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Steve Halliday |
From the editor's desk!
Welcome to the latest issue of the High Tech AIDCourier and welcome to
another year.
This month several issues have come to a head in the RFID world. As we
reported in previous issues, Intermec has pulled their patents from the
EPglobal pool after EPCglobal announced that the Gen 2 specification is
royalty free. Intermec continue to staunchly support their initial statement
that it is not possible to build a full functioning Gen 2 system without
their IP. We are waiting to see what this will actually mean to the
industry. This may become clearer by the end of the month when Intermec and
everyone else is required to declare their IP for the ISO work
(incorporation of Gen 2 into ISO 18000-6). In further developments, Symbol
has withdrawn agreements with Intermec over laser scanners and is suing
Intermec over wireless technology. (A possible response to Intermec's suit
against Matrics (now Symbol)?). Is this the start of legal wars yet to come?
We also see statements from CompTIA that there is not enough education
about RFID and that companies are finding it hard to learn about RFID. This
is something that High Tech Aid has been saying for some time and is a
service we can provide to companies to help them get the information they
need. If you are just starting to get involved in RFID, give us a call and
talk to us. With nearly ten years invested in RFID we are not the newcomers
here.
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 news@hightechaid.com.
Technology News Briefs
RFID Standards
Two areas of interest this month. First EPCglobal™ expanded its outreach
with a meeting of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Action Group.
This group's second meeting drew a large crowd and showed how much interest
there is in this aspect of the use of RFID. While there is still a way to
go, the group is beginning to put some arms around the scope of the project
and to understand what is needed.
Second, the ISO working group on Real Time Locating Systems met in Japan.
This group has two documents in the ISO balloting system, one is an API
(Applications Program Interface) and the other is an "air interface" at 2.4
GHz. The API was moved forward to the next level of balloting and the 2.4
GHz document was sent back to ballot again after substantial technical
improvements were made. This work is progressing rapidly and should lead to
some excellent standards for Real Time Locating.
If you want more information on ISO standardization or on any issue of
RFID standardization, then email
steve@hightechaid.com
Radio Frequency Identification
Secure RFID
Is RFID secure? No, according to some researchers as they
look at ways to solve the problem.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/18/rsa_rfid/
Five year plan
A new study in the U.K. suggests broad adoption of RFID
within the next five years.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-5580980.html
RFID middleware
Do you need to get from reader to network? You need
middleware. There are several versions out there and you need to find the
best for you.
http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2005/022105rfidmid.html?fsrc=rss-applications
http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/
story/0,10801,99777,00.html
RFID market to grow
A new study from IDTechEx says that the market will reach $7
billion by 2007.
http://news.zdnet.com/
2100-9584_22-5587565.html?tag=zdnn.alert
Chipless tags
Learn about the idea of RFID tags without chips.
http://www.rfidnas.com/article/CA491054.html
Clothing management
U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer will expand its trial of RFID
to clothing.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,99979,00.html?nlid=ERP
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=n71087nx374zx
New security initiative
Unisys and GenuOne have joined forces to create a security
framework that includes RFID.
http://email.scmr.com/cgi-bin2/DM/y/hk4z0Iq8nn0NqQ0CQcg0EG&rid=802863875
RFID ROI
Raytheon has announced that it will see a two-year capital
asset savings of nearly $500,000 a year from an RFID system that tracks lab
equipment.
http://email.scmr.com/cgi-bin2/DM/y/hk4z0Iq8nn0NqQ0CQch0EH&rid=802863875
Innovation awards
AMR Research has awarded 2005 Innovation Awards to two
companies that use RFID.
http://email.scmr.com/cgi-bin2/DM/y/hk4z0Iq8nn0NqQ0CQci0EI&rid=802863875
RFID labels
Avery Dennison is moving ahead to provide a chip agnostic
RFID label strategy.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1768410,00.asp
Airline bag tags
A report by SITA shows that RFID could reduce the
mishandling of baggage by two thirds, saving the industry at least $650
million.
http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/enterprise/
0,3800003425,39128136,00.htm
Contactless payments
ABI Research have released a report on RFID Contactless
Payments and suggest that 2005 is the transition year.
http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/
RFID_Contactless_Payments
Nokia phones do RFID
Nokia's 5140 can be installed with an RFID reader.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/
0,39020348,39188773,00.htm
Contactless payment card
Visa launches a small-ticket payment card similar to the
Mastercard version.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403344&tid=13692
U.K. Royal Mail
A two million pound investment in an RFID system may help
save the Royal Mail from a 70 million pound fine.
http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/enterprise/
0,3800003425,39128187,00.htm
Airlines need RFID
A report from ABI Research says that using RFID can save the
airlines money, but can they afford to buy them?
