Monday, February 12, 2007

ItemLevel RFID Pharma Packaging

Impinj RFID solutions address high tag-throughput rates and secure track and trace capabilities, which are essential deployment criteria for RFID technology in pharmaceutical supply chains. Impinj RFID reader achieves read reliability with throughput exceeding 1000 tags per second in supply chain environments, and 200 tags per second in dense reader environments with up to eight readers. ...

Impinj RFID technology is planned for pharma supply chains

... "Scheduled for production-level deployment in the second quarter of 2007, Purdue Pharma's Gen 2 RFID-enabled packaging line will utilize the Impinj GrandPrix UHF RFID solution, comprising Speedway readers, tags powered by Monza chips, and application-specific near-field reader antennas. The packaging line will be certified for production readiness under SYSTECH International's TIPS Serialized Product Tracking solution that includes exhaustive tests modeling Purdue Pharma production packaging environments. During advance testing, the Impinj-powered packaging line surpassed tag read rate requirements with 100% tag read reliability. " ...


Via Impinj: Purdue Pharma Selects Impinj Gen 2 RFID Item-Level Tagging Technology for First-of-Its-Kind High-Speed Packaging Line

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

RFID Products: Microsoft Technology Centers

ntermec will deliver RFID hardware to Microsoft Technology Centers throughout the United States in support of business scenario testing. ...

Internmec IV7 vehicle mounted RFID reader

... "Microsoft Technology Centers allow enterprises and ISV (independent software vendor) customers to envision, architect, and evaluate technology solutions before buying and deploying them in their own IT environment. Intermec's CV60 vehicle-mounted computers, IV7 vehicle-mounted RFID readers and IA33E RFID antennas are available for use in real-world RFID scenarios at Microsoft Technology Centers in Austin, Reston, Chicago, Boston, Silicon Valley and New York. Microsoft selected Intermec for its RFID technology and thought leadership, its commitment to the Microsoft platform, and Intermec RFID hardware interoperability with the Microsoft BizTalk RFID platform. " ...


Via Intermec: Intermec Selected to Supply RFID Products to Microsoft Technology Centers

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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. "

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

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. "

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , ,

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

RFID Privacy Guidelines: Ontario Canada ...

Ontario issues guidelines for RFID privacy ...
Ontario Commissioner for Information and Privacy releases privacy guidelines for the field of radio frequency identification (RFID). ...

... "RFID tags contain microchips and tiny radio antennas that can be attached to products. They transmit a unique identifying number to an electronic reader, which in turn links to a computer database where information about the item is stored. RFID tags may be read from a distance quickly and easily, making them valuable for managing inventory but pose potential risks to privacy if linked to personal identifiers. RFID tags are the next generation technology from barcodes.

Although RFID technology deployed in the supply chain management process poses little threat to privacy, item-level use of RFID tags in the retail sector, when linked to personally identifiable information, can facilitate the tracking and surveillance of individuals. The goal of these Guidelines is to alleviate concerns about the potential threat to privacy posed by this technology and to enhance openness and transparency about item-level use of RFID systems by retailers. The Guidelines address key privacy issues regarding the use of RFID technology at an item-level in the retail sector, said Commissioner Cavoukian. The Guidelines are based on three overarching principles:

Focus on RFID information systems, not technologies.

Build in privacy and security from the outset – at the design stage.

Maximize individual participation and consent. " ...

RFID Privacy Guidelines: Ontario Canada: Via Canada IPC: Commissioner Cavoukian issues RFID Guidelines and Practical Tips aimed at protecting privacy

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, June 19, 2006

RFID Tag Acquisition Network TAN ...

Reva Systems introduces intelligent enterprise network architecture for RFID systems ...
Reva Systems launches open-standards-based enterprise network architecture to support RFID implementation. Reva's approach to RFID architecture is compatible with those network intelligence standards that support LANs, WLANs, SANs, etc. ...

... "Reva Systems, an emerging company focused on delivering the industry's first network-centric architecture for growing radiofrequency identification (RFID) implementations, announced its open, standards-based Tag Acquisition Network (TAN) architecture. Until today, RFID deployments have been limited to small groups of proprietary readers connected to servers running RFID software. With today's announcement, Reva introduces the TAN as the catalyst that enables RFID pilots to advance to scalable, repeatable, and reliable enterprise‐wide rollouts. The proliferation of RFID is inevitable as the promise of commercial benefits across industries is realized. With the number of network‐connected readers deployed globally projected to grow beyond 100 million within the next decade, the RFID reader is poised to become the most numerous and densely deployed device in the enterprise networks of leading corporations including retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers, and entertainment venues around the world. To date, RFID pilots have typically been limited in scale and require custom implementation. As RFID moves into multiple-application, enterprisewide deployments, the ability to scale rollouts is critical. " ...

RFID Tag Acquisition Network: Via Reva Systems: Reva Systems Announces the Tag Acquisition Network (TAN)to Accelerate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Deployments: Network-Centric Architecture Applies Proven Networking Concepts to RFID ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

RFID ePassport Authentication ...

ePassport Authentication with RFID reader from Viisage ...
Viisage supports the authentication of Australia's ePassports through RFID technology. ...

... "Viisage, a leading provider of advanced technology identity solutions, announced that the Australia Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has selected the Viisage iA-thenticate(R) Smart Chip/RFID Electronic Document Reader to improve security in more than 25 Australian overseas locations worldwide. This is the third of three consecutive contracts awarded to Viisage from the Australian government. Australia has been a leader in implementing Viisage's innovative document authentication technologies and products, which include one of the world's largest document databases for ensuring the authenticity of standard identity documents.

DIMA plans to use the Viisage iA-thenticate Smart Chip/RFID Electronic Document Reader to improve overall security around the issuance of travel and identity documents, specifically e-passports. The product is designed to ensure that all documents presented as proof of identification are credible and authentic. Following Brazil's implementation, previously announced in March 2006, this marks the second deployment of this unique product since its recent launch. Viisage provides other document authentication products to more than 20 countries including Australia, Canada, Sweden, Hungary, Brazil, Japan, and The United Arab Emirates. " ...

RFID ePassport Authentication: Via Viisage: Viisage's Proven Document Authentication Technology Aids Australian Border Control and Embassy Safety Initiatives Worldwide: Australia's Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Awards Viisage Contract for Authentication of E-passports; Marks Third Consecutive Contract from an Australian Agency ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, June 01, 2006

RFID 3Gen Reader Chipset ...

Anadigm Rangemaster 5 supports 3Gen chipset for RFID reader applications ...
Anadigm introduces 3rd generation RFID reader chipset, that can be leveraged in high and ultra-high frequency applications and RFID tag types. ...

.... "Anadigm announced the immediate availability of RangeMaster5, the company's third-generation RFID reader 3.3 volt chip set solution that allows system vendors to design and maintain a single combination HF and UHF reader. The Rangemaster5-based system can be customized to read different radio frequency identification (RFID) tag types, with different modulation types and frequencies. RangeMaster5 also fully supports current HF standards as well as the newer standards under study by EPC (Electronic Product Code) Global, Inc. Like previous RangeMaster devices, RangeMaster5 will support UHF protocols- EPC Global Gen 1 and Gen 2 (class 0, 1, 2) as well as ISO18000-6 standards. RangeMaster5 is the third in a family of RFID reader solutions that Anadigm is developing for the rapidly expanding RFID markets. RFID technology is revolutionizing markets as diverse as retail sales - by managing inventory and electronic payments via mobile phones - to medical applications by ensuring that hospital patients receive the correct treatments and medications.

