RFID Aesthetics

23 Jun 2008 Category: Technology, Worldwide

RFID Aesthetics

An RFID tag embedded in the precious emblem of a sweet Japanese school uniform for the teachers to monitor. This one for a rental uniform is versatile, ranging from high frequency (13,56 MHz) to ultra-high frequency and still performs relatively well in humid environments. That's what exhibitor Sato noted at the recent RFID Expo in Tokyo.

RFID — or radio-frequency identification… we’ve heard of that before. Now, while strolling the booths at the RFID Expo that just took place at Tokyo’s Big Sight, we began wondering what RFID is used for best: as a button on a chef’s uniform to let him open the kitchen door; as an infant’s bracelet for a motion detector; embedded in boxes to trace its contents on their way across the globe or inside price tags in department stores to calculate the sales. Ah, well, if you just keep standing in front of the chip displays, you start to make out figures and characters of their shapes, wondering who came up with these fascinating structures… Instead of delving into new technology, this time PingMag takes a closer look at the appearance of RFID transponders.

Written by Verena

Outer Space

µ-Chip Hibiki by Hitachi.

This is an astronaut’s mobile phone kit, right? Nope! It’s Hitachi’s early gen 2 µ-Chip Hibiki, pronounced mu-chip, also known as the “5-yen tag,” introduced in late 2006. Why 5-yen? If ordered in large quantities, each one costs only ¥5. A bargain! Now, why this Greek letter? It’s a variation of the µ-Chip which is only tiny 0,4 mm square. However, the Hibiki is 102 x 135 mm in size.

Alpine Serpentine

Japanese DNP’s Nile.

We bet that the lab behind the shape of the Nile RFID chip by DNP must have had something like a radiant heater in mind as inspiration. These serpents have a minimalist elegance. Don’t get lost in its beautiful wavy lines, this is still an ultra-high-frequency chip with 96 bit memories.

Gesturing Man

The ‘global tag’ by UPM Raflatac.

A 512 bit memory is hidden in this shiny metal, simply called ‘global tag’ by UPM Raflatac. Check the tiny filigree pattern! How about an RFID necklace with ultra-high frequency (UHF)?

Alien Sktechbook

This must be part of an alien spaceship! The Rafsec Memory Stick by UPM Raflatac.

A memory stick? Oh, not your USB stick, this one has only 512 bit. Note that ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID systems are being widely deployed since several large corporations got that through, including international retailers and — not to forget — the U.S. Department of Defense.

Picture Frame for Geeks

Rafsec 49 x81 mm Tag by UPM Raflatac’s.

OK, the shape of this Rafsec Tag isn’t that peculiar, but hey, its high frequency (HF) is in use worldwide. A typical high frequency would be 13,56 MHz. HF systems are widely used in libraries, mass transportation (think SUICA and PASMO train cards) and product authentication applications. Capacity: 1024 bits! Depending on the usage, this HF tag either comes as non-adhesive inlay, die-cut web with adhesive, filmic face (for wet inlay,) or in a tag with a paper face. Stylish.

Weather Satellite

A satellite! The Avery Dennison AD-612.

This multi-frequency inlay code-named AD-612 by Avery Dennison has the usual 860-960 MHz frequency — and an utterly space age shape! We wonder which sci-fi scientist came up with this sketch-like design that resembles an orbitting satellite.

Next Season’s Jewellery

Golden plate by Texas Instruments, the Tag-it HF-I Transponder.

Blinded by this glimmering gold, we get that this one isn’t exactly brand new, but still a nice sight; the high frequency Tag-it HF-I Plus Transponder Inlay by Texas Instruments goes by the standard 13,56 MHz and has a 2 Kb memory to store your precious data. This wafer is inked, ground and sewn onto tape. Nice sewing job!

Tribal

ALN-9540 - “Squiggle™” by Alien Technology.

