Social Distancing Sensors for the Factory Floor

ProGlove is helping workers to maintain proper social distance. Leveraging its MARK family of wearable barcode scanners and ProGlove Connect app for Android, ProGlove announces a product upgrade that activates proximity sensing for frontline workers. With production lines resuming operations, safety and efficiency are top of mind.

To help workers—on the assembly line or in the distribution center— maintain proper distance from each other, the new ProGlove Connect Proximity app provides an additional layer of feedback on an Android device alone or when paired with a ProGlove MARK barcode scanner which rests on the employee's hand.

When personally equipped with the MARK wearable scanner and paired Android device, workers coming within close proximity of each other are alerted. The alerts come to the workers via a full array of options on the wearable scanner including audio sound, optic LED light, and haptic vibration signals. This is important in a busy or noisy shop floor environment where an Android alert alone in a pocket could be easily overlooked.

South Korean clubs will use QR codes to log visitors

South Korea will now require places like nightclubs and bars to use QR codes to log customers’ visits as part of its coronavirus contact tracing efforts. Those types of establishments will be required to use the app-based register to make it easier to track down potential COVID-19-infected patients. The deadly virus has infected more than 11,200 in South Korea and has killed 267 people in the East Asian country.

Number of active IoT devices expected to reach 24.1 billion in 2030

At the end of 2019 there were 7.6 billion active IoT devices, a figure which will grow to 24.1 billion in 2030, a CAGR of 11%, according to a research published by Transforma Insights. In revenue terms, the total IoT market in 2019 was worth $465 billion, a figure which will rise to $1.5 trillion in 2030. Services, including connectivity, will account for 66% of spend, with the remainder accounted for by hardware, in the form of active IoT devices, modules and gateways.

Citcon, Tulip enable QR code payments and luxury, fashion retailers

Citcon, a California-based mobile payment platform, is partnering with Tulip, an in-store mobile application provider, to enable QR code payments at various luxury and fashion retail brands. The agreement will let Tulip customers accept QR code payments from some of the world’s top mobile wallet providers, initially from Alipay, WeChat Pay and Union Pay, which have hundreds of millions of users in China.

WhatsApp will soon let users add new contacts just by scanning a QR code

WhatsApp will soon let you add new contacts just by scanning a QR code. The Snapchat and Instagram like feature is already available in the latest beta versions for both the Android and iOS platforms. Once available, it will allow users to display their own contact QR code as well as scan other people’s code. The QR code scan feature could also complement WhatsApp Pay.

NSF grant to study RFID applications for indoor informatics systems

Tuskegee University’s Computer Science Department has been awarded a two-year grant entitled Indoor Moving Object Trajectory Generation and Query Evaluation from the National Science Foundation to strengthen STEM undergraduate education and research at HBCUs.

The biggest challenge in indoor spaces is positioning, since GPS cannot be used in indoors spaces without some enhancement. As such, technologies like RFID, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are used indoors.

Recently, RFID has become an increasingly popular identification technology in indoor spaces due to the long durability of the passive RFID tags and their low cost. A vast number of applications already use RFID-based technology in the health care, transportation, logistics, and retail industries.

EM Microelectronic Releases Second-Generation Dual-Frequency RFID Chip

EM Microelectronic has introduced its second-generation dual-frequency RFID chip. The em|echo-V combines passive UHF RFID and passive HF RFID, using the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol.

Retailers have been using passive UHF RFID to track items. Some manufacturers have used NFC to authenticate goods. But as the two types of RFID cannot be read using the same reader, goods would require two tags to enable all of these applications. The em|echo-V RFID chip is intended to resolve this issue.

A Wearable Vitamin C Sensor

A team at the University of California San Diego has developed a wearable, non invasive Vitamin C sensor that could provide a new, highly personalized option for users to track their daily nutritional intake and dietary adherence.

Wearable sensors have traditionally been focused on their use in tracking physical activity, or for monitoring disease pathologies, like in diabetes. This is the first demonstration of using an enzyme-based approach to track changes in the level of a necessary vitamin, and opens a new frontier in the wearable device arena.

