February 3, 2012

After Wisconsin, the state of North Dakota in USA has introduced legislation to ban forced RFID chip implants on humans. Not surprisingly, it is for the privacy reasons. John Hooven, Governor of North Dakota has approved the bill that imposes restrictions on the forced chip implants on human skins. It means the companies using VeriChip, a human implantable RFID chip form Florida-based VeriChip Corporation should follow self-imposed restrictions while implanting the chips on their employees. Hoeven has rightly pointed out, Ultimately, with RFID tagging systems, corporations will be able to monitor everything we buy, everywhere we go and, perhaps as these technologies develop, everything we say. The recent developments in the USA show that other states are also moving forward to ban forced chip implants on humans.

http://www.rfidblog.org/entry/north-dakota-passes-law-to-ban-forced...

Axcess International debuts ActiveTag RFID, an automatic personal i...

A leading provider of Dual-Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) solutions, Axcess International Inc., has launched Active RFID identification system, which provides an automatic personal identification solution. The solution combines hands-free access control with a automatically monitoring ability for the movements of people through the facility. The ActiveTag RFID identification system is based on patent ActiveTag RFID technology, which offers a variety of advantages like magnetic strips or proximity card readers. The technology allows users to read tags at distances over 35 feet. The ActiveTag RFID identification system supports many communication protocols, including including serial (RS-232), network (Ethernet TCP/IP) and Wiegand (SIA 26-bit standard). The ActiveTag AVI system provides multi-tag read features, which allows users to simultaneously read multiple personnel tags. The system includes following components, which are given below: Personnel Credential Tag: The personnel credential tag provides convenient, hands-free identification of personnel for access control, people tracking and resource management applications. Antenna: It has different antennas for different applications. Each antenna is directly connected with the activator to create coverage zones for a variety of applications including asset and personnel tracking. Activator: The activator is a stand-alone transmitter, which directly connects an application specific antenna to provide a low frequency activation signal. Then the activator writes its location ID to the tag, which is then re-transmitted along with the unique ID for providing precise location at the time of activation. Network Receiver: It has serial receiver for network-capable general purpose, which detects tag signals, and convert them into data. Even it also forwards the information to a controller or host application.

http://www.rfidblog.org/entry/axcess-international-debuts-activetag...

RFID tag attached to prisoners

January 31, 2012

Tracking inmates inside a prison or jail is always a daunting task. It has been a tough challenge for the jailers to monitor the movement of the prisoners and keep them away from inmate-fights that cause an unwanted noisy atmosphere in a jail. Thus, it is more or less apparent that the modern jails have failed to create a strong security system despite implementing best practices methods and precautions. To get rid of these problems, the Minnesota Department of Corrections is adopting an inmate-tracking system in one of the states security correctional facilities. The tracking system is developed in line with active RFID tag technology that keeps a vigilant eye on the inmates and alerts if any unprecedented incident is occurring inside the jail. The 1,300-inmate facility will implement equipment from Alanco Technologies and the task of deploying the RFID has been given to Crowley Co. Under the new system, the inmates will be provided RIFD-attached wrist straps and guards pager like devices. The RFID tag sends radio signal in every two seconds to antennas positioned within the facility. In this way, both inmates and guards will be tracked in real time.

http://www.rfidblog.org/entry/rfid-tag-attached-to-prisoners/