Alien RFID Safety Act Designation

Alien Technology's products and services have been designated as Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002 for airports baggage and cargo handling systems. ...

... "Baggage and cargo handling systems utilizing Alien products and services have been installed at airports around the world in order to help defend the global air transportation system against a wide range of terrorist threats. These implementations provide enhanced security to the handling and transportation of materials, baggage and other cargo. " ...

Via Alien Technology: RFID Implementations for Airline Industry Awarded Liability Protections from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Heathrow RFID Pilot

BAA plans RFID pilot at Heathrow to create efficiencies in baggage handling. ...

... "RFID could save airports and airlines GBP400m a year in reduced baggage losses and replacement of existing messaging systems. " ...

Via VNUnet: Heathrow Trial

RFID Tag Airport Passengers ...

Airline passengers can be tagged with RFID technology to track their location throughout the airport. ...

... "The basic idea is that airports could be fitted with a network of combined panoramic cameras and RFID (radio frequency ID) tag readers, which would monitor the movements of people around the various terminal buildings. " ...

Via BBC: Air passengers could be tagged

RFID Baggage Management ...

Management of airline baggage using RFID technology is slow to achieve broad adoption. ...

... "The research company believes Asian and European airlines will be the first to start tracking bags, with their hard-up US counterparts hanging back from adopting RFID. " ...

Via Silicon.com: What happened to RFID's baggage-tracking boom? ...

RFID Phase Jitter Modulation Technology ...

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

... "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.

RFID Next Steps: Virgin Atlantic Pilot ...

Virgin Atlantic plans next steps beyond RFID pilot ...

... "Virgin Atlantic is evaluating whether or not to extend the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging to track plane parts, following a four-month trial of the technology. The airline has been using RFID to track high-value aircraft parts ... " ...

RFID Next Steps: Virgin Atlantic Pilot: Technology News: Virgin Atlantic Pilot Program Paves Way for RFID

RFID Airline Luggage Efficiency Enabler ...

SITA recommends RFID technology for luggage tracking ...

... "SITA is among those recommending that airlines or airports pay for Radio Frequency Identification technology. An RFID tag is automatically scanned by numerous stationary readers that record each movement a bag makes through the system. " ...

RFID Airline Luggage Efficiency Enabler: Via Lexington Herald-Leader: Low-tech bag tracing is due for an upgrade ...

Mishandled baggage costing $2.5 billion as air travel passenger numbers soar to two billion says SITA: "It recommends that markets where mishandled baggage is a problem would be better served by adopting technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging and bag reconciliation systems to track baggage at various points throughout the bag's journey. RFID means fewer bags have to be handled manually and improves security. A recent survey by SITA - in partnership with the Airports Council International and Airline Business magazine - found that RFID tags are being used for baggage handling in just 6% of airports surveyed but also identified an expectation that RFID tags will be used in 45% of airports by the end of 2009. SITA has developed an integrated, end-to-end baggage reconciliation system which combines RFID, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and highly redundant IP-based global links to ensure baggage gets to its destination with the minimum of fuss. "

CIO RFID Opinion ...

CIO shares opinion on RFID technology. ...

... "I'm not against RFID - we know that it can work really well. For example, in the technology used in the automatic Hong Kong Cross-Harbour Tunnel [toll] readers, it's fantastic. " ...

CIO RFID Opinion: Via Computerworld: Airline IT chief gives lowdown on business-IT interaction ...

RFID Airline Luggage: Low ROI?

Airlines are not aggressively investing in RFID given their financial situation. ...

... "Radio frequency tags, or RFID, could reduce the losses, but the airlines aren't really using that because of their financial situation, Cantrell said. Delta, which is operating under bankruptcy protection, tested RFID bag-tracking but put off using it in favor of technology projects which return value more quickly than RFID would, Black said. " ...

RFID Airline Luggage: Low ROI?: Via Statesman: Lost luggage lands in Alabama

Via Computerworld: Delta to Test RFID Tags on Luggage: "Delta will give RFID devices a trial run on selected flights from Jacksonville, Fla., to its headquarters hub in Atlanta. It said the 30-day test will involve the use of more than 40,000 disposable RFID tags that operate at 900 MHz and are being made by two vendors: Matrics Inc. in Columbia, Md., and SCS Corp. in San Diego. "

Delta Says RFID Devices Pass First Bag-Tag Test: "The success rate of the RFID technology was far better than the 80% to 85% accuracy rate that's typically provided by bar code scanners, according to officials at Delta and the IT vendors that took part in the test. Pat Rary, manager of baggage strategy at Atlanta-based Delta, said the trial run at the airport in Jacksonville, Fla., also met a key requirement: It was invisible to the airline's check-in agents and required no new training. "

Via Silicon.com: Delta promises end to lost luggage with RFID: "The company announced that it is to spend between $15m and $25m to roll out an RFID system across its American network. When the system is installed, it will be able to track bags from check-in, where RFID tags will be attached, until they are dropped off at the baggage carousel at the customer's destination. "

RFID Biometric ID System: Germany

RFID is converging with biometrics technology to create mobile identification capability. John Blau updates on progress of companies in Germany collaborating on an RFID biometric IDentification system for the airline industry. ...