In vitro testing and testing in four human subjects who had consumed vitamin C supplements and vitamin C-containing fruit juices showed that the device was highly sensitive to detecting changes in the levels and dynamics of the vitamin when tracked across two hours. The researchers also tested the electrode detector’s ability to detect temporal vitamin C changes in tears and saliva, demonstrating its cross-functionality. Differences observed in the vitamin C dynamics across different human subjects indicates that the device has promise for personal nutrition applications.

No need for third party app to scan QR codes on Android

Almost every Android phone these days comes with the Google app, and you don't need anything more to scan a QR code. The application has a built-in scanning tool called Lens. It helps you identify objects, landmarks, text, and numbers you see in the real world, but it's also capable of processing QR and bar codes. Some phones, however, come with integrated QR code scanners. For example, you can enable scanning in Samsung's camera settings or use Bixby Vision.

Identiv and MintID Launch the World’s First NFC-Protected, IoT-Connected Gold and Silver Bullion

Identiv announced its partnership with MintID to launch the world’s first near field communication (NFC)-protected, Internet of Things (IoT)-connected gold and silver bullion.

Until now, consumers have struggled with the uncertainty of whether or not the precious metal products they own are actually genuine. Together, Identiv and MintID developed an AES-128 bit encrypted, tamper-proof NFC label that, when embedded directly at the source, MintID customers can use to authenticate their investments in real time with MintID’s iOS and Android mobile apps.

MintID’s mission is to prevent counterfeiting in the precious metals space. The company has developed an end-to-end solution for authenticating precious metal products, such as silver coins or solid gold bars, and all types of luxury goods. MintID embeds NFC tags onto products directly at minting agencies. Upon tapping with a mobile device, the chip uses NFC to display a product's specifications, via MintID’s Android or iOS mobile app, allowing manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers to track the supply chain of the physical product.

Standard NFC and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are not designed for metal. The technology behind Identiv’s RFID Tag on Metal (TOM®) Labels is unique. These high-frequency (HF) labels (ISO/IEC 14443 or 15693) are equipped with a shielding technology that provides an optimum read range when applied to metallic surfaces. Featuring government-grade AES-128 bit encryption, MintID chose to work with Identiv to embed the company’s tamper-proof TOM Labels onto its gold and silver bullion, making this partnership the first to focus on securely authenticating precious metals in the IoT.

Ghana switches on national instant QR mobile payments platform

The Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) has switched on a QR code-based mobile payments platform that instantly transfers funds from a consumer’s mobile wallet or bank account to the merchant’s.

Ghana’s universal QR code payment solution (GhQR) allows customers to make instant payments for goods and services from different funding sources (mobile wallets, cards, bank accounts) by scanning a QR code on a smartphone.

SimplyRFiD Updates Its Wave RFID Inventory App

SimplyRFiD built its WAVE app to be one thing: the premier enterprise inventory management choice. WAVE runs on Apple iPhone and iPod devices and works with the CSL CS108 RFID Handheld.

SimplyRFiD's WAVE app is part of SimplyRFID's enterprise-grade PAWN (Pogi, Aura, Wave, Nerv) IoT inventory system. The WAVE app can handle more than 1,000,000 unique inventory / fixed asset items. It works stand-alone or with multiple WAVE handhelds synchronizing automatically.

For security, customer data is stored on several AWS (Amazon Web Services) enterprise grade servers. Each customer's data is in its own AWS cloud instance and never comes near another customer's data set.

PayPal adds support for QR code payments in 28 markets

PayPal rolled out the ability to use QR Codes to buy and sell goods in 28 markets around the globe. From farmers markets to selling secondhand goods - the rollout of the QR code functionality in the PayPal app allows customers to buy or sell in-person, safely and securely, and touch free.

Using the QR code functionality in the PayPal app is a quick and safe way to complete a transaction in-person utilizing a PayPal wallet, eliminating the need to handle cash. For example, customers who are selling items in-person at a farmer's market can print a QR code, place it on their table and have their consumers simply scan, enter the amount they're paying and send money immediately. This allows the seller to minimize physical interactions with the customer, while also limiting the customer's interaction with checkout technology. There is no technology to touch or purchase – just aim a smartphone camera at a QR Code that is printed or present on another screen.