RangeMaster5 is a three-chip set comprised of two dynamically programmable analog signal processors (dpASP) in conjunction with an RFID State Machine. This enables system designers to develop universal RFID readers that can support both HF and UHF, changing between HF and UHF baseband frequencies dynamically, in a few microseconds. RangeMaster5 also features the ability to dynamically change between protocols and frequencies allowing for optimized RFID tag reading. By allowing standardization around a single printed circuit board to support multiple end products and markets, RangeMaster5 simplifies and improves product development. This next generation of RangeMaster not only reduces development time and ownership costs of fixed systems, but also enables portable designs by reducing supply voltage requirements and power consumption. " ...

RFID 3Gen Reader Chipset: Via Anadigm: Anadigm Reveals Third Generation Chipset for Combination HF and UHF RFID Readers ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

RFID Memory Chips: 2048Bits ...

RFID memory chips introduced ...
STMicroelectronics introduces RFID memory chips that support 2048 bits of information. ...

... "STMicroelectronics, a worldwide leader in serial non-volatile memories, announced the availability of two new 2048-bit long range RFID memory products that are fully compliant with the ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO/IEC 18000-3 Mode 1 RFID standards for tracking applications. The use of 2048-bit memories in the LRI2K and LRIS2K has been driven by the demand for increased memory in cost-sensitive general-purpose RFID applications requiring both data storage and security. The new devices are particularly suited for market segments such as access control, library automation, and supply-chain management, as well as for anti-counterfeiting of sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals and high-value items.

Both the LRI2K and LRIS2K provide 2 Kbits of electrically erasable user memory (EEPROM), with an on-chip RF interface operating at the standard HF (high-frequency) 13.56MHz carrier frequency. Offering high-speed data-rate capability, an application reading range of up to 1.5m, and the advantages offered by 13.56MHz-based RFID technology, such as high reliability and low RFID reader cost, the two devices are highly suited for item-level tagging, whenever security, inventory speed, and tag size are relevant requirements. " ...

RFID Memory Chips: 2048Bits: Via STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics Unveils New 2-Kbit Long-Range RFID Chips for Multi-Purpose Asset-Tracking Applications ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, May 19, 2006

RFID Chip Tracks Bodies Evidence ...

RFID tracks bodies at a crime or disaster scene ...
Verichip and Ricoh collaborate to deliver integrated RFID process for tracking bodies and evidence at a disaster or crime scene. ...

... "The VeriTrace system includes a unique implantable RFID microchip, the Ricoh camera capable of receiving both RFID scanned data and GPS data wirelessly, and a Web-enabled database for gathering and storing information and images captured during emergency response operations. The microchip is inserted into the remains at the onset of processing and a VeriChip wireless handheld reader is waved over the insertion area to read the unique 16-digit ID. Then the Ricoh camera accesses each ID from the reader and automatically embeds this ID into every subsequent image taken around those particular remains. In addition to embedding the VeriChip ID into the image, the Ricoh camera also embeds the GPS coordinates of the subject being captured into the image. The data and images are gathered and uploaded (or entered) into a proprietary Web-enabled database or an existing database system at the intended facility. This database ensures the precise collection, storage, and inventory of all data and images related to each set of remains and the associated evidentiary items. This also allows the facility to recreate an accurate and complete reconstruction of a disaster setting, crime scene or similar environments and locations that would require such action. " ...

RFID Chip Tracks Bodies: Via VeriChip: VeriChip & Ricoh to Demonstrate VeriTrace ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Active RFID Tags: Sense Respond ...

Savi introduces active RFID tags that sense and respond to environmental conditions in the global supply chain. ...

... "In addition to RFID components that automatically locate goods in the supply chain, the ST-673 and ST-674 contain sensors that monitor temperature and humidity changes of the container's contents or other supply chain assets. When commissioning the tags, users can set acceptable temperature and humidity ranges tailored to the characteristics of the particular goods to be monitored. The Savi ST-673 and ST-674 are active RFID tags that provide visibility to assets and shipments as they move through the supply chain. In addition, the tags periodically record the environmental status data to an event log in the Savi SensorTag's memory. If the collected data rises or falls outside the acceptable condition range, the Savi SensorTag sends a real-time alarm to a fixed or mobile RF reader, and notification of the temperature or humidity change is escalated via a web application, cell phone or email, allowing the problem to be addressed immediately before spoilage or damage occurs. The complete environmental event logs can be uploaded to handheld readers or to fixed readers at stationary sites such as yards and warehouses in the supply chain. This enables users to identify the time and location of unacceptable environmental conditions, or to confirm that acceptable ranges, and therefore shipment quality, are maintained throughout the journey.

The ST-673 and ST-674 sensor tags are each about 6x2 inches, have memory storage of up to 128K bytes of data and are highly ruggedized for harsh environments. Savi Technology's active RFID tags, which have been deployed to track over two million shipments in over 2,000 supply chain locations for defense and commercial customers, include read ranges of up to 300 feet, beepers for audio location and rugged designs that can withstand the most harsh climatic conditions. Savi's family of active RFID tags are based on Savi's EchoPoint Technology, an innovative technology that combines Ultra High Frequency (433.92 MHz) and Low Frequency (123 kHz) communications for both long-range and more precise spot-level location. This technology also enables data to be written to the tags while they're in-transit, as well as to capture important data about the shipment from mobile readers. " ...

Active RFID Tags: Sense Respond: Via Savi Technology: SAVI TECHNOLOGY RELEASES NEW RFID SENSOR TAGS TO TRACK AND MONITOR THE CONDITION OF GLOBAL SHIPMENTS: New Mounting Options of Savi Sensor Tags (ST-673 and ST-674) Can Be Affixed to Metal, Plastic, Wood, Cardboard and Other Containers ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Goodyear RFID: NASCAR Tire Tracking ...

Goodyear implements RFID technology from Psion Teklogix to trakc tires at NASCAR races. ...

... "Goodyear, the world's largest tire company, has implemented an RFID solution to track its tires at all three of NASCAR's premier series in 2006. Goodyear's RFID solution is assisting NASCAR in leveling the playing field among its teams through a tire leasing program that controls access to the tires available at race events, as well as at officially sanctioned test sessions. Goodyear is using the Psion Teklogix 7535 with RD7950 UHF RFID Reader along with a software application from CTI, Akron, OH, to track and manage its tires at all three NASCAR top series in 2006, including the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. With 43 cars at each Nextel Cup race and each car using about 10 sets of tires per race, the task of tracking all of the tires can be challenging and time consuming. Goodyear's goal is to optimize how it tracks the nearly 2,000 tires from manufacturing through distribution to the teams, and then to the final disposition of the tires after each race. " ...

Goodyear RFID: NASCAR Tire Tracking: Via Psion Teklogix (US): Psion Teklogix Provides RFID Solutions to Goodyear ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

RFID Smart Shelf Dispenser ..

TagSys develops new item-level RFID reader-based devices that target improvement of inventory management for the pharmaceutical, retail, library and industry laundry sectors through an RFID-enabled Smart Shelf and Smart Dispenser products. ...

