1 Automatic Identification System EC5103PA_Apr2008 Chapter 4

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Automatic Identification System

EC5103PA_Apr2008

Chapter 4

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15 July 2008 (Tuesday) CPA Class Test 1 Chapter 1 to 3 During project lesson

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Automatic Identification System

Basic structure and operating principles of various identification system Bar codes Magnetic stripe Radio frequency identification Smart card

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What is Automatic Identification System?

Auto ID, also refer as AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture)

Auto ID refers to the method of capturing or collecting data via automatic means (i.e. without the use of a keyboard), and storing data in a microprocessor-controlled devices (computer).

All AIDC technologies support two common goals: Accuracy

To eliminate errors associated with identification and/or data collection

ProductivityTo accelerate the through-put process

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Types of Auto ID Technologies

AutoID technologies can be roughly divided into six categories:

1) Optical

2) Magnetic

3) Electromagnetic

4) Biometrics

5) Touch

6) Smart card

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Automatic Identification System – Bar Codes

A symbol that represents a series of numbers and/or letters Symbol is designed such that it can be read by

scanners which communicate with the computers Scanning a bar code initiates same action as

entering data into a computer

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Bar codes Applications

Some specific applications are: Retail point of sale Baggage tracking Package tracking Book tracking Statistical process control Time and attendance Patient tracking Inventory and access control Retrieval of client files.

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Bar code System

Bar code generator software - to design and print original bar code labels.

- to add graphics and text to bar codes.

CCD Scanner and wedge – A CCD scanner scans the bar codes and collect data.

- A wedge is the interface that interprets the scanned data and enters it into the open application of the computer.

Data collection software – All bar codes must be scanned into an open application on your

computer through which you can compile the information replayed by the scans.

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Bar code Symbology

Bar code language, also known as symbology, is a graphic representation for numbers or alphabetic characters.

Types of symbology available: Linear (1D) Symbologies 2D Symbologies Composite Symbologies

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Linear (1D) Bar Code Symbologies

Well-established, read-only, optical-read technology

Low cost label-based symbol Low capacity, typically 15~50 characters,

depending upon symbology and form used Accurate and fast though requires line-of-

sight machine readability Wide range of symbol formation software

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Wide range of encodation symbologies such as: Interleaved 2-of-5 , ITF Code 39 (Pioneered by defense and automotive) Code 128 Universal Product Code, UPC (Used in

supermarket) Codabar (Used in blood banks)

Codabar

UPC

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Universal Product Code (UPC) Consists of :

Machine-readable bar code 12-digit readable UPC number

Format of UPC: UPC number – 6 39382

specific products and manufacturers by the Uniform Code Council (UCC).

Item number – 00039 (product code)

Check digit – Last digit of UPC

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2-Dimenstional Bar Code Symbologies

A need to encode more information in a smaller space result the use of 2D bar code

Two types of 2D bar codes in use are: Stacked Symbologies Matrix Symbologies

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2-Dimenstional Bar Code Symbologies

Stacked Codes

PDF417Code 49 Code 16K

Matrix Symbologies

DATA MATRIX

MAXICODE

AZTEC CODE

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Composite Bar Code Symbologies

Newly-emerging class of symbology in which two symbols are printed in close proximity to each other and contain linked data

Typically one component is a linear symbol and the other either a stacked or a matrix symbol

Example of composite symbol : UCC.EAN

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Disadvantages of Bar Codes

In order to keep up with inventories, companies must scan each bar code on every box of a particular product.

Going through the checkout line involves the same process of scanning each bar code on each item.

Bar code is a read-only technology, meaning that it cannot send out any information.

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Auto-ID System – Bar codes – Scanning & Verification

Bar code scanners are electro-optical systems that include a means of illuminating symbol and measuring reflected light.

Light waveform data is converted from analog to digital in order to be processed by a decoder and further transmitted to software application.

Type of bar code scanners: Contact wands scanner CCD scanner Laser scanner

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Auto-ID System – Bar codes – Scanning & Verification Contact Wands bar code

scanner Least expensive way to read bar

code

Handheld bar code scanner

Must be placed in contact with bar code symbol and moved across entire symbol to correctly read the symbol

Low cost, light weight and suitable for rugged used

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Auto-ID System – Bar codes – Scanning & Verification CCD Scanner

Mid-range price handheld bar code reader

Use a stationary flood of light to reflect symbol image back to an array of photo sensors.

