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March 2004

Steve Halliday

From the editor's desk!

Welcome to the latest issue of the High Tech AIDCourier.

The momentum continues in 2004 like no other time in the history of RFID. Now we don't just have Wal*Mart and the DoD moving forward, we have seen others joining in the push for RFID. Target, Albertsons, Tesco, and Metro are all pushing forward.

But along with all this positive progress we have seen some of the silliest press ever this month. From most of the magazines/web sites reporting that Metro had given in to the privacy pressure and pulled out of RFID (they have taken RFID off their loyalty cards only) to the myth that U.S. twenty dollar bills explode in a microwave and so must contain RFID. (NOTE: eggs explode in microwaves too, do they contain RFID!). Where does this stuff come from?

The EPCglobal™ organization have their first Summit in a few days time and we will learn a lot about their intentions at that meeting. Meanwhile the ANSI and ISO groups move forward with their work. We have seen a lot of announcements about RFID this month from all sorts of people. But we have to wait and see how much of this will be real.

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.

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.

Technology News Briefs

Radio Frequency Identification

RFID market grows

The Yankee Group are estimating that the RFID market will grow to $4.2 billion by 2007. http://www.technologymarketing.com/mc/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2086871

The Prada story

If you are interested in how Prada implemented RFID, this set of pages gives you a lot of information. http://www.ideo.com/case_studies/prada.asp?x=1

Hospitals test RFID

EXI Wireless Inc. announced that it has completed trials of its RFID Asset Tags in 22 hospitals. http://www.exi.com/news/1075911176

RFID developer offers Linux solution

Offering the ability to read closely stacked unique tags, Magellan Technology is offering open source Linux based readers. http://open.itworld.com/4907/040212rfid/page_1.html

Infineon looks to the low cost tag

In a paper at the recent ISSCC 2004 conference, Infineon Technologies gave a paper (number 1068) called "Towards the One-Cent RFID Tags: AC-only Driven Circuits and Side-Wall Contact Packaging" http://www.pressi.com/int/release/86145.html

House of Fraser goes RFID

Announcing one of the most advanced and ambitious RFID projects in the industry, Exel will work with the House of Fraser to tag at the item level. http://www.exel.com/mediacentre/newsreleases/releases.asp?int_articleID=720

RFID in European animals

Philips has shown that animal disease can be monitored through the use of the ISO standard 11784/5 and RFID tags. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040217/176019_1.html

Animal ID in the U.S.

The law makers look at how we can create a system in the U.S. that will allow the identification of animals and help prevent the disease spread we have seen in Europe. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0216/web-animal-02-17-04.asp
http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0308/web-animal-03-08-04.asp

Another RFID chip

NEC has announced that it intends to enter the RFID market with its own RFID chip operating on the 2.45 GHz frequency band. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/
story/0,10801,89336,00.html?f=x2305

China and RFID

First it was an incompatible WLAN standard. Now it could be an incompatible RFID chip. Find out the full story. http://www.chinatechnews.com/index.php?action=show&type=news&id=771
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cmp/20040221/tc_cmp/17800033

FDA likes RFID

The Food and Drug Administration has announced that it believes that RFID will help stop the large amount of counterfeit drugs in the supply chain.
http://www.computerworld.com/industrytopics/healthcare/story/
0,10801,90368,00.html
http://www.computerworld.com/industrytopics/healthcare/story/
0,10801,90369,00.html

Accenture works on pharma RFID

Serving as the program manager for a group of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and retailers, the group intends to investigate RFID in the pharma world. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040218/185704_1.html

Sun offers pharma package

Sun Microsystems, Inc. and SupplyScape Corporation announced that they have a Pharmaceutical Anti-Counterfeit RFID Package http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040219/sfth094_1.html

It all comes back to …data

The surge in interest in RFID tags has highlighted a major issue for many users. Data. The massive amount of data that RFID will bring means that significant work has to be done to ensure that the data is correct. http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3315631

Privacy an issue?

Who said that consumers don't want RFID? 63% of New York drivers want to use E-Z Pass to pay for meals, gas, and parking. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nypost/
20040220/lo_nypost/63wantezwaytobuymeals

RFID hype

Meta Group is warning users that RFID is not the low cost solution that some of the hype suggests. http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=8312&cid=3&cname=Technology

Chep launches RFID pallets

A new service to customers allows them to get pallets with embedded RFID tags. http://www.eyefortransport.com/index.asp?news=40885&source=d&enc=1&emins1=lecwcaphopecvpkhmuviz

Global RFID Alliance

TagStone announced that it wants to create an alliance of the leading RFID manufacturers and developers. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/2/prwebxml106344.php

Smart containers

General Electric (GE) and Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) have signed a Joint Development Agreement, aimed at developing and testing an integrated system to protect shipping containers. http://www.eyefortransport.com/index.asp?news=40886&source=d&enc=1&emins1=lecwcaphopecvpkhmuviz

