[LINK] Simple animation about RFID tags

[James Pearce]

In terms of "are we using RFID tags now", we've been using them for over a
decade. You know those things in the backs of library books that get scanned
when you borrow them? They're very basic RFID tags. Of course, they're only
identifying whether the book is "in" or "out", but the technology is the
same.

James


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chirgwin, Richard" <Richard.Chirgwin at informa.com.au>
To: <link at anu.edu.au>
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 2:59 PM
Subject: RE: [LINK] Simple animation about RFID tags


> Karl,
>
> > Jeff, Link,
> > are the E-tags on Sydney and Melbourne motorways in fact RFID tags?
>
> RF? I guess so, since I don't see any wires.
> ID? Yes, since they identify who's paid.
>
> A mobile phone fits the definition too; which is an analyst's answer,
since
> by including anything you like you can claim very fast growth for a
market!
>
> >
> > if so, does this mean we'll be able to stick a credit card on the
> > dashboard when driving on those motorways,
>
> I would rather not. Separating card user from the transaction was the
first
> step away from security...
>
> >or use drivethrough
> > shopping pickup and pay with the eway toll tag?
>
> That's an interested swap in the other direction ... but perhaps I'd
rather
> do mobile phone payment at the supermarket; because the phone is
relatively
> secure, and relatively closely associated with the user. Do motorway tags
> have IEMI numbers for lost-or-stolen tag cancellation?
>
> >
> > Maybe these are silly examples, but I am wondering how far it
> > might go......
> >
> >
> > Hey! those RFID tags in the animation look just like the ones I've
> > recently peeled from the back of DVDs at a large retail outlet - are
> > those tage just security tags or is RFID technology already here and
> > used on a widespread basis?
>
> Yes; but most of the tags currently in use are "security" tags rather than
> item identifier tags; but both are RFID of a kind.
>
> As I think I noted in another RFID discussion, the important differences
are
> permission and awareness.
>
> If I am switching on the mobile phone, I am aware that it's a radio
> transmitter; and I give the network permission to find my phone.
>
> If I buy a motorway tag, I am aware that it's a radio device of some kind;
> and I give the more limited permission of allowing it to speak to a toll
> gate.
>
> On a rented DVD, the tag >and< the DVD are the property of the shop. Since
I
> return the DVD, I have a brief relationship with it - there's no real
> privacy issue.
>
> A smaller tag, hidden on a shirt, is a different critter. There's no
> awareness, therefore no permission. It is dishonest, deceptive, and
> privacy-invasive.
>
> Richard Chirgwin
>
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