For a buyer looking to pay, customers can go to the PayPal app, click 'Send' and tap the QR code symbol in the top right-hand corner. The camera will open, and customers can scan a seller's QR code and follow the prompts to complete the transaction.

PayPal is rolling this functionality out to 28 markets around the globe including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. 

Sharp increase in NFC mobile payments adoption in Australia

A total of 10.8% of Australians are now using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, up from 7.1% a year ago, a new report from market researchers Roy Morgan has found. Most of the increase has been driven by wider adoption of Apple Pay, which is now used by 6.5% of Australians, compared with 4.1% a year ago. Google Pay is now used by 4.1%, up from 3.6%, while Samsung Pay usage remains unchanged at 1%.

My Size to Launch Contactless Shopping Solution on MySizeID App

My Size, a creator of smartphone measurement solutions, has developed a contactless shopping feature for the MySizeID application. By using the MySizeID app on their smartphone in-store, customers can find their right size in an article of clothing by scanning a QR code or a barcode. Customers can also make a purchase through the MySizeID app completely free of contact.

According to the company the MySizeID app is a turnkey solution that helps any merchant's customers choose the appropriate apparel size for that specific brand, based on the shopper's real measurements. It enables consumers to measure themselves using their smartphone and then be matched with a brand-specific apparel item in their size.

Colorcon Launches On-Dose Authentication Technology Platform

Counterfeit drugs are a major problem for the pharmaceutical industry, both in terms of financial impact and compromising on patient safety.

The illicit drug supply industry is estimated to be worth US$200 billion or 2% of total pharma revenue. Traceability and security measures focused at the packaging level are not enough to deter fraud; especially in low- and middle-income countries where either substandard or falsified medicines can account for up to 70% of medications distributed internally. The solution is smart medications with on-dose taggants that can be authenticated throughout the supply chain.  

SoteriaRx on-dose authentication is a new tool for tracking medicines from plant to patient and provides a level of supply chain authenticity and transparency not previously available. By incorporating microtags, the pill itself effectively becomes a barcode which can be digitally read and recorded, providing instant authentication.

Kiwi company launches alternative to contact tracing apps with QR code

An alternative to contact tracing apps has been launched in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, as New Zealand moves from alert level 3 down to level 2, IT Brief reports.

Auckland-based company Rfider has created an alternative service using using a QR code cloud-based system, which removes the need for app downloads.

'Imagine if we could put a single QR code on every New Zealand business window today, which would allow customers, employees and visitors to either self-screen or provide contact information without the need for app downloads, pens or paper and at a safe distance.'

RedRock Biometrics Teams with China-based Barcode Scanning Specialist

RedRock Biometrics is poised to help Shanghai-based FalconPro expand beyond the barcode technology in which it specializes. The former is known for its PalmID technology, which is designed to use an RGB or infrared camera to scan end users’ palm vein biometrics.

The specific applications to which this project is ultimately aimed aren’t yet clear, the companies’ announcement noted that FalconPro’s barcode scanning products are widely used in industries including mobile payemnts, healthcare, and self-service equipment.

NFC-powered vehicles expected to take up 95% of BYD’s shipments

It is a foreseeable trend that the NFC feature in mobile phone will be universally used as the car key in the future.

The NFC-powered vehicles accounted for over 80% of BYD's full-year shipments in 2019, and the percentage is expected to top 95% in 2021, according to Wu Lihua, director of BYD's smart connectivity business center and intelligent electrical engineering department.

The NFC car key can be shared with others with the data transmission, verification and storage ensured by means of timestamp, encrypted transmission and digital certificate.

Consolidated Chassis Management enhances booking application with QR code functionality

Xonsolidated Chassis Management (CCM) announces the addition of QR code functionality to its ChassisChoice.com booking application system. Utilizing smartphone technology, this enhancement enables swift, contactless transactions for drivers in the South Atlantic Consolidated Chassis Pool (SACP) who use the REO Chassis Depot at the Wando Welch Terminal.

Now, when a customer creates or modifies a booking through ChassisChoice.com, CCM will include QR codes in the confirmation emails to truckers as well as dispatchers informing the facility that a booking has been generated. By incorporating this convenient mobile technology, QR code functionality will enable faster turnaround times at the REO Chassis Depot.

New sensor to detect water in Electric Vehicle (EV) battery packs by Amphenol Advanced Sensors

Amphenol Advanced Sensors, a company comprised of industry-leading sensor brands now offers its Coolant Leak Detection Sensor for use in Electric/Hybrid Electric Vehicles (EV/HEV) to detect the presence of water and coolant in the vehicle's battery pack enclosure.

Capable of detecting even small amounts of water/coolant, the Battery Management System (BMS) alerts the operator to take proper countermeasures to reduce the risk of pack failure and possible electrocution hazards.

Recent widespread implementation of large format battery-powered industrial equipment, stationary power, and road vehicles has presented some unique engineering challenges in onboard diagnostics (OBD) and fault detection for long-term, low maintenance battery systems. One of the most significant challenges is to ensure the safety and reliability of these power management systems is the presence of water.

For diagnostics, the sensor includes a 510kΩ resistor in parallel with two plated contacts for open/short circuit detection. Its small footprint allows for various mounting positions, along with custom length wire leads and connector options. The Coolant Leak Detection Sensor is validated against aggressive automotive standards and includes 2D barcode for full traceability requirements.

Maikubo Increases Staff Efficiency with Zebra RFID Solution

Maikubo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy has adopted Zebra’s RFID solutions to achieve faster, more accurate asset tagging and management of its training equipment, which has saved staff time, improved accuracy and visibility along with enhanced staff efficiency.

Maikubo is an institute of integrated education that provides AI training along with a technology incubator and teaching mode products. The deployment of Zebra’s ZT400 series RFID printer and MC3190-Z UHF RFID reader helped Maikubo to significantly reduce the mistakes made and the time spent on asset tracking.

Buddy Punch Offers Contactless Punch Option

Time tracking and scheduling software Buddy Punch is offering customers a contactless QR Code punch option to promote employee safety during Covid-19 at no extra cost.

The feature allows employees to punch in or out without having to touch or interact with the device being used by simply scanning their own personal QR Code.

To further promote employee safety and improve the time tracking process, Buddy Punch has also implemented a group punch option. The feature allows management to quickly punch in or out specific individuals or a group of users all at one time. Employers no longer have to worry about employees standing in long lines in close proximity to one another.

Memorial to track fans with RFID

The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, will use high-tech radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in tournament badges to ensure social distancing is maintained at the July 16-19 PGA Tour event. The tracking system was just one of several measures that will be put in place to deal with the coronavirus pandemic that has wrecked havoc with world sport, forcing a reworking of the Tour calendar.

Order Direct from Table to Kitchen with QR codes

Newhall Refinery, located on Main Street in Old Town Newhall, has moved far forward to protect its guests and staff with QR code scanning from the table. By simply scanning a QR code located at the table guests will be able to view menu options and place orders from their own device. Orders will then be sent directly to the kitchen and bar. This technology is designed to prevent handling of menus as well as providing no-touch payment.

US Army wants wearable sensors to detect coronavirus symptoms

The US Army is asking technology companies to develop wearable sensors to detect early symptoms of coronavirus, CNN reports. They invited initial proposals for a $25 million contract to develop a device that uses existing technology as much as possible. There is a dire and urgent need for development of rapi wearable diagnostics to identify pre-symptomatic COVID-19 cases.

Luton first to activate Internet of Bins QR Code

Luton Borough Council is the first local authority in the UK to directly link the new QR codes on their SSI Schaefer ‘IoB’ (Internet of Bins) bins to their waste and recycling page on their website. SSI Schaefer hopes it will be particularly useful for any new houses on new developments in Luton to help educate and inform new residents on how to recycle and when to place their bin out for collection.