Depth of field (DOF), optimal distance for scanner to read the bar code ranges from contact to six inches.

More rugged than laser scanner as there are no moving parts

Capable of reading 2D matrix

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Auto-ID System – Bar codes – Scanning & Verification

Laser Scanner Expensive handheld bar

code reader Laser diode created a

beam which is spread into horizontal arc by means of rapidly moving mirror

Light sweeps @ 40 scans per second

Revolving polygons or oscillating mirrors may be used to produce a more reliable reading

Larger area of scanning view and can achieve a distance of 6 to 12 inches

Laser Scanner can tolerate symbol skew

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Auto-ID System – Magnetic Strip – Introduction

Magnetic stripes technology uses the same technology as audio or videotape – digital magnetic recording. Rather than sounds or images being encoded, digital data is encoded on a magnetic stripe.

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Auto-ID System – Magnetic Strip – Introduction Magnetic stripe is adhered to the back of cards or

tickets. Information is encoded on the stripe using low and

high-energy electromagnetic charges – alternating the polarity of small sections of the magnetic material.

When the card is swiped through the reader, electromagnetic charged particles are read as binary data that is then translated and converted into letters and numbers for computer processing.

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Auto-ID System – Magnetic Strip – Tracks Layout Magnetic strip may contain up to three tracks

(according to ISO7811) Track 1 (Read-Only)

– Capacity of 79 alphanumeric characters can hold user’s account number, name, expiration date

Track 2 (Read-Only) – Contains 40 numeric characters

Track 3 (Read and Write) – Contains cardholder’s accounts and may be encoded each time it is used. This track is used for security purposes.

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Auto-ID System – Magnetic Strip – Advantages & Disadvantages Advantage of magnetic strip

Flexibility, can be re-encoded at any time as compared to bar codes.

Durability, enable up to 100,000 swipes on a single card and over 2 million swipes on a reader.

Reliability, ten years of performance for both cards and readers.

Disadvantage of magnetic strip Ability of a magnetic field to erase the card ‘s encryption. Data on the stripe can easily be read, written, deleted or

changed with off-the-shelf equipment. not the best place to store sensitive information.

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Magnetic Strip Applications

Magnetic stripes is used everywhere such as: Bank Card Airline Ticket and Boarding pass Phone card Transit ticket Parking lot ticket

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Review Questions

1. What are the two main objectives of AIDC technologies?

2. Name four common types of Auto-ID technologies.

3. State three types of bar code symbology.

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What is Radio Frequency Identification?

RFID is a technology used for automatic data capture which allows contact-less identification of objects via Radio Frequency (RF).

RFID relies on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders.

An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves.

Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

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Components of a RFID System

A basic RFID system consists of three components: A transponder (RFID tag) Reader or Interrogator Host computer

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A transponder (Also called a tag)

a tiny radio device that is also referred to as a transponder, smart tag, smart label, or radio barcode.

contain at least two parts. integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

Fig 12 An EPC RFID tag used by Wal-Mart

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Reader or Interrogator

RFID readers or receivers are composed of a radio frequency module, a control unit and an antenna to interrogate electronic tags via radio frequency (RF) communication.

The main objective of an RFID reader is to control the reading and writing of data to an RFID tag.

A radio frequency field is generated around the RFID reader's antenna to generate power for the passive tags as well as provide means for data transfer from the tag to the reader.

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Host Computer The data acquired by the readers is then passed to a host

computer, which may run specialist RFID software or middleware to filter the data and route it to the correct

application, to be processed into useful information.

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RFID tags

RFID tags are categorized as either passive, active and semi-passive.

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Passive RFID tags

Have no internal power supply. draw power from the radio wave transmitted by

the reader. The reader transmits a low power radio signal

through its antenna to the tag, which in turn receives it through its own antenna to power the integrated circuit (chip).

The tag will briefly converse with the reader for verification and the exchange of data.

The tag chip can contain non-volatile, writable EEPROM for storing data.

Simple, low cost & small Shorter read range (typically 3m of less)

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Active RFID tags

have internal power source, which is used to power the integrated circuits and to broadcast the response signal to the reader.

larger and more expensive than passive tags. transmit at higher power levels than passive tags, allowing

them to be more robust in "RF challenged" environment. with humidity and spray or with dampening targets (including

humans/cattle, which contain mostly water), reflective targets from metal (shipping containers, vehicles), or at longer distances.

used to track high value goods like vehicles and large containers of goods.

Provide longer range (typically tens of metres) Larger memories than passive tags Tags could last up to 10 years due to battery life time

2.45GHz RFID Temperature Sensor

Active Tag

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Semi-Passive RFID tags

have own power source, but the battery only powers the on-board microchip and does not power the broadcasting of a signal to the reader.

battery can be used to power data storage.

Some semi-passive tags sleep until they are woken up by a signal from the reader, which conserves battery life. These tags are sometimes called battery-assisted tags.

Main advantages:-1) Greater sensitivity than passive tags. 2) Longer battery powered life cycle than active tags. 3) Can perform active functions (such as temperature logging) under its own power, even when no reader is present for powering the circuitry.

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RFID Frequencies

Type of tags are also categorized by radio frequency: Low frequency tags (125 or 134.2 khz) High frequency tags(13.56MHz) UHF tags (850 to 960 MHz) Microwave tags (2.45GHz)

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RFID Frequencies

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Automatic Identification System – Advantages

Real-time updates Contactless technology Line-of-sight not required High SecurityFast reading speed Simultaneous reading

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Automatic Identification System – Application

RFID in Metro Group

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A basic RFID system consists of three components: A transponder (RFID tag) Reader or Interrogator Host computer

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Auto-ID System – Smart Card– Introduction Provide greater memory capacity for storing of

information Allows reprogramming of adding, deleting of data Provide greater security features than magnetic stripe

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What is a Smart Card ?

A credit card size plastic card containing an integrated circuit (IC) that carried relatively large amounts of information.

The microchip can contain just a memory module, or a microprocessor with a memory module.

Integrated Circuit

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What is a Smart Card ?

Information contained in the microchip can include monetary data, personal identification, security credentials or medical history.

Allows reprogramming of adding, deleting of data

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A Smart Card System

A smart card is a part of a larger system which includes: Smart Card reader/writer

Allow transfer of information between smart card and machine interfacing with card (i.e. ATM)

Client ApplicationSoftware which performs on-line transactions between card and system providers (i.e. banks)

Card Management System (or Card Operating System)Software and protocol that control the card operation

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Types of smart card

Memory card (Also known as “dumb’ card)

has an embedded memory chip with predefined operations, such as acting as a cash card.

It does not contain logic or perform calculations; they simply store data.

use ROM and EEPROM to store from 1KB to 15KB of information.

Without a processor, a memory card relies on a CAD (card acceptance device) to process the card information upon each card use.

Memory card are used in NETS CashCard, pay phone, retail or vending machines, game-station.

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Types of smart card

Microprocessor card (Smart card) Microprocessor with memory is embedded in the

card

can process and manipulate its own data

Not dependent on reader to make application work Microprocessor cards are used in ATM, credit &

debit cards.

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Types of Smart Card Interface

Types of smart card interface: Contact Contactless Dual interface

- Hybrid card- Dual interface chip card (Combi Card)

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Contact smart card Require physical contact with device known as

reader Has 6 contacts point (usually gold plated) for

power and data communication

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Contact smart card Prone to electric shock through the contacts

which may result a destruction of IC Contact point prone to corrosion Lower cost of smart card series

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Contactless smart card Communicates with reader without physical

contact Contains an antenna which embedded

inside the card for wireless communication No contact to wear out Used in applications such as :-

transit fare payment cards government and corporate identification cards electronic passports and visas, and financial payment cards.

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Hybrid smart card contains two chips on the card, one supporting a contact

interface and one supporting a contactless interface. The chips contained on the card are generally not

connected to each other.

Dual-Interface Chip Smart Card (Combi Card) contains a single chip that supports both contact and

contactless interfaces.

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Auto-ID System – Smart Card– Smart Card Architecture Smart Card consists of the following:

Microprocessor I/O controller Memories ( ROM, RAM, EEPROM)

Microprocessor

I/O Control

RAM

ROM

EEPROM

Power

Ground

Clock

Reset

Input Output

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Smart Card Architecture

In a microprocessor card, programs are written to manage the memory allocation and file accessibility. All the operation are performed via Card Operating Systems (COS).

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Card Operating System

Card Operating System primary tasks include: Management of interchanges between the card and

terminal, in terms of the interchange protocol. Management of files and data in card memory. Access control to information and functions (for example,

select file, read, write, and update data). Management of card security and the cyptographic

algorithm procedures. Maintaining reliability, such as data consistency, sequence

interrupts, and recovering from an error. Management of various phases of the card’s life cycle

(Fabrication, Personalization, Active life, and End Of Life).

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Card Operating System

Examples of COS are: CardOS – Infineon

Cyberflex, Multifex, Payflex – Schlumberger

STARCOS – Giesecke & Devrient

PCOS, MCOS, MPCOS – Gemplus

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Smart Card Features and Characteristics

Key features & characteristics of smart cards:

Cost High consider with Bar codes and magnetic stripe.

ReliabilityGuarantee of 10,000 read/write cycle.

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Smart Card Features and Characteristics

Error Correction Built-in COS is able to their own error checking, thus provide a more reliable data

CapacityTypically, each card could store up to 128K bit of information

SecuritySmart cards are highly secure. Information stored on the card is difficult to duplicate or disrupt. Some cards support DES, 3-DES, RSA or ECC standards for encryption, authentication and digital signature

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Smart Card Applications

Secure identity applications Employee ID badges, citizen ID documents, electronic

passports, driver’s licenses, online authentication devices.

Healthcare applications Citizen health ID cards, physician ID cards, portable

medical records cards. Payment applications

Contact and contactless credit/debit cards, transit payment cards, highway tolls.

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Telecommunications applications

GSM and Smart Cards GSM mobile phones include a smart card, the

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Pay Phones and Smart Cards use smart cards instead of coins in their pay

phones to improve customer convenience and telecommunications operators’ business models (less cash, reduced risk of losses).

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Telecommunications applications Mobile Payment

use phones to pay for products such as games, ring tones and other digital content.

Mobile phones and other mobile devices are also being used to pay for products at a physical point of sale (POS)

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Multi-Applications Smart Cards

Loyalty andLoyalty andCouponsCoupons

StoredStoredValueValue

PaymentPayment

Access/Access/IdentificationIdentification

PersonalPersonalInformationInformation

SecuritySecurity

Travel&Entertainment

Cell Phone

Government Transit

InternetBanking

Retail

Healthcare



PaymentPayment



SecuritySecurity



PaymentPayment



SecuritySecurity



Cell Phone

Government Transit

InternetBanking

Retail

Healthcare

Fig 24 Potential Uses for Multi-Application Smart Cards

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Review Questions

Please answer True or False for each question.

1. For practical purposes, properly designed AutoID systems don’t make mistakes, whereas with manual data entry there will be inevitably be some data entry errors.

2. A bar code is a symbol that represents a series of numbers only.

3. A wedge is to interface the scanned data into the open application of the computer.

4. Check digit in a UPC code is the last digit to determine if the numbers are correctly scanned.

5. Magnetic stripes technology makes use of digital magnetic recording. Rather than sounds or images being encoded, digital data is encoded on a magnetic stripe.

6. RFID tags carry data, are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, provide identification for an item that requires tracking or identification.

7. Active RFID tags have their own internal power source, which is used to power the integrated circuits and to broadcast the response signal to the reader.

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Review Questions

8. Transponders operate in the range of 850 – 960MHz which is known as High Frequency or HF.

9. The RFID tag needs to be seen in order to read from it. It cannot be hidden under skin or even in a book.

10. A smart card is a plastic card embedded with a computer chip that stores and transacts card data by reader of a computer system.

11. Dual interface smart card offers both contact and contactless interfaces. Examples are hybrid card and dual-interface chip card (“Combi” card).

12. The smart card uses a serial interface and receives its power from external sources like a card reader.

13. Ez-link card is a contactless smart card using RFID technology.

14. NETS CashCard is the stored value card that allows you to make quick and easy payments for car parks, ERP and tolls.

15. The Singapore Biometric Passport (BioPass) contains a polycarbonate page that is embedded with a contactless chip (RFID tag), carrying the owner's facial and fingerprint biometric identifiers.

Documents

1 Automatic Identification System EC5103PA_Apr2008 Chapter 4