LABELS/TAGS

Privacy-Enhancing 'Clipped Tag' by IBM

IBM released a white paper called "Privacy-Enhancing Radio Frequency Identification Tag: Implementation of the Clipped Tag." It describes the efforts of IBM (www.ibm.com/us), Printronix (www.printronix.com), and Marnlen RFID (www.marnlen.com) to create a tag that aims to ease the concern that some consumers have with the use of RFID tags at the item level. The concern is that UHF tags can be read wirelessly up to distances of 30 feet (HF tags can be read at less distance, but still wirelessly). Tags can obviously be removed and destroyed after purchase, but that makes returning a product or recalls more difficult. The Gen 2 protocol offers a kill command to deactivate tags, but tags that are killed cannot be revived.

The Clipped Tag gives consumers the option of privacy protection by allowing them to tear off perforated sections that hold parts of the tags' antennas, reducing their read ranges to only a few inches. This provides a visible means of enhancing privacy protection and allows for later use of the tag for returns and recalls.

Marnlen designed and manufactured samples of garment hang tags using Alien's Squiggle 2.2 Gen 2 tag inlays. These can be read at distances up to 30 feet. The tags need to be capable of having graphics and text on them for retail use, so a Printronix printer, the SL500r MP2, was used. When read with an Alien ALR-9800 reader after the tags are torn, the result is a reduced read range from 30 feet to roughly one inch.

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Intermec's Reusable Tag

Intermec (www.intermec.com) introduces the RFID Large Rigid Tag (LR Tag)—a reusable, rugged tag, able to function in extreme temperatures and hazardous exposures common in manufacturing and material handling operations. It is available in Gen 2 and ISO 1800-6B versions worldwide and compatible with any RFID readers that support the same standard. Its broadband antenna design provides superior performance on a wide range of materials, including metal.

The tag can be rewritten thousands of times, providing lower cost per use on reusable assets than even disposable labels, reducing total cost of ownership. It is 1.26" x 6.1" (3.2 cm x 14.27 cm) and made of rugged impact-resistant plastic packaging to survive hazardous chemical exposure and to withstand temperatures from -40¡ F to 250¡ F (-40¡ C to 121¡ C).

"Intermec's bold use of MEMS technology in its products gives it a distinct advantage over its competition in the supply chain industry," says Frost & Sullivan Research Manager Sath Rao. "This company clearly has an unmatched grasp of customers' needs. It doesn't just look for trends. It successfully anticipates and acts on them."

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Savi's RFID Sensor Tags

Savi Technology (www.savi.com) adds two new members to its family of active sensor and security tags—the Savi SensorTag ST-673 and ST-674. These tags reduce spoilage and damage by monitoring the temperature and humidity of military and commercial shipments while automatically locating goods in supply chains.

The sensors monitor temperature and humidity changes of the contents of the containers (or other supply chain assets) that the tags are attached to. Users are able to calibrate temperature and humidity ranges that are acceptable to the particular goods being tracked and monitored. The tags periodically record the environmental status data to an event log in the Savi SensorTag's memory. If the set requirements for temperature and humidity are not achieved, a real-time alarm to a fixed or mobile reader is activated, sending notification over a Web application, cell phone, or e-mail. The problem can be addressed immediately before the product is ruined.

The rugged tags are about 6" x 2" each and have a memory storage of up to 128 KB of data. The ST-673 has a metallic mounting bracket for metal assets.

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Sub-10 Cent Item-Level Labels by RSI ID

RSI ID Technologies (RSI) announces its iTrack(tm) product line, offering the first finished Gen 2 label for under 10 cents. The new label is designed for tracking products at the item level, leverages Gen 2 UHF technology, and works on historically challenging items such as unique packaging designs, liquids, and on metallic products.

"Our new Gen 2 iTrack(tm) label will help spur the adoption of item-level tracking by offering an affordable, finished label, directly to the end-user," says Wolf Bielas, CEO of RSI ID Technologies. "Due to our recent installation of a leading edge, high-speed production line, we are able to take a leadership position in the evolution of finished RFID labels and further our global distribution initiative."

The additional high speed vertical manufacturing line expands RSI's current capacity, allowing RSI to continue to scale production to meet customers growing demand for case, pallet, and now item-level RFID tags.

Tawnya Clark, VP of Sales and Marketing at RSI, claims, "The industry is demanding lower cost finished Gen 2 tags, and we're responding. We're proud to be first—to-market with this innovative label, further verifying our commitment made last fall to help our customers and the industry reach the goal of 100% adoption of Gen 2 standards." Visit www.rsiidtech.com.

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SPS and Tyco Have Tamper-Evident RFID Caps for Vials

Secure Packaging Systems Inc. (SPS) and partner Tyco Electronics introduce the Patented Intelligent Polymer RFID Pharmaceutical Vial Cap. The cap allows for tracking and tracing of individual vials of pharmaceuticals while providing pharmaceutical companies and patients with assurance against product counterfeiting and tampering.

It is designed to be an alternative to the current crimped-on aluminum caps, having the ability to seal vials inside sterile environments. The seal is strong and reliable, including a permanent peripheral cap (in a variety of RFID modules) with a tabbed and scored center section allowing for fast access and a complete removal of the RFID chip with the tear-off tab.

A 13-mm cap designed for complete removal will be available later this year. The product line is currently available in three levels of security protection for the industry standard 20-mm size vials. SPS and Tyco hope to expand this line soon with closures of different sizes and functions. Visit SPS at www.sensorvial.com and Tyco Electronics at www.tycoelectronics.com.

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