... "The Smart Shelf simulates the 3D tunnel reader approach on a static standard shelf. The Shelf is designed to read any tag that is placed on the surface of the shelf. Previous designs of RFID shelves have required tags to be perpendicular to the antenna. The new Smart Shelf is designed to provide accurate readings regardless of the orientation of the tag. The Smart Shelf is highly sought after by libraries to help manage high volumes of books and other media, the pharmaceutical industry, where RFID tagged bottles can be tracked and monitored, high-end jewelry stores, and retail, where inventory of items like DVDs and CDs can be monitored to ensure availability during peak seasons of demand. The Smart Dispenser provides a volume based approach to reading the items in the dispenser. A typical dispenser could be a drawer or cabinet used to dispense items to authorized individuals. The items can be placed in any order or orientation in the dispenser. The new design reads the items in the dispenser when the drawer is opened and again when it is closed. The items that are removed are identified through the difference between reads. One user example of the Smart Dispenser is the management of hospital garments (scrubs) used by medical staff. To help hospitals manage hygiene and sterilization requirements, the Smart Dispenser can dispense the appropriate attire to the staff, (e.g. size, number of previous washes, etc.), and also monitor inventory and how that inventory is being managed. " ...

RFID Smart Shelf Dispenser: Via TAGSys: TAGSYS Develops Item-Level RFID Smart Shelf And Smart Dispenser For Pharma, Libraries And Retail ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RFID Reader: Item-Level Retail POS ...

TagSys demonstrates new dual frequency, universal (UHF and HF) item-level RFID reader designed for the point-of-sale (POS) retail market. ...

... "The universal reader integrates HF and UHF reader modules and antennas into a single package. The slim-line, bench top device is optimized for POS applications and measures 460mm x 460mm x 25mm. The reader can read up to five HF and/or UHF tagged items at a time as they are passed directly over the reader. Building on TAGSYS' long standing expertise in delivering Reliable, Accurate and Secure (R.A.S.) systems, the unique approach contains the UHF field to eliminate any external interference, thereby reading only the items being purchased. The demonstration at RFID Journal Live will include multiple HF and UHF tagged products. As the items are read, the information is captured on a screen that notes the item, displays a graphic of the item along with its price and the radio frequency of the tag. " ...

RFID Reader: Item-Level Retail POS: Via TAGSYS RFID: TAGSYS demonstrates dual frequency UHF/HF item-level RFID point of sale reader at RFID Journal LIVE 2006 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

RFID Distribution Plan: Channel Strategy ...

Impinj shares its channel strategy for RFID distribution, which includes value-added reseller (VAR) partners and original equipment manufacturers (OEM). ...

... "A key component of Impinj's GrandPrix RFID solution, the Speedway reader addresses the two most important RFID performance criteria for retail environments - read reliability and operation in dense reader mode. Impinj's Speedway reader received EPCglobal Gen 2 certification and complies with FCC part 15 regulations as well as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive. Manufactured at facilities certified to the ISO 9002:2000 quality standard, all Speedway units undergo extensive testing prior to shipment. " ...

RFID Distribution Plan: Channel Strategy: Via Impinj: Impinj Reveals Worldwide Distribution Strategy for High Performance Speedway Gen 2 Reader ...

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Japan RFID Gen2 Readers ...

Partners collaborate to deliver Gen2 RFID readers to the Japanese market. ...

... "Under the agreement, Impinj will adapt its Speedway Gen 2 RFID readers to conform to Japanese radio frequency regulations. NEC TOKIN will develop and market its own brand of RFID reader products based on the Speedway platform for the Japanese market. The agreement also includes a partnership with NEC Corporation, NEC TOKIN's parent company. NEC will offer the Powered by Impinj readers, with NEC's RFID Manager middleware, as part of its systems integration business. The middleware manages the electronic product code (EPC) information streaming from the readers and sends the data on to warehouse and enterprise management systems. The companies' first joint deployment will be an installation at NEC's Personal Products Co., Ltd, the PC manufacturer, in Yonezawa. Impinj's Speedway reader received the EPCglobal Gen 2 standard certification mark and has been successfully installed in large North American retail and distribution environments that require RFID technology to improve supply chain efficiency. Speedway exhibits unprecedented levels of performance and was recently demonstrated to support item-level RFID tracking for pharmaceuticals, apparel, CD/DVDs and many other high value products. " ...

Japan RFID Gen2 Readers: Via Impinj: Impinj, NEC TOKIN and NEC Partner to Deliver High Performance Gen 2 RFID Readers in Japan ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, May 01, 2006

RFID Reader Software Platform Support ...

iAnywhere supports wide range of fixed and mobile RFID devices through its Anywhere software platform. ...

... "iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc., announced the latest version of RFID Anywhere, the company's software platform that provides an extensible environment for developing and managing robust, highly-distributed radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions. RFID Anywhere 2.1 includes next-generation support for both fixed and handheld RFID devices. This new release gives developers complete access to the full set of features available in an RFID reader, and also provides additional capabilities such as dynamic support for new tag formats such as Gen 2, simplified general purpose input/output (GPIO) control, and reader synchronization for operation in dense-reader mode. " ...

RFID Reader Software Platform Support: Via iAnywhere: Sybase iAnywhere Releases Broadest Support For Fixed And Handheld RFID Devices In New Version Of RFID Anywhere ...

Labels: , , , , , ,

Sunday, April 30, 2006

RFID Ladybag Reader and Tags ...

Exciting use of RFID technology in the ladybag ...

... "The Ladybag, a fabric totebag, uses radio frequency identification tags, a tag reader and a light emitting diode (LED) screen to detect whether any pre-determined items are missing from the bag. As each item is put in, the corresponding LED pattern shuts off, explains Lillian Tam, one of six members of Team Ladybag. When no LEDs are shining, everything is in the bag. " ...

RFID Ladybag Reader and Tags: Via SFU Faculty of Applied Sciences: High Tech Open House for Employers ...

Labels: , , , , , ,

Monday, April 24, 2006

Walmart RFID: Vehicle Mounted Reader ...

Vehicle-mounted RFID reader will be presented at Walmart Supplier Forum. ...

... "LXE Inc., a leading manufacturer of rugged wireless computers that improve the performance of supply-chain execution applications, announced that it will be unveiling its ultra-rugged RX2 lift truck mounted RFID reader at WalMart Supplier On-Boarding Forum and EPCglobal US Tech Expo, April 25 and 26 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The RX2 is the second lift truck mounted RFID reader being developed by LXE, the first one being the RX1 announced last September. The RX2 addresses a need for a simple, easy-to-install, vehicle mounted RFID reader that can be used for standard RFID based forklift pallet move applications such as shipping, receiving, picking and put-aways where EPC RFID based identification of pallet loads and locations are used. The RX2's mounting solution requires no permanent lift modifications or lift truck downtime for installation. The unit is ultra-rugged and has been designed to operate in the extreme environment found on the business end of a lift truck. " ...

Walmart RFID: Vehicle Mounted Reader: Via LXE: LXE Inc. To Unveil RX2 Vehicle Mounted RFID Reader At Wal-Mart Supplier On-Boarding Forum And EPCglobal US Tech Expo ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree ...

Unisys and ODIN Tech collaborate on RFID frequency research for pharmaceutical industry ePedigree applications ...

... "Sponsored by Unisys, who collaborated with ODIN in the design of testing protocols and use cases, the benchmark addresses the industry's heated debate over which frequency, high (HF) or ultra-high (UHF) works best for item-level pharmaceutical tracking and authentication. The testing focused on scientific evaluation of various tags and then pinpointed several popular applications or use-case testing scenarios. Significant collaboration with pharmaceutical clients and partners, including manufacturers and distributors, made the tests particularly salient to a broad audience in the pharmaceutical world. All of the testing was conducted with hardware and tags that are available in production quantities to end-users today. No prototype or hand-built artifacts were allowed in the research as they are untested in production environments and prototype demonstrations are often misleading.

