Holography with RFID in a combo pack
1 03 2008Holograms and RFIDs are the similar technologies used by companies as a method for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection. Now the two technologies are coming in a combo pack with double protection to prevent pirates selling counterfeits.
Hitachi with Toppan has launched the world’s first hologram-toting IC tag. The ‘ IC Hologram’ combines the two technologies with a view to making tracking and verifying the authenticity of a product as watertight as possible. Future applications are likely to include using it to secure batches of medicines, but for now it’s going to keep tabs on really important stuff like designer perfumes and handbags.
The hologram element is costly to fake without large-scale facilities, while the RFID data is encrypted and even more difficult to crack. On top of those, the sticker they are rooted to can’t be peeled off a product without breaking into pieces.
Trade in counterfeiting and pirated goods cost global economy $ 650 billion annually. Toppan says this is crucial as “tens of trillions of yen (£100 billion+)” are lost to counterfeiters every year. More importantly, it reckons it can scoop up ¥4 billion (£19 million) in annual sales of the stickers.
Sources: http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/future-tech/worlds-first-holographic-rfid-tag-252668
