|
 Welcome
to another issue of the High Tech AIDCourier. We are continuing to expand
the coverage and interest of the newsletter in an effort to keep you aware
of the issues in this industry.
The topics we cover here are really only the tip of the
iceberg. Here at High Tech Aid we stand ready to help you find your way
through this morass of information and help you solve your problems.
Contact us at mailto:steve@hightechaid.com
to find out how to solve your problem.
Feel free to pass this issue on to your friends and
colleagues. The subscription information is on the last page.
If you are looking for more opinions about the AIDC
industry then check out "Scan, The Data Capture Report". This
newsletter is available twice a month and includes a monthly column from
me on technical issues. This month I discuss the proliferation of RFID
standards and ask what can be done? For info visit: http://www.hightechaid.com/scandcr.htm
If you received this newsletter, but you are not yet a
subscriber, then see the "Fine Print" at the end for details on
subscribing.
If the links in the newsletter appear to be broken, then
copy and paste the full link in your browser.
If you have a topic to cover, a point to make, or even
just a comment on how we are doing, then send it to mailto:news@hightechaid.com.
â The summer is upon us
and news of standards has slowed somewhat. However, as I write this I am
about to leave for the next round of RFID standards work with ISO (see
RFID Standards in this issue).
In other standards news, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC17 is moving ahead
with WG11 on Biometrics even though the new JTC1 SC37 is also Biometrics.
Their first task will be to sort out who can work on what and when they
can start!
In the US a working group from the Department of
Transport, Office of Freight Management is looking at the need for
Electronic Seals on Containers. While others are also looking at this
topic, the group hopes to kick start a new standard.
On the barcode front, several new actions are just
beginning. Standardization of Xerox DataGlyphs is about to begin at AIM ( http://www.aimglobal.org),
and Posicode has now been published. MicroPDF417 is being submitted to
JTC1/SC31 as a new work item, and DataMatrix and EAN.UPC are being moved
for revision. The work on verification is continuing with 15415 the 2D
print quality standard moving towards CD by October this year.
If you need more information about how ISO standardization
works visit our web page at http://www.hightechaid.com/standards/how_does_iso_work.htm.
If you want to get more detailed reports on the standardization work in
progress the send email to mailto:steve@hightechaid.com
â For those who are
interested in connectivity (and who isn’t? The world of Ethernet
communications just got faster and more connected. IEEE Standard 802.3ae™,
a new standard from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
extends the speed of Ethernet operations by an order of magnitude to 10
Gbit/s. http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/8023aeapp.html
â At last, Star Trek here
we come. For those that are familiar with the monster TV (and movie) show
Star Trek, teleportation is a common way of life (at least in the show it
is). Even Jonathon Archer, the latest (or is it earliest) captain of
Enterprise seems to think there is something in the concept. Well, now
maybe we have the first indications of the possibility. A team of
Australian scientists are claiming a world first by successfully
teleporting a laser beam. While a laser beam is not a person, it has
successfully proven the concept is possible, and we can all look forward
to a "different" lifestyle in the future. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2002/06/17/video/20020617pm_teleport.ram
â Do you remember being
told that back in 1899, the director of the U.S. Patent Office told
President William McKinley that everything that could be invented had been
invented? Well here is a new twist on this.
Maybe we are a little to keen to get that next patent. The
following article suggests that high-tech patents are hurting innovation http://www.forbes.com@836.as/?bf8.
It is certainly true that we are potentially causing ourselves a problem
with all the patents that are being issued today. My investigations into
RFID and the patents that exist have certainly surprised me, with over
1000 patents in the USA alone. How can we be sure that we are not
contravening someone’s intellectual property?
â The FCC is reviewing
the airwaves! On June 6th the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) announced the formation of a Spectrum Policy Task Force charged to
identify and evaluate changes in spectrum allocation policy that will
increase the public benefits derived from the use of radio spectrum. The
FCC is seeking input from the public on its spectrum policy. From the
website:
The Spectrum Policy Task Force will assist the Commission
in identifying and evaluating changes in spectrum policy that will
increase the public benefits derived from the use of the radio spectrum.
The Task Force will:
- Provide specific recommendations to the Commission for ways in which
to evolve the current "command and control" approach to
spectrum policy into a more integrated, market-oriented approach that
provides greater regulatory certainty, while minimizing regulatory
intervention.
- Assist the Commission in addressing ubiquitous spectrum issues,
including, interference protection, spectral efficiency, effective
public safety communications, and implications of international
spectrum policies.
The Task Force have requested comments by July 8th
with the reply comments by July 23rd. There will then be public
workshops on the issues.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-223142A1.pdf.
(FCC press release) http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-02-1311A1.pdf.
(request for public comment) http://www.fcc.gov/sptf/
(Task Force web page)
â Ultra Wide Band. A new
topic for most of us, but one which will become more prevalent in the
months to come. What is UWB? In broad terms it is the use of a very high
frequency, very low power, over a very large bandwidth. What is it used
for? Well if you believe some of the proponents, it can be used for almost
everything.
The FCC recently made a ruling to allow a restricted UWB
in the USA for testing. This has met with some resistance, but is moving
ahead. To learn more about the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee,
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet (June 5, 2002) hearing
on "The FCC's UWB Proceeding: An Examination of the
Government's Spectrum Management Process" see: http://energycommerce.house.gov/107/hearings/06052002Hearing569/hearing.htm.
For more information on UWB visit http://www.uwb.org/
â Do you ever feel that
you are being watched? Maybe it is not so ridiculous as you think. Check
out the information pulled together by the New York Times on "Digital
Surveillance". http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2002/06/19/technology/techspecial/
â We have all heard of
Moore’s Law. This states that the number of transistors on a processor
will double every 18 months. To achieve this track widths have been
getting smaller, allowing more transistors on a given size piece of
silicon. Many people have now suggested that we may be reaching the end of
this process as track widths reach a practical limit for now. And then
along comes a new discovery from Princeton University that can change all
this. Laser-Assisted Direct Imprint (LADI) is a means of imprinting the
structure into the silicon. It works by pressing a quartz mould into a
silicon substrate, the surface of which is liquefied by pulsed-laser
irradiation through the mould. This process is quick and can allow much
smaller track widths. See the announcement in Nature at: http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/gateway.taf?g=3&file=/materials/nanozone/highlights/articles/m020620-4.html
and read the paper at: http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v417/n6891/full/nature00792_fs.html.
Note these links may require you to register at Nature.com.
â Is Bluetooth a reality
at last? Many of us have sat poised waiting for it to happen and maybe now
is the time. Doubts over security, range, compatibility, availability, and
competitive nature with 802.11 have at last begun to be answered. See how
ZD Net rationalizes everything at: http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/filters/specialreport/0,14622,6023069,00.html
â Held in Kyoto, Japan
sponsored by the Sensors and Micromachines Society, the Institute of
Electrical Engineers of Japan, "The 19th Sensor Symposium on Sensors,
Micromachines, and Applied Systems", May 30-31, 2002 had a large
array of interesting papers. One that caught our attention was
"Lifecycle management by RF Tag" by N. Teraura, T. Saito, K.
Sawada and T. Hirano. The paper describes a method to use an RFID Tag
attached to a product during its manufacturing to store information about
the item and its recycling needs. In Japan, the Electric Appliance
Recycling Law came into effect in April 2001 (covering the recycling of
TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines).
Recycling of appliances, automobiles, computers, and other
items is fast becoming a major topic in many countries. This paper attacks
some of the problems and presents a solution. The IEEJ web site is http://www.iee.or.jp/smas/19/Call_for_papers.html,
though the proceedings are not yet available. The paper above is number
B4-2.
And continuing along the same lines, waste disposal and
recycling is a key issue in the EU where the "Proposal for a
DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on waste
electrical and electronic equipment" has just finished second round
amendments. The Register reports that this legislation could hurt the
small PC builders, but I am sure it will affect all electronic equipment
manufacturers. The Register’s report is at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/26089.html
and the EU directive history and links to the documents are at: http://europa.eu.int/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=158020
â The issue of patents
(see above) is one that stretches into all areas of technology. A quick
search of the US patent Office shows 466 patents issued. The problem with
patents is that they disclose the invention making it possible for others
to circumvent it. In the area of Biometrics, where security is being
sought, is this the best way to go? One attorney thinks so: http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2002/06/24/focus3.html
â The Committee on
Science and Technology for Countering Terrorism - Division on Engineering
and Physical Sciences - National Research Council has issued a report
entitled "Making the Nation Safer - The Role of Science and
Technology in Countering Terrorism". The prepublication report is
available in PDF format (chapter 11 includes the Biometrics information)
at: http://www.nap.edu/html/stct/index.html
â In previous editions of
this newsletter we have reported on the ability to "spoof" or
cheat biometric sensors has been discussed.
In the 29th issue of the Biometrics
in Human Services User Group Newsletter (BHSUG) they
discuss the various methods of fooling biometrics devices. I suspect that
this topic will continue for a long time. The newsletter has many other
interesting links and features that you may find useful. You can
access this issue at: http://www.dss.state.ct.us/digital/news29/bhsug29.htm
â Identification and
Identification cards are fast becoming a hot topic. In this post September
11 world, people are asking more about the security of everything and ID
cards are one of the tools.
In the USA where we are traditionally very suspicious
about a National ID Card (even though the Drivers License has been used as
one for many years) there has been a lot of talk about such a card.
Recently U.S. Representatives Jim Moran, and Tom Davis,
both from Virginia, have introduced the Driver's License Modernization Act
of 2002, H.R. 4633. This proposed legislation promotes the use of new
technology to make state-issued driver's licenses more secure. It mentions
the use of Biometrics and computer chips built into the license. You can
see the full text at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.4633:
and the status of the legislation is at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:HR04633:@@@L&summ2=m&
Two interesting articles can be found at: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2002/06/24/focus2.html
and http://www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2002/0429/web-driver-05-02-02.asp
You can also see Rep. Moran's press release at: http://www.house.gov/moran/20020501.htm
and Rep. Davis' press release at:
http://www.house.gov/tomdavis/newsroom/20020501DriversLicense.shtml
â Meanwhile over in the
UK. On July 3, 2002, the British Home Secretary issued to
Parliament a 135 page discussion
outline, initiating a six month national discussion on the question of a
universal identity card and on whether biometrics ought be used as part of
such an id system.
As well as the paper on the National ID card, the
government also issued a paper on Identity Fraud. The full text of both of
these papers can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dob/ecu.htm
The Register has an interesting article on this issue
along with some good links
at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/26029.html
To provide a counterpoint also visit the BBC News Online
page which looks at the issues surrounding identity cards and the
practicalities of how they might work. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_2090000/2090712.stm
â Looking specifically at
the air travel industry, "The Blue Ribbon Aviation Security Task
Force" have issued their report on Airport Security needs. The task
force was to created to review current and emerging technologies to
enhance the security and passenger convenience of national air travel. The
ultimate goal of the Task Force is to utilize Silicon Valley innovation
and energy to identify practical and workable solutions to improve air
travel security and convenience that could be tested for nationwide
application at Mineta San José International Airport. The full report is
available at: http://www.sjcblueribbontaskforce.org/report.html
â And to wrap it up, in
the USA an article on Securefrontiers.net tries to put it all in
perspective and explain the problems and how to address them. http://www.securefrontiers.net/cyberwarfare/july02/newtechnologycracksdownon.html
â Following on from last
months mention of problems with smart cards, the following URL details the
flaws inherent in some smart cards and microprocessors. See title
article, "Optical Probing Attacks, at top of third paragraph, at http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/rja14/
.
â While the work
continues in the standards committees and GTAG and MIT sort out where they
are going and what "standard" they will support (see RFID
standards), it could just be that the problems are being dealt with by the
companies that have the problems. In this case we see SAP has joined
forces with Escort Memory Systems and Philips Semiconductors to provide
automatic, item-level monitoring of goods in retail stores. The store of
the future? http://www.ems-rfid.com/pr/sap_pr.html
â In another example of
technology marching on, we see that the point of sale products so
elegantly created for the Mobil Speedpass are continuing to grow in
strength. This article details some of the applications where similar
devises are in use. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/07/business/yourmoney/07PAYY.html
â If there was any doubt
about the effect of theft (or shrinkage as it is sometimes called) the
following article continues from last months news about the UK
Chipping of Goods initiative.
â The RFID standards of
SC31 are moving along towards final acceptance. ISO 18000 parts 1, 3, and
4 are in the FCD ballot stage. Part 2 will join them shortly. Parts 5 and
6 are in the CD ballot stage. The next meeting for this group is July
17/18 in Vienna, Austria, so look for an update next month.
â The world of RFID
standards certainly seems to be a mixed up one. As many of you are aware
the are multiple groups all working on creating RFID standards. The
question is why? ISO/IEC JTC1/SC31/WG4/SG3 has been working on ISO 18000
to create air interface standards for all the RFID frequencies for item
management. The EAN.UCC GTAG project has now stated that they will adopt
18000-6 (the 860-930MHz solution) as the air interface for GTAG. This
document is in the first stages of balloting for a CD. (See http://www.hightechaid.com/standards/how_does_iso_work.htm
for an explanation of how ISO standardization works).
But what about MIT and the Auto-ID lab’s project? Wouldn’t
it make the most sense for them to follow suit and adopt ISO 18000 as
well? Acknowledging that their desire is for a lower functionality than
the current part 6, maybe the standard needs to be modified to include
this now before it is too late. If you have thoughts, why don’t you
share? mailto:news@hightechaid.com.
â Ever wondered about the
need for good design? Well check out this web site to see some examples of
"not-so-good" design. http://www.system-concepts.com/index.html
- To get your own copy of this newsletter,
simply visit http://www.hightechaid.com
and fill out the subscription information. To unsubscribe send an
email to mailto:news@hightechaid.com?subject=unsubscribe
We request that you forward no more than three copies to any one
person - after that, they should get their own FREE subscription.
- A reminder. If you get the newsletter,
you do not need to subscribe again. If you subscribe just after the
issue comes out, you will not get another issue for a month, so
multiple subscriptions will not help you. If you need a back issue,
check the web site at http://www.hightechaid.com.
Back issues get posted as soon as I can. The newsletter comes out
around the 15th of the month (give or take a day or so, depending on
my travel schedule), so if you subscribe immediately after a new issue
comes out (and most people do), don't despair if you don't see the
newsletter arrive for a while.
- Tell us what you want from the
newsletter, mailto:news@hightechaid.com,
and don't forget to tell your friends to subscribe.
- All material is copyright (c) High Tech Aid, 2002 unless otherwise
stated, however permission is granted to circulate this publication
via manual forwarding by e-mail to friends and/or co-workers providing
that 1) the text is forwarded in its entirety, from the title line on
top through the end of this paragraph, and 2) no fee is charged.
|