After completing scientific tag testing, ODIN technologies and Unisys extended this study to include RFID use cases typical in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The team used standard pill bottles, liquid filled bottles and blister packs for the testing. These use cases uncover the core requirements of RFID as an e-Pedigree and product authentication tool in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This step goes beyond mere demonstration or theoretical analysis to provide direct evidence of HF and UHF RFID performance in a real world setting. Since there is a wide variety in RFID tag and reader performance, multiple UHF and HF tags and readers were utilized throughout the process. The final performance analysis was based on the best performing reader and tag combinations in each frequency. " ...

RFID Research Pharma Industry Frequency for ePedigree: Via Unisys: Unisys & ODIN technologies' Research Reveals RFID High- vs. Ultra-high Frequency Leader for Pharmaceutical Industry

ODIN technologies is the leader in the physics of RFID infrastructure testing, deployment and software. ODIN technologies leverages its team of RF engineers, physicists and software developers combined with its laboratory facilities to provide RFID consulting services to major retailers, pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods manufacturers, United States government agencies and other RFID adopters. In addition to client deployment services, ODIN technologies is also the publisher of the RFID Benchmark Series, the industry's first and most referenced head to head performance analysis of leading RFID components. ODIN's President and CEO, Patrick J. Sweeney II is also author of RFID for Dummies published by John Wiley & Sons. ODIN technologies is privately held and has labs and offices in Dulles, VA.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

RFID Lab Smart Tag Life-Cycle ...

RFID lab receives RFID reader gift to enable full life-cycle tests of smart tags. ...

... "Radio Frequency Identification technology, silicon-embedded smart tags, is generally expected to be used right alongside Universal Product Codes as an enhancement to product tracking capabilities for the foreseeable future. Indiana University's Kelley School of Business was the first U.S. business school to create a working RFID educational model or lab two years ago. The recent gift of an RFID printer from Zebra Technologies will allow the Kelley School's undergraduate and graduate students to model the complete life cycle of a tag. " ...

RFID Lab Smart Tag Life-Cycle: Via IU: IU's Kelley School receives gift from Zebra Technologies for RFID lab

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, March 27, 2006

RFID Antenna Technology: UHF Performance Boost ...

Omron develops RFID antenna technology that boosts UHF tag reading performance. ...

... "OMRON Corporation, a global leader in automation, sensing and control technologies, announced that it has developed a new electronic control antenna technology. The technology is the first of its kind to be embedded in UHF-band RFID reader that can improve RFID tag reading performance. UHF offers significantly greater communications range than other frequency bands. As a result, the use of UHF RFID systems for full traceability of products has seen tremendous growth in the retail and logistics industries, mainly in the United States but also in other parts of the world. UHF tags, however, are subject to multipath interference, an inherent problem of electromagnetic signals, which can make an RFID tag unreadable even if it is within the range of the reader. To solve this problem, OMRON developed a new type of antenna technology that can electronically control the electromagnetic field emitted from the reader. By adopting this technology for UHF RFID systems, OMRON has succeeded in reducing reflections, thus minimizing the degradation of system performance due to multipath interference. While an electromagnetic wave from a conventional antenna propagates over a wide area as it travels in a given direction, OMRON's new antenna technology allows a wave with directivity to propagate in any specific direction, with the direction of the propagation controllable from the reader. " ...

RFID Antenna Technology: UHF Performance Boost: Via OMRON: OMRON Develops World's First Antenna Technology That Boosts UHF RFID Tag Read Performance ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, March 26, 2006

RFID Definition ...

RFID definition from academia ...

... "Professor Fred Riggins with the Carlson School of Management explained what RFID is: RFID is a tracking and monitoring system that basically consists of three parts. There's the RFID tag that goes on the entity or items that you want to track. There's a reader made of antennae that reads the presence of the RFID tag. And then it's hooked up to a system - a computer system - that has back-end databases and things. " ...

RFID: Via U of M Tech Talk

Labels: , , , , , ,

RFID Research Program: Georgia Tech in Ireland ...

Georgia Tech starts RFID research program at research enterprise in Ireland. ...

... "The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), the applied research arm of the Georgia Institute of Technology, will establish a research enterprise in Athlone, Ireland to focus on industry research and development needs. GTRI Ireland will be GTRI's first applied research facility outside the United States.

The new institute will focus on four technology areas that mirror Ireland's research strengths — digital media, radio frequency identification (RFID), biotechnology and energy. The research with RFID will center on authentication and identification technologies from acoustics to optics for the commercial sector. For instance, because Ireland has a thriving pharmaceutical industry, some of the institute's research will target pill-tracking accuracy, ensuring authenticity and dosage. " ...

Via Georgia Institute of Technology: GTRI to Open Institute in Athlone, Ireland ...

Additional university-sponsored RFID research programs ...

Information Technology Research Institute: RFID Research Center: "Information Technology Research Institute created its first sub-unit, the RFID Research Center. This new center spans many disciplines including retail, supply chain, industrial engineering, and computer science, among others. The center's base of operations is a lab which models a production warehouse environment in 7000 sq ft. of space donated to the center by Hanna's Candles and located within Hanna's manufacturing and warehouse facility. Collaborators with the RFID Research Center within the Walton College include the UA information systems department, the Supply Chain Management Research Center, and the Center for Retailing Excellence. Leveraging multidisciplinary expertise across the University of Arkansas, the RFID Research Center also has collaborative relationships with the College of Engineering, including the departments of computer science and computer engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering; the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, including the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies and the department of public policy; the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences, including the department of food science; and the School of Law. "

RFID@WINMEC:RFID Research: "RFID@WINMEC Middleware - The RFID@WINMEC middleware research project involves the development of a middleware stack with sub-stacks that manages r/w functions, abstracts reader and tags, networks readers together, provides hooks to databases and provides a homogeneous interface for application development. We work with sponsoring organizations on developing and studying RFID pilots by using our RFID middleware stack. "

RFID Academic Convocation II: Opportunities for RFID Sponsored Research Collaboration: "The RFID Academic Convocation brings together Directors of leading RFID research laboratories with executives from lead users in their industries and their RFID platform partners to address underlying research issues surrounding implementation of RFID. This event is part of a series of meetings that are being organized around the world to build collaboration across academic disciplines, institutional and geographic boundaries. Participation by qualified academic and industry researchers and governmental agency representatives is invited. "

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

RFID Radar: Europe Deployment ...

Trolley Scan deploys RFID radar in Europe. ...

... "Trolley Scan (Pty) Ltd, a Johannesburg, South Africa based developer of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technologies announced the delivery of the first commercialised version of an amazing new RFID technology that they have trademarked RFID-radar. The first clients are an IT company based in Europe. Said Mike Marsh, Managing Director of Trolley Scan - The delivery of the first RFID-radar system to our client in Europe, marks the end of a hectic six months of development. Just six months ago we stumbled by chance on a method of measuring the distance, with great accuracy and over long distances, that a signal travelled from a transponder back to a reader. We have had to build concept proving equipment, conduct extensive field tests and design the first version of the commercial equipment. The testing included 14000 range measurements to verify consistency and accuracy. " ...

RFID Radar: Europe Deployment: Via Trolley Scan: TROLLEY SCAN (SOUTH AFRICA) DELIVERS FIRST COMMERCIALISED RFID-RADAR SYSTEM ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, March 13, 2006

RFID Passport Document Reader ...