A true tag for the world, at least so says manufacturer Alien Technology. This little squiggle is operating between 860 to 960 MHz, with a ‘generation 2′ performance. It was created for most types of packaging, including products containing metal and water. Metal bento, anyone? Watch out, it’s a mere 97 x 11 mm!

The Labyrinth

The ALN-9529 - “Squiggle®-SQ,” another one by Alien Technology.

Oh, a little squiggle! This fancy-looking UHF operates between 860 and 960 MHz. Said to be ideal for item level tagging of plastic packaging such as pill bottles and apparel tags. So this is already in use at your local department store. Also featuring near-field and far-field communication. So talkative!

Ancient Cave-painting

A very stylised crab! UPM Raflatac’s Rafsec Crab.

If this were an ancient cave-painting you’d be amazed by its geometric shape. Well, it’s a stylised crab called Rafsec Crab and only slightly newer — also from the high-performing UHF, ultra-high frequency, group by UPM Raflatac. By the way, the other chips of the the same series have some quite weird shapes named Frog, DogBone or Hammer. Welcome to this unusual family! And what a modest memory of 96/240 bits.

Warm thanks to Sato for letting me roam around their crowded booth at the RFID Expo Tokyo and stick my nose in everywhere!

20 Comments

  1. I never thought there was such a rich RFID culture. The ones I knew were very simple (round) and always hidden inside some plastic cards. In the end, noone’ll ever know where to search for them, or maybe they are trying to make them more accepted through its shape. Job well done! Pingmag, too!

    Posted by: David on June 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm

  2. [...] Ping Magazine: “RFID Aesthetics” [...]

    Posted by: Elegant RFID Designs on PSFK on June 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 pm

  3. [...] PingMag recently visited Tokyo’s RFID Expo and instead of taking the usual 1984 angle, like RFID tags embedded in school uniforms for teachers to monitor, they put together a geeked out photo collection of some of the more interesting chip designs. It’s always fascinating to get a look into the culture of any creators who are working in a purely functional industry, more so when they use an opportunity to subvert or be humorous. Wonder if there’s any core readers who’ve slipped a secret detail into a project purely for self amusement? [...]

    Posted by: » The art of the RFID transponder SIBLB: SURF INTERNET BEYOND LANGUAGE BORDERS on June 24th, 2008 at 12:18 am

  4. [...] PingMag recently visited Tokyo’s RFID Expo and instead of taking the usual 1984 angle, like RFID tags embedded in school uniforms for teachers to monitor, they put together a geeked out photo collection of some of the more interesting chip designs. It’s always fascinating to get a look into the culture of any creators who are working in a purely functional industry, more so when they use an opportunity to subvert or be humorous. Wonder if there’s any core readers who’ve slipped a secret detail into a project purely for self amusement? [...]

    Posted by: The art of the RFID transponder - taccato! trend tracker, cool hunting, new business ideas on June 24th, 2008 at 2:02 am

  5. a very nice and unexpected look at these chips! there’s also some nice designs for smart card and phone card chips…

    Posted by: radiomexico on June 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am

  6. [...] image via core77.com PingMag recently visited Tokyo’s RFID Expo and instead of taking the usual 1984 angle, like RFID tags [...]

    Posted by: grinding.be » Blog Archive » RFID transponders on June 24th, 2008 at 3:13 am

  7. [...] [PingMag] [...]

    Posted by: RFID Aesthetics — The Future is Awesome on June 24th, 2008 at 5:21 am

  8. [...] RFID Aesthetics [...]

    Posted by: Super Green » Blog Archive » Bourne Leisure starts digital agency search (Mad.co.uk) on June 24th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

  9. [...] is not just any ordinary school emblem rather it is an RFID embedded school emblem spotted at the RFID Expo in Tokyo. Tags in the range of high frequency to ultra high frequency can work pretty well on these [...]

    Posted by: News » Ready for RFID embedded school emblems? on June 25th, 2008 at 12:06 am

  10. [...] wondering who came up with these fascinating structures?? Instead of delving into new technologhttp://pingmag.jp/2008/06/23/rfid-aesthetics/Design at EXPO ?? Your Home, Your InspirationLimitless selection of premium home products in ten [...]

