Chapter 2
Auto-ID Technologies: Why RFID Is King of the Hill
In This Chapter
Investigating automatic identification technologies
Comparing various numbering schemes for Auto-ID
Understanding privacy and standards
T he world of automatic identification technology (referred to as either AIT or Auto-ID) has steadily grown over the past half-century into what it is today — an indispensable part of our everyday life. The bar code has been the sovereign monarch, the foundation and foothold for Auto-ID technologies, for the past three decades. Look on the back of this book, on your computer, under the hood of your Ferrari — and yes, even tattooed on the neck of that kid down the street with all the piercings: Bar codes are everywhere. And if you look closely enough, you might just notice a few gray lines in with the usual black ones: The bar code has entered its thirties and is showing some subtle signs of age.
Although RFID is the new heir apparent, it isn’t replacing every bar code or other Auto-ID technology any time soon. Each Auto-ID technology has its strengths and weaknesses. Even though the bar code is getting a little gray around the temples (like me), it still has plenty of ...
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