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November 2003

Steve Halliday

From the editor's desk!

Welcome to the latest issue of the HighTechAIDCourier.

First, my apologies to anyone who has tried to sign up for the newsletter recently and had problems. We have just discovered that a recent server upgrade broke the sign-up form. It is all functioning again now, so please try again to subscribe.

Another month has flashed past us and this has been a busy one. With both the DoD and Wal*Mart making announcements this month, we have seen the press full of articles citing the good and bad of RFID. It never ceases to amaze me how after working for so long to get RFID into the mainstream, how it can suddenly happen. Of course it also never ceases to amaze how the press can be so mis-informed about the technology. See my editorial below for some thoughts.

As always, providing this newsletter is just a part of what we have to offer here at High Tech Aid. When your problem needs have you overwhelmed, then you need to get help and that is why we are here. We specialize in education, but the spectrum of services is much greater than that. Call or email us for more information. Visit the web site www.hightechaid.com for more information on basic technology details as well as many other things.

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E-mail me at news@hightechaid.com and tell us what you think. Don’t forget to send this issue to your friends so that they can sign up for their own issue of the free newsletter at www.hightechaid.com. If you have news to share or info you need, let me know at steve@hightechaid.com.

Editorial

Where are we going?
an editorial by Steve Halliday

As I sit in my office on this rare late summer day in November with the sun shining and the temperature about 75 F (24 C), I am thinking about how RFID seems to be changing faster than the leaves on the trees outside. Just last week, we had resigned ourselves to winter fast approaching, the trees changing color, and the temperatures dropping. Now, the leaves have nearly all gone, but the temperature has zoomed back up for those last summer days.

RFID seems to be going through some of these erratic changes and it seems to be causing a lot of confusion, not least with the press. Every day it seems I read another article in one of the major publications with another version of the Wal*Mart and Department of Defense (DoD) story.

So what is the big issue that has everyone running around to get the latest scoop on the story? First of all, of course, RFID has become big news, and the newspapers and magazines are playing every last inch on the story. Second with the changeover from the AutoID Center at MIT to EPC™ Global, there are changes in the air. Third, the statements from Wal*Mart and the DoD about RFID being in use for real by January 2005 has got everyone looking very closely at the technology.

Taking a step back in time, maybe 25 years ago, we saw bar code technology going through many of the same issues as companies started to implement the technology and require their suppliers to provide the bar code on everything they sent. Tomorrow, Wal*Mart will announce to its top 100 suppliers that they must put RFID tags on every case and pallet that is shipped to the retailer by January 2005. A similar announcement by the DoD has everyone looking to identify everything (not just cases and pallets) that is supplied to the DoD in a similar time frame.

So what is the problem and why the confusion? Wal*Mart is a strong supporter of the EPC™ system (the version 1 specifications can be downloaded from http://www.epcglobalinc.org/standards_
technology/specifications.html) and is set to use the front-end of the system for the roll-out that they have planned. What do I mean by front-end? I mean the RFID portion and the EPC™ number. It seems unclear to me that Wal*Mart intend to ever use the full ONS/PML/Savant system as they already have a system in place for identifying shipments and changing to the EPC™ back-end would be a significant change for them. Of course they have also said that the current class 0 and class 1 tags do not provide all the functionality that they require (including read/write) so they are requiring suppliers to change to the new Class 1 Generation 2 (C1G2) specification when the specifications are complete and the hardware becomes available.

On the other side, DoD is also a supporter of the EPC™ system but they are also working in a truly global world and have seen the problems with the EPC™ specifications and the lack of true globalization. To solve that problem, the DoD have stated that they will "leverage" EPC™ and look to ISO for the standards. Of course as we know, the EPC™ system is not ISO compliant at this point, although there are those working on solutions to try and bring convergence to ISO and EPC™. DoD have also stated that they don't want to do something different from everyone else but that they are looking to ISO to provide the standards for a global system.

So what is being done to resolve these differences? First, there has been a lot of work in the EPC Global committees recently to improve the performance of the current Class 0 and Class 1 specifications. The Hardware Action Group (HAG) is looking at a Generation 2 specification (for UHF), the primary goal of which is to develop a protocol that is superior in all jurisdictions to existing protocols, whether they are proprietary or endorsed as a standard, while ensuring that multiple suppliers will manufacture tags and readers to the protocol.

Second, in the ISO 18000 arena, an ad-hoc committee is working on how to bring the EPC™ standards into ISO and how ISO 18000 and EPC™ can achieve compatibility. The work on both committees is being embraced by many of the RFID suppliers in the UHF arena and so there is a strong reason to believe that this will succeed.

So, a path is being cut through this jungle that will solve all the problems. When will it be announced? I don't know, but I have reasons to hope that it will be very soon and certainly before the end of 2004. Is this an answer to the differences? - certainly for the front-end it is. I see this as a very positive step forward for everyone and believe that the solution is getting near.

However, I am dismayed to read some of the articles that have appeared this month citing the poor performance and lack of availability of RFID. While some of the comments were certainly true two years ago (one article was quoting the EPC™ tests that finished that long ago), this is certainly not the case today. The press seem to be looking for the sensational story here, and are grasping at whatever straws come their way. RFID performance is at the levels that we require. Availability has never been higher, and prices are falling. If you have been swayed against RFID by some of these articles, you need to think again. RFID is real and it is available NOW.

Do you have more questions? Maybe High Tech Aid can help you. Send me an email (steve@hightechaid.com) and we will see if there is a solution to your problem.

Technology News Briefs

Radio Frequency Identification

M&S tests RFID

Going against the flow, U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer is putting RFID tags on clothing in a test in one of their stores. After talking with privacy groups, the RFID is on removable tags so that the shopper can remove them once the purchase is made. http://news.com.com/2100-1039-5092460.html http://www.frontlinetoday.com/frontline/article/article
Detail.jsp?id=73076
http://www.line56.com/articles/default.asp?ArticleID=5076
http://www.emmicroelectronic.com/DetailNews.asp?IdNews=60

Auto-ID Center changes to EPC™ Global

After nearly four years working with users and vendors to specify a means to identify everything, the MIT center is taking a back room position as the new EPC™ Global organization steps forward to commercialize the activity. http://news.com.com/2100-1008_3-5095957.html?tag=nefd_top

School takes on RFID

We have a new three R's in school, Reading, Writing and RFID! A small school in Buffalo, NY is using RFID to track attendance and will soon use the technology for the library and for cafeteria purchases. http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,60898,00.html
http://oobleck.com/tollbooth/archives/001627.html

General Motors to adopt RFID

Anthony Scott, chief technology officer at General Motors Corp. predicts that RFID to track parts and wireless systems in cars will become a big part of the automotive industry in the next three to five years. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/
0,10801,86402,00.html

RFID is not just tags

The issue of data is one that I have been talking about for some time. Now others are beginning to see the need for good software to handle to data. http://www.business2.com/articles/web/0,1653,53085,00.html

Smart gun uses RFID

Embedding an RFID reader in the gun, and forcing the user to ear an RFID tag, ties the gun to that user. This prevents the unauthorized use of the weapon. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20031026T060000-
0500_50737_OBS_A__SMART_GUN__THAT_ONLY_AUTHORISED_
USERS_CAN_FIRE_.asp

DoD to use RFID

Issuing a long expected policy document, the department of Defense has stated that it will use RFID tags on all items in the supply chain to help speed transactions with contractors while allowing the military to "realign resources and streamline business processes http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20031024S0007
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/35/33634.html

The truth about RFID?