Viisage RFID Passport document reader is chosen by SERPRO of Brazil to enable electronic authentication at borders. ...

... "SERPRO (Servico Federal de Processamento de Dados) of Brazil has selected Viisage's iA-thenticate(R) Smart Chip/RFID Electronic Document Reader to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of information with e-Passports, e-Visas, driver's licenses and ID cards at all airports, seaports and land crossing borders throughout the country. The contract, valued at $1.7 million, marks the first industry deployment of a smart chip reader and further outlines the option for SERPRO to spend an additional 25% of the original contract value through the exercise of add-on technologies. The systems will be operated by the Department of Federal Police (Departamento de Policia Federal - DPF). This is the first nation-wide implementation of an automated RFID document authentication system in the western hemisphere, and positions Brazil, the fifth most populated country in the world, as a leader in the use of border security technology. The iA-thenticate with smart chip technology helps prevent identity fraud during border crossing by using the embedded e-passport smart chip reader, to verify the validity of credentials that are electronically stored on the e-passport. The product is also used to validate the authenticity of standard passports that are not RFID chip enabled. The implementation will be in conjunction with the production of the new Brazilian passport, which will be issued later in 2006. With more than 200 units already shipped, full deployment is planned to be underway by the end of the first quarter; completed deployment is expected during the second quarter of 2006. " ...

RFID Passport Document Reader: Via Viisage: Viisage is Selected by the Department of Federal Police of Brazil for Border Security Program; The iA-thenticate Smart Chip/RFID Critical to Brazil's Border Security ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, March 12, 2006

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, March 09, 2006

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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

RFID Network Management: Real-Time Tracking ...

Savi offers network management of RFID devices so that real-time tracking of assets can be enabled. ...

... "RFID Network Management: Savi's SmartStart's RFID Network management includes device configuration, monitoring and management. Readers can be monitored to reduce reader network management costs and the required labor and time to manage the local business rules associated with those readers. Users set up real-time alerts so that network device problems are identified immediately. SmartStart's RFID Network Management reports include: Site Infrastructure Report, List of Devices Report, SmartChain Site Manager Downtime Report, Reader Uptime Report, and Low Tag Battery Report. " ...

RFID Network Management: Real-Time Tracking: SAVI SMARTSTART RFID SOLUTION REDUCES TIME AND COST TO DEPLOY REAL-TIME TRACKING OF SUPPLY CHAIN ASSETS ...

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Monday, February 27, 2006

RFID Reader Plug-n-Play ...

Sirit launches plug-n-play RFID reader product line ...

... "Sirit Inc., a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, unveiled the Sirit Plug-n-Play product line - an innovative and cost-effective family of Secure Digital (SDIO) and USB based multi-protocol plug and play products, supporting a wide range of RFID applications. By utilizing industry standard SDIO and USB interfaces and integrated readers and antennas, Sirit's Plug-n-Play RFID products are designed to be easily installed into a broad range of devices without the need for complex engineering support or technical know-how. Accordingly everyday devices including smartphones, PDAs, handhelds, point-of-sale terminals and laptop PCs can now be quickly transformed into low cost RFID readers and writers. " ...


RFID Reader Plug-n-Play: Via Sirit: Sirit Launches Innovative Line of Plug-n-Play RFID Reader Products ...

Labels: , , , , ,

Saturday, February 25, 2006

RFID Tag Reader Mobile Device ...

... "With WINDEV mobile it is possible to better utilise the specific functions of Windows CE. Net on the Datalogic Jet PDA and use the bar code reader and RFID tag reader. " ...


RFID Tag Reader Mobile Device: Via Datalogic: The Datalogic Jet PDA now Compatible with WINDEV Mobile ...

Labels: , ,

Thursday, February 23, 2006

RFID Readers: Wideband Antennas ...

MTI Wireless will showcase RFID reader antenna at upcoming RFID World ...

... "MTI Wireless Edge will exhibit their new range of wide band RFID readers antennas at RFID World 2006. This new family of MTI antennas includes two circular polarized and two linear polarized antennas covering the 856-956MHz band. The new antenna range allows RFID manufacturers to use the same hardware for a variety of geographies. " ...

RFID Readers: Wideband Antennas: Via MTI Wireless: MTI to Show New Wide Band RFID Reader Antenna Range at RFID World 2006 ...

Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

RFID Gen2 Item Level Tags ...

Impinj extends RFID Gen2 solution to item-level tagging ...

... "Impinj, Inc., the fabless semiconductor company whose patented Self-Adaptive Silicon technology enables its high performance radio frequency identification (RFID) products, announced the extension of its GrandPrix Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Gen 2 solution to include item-level tagging capability. Responding to increased demand from the global retail supply chain and other high-growth markets, Impinj has enhanced GrandPrix for tracking pharmaceuticals, apparel, CD/DVDs and many other high-value products. Conforming to EPCglobal's Gen 2 standard, GrandPrix is the first RFID system to provide a single infrastructure suitable for tagging items, cases and pallets, thus simplifying RFID installations and reducing system implementation costs without sacrificing system performance or functionality. Powered by Impinj's industry-leading Monza Gen 2 tag chip and Speedway reader with monostatic antenna technology, the GrandPrix item-level tagging solution also comprises a suite of patented, small-footprint tag antennas optimized for challenging item types or stocking conditions. For example, GrandPrix includes customized tag antennas for garments, DVDs and other stackable items, and items containing liquid or metals. " ...


RFID Gen2 Item Level Tags: Via Impinj: Impinj Extends GrandPrix™ Gen 2 RFID Solution to Item-Level Tagging ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

RFID Label for Anti-Counterfeiting ...

Sokymat offers RFID label for anti-counterfeiting applications in printing ...

... "Sokymat SA, the world's leading supplier of RFID transponders, has developed a 13.56 MHz RFID label specially designed as an anti-counterfeiting tool for printer ribbons. The label attaches directly to the core of the printer ribbon, making it impossible to tamper with. A printer with integrated reader module can now easily distinguish between an original ribbon and unauthorized counterfeits. ... The transponder is available both as a standard label, which comes in a special material with the same printing characteristics as paper, or as a customized product, such as a very robust PET laminated ring label. Sokymat provides this high frequency label with an I-Code1 IC chip. In any case, Sokymat is able to produce any variety of customized label based on ISO 15693 compliant ICs for example.

Sokymat has developed a very small specific flip-chip module package for this application – the SK1 – which makes it possible to produce a very thin and narrow ring transponder, about 10mm wide and less than 1.2mm thick. This very narrow HF label cannot be produced with traditional label manufacturing techniques (printed or etched antenna), which require a larger pitch resolution between the turns of the coil. The antenna is designed to achieve optimum performance despite the interference that may be present. " ...


RFID Label for Anti-Counterfeiting: Via Sokymat: Sokymat launches anti-counterfeiting RFID label designed for printer ribbon identification ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, February 20, 2006

RFID Factory Automation Solutions ...

RFID enables automation of material movements in the factory, avoiding complicated manual efforts to keep transaction systems updated. This also supports the tracking of material genealogy ...

... "For applications on PROFINET, it is possible to use the same RFID function blocks as with connecting to PROFIBUS networks. A function block can process RFID devices both in PROFIBUS and PROFINET environments in a single application. In this way, existing RFID applications in PROFIBUS environments can also be run on PROFINET without modification.

