RFID

RFID Info

Disney Uses RFID for Refillable Mugs

Will Disney use RFID chips to save money? One of the greatest debates among those looking for Disney deals revolves around refillable mugs at the Walt Disney World Resorts. Disney sells these mugs with the stipulation that you can only use them for the length of your stay. However, many people purchase them once and then bring them back year after year to continue to fill them for free. Disney has tried changing the mug graphics more frequently but visitors continue to use the old mugs.

No matter where visitors stand on the refillable mug debate, Disney is taking a definite stand by employing the use of RFID to limit refills. According to DIS Unplugged, Disney is testing new technology at its All Start Sports Resort. Drink dispensers will only dispense drinks into cups that have the appropriate RFID chips embedded. Single use cups will be timed for meal time and the refillable mugs will be timed for the length of stay at the resort of the purchaser. The technology is provided by ValidFill.

Over the last several years, Disney has been ramping up the use of RFID both in the parks and on their cruise ships. The new Disney Dream ship uses RFID in the room keys to allow visitors to tap a box on their doors to open them. They can also tap their keys when they have their pictures taken by cruise photographers to have them added to their room accounts. At Disneyland, RFID chips are being sewn into Cast Member costumes to allow for quicker changes and inventorying. Rumors continue to circulate about RFID being used in the coming years in the Disney World parks to better customize the visitor experience at attractions and rides.

Whether Disney is using RFID to cut costs, increase behind-the-scenes efficiency, or provide vacationers with a better trip, it apparent that Disney is getting both creative and aggressive with the RFID technology.

RFID Saved the Bellagio Casino Millions

So by now I am all sure that you have heard about the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas getting robbed for millions of dollars. I couldn’t help but laugh when I first heard it as I knew the chips the guy stole are practically worthless. Besides being tracked with RFID the guy took $25000 chips that require an ID to cash out for federal tax purposes.

I am sure there is alarms set up in the casino for anyone cashing in the chips with the RFID tracking codes in them. He may try to cash in some of the lower denominations but as soon as those chips pass through the cashiers window security will be alerted and he will be arrested on the spot.

I am sure that the bank robber had never heard of RFID or he wouldn’t have chosen the Bellagio casino in the first place. What this has done is forced the hand of every casino in the country to look into spending for RFID. You can safely bet that insurance companies will be forcing the rest of the casinos to adopt to radio frequency identification chips in the near future.

So now we all know that the Bellagio is insured in case of robbery but since the thief will never get a dime the insurance companies will not have to pay a dime. I am not an authority on the types of chips the Bellagio uses but its safe to say they will probably be changing designs on new chips so the old ones that were in the robbery stand out more.

If you think about it the robbery suspect did what a lot of people do in Las Vegas, Go home empty handed.

iGPS Anounces an Agreement with ConAgra Foods

ORLANDO, Fla. – June 15, 2010 – Intelligent Global Pooling Systems (iGPS Company, LLC) announced today that ConAgra Foods, one of North America’s leading food makers, has begun shipping its products throughout the United States on iGPS’ all-plastic pallets with embedded RFID tags, commencing June 1. ConAgra Foods is the maker of Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, and Reddi-wip, among others. Its brands are found in 96 percent of U.S. households.

“It goes without saying that ConAgra is one of the world’s leading food producers and we are honored that the company has put its trust in us,” said Bob Moore, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iGPS. “It will be a great partnership as both companies share a commitment to quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility.”

Since its launch in 2006, iGPS has revolutionized the way goods are being shipped throughout the North American supply chain. Its 100 percent recyclable pallets are 30 percent lighter than pallets made of wood and are vastly better for the environment. iGPS plastic pallets are not susceptible to insect infestation, require no chemical treatments and eliminate the risks posed by protruding nails and splinters. They are exceptionally durable and maintain their standardized 48″ x 40″ dimensions throughout their life, making them ideal for automated environments.

About iGPS

iGPS operates the world’s first pallet rental service providing shippers and receivers with all-plastic pallets with embedded RFID tags. iGPS’ state-of-the-art pallets are 30 percent lighter than wood, which saves on transport costs and helps reduce green house gases. Its pallets are also more hygienic, easier to handle and, because they eliminate protruding nails and splinters, reduce workplace injuries and damaged equipment. Embedded RFID tags enable shippers and receivers to track and trace shipments. And iGPS pallets are 100 percent recyclable. Launched in March 2006, the company has created nearly 2,000 new green jobs in the U.S. and is led by pallet and supply chain veterans with decades of experience. iGPS (www.igps.net) is headquartered in Orlando, FL and has offices in Dallas, TX and Bentonville, AR.