AMR Research says that RFID is not ready for the 2005 mandates of the DoD and Wal*Mart. The cost of the tags is not near the five cent level, the reliability is not there, and the back up systems and infrastructure are not ready. http://www.amrresearch.com/content/view.asp?pmillid=16727

RFID still has hurdles

Quoting the poor performance of RFID tags, the deadlines being imposed by Wal*Mart and DoD may not be real. But does the author of this article really have the facts straight? http://news1.iwon.com/tech/article/id/364438|technology|
11-02-2003::12:24|reuters.html

RFID to revitalize

The topic of the moment at the Forrester Research's Executive Strategy Forum was RFID and how it will revitalize the sagging enterprise software industry. http://news.com.com/2100-1017_3-5098653.html

RFID will take time

At the Auspack exhibition, Rick Fox, president and CEO of Fox IV Technologies said that everyone should remember how long it took bar codes to get adopted and not expect miracles from RFID. http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/9a/0c01b59a.asp

Wal*Mart's big meeting

Calling together its top 100 suppliers and the RFID vendors, Wal*Mart held a two day meeting to brief everyone on their requirements for the implementation of RFID on pallets and cases. http://update.internetweek.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/
edi80FtnDk0V30CCsH0AH
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/642/1/1/
http://www.scdigest.com/newsletters/SCDigestLE/03-11-06.htm
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/11/prweb88946.php

Golf goes RFID

Using an RFID chip embedded in a golf ball, and an array of antennas at the hole, the system reports how good your swing really is. http://worldgolfsystems.yuccamedia.com/index.asp

RFID at speed

As marathons and other road races become larger and larger, it has become necessary to find better ways of timing the events and now RFID seems to be the solution. http://www.wisinfo.com/dailytribune/wrdtsports/
279558216475637.shtml

Animal ID

In Taiwan, they want to know about their animals and so Advanced ID Corporation has received an order for 8 million livestock tags. http://www.usingrfid.com/briefs/archive.asp?action=read&bid=16

IP is RFID SI

International Paper have announced a service where they will act as a System Integrator (SI) for RFID with emphasis on EPC™ technology and standards. http://www.isourceonline.com/article.asp?article_id=4733

China to get buy RFID

Inside Contactless announced that they have an order for eight million PicoTag™ smart labels from the Chinese Ministry of Education. http://www.contactlessnews.com/news/latestNews.cfm?
itemID=1002

The actual cost of a tag?

Many agree that the five cent tag is a myth, and that much work still needs to be done to produce anything less than billions at that price point. However, what is real? http://www.electronicsnews.com.au/articles/d2/0c01a9d2.asp

The cost of supplying Wal*Mart

The New York Times takes a slightly different track in this much publicized issue, focusing on the cost to Wal*Mart's suppliers to implement RFID following a report by A.T. Kearney. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/10/technology/10radio.html?
ex=1069045200&en=bc2e1efe3def19c3&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
http://www.in-sourced.com/article/articleview/826/1/1/

...And get the report

From A.T. Kearney that started this article. http://www.atkearney.com/shared_res/pdf/Retail_RFID_S.pdf

Wal*Mart spends big to save big

Although Wal*Mart is expecting its suppliers to put the tags on the cases and pallets, the company itself will implement the readers and infrastructure to read the tags. This will cost $3 billion but it is expected to save $8.4 billion a year. http://www.silicon.com/0,39024729,39116816,00.htm
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/technology/articles/0,15114,
526418,00.html

Toppan announce low cost RFID

Working with two Singapore institutes, Toppan announced that mass production and sales of a new low cost RFID system should begin in April 2004. No mention of whether this 2.45GHz tag is EPC™ or ISO compliant. http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf?CID=onair/asabt/
news/271780

Australian Retailers Association supports EPC™Global

Australian retailers eye code of practice, see RFID as on the horizon. http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,7619017%
5E15306%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

NY retailer Prada stops tagging clothes

Women objected to the store knowing their clothes' size more than the store tracking purchasers buying habits. http://www.rfidnews.org/archives/000275.html

After contentious Gillette tagging trial, Tesco try tracking DVD

Tesco comment photography was one of a range of uses for RFID tags. Gillette maintain its interest is pallet and case tracking. CASPIAN outraged. http://www.silicon.com/networks/lans/0,39024663,10005596,00.htm

...and now P&G is caught

More of the same, but this article includes details of a test in the U.S. that used cameras in a similar fashion to the controversial U.K. test. Note the lack of understanding about range in the article, and I believe that the whole story is not reported here. http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-nws-spy09.html

BBC reports on RFID trials

Consumer article explains RFID and covers Prada, Walmart, Marks & Spencer trials on RFID http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3211373.stm

Fish and chips?

Now here's a use for RFID. Track fish (yes old hat I know), but then use the tags to bust the poachers! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1516&ncid=
1516&e=5&u=/afp/20031106/od_afp/australia_fish_offbeat_
031106194455

Michelin wants RFID

Even before the pressure from Wal*Mart, Michelin was investigating RFID and ways to implement it in tires. The TREAD act will require them to track all consumer activity and RFID could be their best solution. http://wirelessnewsfactor.com/perl/story/22664.html

Wal*Mart and RFID a case study

This article tries to explain the reasoning behind the Wal*Mart push. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1269269,00.asp

Significant increase in RFID deployment

Says PSC Inc. a provider of integrated data collection systems. A survey of attendees at the recent EPC™ Symposium in Chicago showed that 47% of survey participants expect to use RFID next year. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?
ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20031112005561&newsLang=en

HDMA wants EPC™ by end of 2005

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) is recommending the use of EPC™ tags for case level by the end of 2005 and at item level by 2007. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031112/dcw054_1.html

RFID Standards

A slow month for standards work though there is plenty going on behind the scenes.

The documents for ISO 18000 are now complete (all parts) and are in the hands of ISO. They all have to go through a final ballot and they will be approved for publication. We expect to see these long awaited documents available in the January/February 2004 time frame.

The work on the Generation 2 EPC™ tag specification has already been mentioned above, and we hope to see a candidate ready for release internally in the coming weeks.

If you want more information on ISO standardization or on any issue of RFID standardization, then email steve@hightechaid.com.

Bar Code

Secure bar codes?

Maybe using nanoparticles embedded in the ink as shown by the University of Durham, U.K. is the solution. http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/Gateway.taf?g=3&file=/materials/
nanozone/news/031106/portal/031027-7.html&filetype=
&_UserReference=

Photocopy your casino ticket and break the bank

$100,000 loss to Washington state casinos from counterfeit bar code tickets. Suspects caught, software patched. http://www.gamblingmagazine.com/managearticle.asp?
C=280&A=8622

Who said bar code is dead?

After seeing numerous articles this week that bar code is dead, here's a new use that might just catch on. Get rid of those paper tickets and use your phone to display the bar code. http://rss.com.com/2100-1026_3-5103968.html?
part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news

Identification & Security

EU looks for biometric health card

Taking the first steps towards a EU-wide Health Insurance Card, the EU announced that the card will be able to store a range of biometric and personal data on a microchip by 2007. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/10/
21/wid21.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/10/21/ixworld.html but not everyone likes the idea http://euobs.com/?aid=13160&rk=1

British ID cards still contentious

British cabinet continue to argue about national ID cards. http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12188

U.K. police like ID cards

Joining in the fray about the U.K. need for an ID card, the top cop in the U.K. has put his opinions out and he comes down on the pro side. http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=462259

U.K. ID cards - the final frontier

After the rebellion comes the calm! David Blunkett unveiled a 10 year plan that has U.K. residents holding biometric passports and driving licences. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/7616756
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/
11/uidcard.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/11/11/ixportaltop.html

More changes for EU passport and ID card

EU passport and health insurance card schedule and specification changed again. Accelerated schedule and improved security. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,
39117338,00.htm

EU is in favor of ID cards, civil liberties groups against

EU approves health insurance cards. Civil liberties groups fear invasion of privacy http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/10/
21/wid21.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/10/21/ixworld.html

Canadian ID card debate

The debate for the Canadian ID card is almost as loud as the one in the U.K. http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/Z01_cinbrief1110.lasso

Biometrics

Biometrics provide simple solution

Replace all that jumble of cards, PINs, and passwords with a simple biometric measurement. http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/10/15/biometrics.password.
reut/index.html

Biometric conference papers available

Papers from the recently held Biometric Consortium Conference are now available at http://www.biometrics.org/bc2003/program.htm

China wants Biometrics standards

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Automation, which leads others in biometrics research and commercialization, suggested that governmental regulators set uniform technical standards for biometrics products. http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-10/26/content_
275578.htm

Biometric time clock

Companies are always looking for ways to ensure that their employees are at work, and maybe this is a way to beat that time clock punch in blues. http://www.sunspot.net/technology/bal-bigbrother111003,0,
1204939.story?coll=bal-business-headlines

Red Herring produces Biometrics sector analysis

A report shows that fingerprint scanners lead the biometric industry with more than 50 percent of the market. http://www.redherring.com/article.aspx?f=Articles/2003%2F11%2F
46858340-71e0-4fd0-aae9-de9cab1df9a7%2F46858340-71e0-4fd0-
aae9-de9cab1df9a7.xml&hed=Biometrics%20sector%20analysis

Phone-based fingerprint scanner

A fingerprint scanner attached to a NTT DoCoMo mobile phone will give users of JCB Co. Ltd. more security in accessing their account information. http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20031031S0011

Facial technology gets help

The use of facial biometrics has been under scrutiny by the CIA in an attempt to improve the accuracy especially from a distance. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/article
show?msid=268217
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20031104/
tc_nm/tech_intelligence_dc_1

Health fears hamper biometrics

The fear of infection from biometrics devices may hamper the widespread implementation of the devices. http://asia.cnet.com/newstech/security/
0,39001150,39156550,00.htm

Hitachi recognizes faces

Hitachi, Japan's biggest electronics maker, announced that they have a technology that can recognize faces with 99 per cent accuracy. http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&
storyID=3777651&section=news

Russian biometric passports imminent…

Will Russia beat the Europeans with high-tech passports? Biometric passports will be issued starting end of 2004. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2003/10/16/031.html

… But Thai biometric ID cards probably delayed

Meanwhile, the Thai Java-based ID cards for 61 million citizens expected next month is unlikely. Poor planning and inadequate funding cited as the cause. http://asia.cnet.com/newstech/personaltech/0,39001147,
39154781,00.htm

Identity theft reduced in central Florida

Banks in central Florida testing fingerprint recognition for check cashing. http://www.local6.com/money/2559540/detail.html

Japanese airport test start soon

Trial in face-recognition technology for Narita Airport, Tokyo to run December through March http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/21/business/21memo.html?ex=
1068267600&en=4d8a0b14d8be857f&ei=5070

Australian Customs Service trial shortening sounds positive, but results suggest otherwise

Australian Customs Service abbreviates biometric passport trial from 6 months to 6 weeks and moves to public testing. Many issues, such as accuracy rate, implementation details, and methods are still unresolved. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,39020351,2129186,00.htm

Police confirm biometrics and RFID important…

Technologies such as biometrics and RFID are here whether we like it or not, says New York police official. http://www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2003/1027/
web-cowps-10-27-03.asp

But is the technology ready

However, an independent market analysis say biometrics for homeland security is not advanced enough yet. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/10/prweb86476.php

Japan's biometrics market grows

Yano Research Institute Ltd. Released information that the market in Japan for biometrics equipment will grow 6.4 times by 2010. http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=278808

Who is watching us?

An article in the printed version of the National Geographic reviews the privacy that we have at the moment and remarks on the fact that we like to watch but not be watched. Part of the article is at: http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0311/
feature1/index.html

New biometrics report available

The International Biometric Group have announced an updated version of their "State of Biometric Technology Standards" report. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT
=SVBIZINK3.story&STORY=/www/story/11-12-2003
/0002056652&EDATE=WED+Nov+12+2003,+09:06+AM

Wireless Computing

Wi-Fi really starts to take off

A report from Pyramid Research suggests that the number of hot spots will double in 2003 to over 45,000. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/69/33523.html

Has Telerama got hotspots?

You bet they have in Pittsburgh, PA and now they are going to roll them out nationwide with a business model that seems to work. http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/2246071

Intel buys wireless chip developer

In an effort to increase its wireless capabilities, Intel announced that it has acquired Mobilan a wireless chip developer that concentrates on 802.11 and BlueTooth. http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3106191

WiMax to take over

Also called 802.16a, this wireless standard is designed to cover distances of up to 30 miles and thousands of users at 70Mbit/sec. The technology is set to boom and could reach billions of dollars by 2007. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/
0,10801,86093,00.html?f=x10
http://www.abiresearch.com/abiprdisplay2.jsp?pressid=196

Bluetooth grows-up

With widespread use outside of the U.S. Bluetooth may be everywhere and shipping one million units a month but is it really what is needed? http://www.nwfusion.com/weblogs/wireless/003683.html

Can my badge talk to your badge

At your next conference, junk that old paper badge and wear one that uses RFID to sense other badges and communicate to them and readers at doors, booths and who knows where. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1370806,00.asp
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994371

Bluetooth gains ground

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) reports that one million bluetooth enabled items are shipping every week. http://www.electricnews.net/news.html?code=9380157

Grocery shopping without cashiers?

Massachusetts grocery chain installs WiFi units to carts. Customers excited but Union leaders nervous. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/10/17/
replacing_the_checkout_line/

More grocery shopping with intelligent carts?

IBM demonstrates grocery carts with scanners and account history. Privacy issues raised as concerns. http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2003-10-26-shop-
smart_x.htm

WiFi hot spots linked for users

WLAN Smart Card Consortium specification lets users pay for WiFi hot spots with mobile phone accounts and move seamlessly between hot spots. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/69/33499.html

German government sells post

Raising €5.5 billion for its 2003 budget, the German government sold part of its holdings in the postal and telecommunications monopolies to a bank. http://www.eyefortransport.com/index.asp?news=39476&
source=d&enc=1&emins1=lecwcaphopecvpkhmuviz

McDonald's vs Starbucks

Who is going to have the best hot spot in your locality. McDonald's have just announced that they will join the IPass network of hot spots rather than the T-Mobile network that serves Starbucks. http://update.internetweek.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/
ednx0FtnDk0V30CDKT0Ax

U.S. to get more spectrum

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it has made more spectrum in the 5 gigahertz range for unlicensed wireless broadband use. http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3108961

Smart Card

India to manufacture smart cards

With no wafer fab willing to take on the Indian market, Semiconductor Complex Ltd., India's only VLSI facility will manufacture smart cards and MEMS devices. http://www.eetasia.com/article_content.php3?article_id=
8800320515

Transit cards make sales

The use of public transport in the U.S has increased 22 percent in the last six years. High value tickets are increasingly becoming smart cards and these are being used for other purchases as well as transit rides. http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/625/1/1/

