Sunday, April 25, 2010

RFID enables Fembot interactivity

Cool robotics enabled by RFID technology ...

... "She's also got an RFID reader, which scans the objects in her hand (obviously said object must have an RFID tag to recognize) ... " ...


Via CNET: German Fembot

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Saturday, April 10, 2010

Moto RFID Handheld Readers

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

GPS RFID Reader

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Sunday, March 14, 2010

iPhone RFID reader

Instructions to build your own RFID reader for the iPhone ...

... "a research assistant at CASA/University College London has managed to build his own RFID iPhone accessory ... " ...


Via Recombu: How to make your own ...

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

RFID Tags Improve Patient Hospital Experience

ThingMagic RFID Readers are deployed to improve the patient experience at the California Cancer Center, where the administration is deplying a comprehensive, integrated RFID solution. ...

... "ThingMagic’s Astra UHF RFID readers are used to relay information from low profile passive RFID tags – located, for example, on a patient ID badge – to centralized applications that retrieve patient information in order to enhance the patient experience. This information includes patient preferences to activate custom hospital room settings - music, lighting, temperature, etc. - and location data that are sent to staff phone displays, allowing clinicians to greet or locate patients quickly. " ...


http://bit.ly/b6XFjP

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

ThingMagic RFID Reader Leadership

ThingMagic tops the ranking of Embedded Passive UHF Reader Module Vendors, developed by ABI Research. ...

... "ABI Research points to high performance and quality as key competitive differentiators for ThingMagic, resulting in the highest rating on both the innovation and implementation measures of our embedded passive UHF RFID reader module vendor matrix ... " ...


Via ThingMagic: Tops ABI Research RFID Reader Vendor Matrix

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Tuesday, January 05, 2010

RFID-Enabled Electric Vehicle Charging

KEPCO commercializes its electric charging station in Korea, which will be enabled with RFID technology to streamline the customer payment process. ...

... "The RFID reader can recognize the customer and process the credit card after completing the charging. The customer will check the charging information through the display on the station. " ...


Via Korea IT Times: KEPCO

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

Motorola Handheld RFID Reader Gun-Style

Motorola launches lightweight handheld RFID reader, the MC3090-Z, with ergonomic and rugged design and a dual-axis antenna. ...

... "The MC3090-Z offers the best combination of form and function in the industry today – providing reliable performance throughout the enterprise. Supporting Gen 2 technology, this gun-style RFID reader also provides the ability to scan bar codes – reducing the number of devices organizations need to purchase and manage. In addition, the reader includes Motorola’s newly patented omni-directional antenna enabling orientation-insensitive data capture. This capability results in longer and wider read ranges for more accurate, rapid capture of tag data. The MC3090-Z’s orientation-insensitive RFID data capture makes it ideal for item-level applications such as retail cycle-counting, inventory and asset tracking. " ...


Via Motorola: RFID Handheld Reader

Motorola Handheld RFID Reader

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Wednesday, November 04, 2009

RFID Reader Firmware Improves Stray Tag Elimination

Sirit updates its INfinity 510 firmware to release 3.0 and introduces improvements, such as enhancing the reading of tags at dock doors or portals with stray tag elimination. ...

... "The 3.0 firmware introduces Stray Tag Elimination technology (STE). This powerful addition allows customers to differentiate between tags that are actively transitioning the RF field and tags that are in the field but not moving. STE is particularly important around portals, such as a dock door, or for electronic article surveillance. The reader is able to distinguish between those tags moving through a portal or an exit separately from stationary tags in the vicinity of the portal. " ...


Via SIRIT: INfinity 510 RFID Reader

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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Impinj RFID Reader Evolution

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

RFID Monitors Handwashing Protocols

Are your food service and healthcare providers following their facility's best practices for hand washing and hygiene? The RFID-enabled HandGiene system will ensure that they are. ...

... "The HandGiene Hand Wash Monitoring and Accountability System uses Patented, Proprietary RFID-enabled Cleanser Dispensers and Proprietary miniaturized, Patent-Pending RFID readers to actively and non-invasively assure compliance by all covered personnel and visitors with a facility’s hand wash protocols. The HandGiene System works with equal, unparalleled efficiency in Hospitals and Healthcare facilities and also, Restaurants and Food Preparation Facilities alike. " ...


Via HandGiene: System Provides Full Accountability (PDF)

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Intel Labs WISP RFID

A look inside Intel research laboratory shows emerging products such as the WISP that leverages RFID technology to power the tag. ...

... "David Wetherall showed me WISP (Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform, see photo left), a type of enhanced RFID tag that contains sensors and a microcontroller and gets its power from an ultrahigh-frequency RFID reader. " ...


Via Xconomy: Intel Labs

RFID WISP

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Saturday, October 10, 2009

BAP RFID Tag Long Range Read

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Panasonic RFID Healthcare Laptop

Panasonic and Verizon have certified the Toughbook H1 mobile clinical assistant as Gobi-enabled. This laptop is used in mobile healthcare applications. ...

... "The Toughbook H1 has been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of germs being spread from patient to patient. In addition, it can help to reduce medication administration errors while helping clinicians deliver faster, safer care. With integrated RFID reader, 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights, a barcode reader, contactless smart card reader and fingerprint readers, the new Toughbook H1 MCA is a secure and intuitive platform for barcode medication administration (BCMA), vitals capture and electronic medical records (EMR) capture and review. " ...


Via Panasonic: VERIZON GOBI CERTIFICATION

Via TechRadar UK: Is Gobi the next mobile broadband standard?: "Gobi = mobile broadband"

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Monday, August 24, 2009

ThingMagic RFID IVR

ThingMagic introduces Vega RFID reader and Development Kit based on the company's UHF RFID Mercury5e embedded reader module suitable for in-transit visibility solutions in rugged environments. ...

... "The ThingMagic Vega IVR (In Vehicle Reader) model offers vehicle manufacturers, automotive technology vendors and integrators the tools needed to advance in-vehicle RFID application development. Vega IVR meets the operating and business requirements of many everyday in-transit use cases where extending asset, product, or personnel visibility into the vehicle can be beneficial. A serial interface connects the Vega IVR reader to an in-dash PC, on-board laptop, GPRS modem, or telematics platform for RFID tag information processing, system command, and integration with customized PC applications. " ...