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=o78150ax365zb
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/07/technology/07baggage.html?ei=5070&en=f604e4d03d9662b0&ex=1111554000&adxnnl=1&
oref=login&adxnnlx=1111414656-MLoqdDiuCvnY6lQmua5FNA
Tag privacy?
Can a new product called RFIDWasher really help consumers
control tags they get from the store?
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=i55439cx366zk
… or do we need a zapper?
A device to kill RFID tags sounds like a radical idea.
http://www.newspagedesigner.com/portfolios/portfolio1.php?UserID=6402%22=%22blank
Mandate ready?
Alien Technology has a new kit to assist companies to meet
the U.S. Department of Defense and Wal-Mart mandates.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20050303/tc_zd/146944
Temperature sensing tags
Digital Angel has shipped 50,000 Bio-Thermo implantable RFID
chips to the U.K.
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=i74348ex362zi
Intermec and Gen 2
The company talks about its licensing options for RFID.
http://m1e.net/c?32007560-QMdsmdM2eO/LU%40871738-4om4ccpzhvUeM
RFID experts?
CompTIA says there aren't too many around. See the editorial
for some suggestions.
http://update.internetweek.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emVW0GPYVh0G4X0DErN0EN
Venice cars need tracking
Thousands of cars need to be tracked in the port.
http://nl.internet.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=
1,1fgn,1,5xkv,fo6b,g3h,6277
RFID interoperability
Are tags interoperable? Or have standards still not arrived.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-5596078.html?
tag=zdnn.alert
RFID in China
The Chinese are developing their own standards to be
compatible with the rest of the world.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60405010
ETSI standard for Europe
A new European Telecoms Standards Institute standard, ETSI
302-208, gives UHF RFID systems more capability.
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=h41186hx371zi
RFID based parking
Instead of using parking meters, the On Track Innovations
Ltd. 'EasyPark' system uses a contactless device in the vehicle.
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=
f27740bx370zg
No ROI soon
The Grocery Manufacturers Association report on “A Balanced
Perspective: EPC/RFID Implementation in the CPG Industry" says you should
not expect a return on investment for a while.
http://www.gmabrands.com/industryaffairs/docs/EPC-RFID_BalancedPerspective.pdf
DAC ID card
The new Department of Homeland Security Access Card will use
RFID, biometrics and Bluetooth to do its job.
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,66801,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2
Mandates plus
As companies roll out RFID for the mandates, they are also
looking to use the information for other uses.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,100221,00.html?nlid=AM
RFID in EU
European retailers take a good look at RFID.
http://update.internetweek.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/embH0GPYVh0G4X0DFdv0El
NO five cent tag
Alien Technology's CEO predicts tag prices will only be at
ten cents in 2007.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,100230,00.html?nlid=MW
Kimberley-Clark and RFID
After starting shipments to Wal-Mart nine months before the
deadline, they are now looking to extend the program to Europe.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/
showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60404910&tid=5979
Microsoft and RFID
As its first RFID product is finalized, shipment should
occur in 2006.
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+plans+RFID+software+in+2006/
2100-7337_3-5604690.html?tag=sas.email
Testing needed
To meet the various mandates, careful planning and testing
are needed.
http://www.frontlinetoday.com/frontline/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=150557
Learn about RFID
Do you need more information? Here's some help.
http://whitepapers.frontlinetoday.com/detail/RES/
1092246203_958.html?src=email
Can RFID succeed?
Tom Polizzi has some words of caution.
http://www.frontlinetoday.com/frontline/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=149674
RFID rollout slow
While Wal-Mart is moving ahead, it may be that the actual
deployment is not as high as hoped.
http://www.manufacturing.net/lm/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA504046
Tag Benchmark report
ODIN Technologies has published the latest version of its
EPC Tag Benchmark document.
http://www.usingrfid.com/news/read.asp?lc=h18184px376za
FTC report
The Federal Trade Commission has released the results from
its June 2004 workshop.
http://ftc.gov/opa/2005/03/rfidrpt.htm
More bad information
This article continues to paint the inaccurate picture that
you can read RFID from anywhere and get all the information you ever need in
the tag.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20050307/tc_zd/146782
Implementing RFID
Don't fall for the common mistakes says this article.
http://www.imakenews.com/edgellcgt/e_article000369101.cfm?x=b4w8nlv,b2FCVfQ9
What use is RFID?