Target does RFID

Target has joined Wal*Mart in requiring its top vendors to have pallet and case level RFID by January 2005. http://www.partnersonline.com/pol/stellent/
imprecentpdfxml/RFID_FAQ.pdf
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18200200

Peoplesoft offer RFID

Adding RFID support to its supply chain applications, Peoplesoft jumped into the fray. http://www.crn.com/sections/BreakingNews/dailyarchives.asp?ArticleID=48147

Tracking taxis

Heathrow airport is to get an RFID based system for tracking taxis to monitor and manage demand for arriving passengers. http://www.silicon.com/networks/mobile/
0,39024665,39117915,00.htm

RFID in U.S. money

I don't think so, but that didn't stop some people exploding $20 bills in the microwave! Note that this is a mixture of new and old style $20s (not all new $20 bills), and if you try this with a stack of paper you get similar results. http://www.prisonplanet.com/022904rfidtagsexplode.html

Malaysia microchip project

Although it is currently in test phase, a lot of interest has centered on a new RFID chip developed in Malaysia. http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2004/3/3/technology/7444736&sec=technology

VDC upgrades prediction

Based on the need for equipment and tags from an increasing number of users, Venture development Corporation have increased their growth estimates to $2.13 billion in 2005 compared to $1.13 billion. http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20040308S0009

RFID benefits are available

A.T.Kearney has issued a report saying that we should look to the benefits of RFID and not just the cost savings. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18311407

VAG leader isn't vague

Suggesting that we have some real issues to solve, Craig Harmon, leader of the Department of Defense's Vendor Advisory Group highlights some very real issues. http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/wireless/
2004/0308wireless1.html?fsrc=rss-wireless

Three challenges for RFID

Forrester research reports on the three challenges for RFID - location of tag, infrastructure for source tagging and middleware. http://news.com.com/2030-1069_3-5172016.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news

Goodyear does RFID

As a supplier to Wal*Mart, Goodyear is looking to put RFID tags on tires. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040311/clth040_1.html

DOD RFID

The Department of Defense's (DOD) RFID Policy has been updated to include Policy Principles for use of Passive RFID Technology in the DOD Supply Chain http://www.dodait.com/docs/RFID Policy Update 2-20-04.pdf

Tagging pallets is a problem

University test center concludes that pallet tags will easily get damaged and could be a problem. http://www.manufacturing.net/mmh/article/CA388125?nid=2096&rid=802863875

RFID in Europe

If you are interested in helping the Eu with information on the tagging of items. http://www.cordis.lu/ist/directorate_d/ebusiness/workshop.htm

RFID Standards

A more quiet month as we continue to wait for ISO to get themselves sorted out and put ISO 18000 out for final ballot. The last I heard was that it should be by the end of the month.

ANSI work groups are continuing to work on their respective projects. EPCglobal™ is looking for the first real working meetings of the HAG and SAG in association with their Summit meeting next week.

This next month should be an exciting one in standards and we can look forward to some great news in the next issue of the newsletter.

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

Biometrics

Frankfurt airport gets iris recognition …

Iridian Technologies have announced that they have implemented iris recognition at Frankfurt airport for Lufthansa's frequent flyers. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040212005743&newsLang=en

… times two …

Byometric systems GmbH and Oki Electric Industry Co., have also announced an iris recognition system for Frankfurt airport. http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=6522

… and so does Sweden

Umea Airport in northern Sweden will get an iris system for SAS's frequent flyers. http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/03/03/biz.trav.biometrics/

EU biometric passports

The European Union has said that it will issue passports with a facial image and possible fingerprints, but that it will not meet the U.S. requirement for biometric passports to be issued by October 2004. http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?sid=9&aid=14543
http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200402/
1c70db13-14e7-4a32-af69-1b26c445e804.htm
http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?sid=9&aid=14661
http://www.noticias.info/Asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=18957&src=0
http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040218135016.m2ygjxt6

Denmark orders biometric passports

Looking to be one of the first countries to comply with the new ICAO specs and the requirements of the U.S. visa waiver scheme, Denmark ordered 3 million passports. http://www.bizreport.com/article.php?art_id=6204

Biometric security for cash machine

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi has said that it will use a palm recognition device to increase security at the ATM. http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,8764100%5E15321%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

Fingerprint activated cell phone

Atrua Technologies have announced a mobile phone touchpad with built in fingerprint recognition. http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,8764100%5E15321%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

Florida bus uses fingerprints

To monitor the students getting on and off the bus. http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/28/Tampabay/
Have_your_thumb_ready.shtml

Ear ear, who is that?