    Posted by: expo on June 27th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

  11. [...] RFID Aesthetics pingmag EXCERPT: “RFID — or radio-frequency identification… we’ve heard of that before. Now, while strolling the booths at the RFID Expo that just took place at Tokyo’s Big Sight, we began wondering what RFID is used for best: as a button on a chef’s uniform to let him open the kitchen door; as an infant’s bracelet for a motion detector; embedded in boxes to trace its contents on their way across the globe or inside price tags in department stores to calculate the sales. Ah, well, if you just keep standing in front of the chip displays, you start to make out figures and characters of their shapes, wondering who came up with these fascinating structures… Instead of delving into new technology, this time PingMag takes a closer look at the appearance of RFID transponders.” [...]

    Posted by: DesignNotes by Michael Surtees » Blog Archive » Link Drop for the Week Ending in Friday the 27th (June 2008) on June 27th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

  12. [...] the full article on PingMag. Via Core77. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Electronics | Digg [...]

    Posted by: RFID aesthetics article on June 29th, 2008 at 5:04 am

  13. [...] the full article on PingMag. Via [...]

    Posted by: RFID aesthetics article » Developages - Development and Technology Blog on June 29th, 2008 at 5:09 am

  14. [...] Source: PingMag [...]

    Posted by: RFID Antenna Arts | SCADA, Telematics & GPS Technologies on June 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

  15. [...] from RFID Expo 2008 Verena over at PingMag filed a great report, from her visit to the recent RFID expo held in Tokyo, with an overview of several embedded tag [...]

    Posted by: Report from RFID Expo 2008 - Pocket.Info - Mobile 2.0 on July 3rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm

  16. [...] How many of you believe the yellow shining object in the picture above is gold? A lot of you might be fooled by its shine but I must also remind you that all that glitters is not gold. Let me tell you this is not gold rather it is an RFID transponder which was spotted at the RFID Expo in Tokyo by PingMag. [...]

    Posted by: News » Tag-it HF-I Transponder: All that glitters is not gold on July 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am

  17. [...] but you would have to eat your words when you give a look to these designs. These are some of the pretty RFID transponders which were spotted at RFID Expo and most of us would surely stop and wonder whether these are RFID [...]

    Posted by: News » RFID transponders or beautiful pieces of art? on July 9th, 2008 at 12:06 am

  18. [...] wondering who came up with these fascinating structures?? Instead of delving into new technologhttp://pingmag.jp/2008/06/23/rfid-aesthetics/TIME1 Top Stories. Give the Gloucester Girls a Break. Will ‘ … 5 ALL time 100. All-TIME 100 TV [...]

    Posted by: time mag on July 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

  19. I want to see an article from an arms tradeshow of all the pretty guns.

    Posted by: Peep on February 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 am

  20. Dear Sir/Madam,

    We are Top Leading Manufacturers cum Exporters of all kinds of “Hand Embroidered Badges, Emblems, Crests, Flags, Banners, Pennants,Wings, Sashes, Monograms, Tassels, Land Yards, Braids, Laces” for Army, Navy, Air Masonic,force, Police, Clubs, Fire Brigade, Schools, Colleges, Universities & Scouts etc. from Sialkot-Pakistan.
    Glaves,
    Cycle Glaves, Waitlifting Glaves,Winter Glaves,Summer Glaves and more etc.
    We are already exporting our products to Australia, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Belgium, France, Austria, USA and Japan for last couple of decades and our customers are well satisfied with us. We can also supply you all above items.we will send you for your inspection & approval.
    Thanks in advance with best regards
    Export Manager
    Muhammad Waqas
    http://www.sallenenterpricses.com
    info@sallenenterpricses.com
    Cell no +92 334 8076542
    Tel no +92 52 3543956
    Fax no +92 52 3543956

    Posted by: Muhammad Waqas on August 18th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag