RFID

RFID Info

Could RFID in Airports Help Keep Stolen Passports off Flight 370

I have been sitting here for a few days mulling over this post. To write it or not to write it but I have to flush it out and put it out in a public forum for debate. I don’t have the answer and hopefully we can come up with one together. With all due respect for family members that are currently lost on Malaysia Airline Flight #370, I hope they find closure or some answers soon.

I would like to discuss if RFID tags at the airport and could they have helped prevent what some are reporting that 2 of the passports were stolen. Could RFID tags help prevent the 2 stolen passports from ever being used.  Here in the USA the first RFID passports was in 2005.

RFID has been in passports since the late 1990’s. Kind of ironic that the first RFID issued passport was actually issued in Malaysia way back in 1998.

RFID passports arrive for Americans – CNET News
By Anne Broache Staff Writer, CNET News

We already have RFID on the luggage tags and in the passport itself. There has to be a way for the passengers to go through a scanner where the passport would pass through and connect with the database at Interpool. I can already hear the security pundits talking about their rights and stuff but since we are going through a security line we might as well be as secure as possible.

Somewhere along the line these two passports were checked with human eyes and I think that isn’t enough. The price of RFID has declined so much since 1998 that installing a few RFID machines to walk through is pennies on the dollar compared to what it use to be.

In my home airport of JFK passengers have to wait in line and show ID before going through the machines that check us for weapons or fluid. It makes sense to install something in between this or adjust the X-ray machines to read RFID.  Maybe they already do?

I hope we hear some good news regarding the missing plane soon.

DEVELOPING: Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Still Missing at NYCAviation
Malaysia Airlines has lost contact with a 777-200 flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, carrying 239 people.

Can RFID Save on In Store Order Fulfillment

I was just reading an interesting article on RFID and the way that retail stores can use it for order fulfillment. Using Gen 2 RFID tags stores like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s can make their retail stores into local shipping departments and save money on shipping.

Of course asking Macy’s suppliers to start using RFID tags on items can and will be a challenge that I can see. It does make a lot of sense for the stores to start implementing this practice on a global scale. It solves the problem of items being out of stock on store shelves and would cut down on a lot of the items that lets just say get shoplifted by store employees.

Of course this isn’t going to come cheap as companies will have to buy handheld scanners to have throughout their stores and their warehouses and teach employees how to use it properly.

The article on Software advice brought up a few good points but I can’t say I agree with having to hire new personal that will make higher wages because they are being trained on RFID handheld devices. I think it will just come into being the normal working conditions and become part of the workflow. If RFID will save them having to restock items the employes will be all for it, Or filling up shelves that already have a ton of the product and putting it side by side with excessive inventory. No worker likes doing that type of work.
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Do You Need an RFID Blocking Wallet

RFID Blocking Wallet: 7 Advantages for Owning One

The latest innovation in terms of self defense is already here and it goes by the name RFID blocking wallet. This wallet, aside from obviously having such considerable level of novelty, is actually very much functional. Here are some of the major advantages of this simple, albeit highly smart accessory.

Money Protection – Being a busy buddy that you are, it is important to be always on the guard when it comes to your hard earned and highly worthy possessions. That is the exact reason behind the creation of the RFID blocking wallet. This wallet is a reliable ally against the threats related to unapologetic thievery. After all, you will never know when you are to be in the midst of evil forces bent on rendering you broke with a sleight of hand.

Credit Card Protection – The RFID blocking wallet is equipped with the so called Faraday cage. This enhancement allows your wallet block off RFID transmissions. Nowadays, even RFID’s are being stolen through means that a layman cannot understand. If in any case your RFID gets stolen, your credit card is bound to have its own shopping spree without you knowing. You will only realize the utter doom brought upon your finances come end of the month and your credit card bill reaches your mailbox.

High Quality Leather – This is product is made from top-notch materials. In fact, this wallet has been fashioned from first class leather. Considering that it is made from such sturdy materials, you do not have to worry in terms of wallet maintenance. You can use the accessory for as long you deem appropriate.

Cool Design – The RFID blocking wallet comes in a simple but stylish design which can go well with you your personality. Having this wallet inside your back pocket or in your shirt pocket perhaps, will definitely make you feel like a hotshot celebrity who is bound to have some serious fun.

Ample Compartments – RFID blocking wallet has enough compartments to shelter all your credit cards and identification cards. It is like your briefcase, only smaller and ten times more remarkable.

