DHL gets RFID in the mail

DHL Global Mail is the first in the mail industry in Asia Pacific to implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) across multiple countries in the region, according to Cargo New Asia.

The RFID technology uses devices attached to objects that transmit data wirelessly to an RFID receiver. It offers larger data storage capacity; read and write capability; and no line-of-sight requirement for both transponder and receiver - these are attributes that traditional bar coding could not offer.

In addition to Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, DHL Global Mail plans to install the new technology in Japan in 2008.

The US Department of Transport has unveiled smart card bus passes for the elderly and disabled people, reports Computer Weekly.

The government hopes the use of smart cards in this case will help minimise fraud and ensure local authorities are accurately reimbursed for the number of journeys made. In areas where buses are not yet fitted with smart card readers, the tickets will be shown in the normal way.

In the future, the cards could also be used for access to leisure and library facilities.

Aeritas has re-acquired its extensive mobile bar code patent portfolio from GTECH, according to PRWeb.

Aeritas' patents and technologies enable 1D and 2D bar code and other images to be displayed on the screens of mobile phones and handheld devices, and used for a wide range of payment, mobile ticketing and other transactions.

Aeritas' patents, including many granted and several still pending in the US and 30 other countries, cover a broad range of mobile applications.