A new biometric identifier could be based on the ear. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/36106.html

Biometrics company raises cash

Pacific Biometrics Inc., announced that they have raised $1.9 million in a private placement. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040223005287&newsLang=en

Smart hospital uses biometrics

El Camino Hospital in Mountain View CA uses technology to the limit. Already wireless and soon to be paperless and filmless, the hospital uses biometrics and bar codes to improve the service. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/23/BUGFB55D131.DTL

Colored fingerprint sensor

Atmel Corporation have announced that they can now provide a sensor for fingerprint recognition that will allow the integrator to better match the design of the reader. http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=117959

Texas looks at fingers

As a means to authenticate the correct recipient of Medicaid services, Texas looks at implementing a fingerprint recognition system. http://www.securitypipeline.com/news/18311664

Fingertip blood vessels

Could be another way of doing biometric identification says Japan's largest credit card issuer http://www.compseconline.com/analysis/040308bloodvessel.html

U.S. DOD certifies biometric profiles

Officials at the Defense Department's Biometrics Management Office announced that the National Information Assurance Partnership has certified the first of five planned biometric protection profiles for DOD and other government agencies. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0223/web-biomet-02-25-04.asp

Microsoft biometric cards

Microsoft has announced that it will be in the identity card business. http://www.cbronline.com/latestnews/
b6e1a01bb2c038c380256e450038609e

DHS looks at standards

Homeland Security Department's Science and Technology Directorate has declared that standards for new technology are on top of its priority list. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0223/web-snt-02-26-04.asp

DOD biometrics

A new web site for biometrics run by the U.S. Department of Defense. http://www.biometrics.dod.mil/

Drivers of Hazmat need bio-ID

The drivers of Hazardous Materials in the U.S. may be required to carry identification in the form of a smart card with biometric information. http://www.todaystrucking.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=2957

U.S. Air Force uses hand recognition

Scott Air Force Base in Illinois is using hand recognition to grant access to the more than 13,000 people workforce. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040302005158&newsLang=en

Need to secure your data?

Here's an interesting fingerprint device that can secure your data on the memory stick. http://www.clip-drive.com/product_clipdrive_bio.htm

Piggly Wiggly to use fingerprints

The grocery chain has said that shoppers in Carolina and Georgia will soon be able to pay for their groceries by using their fingerprint to access a bank account. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2004/
03/01/daily8.html

Biometric animal ID

Even though the U.S. Department of Agriculture favors an RFID enabled system for tracking animals, Optibrand is offering a retinal scanning technology to track cattle. http://www.idg.com.sg/idgwww.nsf/0/
B135A237195F604D48256E4C00333C94?OpenDocument

Biometric market research

The International Biometric Group (IBG) has announced the release of its "Biometrics Market and Industry Report 2004 - 2007". http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040304/phth007_1.html

PA buys facial system

The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association have awarded a purchase order to Identix to provide facial recognition technologies to state law enforcement agencies. http://www.wtonline.com/news/1_1/daily_news/22961-1.html

U.S. moves with bio-passport

Taking a lead in the issuing of biometric passports, the U.S. State department has stated that it will start issuing the new passports later this year. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18300032

NIST creates test for biometrics

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is working with other federal agencies that will develop an independent test to help agency officials determine if their commercial biometric fingerprinting systems are accurate and reliable. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0308/tec-bio-03-08-04.asp

Two million fingerprint sensors

AuthenTec, Inc. announced that they have shipped over two million fingerprint sensors. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040308005103&newsLang=en

Face recognition report

A 32 page report on the vendors of face recognition products is now available. http://www.frvt2002.org/DLs/frvt2002_supplemental.pdf

Bar Code

Bar codes, phones and games

Who would have thought we could use all three words together in one sentence? http://www.moconews.net/archives/2004_02_17.shtml#006883

Cell phone bar codes

Olympus has developed a new bar code, ST Code, that can be read by the camera in a mobile phone. http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf?CID=onair/asabt/news/292644

FDA talks bar codes

Putting a bar code on medications could save $5 billion a year as well as the possibility of adverse reactions to the wrong medicine says the Federal Drug Administration. http://www.washtimes.com/business/20040225-093221-7140r.htm
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-03-2004/0002121764&EDATE=

Yet another new bar code

Just when you thought we had enough bar code symbologies out there, Adobe has added a bar code to PDF. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1545562,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594

Wireless Computing

First Wi-Fi, then …

With a proliferation of technologies just bubbling under the radar, how will we get those high speed wireless links of the future? http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/
feb2004/tc20040218_3031_tc140.htm

Cingular wins AT&T

With a winning bid of $41 billion, Cingular is poised to create the largest company in the U.S. wireless market. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/
0,10801,90247,00.html?f=x68

Wi-Fi - a health problem?

