>> The Tag

Each Identifi tag contains a programmable chip with a 900MHz RF link and an antenna.  These read-writeable tags contain up to 2 kilobits of user-programmed information about the garments or articles on which they have been placed, representing whatever the user requires, without constraint on bit content or sequence.  Capable of containing vastly more information than a bar code can store, an Identifi tag may be programmed with:

• A physical description (color, weight and dimensions)
• A history of the item (manufacturer, plant, lot, run-date, etc.)
• Consignee or distributor information (for accounts payable and returns)
• Encrypted authentication (to prevent returns fraud, counterfeit and gray market products)
• Sales associate ID (for commissions)
• Or other data

It is especially significant to note that Identifi has developed a patented approach that allows each tag to select a unique identification code upon first being polled. The tag selects a 48-bit number at random (1 of 16 million possible numbers), sufficiently large to accommodate a Universal Product Code identifier.  For a randomly selected population of 1000 tags, the probability of ID duplication is less than 1 in 16 million, thus facilitating the highly accurate locating, counting and interrogating of every tag deployed within range of the reader.  Identifi’s RapidSortTM polling protocol results in extremely quick locating and counting of tags, additionally, Identifi readers can seek a response from a specific tag or a range of tags (group sort). 

The Company’s tags may be produced in practically any rigid or flexible medium – plastic, cloth, paper, fiberglass or ceramic – to accommodate the article being tagged and the environment in which it will be used.  Identifi tags are available in two formats:

Disposable tags –

• Small and lightweight, these tags are intended to accompany the item when it leaves the premises
• Suitable as stickers for small items such as jewelry, perfume bottles and such, or as a garment tag imprinted with store logo, graphics and item size/description
• Disposable tags are powered by the RF signal emanating from the tag reader-interrogator, thus reducing size and weight
• No battery limitations make them ideal for long-shelf-life products, for document tracking, depositories and similar applications
• Most effective in short-to-medium range (up to 10 feet) installations
• Extremely cost-effective for retail and consumer applications such as clothing store racks, grocery store shelves, airline baggage handling, entertainment and amusement tickets, rental items, and other high-volume requirements

Recyclable tags –

• Battery-operated, with five-year life
• Higher-powered tags, suitable for long-range reading (20-30 feet)
• Can replace current technologies such as Electronic Article Surveillance and benefit denial systems
• Small and lightweight, yet recyclable
• Cost effectiveness increases with each inventory “turn” and re-use of the tag (perhaps as many as 20 [or more] uses over a five-year span)
• Ideal for warehouse inventory, retail store inventory, shipping and receiving, pallets and containers

>> The Reader

Identifi’s readers-interrogators provide the capability to write to and read from up to 1,000 tags each.  In the case of the shorter-range, disposable tags, the reader’s RF signal also provides power to the tag.  Designed to operate in the license-free ISM (Instrumentation and Scientific Measurement) frequency allocations, the readers use Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology in the 900MHz-range, which helps to greatly minimize interference.  One or more reader units can cooperate with each other to provide a non-duplicative read (count and inventory) of all tags.

Readers are available in two formats, portable and fixed mount, to offer maximum flexibility for the customer.

Portable readers –

• Hand-held instruments, based on today’s PDA technology
• Portable readers are both RF- and optically enabled to read both RFID tags and bar codes
• Capable of both writing to and reading from tags
• Each individual portable reads up to 1,000 tags simultaneously, and 16 million total
• Ideal as a “walk-around” inventory counter and interrogator for retailers and other applications where floor or field personnel are responsible for manual inventory checks

Rack/Shelf readers –

• Battery- or line-powered units built into racks or shelves
• Works with both recyclable (battery-powered) tags and disposable (RF-powered) tags
• Communicates with wireless LAN to receive polling instructions and transmit results
• Excellent for inventory interrogation – “how full is the rack or shelf?”
• Can be factory installed or installed at the store

Ceiling-mount area readers –

• A permanently installed facilities fixture
• Battery- or line-powered, lower-power consumption transceiver
• Capable of reading disposable or recyclable tags from long range (20-30 feet) with unobstructed line-of-sight from ceiling placement
• Provides unmanned, around-the-clock inventory monitoring
• 1,000 readers would cover 100,000 square feet
• Communicates via wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth to receive instructions and transmit inventory count and interrogation results

Cash register readers --

• Installed at the cash register
• Line-powered transceiver
• Maximum read range of three feet (to eliminate reading of tags in other baskets or check-out lanes
• Communicates wireless to host systems for sales recording, tax reporting, inventory reduction, warranty activation, etc.

>> Wireless Local Area Network (LAN)

Identifi’s readers are connected to the customer’s IT system via Identifi’s wireless LAN, which is based on currently available, commercial off-the-shelf LAN technology.  The W-LAN communicates with readers, sending them polling instructions and receiving poll results from all tags in the system on inventory count, identification, location and data interrogation.  The LAN integrates with the customer’s existing IT system for inventory management and accounting, linking the warehouse, sales floor racks and shelves, and cash registers in a seamless system for inventory control, loss prevention and sales enhancement.

>> Sales Enhancement Interface

When configured as a touch-screen video kiosk (customized to fit the store culture and décor), the Identifi reader becomes an interactive customer service and sales support tool.  With links to on-the-shelf inventory, as well as warehouse inventory, the Identifi kiosk can:

• Read the tag on the customer’s product
• Provide customers with real-time availability of products
• Display the location of items and their variants within the store
• Expand the product offering by linking to distribution centers
• Recommend cross-sells and up-sells to the customers’ selections (increasing average purchase size)
• Arrange for in-store or home delivery of out-of-stock items or shipment to third parties
• Connect to the Internet for detailed product descriptions and other information
• May also be configured to help with returns and exchanges