Smart Cards for London travel

350,000 London travelcards for buses and trains will be smart cards within 12 months. 3 million cards anticipated by end of roll out. http://www.rfidnews.org/archives/000283.html

Smart Card conference shows current direction

Smart Card Alliance fall conference touts growth of contactless smart card technology. Transit, wireless, enterprise security, and financial fields were covered. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031028/phtu043_1.html

UltraWideBand

UWB standard

Positioning itself for the battle at the next IEEE meeting as the best candidate for a standard, XtremeSpectrum promises royalty-free technology. http://www.ultrawidebandplanet.com/technology/
article/0,,10850_3103541,00.html

Motorola acquires XtremeSpectrum

In an attempt to position itself for the adoption of UltraWide Band (UWB) technology, Motorola has broadened its base. http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3106381

UWB - tale of two technologies

Leading up to the controversial meetings of the IEEE 802.15.3a study group on UltraWideBand, the The International Telecommunications Union's radio branch will likely endorse the XtremeSpectrum/Motorola direct-sequence CDMA ultrawideband proposal. http://www.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?
articleID=16100246

UWB deadlock continues

At the IEEE meetings in Albuquerque this week, the two competing proposals are still at odds. Seems likely that a defacto standard will emerge. http://www.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?
articleID=16100366

UWB for PCs first

Parks Associates, the Dallas-based research firm said that the PC and peripherals industry will dominate the early UWB market, accounting for 70 percent of UWB-enabled devices in 2005. This will be a replacement for Firewire and USB. http://www.ultrawidebandplanet.com/technology/article/
0,,10850_3083281,00.html

Homeland Security

Singapore considers advanced passports

Singapore looking carefully at how to conform with U.S. Enhanced Border Security Visa Reform Act. Lab tests scheduled for January 2004 http://www.computerworld.com.sg/pcwsg.nsf/unidlookup/F8E3EF56
6BC6A85148256DC6000BE6C8?OpenDocument

European countries fight terrorism

Five countries have joined together to make it harder for terrorists to move among them by using biometric information at border crossings. http://news.xinhuanet.com/misc/2003-10/21/content_1133306.htm

New CIO for US VISIT

Scott Hastings leaves the Immigration and Naturalization Service to join the Homeland Security Department as CIO for the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program. http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2311419

US VISIT fact sheet

Learn what US VISIT is and how it will work. http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=2080
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20031028/D7UFFHJO0.html

U.S and EU should cooperate

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said that the United States and the European Union should lead the world in setting international standards for biometrics. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=
3714875

U.S. to be fingerprinted

Conference attendees in the U.K. were told that at least 25 countries plan to implement fingerprinting of U.S. citizens at their border crossings. http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?print=true&sid=9&
aid=13318

Biometric identity at ports

The equipment that will be used to verify travelers entering the U.S. at 115 airports and 14 seaports was shown recently before it goes into use on January 5, 2004. http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,61010,00.html?tw=
wn_tophead_15
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/
20031103/ts_usatoday/11934160

U.S. embassies start to fingerprint

As part of the US VISIT program, U.S. embassies around the world are starting to get the equipment to fingerprint potential visitors. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20031102/
tc_afp/uae_us_arab_visas_031102210104

CAPPS II violates privacy

Several organizations, that are concerned about privacy, filed formal comments to the Privacy Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in an attempt to stop use of the Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening System (CAPPS II) system. http://www.eff.org/privacy/cappsii/20030930_eff_pr.php

DoD to watch TIA

The Department of Defense will establish two boards to provide oversight of the Total Information Awareness Project, the program designed to develop tools to track terrorists. http://www.privacyparts.com/archives/001150.html

Improved airport security expected

Unisys Corp. named as systems integrator for Airport Access Control Pilot Program. 20 airports included in test to evaluate multiple technologies. http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=105-
10162003&site=rss

Atlanta test site for US VISIT next month.

Details of airports using US VISIT as entrance and exit procedures available. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/1027/
web-usvisit-10-28-03.asp
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=124-10282003

Police told of US VISIT's readiness…

Secretary Tom Ridge speaks at International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference. US VISIT will be ready by year's end. http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=2038

...but congress has economic concerns

Meanwhile, his staff report to a senate committee justifying VISIT in view of its potential impact on tourism and US business overseas. http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20031023-060046-8200r
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB2003102501
4220&Page=B&Title=Business&Topic=0

Contract halted for fingerprint identification equipment

Identix Inc. suffering because Dept. of Homeland Security halted purchase agreement. Competitor challenged the contract's award. New evaluations to occur. http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/4174458.html

Press shown US VISIT equipment

Homeland Security updates needs for US VISIT Program Oct. 28. Inkless fingerprint scanners used for visas. Equipment demonstrated to the press. http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=
123-10272003&site=rss
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,61010,00.html

DHS wants high tech partners

Looking to improve security for homeland defense, the DHS is turning to the private sector for help with technology. http://www.computerworld.com/governmenttopics/
government/policy/story/0,10801,87048,00.html?f=x10

US Visit needs hardware

The Homeland Security Department will release its pre-solicitation notice for systems to track foreign visitors on November 28. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/1110/
web-usvisit-11-12-03.asp

Privacy

Privacy prevents Prada

While RFID tags on the clothing seemed a great solution to Prada in their high fashion store in New York, the consumers were not so sure and now Prada has removed the technology. http://afr.com/articles/2003/10/20/1066631355534.html

Do we have privacy?

An interesting statement by Scott McNealy about new technology in 1999 could be applied more to our lives today. http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-ft-cameraphones3nov03,0,
4340585.story?coll=la-headlines-technology

RFID and privacy (again)

The Christian Science Monitor reviews the problems RFID brings to our private lives. http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1106/p14s01-stct.html

Marks & Spencer tests RFID. CASPIAN praises approach but calls for an end to trial

Four week trial of tags on paper labels in men's clothing. Marks & Spencer details limited data collection which wins respect of Consumers Against Supermaket Privacy Invasion and Numbering although opposition to item-level RFID still firm. http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103_2-5092460.html
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,7619017%5E15306
%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

Carry a blocker tag in your watch or purse and disable those RFID tags

RSA security plans a technology where the blocker tag will disrupt transmission of information from RFID tags and thereby protect a user's privacy. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/emergingtech/0,39020357,
39115965,00.htm
http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/~rivest/JuelsRivestSzydlo-
TheBlockerTag.pdf

Biometrics are infringement of personal freedoms

Electronic Frontier Foundation sound off about the negatives of biometrics. http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Surveillance/biometrics.php

Biometrics invade personal privacy

Friends of Liberty feel automatic face recognition in public should be outlawed. http://www.friendsofliberty.com/modules.php?name=News&file=
article&sid=1300

Vendors and EFF differ in views on RFID

EFF call for mandatory kill feature in tag. Library explains tag only contains the bar code number of book and an on/off bit. http://libraryjournal.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?layout=article&
articleid=CA331525&display=breakingNews

General Technology

Smart Dust - RFID of the future

This is where RFID is going in the future. So small you won't even be able to see it, and yet it will monitor everything. http://www.med.yale.edu/external/pubs/ym_wi03/future.html

Intel's smart sensor

Intel announced a new self-healing wireless sensor technology that can be used to monitor production lines. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1366592,00.asp

Smart dust is everywhere

Using smart dust to monitor birds in nature is just the latest use that this technology is being put to. http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=100189

