisting of production/personalization equipment, consumables and materials for the production of about 20 million e-ID cards. " ...

The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world’s leading imaging and information technology companies. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analog and digital systems for the graphic industry and for healthcare. Agfa’s headquarters are in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is active in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries throughout the world. Together they achieved a turnover of 3,762 million Euros in 2004.