RFID Biometric ID System: Germany: Via Computerworld: Airline biometric ID system gets a demo in Germany ...

... "The new passport, valid for 10 years, will include an embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) chip that will initially store a digital photo of the passport holder's face. Starting in March 2007, the holder's left and right index fingerprints will also be stored on the chip. " ...

RFID Baggage Tracking eServices

RFID Baggage Tracking eServices: SKYTEAM CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY: Members Outline Goals for Remainder of 2005 and the Next Five Years

... "Even before IATA announced its Simplifying the Business proposal, SkyTeam members have been investing in e-Services to improve the passenger experience. With nearly half of the agreements between members already in place, SkyTeam will offer alliance-wide interline e-ticketing by the end of the year. The alliance is also exploring the future enhancement of individual carriers' kiosks for all alliance customers and the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) in baggage tracking. " ...

SkyTeam is the global airline alliance partnering nine members, including Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines. Through one of the world's most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 343.6 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 15,000 daily flights covering all major destinations.

RFID Process Automation Airline Industry ...

RFID Process Automation Airline Industry: Magic's HERMES System Wins a One Million Dollar Deal in Frankfurt Airport ...

Magic creates business process automation for airline industry that is compatible with RFID, radio frequency identification, technology ...

... "SCOPE will enable FCS to leverage the advantages of mobile handheld terminals to track and manage cargo in real-time within the cargo terminal. SCOPE provides high levels of process automation and reduction of operational errors due to its utilisation of barcode (SCOPE is also ready for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)). SCOPE will also allow FCS to employ proactive Service Level management of all shipments with its built-in warnings and automatic reminders to operational staff of carrier-specific requirements. " ...

Magic Software Enterprises, a subsidiary of Formula Systems (Nasdaq: FORTY), develops, markets and supports software development, deployment and integration technology that enables enterprises to accelerate the process of building and deploying applications that can be rapidly customized and integrated with existing systems. Magic technology, applications and professional services are available through a global network of subsidiaries, distributors and Magic solutions partners in approximately 50 countries.

RFID Baggage Tests

FAA ...

... "The agency also conducted two Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Baggage Tag trials, in conjunction with United and Continental Airlines. The tests provided critical operational performance information to support airline efforts to develop an international standard for RFID Baggage Tag use. " ...

Airport Airline RFID Applications Discussed in Panel Session at Upcoming Conference ...

Kiosk.com Conference Provide RFID Panel Session ...

... Interactive panel session, on RFID technology at airports and other applications of RFID in the airline industry, will be held at the upcoming KioskCom.com 2005 conference, which is scheduled for Monday, April 18 through Wednesday, April 20 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. ...

KioskCom.com(TM) is dedicated to providing practical, detailed information specific to the interactive self-service kiosk technology arena. KioskCom.com delivers dynamic, thought-provoking information through exhaustive research into the "best practices" of leading corporations and organizations. Each event designed by KioskCom.com is tailored to reflect the most up-to-date implementations, criteria and analysis in order to help organizations to successfully implement their interactive self service kiosk projects. KioskCom.com recognizes the value of face-to-face forums, and strives to make each conference a valuable learning experience, allowing attendees to receive a maximum return on investment.

Aviation RFID: FAA Pilots ...

From NASA ...

... "The agency also conducted two Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Baggage Tag trials, in conjunction with United and Continental Airlines. The tests provided critical operational performance information to support airline efforts to develop an international standard for RFID Baggage Tag use. " ...

The FAA continued a dynamic research and development program in support of its mission to provide a safe, secure, and efficient global aerospace system that contributes to national security and the promotion of U.S. aerospace safety.

Aviation RFID: Airline industry needs to back IT

From Computing, UK ... More of the industry needs to embrace technologies such as e-tickets, self-service kiosks, bar-coded boarding passes and RFID baggage tags. ...

RFID Smart Card: Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Adds Another Application ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Eligible airline employees received an OTI contactless RFID microprocessor-based smart identification card encrypted to activate a discounted fare structure ...

Airline RFID: Airlines commit to 100% e-ticketing by 2007

From m-Travel.com ... lead. The others include common-use self-service check-in kiosks, bar codes and Radio Frequency Baggage Tag Identification (RFID). ...