Handy – Of course wallets should be handy. Otherwise, it does not fit the bill. This is of course one of the major considerations, pondered on by the creators of this cutting edge accessory. You can take it anywhere you like, anytime you like, without being a burden to you. It’s light and compact that there is no need to worry in terms of excess baggage.

Affordability – Aside from the aforementioned advantages of this product, it is also important to note that given its sheer ingenuity and style, it still is quite affordable. You would not have to shell out hefty amount from your savings, and empty your wallet just so you can by this product. This wallet has been made to give customers a quality product without ripping them off.
There are many ways to get hold of the blocking wallet. In fact this product is already available in shops and malls. You are sure to find this unique item in novelty or specialty shops. But if you are the type who would not want to go out shopping, there is a more convenient shopping option for you. That is of course through the internet platform.

The internet is a watering-hole in terms of businesses and eCommerce ideas hence you are bound to find a site that offer the RFID blocking wallet.

Be conscious in terms of price listings and warranty. Websites vary in terms of the aforementioned customer considerations and you only have to patronize those who are willing to extend some added value for their customer’s purchases.
But before relying heavily on online shopping sites, first you have to make sure that you do ample research in terms of the website’s reliability. Try reading customer reviews in order to gauge the authenticity and quality of the products offered in a particular website that has caught your fancy. Through this you can eliminate the risk of getting a sub-standard item, or worst not receiving your ordered and paid for item at all.

4 convenient ways that Radio Frequency Identification is benefiting higher education

RFID (or radio frequency identification) tags are intelligent bar codes that communicate and track items or people. First, they detect the item through an electronic reader, which then communicates the information back to a central network system.

Student holding an RFID Student card

RFID, originally a tracking technology used for cattle, can now virtually track a multitude of consumer items. For instance, RFID can literally eliminate annoying lineups at the campus bookstore by detecting every book you put in your cart or every textbook rental. After the textbook is tracked, the required information is sent to the publisher, and finally the amount of your total bill is deducted from your bank account for payment. RFID is pretty convenient huh?

  • Well currently, RFID is being used to track almost everything, from:
  • Retail merchandise
  • Vehicles
  • Airline or bus passengers
  • Hospital patients
  • Pets
  • And even student attendance…

RFID has some clear benefits as far as its use in a college environment—benefiting the safety and convenience of students, instructors—and even decreasing theft and loss of college materials, such as textbooks, lab tools and other campus property.

1. RFID in libraries

In the campus library, RFID is used to keep a detailed account of library materials, drastically reducing the library budget. For instance, any book checked out is instantly scanned with no room for human error. So if a book is lost or stolen, the cost of that book is immediately billed to the student who loaned it. RFID can also be used to benefit the campus library in the following ways:

  • To speed up the check-in or check-out of library materials
  • To improve the accuracy of the library catalogue
  • To reduce and deter theft
  • To instantly track lost or overdue books

2. RFID for student ID

Many universities across the U.S., including the University of Chicago and the Northern Arizona University, are using RFID to track students. Each student is issued a smart card that they will keep on their person at all times. The student card contains personal information such as the student’s name, photo, year, school name and the four-digit school ID number. The RFID smartcard also takes care of accurate student and staff attendance.

3. RFID amps up campus security

College departments, like the El Paso Health Sciences Center at Texas Tech University, have integrated RFID in order to up campus security—both for student and for auditing and tracking departmental assets (in this case to track microscopes and other lab tools). Students and professors also require an RFID smart card in order to gain entry into campus buildings, which cuts down the loss or theft of keys to expensive or vital college property, and RFID grants secure access to controlled areas like labs, dorm rooms, or offices.

4. RFID as payment

RFID also enables electronic payment of any item a student needs on campus. The student can load their smart card with money for various items and pay for things like:

  • Cafeteria meal points
  • Vending machine and dining hall snacks and beverages
  • School supplies and textbooks at the campus book store
  • Laundry
  • Hair cuts
  • School swag
  • Tickets to student events

Tracking Small Birds Using RFID

I love when I see RFID used in places that I haven’t seen before. Today when I got the email from the Cornell lab of Ornithology I was taken back as they showed their tracking of small feeder birds using RFID. The data that they are collecting will help many birds down the road as we can discover feeding habits during each season and compare to how they eat. The video will explain in more details and show how they are using RFID tags on birds. It is very informative and if you like the outdoors like me you are in for a treat.

To see more information visit Birds.cornell.edu for details on their program.