Aside from the need to satisfy a mandate that is. Some
companies are looking for further uses to better justify the technology.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,100221,00.html?nlid=ERP
Symbol and Intermec at odds
After negotiations broke down it seems that Intermec and
Symbol are at war.
http://www.crmbuyer.com/rsstory/40872.html
http://update.internetweek.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emhP0GPYVh0G4X0DGLa0EH
http://www.intermec.com/eprise/main/Intermec/Content/
About/NewsPages/pressRelease?&pressID=624
http://www.symbol.com/news/pressreleases/intermec_ip.html
New president
Lyngsoe Systems Ltd. Of Canada announced that Don Ferguson
has been appointed president.
http://www.logisticsit.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=804&z=0
RFID and libraries
Seems like a perfect fit, but the controversy continues.
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/text/article.cfm?issue=02-15-05&storyID=20728
Item level RFID
Even the mention of item level send shivers through some
people, but the work is underway and it will happen, and the numbers are
enormous.
http://logistics.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.idtechex.com/products/en/articles/00000140.asp
Paxar offers labels
Alien's class 1 tags are being used by Paxar to produce
labels for the industry.
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news-NG.asp?n=58205-paxar-and-alien
IATA pushes ahead
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is
pushing ahead with plans for global e-ticketing and the use of RFID for
baggage handling.
http://www.computing.co.uk/news/1161302
UPS tests RFID
United Parcel Service has been testing RFID for two years,
but it has not all been easy.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1770945,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
Wal-Mart still positive
CIO Linda Dillman told conference attendees that RFID is
here and it is moving ahead.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60404704
Need RFID in glass?
Toppan Printing has announced a tag for use in glass
containers.
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=9510
TI is onboard
Texas Instruments' Julie England says that the technology
will spur new innovation and applications.
http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=1288&z=0
SAP and Intermec
An alliance of SAP and Intermec is aimed at helping
small-medium businesses.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1773948,00.asp
Gains and losses of RFID
We hear about RFID all the time, but what are some of the
gains and losses that we can expect?
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/index.cfm?fa=viewArticle&id=1161
RFID read problems
There are many factors for poor read rates in RFID. The
article examines some of them and tries to address them.
http://www.rfidnas.com/article/CA509009.html
EPCglobal™
Intermec has other IP
RFID Journal reports that Intermec has filed with EPCglobal™
that it has Intellectual Property that reads against other parts of the
EPCglobal™ system, not just Gen 2.
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/1442/
TI to provide emulators
Tag emulators that mimic the EPCglobal™ Gen 2 air interface are being
provided by Texas Instruments to several printer manufacturers to speed
adoption of the specification.
http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=1289&z=0
What is the EPC Network?
Here is a good primer on the EPCglobal™ system.
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=9990
Are you ready for Gen 2?
Apparently samples are shipping already, though the industry
seems skeptical on the compatibility with the standard.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/
showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60404915
Biometrics
Palm vein biometrics
Fujitsu have announced a new biometric measurement that they
hope will gain support.
http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=3223
Face recognition
Omron announces a face recognition program for cell phones.
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.asp?Art_ID=9494
Bar Code
Datalogic bar code scanner
Goes the extra meter, with a scan distance to 10 m.
http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=1234&z=0
Checkpoint says goodbye
After embracing the bar code world with the purchase of Meto
some years ago, now they are saying goodbye to bar codes to focus on CCTV
and EAS.
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/
2005/03/07/daily8.html
Metrologic sells scanners
Metrologic has announced an agreement to sell its scanners
to Wincor Nixdorf.
http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=1298&z=0
Bar code to replace RFID?
ImageID is trying to get acceptance for Visidot, a printed
technology that can be used like RFID.
http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/march2005/
equipmentapplications.cfm
ID Cards
U.K. passes ID card bill
On the same day that the U.S. agreed to HR 418, the U.K.'s
ID card bill was passed.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/index.cfm?go=news.view&news=4542
U.K. ID card may fail
The biometric ID card for the U.K. is expected to fail in
the House of Lords and may be put on hold until after the U.K. elections.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,100388,00.html?nlid=AM
Chip and PIN again
Now concerns have been raised over the inadequacies of the
magnetic stripe in this technology.
http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=
88F463FB-A680-45A6-AFE8-E00F5696C165
Healthcare and Life Sciences
U.K. pilot of pharmaceuticals
A pilot of RFID tagged pharmaceuticals in the U.K. has been a success
with suggestions of an annual savings of $68 billion.
http://www.vnunet.com/news/1161998
The pharma solution?