Airline RFID: Getting RFID Into The Skies

From Information Week ... At this week's Global Aviation RFID Forum in Atlanta, FedEx and Delta Air Lines said they're planning to begin additional RFID pilot tests next month, while ...

Sato RFID Technology: NEW IDENTITY FOR SATO IN SINGAPORE TO REFLECT NEW STRATEGY

From Plastics In Packaging, UK ... The company offers RFID technology within its portfolio of human readable codes, barcodes and 2D codes. RFID is fast becoming the ...

SATO Corporation, Japan, was established in 1940 to manufacture and sell packaging machinery. In 1962, SATO invented the world's first hand-held labeler and operations as an international supplier of labeling machinery were begun. The US subsidiary was established in 1977 and eventually became SATO America, Inc. in 1987. During that period, SATO developed the world's first thermal transfer barcode printers and became the leader in applying the technology to the market.

The industrial CLe high-speed RFID printers are well suited for a range of applications, such as compliance labeling, warehouse management and logistics, access control, asset tracking, airline baggage tagging and tracking, retail labeling, and product authentication. The Sato RFID Printer supports 13.56 Mhz (Tag-it™, I-Code, ISO15693), UHF (EPC, ISO, EM Marin) RFID formats and supports worldwide frequencies. It has capability to be upgraded to support new standards and protocols as they emerge. Sato Smart Printers: In a one-step, process the CLe RFID printers can read, write and print smart labels and tags with embedded RFID transponders. Transponders include integrated circuitry with an antenna and are designed to be programmed and re-programmed using radio waves. RFID - Radio Frequency Identification: RFID tags are read, written and verified inside the printer prior to printing. In the case of a tag failure, the CLe RFID printers will mark the tag and advance to the next one, assuring top reliability in mission critical applications. Sato Printer Rugged Design: The CLe’s heavy-duty metal construction, proven reliability, and excellent media handling deliver optimum performance in the most demanding environments.

Airline RFID: Airlines Industry Plans Global Paperless Tickets

From Contact Center Today, United States ... Other plans to reduce costs include moving to all self-service check ins, home printing of boarding passes and using RFID tags for luggage. ...

Airline RFID: Group calls for an end to paper airline tickets

From CNET News.com ... in times. The industry also agreed to use RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to replace bar-coded baggage tags. The ...

Mobile RFID: Delta's Bag Handlers Go WiFi

From WXIA-TV, GA ... The technology is known as radio frequency identification, or RFID, and would enable airline workers to track down luggage electronically. ...

Airline RFID Baggage Tracking: Delta tests radio frequency system for tracing bags

From San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA ... The Atlanta-based airline just completed its second test of a radio frequency identification, or RFID, system that can track a bag from the time it is dropped ...

RFID Tracking: Delta rolls out wireless baggage transfer system

From m-Travel.com ... cancellations. ▪ Delta also is testing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as a potential means of future baggage tracking. ...

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RFID Web Seminar: Zebra Technologies Web Seminar Notes
RFID Deployments: Slap and Ship to Total Deployment Strategies to Achieve Compliance and Measureable Operating Improvements

Zebra Technologies Web Seminar, May 10, 2004
On Monday, May 10, 2004, Chris Hook, of Zebra Technologies, and Matt Reim hosted their second web seminar on RFID Technology, titled "RFID Deployments: Slap and Ship to Total Deployment, Strategies to Achieve Compliance and Measureable Operating Improvements"

Agenda is Components, RFID and Bar Code Comparisons, Measuring Improvements, fast-track with smart labels... Focus is on passive RFID tags and systems. Smarts labels have RFID tags embedded in the printed label. Simultaneous identification is when we obtain information from many tags all at same time.

RFID Tags and antennae go into RFID inlays which are then embedded into RFID labels. RFID Components include printers, RFID readers, and hand-held RFID readers. AIDC system VARs provide the RFID subsystems, which are then combined with middleware, which in turn integrated with enterprise business systems.

Barcodes are now ubiquitous. While RFID can replace role of barcodes, it is envisioned that RFID technology will have a much greater impact on business processes, especially the data capture touch points throughout the extended supply chain. The key is identifying the RFID-enabled data capture touch points. There is significant operating expenses associated with these touch points. Whever touching is prevalent, RFID technology can provide value. (Walmart benchmark: each barcode scan costs 5 cents)... Eliminate touches, increase cycle time, save money, increase velocity.

Bar codes and RFID can co-exist in a hybrid environment. Used Sanacorp, Germany as benchmark... Barcodes used on products, bins, and picking tote boxes. Errors still existed in the barcoding as-is state. Sanacorp assessed their barco