The UHF-range RFID system SIMATIC RF600 for logistics and distribution is being extended – by new components and an intelligent link to SIMATIC IT. The new components are a Mobile Reader and SmartLabels. In addition, RFID data can now be transferred from SIMATIC RF600 with the SIMATIC IT Production Modeler to SIMATIC IT for further processing. MES applications of SIMATIC IT offer new possibilities through RFID integration." ...


RFID Factory Automation Solutions: Via Siemens Industrial Automation Systems: simatic Innovations, November 2005

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, February 19, 2006

RFID Smart Label Print Server ...

Loftware plans RFID product launch at upcoming RFID World ...

... "A proven brand leader for its ability to integrate from a centralized software platform both RFID Smart Labels as well as traditional bar code labeling, this latest release of the Loftware Print Server further extends these capabilities by adding software support for fixed mount RFID reader technology from companies like Alien, Symbol, AWID and ThingMagic. As a result, companies implementing pilot programs can use multiple hardware devices with a single software solution from Loftware. Loftware's highly integrated, multi-device platform encodes and now reads both Smart Labels and RF Tags to perform real time use cases, including building, receiving, and verifying pallets. The Loftware Print Server is a server-based software solution for managing and processing barcode label and RFID Smart Label requests from corporate applications. An enterprise-class solution, LPS 8.4 is a highly-scalable and fault tolerant system designed to handle thousands of requests targeted to hundreds (or thousands) of printers, whether local or remote, with all of the appropriate queuing, status, and recovery features expected in advanced enterprise systems. Key to its leading market status is the product's seamless integration of Department of Defense (DOD) and EPC specifications via universal interfaces for HF, UHF, and GEN 2 RFID whether printing smart labels or encoding RFID tags. " ...


RFID Smart Label Print Server: Via Loftware: New Product to Make First Public Debut at RFID World, Booth 310 on Feb. 27th: INNOVATIVE LPS 8.4 SOLUTION FROM LOFTWARE, THE ONLY USER-CONFIGURABLE PRODUCT IN ITS CLASS TO SUPPORT BOTH LEGACY BAR CODES AND RFID SMART TAGS, NOW INCLUDES RFID TAG READER SUPPORT ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, February 13, 2006

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

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Hospital RFID Asset Management ...

PanGo's RFID technology to be used for hospital asset management ...

... "PanGo's turnkey location management solution includes an intuitive end-user application for asset monitoring and reporting, true Wi-Fi active-RFID tags and a location management platform that integrates location data into third-party and custom healthcare and business applications. PanGo Locator is the only active RFID solution available today that leverages any Wi-Fi access point infrastructure as its reader network, eliminating the need for a separate and costly overlay of proprietary hardware and wiring. Implementation Scheduled at El Camino Hospital: The IT leadership at El Camino Hospital, a full-service acute care facility, is recognized throughout the industry for a vision that consistently sets new standards in leveraging innovation. The team turned to long-time information solutions partner Eclipsys for new ways to boost response time and improve efficiency using El Camino Hospital�s existing Wi-Fi network. A wireless networking team from Eclipsys will lead the implementation of PanGo's active-RFID technology, scheduled to begin in March. " ...

Hospital RFID Asset Management: Via PanGo Networks, Inc: Eclipsys and PanGo Form Strategic Partnership to Deliver Advanced Radio Frequency Identification Solutions to Healthcare Organizations: Partners Sign El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, CA as First Customer ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Gen2 RFID Reader Firmware Upgrade ...

WJ launches Gen2 firmware upgrade for MPR RFID readers ...

... "WJ Communications, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of RF solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets announced the availability of a firmware upgrade to support the EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 standard for its MPR series PCMCIA type II reader cards(TM). Generation 2 RFID technology provides significantly better read range and performance and can be used anywhere, worldwide. The MPR series are designed for UHF Gen 2 functionality and are FCC certified. These readers represent a new level for size, standards-based compatibility, ease of use and performance. WJ is the first company to offer the industry's smallest solution with Gen 2 capability for compact RFID form factors, such as handhelds and printers. " ...

Gen2 RFID Reader Firmware Upgrade: Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications Announces Generation 2 Firmware Upgrade to Support MPR Reader Modules ...

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

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 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, January 30, 2006

Intelligent RFID Readers: Next Generation Through Partnership ...

iAnywhere and Applied Wireless will partner to deliver next-generation intelligent RFID readers ...

... "iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY) and Applied Wireless Identifications, Inc. announced a partnership to jointly develop next generation intelligent RFID readers that take advantage of the features of the iAnywhere RFID Anywhere Appliance Edition. As part of this new relationship, Applied Wireless Identifications (AWID) will embed the iAnywhere RFID Anywhere Appliance Edition into a new line of low-cost readers that include essential security features, multi-protocol communication support, and enhanced remote management and upgrade capabilities. Additionally, the two companies plan to jointly market iAnywhere RFID Anywhere 2.0 to purchasers of the new AWID RFID devices. RFID Anywhere 2.0 enables administrators to easily manage and upgrade a network of RFID readers, including data filtering and aggregation, as well as the execution of business logic. As a result, enterprises deploying RFID networks can reduce their associated administrative overhead through highly efficient management of remote readers. Reader configurations that have been lost or corrupted, for example, can be immediately and automatically restored. Further, logic at the reader level enables local data filtering and smoothing, reducing overall data volumes across the network and making transmitted data more immediately actionable. " ...


Intelligent RFID Readers: Next Generation Through Partnership: Via iAnywhere: iAnywhere And AWID Partner To Deliver Breakthrough Price And Performance In The RFID Intelligent Reader Marketplace ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

RFID Anywhere: Smart Reader Components ...

iAnywhere releases RFID components that enabled smart readers ...

... "iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY), announced the release of RFID Anywhere Appliance Edition. The new product provides RFID hardware manufacturers with embeddable software components to build smart readers that include essential security features, support for a variety of communication protocols, the ability to execute logic on-device, remote management and upgrade capabilities, and RFID reader multi-protocol support. With the RFID Anywhere Appliance Edition, engineers can build RFID readers that are both intelligent and easily managed, thereby significantly reducing the cost of ownership. Through remote management, reader configurations can be quickly and automatically restored, drastically reducing downtime and administrative overhead. On-device logic can filter and smooth data generated by the reader, ensuring that only essential information is transmitted and thus greatly reducing network data volumes. " ...


RFID Anywhere: Smart Reader Components: Via iAnywhere: iAnywhere Enhances Frontline Management Capabilities with Next Release of XcelleNet Afaria ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Active RFID: Temperature Monitoring ...

LogicaCMG combines temperature sensing and active RFID technology to perform condition monitoring ...

... "One of the demonstrations focuses on a project LogicaCMG deployed for the Norwegian high speed train operator, FlytoGet. The system monitors the wheel bearing temperature and alerts the maintenance department if wheel temperatures rise too fast or exceed a pre-defined temperature level. This prevents wheel bearings from overheating and wheels from blocking thus avoiding consequential damage on infrastructure, axels and bearings. LogicaCMG fitted the wheel bearings with a temperature sensor combined with an active RFID tag and installed readers on all the wagons. The Radio Frequency reader and the GPS and GSM/GPRS communication facilities allow the wireless exchange of information and the remote monitoring of the temperature of each wheel bearing. Another functionality is the tracking and tracing of the position and routing of trains in real-time. This project is an excellent example for LogicaCMG's solutions which are tailored for customers needs and integrate different technologies to address them. " ...


Active RFID: Temperature Monitoring: Via LogicaCMG: LogicaCMG showcases transport innovation at Eurorail 2006 ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, January 23, 2006

RFID Standards Workshop Europe ...