Security spending up

And with it the need for technology like RFID, smartcards, and Biometrics. A report from market research firm IDC shows the trends. http://www.redherring.com/article.aspx?f=Articles/2003/11/5622d4
bf-0d3d-452a-ac95-1f3334d75ec7/5622d4bf-0d3d-452a-ac95-1f333
4d75ec7.xml&hed=Searching%20for%20security

IBM makes chips

And it is ramping up production of the lucrative wireless chips used in RFID and other wireless applications. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nf/20031031/
tc_nf/22604

Fast data

Working to break that data speed limit, researchers in Tokyo transferred data at 6.8 Gbytes per second from Japan to the U.S. http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=278566

Infineon hits the black

After nine loss-making quarters, chip maker Infineon Technologies posted a profit for the last three months of its 2004 financial year. http://www.cbronline.com/cbrnews/
b76445b30ba8df3980256ddb001e3f56

The Final Comment

We always try to find something to keep away those boring evenings while you wait to get back to work. This month is no exception, try these:

My personal favorite (I can dream can't I?) http://members.chello.nl/~s.ferris/

Check out some unworkable devices http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm

Make some finger string figures http://www.darsie.net/string

Play gridlock http://www.crystalnewmedia.com/gridlock

Or you could buy a Minuteman missile transporter
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=192232

How about a virtual tour of Rome http://www.vroma.org/

or brush up on your Latin (you will need it for that tour of Rome!) http://www.dl.ket.org/latinlit/index.htm

If that doesn't do it, you probably need a special quote http://www.worldofquotes.com

or maybe you need to know what time it is (you must see this!) http://www.andre-michelle.com/studies/cable_clock.htm

or play a game (remember breakout? try this version) http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/play/action/dexter_botbrigade/

Finally, if you ever need to find that elusive web page try this (I found one of my early - 1997- web designs here) http://www.archive.org/

Press Releases

A regular feature of HighTechAIDCourier will be a review of interesting press releases from around the world. Please send your press releases to news@hightechaid.com, but do not forget to include a URL to the full release on your web site. Here are this month’s selections:

VeriChip Corporation Records First Sales of Subdermal RFID VeriChip Products to Countries in Europe

PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2003--Applied Digital Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX): Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX), an advanced technology development company, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, VeriChip Corporation, has received a purchase order for 400 VeriChips and 34 handheld scanners from its exclusive distributor for Russia and Switzerland. These VeriChip sales represent the first to countries in the European region. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311100054
67&newsLang=en

Gatekeeper Systems, LLC Acquires activeRF

Leading Retail Loss-Prevention Technology Company Adds Line of RFID Products
IRVINE, Calif., November 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Gatekeeper Systems, LLC, a leading provider of retail loss-prevention technology solutions, today announced that it has purchased UK-based activeRF, a developer of RFID real-time tracking and locating systems for customers including Safeway PLC. The acquisition will enable Gatekeeper Systems to further increase its RFID engineering depth and broaden its line of front-end loss-prevention products. http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/
news/release?id=111527

Advancement in Face Recognition Technology Spurs Adoption Levels in New Applications

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2003--Face recognition biometrics is striving to overcome performance inefficiencies and dispel skepticism regarding its ability to meet the demands posed by emerging applications.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.autoID.frost.com), World Face Recognition Biometrics Market, reveals that this market totaled revenues worth $21.5 million in 2002 and is poised to expand to $791.8 million by 2009. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311100050
26&newsLang=en

Zebra's RFID Products and Acsis Supply Chain Evaluation and Integration Services Facilitate Adoption and Implementation of RFID Strategies

VERNON HILLS, Ill., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a worldwide leader in delivering on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security, today announced it has forged an alliance with Acsis Inc., a provider of data collection and integration solutions for companies running SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This new alliance will help consumer packaged goods, retail and pharmaceutical industry organizations implement practical, cost-effective RFID technology in their supply chains. This is especially important to the retail industry, with the recent push for top suppliers and manufacturers to place "EPC-compliant" RFID smart labels on cases and pallets by January 1, 2005. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK10.story
&STORY=/www/story/11-03-2003/
0002049444&EDATE=MON+Nov
+03+2003,+07:03+AM

SAMSys Technologies Closes $13.2 Million CDN Financing

TORONTO, ON October 15, 2003 SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY:TSX-V) ("SAMSys" or the "Company"), a world leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions and RFID integration consulting services, today announced that it has closed a Private Placement of 12,000,000 Special Warrants for gross proceeds of $13,200,000.

"This financing will give SAMSys Technologies the wherewithal to aggressively implement its overall market strategy which includes accelerated product development, expanding our RFID consulting practice, pursuing a comprehensive Intellectual Property strategy and expanding both our domestic and international sales activities," says Clifford Horwitz, Chairman and CEO of SAMSys. "Clearly, we are now in a position to help drive the RFID market forward through our substantial internal resources and by partnering with other leaders in the field." http://www.samsys.com/default.php
?alpha=company&beta=news&action
=read&section=pr&release=
1066217314

SAMSys Technologies and SATO America Get Fit to Print

SAMSys RFID readers integrated into SATO America's UHF Enabled Printers
TORONTO, ON November 5, 2003 SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY:TSX-VEN) ("SAMSys"), an international provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions, today announced that it has formed a partnership with SATO America, a leader in barcode printing, to manufacture RFID readers for the company's RFID-enabled printers. http://www.samsys.com/
default.php?alpha=company&beta=
news&action=read&section=pr&
release=1068048551

SAMSys Technologies Works with LXE to Give the Supply Chain a Lift

SAMSys and LXE Demonstrate Industrial RFID Data Collection Solution at the EPCglobal Technology Expo
TORONTO, ON - November 06, 2003 - SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY:TSX-VEN) ("SAMSys"), an international provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions and consulting services, today announced that it will be demonstrating its RFID readers in use with LXE rugged forklift mounted computers. http://www.samsys.com/default.php
?alpha=company&beta=news&action
=read&section=pr&releas
=1068135968

McCarran International Airport To Implement RFID Baggage Tagging System

World's first airport-wide baggage tracking system will use latest radio frequency identification technology from Matrics, Inc. to improve passenger safety
Las Vegas, Nevada and Columbia, Maryland - November 5, 2003 - McCarran International Airport today announced a contract with Matrics, Inc., a pioneer in the advanced development and standardization of low-cost, high-performance, UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) smart label technology, to supply RFID tags for use in tracking passenger bags as part of the airport's ongoing commitment to improving customer safety and satisfaction. The new system, operational in 2004, is designed to automatically track all passenger bags through inline explosive detection and screening equipment, ensuring safe passage for the airport's millions of customers. http://www.matrics.com/pdf/press/
press_11.5.03_mccarran_airport.pdf

NCR and Matrics Partner to Support RFID

Technology companies sign letter of intent to provide planning, installation, maintenance and support for RFID retail technology applications
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) and Matrics, Inc., a provider of EPC™-compliant radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, today signed a letter of intent to provide consulting and support services for retailers deploying RFID technology. http://www.matrics.com/pdf/press
/NCR_Matrics_Partner_to_
Support_RFID.pdf

Matrics Introduces Marubeni Corporation As RFID Distributor In Japan

Mighty Card, a Marubeni Corp. subsidiary, to market Matrics RFID Solutions
Columbia, MD- October 21, 2003 - Matrics Inc., a pioneer in the advanced development and standardization of low-cost, high-performance, EPC™-compliant RFID technology and the developer of PICA™, a new, high-speed RFID tag assembly system, today announced the signing of an agreement with Marubeni Corporation to become the distributor for Matrics in Japan. Marubeni will market Matrics RFID solutions through its subsidiary company, Mighty Card Corporation. http://www.matrics.com/pdf/press/
press_10.22.03_Matrics_RFID_Japan
_Distributor.pdf

Wherenet Introduces Wireless Location Solution For Marine Terminals; Cost-Effective System Automates The Processing Of Thousands Of Containers Stacked In Yards

In Cooperation with Crane Provider PACECO CORP., WhereNet Offers Terminal Operators a Complete Solution for Locating and Managing Every Container in a Seaport Yard, Resulting in Increased Throughput and Reduced Costs
SANTA CLARA, Calif.---Oct. 21, 2003---WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today the WhereNet® Marine Terminal Management solution --- a single, standards-based wireless system that enables terminal operators to cost-effectively locate, track and manage containers and container handling equipment in high-volume seaports. This first-of-its-kind solution --- based on the WhereNet real-time locating system (RTLS) wireless infrastructure interfaced with sensor data provided by PACECO CORP.'s Position Tracking Interface Unit (PTIU) --- gives terminal operators accurate data about every stacked container in their yard, enabling them to optimize operations while increasing volume. http://www.wherenet.com/press
releases/pr_10212003.html

EAN International and Uniform Code Council Name Margaret Fitzgerald President of EPCglobal, Inc.

International Headquarters to be Established in Boston
Wednesday 22nd October 2003 - EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC), leaders in facilitating efficient international business, today announced that they have appointed Margaret Fitzgerald as President of their recently launched joint venture, EPCglobal, Inc. http://www.ean-int.org/Doc/NR%20
11-03%20EPCglobal%20President%
20announcement%20%20221003.pdf

Intellident Joins The Linpac Group To Provide RFID Based Turnkey Solutions

Intellident, the UK's leading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems Integrator, has announced it has accepted an offer from the LINPAC Group to acquire a substantial shareholding in the company.
Intellident has over 20 years experience in the design and integration of automatic data capture and asset tracking solutions. With proven applications in sectors as diverse as supply chain logistics, manufacturing and libraries the company is at the leading edge of RFID based technology. http://www.intellident.co.uk/Press/
PressReleases/1066998817

RFID Wizards Inc, Powers Manugistics RFID-Enabled Solutions

Washington, DC - October 27, 2003 At enVISION2003 today, RFID Wizards, Inc. and Manugistics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MANU), announced the availability of RFID-enabled solutions designed to help organizations utilize emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to drive increased visibility, control, and security across their demand and supply chains. http://www.rfidwizards.com/rfid
wizards.nsf/bca368ea2a17dac58525
6c6c0056701c/28fe471ac9d0156285
256dcc00554ebd!OpenDocument

U.S. Grants Important Energy Efficiency RFID Patent

JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA 29 OCTOBER 2003 For passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), where the tranponder has to operate on on energy it receives in the form of radio waves,the ability to operate on very small powers is what "seperates the men from the boys". Low power operation means longer operating range, smaller readers, longer battery life for readers.

Trolley Scan announced in Johannesburg that they have been granted by the United States Patent Office a patent detailing their important energy efficient technology which they market under the trademark EcoTag(R). The legal process grants protection to this technology for the twenty one year period from 1999 to 2020. http://www.trolleyscan.com/
pressrel.html

Traxus Technologies Announces Acquisition of RFID Wizards and BuyRFID.com

Creates the leading independent RFID consulting, technology evaluation and systems integration company. Vienna, VA - October 30, 2003- Traxus Technologies announced today an agreement to acquire RFID Wizards and BuyRFID.com for an undisclosed amount. RFID Wizards is a leader in independent radio frequency identification (RFID) consulting, technology evaluation and installation. BuyRFID.com is a leading online RFID superstore. http://www.rfidwizards.com/rfid
wizards.nsf/bca368ea2a17dac585256
c6c0056701c/712991ab156d49ed852
56dd00047c3a7!OpenDocument

Texas Instruments RFid Systems Signs OEM Agreement With Open Options Inc. for 13.56 MHz Access Control Solutions

DALLAS, TX (October 29, 2003) Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid™) Systems, a leading provider of RFID systems used in applications worldwide, today announced that Carrollton, Texas-based Open Options Inc., will resell Texas Instruments' line of 13.56 MHz contactless RFID vicinity cards and readers for access control applications. http://www.ti.com/tiris/docs/news/
news_releases/2003/
rel10-29-03.shtml

Next-Generation Smart Cargo Container to Be Unveiled At U.S. Maritime Security Conference In NYC

Co-Developers To Announce Modular System That Transforms ISO Intermodal Containers Into Smart Containers That Improve Logistics Security and Efficiency
BusinessWire - October 24, 2003 The next generation "smart cargo container" enhanced with multiple sensor and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems that communicate with a global security network will be unveiled and demonstrated for the first time on the first day of the U.S. Maritime Security Conference this coming Wednesday [October 29, 2003 - Jacob Javits Center, NYC ]. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200310240053
94&newsLang=en

510k Application Submitted to Food and Drug Administration Seeking Permission to Market Subdermal RFID VeriChip's Healthcare Applications in the United States

FDA Ruled Last October That VeriChip is a Regulated Medical Device "When Marketed to Provide Information to Assist in the Diagnosis or Treatment of Injury or Illness"
PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003-- Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX) an advanced technology development company, announced today that a 510(k) application has been submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking the agency's permission to market VeriChip's healthcare information applications in the United States. http://cnniw.yellowbrix.com/pages/
cnniw/Story.nsp?story_id=43118931
&ID=cnniw&scategory=
Telecommunications%3AWireless&

Identix Awarded Saudi Aramco Purchase Order to Provide World's Largest Oil Producing Company with Biometric Live Scan Systems for Employee Identity Management System

Purchase Order Valued in Excess of $1,000,000; Believed to Be Largest Live Scan System Award in Saudi Arabia To-Date
MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003--Identix Incorporated (Nasdaq:IDNX), the world's leading multi-biometrics security technology company, announced today that the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), the world's largest oil producing company, has awarded Identix a purchase order to provide fingerprint biometric live scan systems to assist Aramco in providing identity management solutions for its more than 54,000 employees worldwide. Aramco is the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to Aramco, it ranks first among oil companies worldwide in terms of crude oil production and exports and natural gas liquids exports, and is among the leading producers of natural gas. http://www.shareholder.com/
identix/ReleaseDetail.cfm?
ReleaseID=121277

Miguel Lopera Named CEO of the Uniform Code Council

Succeeds Thomas S. Rittenhouse, who announced his retirement October 23
WASHINGTON D.C., November 6, 2003 --- The Board of Governors of The Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) today announced that Miguel Lopera, CEO EAN International, will take on the added responsibility of Chief Executive Officer of the UCC, effective January 1, 2004. http://usnet03.uc-council.org/press
room/pr_detail.cfm?release_id=54

Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Announces the Conversion of 5 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures

THOROFARE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2003--Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CKP) today announced that the holders of $30.3 million of the $35.0 million of aggregate principal amount of its existing 5 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2005 ("the Notes") called for redemption on November 8, 2003, elected to convert their Notes into 1,647,697 shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $18.375 per share. The shares of Company common stock issuable as a result of the conversion will be freely-tradeable, unrestricted shares. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311050058
58&newsLang=en

Prof. Sanjay Sarma Joins OATSystems' Board of Directors

Founding Father of RFID and Chairman of MIT's Auto-ID Center to Play Major Role in Further Securing OATSystems' Position as the Leader in RFID Software
WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003-- OATSystems, Inc., developer of the world's most widely deployed standards-based RFID (radio frequency identification) solutions, today announced that Prof. Sanjay Sarma will join the company's Board of Directors. Sarma, who co-founded MIT's Auto-ID Center in 1999 and has served as its Chairman of Research since its inception, is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of RFID. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311030055
24&newsLang=en

