VingCard Elsafe donates RFID locks and security solutions for wireless locking to children’s resort

VingCard Elsafe recently announced its continued involvement with Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) and donation of security solutions for wireless locking such as Signature RFID locks and VISIONLINE software in Kissimmee, Florida.

In its latest charitable contribution, VingCard Elsafe provided 140 Signature RFID locks to outfit the resort’s villas and VISIONLINE software for the front desk. Jakob Hardrick of National Installations and Service in Winter Park, Florida, volunteered his company’s time to complete the installation of VingCard Elsafe Signature RFID locks at each of Give Kids The World’s villas.

Nadra unveils biometrics Smart Cards for pensioners

Nadra has worked on a comprehensive mechanism to facilitate pensioners by issuing them biometrics Smart Cards so that they could withdraw their pension from any biometrics enabled platform used by banks, Post Offices and any other alternate channel. The proposed system comprises of three main elements starting from the collection of pensioner's data to eliminate duplication and ghost pensioners, issuance of Smart Identity Cards and then the deployment of Pension Disbursement system to be utilised by all disbursing partner entities.

Pharmexcil urges govt to adopt 1D barcodes on pharma packaging

The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) recently made a representation to the Commerce Ministry urging them to consider adopting 1D barcodes on pharma packaging instead of 2D barcodes for all exports of pharmaceutical products from the country. The suggestions were submitted to the government based on the expert recommendations made by the Committee of Administration (CoA), after deliberation and discussion with all the stakeholders from across the country. Interestingly, the trace and track technology which was adopted by the government to address the issues and apprehensions about the export of spurious drugs from India, was made compulsory for tertiary level packaging from October 1 last year.

Internet of Things table lamp illuminates comings and goings of distant loved ones

This is a charming idea. The Good Night Lamp is actually a set of table lamps that you distribute among friends or family. The lamps communicate remotely so that as a lamp is turned on or off by its owner, that action is replicated in the others, giving illuminating little insights into the comings and goings of loved ones – even those on the other side of the world.

Tablet Computer allows mobile use of barcode tracking software

Dynamic Systems, a Redmond, Washington software developer, specializing in data collection applications has introduced rugged tablet computers for use with the CheckMate Suite of Barcode Tracking applications based on bar code technology. The rugged tablet computers would be used in conjunction with the CheckMate Software Suite, when it’s necessary to take the full power of the software to the production line or shipping dock within a facility.

The Checkmate software, which integrates major functions within an organization and includes tracking of assets, inventory, documents, job costing, tools and equipment, can now be used anywhere within wireless range of the server. Now the fish processor can work at the dock, the farmer can take SIMBA processing to the field and a construction company can have access to their full database in their yard. The tablet computers are Windows OS based, rugged, sealed against dust and moisture, and have a viewing screen that works well in direct sunlight.

Handheld Barcode Readers feature dual field optics

Microscan, a global technology leader in barcode, machine vision and lighting solutions, announces two new handheld barcode readers. The HS-21 and HS-41X handhelds are ideal portable reading solutions for almost any 1D/2D symbol, with a compact and durable design to withstand multiple drops from 6 feet. Both products are equipped with a 1.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and dual field optics to provide reliable reading of codes ranging from large 1D barcodes to tiny high density 2D symbols.
The HS-21 and HS-41X imagers are ideal for any high-contrast automated data application from clean rooms to industrial environments. The HS-21 is an excellent portable solution for decoding both linear barcodes and 2D symbols in common applications such as high-contrast black and white labels. The HS-41X additionally includes Microscan’s industry-leading X-Mode decode algorithms and innovative bright field lighting for reading difficult low contrast codes, including direct part marks (DPM) such as dot peen and laser/chemical etch.
Both imagers are ergonomically designed for comfort in repetitive and heavy duty applications, and feature visual and vibrating indicators to provide confirmation of successful reads in noisy or sensitive environments. The IP54-rated enclosure protects all sensitive components and is easily cleaned by common hospital disinfectants for use in healthcare applications. Compatible accessories include a presentation stand with a flexible neck to use the readers in their motion detecting presentation mode.
Microscan offers handheld barcode readers for all applications, ranging from easy linear barcodes up to the most challenging 2D direct part marks. The introduction of the HS-21 and HS-41X expands Microscan’s product offering for standard applications, complementing its existing line of specialty handheld barcode imagers designed for more challenging DPM applications.
 