One size doesn't fit all and in pharma applications the best solution may
be 13.56 MHz not UHF.
http://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=
8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=
AFC60521595E49ABADE8267A1C64666D&tier=4&id=
3AC37FF8CB1942CFA038516527C8A82C
More ROI for RFID …
Like everyone else the life sciences uses of RFID need ROI. SAP discusses
problems and strategies.
http://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=
8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=
AFC60521595E49ABADE8267A1C64666D&tier=4&id=
B928A6A20F6B47C1829C7AEE8B52D971
… is it there?
The reports here show that RFID has tremendous benefits but it may be too
expensive.
http://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=
8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=
AFC60521595E49ABADE8267A1C64666D&tier=4&id=
874326B86D41454AA0FF84776B36D2BF
Implanted chip
CareGroup CIO John Halamka has had an RFID tag implanted in his arm.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,99863,00.html?nlid=MW
RFID is solution …
Companies are seeing that RFID can be the solution to counterfeit drugs
and asset tracking in the hospital.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,99899,00.html?nlid=ERP
… and it saves
A report from Capgemini suggests that it can save $100 million a year in
lost revenue per manufacturer.
http://www.bio-itworld.com/archive/pharmareview/050604.html#capgemini
Bar code wristbands
Although they are in use today, this reports suggests that the current
designs have problems, and a new matrix code can solve them.
http://www.hospitalnetwork.com/nl/167012/1638581
RFID in the drug industry
A new study from ABI Research looks at this subject.
http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/
The_RFID_Life_Sciences_Market
RFID projects
The FDA recommended RFID as a way to help prevent counterfeit drugs and
several companies are making moves to implement.
http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/
0,10801,99899,00.html?source=x2305
Bar code helps efficiency
Mississippi-based Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center has announced
that it has installed Omnicell's automated system to increase efficiency.
http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=995A08D7-77EB-4605-8F41-424EA9207BDA
Wireless LAN tracks
Using the WLAN system to track assets in the hospital can greatly
increase the efficiency of the hospital.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1768179,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000605
Do your pills talk?
Here is a solution for the blind that allows RFID to assist in
identifying drug bottles.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/02/28/byteline/index.php?news=byteline_16563728.html
Wireless Computing
Ekahau offers code
In an effort to increase the market for its positioning
engine software, Ekahau is making available code to allow integration into
other applications.
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3485426
802.11n – an update
Motorola has joined the World Wide Spectrum Efficiency (WWiSE)
consortium and merged its technology leaving just two contenders.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,100098,00.html?nlid=MW
Is free wi-fi good?
Not according to some telecommunications vendors.
http://www.computerworld.com/newsletter/0,4902,100009,00.html?nlid=MW
FCC gives UWB waiver
Will allowing the sale of multi-band OFDM-based
ultrawideband wireless be enough to allow standards to proceed.
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3488906
UltraWide Band groups merge
The MultiBand OFDM Alliance and WiMedia have joined forces.
http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3487246
Bluetooth killer?
Is Bluetooth going to be supplanted by an Ultrawide Band
version of a wireless USB?
http://www.linuxinsider.com/rsstory/41049.html
http://www.techworld.com/mobility/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3263
Free Wi-Fi
The availability of free hotspots is growing with Panera
Bread the largest supplier in the U.S.
http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2005/feb/07/news4.html
Motorola and Skype
Motorola has announced that it intends to offer Skype
enabled handsets in the near future. Don't know about VoIP the Skype way?
Join the millions who do.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mobile/display/20050216053747.html
http://www.skype.com/
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=30699
Mobile phone virus
The Cabir virus has reached the U.S. threatening to disrupt
the lives of millions of mobile phone users.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050218/wr_nm/tech_security_dc
WLAN is hot
In 2004 WLAN revenues were only $2.8 billion but the number
of units shipped was 36.1 million up 51% over 2003.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403609
802.11n
The next standard in Wi-Fi may not be a step closer even as
the competing technologies gather supporters.
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119834,00.asp
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3490926
Wi-Fi roaming
As more roaming agreements between hot spot providers are
negotiated, everything gets easier though it can still cost a lot.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050303/35770_1.html
Mesh networks
Intel has unveiled its candidate for the upcoming 802.11s
standard for mesh networks.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/
0,39020348,39189953,00.htm
Motorola has mesh
A new twist on mesh networks has Motorola adding 802.11 to
the mix.
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3490611
UWB is on the way?
A report from Parks Associated thinks that consumer UWB is
not far off.
http://www.ultrawidebandplanet.com/technology/article.php/
11196_3483806
U.K. looks at UWB
Policy changes could allow UWB to be used in the U.K.
http://www.ultrawidebandplanet.com/technology/article.php/
11196_3465151
CES has UWB
The Consumer Electronics Show held recently in Las Vegas had
plenty of Ultra Wide Band demonstrations.
http://www.ultrawidebandplanet.com/technology/article.php/
11196_3456781
Airline Wi-Fi
Business models may rule the implementation of the
technology.
http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=7B9C9D3C-A516-4DBE-8E99-0213EC531553
Homeland Security
HR 418?
Is this House of Representative Bill really for immigration
reform or is it an ID Card in disguise?
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.418.EH:
High tech passports
Do they work? Are the specifications really acceptable?
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?
story_id=3666171
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/02/23/bt.security.snares/
index.html
DHS to use RFID
The new Department of Homeland Security Access card will use
RFID, Bluetooth and biometrics to provide secure access.
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,66801,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2
No encryption on passports
The U.S. government is declining to put encryption on the
new e-passports.
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,66686,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1
Fact sheet on RFID
The Department of Homeland Security has released a fact
sheet on RFID and US-VISIT.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4307
Privacy
A starter article
But it doesn't go far enough to explain the reality.
http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3484471
EU privacy …
The EU is stepping up the issue and presenting guidelines on
RFID and privacy.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/02/22/HNrfidprivacy_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/02/22/
HNrfidprivacy_1.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/23/eu_rfid_consultation/
… and a law
that requires notification of the use of an RFID tag.
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60405595&tid=13692
RFID security
An old paper, but a thought about security for low cost
tags.
http://www.itpapers.com/abstract.aspx?scid=211&part=rss&tag=rss&subj=&promo=100112&docid=113373
RFID moves on
And privacy is an issue, but many companies are trying to
provide the best service they can.
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/index.cfm?fa=viewArticle&id=1161
FTC talks RFID
The Federal Trade Commission expressed its concerns about
privacy and included RFID as an area to watch.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/10/lbpprivacy.htm
The report is available:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2005/03/050308rfidrpt.pdf
Critics of RFID policy
A statement from U.S. Republicans High Tech Task Force says
that RFID should be protected from premature regulation draws criticism from
advocacy groups.
http://republican.senate.gov/httf/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=66
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1440/1/1/
RFID needs thought
It is coming. But what about privacy? Can we handle the
issues?
http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3484471
Right vs. wrong
There are some issues associated with RFID and it is
important that the correct decisions be made.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/40723.html
General Technology
New pricing
Symbol Technologies has announced a new pricing structure
for the channel.
http://www.integratedmar.com/ecl-usa/story.cfm?item=19226
Dilling Award
This year's recipient of the Dilling Award is Tom Brady.
http://www.frontlinetoday.com/frontline/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=150937 |
Sponsored by:
From the National RFID Centre
It has been a frantic month for the UK National RFID Centre team. Two of
the principals, Ian Smith and Prof. Tony Funess co-chaired the Government
sponsored ASEM international conference in London with delegates from more
than 40 countries. They confirmed that in addition to setting up Regional
RFID Centres in the UK they were seeking partnerships with various
Governments around the world. A first positive enquiry has come from the
Government of Thailand. This follows a visit from a Thai delegation earlier
this month who were part hosted by the Centre. A range of RFID specialist
workshops have been held for the fish, food, mail order, library, media and
electronics industries and this week Ian Smith was a guest speaker at the
UCLA RFID Executive Forum. "People, companies and organisations around the
world are recognising the importance of the work we have begun," said Smith.
The Centre has issued seven draft codes of practice for review covering:
Retail; Logistics and Supply Chain; Post and Parcel Delivery; Manufacturing
and Warehouse; Transport and ITS; Banking and Financial; Telephony. The
documents should be published on the centre website:
www.rfiduk.org by the middle of April.