Upcoming RFID standards workshop in Europe ...

... "Workshop on Networked RFID: Systems and Services, 14-15 February 2006, ITU Headquarters, Geneva
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the much-touted system that enables data to be transmitted by a tiny portable device, called a tag, which is read by an RFID reader and processed according to the needs of a particular application. Analysts predict that RFID will revolutionize areas of industry including supply chain management, security and mobile telecommunication services. Additionally, RFID is expected to play an important role in the realization of the Ubiquitous Network Society. All this will create a yet unquantified demand on telecommunication networks. " ...

RFID Standards Workshop Europe: ITU Workshop to Survey RFID Standards ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

RFID TruckTag Program: Minimize Terminal Congestion ...

PierPASS Inc. introduced the RFID-enabled TruckTag program which will enhance security in marine terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The program improves the process of checking trucks and drivers entering the terminals. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) electronic tags will be installed on trucks, similar to the FasTrak and E-ZPass devices used for automated toll collection, accelerating secure check-in at the terminals. ...

... "TruckTag is the second program created by PierPASS, a not-for-profit company established by marine terminal operators in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to address multi-terminal issues. In July 2005, PierPASS launched the OffPeak program, aimed at reducing congestion in and around the ports by establishing new night and Saturday shifts at the ports. By December, more than 1 million truck trips had been diverted out of daytime traffic, leading to a noticeable reduction in congestion. Under the TruckTag program, PierPASS will distribute 10,000 RFID tags to trucking companies, and the trucking companies will be responsible for distributing the tags to their drivers. When a truck arrives at a terminal, the RFID tag will automatically be read by an electronic reader posted at the gate. Simultaneously, the truck driver will insert his commercial driver's license into a machine that will verify that the driver and truck have authorized business at the terminal. Under the current system, each driver displays his commercial driver's license to a security guard upon entry to a terminal.

The marine terminal operators will cover the $1.2 million estimated cost of the program, which is expected to begin by March. There will be no cost to truck drivers or trucking companies for the first 10,000 tags. The active RFID tags, provided by WhereNet Corp., will be distributed through eModal, a database company that tracks trucking companies and drivers. Ninety-nine percent of the trucking companies and drivers working in the ports are already registered with eModal. " ...

RFID TruckTag Program: Minimize Terminal Congestion: Via PierPASS Inc.: PierPASS Announces TruckTag Program to Enhance Security at Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach: Program Will Scan RFID Tags of Trucks Entering Marine Terminals ...

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Read Any RFID Tag: ThingMagic Reader ...

ThingMagic and Fujitsu partner to deliver RFID reader solutions in the marketplace. ...

... "Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. and ThingMagic, Inc., a leading developer of radio frequency identification (RFID) sensing and embedded computing technologies, announced a reseller and support agreement for RFID technology. The Fujitsu and ThingMagic contract outlines Fujitsu's agreement to resell, deploy and support ThingMagic's Mercury4 RFID readers.

Fujitsu and ThingMagic will continue to evolve their offerings to include the most innovative and cost effective RFID solutions available. Today, many companies are piloting RFID technology on a case and pallet level to improve the efficiency of receiving cases and pallets of merchandise and tracking the flow of goods from the loading dock to sales floor. With RFID readers that automatically identify product movement in real-time, stores improve the accuracy of data and the speed-to-shelf. The improved efficiency and reduced labor cost help stores relentlessly reduce costs.

ThingMagic's Mercury4 RFID reader platform, the only reader available that can read any RFID tag, is designed with a unique Software Defined Radio architecture. Mercury4 is certified by EPCglobal and MET Labs for all three Generation 2 RFID modes, including the complex Dense Reader mode. As a result, Mercury4 readers are easily and remotely updated for any future Generation 2 variants and other new RFID standards, ensuring that customers will always have the latest RFID technology available. " ...

Via ThingMagic: Fujitsu / ThingMagic RFID Alliance

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, January 09, 2006

Gen2 RFIDReader Chipset: RangeMaster2 ...

RangeMaster2 is Generation 2 RFID reader chipset ...

... "Anadigm announces immediate availability of RangeMaster2, the company's second generation RFID reader 3.3 volt chip set solution that allows system vendors to design and maintain a single universal reader that can be customized to read different radio frequency identification (RFID) tag types, with different modulation types and frequencies. RangeMaster family fully supports HF and UHF protocols- EPC Global Gen 1 and Gen 2 (class 0, 1, 2) and ISO18000-6 standards. RangeMaster2 is the second in a family of RFID reader solutions that Anadigm is developing for the rapidly expanding RFID markets. RFID technology is revolutionizing markets as diverse as retail sales - by managing inventory and electronic payments via mobile phones - to medical applications by ensuring that hospital patients receive the correct treatments and medications.

RangeMaster2 is a two-chip set comprised of a dynamically programmable analog signal processor (ASP) in conjunction with an RFID State Machine. This enables system designers to develop a universal RFID tag reader that can support multiple protocols and frequencies for Universal Fixed Readers, Portable/Handheld Readers, Combination Bar Code and RFID Reader/Scanners. By allowing standardization around a single printed circuit board to support multiple end products and markets, RangeMaster2 simplifies and improves product development. This next generation of RangeMaster not only reduces development time and ownership costs of fixed systems, but also enables portable designs by reducing supply voltage requirements and power consumption. " ...

Gen2 RFIDReader Chipset: RangeMaster2: Via Anadigm: Anadigm Introduces Second Generation Chipset for Universal HF and UHF RFID Reader Systems: RangeMaster2 - a Dynamically Programmable Analog Signal Processor Solution that Enables Fixed and Portable "Universal" RFID Reader Applications ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 08, 2006

RFID Cargo Tracking System ...

... "The Cargo Tracking System will use a Citadel Vista-10XL mobile computer with an IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Active RFID reader module. As the cargo is loaded, antennas mounted outside the truck will read active RFID tags attached to cargo containers. The cargo contents will automatically be recorded and reported, and actions will be launched, all without human intervention. Commanders will immediately know the location of all cargo containers in the supply chain. This is a future-proof RFID system that can easily support multiple tag technologies and future technologies via plug-in modules. " ...

RFID Cargo Tracking System: Via Identec Solutions: IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Selected to Supply RFID Cargo Tracking System for US Army Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, January 07, 2006

RFID NordicID Handheld Reader: PL3000

NordicID introduces lightweight mobile handheld RFID reader, model PL3000, to enable retail data collection. ...

... "In coming years, RFID will revolutionise product coding in the retail business in the same way that traditional black and white bar codes did when they were introduced in the 1970s. With RFID, products are identified with special radio tags, which are read by handheld equipment and other devices. When the tags pass through a Radio Frequency (RF) field generated by a compatible reader, they transmit information stored by the tag to the reader, thereby identifying and giving details about the object to which they are attached. With RFID automation of logistics and customer service in retail can be taken into a new level of performance. Nordic ID is one of the first companies to introduce a sophisticated handheld computer designed for this new data collection concept. It is smaller and more light weight than other UHF RFID readers introduced so far. Currently, the handheld supports ISO18000-6 B, UCODE and EPC 1.19 standards. ISO18000-6 A, EPC Class 1 Gen 1 and EPC Class1 Gen 2 versions will be introduced shortly.