Via ThingMagic: Rugged UHF RFID Reader for In-Vehicle Applications

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Autopilot RFID Reader Adjusts on Fly

Impinj bring the Speedway Revolution reader to market, which uses Autopilot technology to improve the RFID reader performance. ...

... "Impinj’s patented Autopilot technology continuously and automatically optimizes the reader for its operating environment to deliver peak performance at all times. Because RFID system performance depends upon a multitude of ever-changing environmental conditions (including RF interference levels, tag density in the reader field and ambient RF noise) users configure readers for worst-case scenarios, compromising optimum performance in the process. Autopilot guarantees peak performance while eliminating the need for manual tuning ... " ...


Via Impinj: Speedway Revolution Reader

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Animal RFID Tags Track Trends

Dairy farmers can apply RFID technology to support analysis of cow performance and health to understand trends and proactively intervene. ...

... "The system, developed by Danish firm Smarterfarming, uses RFID tags and readers to analyze eating patterns and movement to catch signs of illness early. " ...


Via Fast Company: CowDetect RFID Tags

RFID integration into the dairy cow milking process can yield benefits for the farmer. ...

Ubisense on Smarter dairy farming: "For cows in lactation the potential value of this knowledge is said to be EUR 315 – 355 per animal if the information is converted into action by the farm manager. In addition there are many soft benefits derived by using the system such as better animal welfare and health. "

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Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Apple iPhone RFID Application

Apple patents are scrutinized for insights into the future of iPhone applications, with possibilities ranging from RFID reading to haptic user interfaces. ...

iPhone RFID application in future

... "Apple patent application places a Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag reader in the actual display panel of a device ... " ...


Via PC World: Apple iPhone 4G

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Mobile Bluetooth RFID Reader

iDTRONIC launches a new RFID reader, I-collect, for data collection that supports LF or HF Multitags. ...

Mobile RFID Reader for Data Collection

... "iDTRONICs I-Collect is fully programmable. Beside the reading of the UID numbers it is possible to read also other memory content. The I-Collect data collector allows fast and reliable Data transfer to Windows XP, Vista and Mobile applications. A demo Software with 8 standard applications is delivered with the I-Collect. " ...


Via iDTRONIC: New Mobile Bluetooth RFID Reader I-Collect for mobile scanning

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Motorola Small Fixed RFID Readers

Moto RFID Reader
Motorola launches business-class fixed radio-frequency identification readers that a designed with a small form factor for retail and office environment deployments. ...

... "Motorola’s new cost-effective, high-performance fixed RFID reader is built on a new platform that supports Gen 2 technology and is capable of hosting third-party, customer-driven embedded applications to meet the growing requirements of enterprises. As a compact, lightweight, unobtrusive RFID reader, the FX7400 can be installed under point-of-sale counters, behind walls or on ceilings – providing an ideal solution for item-level tracking, retail inventory management, file tracking and asset management applications in environments where performance and a small footprint are critical. For retailers, this new reader will help improve employee productivity, reduce cycle count times and decrease out-of-stock items in order to improve operations and increase sales. The FX7400 series complements Motorola’s existing portfolio of industrial solutions and opens a new window of opportunity for retailers and businesses to implement RFID. Motorola intends to broaden this business-class portfolio with additional reader options in the future. " ...


Via Motorola: New Business Line of RFID Readers

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Saturday, April 04, 2009

Robotic RFID Reading

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

In-Store RFID Supports Top Customer Relationships

RFID enables retail customer relationships
TOP Food and Drug has implemented an RFID-enabled customer relationship program, called TOP Connection, that provides customers with key tags that enable more targeted services. ...

... "The TOP Connection system uses a software platform from Accelitec Inc. This system, which is interfaced with RFID readers placed at checkout terminals and the key tags issued to customers, functions as an on-demand customer acquisition and retention platform, and holds encrypted customer information on secure servers. The software platform is compatible with legacy hardware and software used by most retailers. To participate in the program, customers enroll and set up an online profile, including personal information and product, communication and payment preferences. The amount of information provided by customers guides the level of participation in the program, with more detailed data accessing highly customized offers and marketing. " ...


Via Accelitec: TOP Food and Drug RFID Marketing

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Monday, March 30, 2009

RFID Detector Card

RFID detection
Design firm Montie Design has developed an innovative radio frequency identification (RFID) detector card for sensing signals in domestic and international markets. ...

... "Small enough to fit into a shirt pocket or clip to an ID badge, Montie Design’s product enables users and installers to detect whether an RFID reader is actually sending out a signal. Installers or users need simply move the RFID detector card towards the RFID reader antenna; if the RFID reader antenna is actively radiating a signal, the center of the card will activate a bright blue led light. Depending on the antenna and the power level radiated by the RFID system, the card will illuminate as far as two feet away from the antenna. " ...


Via Montie Design: New RFID Detector

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Monday, January 26, 2009

WISP RFID Sensing

Intel WISP technology
Intel uses RF energy to power new sensor technology. ...

... "It was shown as another application of the Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform (WISP), a platform for sensing and computation that is powered and read by a commercial off-the-shelf UHF RFID reader. " ...


Via EETimes: Intel research

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Monday, December 08, 2008

EU RFID Reader

ThingMagic launches Astra integrated RFID reader and antenna in the European Union market. The Astra reader enables simple installation and supports Power over Ethernet and WiFi. ...

... "Driven by ThingMagic's Mercury5e UHF RFID embedded reader module, Astra has a read range of over nine meters for Generation 2 RFID tags and can read up to 190 tags per second. Fully supporting ThingMagic's enterprise-class MercuryOS software, Astra's network management and security features include DHCP for configuration and firmware management, and SSL/SSH–based security. Astra has ETSI and CE certification and meets all European Union RFID and environmental requirements. " ...


Via ThingMagic: RFID Reader for European Union

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Parallax RFID Demo

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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

RFID Notebook for Healthcare

Panasonic Toughbook comes will built-in RFID reader. ...

... "Panasonic's H1 Toughbook for clinical use is out, and its specs list is impressive. " ...


