-Caveat Lector- Building a Better Bar Code http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/CuttingEdge/cuttingedge010502.html New Technology Prints Radio Chip and Antenna in Product Label By Wes Bleed C H I C A G O, May 2 - We've all become familiar with the Universal Product Code, that strip of thin black lines found on practically every consumer product. In the works now from Motorola is the Electronic Product Code. Such "smart labels" have been around for a while and used mainly to inventory pallets in warehouses or track the progress of huge shipping containers as they travel en route to their destinations. But these systems, developed by companies such as Symbol Technology, have been too expensive to produce on a massive scale such as one label for every item on a supermarket shelf. Cheap and Easy Technology "We've got a technology that actually results in the packaging of the chip being at basically its lowest possible cost by its printed antenna," says Richard Krueger, Director of Business Development of the World Wide Smart Card Solutions Division of Motorola. "As the box is going through the printer, through the press, I'm actually printing an antenna. It's two patches of carbon ink," Krueger explained. What's more, since the BiStatix label can be integrated into a printing process, it's much easier to produce on ordinary items such as cereal boxes or bottles of mouthwash. Krueger says product information can be accessed as needed with the convenience of wireless communications. "From distribution down to retail, from retail into the consumer's hands, and then immediate feedback of that information through sensors back to the supply chain to replenish the shelf." Beyond the checkout counter But the potential uses of the BiStatix label doesn't stop once you leave the store. Since the embedded chip can store all sorts of information, it could help make a consumer's life a little easier. A frozen dinner with a smart label could transmit cooking instruction to a microwave oven equipped with the appropriate radio receiver. Krueger says the Bistatix chip could be integrated into tickets for sporting events or theme parks as a way to thwart bogus tickets. "You get throughput improvement at the turnstiles, it's automated and you would begin to cut down the counterfeit ticket business." Other possible uses for the new technology include security and event ticketing. "You can issue temporary passes to guests, to contractors and provide them limited access," Krueger explains. "There would be a unique identification in the system that a particular recipient of that badge or card is in the building at a certain time and place." Could an Electronic People Code be far behind? <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