RFID focus for 1st International Workshop on RFID and Ubiquitous Sensor
Networks
Within the rapidly emerging area of ubiquitous computing, networks of
small embeddable sensors are being seen as important means of acquiring
valuable environmental and structural information that can be used for both
commercial and domestic purposes. Wireless connectivity for data
communications provides a significant technological enabler for such
systems. Added to this the object identification capability of radio
frequency identification and the opportunity is being seen for additional
potential and integration within such systems. The 1st International
Workshop on RFID and Ubiquitous Sensory Networks, to be held in conjunction
with the 2005 International Conference on Embedded and Ubiquitous Computing
(Nagasaki, Japan, December 6-9, 2005:
http://EUC2005.he.NiAS.ac.jp/ ),
seeks to address the issues concerning RFID and their integration within
ubiquitous sensory networks. Among the issues to be considered are those of
coexistence, anti-collision and distributed coordination algorithms,
together with next generation and new paradigm RFID technologies.
Profs. Anthony Furness and Paul Chartier, of the UK National RFID Centre
team, have been invited to join the workshop programme committee and would
be interested in hearing of any UK research interests in these areas,
including in particular the use of RFID in the realisation of ubiquitous
networks and issues concerning standards.
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:
ASK to deliver 4 million RFID smart labels for US and
European libraries
Westport, February 28 -- ASK, a worldwide leading
manufacturer of RFID products, has been selected by Bibliotheca, Europe #1
RFID library system provider to supply C.label, a unique RFID smart paper
label, to American and European public libraries.
http://www.ask-rfid.com/uk/
news/news_article.php4?id=0
ERG Announces $15.9 Million Profit for Half-Year Results
ERG Group, a world leader in smart card automated fare collection,
today reported a net profit after tax of $15.9 million for the six months
ended 31 December 2004. This result compares very favourably with the
previous corresponding period, which showed a net loss after tax of $43.0
million.
(PRWEB) March 1, 2005 -- ERG Group, a world leader in smart card
automated fare collection, today reported a net profit after tax of $15.9
million for the six months ended 31 December 2004. This result compares very
favourably with the previous corresponding period, which showed a net loss
after tax of $43.0 million.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/
2005/3/prwebxml213480.php
FCC Grants Waiver for Ultra Wideband MultiBand OFDM Standard
SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2005--The WiMedia
Alliance, which recently merged with the MultiBand OFDM Alliance Special
Interest Group (MBOA-SIG), announced today that the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has granted the MBOA-SIG's request for waiver of certain
measurement procedures for the multiband orthogonal frequency-division
multiplexing (OFDM) standard for ultra wideband (UWB). The waiver paves the
way for companies producing UWB devices compliant with the MBOA
specifications to get FCC certification for shipment. It also enables
widespread commercial shipments of products built on the WiMedia-MBOA
platform -- which include applications such as Wireless USB, Wireless 1394
and wireless IP -- for unlicensed operation within the United States.
http://home.businesswire.com/
portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=
20050310005731&newsLang=en
AXCESS Introduces Portable RFID Reader for Automatic Identification and
Inventory
DALLAS, Feb. 17 -- AXCESS International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:
AXSI.OB), a leading provider of Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
systems, announced today the addition of a portable RFID reader to its
ActiveTag(TM) product line. The reader interrogates battery powered "active"
tags, providing walk-around automatic electronic inventory of assets,
personnel, patients, and vehicles. Creative Healthcare, Inc., a provider of
technologically advanced information system solutions for community
hospitals, will be the first to introduce automatic patient identification
using active RFID. Using the ActiveTag patient tag in conjunction with the
portable reader, Creative Healthcare can better ensure patients are properly
identified for treatments and medications.
http://www.prnewswire.com/
cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&
STORY=/www/story/02-17-2005/
0003027191&EDATE=
Jeff Anderson Nation's First Medical Center to Install Omnicell
MedGuard(TM) Advanced Patient Safety Technology Hospital-Wide
MERIDIAN, Miss., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jeff Anderson
Regional Medical Center (JARMC) announced today that it is only a few weeks
away from completing installation of the Omnicell MedGuard system. MedGuard
automation utilizes bar code scanning technology throughout the continuum of
care to help ensure the highest level of patient safety throughout the
medication-use process.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
050222/sftu070_1.html
ASK to Deliver 4 Million RFID Smart Labels for US and European Libraries
Bibliotheca and ASK Enter Strategic Partnership to Offer a Complete
Library RFID System
WESTPORT, Connecticut, February 28 /PRNewswire/ -- ASK, a worldwide
leading manufacturer of RFID products, has been selected by Bibliotheca,
Europe #1 RFID library system provider to supply C.label, a unique RFID
smart paper label, to American and European public libraries.
