Use Of Radio Frequency Identification Research Articles

RFID and Consumer Privacy

ABSTRACT The increasing use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology applications brings potential to create profound implications for customer relationships, namely consumer privacy. RFID provides many benefits to both consumers and businesses engaged in traditional and Internet commerce, however, there exist privacy concerns generated by the current and potential use of the technology. This article discusses such concerns, as well as potential misuse of RFID and ways in which proposed and pending legislation could address consumer privacy issues.

RFID as an Enabler of Improved Manufacturing Performance*

ABSTRACTThe use of radio frequency identification (RFID) versus bar coding has been debated with little quantitative research about how to best use RFID's capabilities and when RFID is more advantageous. This article responds to that need by qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing how RFID facilitates increased traceability and control in manufacturing, which in turn enables the use of more lot splitting and smaller lot sizes. We develop insights about operating policies (RFID vs. bar‐code tracking mechanisms, extent of lot splitting, and dispatching rules) and an operating condition (setup to processing time ratio) that affect the mean flow time and proportion of jobs tardy in a job shop. A simulation model is used to control factors in the experimental design and the output is evaluated using analysis of variance. The results show the following: (i) performance worsens when bar coding is used with extensive lot splitting, (ii) process changes such as extensive lot splitting may be required to justify RFID use instead of bar coding, (iii) the earliest operation due date dispatching rule offers an attractive alternative to other rules studied in previous lot splitting research, and (iv) the performance improvements with RFID and increased lot splitting are larger when the setup to processing time ratio is smaller. In a broader context, we fill a research void by quantitatively showing how RFID can be used as an advanced manufacturing technology that enables more factory automation and better performance along several dimensions. The article concludes by summarizing the results and identifying ideas for future research.

Testing Potential Interference with RFID Usage in the Patient Care Environment

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment in the clinical setting has become prevalent. The exploration of the potential interactions between the equipment used to implement RFID and medical devices is vital to ensure safe and effective use of both the tracking technology and the patient care equipment. This study examines the effects of two common RFID antennas, Near-Field and Far-Field, and five general types of patient care equipment. Data were collected regarding the function of the patient care equipment in the fields of the antennas. No device performance alterations were observed.

RFID Tag - You're It

This article discusses the possible harm to privacy and information security posed by the increasing use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID technology is being used in the patrolling of U.S. border crossings and contactless credit card transactions, but its potential misuse by the creative reapplication of an RFID scanner is noted. The limitations of ISO 14443 standard of encryption, which ought to offer security in RFID use, are noted. INSETS: How RFID Works;WHAT'S IN STORE;Types of Tags.

RuBee: applying low‐frequency technology for retail and medical uses

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore RuBee, which is a new form of automatic identification technology that can complement many of the new developments for the use of radio frequency identification (RFID). This is a timely piece, which examines the technology behind RuBee and the uses of this new identification tool.Design/methodology/approachThis technology is explored through a review of the available information on RuBee, examining the emerging standards for the technology from the The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).FindingsThrough the use of magnetic energy for communications, RuBee provides superior reading capabilities vs RFID in environments involving metal and water. RuBee also provides many of the advantages found in active RFID, with unlimited life span and far lower costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study center on the fact that RuBee is an emerging technology and while the IEEE will be providing a standards framework, much work remains to be done to see how the technology will be applied in appropriate and cost‐effective ways.Practical implicationsThis paper will allow executives as well as technologists to examine RuBee as both an alternative and a complement to RFID technology for use in myriad settings.Originality/valueThis article will be of value to both practitioners and academicians in several fields, including retail and health care management as these people consider RuBee, RFID and other automatic identification technologies as a means of providing solutions to business problems and return on investment from technological applications.

Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags in Bedside Monitoring of Endotracheal Tube Position

Improper positioning of the endotracheal tube during intubation poses a serious health risk to patients. In one prospective study of 219 critically ill patients, 14% required endotracheal tube repositioning after intubation [Brunel et al. Chest 1989; 96: 1043-1045] While a variety of techniques are used to confirm proper tube placement, a chest X-ray is usually employed for definitive verification. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, in which an RFID reader emits and receives a signal from an RFID tag, may be useful in evaluating endotracheal tube position. RFID technology has already been approved for use in humans as a safe and effective tool in a variety of applications. The use of handheld RFID detectors and RFID tag-labeled endotracheal tubes could allow for easy and accurate bedside monitoring of endotracheal tube position, once initial proper placement is confirmed.

RFID-based mobile robot guidance to a stationary target

Retrieving accurate location information about an object in real-time, as well as any general information pertinent to the object, is a key to enabling a robot to perform a task in cluttered, dynamically changing environment. In this paper, we address a novel technique for the guidance of mobile robots to help them identify, locate, and approach a target in our daily environments. To this end, we propose a standard for the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems and develop a prototype that can be easily installed in the existing mobile robots. Specifically, when an RF signal is transmitted from an RF transponder, the proposed RFID system reads the transponder-encoded data and simultaneously picks up the direction of the transponder using the received signal strength pattern. Based on the angle of signal arrival, we develop the guidance strategies that enable a robot to find its way to the transponder position. Moreover, to cope with multi-path reflection and unexpected distortions of the signals that resulted from environmental effects, we present several algorithms for reconstructing the signals. We demonstrate that an off-the-self mobile robot equipped with the proposed system locates and approaches a stationary target object. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed system operating at a frequency of 315 MHz falls within a reasonable range in our normal office environment.

Ethical considerations and proposed guidelines for the use of radio frequency identification: Especially concerning its use for promoting public safety and national security

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is quickly growing in its applications. A variety of uses for the technology are beginning to be developed, including chips which can be used in identification cards, in individual items, and for human applications, allowing a chip to be embedded under the skin. Such chips could provide numerous benefits ranging from day-to-day convenience to the increased ability of the federal government to adequately ensure the safety of its citizens. However, there are also valid concerns about the potential of this technology to infringe on privacy, creating fears of a surveillance society. These are concerns that must be addressed quickly, with sensitivity to individual interests and societal welfare, allowing humanity to reap the benefits of convenience and safety without paying an unacceptable price in the loss of privacy.

An automated, FPGA-based reconfigurable, low-power RFID tag

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is expanding rapidly in numerous applications such as logistics, supply chain management, transportation, healthcare and aviation. Due to the variety of the current applications, typical RFID systems use application specific hardware and proprietary protocols. These systems generally have long design times, no tolerance to changes in application or standard, and hence very high system costs. This paper describes an RFID tag specification and automated design flow for the creation of customized, low-power, active RFID tags. RFID primitives supported by the tag are enumerated with assembly like RFID macros. From these macros, the RFID pre-processor generates templates automatically. The behavior of each RFID primitive is specified using ANSI C where indicated within the template. The resulting file is compiled by the RFID compiler for the extensible tag. In order to save power, a smart buffer has been developed to sit between the transceiver and the tag controller. Because RFID packets are broadcast to everyone in range, the smart buffer contains minimal logic to detect whether incoming packets are intended for the tag. By doing so, the main controller may remain powered down to reduce system power consumption. Two System-on-a-Chip implementation strategies are presented. First, a microprocessor based system for which a C program is automatically generated and compiled for the system. The second replaces the microprocessor with a block of low-power FPGA logic. The user supplied RFID logic is specified in RFID macros and ANSI-C and automatically converted into combinational VHDL by the RFID compiler. Based on a test program, the processors required 183, 43, and 19 μJ per transaction for StrongARM, XScale, and EISC processors, respectively. By replacing the processor with a Coolrunner II, the controller can be reduced to 1.11 nJ per transaction.

RFID tags, security and the individual

This paper provides an introduction to the technology and basic legal issues arising from the development and use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).

Counterfeit Epoetin: A Review of MedWatch Data.