Now we have to worry about 802.11 networks making us ill as a group of families in Cook County Illinois have sued a local school district over the harmful effects of its wireless LAN. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/
0,10801,90275,00.html?f=x10

Free Wi-Fi

Schlotzsky's restaurant chain said it will expand its program to provide free wireless hotspot access to customers. http://www.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17701160

Intel to add Bluetooth

Integrating Bluetooth with Wi-Fi in its next Centrino chip set will give Intel the next level of accessibility. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/69/35687.html

Wireless USB

This technical white paper by Rafael Kolic, a technology marketing manager in Intel's Corporate Technology Group, introduces Wireless USB (WUSB). http://deviceforge.com/articles/AT9015145687.html

WLAN increases productivity

The news is in and companies are making the investment. WLAN does work in the corporate environment. http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/story/
0,10801,90388,00.html?f=x10

Chinese WLAN

You may have heard about the proposed version of WLAN security in China (WAPI) that is incompatible with the rest of the world. Now there is a movement to ask the World Trade Organization (WTO) to not allow scheme. http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3316921
http://rcrnews.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?newsId=17174
and Intel says it will not manufacture chips. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20040310/bs_nm/tech_china_intel_dc

Roaming Wi-Fi to cellular

Calypso Wireless has received a patent from the U.S. patent office to do this. Where does this leave the phone companies? http://www.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18200341

Wireless tracking

If you thought that wireless tracking means RFID, think again. RFID is just one way of doing this. http://wireless.newsfactor.com/perl/story/23232.html
http://wireless.newsfactor.com/perl/story/23271.html

Wireless broadband to grow

The wireless broadband market is set for significant growth, from $430 million in 2003 to more than $1.6 billion by the end of 2007. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/3/prwebxml108571.php

WiMax, the Wi-Fi killer?

Extending the wireless environment from meters to kilometers, WiMax may provide the broadband solution that everyone wants. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/08/1078594267722.html

High speed wi-fi

How about Gi-Fi? As the aim is to get the speed past two gigabits per second. http://nl.internet.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=1,q61,1,5rh4,cj8i,g3h,6277

UltraWideBand

UWB USB?

Looking to push UltraWide Band into the mainstream, Intel and others see the failure of the IEEE to standardize UWB just a small hiccup as they consider a wireless USB port among other solutions. http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20040218S0015
http://deviceforge.com/articles/AT9015145687.html

UWB education

Learn about UC Berkeley's work on UltraWide Band. http://bwrc.eecs.berkeley.edu/Research/UWB/default.htm

Homeland Security

CAPPS II fails …

Details of the report on CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Profiling System II ) has been leaked before publication by the General Accounting Office. It reports that CAPPS II failed seven of the eight tests and now the head of the agency has resigned. http://www.discourse.net/archives/2004/02/
gao_slams_caps_iihot_potato_now_in_white_house.html
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,62270,00.html

… but US VISIT grows

The U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology project is expected to grow the biometric market in leaps and bounds. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3999879/. The project is also growing with over 1.8 million people processed so far. http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=625B43DB-
A33B-43E6-905986C2A0E75F39. However it does have its critics http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040304/dcth041_1.html

DHS to go wireless

The Department of Homeland Security will call for industry to propose innovative wireless interoperability solutions. http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/1_1/daily_news/22843-1.html

U.S budget for DHS

The Bush Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2005 budget proposal calls for $47.4 billion in total funding for homeland security http://www.heritage.org/Research/HomelandDefense/bg1731.cfm

Smart Card

Target gives up on smart cards

Target has announced that it will phase out its smart card Visa cards, due to lack of consumer interest in the technology. http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,62520,00.html

Smart cards aren't easy

The U.S. Department of Defense says it now knows how to issue smart card, but that is not the problem with the high tech cards. The infrastructure has to catch up. http://gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/25220-1.html

Chameleon card

How about one card in your wallet along with the means to program it to look like any of your cards. Not so far fetched as Chameleon Network introduce the Chameleon card. http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,62545,00.html?tw=wn_bizhead_2

GAO updates smart card handbook

The General Services Administration and the Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board issued a revised smart card handbook. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0301/web-smartcard-03-05-04.asp

Privacy

Not just a U.S. issue

As the use of RFID becomes more global so do the issues about privacy. http://wireless.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Shops_Play_Tag_with_Consumer_Privacy&
story_id=22223
http://www.enn.ie/ffocus.html?code=9390045

AIM article annoys Albrecht

AIM, the newly renamed Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, has published the ROI of Privacy Invasion. CASPIAN's Katherine Albrecht claims there are inaccurate statements about CASPIAN in the document, others claim the report is full of errors or misrepresentations. http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/rfid_faqs.asp
http://www.spychips.com/aimletter.html
http://www.stapleton-gray.com/surpriv/archives/000016.html

A more sane approach

Jeff Harrow weighs in with a cool calm and collected summary of RFID and the privacy issues. http://www.futurebrief.com/jeffharrow.asp

RSA blocker tag

A real possibility or another piece of fiction. You decide if it really is the solution. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1532741,00.asp
http://www.rsasecurity.com/company/news/releases/pr.asp?doc_id=3376

California privacy bill

California state Senator Bowen has introduced a bill regarding RFID and privacy: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1801-1850/sb_1834_bill_20040220_introduced.pdf but are there some issues with it? http://www.stapleton-gray.com/surpriv/archives/000019.html

And Utah's bill

H.B 251 is a Utah House of Representatives bill re RFID privacy, the "Radio Frequency Identification - Right to Know Act" has passed in the House and is on the way to the Senate. http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2004/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0251.htm
http://www.computing.co.uk/News/1153218