Samsung Pay to get a physical debit card

Samsung has decided to offer a plastic debit card as an extension of its Samsung Pay platform. It is, however, in line with what Apple has already done with its White Card and what Google has been rumored to be preparing. ne reason Samsung may have for this expansion is to also expand Samsung Pay’s coverage and use. Samsung plans to bring these cards this summer and has partnered with the relatively new personal finance company SoFi.

IoT Deployments Appear Immune to Pandemic

Internet of Things connections driven by early industrial deployments and pandemic-driven telemedicine applications are projected to reach 83 billion by 2024, a 130 percent growth rate, as IoT platform revenues jump an estimated 20 percent this year to $66 billion, according to estimates released this week by Juniper Research.

Juniper predicts IoT deployments will be largely unaffected by the economic down draft created by COVID-19 and are forecast to jump 180 percent over the next four years as more automation hits the factory floor and machine-to-machine communication networks expand.

NFC Forum Approves Global Wireless Charging Specification

The NFC Forum, the global standards and advocacy association for Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, announced that its Board of Directors approved and adopted the Wireless Charging Specification (WLC) that makes it possible to wirelessly charge small, battery-powered consumer and IoT devices with a smartphone or other NFC charging device at a power transfer rate of up to one watt.

This will improve the user experience for the two billion consumers and businesses using smartphones and other NFC-enabled devices.

The WLC enables a single antenna in an NFC-enabled device to manage both communications and charging. This solution makes it easier and more convenient to charge low-power IoT devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, wireless earbuds, digital pens and other consumer devices.

The WLC was published last year as a Candidate Specification and after a careful validation process, the NFC Forum is now able to publish this specification as an adopted Technical Specification, ready for implementation in the market.

U.P.C. Barcodes Do Not Reveal Where Products Are Manufactured

In response to misinformation being circulated via social media platforms globally, GS1 US, the not-for-profit information standards organization and administrator of the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.), issued a formal statement to confirm that the product identification numbers within a U.P.C. barcode (or EAN for Europe) on product packaging do not indicate a product's country of origin.

U.P.C. barcodes contain a GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), a sequence of numbers located under the barcode symbol that uniquely identifies a product in the supply chain, including at point of sale. To create GTINs, brands must first secure a GS1 Company Prefix that globally identifies their company in the supply chain and links their products to their brand.

An authentic GS1 Company Prefix, validated by many retailers, is acquired through a license agreement with GS1 US or any other GS1 member organization around the globe. Once the GS1 Company Prefix is secured, brands create their own GTINs, often via GS1 US Data Hub, by combining their GS1 Company Prefix with a unique product number that they assign. The GS1 Company Prefix reflects the country from which a Prefix was licensed—often, but not always, reflecting the location of the company headquarters.

JLT Mobile Computers announces the addition of a family of ultra-rugged barcode scanners

JLT Mobile Computers announces the addition of a family of ultra-rugged barcode scanners for use with its mobile vehicle-mount computers and tablets.

The lineup consists of two 1D/2D ultra-rugged laser scanners with LED illuminators: the corded JLT3608 and the cordless JLT3678, both available in standard and extended range versions.

The standard range versions are ideal for shipping and receiving on loading docks, while the extended range versions are designed for use in warehouses and ports where workers may need to capture more distant barcodes, such as on upper warehouse shelves or stacked containers. A vehicle cradle kit for use with the cordless scanners is also available.

Growing Number Of RFID Applications To Boost Growth

The RFID middleware market is poised to grow by USD 2.49 bn during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of over 11%, according to a new report.

The market is concentrated, and the degree of concentration will accelerate. Checkpoint Systems Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., RF Code Inc., TIBCO Software Inc., and Tyco Retail Solutions are some of the major market participants.

To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments, the report says. 

Visa to provide merchants with ‘Tap to pay preferred’ decals

Visa has unveiled a series of ‘tap to pay preferred’, ‘we are now cashless’, ‘how to pay contactless’ and ‘tap to pay encouraged’ decals, POS terminal stickers and toppers, table tents and mats to promote the use of contactless payments in stores. As well as the new signage and collateral to educate consumers, Visa says it is also providing best practice guides and educational resources for merchant staff.