Can RFID-Based System Deliver More Productivity for Very Narrow Aisle Forktruck Movements?

Can productivity in very narrow aisle forktruck systems be improved by as much as 25% through use of RFID location systems and smart truck controls? Maybe yes, according to Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA), which announced this week the availability in the North American market a system developed in Europe by Jungheinrich that uses this innovative approach. MCFA is a distributor of Jungheinrich products in North America. According to a press release, the systems uses RFID identifiers on the aisle floor that connect to a reader on the truck, part of the overall Warehouse Navigator system from Jungheinrich.

QR Codes Used At Lincoln Cemetery

QR (Quick Response) Codes can be scanned with a smartphone, providing instant information in the palm of your hand. You've seen them on posters and in magazines, but how about cemeteries? It might sound odd, but QR codes may now be found at one Lincoln cemetery. It's so small that even if you were looking for it you might miss it. Placed on a grave marker in the Wyuka Cemetery is a QR code. These barcode-looking decals are reserved for those with, shall we say, an extensive history.

Govt signs deal for smart card-based driving licences

The UP government today signed a tripartite agreement with National Informatics Centre Services Incorporation (NICSI), a Government of India enterprise, and National Informatics Centre (NIC) for issuing smart card-based driving licences.

The state government’s Principal Secretary, Transport, B S Bhullar, NICSI Managing Director Rajesh Bahadur and NIC Technical Director Y K Singh signed the agreement in the presence of transport minister Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh. Y K Singh said smart card DLs will be issued and applicants’ details digitised using SARATHI software created by NIC-Hyderabad.

No more queues with QR code movie tickets

Golden Village (GV), a cinema operator in Singapore, is planning to cut down on paper movie tickets and long queueing times for its patrons. The company today unveiled new automated features at its latest multiplex in City Square shopping mall. Moviegoers will soon be able to book their tickets via the iGV mobile app, after which a unique QR code is assigned to them. They will then enter the theatre by flashing the QR code--which can store tickets for up to eight persons--at the automated gates.

MMDA launches e-tagging for PUVs

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursay launched the electronic tagging scheme for public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Metro Manila. Milagros Silvestre, head of the MMDA’s Organized Bus Route department, told reporters that the scheme’s actual implementation is being eyed in April as it would take at least three months for all the PUVs in Metro Manila to be fitted with the radio frequency identification devices (RFID).

Ten-year battery life for "internet of things" devices

The internet of things has been much-hyped for years but has been held back by restrictive power consumption in connected devices, among other things. Now an industry standard looks set to address the issue of power-hungry connected widgets. Backed by ARM and Cable and Wireless Worldwide, the Weightless wireless standard is intended to become a global standard for machine-to-machine communications over a WAN. According to ARM, which hopes to provide the silicon platform for many connected devices, the technology being developed by the group will lead to a chipset costing under $2 with a range of up to 10km and battery life of ten years.

QR codes on gift tags may be much more commonplace this year

The Inconvenient QR Clock

Appcelerator partners with Scandit to deliver barcode scanner module to Titanium developers

Scandit announced the release of a barcode scanner module for the popular mobile app development platform Appcelerator. The new module will provide developers using Appcelerator’s Titanium platform with a simple way to integrate Scandit’s leading-edge barcode scanner SDK for both iOS and Android apps.
The new barcode scanner module is now available to developers through the Appcelerator Marketplace. The module includes support for UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8, Code39, Code128, ITF, QR, Datamatrix and PDF417 (beta) barcodes. Scandit’s scan technology captures barcodes from any angle before the camera even focuses, and represents the latest in mobile image recognition. With the new Appcelerator module, developers will be able to support the largest possible number of devices across iOS and Android, including a wide range of low-cost Android devices without autofocus cameras.
Developers using the new barcode scanner module can also access Scandit’s valuable product database through their Product API. With Scandit’s extensive product database featuring over 25 million products, developers can use a wealth of product data in their apps including UPCs, names, descriptions, and categories. Additionally, Scandit’s product database features premium offerings including nutritional product data, European product data for German-speaking countries and a mechanism to sell 3rd-party warranties through mobile apps. This unique combination of barcode scanning technology, expansive product data, and related services has positioned Scandit as a leading platform for the development of product-centric m-commerce and m-payment applications.