Metro backs down

From using RFID tags in its loyalty cards, but still plans to go ahead with RFID in the store. http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,62472,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/03/01/HNmetrostore_1.html

Now biometric privacy

Just when you thought it was all about RFID, the issue hits the biometric world as well. http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe?204&OIDN=1507295&-home=home

NTIA forum includes RFID and privacy

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will be hosting the Wireless Sensor Technology Forum on Thursday, April 1, 2004. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2004/
rfidforum_03052004.htm

RFID privacy in libraries

San Francisco library officials were questioned on the plan to use RFID. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/03/05/state1604EST0106.DTL

General Technology

Thin displays

Still wishing for that really light laptop with the thin display? Looking for the electronic newspaper? Philips has the answer as shown here. http://www.rtoonline.com/Content/Article/Feb04/
PhilipsUltrathinDisplay021604.asp

Paper displays

The first ever conference devoted to paper-like displays. http://www.imiconf.com/paperlike04.html

MEMS are everywhere

Well maybe not yet, but they could be soon. MicroElectroMechanical sensors, sometimes called smart dust or motes, can monitor everything. http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0%2C4902%2C90529%2C0.html?nlid=EMC

Symbol posts lower profit

On sales of $393 million, somewhat lower than the expected $400 million, Symbol recorded a net earnings of $16.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. http://www.symbol.com/news/pressreleases/pr_finan_4thqt2003.html

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:

Identix Streamlines Operations with Reduction in Force: Expects More Than $3.5 Million in Annual Operating Expense Savings

MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2004--Identix Incorporated (Nasdaq:IDNX), the world's leading multi-biometrics technology company, announced today that it has streamlined its operations with a reduction in force of more than 30 full time equivalent job positions, or approximately six percent of its total workforce. As a result of this improved efficiency, Identix expects to realize annual operational expense savings of more than $3.5 million starting in its fiscal 2005 year, which begins July 1, 2004. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/index.jsp?epi-content=
GENERIC&newsId=200402260054
51&newsLang=en&beanID=20277
6713&viewID=news_view

International Conference Addresses Implementation of US-VISIT at Land Ports, Trade and Security Issues

Private and public sector representatives gather in Washington, D.C. for latest information
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) February 22, 2004--Border Trade Alliance (BTA), a non-profit organization that provides a forum for discussion and advocacy on issues pertaining to border trade and travel throughout North America, will host an international conference titled "US-VISIT and Border Security," on March 22-23, 2004 at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. http://www.prweb.com/releases/
2004/2/prwebxml106419.php

Texas Instruments RFid Systems Joins EPCglobal, Inc.'s Hardware Action Group; RFID Leader Supporting Development of EPC UHF Gen2 Standard

DALLAS, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid(TM)) Systems, a worldwide leader of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, today announced it is has joined the Hardware Action Group (HAG) of EPCglobal, Inc., the technical action group responsible for developing RFID technology standards. TI was one of the first companies to join EPCglobal after its formation in October 2003 as a non- profit joint venture of the standards organizations EAN International and the Uniform Code Council Inc. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www
/story/02-24-2004/0002115581&
EDATE=

Alien Technology Corporation Announces New High-Performance RFID Reader

February 26, Morgan Hill, CA. Alien Technology Corporation announced today the new ALR-9780 EPC Class 1 compliant RFID reader. The ALR 9780 is an industrial reader driving 4 read-write antennas that delivers significant performance increases over current models. Designed for challenging applications, the ALR-9780 is able to inventory a population of tags in significantly shorter time through a combination of faster data processing and higher sensitivity. http://www.alientechnology.com/
05_newsroom_p01_040226.html

SAMSys Technologies RFID readers successfully integrated into SATO printers

Durham, NC - March 2, 2004 SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY:TSX-VEN) ("SAMSys"), an international provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions, today announced the integration of their RFID readers into SATO America's line of RFID-enabled printers. http://www.samsys.com/default.p
hp?alpha=company&beta=news&
action=read&section=pr&release=
1078248415

Catalyst International and RF Code, Inc. Announce Partnership to Meet The Demands of the RFID Mandates

Enabling Supply Chain Execution Customers to Rapidly Integrate RFID Into Their Operations
MILWAUKEE, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Catalyst International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CLYS - News), a global supplier of supply chain execution (SCE) solutions, has announced a partnership with RF Code, Inc., an experienced developer of data collection systems and a leading provider of RFID technologies. This partnership, coupled with the Catalyst iRFID application software that incorporates RF Code's TAVIS(TM) enterprise Auto-ID data- collection engine, will provide Catalyst's customers a complete enterprise scale RFID solution. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
040302/cgtu037_1.html

John E. Ekers Joins Fargo Marketing Team

Minneapolis (February 27, 2004) - Fargo Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGO) announced today that John E. Ekers has joined the company as Product Marketing Director for Software and Solutions. Mr. Ekers will direct customer solution marketing efforts for Fargo, in addition to managing overall electronic card (e-card) strategy. He will also manage the Fargo Technology Alliance, a global technology group that unites industry-leading solution providers with Fargo's distribution partners to create advanced card identity options in the areas of biometrics, smart cards, systems integration and software. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo markets card identity authentication systems and solutions that personalize plastic cards complete with digital images, text, lamination and electronically encoded information. http://www.contactlessnews.com/
news/latestNews.cfm?itemID=1206