http://www.prnewswire.com/
cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&
STORY=/www/story/02-28-2005/0003107396&EDATE=
AXCESS Announces New Baseline Tag Price for Active RFID Solution
New Price Point Set to Facilitate Expansion of Active RFID Programs
DALLAS, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- AXCESS International Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: AXSI.OB), a leading provider of Active Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) systems today announced a revolutionary retail price
point below $10 for its standard RFID personnel tag. AXCESS is taking a
market leadership position by offering this price to its large and diverse
installed customer base, which includes Fortune 500 corporations, government
agencies and many large security and logistics integration companies.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&
STORY=/www/story/03-03-2005/
0003114884&EDATE=
Mark Andy to Demonstrate RFID Conversion Equipment Using Texas
Instruments Straps and Inlays at Its 'RFID Focus' Educational Seminar
ST. LOUIS, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Andy, the leading narrow
web printing equipment manufacturer, will demonstrate to label and printer
manufacturers its recently developed RFID strap and inlay insertion
equipment incorporating RFID straps and inlays from Texas Instruments (NYSE:
TXN) at its "RFID Focus" Educator Series, "In-Line RFID Solutions for
Today's Converters" on April 27, 2005. Mark Andy's printing and converting
technology, which uses an RFID inlay and strap insertion module developed by
Tamarack Products, is a leading commercial product line available for
companies seeking to integrate RFID technology into traditional narrow web
label manufacturing lines. In addition to the RFID insertion demonstration,
the event will cover a variety of key topics about RFID and Electronic
Product Code(TM) (EPC) label production.
http://www.prnewswire.com/
cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/
03-03-2005/0003115085&EDATE=
Paxar Qualifies As Supplier Of Alien Technology EPC Class 1 RFID Smart
Labels
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2005--Paxar
Corporation (NYSE: PXR - News), a global leader providing bar code and
identification technologies for the retail supply chain and the supplier of
Monarch® products and services, today announced that it has recently been
qualified by Alien Technology® as a supplier of high quality RFID smart
labels containing Alien® Class 1 transponders. Users of RFID technology can
order smart labels directly from Paxar, with pre-qualification from Alien
that the labels will be of high quality and performance.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/
050217/175495_1.html
RFID, EPC and Self-Checkout Solutions: Payments Beyond the Barcode
While not directly impacting stakeholders in consumer payment
technologies immediately, the arrival of the Electronic Product Code (EPC)
will be a profoundly disruptive technological leap, especially when RFID
technology is cheap enough for inclusion in all consumer goods. With the
electronification of payments coupled with increasing automation of the
retail experience, there are going to be some exciting developments at the
checkout. This report examines these technologies with an emphasis on
practicality and the impact these technologies will have on present business
models.
Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 28, 2005 -- While not directly impacting
stakeholders in consumer payment technologies immediately, the arrival of
the Electronic Product Code (EPC) will be a profoundly disruptive
technological leap, especially when RFID technology is cheap enough for
inclusion in all consumer goods. With the electronification of payments
coupled with increasing automation of the retail experience, there are going
to be some exciting developments at the checkout.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/
2005/2/prwebxml211148.php
RFID Pilot Demonstrates Raytheon Company Will Save Nearly $0.5 Million
From Joint RedPrairie / RadiantWave Solution
Leading Government Defense and Technology Company Projects Savings
of $471,650 Over Two Years Using Mobile Resource Management Solution
WAUKESHA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2005-- RedPrairie Corporation,
a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that enable business
process transformation, announced today that Raytheon Company, a leading
government defense, aviation and technology company, has calculated two-year
capital asset savings of $471,650, three months into a pilot using a joint
RFID Mobile Resource Management (MRM) solution from RedPrairie and
RadiantWave, LLC. Raytheon will leverage the solution to track and optimize
utilization of lab equipment across many of their campuses. As a result, the
company will be able to ensure loss prevention, adhere to calibration
schedules and reduce time and labor associated with manual equipment
tracking and searches. Based on a three month pilot, Raytheon estimates the
benefits of the MRM solution equate to nearly a quarter million dollars in
annual savings.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/
050218/185025_1.html
SAMSys' RFID Hardware Deployed at Bradshaw International for Wal-Mart
RFID Compliance Project
- SAMSys' Open Architecture Will Accommodate Changing Tag Protocols
TORONTO, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY:
TSX), an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID)
hardware solutions has been deployed at kitchenware supplier Bradshaw
International as part of an enhanced warehouse location tracking system
designed to comply with Wal-Mart's RFID mandates. Bradshaw holds the No. 1
market share for kitchen accessories sold through the grocery, drugstore and
mass merchandise channels with its Good Cook(TM) brand, and is among the 137
suppliers involved in the rollout phase of Wal-Mart's RFID project.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
050307/to005_1.html
China Technology Global Corporation to Be the Pioneer in China's RFID
Industry and Successfully Apply RFID into Logistics Platform
HONG KONG, March 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China
Technology Global Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: CTGLF; the "Company"),
formerly known as DF China Technology Inc., a leading provider of
information technology solutions for the logistics and supply chain
management industry in China and Hong Kong, announced today that the Company
has successfully deployed a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system
into Bai Sha Logistics Corporation, one of the Company's primary clients in
China engaged in logistics business operations. The Company integrated the
RFID technology into its own-developed logistics software system to meet the
client's advanced operation requirements. This is the very pioneering-work
on the RFID's application in logistics industry in China.