Via Gizmodo: Panasonic Toughbook

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Thursday, October 02, 2008

AmericanApparel RFID Implementation

The new wave of RFID leadership has replaced the original buzz generated by the Walmart RFID program. The emerging leaders in RFID are using the technology to improve their supply chains and customer experience. ...

... "So American Apparel applied RFID tags to 100 percent of its items, using RFID readers to scan which items were on the sales floor and which were in the stock room. " ...


Via Journal of Commerce: RFID

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Asset Management RFID Reader

ThingMagic introduces the Astra RFID reader and antenna that is designed and targeted for use in the asset management market. ...

Astra RFID reader

... "Astra's low profile, unobtrusive design, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) and WiFi options make it ideal for asset management in offices, healthcare facilities and other environments where ease of installation and deployment flexibility are essential for solution success. Driven by ThingMagic's Mercury5e embedded reader module, Astra has a read range of up to 30 feet for Generation 2 RFID tags, and can read over 190 tags per second. Fully supporting ThingMagic's enterprise-class MercuryOS software, Astra’s network management and security features include DHCP for configuration and firmware management, and SSL/SSH–based security. " ...


Via ThingMagic: Astra RFID Reader Simplifies Asset Management

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

McDonalds RFID Program

McDonalds Japan and NTT DoCoMo combine to develop new electronic payment process using RFID technology. ...

... "The coupons can be redeemed by tapping the phone against an RFID reader placed at McDonalds counters. " ...


Via CrunchGear: McDonalds Japan offers RFID payment

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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Motorola RFID Reader Bi-Static Ports

Motorola introduces the XR450, a fixed radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, that features bi- and mono-static antenna ports on a single platform to protect RFID investments and decrease the complexity of deployment. ...

Motorola RFID Reader

... "The uniquely designed XR450 RFID reader offers customers the ability to select between using four bi-static ports that require dual antennas or four mono-static ports that require only one antenna for transmitting or receiving tag data. Mono-static ports are ideal for real-time item-level tracking, application processing and management, such as in postal tracking or reading pallets of goods at retail stores. Businesses can use the bi-static ports for the highest possible performance in the most challenging RF environments. The inclusion of both mono- and bi-static ports in a single platform allows customers to purchase one reader with the opportunity to utilize either port option - providing greater flexibility to adapt the reader to the intended application and environmental needs. " ...


Via Motorola: XR450 RFID Reader Offers Greater Flexibility with Increased Functionality and Security

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Sunday, June 03, 2007

Mobile RFID Reader Symbol Tech

Symbol RFID reader (RD5000) is profiled ...

Symbol RFID Reader, RD5000

... "Out of Stocks (OSS) lead to lost sales. Too often sales people rely heavily on visual checks of shelves or hangers, while items sit in the backroom waiting to be brought out to the sales floor. Seasonal items are often not replenished or marked down in a timely manner. On a busy day, inadequate visibility into the movement of inventory through the fitting rooms hinders the ability of sales people to identify high-priority garments and make sure they are rapidly returned to the shelves and available for other shoppers.

But, by deploying the RD5000 on a common mobile cart, employees can take complete inventory of all products on the sales floor in minutes. In the time it takes to walk down an aisle, all the product in that aisle can be identified and counted — in a mere fraction of the time it would take to conduct inventory manually. Now, retailers can take inventory on the sales floor daily — or multiple times throughout the day. With the higher level of visibility, retailers can better forecast, order and manage inventory on a day-to-day basis. For example, a certain style may be selling very well in an east coast location but not in your west coast store, enabling you to redirect inventory before the season changes to reduce markdowns and help maintain profitability. " ...


Via Symbol Technologies: Inventory visibility with the RD5000 Mobile RFID Reader

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Thursday, May 10, 2007

Mercury5e RFID Reader Supports Badge Access Control

ThingMagic and IRIS integrate Mercury5e embedded reader module with EDIsecure XID 570i and 580i Re-transfer Card Printers, which will support printing of color UHF RFID ID badges for secure building and office entry. ...

... "This new Mercury5e reader utilizes the Intel RFID Transceiver R1000 chip, which integrates a number of components into a single integrated RFID circuit, and enables digital signal processing and analog data processing on the same chip. This supported ThingMagic in developing the lower energy-consumption, higher performance, smaller Mercury5e, for use in RFID desktop, label, mobile and wearable printers, and handheld and mobile devices. " ...


Via ThingMagic: THINGMAGIC AND IRIS ANNOUNCE UHF RFID ID BADGE PRINTER

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Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Mobile RFID Platform Demonstrated On Segway

epcSolutions, demonstrates the first RFID-enabled Segway for mobile, asset management activities. ...

Segway becomes RFID-enabled

... "The Motorola RD5000 is an all-in-one RFID reader designed for true mobility and mobile applications, the device provides real-time wireless LAN connectivity so assets are easily tracked as they move throughout your operations. The new Segway Personal Transporter (PT) represents the next generation in personal mobility technology. Combining the two technologies creates a unique asset management mobility platform. " ...


Via epcSolutions: epcSolutions Demonstrates The Most Innovative and Fun Mobile RFID Platform – A Motorola RD5000 Attached to a Segway

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Monday, April 09, 2007

RFID Read from the Plant Floor Edge

Comtrol Edgeware controller connects with plant RFID devices
Comtrol Corporation's Edgeware edge controller with RFID devices on the plant floor. ...

... "The Edgeware controller enables enterprise applications such as SAP and Oracle to have real-time visibility of plant-floor devices like RFID readers. Edgeware does this with distributed architecture and embedded industrial Ethernet protocols like Ethernet/IP, PROFINET and Modbus/TCP. On-demand business decisions can be made based on real-time information that is gathered from RFID readers ... " ...


Via Comtrol: RFID Edge Controller

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Saturday, April 07, 2007

RFID Module Innovation Awarded

SkyeTek wins the EDN 17th Annual Innovation Award in the Computers, Boards, and Buses category for its M9 SkyeModule. The M9 is half the size of a business card and is targeted to item-level inventory, product authentication, and patron management. ...

... "Based on SkyeTek's Advanced Universal Reader Architecture (AURA), the M9 leads the RFID industry in UHF reader price-performance and meets regulatory compliance requirements for the world's major markets including North America, Europe (ETSI 302 208), Korea, and Japan. The M9's ReaderWare Embedded software stack allows application logic, policies, and advanced security to be executed on the reader allowing unprecedented levels of intelligence to be delivered to the products in which the M9 gets embedded. This award is the second distinction for SkyeTek in the past week. On March 29, SkyeTek's customer ADASA was announced the winner of CMP's Excellence in RFID Technology Award for its SkyeTek-enabled PAD3500, a low-cost, wearable mobile encoder that supports the encoding of UHF RFID tags anywhere. " ...


Via SkyeTek: M9 RFID Reader Module Wins Electronic Design News 17th Annual Innovation Award

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

RFID Tire Tags Order Could Be Significant

Advanced ID completes tire tracking pilot for companies in South America and will provide quote for the production of over 11 million RFID Tire Tags. ...

Advanced ID tire tags

... "The quantity of tags along with the traditional tire manufacturer operations could mean the incremental sale of several thousand RFID readers as well. It is anticipated that the order for monthly shipments will start shortly after the conclusion of a successful final product trial. " ...


Record-Breaking RFID Tire Tag Quote Totaling Over 11 Million Units

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Harrahs RFID Use Expands in Casino

Harrah's extends the use of RFID in its casino operations to support customer service through an efficient rewards program. ...

Harrah's implements RFID to support customer service

... "The radio-frequency technology is now being rolled out at Harrah's Las Vegas Casino & Hotel and Caesars Palace in the form of RFID touch screens. These will allow the dealer or host to put customers' Total Rewards information into the readers ... " ...


Via Las Vegas Business Press: Harrah's RFID Program

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Intel RFID Chips Enable Alien Technology Reader

Alien will use Intel RFID transceiver in RFID reader products. ...

Alien bases RFID readers on Intel RFID transceiver

... "Alien Technology Corporation plans to offer RFID Readers based on the new Intel UHF RFID Transceiver R1000. The new Alien RFID reader products will capitalize on the high levels of integration and performance of the Intel R1000 to address new and emerging market opportunities for RFID readers worldwide. Alien plans to offer readers in new, smaller form factors with the advanced EPCglobal Gen 2 and software enhanced features typical of Alien readers. " ...


Via Alien Technology: Alien Technology Announces Support for the Intel UHF RFID Transceiver R1000

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Wednesday, February 07, 2007

RFID Patent iCE Invention Bridges Tags

iCE RFID technology bridges across tags to read over longer distances
Syscan receives broad patent for iCE technology from Canadian Patent Office. ...

... "Syscan believes that iCE is a significant leap forward in the evolution of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification); not only for the Company's selected verticals in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and the military but throughout the entire spectrum of RFID. With iCE, the real-time desktop monitoring of remote assets can be significantly enhanced and the much predicted internet of things made more functional.

Syscan's iCE invention was developed using an energy-efficient dynamic bi-directional communications protocol that employs transmission windows to dramatically reduce the power consumption of Tag batteries, which comprise a major portion of the per-Tag cost. iCE Readers can access Tags that would normally be out of range by substituting other Tags that are within reach to temporarily act as communication bridges to relay data to the Reader. The architecture of the iCE RFID network can be defined by the Reader or the Tags according to their positions and characteristics. Once configured, the system is equipped with enough intelligence and is sufficiently dynamic to enable it to operate by itself without human intervention, regardless of whether or not there is a change in the position of the Tags or in their environment. " ...


Via Syscan: Syscan's Breakthrough RFID Technology Approved for Patent

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Monday, January 15, 2007

RFID Reader Module: Small Form Factor

WJ introduces small form factor RFID reader module
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 ...

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Sunday, January 14, 2007

RFID Shipment Tracking and Detection

Pliant implements IBM-designed RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) platform pilot program, that tracks shipments between technical centers and customer sites. The RFID system detects tampering in shipped products and enables workforce mobility using handheld devices to track products. Potential tampering can be identified and addressed in real-time. ...

... "IBM Global Business Services consultants collaborated with Pliant to develop a comprehensive RFID technology roadmap, helping Pliant prepare and validate the RFID equipment in its labs. Pliant's IBM software and solution, which has been in place since December 2005, leverages IBM's Data Collection Server software and WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure. The software installed on Pliant's network helped to create RFID labels which were printed and deployed on pallets and the pallets were tracked as they moved between the two Pliant technical centers in Newport News, Virginia and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. IBM consultants worked with Pliant to create Web pages on a network database to track the content and movement history of each pallet so that its location was always known.

Pliant implements IBM RFID solution to enable shipment tracking and tamper detection

A wireless handheld RFID reader loaded with the WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure used to scan the pallets within the plants to immediately look up pallet content information. With the support provided by the IBM Global Business Services team, Pliant now has a proven product concept to access to real-time tracking information for shipments between its two facilities. This setup allowed Pliant to download and monitor critical information which helped protect business-critical applications. " ...


Via Pliant Corporation: IBM Helps Pliant Design and Implement RFID System to Track Shipments and Detect Tampering ...

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Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Secure RFID through Partnership

SkyeTek and Atmel will partner to create secure HF reader and tag platforms for the RFID market. ...

... "The partnership between Atmel and SkyeTek will provide customers with an ultra-secure option for embedded RFID applications. Resulting solutions leverage CryptoRF's security features and the enterprise-class reliability and price-performance of the SkyeTek ReaderDNA and ReaderWare technology. This combination will provide customers with the ability to adapt RFID technology into existing applications and is well positioned to provide valuable solutions addressing ePedigree, patient safety, consumables authentication, item-level inventory management, and ticketing. SkyeTek's ReaderWare also provides the capability to upgrade the reader to support future tags, protocols, and cryptography via a firmware upgrade. " ...


Via SkyeTek: SkyeTek and Atmel Partner to Offer Industry Leading Secure RFID Technology ...

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Wednesday, December 27, 2006

RFID Korea Manufacturing

LS Industrial plans RFID technology solutions from Impinj for the Korea market
LS Industrial Systems, Korean integrator, and Impinj, RFID supplier, partner to deliver high-performance RFID solutions in the Korean manufacturing market. ...

... "Responding to significant demand from the Korean manufacturing sector for RFID-enabled logistics and distribution capability, LS Industrial Systems will build and distribute a comprehensive RFID solution incorporating Impinj's Speedway reader platform and Monza Gen 2 tag chips. Available starting in February 2007, the LS Industrial Systems RFID solution targets Korean product distributors, manufacturing companies and government entities requiring RFID technology to improve factory automation and supply chain efficiency. " ...


Via Impinj: LS Industrial Systems and Impinj Partner to Deliver High-Performance Gen 2 Radio Frequency Identification Solutions in Korea ...

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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

RFID Optimize Accuracy: ODIN Patent Award

ODIN tech receives U.S. patent for software and hardware that enables the accuracy of RFID technology to be optimized. The patent covers the technology design centered on its RFID reader software. ...

... "ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID for solution design, deployment, and optimization software, announces the award of a broad patent relating to the use of software and equipment to improve RFID performance accuracy and visibility. Patent number 7,132,948 was granted on November 7, 2006 and covers a system and method for optimally placing RFID tag and reader antennas. The intellectual property behind the patents is one design component that forms the foundation of ODIN's EasyReader software. ODIN technologies' patent portfolio is centered on intellectual property, innovative software, algorithms, and methodologies which automate the RFID system life-cycle from installation and design to trouble-shooting and maintenance. ODIN technologies' pioneering physicists and RF engineers began developing solutions to challenging RFID performance problems many years ago and have worked with scores of clients to prove out those strategies. Based on RF physics, ODIN's portfolio of solutions and methodologies provide rapid insight into why certain approaches will be successful and why other approaches fail. This saves end users time and cost, helps avoid predictable pitfalls and improves system performance. " ...


Via ODIN technologies: ODIN technologies Awarded U.S. Patent for RFID Accuracy Optimization ...

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

OTI RFID Supports Discover Network Contactless Payment

OTI RFID Reader is certified for use by the Discover Network
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

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Monday, December 04, 2006

RFID Tag: Radiation Resistant

RFID tags can be processed with gamma rays
AdvantaPure introduces the GammaTag, an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag that is safely sterilizable by gamma radiation. ...

... "GammaTag provides reliable electronic identification and data storage of single-use/disposable components used in critical process industries, such as pharmaceutical, bioprocess/biomedical, food and beverage, and medical device. GammaTag easily attaches to components such as sample and production bags, tanks, filters, manifolds, tubing and hose, storage vessels, and to complete single-use systems. Several attachment methods - silicone tape, watchband style holders, pouches, and lamination - are available. GammaTag withstands gamma radiation up to 45 kGy (kilograys) and temperatures from -20°C (-4°F) to 85°C (185°F). GammaTag's read/write ability makes it unique, as data may be written directly on the tag, unlike read-only bar code labels or tags. In conjunction with a handheld tag reader and software (known as PET, Process Equipment Tracking), GammaTag allows access to the current status of process components on the spot - simply aim the reader towards the tag to recall information or to write new data to the tag. " ...


Via AdvantaPure: AdvantaPure Introduces the Only Read/Write RFID Tag That's Gamma-Radiation Resistant ...

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Sunday, December 03, 2006

RFID Starter Kit

RFID kits offered by Kanda to support variety of RFID tags ...
Kanda offers RFID starter kit. The kit has a combined reader and programmer. It supports ISO15693 RFID Tags and will also read ISO14443A RFID tags. ...

... "Apart from a programmer and reader unit, the Kanda RFID kit includes an RF detector that gives an indication of the RF field strength near a reader, which helps both in development and in the siting of units. However, the most important part of the starter kit is the software package. The protocol used is very flexible to allow engineers to design their own systems to suit their needs, rather than being constrained by the limitations of the software. As well as the standard read, write and lock functions, the protocol allows for continuous read, and includes anticollision algorithms that deals with multiple tags in the reader field. " ...


Via Kanda: RFID Made Easy; New Starter Kit Simplifies Process of Creating Applications Using RFID Systems

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Wednesday, November 29, 2006

RFID Technology Enables Asia Logistics for Metro Supply Chain

The METRO Group and Savi Networks will collaborate to implement the Advanced Logistics Asia (ALA) project. The project will deploy RFID radio frequency identification technology to monitor the location and security of inventory shipped from Asia to Europe in real-time through the supply chain. ...

Metro will use Savi RFID technology in its Asian supply chain ...

... "The ALA project, managed by METRO Group Buying Hong Kong (MGB Hong Kong), will utilize SaviTrak(TM), a web-based, real-time information service that leverages automatic data transmissions from Electronic Product Code (EPC) - compliant passive and active RFID tags, among other wireless devices, on shipments transported throughout the global supply chain. MGB Hong Kong manages METRO Group imports from sourcing to delivery at Distribution Centers in Germany. Under the ALA project, SaviTrak will monitor a variety of retail products while they are transported through a global RFID reader network, stretching from a consolidation center in Hong Kong, through the Port of Hong Kong, to the Port of Rotterdam, the inland Port of Duisburg in Germany and finally to a METRO Group distribution center in Unna, Germany.

RFID readers will provide real-time visibility to Metro's supply chain throughout the Asia Pacific region

Active, battery-powered RFID tags on containers will be utilized to automatically transmit information into the SaviTrak information service. As a six-month pilot, the ALA project is designed to evaluate improvements in the visibility, management and security of inventory while it is transported end-to-end. The project will further evaluate investment returns in reduced lead times and inventory, improved customer service as well as supply chain and financial performance." ...


Via Savi Networks: The METRO Group and Savi Networks Launch Real-Time Information Service on Inventory Shipped From Asia to Europe

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Monday, November 27, 2006

RFID Reader: European Channel Strategy

SkyeTek uses the VAR approach as its channel strategy to Spain and Portugal. ...

SkyeTek targets European markets of Spain and Portugal with VAR channel strategy

... "SkyeTek, Inc., the leading provider of embedded RFID reader technology, announced the addition of a value added reseller (VAR) that will provide the company with a specialized sales, systems integration, and support presence in Spain and Portugal, one of the largest European markets for RFID. NextPoint Solutions will carry SkyeTek's M1, M2, and M9 HF and UHF reader modules. These reader modules are based on SkyeTek's simple common architecture and powerful ReaderWare software. " ...


Via SkyeTek: SkyeTek Signs Value Added Reseller to Serve Growing RFID Reader Markets in Europe

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Monday, November 20, 2006

HighSpeed RFID Read Rates: Pharma Cases

Impinj discusses results of live demonstration of RFID technology in pharmaceutical packaging application with Owens-Illinois (O-I) at the RFID Health Care Industry Adoption Summit in D.C. ...

... "In pharmaceutical manufacturing and fill-line demonstrations, a near-field UHF Gen 2 RFID solution, comprising Impinj's Speedway reader and O-I's item-level embedded RFID tags powered by Impinj's Monza chips, achieved 100% reliability when reading and writing tags at high speed on pharmaceutical bottles. In the first demonstration, the UHF Gen 2 system programmed 96-bit EPC numbers at rates exceeding 600 tags per minute on bottles containing the four most common dose types - liquids, gel caps, solids and powder. In the second demonstration, the system developed by Impinj and O-I flawlessly read 600 tags per minute on cases containing 48 individually tagged bottles and a case-level tag. " ...


Via Impinj: Impinj-Powered UHF Gen 2 RFID Solution Delivers Exceptional Results for Item Tagging of Pharmaceuticals

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Sunday, November 19, 2006

Solar RFID: RPI Pilot

RPI pilots solar-powered RFID readers to collect traffic data and monitor flow. The portable RFID reader has the potential to decrease traffic congestion and enable travel time estimation in real-time, using intelligence dynamically about work zones, events, etc. When fully networked, the RFID-enable database can recommend the best driving routes and avoid construction zones and accidents. ...

RPI pilots RFID readers deployed with solar power

... "In the coming months, the units will be deployed to collect traffic data during the morning commute on busy Capital Region roads. The portable units, which are based on the same technology as E-ZPass tag readers, could eventually be used to provide valuable data for a variety of applications, from decreasing congestion in work zones to assisting emergency evacuations. A portable, solar-powered tag reader that collects data to monitor traffic flow. The research is funded through a $3.9 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to the Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Studies (CITS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. " ...


Via Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Portable, Solar-Powered Tag Readers Could Improve Traffic Management

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Saturday, November 18, 2006

RFID Passport Hack

Details of RFID e-passport being hacked ...

... "using a Bluetooth antenna connected to an RFID reader, Laurie relayed details of his son's passport over a distance of 10 metres and through two walls to a laptop. " ...


Via Guardian Unlimited: Link

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Sunday, November 12, 2006

RFID Vending Contactless Payment

SkyeTek and IsoChron partner to deliver RFID enablement of vending machines with contactless payment ...

RFID enables contactless payment

... "Isochron selected SkyeTek's M2 contactless payment module as the embedded RFID reader to enable secure, cashless payment at cold-drink vending machines. With robust read performance, onboard security, and contactless payment support, the M2 is the clear leader in performance, reliability, and security protection among contactless payment reader modules. " ...


Via SkyeTek: Link

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Monday, October 23, 2006

RFID Out-of-Box Solution: SMB Market

Intermec partners to create an out-of-box RFID compliance experience for suppliers to the retail industry and the Department of Defense. This is especially critical for small and medium sized businesses (SMB market) as this RFID kit enabled them to accelerate their RFID compliance efforts. The kits include everything required to meet RFID compliance mandates, generate and apply Generation-2 RFID tags, and verify tag information. This is a time-saver as it enables an SMB customer to accelerate to the integration testing phase. ...

... "To generate a label, customer order information and the customer-stipulated label format is transmitted by the Intermec portable terminal to the PM4i printer's on-board encoder, which translates the information and prints it into an RFID-readable tag, barcode or human readable label. The printer's embedded reader then scans and verifies the tag's information before it is placed on a carton or pallet. The Intermec 751, operating with an attached IP4 portable reader, or the IF5 fixed RFID reader then re-verifies the order information and confirms shipment. The Informs kit comes with stand-alone PC-based compliance software that includes all standard retail and DOD-compliant label formats, so users have easy and immediate access to compliant label formats. The software can act as a stand-alone shipping application and interoperates with all ERP software for complete system integration. A key component of the system, EPC Solutions' Tag Manager software contains GTIN and SSCC smart labels information and allows users to immediately begin shipping cases and pallets with standards-compliant, up-to-date labeling. " ...


Via Intermec: Intermec and Informs Deliver Affordable, Streamlined RFID Compliance Kit

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Tuesday, October 17, 2006

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 ...

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Sunday, October 15, 2006

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 ...

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Thursday, October 12, 2006

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 RFID reader module for the Korean market

... "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 ...

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Tuesday, October 03, 2006

SAP Cisco RFID Investment

SAP and Cisco invest in Reva Systems through investment, industry collaboration, and strategic relationships. ...

... "Reva Systems, an emerging leader among radio frequency identification (RFID) network infrastructure providers, announced $13.5M in second-round venture funding that includes a capital contribution and technology standards collaboration with Cisco Systems, Inc.; a capital investment and strategic relationship with SAP Ventures, a division of SAP AG (NYSE: SAP); and follow-on investments from Reva's original venture backers and individual investors, including North Bridge Venture Partners and Charles River Ventures. Today's announcement brings Reva's total funding to $20M including the original Series A financing in April, 2004. The investments will fund Reva's growth in a time of intensifying global RFID market expansion. The company is well-positioned with a robust RFID appliance to satisfy network management and scalability challenges that the RFID community now recognizes as the key to widespread RFID deployment.

Reva Systems receives investment from SAP and Cisco

Reva's approach and its product development are aligned with Cisco's expectation of the proliferation of RFID and the resulting demand for innovative solutions and network management to support RFID deployments. Reva is leading industry standards committees to help define network-to-reader protocols and other standards that will streamline RFID network integration, and its approach is becoming the practical model for managing readers and collecting data across any RFID implementation." ...

Via Reva Systems: Reva Secures Investments from Cisco Systems and SAP Ventures: Funding accelerates RFID network integration effort ...

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Saturday, September 23, 2006

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 ...

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Monza RFID Tag Readers Gen2 Interoperable ...

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

Monza tags certified as Generation 2 RFID interoperable ...

... "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 ...

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Sunday, September 10, 2006

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.

Kevin Fu of the University of Massachusetts Amherst investigates RFID smart tag security with NSF funding ...

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. " ...


San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District collaborates to address RFID security ...

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. "

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Thursday, August 24, 2006

Protect RFID Passport Faraday Cage ...

Paraben offers inexpensive faraday cage for sale that protects RFID devices, such as electronic passports from privacy invasion. ...

RFID Passport Protection ...

... "Paraben's Passport StrongHold Bags use faraday technology to block wireless signals to protect personal information from being read by would-be identity thieves or other people who wish to invade privacy. These bags are perfect for storing anything using RFID chips so no one can steal the information from the RFID chip. One of the biggest concerns with e-Passports is that any RFID reader could read the information contained on the passport by just being in the same vicinity as the unprotected passport. The principal behind Paraben's Passport StrongHold Bags is based on a faraday cage that blocks signals that emanate from all directions. The bags create a complete enclosure, securing personal information ... " ...

Via Paraben Forensics: RFID Passport Protection ...

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

RFID Retail: Apparel Payback ...

Laudis demo planned for RFID conference will show payback in the retail apparel industry ...

RFID will be demonstrated for use in the apparel industry ...

... "The RFID Journal and AAFA Summit, held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York Aug. 15-16, is the first event of its kind designed to address RFID-related opportunities and issues in the apparel and footwear industry. Laudis and NCR will demonstrate their collaborative end-to-end RFID solution that allows manufacturers to tag apparel at the source, enabling retailers to verify the location or the receipt of garments anywhere within the supply chain. The demonstration (Laudis AAFA Summit booth #3) will feature the Laudis apparel applications and item-level tracking solutions for clothing and footwear. NCR will provide hardware, such as hang tags, flap tags and RFID-reader technology. NCR is also providing Laudis with consulting services and installation support for its end-to-end clothing solution. " ...

NCR offers RFID solutions for retail ... Via NCR: NCR and Laudis Systems Demonstrate End-to-End RFID Solution for Apparel Industry ...

Retail RFID applications are discussed ...

Via CIO Magazine: The RFID Imperative - Retail - prepare systems for RFID technology: "Like most CIOs in the retail industry, he believes that widespread RFID adoption is a sure thing and that the technology—which some day will enable him to track every single product, from manufacture to checkout ... "

ABI has researched the market for retail RFID use ...

The RFID Retail Market Market Research Report from ABI Research: "The retail market is possibly the most talked about in the RFID industry. Although Wal-Mart is not the only retailer that has issued an RFID mandate for its suppliers, it is still the most popular subject. This market is expected to be one of the fastest growing RFID verticals. "

T3CI offers RFID-enabled business intelligence capabilities for the retail industry ...

Via T3CI: RFID Analytics and Application Leadership; Experience Delivering Business Value to Major Retail Suppliers Drive Investment Decision: "T3Ci's software and subscription services are designed for leaders of RFID initiatives at major retail suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to deliver business value from their RFID investments. The company's enterprise-class solutions provide RFID data analysis (only for retailers who allow 3rd party analysis of their EPC data), deductions management and authentication/anti-counterfeiting/e-pedigree – the most comprehensive RFID applications vision. "

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Wednesday, August 09, 2006

RFID Live Spain Military ...

Spain's military has gone-live with Savi RFID-enabled consignment management that is interoperable with other NATO forces for integrated supply chain visibility. ...

Spain military implements Savi RFID technology and is live with consignment management in the supply chain ...

... "The Spanish Armed Forces (SAF) now is up and running with an active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network and software platform that can be interoperable with similar network solutions deployed by NATO and other allied defense forces. The compatible RFID networks provided by Savi Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, now enable SAF and NATO to automatically track and manage national and multi-national, joint force consignments as they're transported through each other's far-reaching supply chains, extending through Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere worldwide. The RFID platform was installed through the Savi Consignment Management Solution (CMS), which consists of Savi SmartChain Site Manager, Savi SmartChain Enterprise Platform and Savi SmartChain Consignment Management Application. The solution also includes Savi's data-rich, active RFID tags, fixed readers and handheld reader kits based on Echopoint technology - a highly configurable system using dual frequencies for spot-level and wide-area locating of consignments and supply chain assets. " ...

Via Savi Technology: SPAIN'S MILITARY NOW UP AND RUNNING WITH SAVI TECHNOLOGY'S RFID-BASED CONSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION ...

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Friday, July 07, 2006

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology ...

Zebra licenses Magellan's PJM Phase Jitter Modulation technology to support its RFID produtct development. ...

Magellan licenses its PJM technology ...

... "Under the license agreement, Zebra has the right to develop and commercialize RFID reader modules and tags that incorporate Magellan's patented PJM technology. In 2006, Zebra plans on embedding the reader modules in its printer/encoder products to enable more efficient programming of smart labels and tags. Ratified in 2004, PJM is an HF RFID system specified in an existing global standard: ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 2, RFID for Item Management. Because the technology is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are packed tightly or need to be read reliably in dynamic situations, it is an ideal solution for pharmaceutical e-Pedigree, document control, gaming and other applications." ...

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology: Via Zebra Technologies: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES NEW RFID LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MAGELLAN TECHNOLOGY ...

Magellan Technology Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, is a technology developer, manufacturer and licensor of advanced read and write 13.56MHz RFID systems. Magellan designs and offers RFID chips, inlets and a complete reader portfolio (multi channel, multi antenna, tunnel, and tray readers) and all operating software. Magellan’s Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) technology complies with the International Standard ISO/IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2. PJM is optimized for applications where many hundreds of tags are stacked tightly or need to be identified reliably in dynamic situations including pharmaceutical authentication, document control, jewelry tracking and gaming management. The technology is also optimized for conveyor fed applications where tags are presented in all orientations. Typical applications are in the airline baggage, postal and courier markets. Magellan develops and licenses its PJM technology world wide to interested parties including other manufacturers and system integrators.

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Tuesday, July 04, 2006

China RFID: Postal Efficiency ...