CHEP Launches Plus ID Service; Uniquely Positioned to Deliver Customers' RFID Supply Chain Needs

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2004--CHEP, the world's leading pallet and container pooling services provider, today announced a new value-added service offering that meets customer requirements for electronic product tracking capabilities. The PLUS ID offering culminates more than five years of development and testing with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndm
ViewId=news_view&newsId=2004
0308005506&newsLang=en

Argument Scheduled on Appeals of ID Systems' $80,000,000 Antitrust Jury Verdict Against Checkpoint Systems

TORONTO, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled oral argument for April 2, 2004 regarding challenges to post-trial rulings in the antitrust lawsuit brought by ID Security Systems Canada Inc. (ID Systems) against Checkpoint Systems Inc. (Checkpoint). http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/03-10-2004/
0002125695&EDATE=WED+Mar+
10+2004,+09:28+AM

Alien Technology Corporation Announces Initial Operations in Fargo, North Dakota

MORGAN HILL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2004--Alien Technology Corporation, a leading manufacturer of RFID hardware systems, announced today it will commence its operations in Fargo, North Dakota. Due to the immediate need to start operations, the company plans to begin RFID tag assembly, testing and distribution at a leased facility in Fargo. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndm
ViewId=news_view&newsId=20040
308005338&newsLang=en

Broadcom Demonstrates Converged Wireless Products At 3GSM World Congress

Industry Leading Solutions for Wireless LAN, Bluetooth(R), Multimedia EDGE and VoIP Applications Designed to Enable End-to-End Wireless Connectivity
CANNES, France, 3GSM World Congress, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a leading provider of silicon solutions enabling broadband communications, will be demonstrating its broad portfolio of chips, software and systems for wireless communications at the 3GSM tradeshow. With a combination of market and technology leadership in all segments of the wireless industry, Broadcom is enabling unique combinations of wireless functionality in devices as diverse as notebook computers, mobile phones, printers and MP3 players. The Broadcom(R) demonstrations will run at 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France from February 23-26, 2004. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/
www/story/02-20-2004/000
2113299&EDATE=

Datamax Corporation Joins EPCglobal

ORLANDO, Fla., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Datamax Corporation, a worldwide supplier in barcode printing solutions, is proud to announce a continued commitment to the development of RFID solutions by joining EPCglobal. Datamax has long been a leader in the automatic identification and data collection industry, providing world-class printers, media, and connectivity solutions to some of the world's largest companies. RFID is another tool that Datamax customers can use along with bar coding to streamline their business processes. The value that Datamax provides to its customers lies in providing technology solutions that enable more streamlined data collection activities, and RFID is the next evolution of data-capture technology. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
040302/fltu017_1.html

Technology Leader Symbol Technologies Supports EPCglobal IP Agreement

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2004--Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company(TM), today announced that it has signed the EPCglobal, Inc. Intellectual Property Policy (IPP), cementing its commitment to open standards for the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in emerging supply chain applications. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndm
ViewId=news_view&newsId=2004
0304005109&newsLang=en

Power Paper Selected as One of Hottest Startups by Business 2.0 Magazine; Company Leads List of 12 Startups to Watch in Coming Years

TEL AVIV, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2004--Power Paper Ltd., a leading provider of next-generation printable microelectronic devices, today announced that it has been named to Business 2.0's "12 Hot Startups" list for 2004. Business 2.0 compiled the list of 12 companies to watch based on input from venture capitalists on startups that "will be on everyone's lips years from now." http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndm
ViewId=news_view&newsId=2004
0301005399&newsLang=en

Blue Vector Systems Launches Groundbreaking RFID Network Infrastructure Appliances at DEMO 2004

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Vector Systems today unveiled the first-of-its-kind RFID network infrastructure solution at DEMO 2004, the premier launch pad for emerging technologies. Blue Vector Systems' X-3000 is the only product suite designed to address the enormous operational complexities of deploying RFID solutions from initial pilots to full nationwide supply chain implementations for Fortune 1000 companies. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
040216/sfm026_1.html

Descartes Launches RFID Benefits Testing Program; Separating Hype From Reality

Industry-focused program enables companies to measure the costs and benefits of RFID
WATERLOO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2004-- The Descartes Systems Group Inc., (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), a trusted provider of supply chain services, today announced the availability of the Descartes RFID Pilot Program(TM). Designed to help companies separate RFID hype from reality, the program measures the costs and business benefits of deploying RFID (radio frequency identification) across a company's supply chain. http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/index.jsp?epi-content=
GENERIC&newsId=20040226005
314&newsLang=en&beanID=202
776713&viewID=news_view