Mastercard: NFC payments have jumped 40% due to coronavirus concerns

MasterCard is seeing an increase in the use of contactless transactions, and believes this trend will continue after the pandemic. CEO Ajay Banga added that the trend was driven by people 'looking for a quick way to get in and out of stores without exchanging cash, touching terminals, or anything else.'It's worth noting that the statistic includes both mobile payment platforms, like Google/Samsung/Apple Pay, as well as the NFC chips embedded directly in newer cards.

SATO Joins RAIN RFID Alliance

SATO Holdings Corporation joined the RAIN RFID Alliance. The company has developed a fully polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) free inlay and tag design to provide an even more environmentally friendly option for businesses looking to reduce plastic waste from their supply chains.

The RAIN RFID alliance aims for the advancement of IoT technologies, with a specific focus on the promotion of the UHF RFID standard (ISO/IEC 18000-63 and GS1’s EPC Gen2) through the testing, support and education of service providers and end-users.

eBay Local Pickup QR Code delivery confirmation coming soon

eBay have announced a change is coming for sellers who allow buyers to collect items in person. An eBay Local Pickup QR code delivery confirmation is coming soon, and already rolling out first in the US. The reason that this matters is for years sellers hated buyers paying via PayPal and then collecting an item. With no proof of delivery (or collection in the case of pickup), once a buyer had the item there was nothing to stop them doing a chargeback.

How does NFC work in identity document verification?

The importance of high-quality Know Your Customers (KYC) processes is higher than ever. Traditionally, KYC comes with visits to branch offices. Time consuming, costly and limited to office hours. Digital solutions for KYC have been in the market but have their disadvantages. Optical solutions using photos of identity documents are not secure, video sessions for matching customers to IDs are invasive and costly. Both have a poor conversion and take too long. The same NFC chip in mobile phones that enables payment, also enables mobile identity verification. NFC can be used to create of smooth customer experience with a high level of trust at a lower cost.

Grocery Chain Sued For QR Code Technology

Coding Technologies LLC has filed a complaint against grocery store chain HyVee for patent infringement. The complaint is filed in the District of Nebraska. Coding Technologies is represented by Goosmann Law Firm. The patent-in-suit is U.S. Patent No. 8,540,159 states that HyVee infringes at least claim 1 of the 159 patent by using and/or incorporating code patterns in connection with promotional media distributed by and/or controlled by Defendant in a manner covered by one or more claims of the 159 Patent.

Jogging in park, taking MRT? Scan QR code

People who in Singapore go jogging in parks or use the locale transport are encouraged to scan in using QR codes at entrances to enable contact tracing. The Ministry of Health said it is tapping technology to speed up contact tracing so it can more effectively prevent the formation of new infection clusters and enable activities to resume safely.

Sensors and proximity sensing for light-curtain applications

New Yorker Electronics now offers a new series of Vishay Intertechnology IR sensor modules intended for light curtain and perimeter guard applications.

In comparison to previous-generation devices, the fixed-gain sensors provide higher interference strength with no spurious signals and an output pulse width nearer to the optical burst length. Also, they give an almost constant detection threshold over their -25C to +85C temperature range and can identify a valid IR signal up to a higher DC illuminance level.

JCB Introduces Tap on Mobile Solution for JCB Contactless Payments on Android Smartphones

JCB Co., Japan's only international payment brand, along with Soft Space is developing the Tap on Mobile programme that capitalises on the wide availability of Android smartphones equipped with NFC (near-field communication).

JCB Contactless card or mobile device can be used at any merchants that support JCB Contactless.

Aimed at driving greater contactless acceptance among JCB acquirers worldwide, JCB has developed the Tap on Mobile programme which will be used to govern all aspects of contactless payment transactions securely made on NFC-enabled Android smartphones, off the shelf. This programme is secure and interoperable based on EMV and PCI standards.