Nordic ID's PL3000 weighs only 500g and its level of power consumption and ergonomic design allows it to be used for long periods with a single hand. In the PL3000, Nordic ID has combined powerful data collection, processing and storing capacity with a variety of wireless communication technologies including WLAN and Bluetooth for local environments and GPRS or GSM for remote applications. In addition to the UHF RFID reader, the PL3000 can be equipped with barcode and 2D code readers. All the functionalities are integrated into a highly ergonomic and user friendly, mobile instrument. " ...

RFID NordicID Handheld Reader: PL3000: Via Nordic ID: Nordic ID launches revolutionary handheld computer with UHF RFID reader ...

NordicID introduces PL3000, advanced handheld RFID reader ...

With major investments planned for the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) in the retail, warehouse and distribution markets, Nordic ID, the leading Finnish specialist in handheld terminals and data collection, has launched the PL3000 handheld computer for UHF data collection systems. This is believed to be the first device of its type that can be used on European frequency bands and provide truly mobile data collection.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 01, 2006

RFID Growth: Symbol Plans ...

Symbol plans RFID growth in the new year, with new products introductions expected. ...

... "Symbol has a number of new initiatives in the works, including new form factors for readers (think fork lifts and other distribution center applications), handheld readers that incorporate EPCglobal Inc.'s Generation 2 standard and multiplex reader capabilities through a recent partnership with Vue Technology. " ...

RFID Growth: Symbol Plans: Via eWeek: Symbol Anticipates a Breakout Year for RFID

Labels: , , , , , ,

RFID Application Results: Positive on Elk Herd Tracking ...

Advanced ID Corporation reports on the results of its RFID applications study with the Colorado Department of
Agriculture with multiple herds and roughly 130 tags and readers in use. Chronic Wasting Disease – CWD is another reason for this pro-active identification effort. ...

... "Scott Leach Chronic Wasting Disease Field Investigator for Colorado Department of Agriculture has roughly 130 captive elk in a current study of the Advanced ID DataTag(tm) and Advanced ID RFID - UHF Reader.

Advanced ID Corp. President & CEO, Dan Finch attended a recent meeting at Top Rac Elk Ranch along with members of Advanced ID and members of Colorado Department of Agriculture. According to Dan Finch, We are very pleased to see our applications used to protect and enhance the value of the ranchers’ stock. This is a good example of what RFID can provide to industry and what our DataTag and the Advanced ID RFID – UHF Reader is all about. We believe our tags and readers will achieve better value for our rancher partners with superior readability and competitive or lower pricing. We currently have tags and readers on ranches in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Taiwan and Thailand mostly in limited release and in practical testing. We are launching the DataTag and the Advanced ID RFID – UHF Reader on a commercial level in the first and second quarter of 2006. " ...


RFID Application Results: Positive on Elk Herd Tracking: Via Advanced ID: RFID Provider, Advanced ID Corp. Advances Colorado Elk Program With Positive Results For Advanced ID DataTag And Advanced ID RFID – UHF Reader New Advanced ID Corp. ultra high frequency animal livestock identification system that provides superior reading distances and greater ease of use for ranchers being used in tracing multiple elk herds by Colorado Department of Agriculture.

CWD: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) affecting elk and deer (cervids) in North America. This degenerative neurological illness has affected both farmed and wild cervids in the US, thus impacting the hunting and wildlife industries as well as domestic and international markets for farmed cervids and cervid products. APHIS' response to this disease includes support of surveillance in both farmed and wild populations and assistance to State agencies for quarantine of affected animals and premises, humane euthanasia, and testing affected and exposed animals. In addition APHIS provides indemnity to animal owners for the value of positive and exposed animals euthanized in disease control efforts. A Herd Certification Program (HCP) is being developed by APHIS in coordination with states, the farmed cervid industry, and the US Animal Health Association (USAHA) to support this effort. APHIS also has assisted, and continues to assist, states with CWD surveillance and management in wild cervid populations. Finally, APHIS is working with the US Department of Interior, Tribes, and States to implement an interagency, national plan to help manage CWD in captive and wild cervids.

Advanced ID Corporation (OTCBB: AIDO) is a complete solutions provider in the radio frequency identification (RFID) market. RFID provides a means for positive identification and trace-back of animals or objects that have been identified with a microchip or RFID tag. The company has realized growth of 62% in the first two quarters of 2005, primarily through the companion animal identification segment; Advanced ID Pet Microchip, the largest provider of companion animal identification in Canada. Since 1994, Advanced ID Corporation has offered a product line of over 100 items comprised of low frequency (LF) RFID microchips, identification scanners, and a proprietary pet recovery network database to the companion animal and biological sciences markets. Advanced ID Corporation supplies over 3,000 organizations such as animal shelters, veterinarians, breeders, government agencies, universities, zoos, research labs and fisheries with LF RFID devices for companion animals, equines, bovines, llamas, alpacas, ostriches, aquatic species, reptiles, migratory and endangered species. Advanced ID Corporation has implanted LF microchips in over 450,000 animals, currently tracks nearly one million animals in a proprietary pet recovery database, and reunites numerous lost pets with their families each month. Since 2001 Advanced ID Corporation has been developing and commercializing its UHF line of food-animal and wildlife identification products and systems. Advanced ID Corporation continues to be actively involved with government and industry livestock identification and trace-back projects and pilots in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Taiwan and the United States.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain

TNT Express will implement Xterprise’s TraX Visibility, a real-time supply chain execution solution. The system will track high value electronics movement in the supply chain from China to Europe. The solution was piloted in 2004 and will now be expanded. ...

... "Phase II involves deployment of an enhanced TraX Release 2.0 application with multi-stakeholder enterprise system integration, including SAP. In addition, the solution will enable streamlining and higher accuracy sorting at the TNT facilities in Europe and enable Item-level shipment visibility for supply network partners. TraX 2.0 is expected to improve TNT customer service through a higher fidelity Track and Trace features which allows for better inventory planning and management and more accurate shipping performance, resulting in a value-added service offerings to TNT’s customer base. Xterprise technology partners in the project included Alien, Zebra Technologies and Apriso. The introduction of the latest RFID tag antenna designs and new multi-static European RFID readers both from Alien increased the read reliability dramatically. Tests have shown up to 100% read performance of a full pallet of notebooks as they are unloaded through the Xterprise XPort™ RFID reader portals in multiple locations throughout Europe. Xterprise’s TraX RFID enhanced visibility application, built on Apriso’s Flexnet SOA platform, enables customers, suppliers and logistics service providers to view real-time status of shipments around the globe. " ...


RFID Visibility Solution for Supply Chain: Via Xterprise: TNT Express Deploys Xterprise TraX Real-Time RFID Visibility Solution for China-Europe Supply Chain ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, December 26, 2005

RFID Reader Integrated Circuit: Reference Toolkit ...

EM Micro bring RFID IC to market. ...

... "EM Microelectronic, a company of the Electronic Systems group of the Swatch Group, introduces the EM4094, an analog front-end integrated circuit for 13.56MHz RFID readers. This highly versatile IC accommodates a wide range of microcontrollers, supports multiple communication protocols and is well suited for low cost or hand held reader solutions. In addition to the IC, EM Microelectronic also introduces the EM4094 13.56MHz RFID Demonstration Reader thought as a reference design and development tool kit. " ...

RFID Reader Integrated Circuit: Reference Toolkit: Via EM Microelectronic: Introduction of new, versatile RFID Reader IC ...

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

RFID Lead Retrieval at Trade Shows ...

Dietze offers RFID technology to support lead management at trade shows. ...

... "Lead retrieval at trade shows once meant collecting as many business cards as possible in a large glass fish bowl. Today, however, a faster