http://www.prnewswire.com/
cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&
STORY=/www/story/03-09-2005/
0003158883&EDATE=
China Technology Global Corporation to Be the Pioneer in China's RFID
Industry and Successfully Apply RFID into Logistics Platform
HONG KONG, March 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China
Technology Global Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: CTGLF; the "Company"),
formerly known as DF China Technology Inc., a leading provider of
information technology solutions for the logistics and supply chain
management industry in China and Hong Kong, announced today that the Company
has successfully deployed a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system
into Bai Sha Logistics Corporation, one of the Company's primary clients in
China engaged in logistics business operations. The Company integrated the
RFID technology into its own-developed logistics software system to meet the
client's advanced operation requirements. This is the very pioneering-work
on the RFID's application in logistics industry in China.
http://www.prnewswire.com/
cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&
STORY=/www/story/03-09-2005/
0003158883&EDATE=
Intermec Named to Provide RFID Tags to U.S. Government
EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2005--As part of the
U.S. Government's initiative to improve efficiency and inventory asset
management, Intermec Technologies Corp., which designs and manufactures RFID
(radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems, has been
awarded a blanket purchasing agreement contract to provide passive UHF RFID
(radio frequency identification) tags to support the Department of Defense
and the U.S. Coast Guard. The award is part of the government's Automatic
Information Technology RFID initiative, a basic building block in the
department's efforts to provide timely asset visibility in its global
logistics pipeline, whether in process, in storage or in transit.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050310/
95982_1.html
Alien Technology RFID Products Successfully Complete EPCglobal Hardware
Interoperability Test
Test Results Showcase Mature EPC Class 1, Gen 1 Ecosystem
MORGAN HILL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2005--Alien Technology®
today announced that all four Alien® RFID readers that were presented
successfully completed the EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 1 Hardware Interoperability
test, the most comprehensive testing to date of interoperability between the
over 20 vendors supplying EPC Gen 1 RFID products. Among the participating
readers in the test, Alien's ALR-8780 is the only ETSI-certified European
EPC reader. Alien's EPC Class 1 96-bit family of tags also demonstrated
interoperability with all other Class 1 readers and printer programmers
tested. Successful completion of the EPCglobal interoperability test is a
prequalification requirement for many end-users' RFID hardware purchases.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050315/
155366_1.html
Lowry Computer Products Wins Government BPA Award For RFID-EPC Class 1
Tags
- Technology to enhance the DoD's tracking of commodities and
assets
BRIGHTON, Mich., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowry Computer Products, a
leading provider of RFID-EPC, bar code, wireless and data collection
solutions, today announced the award of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)
from the Army Contracting Agency (ACA) Information Technology, E-Commerce
and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), for passive Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) Electronic Product Code (EPC) -1 tags.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
050314/dem022_2.html
The Final Comment
Have a Web War – lots of games
http://ww7.freearcade.com/
Webwar.jav/Webwar_body.html
Or even
http://ww3.freearcade.com/
Same.jav/Same.html
Here's a tension buster, squash the webmasters
http://www.ageowns.com/
smoosh/smoosh.html
For those of you that need an advantage while fishing
http://www.fishingcam.co.kr/
main_eng/main.asp#
We all use those USB memory sticks, how about this one?
http://www.dynamism.com/iduck/
For when you just need to know the time – somewhere else!
http://www.timeanddate.com/
worldclock/
The shrinking universe
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/
primer/java/scienceopticsu/
powersof10/
index.html
Got an unusual mousepad? Try these
http://www.expa.hvu.nl/ajvdhek/
Do you need a dinosaur? How about a walking robot version?
http://www.aist.go.jp/no_header/
kyouryu.html
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