Introduction: In 2002 and 2003, Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. issued “Dear Health Professional” letters describing two distinct episodes with distribution of counterfeit epoetin (ProcritÒ). The first episode in 2002 occurred when counterfeit labels marked as “40,000 Unit” vials were switched onto 2,000 Unit Procrit vials (5% potency). An estimated 97,000 vials of this product were not recovered, as many as 25,000 patients may have been exposed. A second episode occurred in 2003 when bacteria-contaminated tap water was added to vials that were labeled as containing “40,000 Units” of Procrit®. The “Dear Doctor” letters describe the subtle labeling and other product packaging features that distinguish the products from authentic. In addition, specific lot numbers are identified. We reviewed all MedWatch reports from the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for confirmed or possible cases of counterfeit epoetin.Methods: For the years 1998 to 2004, the FDA's adverse event reporting system (AERS) was searched, using key words: “suspected product tampering,” “decreased drug effect” and related terms, and all epoetin product names. We summarized the demographic variables for the cases and identified the lot numbers reported within the cases.Results: Seven cases of “medication tampering” were identified in the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database - all 7 included Procrit® lot numbers identified in the “Dear Health Professional” Warning Letters from OrthoBiotech. The cases had been reported to the FDA by pharmacists (n=5), a consumer (n=1), and a nurse (n=1). In six of these case reports, among cancer patients, death also listed on the report, although counterfeit product was not listed as the proximate cause of death. There were no case reports identified by the diagnostic term of “pharmaceutical product counterfeit”, which was added to the FDA's AERS in 2004. We identified an additional 643 cases of MedWatch cases that were coded with the diagnostic labels of “drug ineffective”, “therapeutic response decreased”, “drug effect decreased”, “condition aggravated”, and similar terms. The mean age equal to 59.7± 17.7 years, range 5–95 years. There were 269 females (42%) and 358 males (55%), gender not reported for 3%. All epoietin products were included. Finally, one case was found with a reported lot number corresponding to one listed in the warning letters. Death occurred in this 89 year-old patient.Conclusion: Health professionals should be alert for potential counterfeit drugs whenever drug effects are less than expected and the pharmaceutical is costly. Whenever suspected, the occurrences should be reported to the FDA and the manufacturer as possible “pharmaceutical product counterfeit.” The use of radio frequency identification (RFID), planned to be implemented in 2007 may help prevent the domestic distribution of counterfeit drugs, but increases in direct importation of drugs from international sources will potentially increase the likelihood of distribution of counterfeit drugs domestically.

RFID tags: commercial applications v. privacy rights

PurposeThis article seeks to examine the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in commercial applications and to discuss whether regulation is needed to balance commercial economic interests versus consumer privacy and libertarian concerns.Design/methodology/approachThis paper covers discussions and comparative studies of others' work and thinking.FindingsRFID technology provides enormous economic benefits for both business and consumers, while simultaneously potentially constituting one of the most invasive surveillance technologies threatening consumer privacy.Practical implicationsThe use of RFID technology has profound consumer privacy, civil liberty and security implications.Originality/valueRFID technology is at an embryonic stage. Like many new technologies, it poses both potential benefit and harm to society. The article recommends that legislation is needed to tip the balance enough to provide adequate privacy protection without unduly harming economic efficiency.

Temple of the computer

PurposeAims to investigate the new use of libraries by the public.Design/methodology/approachBegins by describing the facilities at Seattle Central Library which represents a general escalation of public interest in libraries. Goes on to examine how other libraries are making use of computers and the internet.FindingsIt appears that computer‐based services are the force behind the increase in library use. Discovers that there is an increase in the use of e‐books and that library circulation and maintenance has been improved by the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.Originality/valueThis paper provides a useful insight into how computer‐based services can be used to benefit libraries.

Developments in RFID

Examines the increasing use of radio frequency identification (RFID) owing to the falling prices of transponders and other equipment. Briefly describes the current situation of the RFID industry and outlines some of its applications. Concludes by asking where the industry is heading and predicting a bright future.