Matrics Announces European Certification For EPC-Compliant UHF RFID Tags and Readers

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Matrics Inc., a pioneer in the advanced development and standardization of low-cost, high-performance, UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) smart label system technology, today announced that the EPC-compliant Matrics RFID tags and readers have successfully completed testing and are compliant with the European CE mark. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&
STORY=/www/story/02-26-2004/
0002117472&EDATE=THU+Feb+
26+2004,+10:00+AM

Datamax Corporation To Introduce RFID Ready Printer

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Datamax Corporation, a worldwide supplier in barcode printing solutions, is proud to introduce the only "RFID Ready" printer available to meet the current and future needs of all potential RFID smart label users. This innovative printer is an ideal solution available now for end-user customers interested in incorporating RFID into their data collection processes in the future, but have current needs for bar coding and label printing. This printer features all of the benefits and modularity of the Datamax I-Class printer, with the addition of a field-installable RFID module available from Datamax. The Datamax I-Class RFID printer currently supports the ISO 15693 high frequency (13.56 MHz) standard and will soon support a UHF option for EPC and/or ISO compliance. The RFID Ready printer concept demonstrates the flexibility and protection against obsolescence provided by the modular design of Datamax I-Class printers. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/
stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/
story/02-24-2004/
0002115628&EDATE=

SAMSys Technologies and Lyngsoe Systems Sign Value Added Reseller Agreement

TORONTO, ON - February 18, 2004 - SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY:TSX-VEN) ("SAMSys"), an international provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions and consulting services, today announced it has signed a value added reseller (VAR) agreement with Lyngsoe Systems, a global provider of customized logistics solutions based on automatic identification equipment. http://www.samsys.com/default.p
hp?alpha=company&beta=news&
action=read&section=pr&release=
1077015722

AIM Expands Mission
To Include Mobile Computing, RFID Focus

New name, presentation and mission reflect broader advocacy
WARRENDALE, Penn., Feb. 10, 2004 – AIM, the global trade association charged with representing the automatic identification industry, is expanding its charter to emphasize mobile computing and RFID (radio frequency identification), the association announced today. AIM’s broadened mission is reflected in the association’s proposed name change, which was approved by its board of directors on Monday. Upon ratification by members in March, the organization will be known as AIM – The Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility. http://www.aimglobal.org/
aboutaim/pressreleases/
aimexpandsmission.htm

MATRICS ANNOUNCES RFID INTEROPERABILITY WITH THE SAVI SMARTCHAIN™
SOFTWARE PLATFORM FOR GREATER REAL-TIME VISIBILITY INTO THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Announcement made at this week's RFID Symposia for DoD Suppliers
Washington, DC and Columbia, MD - February 19, 2004 - Matrics Inc., a
pioneer in the advanced development and standardization of low-cost, high-performance, EPC™-compliant UHF Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) technology, today announced that its readers can now automatically transmit data directly to the Savi SmartChain
interoperability platform, the industry's leading platform for
transforming raw RFID-generated data into clear, actionable information that can be managed by any number of leading software applications, including Savi Technology's asset management and security solutions. http://www.matrics.com/
pdf/press/2004_02_19_
Matrics_Savi_SmartChain.pdf

TROLLEYSCAN deliver passive transponder system can be read at 11 meters range even when attached to metal

JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA 22 FEBRUARY 2004
Trolley Scan announced in Johannesburg that they have crossed another major technical hurdle in the development of long range, efficent, low cost, passive RFID systems. http://trolleyscan.com/
pressrel.html

100% Flash based Smart Card IC EMTCG256-3G
ideal for SIM and Java cards in GSM phones

Versatile chip features 256K of pure flash memory and high-performance 8051 microcontroller core
MARIN, Switzerland - February 24, 2004 - EM Microelectronic, a company of the Swatch Group, announces the EMTCG256-3G, a unique flash memory-based smart card IC designed for use in SIM and Java cards for GSM mobile phones, as well as for banking, healthcare and loyalty card applications. The EMTCG256-3G is compatible with the ISO7816-3 Integrated Circuit Card (smart card) specification, and operates with power supplies from 5V down to 1.8V, making it compatible with the latest generation of ultra low power GSM cellular telephones. Memory flexibility is a key advantage of the EMTCG256-3G, which contains 256kB of pure flash memory. http://www.emmicroelectronic.c
om/DetailNews.asp?IdNews=67

SAVI TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES 'RFID STARTER KIT' TO HELP
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPLIERS ADDRESS RFID POLICY

New 'Opportunity Assessments' for Suppliers also Introduced at Symposium Co-Hosted by Savi, Symbol, and Matrics to Brief Industry on DoD RFID Policy and Real-Time, Real-World Solutions
ALEXANDRIA, VA - Feb. 24, 2004 - Savi Technology, a leading provider of RFID networks for real-time supply chain visibility, asset management and security, has concluded a week-long, symposium designed to help major suppliers to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) meet new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) policies while achieving new levels of supply chain visibility and value within their own enterprises. http://www.savi.com/news_events
/2004releases/feb24-04.html