AdvanIDe Launches NFC TagExplorer App for Scanning

AdvanIDe, the leading independent provider of semiconductors for the smart card and RFID industry, today introduced a mobile app that can scan and display NFC tag content on Samsung Galaxy S III smartphones. AdvanIDe's NFC TagExplorer app reads all NFC-compliant tags including those using MIFARE1 technology, and enables customers to share and analyze tag contents so they can explore the IC technology and IC type that is being used for tags or contactless cards.
"With NFC phones getting a wide market acceptance, we wanted to introduce a tool, that enables our clients and partners to be able read and share tag contents and IC information using NFC-enabled smartphones," said Kintu Shah, Senior Technical Sales Manager with AdvanIDe.
"This is in particular important, as our customers often pass cards and tags to us with the request to identify the IC-type and manufacturer. With the NFC TagExplorer App, our clients can now read details of the IC by themselves and forward them to us. We chose the industry's most popular NFC-enabled smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy SIII handset, as the first mobile device for our NFC TagExplorer app with more to be scheduled in the near future."
The AdvanIDe NFC TagExplorer app takes advantage of the company's industry-leading expertise in RFID component and transponder technology. It runs on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) platform, and uses the platform's integrated NFC stack along with NFC classes on Java. Customers can use the NFC TagExplorer to identify the type of tags that are being used in applications such as smart posters and labels or contactless smart cards. Currently the app supports about 20 different IC types from a variety of leading chip suppliers. Users also can review the data in a personalized NFC tag and use this information to program their own tags, or scan the tag to see what NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) commands have been employed so they can incorporate these commands into their NFC applications. Upon request, AdvanIDe will also make the app source code available to selected customers.

Trimble Introduces ThingMagic Mercury6e-Micro RFID Reader Module

Trimble introduced its next-generation UHF RFID reader module, designed to be embedded into a wide variety of handheld, portable and stationary devices. The exceptionally small size and powerful performance of the Mercury6e-Micro (M6e-Micro) yields increased efficiency, reduced development costs and time-to-market advantages for RFID applications. Only 46 mm long and 26 mm wide, the M6e-Micro offers two antenna ports and supports the ability to transmit up to +30 dBm (1 Watt) of power for the most demanding applications.

"The opportunity to embed high-performance, low cost RFID technology into many different types of products and solutions is driving innovation throughout commercial, industrial and consumer markets. The M6e-Micro module represents a significant step in supporting this innovation," said Tom Grant, general manager of Trimble's ThingMagic Division. "The introduction of the M6e-Micro demonstrates our continued commitment to removing the barriers to adoption so that more organizations can take advantage of RFID technology for their mission-critical applications."

The M6e-Micro can be embedded into handheld and portable devices to add RFID to everyday products such as printers and mobile computers. It can also be used to create small RFID readers and add-on accessories for existing and emerging solutions where using auto-identification technology can automate workflows or deliver new services.

The read distance of the M6e-Micro is limited only by the size and quality of the antenna selected to operate with the module. With the same antennas typically used in low-profile handheld readers, the M6e-Micro delivers up to two times the read distance of other RFID modules used in mobile applications. The M6e-Micro can read tags at a rate of up to 700 tags per second - more than 4 times the advertised read rate of comparable products on the market. Power can also be throttled down to support applications that demand precision such as tag writing.

When transmitting, the M6e-Micro draws less current than is typical for a high-performance UHF RFID module. The module is able to consume as little as 0.025 Watts while remaining ready to react quickly to commands. Support for voltages ranging between 3.3 V and 5 V makes this module compatible with a wide variety of solution architectures, and its built-in voltage regulation allows it to be run directly off battery power. Further performance optimization results in battery power savings over modules that need to transmit longer to read the same number of tags.
Customers can choose from two mounting options - vertically combining the module with low-profile connectors or soldered to a motherboard, requiring no cabling. The solder-down option supports high-volume production and reduces component and assembly costs for original equipment manufacturers.

These form factor and performance advantages allow customers to add optimized and standards-compliant RFID technology to a great number of devices and solutions, delivering cost savings and time-to-market advantages over alternative methods of embedding RFID.

Burlington Medical Supplies Adds RFID Tags to Its X-ray Aprons

Burlington Medical Supplies (BMS) has teamed up with RFID software company ODIN to create an RFID-based system to track X-ray protection aprons for the purposes of inventory control and inspection management. The firm has opened a new division, BurmedID, to market the solution, known as the Burlington Apron Inventory Management System (BAIMS). ODIN provided the software and, in cooperation with BurmedID, is hosting the server on which that software resides.

Fujitsu develops new data transmission technology