About ConAgra Foods

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America’s leading food companies, with brands in 96 percent of America’s households. Consumers find Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip and many ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.

New York State Drivers License

Was just reading a good article about New York State Drivers License with RFID embedded in it. Although the story is about a year old it is a good read.

RFID In Drivers License.

It just shows you that some ideas are good and some not so much. I am not sure if NY has already done this as they are way behind on everything they do.

Registration Open for RFID Journal LIVE! 2010

Here is the Press release for the RFID Journal Live

The RFID industry’s largest and most important conference and exhibition, being held on April 14-16 in Orlando, Fla., will feature three co-located events designed to deliver additional value to attendees.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 28, 2009 — RFID Journal announced today that registration is now open for RFID Journal LIVE! 2010 (www.rfidjournalevents.com/live), the world’s premier conference and exhibition focused on radio frequency identification (RFID) and its many business applications. Motorola is the Cornerstone and Registration sponsor for the event, which will include three co-located events on Apr. 14: the Auto-ID Conference, IEEE RFID 2010 and the Aerospace RFID Summit.

RFID Journal LIVE! 2010, the eighth annual event produced by RFID Journal, will be held on Apr. 14-16 at the Orange Country Convention Center, in Orlando, Fla. The event will feature eight industry-specific and level-of-expertise conference tracks, eight in-depth preconference seminars, fast-track CompTIA RFID+ training and certification, and the RFID Journal Awards, as well as numerous technology exhibits and demonstrations conducted by the leading technology firms. This year’s program will include more than 75 hours of educational programming, more than 50 end-user case studies and more than 175 technology companies, so you can learn how to solve your business problems in one convenient location.

“It’s clear that RFID technology has matured to the point where companies can now invest in solutions that provide true business visibility,” said Mark Roberti, RFID Journal’s founder and editor. “Companies can now track and manage mobile assets, inventory, tools, vehicles and individuals in a way that was never before possible. The data RFID systems provides allows them to optimize their business processes.”

The three co-located events are designed to provide added value to attendees, by enabling them to access additional education sessions.

Auto-ID Conference

This one-day conference is designed for executives looking to understand how automatic-identification technologies other than RFID can help solve their business problems. Sessions will cover the various types of bar codes, contact memory buttons, bokodes, Microsoft Tags, RF-resonant inks and more. This conference will also address how various auto-ID technologies can be integrated to provide seamless visibility for managers.

IEEE RFID 2010

The 2010 IEEE International Conference on RFID is the leading technical conference for researchers, developers, integrators and vendors to discuss and expand their knowledge of technologies, systems, networks, algorithms and applications of RF-based wireless communications and identification systems. IEEE RFID 2010 will provide critical insights into the research currently underway that will drive future advances in radio frequency identification.

Aerospace RFID Summit

This workshop will provide a unique opportunity to understand the fundamentals of RFID technology, and will explore how the technology is being applied in the aerospace sector. Participants will take away key learnings in the following subject areas: technology basics, including overviews of physics, hardware and software; business and use cases of RFID for aerospace and defense; and standards and regulations that are key to effective deployments.

“We are extremely excited about next year’s event,” Roberti said. “More companies understand the value RFID can provide, and we are pleased to be able to help them determine which system will offer the visibility they need to improve the way they do business. The three co-located events will offer attendees even more value.”

For additional information regarding RFID Journal LIVE! 2010 and the three co-located events, please visit www.rfidjournalevents.com/live.

About RFID Journal

RFID Journal is the leading source of news and information regarding radio frequency identification (RFID) and its many business applications. Business executives and implementers depend on RFID Journal for up-to-the-minute RFID news, in-depth case studies, best practices, strategic insights and information about vendor solutions. This has made RFID Journal the most relied-upon and respected RFID information resource, serving the largest audience of RFID decision makers worldwide–in print, online and at face-to-face events. For more information, visit www.rfidjournal.com.

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Contact Information
MARK ROBERTI
RFID JOURNAL
http://www.rfidjournalevents.com/live/
631-249-4989