RFID Secure US Passports: Order Placed ...

Infineon receives RFID-enabled electronic-Passport order from US government, as all new passports will require the technology by end of this year. Infineon has experience with a number of countries and their e-passport implementations. ...

... "Infineon Technologies AG announced that it received a multi-million piece purchase order from the United States government to supply its highly-secure integrated circuit technology for the new electronic passport. Designed to facilitate international travel by allowing automatic identity verification, faster immigration inspections and greater border protection and security, the new passports include a computer chip in the back cover that securely stores the same information that is printed on the document. The US began issuing electronic passports to diplomats and other government workers in late 2005, and is now expanding the program to include the widely issued tourist passport used by private citizens. By the end of this year, the government expects that all new US passports will be issued as electronic passports.

Infineon supplies its secure identification chips to more than 20 countries that have begun to use electronic passports or have begun to test this technology, including Germany, Hong Kong, Norway and Sweden. In addition, Infineon provides the secure chips inside electronic identity documents used in such countries as Italy, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Belgium, and also for Hong Kong, as well as the chips used for secure identification cards issued by the US Department of Defense. As a security measure, the US Congress passed legislation requiring that countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program must issue passports with secure chip technology by October 2006. Concurrently, the US adopted this technology to conform to specifications for electronic passports developed by the international standards body for travel documents, the International Civil Aviation Organization. " ...

RFID Secure US Passports: Order Placed: Via Infineon Technologies: New US Passports Contain Secure Identification Chips ...

RFID Asset Protection ...

PWC Mexico will implement Axcess's RFID asset management capabilities to protect computing assets in order to reduce shrinkage. ...

... "Under the terms of the rollout, PricewaterhouseCoopers in Mexico will utilize AXCESS' Dual-Active RFID solution for its custodial asset management capabilities; allowing for real-time detection when a valuable asset such as a laptop is in or out of a secured area. When an item is removed from company premises without authorization the technology will deliver actionable intelligence through which a reliable security response can be determined and initiated. Corporations face an uphill battle when it comes to securely and accurately managing their physical assets. In 2005 alone, losses from the theft of proprietary data from corporations and other institutions more than doubled compared to the previous year totaling $356,000 per incident. AXCESS' RFID solutions provide companies with the tools necessary to protect assets and data from theft and help organizations comply with federal and state laws, which necessitate the development of an internal IT best practice for managing computer assets and the notification to individuals if a client's personal data may have been compromised. PricewaterhouseCoopers identified the potential for significant ROI by managing assets and by preventing computer theft. In addition to preventing monetary loss associated with the theft or loss of IT assets, the company recognized how AXCESS' ActiveTag solutions could empower them with the ability to better protect their clients' data through increased accountability and security. The AXCESS solution implemented for PricewaterhouseCoopers addresses the problem of preventing theft or loss of assets and data by offering individual asset tracking and protection, dynamic wireless custodian assignments to assets, complete reports, and wireless alerting to exception-based security events. One key to the reliability of the solution is AXCESS' battery powered RFID tags which generate strong signals to enable metal encased computers to be identified even when hidden, which is far superior to passive RFID and bar code systems which require some form of line-of-site recognition. " ...

RFID Asset Protection: Via Axcess International: PricewaterhouseCoopers Selects AXCESS' RFID Solution to Protect Computer Assets and Data ...

RFID e-Passports Vulnerable ...

ePassports based on RFID technology have vulnerabilities as recently demonstrated. ...

... "The demonstration, given late Friday night by German computer security expert Lukas Grunwald, showed how personal information stored on the documents could be copied and transferred to another device. " ...

RFID e-Passports Vulnerable: Via San Jose Mercury News: Researcher warns of security problem in electronic passports ...

DN-Systems: "DN-Systems is an international consulting company. Our expertise is primarily in the field of information security and Internet/e-commerce solutions for medium to large enterprises of all industries. The company was founded by Lukas Grunwald in Hildesheim, Germany "

RFID Guardian Portable Personal Detection ...

See Demo video of the Guardian in action. ...

... "The RFID Guardian is meant for personal use; it manages the RFID tags within physical proximity of a person (as opposed to managing RFID tags owned by the person, that are left at home). The RFID Guardian is portable. It should be PDA-sized, or better yet, could be integrated into a handheld computer or cellphone. " ...

RFID Guardian Portable Personal Detection: Via Faculty of Science : Vrije Universiteit ...

RFID Market Size Estimates ...

Estimation of RFID market size ...

... "Global investment in RFID software, hardware and services in the retail sector is expected to break the half billion dollar mark by 2007, growing from $168 million in 2004 to an estimated $1 billion in 2010. " ...

Via Computer Business Review: RFID: tagged for retail ...

RFID Privacy Guidelines: Ontario Canada ...

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

RFID Warehouse Automation: Receive Putaway Pick Ship ...

Click Commerce upgrades warehouse software to enable automated warehouse transactions for receiving, putaways, picks, and shipments. ...

... "This release also provides RFID capabilities integrated with basic warehouse operations such as receiving, putaway, picking and shipping, and is an upgrade to the Intelligent Supply Chain solution offered by Click Commerce. In partnership with Vue Technology, the Intelligent Supply Chain is a cost-effective, RFID-integrated solution that increases productivity and inventory accuracy in the warehouse. It also enables the ability to pull inventory through the supply chain network based on real-time demand demands to avoid stock-outs. The solution is designed to deliver increased customer service levels, and lower supply chain costs. " ...

RFID Warehouse Automation: Receive Putaway Pick Ship: Via Click Commerce: Click Commerce Launches MOVE 8.1 at Distribution/Computer Expo 2006

RFID-Capable Hand Held Computer ...

Hardware interface allows hand-held computer to support RFID ...

