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RFIDR Bruce MillerUniversity of California, Merced

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Radio Frequency IDentification

R-F-I-D (also are-fid)

automatic identification method tostore and remotely retrieve data fromtransponders

RFID tag (transponder): contactlessintegrated circuit that may be read

remotely

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Widely used

inventory tracking

drive through toll booths (Fastrac) passports

door lock systems

car keys

library book management andsecurity systems

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How RFID works

RFID tag

reader

computer

12

3

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Library book check-out

book and borrower card

scanner

library system

12

3

4

check-out record

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Library RFID

check-out and check-in

easy self-check

exit security

record of item use in library

scan when re-shelving

accurate record of overall use

no guess collection management

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Many types of systems

active or passive

long or short read range

secure or non-secure

one use or repeated use

Do not assume that functionsapply to all systems

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Focus: library systems

13.56 MHz

passive

computer chip and antenna

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Laws of physics

RF signal causes inductance inantenna sufficient to power

transmission from chip

passive 13.56 MHz cannot be read

from more than 1 meter

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RFID tags on school children

elementary school Sutter, California

ID cards for each student

readers in doorways

automatic attendance record

without parental permission

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Outcome

American Civil Liberties Union

Electronic Frontier Foundation

California Senator Simitian

Senate Bill 682

would prohibit RFID for all Californiagovernment operations

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SB 682 would prohibit RFID

card keys

Fastrac drive through toll systems

hospital patient tracking

library cards

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Why?

stalker captures library card ID #

uses RFID readers to track movement

false assumptions based on confusionre specific technology

presumes ability to hide many RFID

readers connected to unified system information gained is meaningless

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Why?

government agent captures librarycard ID number of suspect

later scans crowd at demonstrationand records suspects

false assumptions based on lack of

knowledge passive 13.56 MHz has 1 meter read

limit

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Technology paranoia

be wary of social issues

understand how technology works

be articulate in stating intended uses

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Library book RFID data

library system identification number

same as bar code number

could add author, title, etc.

would require different system, e.g.,

active (battery in book RFID tag)

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Library borrower card

library system identification number

essentially random

no personal information

easily change ID number if card isstolen

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Beware of standards

library systems typically use 13.56MHz passive RFID

data format

checkout status on RFID server

checkout status passed to library systemserver

technically possible to migrate butmight require substantialprogramming

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Limited RFID library use: why?

RFID tags in books

research libraries: large collections

RFID library cards

public libraries: many users

Expense means very few libraries can

justify RFID library cards and books

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Unique opportunity

University of California, Merced

no security system

new book collection

small user base

positioned to understand details of technology

implications of SB 682expert by default