Acsis Drives Technology and Business Leadership in Delivering RFID-Enabled Software Solutions

-- Data-Collection Experts Build on Years of Experience in Nearly 500 Implementations
-- Sophisticated New Analytics Tool Latest Offering to Help Manufacturers Comply with Wal-Mart Mandate
SPRINGFIELD, Ark. & MARLTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2003--Acsis, Inc. Inc., focused on delivering supply chain and business process automation solutions for companies using SAP's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, today announced the newest component of its enterprise data collection solution: the Acsis RFID Expert System, a combination of software and services that enables the diagnosis and rapid resolution of product, shipping environment and integration issues associated with radio frequency identification (RFID) implementations. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311040051
04&newsLang=en

Tyco Fire & Security Forms RFID Alliance -- epcSTARS

Initial team to include ADT, Sensormatic, Rafsec, ThingMagic and GlobeRanger
BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tyco Fire & Security, a major business segment of Tyco International Ltd., today announced it has formed a team of companies specializing in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies to provide turnkey RFID integration services and solutions for the retail supply chain. Called epcSTARS, this team will initially include ADT Security Services, Inc. and Sensormatic, as well as Rafsec Oy, ThingMagic LLC and GlobeRanger Corporation. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/11-05-2003/00
02051972&EDATE=WED+Nov+05+
2003,+01:00+PM

Sun to Open a Wal-Mart Compliant RFID Test Center

New Director of Auto-ID Business Unit Claims New Facility Will Speed Supplier Compliance To Wal-Mart Standards
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced that it will open an RFID test center where Wal-Mart suppliers can test their RFID solutions to guarantee compliance with the Wal-Mart standard. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin
/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/11-05-2003/000
2052061&EDATE=WED+Nov+05+
2003,+04:08+PM

LXE Assists in Commercialization of RFID by Joining EPCglobal

LXE Lends Supply Chain Expertise to Assist in Commercialization of Electronic Product Code (EPC) Network
ATLANTA, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- LXE Inc., a leading manufacturer of rugged wireless computers that improve the performance of supply-chain execution applications, today announced that it has joined EPCglobal, a not-for-profit organization aimed at expediting the commercialization of RFID, specifically Electronic Product Code (EPC) technology. A key step towards commercialization, and an early objective of EPCglobal, will be to develop and oversee commercial and technical standards for the EPC Network. LXE is committed to being at the forefront of these developments. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin
/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story
&STORY=/www/story/11-05-2003/
0002052183&EDATE=WED+Nov+
05+2003,+04:21+PM

VillageWorld.com, Inc. Signs Agreement to Acquire Biometrics 2000 Corporation

BOHEMIA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2003--VillageWorld.com, Inc. (OTCBB:VILW) (www.villageworld.com), today announced that it signed an agreement with Biometrics 2000 Corporation of Springfield, MA that provides for the merger of Biometrics 2000 into a wholly owned subsidiary of Villageworld. The merger agreement was signed by representatives from Biometrics 2000 and Villageworld. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311050055
14&newsLang=en

RedPrairie and Matrics Join Forces to Provide Leading-Edge RFID Solutions

Companies to Integrate Industry-Leading Supply Chain Execution Suite with State-of-the-Art RFID technology to Provide the Most Advanced Compliance and Visibility Solutions
WAUKESHA, Wis. & COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2003-- RedPrairie Corporation, a leader in global supply chain technology solutions, and Matrics, Inc., a leading-edge provider of EPC-compliant RFID technology and visibility solutions, today announced a strategic integration and reseller agreement. Under the agreement, RedPrairie will integrate and resell Matrics' EPC-compliant RFID readers and tags with RedPrairie's RFID Accelerator(TM), a compliance middleware solution, its DigitaLogistix(R) supply chain execution suite, and its extended supply chain applications such as mobile asset management and supply chain security. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200311050059
21&newsLang=en

Gemplus Wins EMV Contract to Supply 15 Million Smart Cards to HBOS

Smart Card Migration to Help Halifax Bank of Scotland Combat Card Fraud
LONDON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gemplus (Nasdaq: GEMP; Euronext Paris SA: GEPL.PA; Sicovam: 005768), the world's leading provider of smart card solutions, today announced it has won a contract to provide Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), with 15 million smart cards to replace the magnetic stripe system on the bank's debit cards. The deal marks HBOS' continuing move from magnetic stripe cards to EMV-compliant cards. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin
/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www
/story/11-06-2003/0002052373&
EDATE=

ASSA ABLOY Reports All-Time-High Cash Flow and Improved Underlying Margins in Q3

Friday November 7, 4:23 am ET STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
* Sales amounted to SEK 5,930 M (6,459), SEK -613 M currency effects; 0% organic growth
* Income before tax amounted to SEK 467 M (523), SEK -49 M currency effects
* Operating margin, EBITA, was 13.9% (14.5), underlying margin* improved to 14.7% from 14.3%
* Operating cash flow reached an all-time high of SEK 1,054 M
* A two-year action program has been initiated to leverage on Group strength and create a firm foundation for sustainable growth. The cost of the program is estimated at SEK 1.3 billion with a payback time of less than three years. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031107
/lnf005_1.html

Root Resource Engaged for New Bar Code Specs

SACRAMENTO, CA - Oct. 20, 2003 - Root Resource has been retained by AAMVA to complete the drafting of a new AAMVA bar code specification for the encoding of documents related to motor vehicle administration. This long awaited AAMVA specification will supersede the current AAMVA "Best Practice Recommendations for the Use of Bar-Codes" Version 2.0 (April 1996). The new AAMVA specification will introduce definitive requirements for the use of bar codes on motor vehicle documents other than driver licenses & ID cards, which are covered by the AAMVA 2003 DL/ID Card Design Specification. http://www.rootresource.com/nuke/
html/modules.php?op=modload&
name=News&file=article&sid=42

Drexler Technology Reports Results for FY04 Second Quarter Ended September 30, 2003

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2003--Border-security and multi-biometric ID card maker Drexler Technology Corporation (Nasdaq:DRXR) today reported financial results for its fiscal 2004 second quarter and six months ended September 30, 2003.
For the three months ended September 30, 2003, the Company had a net loss of $1,744,000, or 17 cents per share diluted, versus net income of $1,375,000, or 13 cents per share diluted, for the three months ended September 30, 2002. Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 were $2,708,000 compared with $9,493,000 for last year's second quarter. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200310300058
88&newsLang=en

McDonald's Reduces Payroll Costs up to 22% with IR Recognition Systems Biometric HandReaders

CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2003-- IR Recognition Systems, the biometric component of Ingersoll-Rand's (IR) Security & Safety Group's Electronic Access Control Division (EACD), today announced that 85 McDonald's restaurants are cutting payroll costs by up to 22 percent annually after incorporating IR Recognition Systems' biometric HandPunch biometric terminals to record time and attendance. The HandPunch terminal eliminates expenses associated with employee badges and fraud caused by buddy punching. Over 3,400 employees at 85 McDonald's restaurants in Venezuela have been enrolled with the HandPunch over the past four years. On average, the system generates over 7,500 transactions each day resulting in over 2.5 million "punches" annually. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=2003102100531
2&newsLang=en

BTG Makes Further Investment in SAMSys Technologies Inc.