... "The JETT-WAVE Radio is just one of many options that customers can choose to customize Two Technologies hand held computers. Using its new JETT-PACK hardware interface, Two Technologies can integrate many different peripherals including RFID, GPS and more into the JETT-PACK, which can then be used on a Pack Ready hand held computer. " ...

RFID-Capable Hand Held Computer: Via Two Technologies: Two Technologies Extends Data Communication Range, Security of Its Most Popular Hand Held Computers ...

RFID Certification Prep Training in June ...

Lowry offers RFID training in preparation for CompTIA RFID certification. Course is coming up in June. ...

... "A System's Approach to RFID Implementation will be offered at Lowry's state-of-the-art RFID Center June 13-15th and August 8-10th. OTA Training, the developer of the comprehensive RFID training curriculum, is based in Dallas, Texas. Both 3-day training sessions have an optional RFID+ Certification Module. The Certification Module includes additional hours of training and a full day dedicated to review of all exam topics. Those who register for the add-on module have an opportunity to become RFID certified, by taking the CompTIA RFID+ exam at the conclusion of the class. CompTIA certification is the industry recognized standard for foundation-level information technology (IT) skills. " ...

RFID Certification Prep Training in June: Via Lowry computer Products: LOWRY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING RFID CERTIFICATION TRAINING CLASS DATES: Industry-Recognized Classes Prepare Attendees For Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Certification ...

RFID Staff-Less Library System ...

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

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

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

SmartBall RFID Signals Location ...

RFID smartball determines location in sports ....

... "The RFID tag in the so-called smartball sends a signal to antennas arranged around the field. A computer then determines the exact location " ...

SmartBall RFID Signals Location: Building the Virtual Referee: When Tech Makes the Call in Sports: Via Tech Trends ...

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

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. "

RFID Technology Supports Race ...

RFID technology supporting race experiences weather related problems ...

... "Timing is kept by a chip imbedded in runners' bibs using radio frequency identification, or RFID. When runners pass through readers, the information from their chip is relayed to a computer. " ...

RFID Technology Supports Race: Via Star-Telegram: Rain wreaks havoc on timing system

RFID CeBIT Forum ...

RFID technology will be showcased at CeBIT ...

... "The upcoming computer trade fair CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, will for the first time feature an Auto ID/RFID exhibition section. The accompanying CeBIT Forum RFID, which will take place from March 9 through 15 in Hall 6 at Stand G48 ... " ...

RFID CeBIT Forum: Via Social Business Club: RFID chosen as a main topic of upcoming CeBIT 2006 ...

RFID Multiple Authentication Factor ...

Encentuate offers multiple methods of authentication through identity form factors such as RFID tags, smart cards, and USB tokens ...

... "Each organization is different, and each situation provides a unique access security challenge, said Peng T. Ong, founder and chairman of Encentuate. What sets Encentuate TCI apart from other solutions is our ability to seamlessly integrate with a number of authentication technologies, from RFID to USB tokens. As a result, we can eliminate an organization’s dependence on weak passwords and ensure secure access to computer systems using a variety of authentication factors. The authentication opportunities are practically limitless and we work with each organization to determine the solution, which is most effective for their requirements. Encentuate TCI’s ability to integrate with a variety of authentication factors provides enterprises a seamless path to strong digital identity without introducing additional complexity, cost or overwhelming deployments.

Encentuate TCI gives organizations a choice of authentication solutions, each of which greatly improves security. With a simple swipe of an RFID badge or a fingerprint scan organizations can strengthen access to computer systems while allowing the staff to quickly access the information they need to be productive on their jobs. " ...

RFID Multiple Authentication Factor: Via Encentuate: Encentuate TCI Delivers Multiple Authentication Factor Support: Company's technology integrates with a variety of multi-function authentication solutions, including RFID, biometrics and USB tokens ...

RFID: Prevent Computer Shrinkage ...

RFID is seen as a means to prevent computer shrinkage. ...

... "Michael Deckert of Deckert's Communications suggests an RFID tag for computers which he says emit an electronic signal that can be tracked and would also be helpful in maintaining an accurate inventory record. " ...

Via Public Opinion Chambersburg, PA: Computer thefts begin to rival stolen vehicles ...

RFID Radio Frequency Identification in Banking ...

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

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

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

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 ...

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 ...



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.

RFID Tracks NASCAR Tires ...

Goodyear will use radio frequency identification to track tire inventory at racing series in 2006. ...

... "The tires, which previously were tracked using bar codes on the stickers affixed to the new tires, will be traced using the RFID chips implanted in the rubber's sidewall. " ...

RFID Tracks NASCAR Tires: Via NASCAR: NASCAR revs toward Daytona at full speed ...

Additional resources on RFID used for NASCAR tires:

Via Goodyear Tire: Goodyear’s 2006 NASCAR Tire Lease Program to Deploy RFID Technology: "Goodyear will start the 2006 racing season with a new tire leasing program for NASCAR's top three series and racing's first deployment of Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) in the form of an embedded computer chip in the tires to help manage the leased inventory. The RFID technology will assist in the implementation of NASCAR's new controlled testing procedures, which were developed by the sanctioning body to reduce private team testing next year in an effort to level the playing field for all teams."

RFID Potential For Misuse: HB203 Legislation ...

New Hampshire legislation HB203 is aimed at consumer privacy protection, which would minimize the potential for misuse of RFID technology. Pat Hammond explores of the details of the HB203 legislation. ...

... "Critics of the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) computer tags by manufacturers or distributors to track the buying habits of people who purchase their products say they may seem benevolent enough now but there's real potential for misuse down the road. " ...

RFID Potential For Misuse: HB203 Legislation: Via The Union Leader: Bill aims to slow RFID in its tracks ...