Half-High Version of LRP2000-26 Hits the Market

February 24th 2004 -- Escort Memory Systems would like to announce the release of the LRP2000-23 Mini. Based on the model of it’s larger brother the LRP2000-26, this compact long range antenna offers four feet of read range when communicating with EMS’ LRP-L90140S tags. This reader/writer operates at the internationally recognized frequency standard of 13.56 MHz. As with the LRP2000-26, the Mini communicates to tags using Phillips I-CODE SLI (ISO15693) chip, which offers 112 bytes of memory. http://www.ems-rfid.com/pr/lrp2000-23pr.html

IconNicholson and Matrics Announce Strategic Alliance To Deliver RFID Solutions

Partnership unites pioneer RFID leader with leading technology
consulting and integration firm. Several new client engagements launched in 2004.
New York, NY and Columbia, MD - March 3, 2004 - IconNicholson, the New York-based IT professional services firm, and Matrics, Inc., a pioneer in the advanced development and standardization of low-cost,
high-performance, EPC-compliant UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) smart label technology, today announced a strategic alliance to leverage RFID technology across the CPG supply chain, customer retail environments and general business operations. http://www.matrics.com/
pdf/press/2004_02_Icon
Nicholson.pdf

Wincor Nixdorf's Future Lab Retail Store Features Texas Instruments RFID Technology

DALLAS, TX (March 8, 2004) - In its recently launched RFID Future
Lab, Wincor Nixdorf is demonstrating how radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can improve the management of goods within the retail supply chain, while also improving customer service by personalizing the shopping experience and streamlining the payment process. http://www.ti.com/tiris/docs/
news/news_releases/2004/
rel03-08-04.shtml

HUMMER FACTORY IMPLEMENTS WHERENET’S WIRELESS SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE ASSEMBLY LINE OPERATIONS AND EXPEDITE PRODUCTION

AM General, Maker of Popular H1 and H2 All-Terrain Vehicles, Uses Award-Winning Parts Replenishment and Assembly Tracking Systems to Reduce Inventory and Increase Productivity
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–March 9, 2004– WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that AM General, the world-leader in the design, engineering, and production of military and special purpose vehicles, has adopted WhereNet’s wireless location technology at its Hummer H2 factory in Mishawaka, Indiana. AM General is currently running one WhereNet-based application to streamline assembly lines and optimize plant-floor operations. WhereNet’s WhereCall™ wireless parts replenishment system and GE Fanuc’s CIMPLICITY Tracker application, which leverages the WhereNet wireless location infrastructure, enable AM General to expedite production and delivery of the H2 all-terrain vehicles to dealerships throughout the world. http://www.wherenet.com/
news_pressreleases.html

World's first ISO 18000-6A and EPC code structure compliant UHF RFID IC; 128-bit EM4223 offers enhanced anticollision protocol performances and reading distance above 15 meters

MARIN, Switzerland – March 9, 2004 – EM Microelectronic, a company of the Swatch Group and the world's largest supplier of RFID circuits, announces that it has developed a new UHF RFID integrated circuit, EM4223, which is fully compliant with the international standard ISO18000-6A and EPC 64-bit and 96-bit code structure. The EM4223 is the first RFID IC on the market to be compliant with ISO18000-6A, whose definition has been finalized in 2003 and which will be published in the coming months. http://www.emmicroelectro
nic.com/DetailNews.asp?IdNews=68

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:

See how you do in this test for Autistic tendencies. http://www.wired.com/wired/
archive/9.12/aqtest.html

An interactive site for students to learn about planets and human habitation http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/projects
/astrobiology/astroventure/
avhome.html

Lots of games to play http://www.referencetable.net/
game/
http://www.referencetable.net/
game/frogreverse/

or maybe you need a new pet! http://www.winxpnews.com/
rd/rd.cfm?id=030902FA-Pets

On the more cerebral side, maybe you like palindromes http://www.palindromelist.com/

Or even optical illusions http://home.hccnet.nl/
jc.kuiper/optillus/optillus.htm

How about helping to preserve those traffic cones http://animation.filmtv.ucl
a.edu/students/awinfrey/
coneindex.htm

Now the world's fastest fire truck is my favorite http://www.jetfiretruck.com/

The Fine Print

Links on web sites frequently change. Any link to articles outside of the Hightechaid.com web site are not within our control. If you end up with an error message, try a search of the site in the link to find the topic. Magazines and newspapers often move content on their sites, but you can usually find it with a little work. Back issues of the newsletter are available at
http://www.hightechaid.com/
newsletter/aidcourier_archive.htm

Please tell us what extra you want from the newsletter and don’t forget to tell your friends to subscribe. You can forward your ideas to news@hightechaid.com. No part of the newsletter may be reproduced without written permission. No liability is accepted for any action arising from the contents of the newsletter; readers are advised to seek professional opinion on the use of any products described. Opinions expressed in any article by an outside contributor are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers of the newsletter.



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