TORONTO, Oct. 15 /CNW/ - BTG (LSE: BGC), the global technology commercialization company, announced today that it has acquired 800,000 Special Warrants of SAMSys Technologies Inc (TSX-VEN: SMY) as a participant in a private placement of a total of 12,000,000 Special Warrants. The Special Warrants, priced at $1.10 per Special Warrant, entitle BTG to acquire, for no additional consideration, one Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant for each Special Warrant so exercised until the earlier of twelve months from the closing of the private placement and five business days after the issue of the last receipt for a prospectus filed by SAMSys qualifying the distribution of the underlying securities (the "Expiry Date"). Any Special Warrants not exercised by the Expiry Date will be deemed exercised on that date. Each Common Share purchase warrant will be exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $1.50 until October 15, 2006. SAMSys has agreed with the private placees to use its best efforts to obtain a receipt for a prospectus in each of the jurisdictions in which the prospectus is filed within 90 days of the closing of the private placement, failing which each Special Warrant shall be exercisable into 1.08 Common Shares and 0.54 of a Common Share purchase warrant. http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases
/archive/October2003/15/c1286.html

PowerPay RFID Payment and Marketing Solution Speeds Concession Purchases at Seahawks Stadium With Technology From Texas Instruments

Seahawks Fans Spend Less Time in Line and More Time Catching Live Action Using PowerPay RFID Payment Keyfob
DALLAS, TX (November 11, 2003) - Exclusive Club Seat ticket holders at Seattle Seahawks NFL football games can now spend less time in the concession line and more time catching the action by paying for items with their Seattle Seahawks PowerPay(TM) token, featuring radio frequency identification (RFID) technology from Texas Instruments RFid Systems (TI-RFid(TM)). Introduced during the 2003-2004 pre-season, 33 percent of the Club season ticket holders have opted into the PowerPay program, generating an increase in transaction frequency and revenue for the Seahawks. http://www.ti.com/tiris/docs/news/
news_releases/2003/
rel11-11-03.shtml

Cargo Container with Smart Systems Alerts Global Network in Real-Time about Security Breaches and In-The-Box Changes

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003-- Three global leaders of high-tech supply chain security and asset management systems -- E. J. Brooks Company, RAE Systems (AMEX:RAE), and Savi Technology -- today unveiled an inter-connected sensor system that adds new levels of intelligence to cargo containers, enabling them to automatically detect intrusions, sense interior environmental changes in temperature or humidity, detect hazardous cargo such as radioactive materials, and wirelessly communicates its location and security status to a global information network in real-time. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200310290052
95&newsLang=en

Savi Technology Introduces Savi Sentinel RFID System to Automate Management and Security of Cargo Container Shipments

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003-- Savi Technology, a leading provider of real-time supply chain asset management and security solutions, today announced the availability of the Savi Sentinel, an innovative Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based system that easily clips onto ISO intermodal containers and simultaneously automates intrusion detection, in-the-box environmental conditions and content integrity, as well as has two-way wireless network communication capabilities. http://home.businesswire.com/portal
/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=
news_view&newsId=200310290053
12&newsLang=en

Industry Leader Tom Miller Named Chairman of AIM Board of Directors

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Longtime industry expert Tom Miller has been named chairman of the board for AIM Inc., the global trade association representing the automatic identification and data collection industry. Miller, executive vice president of Intermec Technologies Corp., succeeds Keith Bothmann to a two-year term. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin
/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/10-29-2003/000
2047233&EDATE=WED+Oct+29+
2003,+03:45+PM

EPC Compliant Bolt-On Product Offers Wal-Mart Suppliers an Affordable Compliance Solution

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Provia Software, a leading provider of supply chain execution software solutions, announced that the company's RFIDware bolt-on compliance kit fully meets all the requirements set forth by Wal-Mart at a recent meeting with the giant retailer's top suppliers. Wall-Mart is requiring its top 100 suppliers to begin shipping RFID compliant pallets and cases by the January 2005 deadline and outlined the technical requirements to suppliers at the meeting. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story
&STORY=/www/story/11-11-2003/
0002055939&EDATE=TUE+Nov+11
+2003,+01:43+PM

Strategic Council On Security Technology Announces Second Phase Of Smart And Secure Tradelanes Initiative

SST Participants To Expand Global Network, Operations And Introduce Smart Containers To Global Supply Chain Security Initiative
WASHINGTON DC - Nov. 12, 2003 - The Strategic Council on Security Technology announced today the global rollout of Phase Two of the Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) initiative. In the last year, SST has become the largest cargo security program in operation, helping global shippers to automatically track the location and status of containers while creating a system to detect and report container tampering. The second phase of SST focuses on further expansion of the global network, extending operations, shipments, and integration into existing supply chain systems while incorporating new technologies such as sensor-equipped smart containers into global supply chain systems. http://www.scst.info/releases/
nov12_03.html

Chiaphua Becomes First Mainland China Multinational Shipper to Join the Global Smart and Secure Tradelanes Initiative

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Oct. 30, 2003 -- Chiaphua Group's Shenzhen-based appliances division has become Mainland China's first multinational manufacturer and export enterprise to join Smart and Secure Tradelanes, as the industry-driven initiative gains momentum moving into its second phase deploying a global information network to enhance the visibility, efficiency and security of container shipments in compliance with U.S. government regulations. http://www.scst.info/releases/
oct30_03.html

Savi Technology Introduces Savi Sentinel RFID System To Automate Management And Security Of Cargo Container Shipments

7TH-Generation Wireless Technology Links with Other Sensor Devices and a Wireless Global Network to Report Container Location and In-the-Box Environmental Condition
Savi Sentinel System Enables 'Next-Generation' of the 'Smart Container'
NEW YORK, NY - Oct. 29, 2003 - Savi Technology, a leading provider of real-time supply chain asset management and security solutions, today announced the availability of the Savi Sentinel, an innovative Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based system that easily clips onto ISO intermodal containers and simultaneously automates intrusion detection, in-the-box environmental conditions and content integrity, as well as has two-way wireless network communication capabilities. http://www.savi.com/news_events
/2003releases/oct29-03.b.html

Cargo Container With Smart Systems Alerts Global Network In Real-Time About Security Breaches And In-The-Box Changes

E.J Brooks, Rae Systems And Savi Technology Showcase Sensor-Enhanced Container At U.S. Maritime Security Conference
NEW YORK, NY - Oct. 29, 2003 - Three global leaders of high-tech supply chain security and asset management systems - E. J. Brooks Company, RAE Systems (AMEX: RAE), and Savi Technology -- today unveiled an inter-connected sensor system that adds new levels of intelligence to cargo containers, enabling them to automatically detect intrusions, sense interior environmental changes in temperature or humidity, detect hazardous cargo such as radioactive materials, and wirelessly communicates its location and security status to a global information network in real-time. http://www.savi.com/news_events
/2003releases/oct29-03.a.html

Savi Technology Becomes First FAA Certified Wireless RFID Technology For Use In Cargo Tracking And Security On Commercial Aircraft

Milestone Decision Makes Savi's Automated Asset Tracking and Security Technology Available for Use in all Transportation Modes
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Oct. 16, 2003 - Savi Technology, a leading provider of real-time solutions for asset management and supply chain security, today announced that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Supplemental Type Certification (STC) to the Savi 602 system, a dual-frequency supply-chain tracking and asset management device based on the company's EchoPoint(tm) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) platform. Savi is the first company to receive certification for RFID technology - which transmits data over radio frequency waves -- from the FAA. http://www.savi.com/news_events
/2003releases/oct16-03.html

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