Symbol enables efficiency in China (Shanghai Post Office) through RFID technology that automates tracking. ...

Symbol support efficient process in China mail tracking ...

... "Symbol's RFID technology enabled Shanghai Post to automatically track the status of mail bags en route from individual post offices to various collection and sortation centers within Shanghai. The current process of tracking the mail bags involves bar coded tags, which while reliable, does require some manual intervention. China Post has verified that RFID technology can reduce the amount of time it takes to process the mail bags, because the bags can be automatically tracked as they move through various points in their processing cycle.

China Post has deployed Symbol's ruggedized and reusable RFID tags, XR400 RFID fixed readers, high-performance area antennas, and MC9000 mobile computers. Symbol's XR400 RFID reader automates high-performance RFID tag reading and writing and is certified by EPCglobal for full Gen 2 dense-reader mode support, and provides China Post with accurate read rates in environments where multiple readers have the potential to create interference with one another. The success of this project was due to close collaboration between Shanghai Post's operations team, Concord Unity and Symbol Technologies. Through joint cooperation, all parties were able to design and deliver a solution that met all of China Post's requirements. " ...

China RFID: Postal Efficiency: Via Symbol Technologies: China Post Selects Symbol for Express Mail Bag Tracking and Monitoring ...

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Monday, July 03, 2006

RFID Reader: ROHS Compliant ...

Omron introduces 13.56MHz ISO15693 RFID readers, that comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) Directive. ...

Omron launches RFID reader that is ROHS compliant ...

... "The suite of new products includes 4W and 1W output fixed type readers (V720S-BC5D4, V720S-CD1D), and an embedded OEM reader (V720S-HMC73). Omron RFID began producing V720 HF series readers in 2000 and since then has shipped more than 300,000 units worldwide. They are used today in a wide variety of RFID reader applications including manufacturing and distribution logistics, consumer goods packaging, libraries and the apparel industry. Omron's long track record for superior quality RFID products and our established expertise in HF RFID technology today provides immediate solutions to those whose needs involve item-level tagging, particularly pharmaceutical, asset management and library applications ... " ...

RFID Reader: ROHS Compliant: Via Omron: Suite Of RoHS Compliant HF (13.56MHz) RFID Products ...

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Sunday, July 02, 2006

RFID Intermec Alien IP Tussle ...

Intermec and Alien compete for the use of RFID intellectual property. Intermec claims rights to the IP given its patents. Alien is challenging. ...

... "Intermec is seeking an injunction prohibiting Alien from selling the infringing RFID products, as well as monetary damages. Also today, Intermec filed a motion to dismiss a declaratory judgment action filed by Alien in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota. Intermec is moving to dismiss the case on the ground that the North Dakota federal court does not have jurisdiction to hear the case. An RFID pioneer, Intermec holds more than 150 RFID patents, including patents core to the use of RFID.

Intermec and Alien Technology compete for the RFID intellectual property right ...

Committed to providing industry access to its RFID patent estate, Intermec in 2005 offered a Rapid Start RFID licensing program that provided access to portfolios of its RFID patents. Twenty RFID industry leaders, including RFID, chip, tag, reader, printer and wireless network manufacturers, were selected for the program. Alien Technology is not one of the licensees. " ...

RFID Intermec Alien IP Tussle: Via Intermec: Intermec Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Alien Technology: Complaint Specifies Alien’s Generation 2 RFID Products ...

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Saturday, July 01, 2006

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.

Paypass RFID picture ...

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 ...

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Wednesday, June 28, 2006

SAP RFID Solution: Acsis Link ...

SAP and Acsis link up for RFID compliance solutions ...
SAP and Acsis deliver offering to help customers comply with RFID mandates, while creating a scalable end-to-end RFID architecture for the enterprise. ...

... "Utilizing the SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, built on SAP NetWeaver, and Acsis Data-Link Enterprise platforms, a Certified for SAP NetWeaver solution, these two leaders in RFID and supply chain solutions provide a complete package for both SAP and non-SAP customers. Further, their integrated solution provides the foundation needed to quickly scale and derive value as mandates expand. With the End to End approach, Acsis and SAP will combine Acsis's Tag/Reader recommendation for hardware, Acsis and SAP process design, software, and complete implementation in 30 days to help customers achieve their immediate compliance needs. The offering can be delivered either fully integrated with SAP back office systems or as a completely standalone system. Further, the offering can be integrated with any ERP and WMS solution using SAP's Exchange Infrastructure and Acsis Data-Link Enterprise integration capabilities. The integrated offering provides complete device orchestration, data collection, and the transformation of RFID data into business context for commissioning, packing, loading, shipping, tracking, and analytics for RFID. " ...

SAP RFID Solution: Acsis Link: Via Acsis: ACSIS and SAP LAUNCH END TO END OFFERING FOR RFID COMPLIANCE ...

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Saturday, June 24, 2006

RFID Chips Smart Library ...

The smart library is enabled by Philips RFID chip technology ...
Philips Electronics announces next-generation ICODE product, ICODE SLI S, which is based on RFID technology and enables controls in the smart library ...

... "Librarians are able to address many of the challenges found in library management, including reader logistics, material identification and inventory and information storage. The ICODE SLI-S offers increased read performance and is specifically well suited for automated management of media in libraries. With Philips RFID technology embedded, consumers can also enjoy an enhanced library visit, with faster check-out of books, CDs and DVDs. In addition to this self-service checkout, consumers can also serve themselves when making returns. At return, the item is scanned in and automatically sorted by electronic sorting stations which saves library staff time. With RFID technology embedded, consumers and library staff alike enjoy a simpler, more efficient experience. To date, several hundreds of libraries worldwide have installed RFID for self-service check-in and check-out, automatic sorting and cataloguing, as well as advanced theft protection; more than 50 percent of these libraries use Philips ICODE technology. As the largest producer of RFID ICs worldwide, Philips has secured design-ins in the public library in Singapore with the largest RFID installation globally of more than 10 million RFID labels in use; the public library of Shen Zhen; Jimei University Library in Xiamen, China, and Europe's largest RFID installation in libraries, the Munich Public Library. " ...

RFID Chips Smart Library: Via Philips: Libraries around the world are becoming smarter with Philips RFID chips

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