PRESS RELEASE
March 28, 1996
Microwave-based ID-system gives new possibilities in non-contact identification

Faster and friendlier security controls on people and vehicles, increased flexibility in industrial automation, and more efficient distribution logistics -- these are just some of the possibilities offered by Confident, a patented microwave-based ID-system which permits simultaneous non-contact identification of several moving objects at distances of up to four metres. These are the claims made by the Swedish company TagMaster AB, which is now launching the world's first microwave-based ID-system with lockable and addressable credit-card-format badges.

‘The Confident system is built on over ten years' experience in identification systems and microwave technology', says Staffan Gunnarsson, Managing Director of TagMaster AB at Stockholm. ‘The system can simultaneously identify a number of moving people, vehicles, or goods items, with a high degree of reliability, and without the ID-badge needing to be identified or inserted into a special slot. The thin, credit-card-style badge means that the system is becoming of interest in several new applications'.
The patented ID-system, which is being manufactured in collaboration with a large Japanese electronics company, is based around a fast communications unit (WiseMan) and lockable and addressable ID-badges (ScriptTag). The system is claimed to be unaffected by dirt, damp, or electromagnetic interference, and can be used without problems through glass windows, plastics, clothing, packaging, etc.

Built-in intelligence and motion detector
The WiseMan comms unit can read the ID-badges at up to 4 metres and can also transfer information to badges in passing. Additionally, it can search a built-in database for rapid and decentralised process control. A built-in motion detector provides the further possibility of detection and warning of people or objects which pass without identification.
The ID-badges are factory marked with an 8-digit electronic code and can store a further 82 digits with encryption. They can be configured for various applications, such as high-speed readout or simultaneous reading of several ID-badges. The badges are waterproof, shock-resistant, and insensitive to UV radiation.
According to the company, the Confident system provides simplification and increases efficiency in areas such as:
* industrial automation (marking/identification of operational goods and products, especially in the automotive and white-goods industries)
* logistics in various distribution applications
* entry control for persons and vehicles in buildings, garages, etc
* automatic counting systems for luncheon vouchers, etc
* tracking and monitoring people in mines, hospitals, etc
The first installations in the field of industrial automation will be in the vehicle manufacturers BMW and Volvo, and the Italian dishwasher manufacturer Merloni. Entry systems for persons and/or vehicles exist in Italy, France, England, Sweden, Japan, and elsewhere./ins

Captions:
(1) Confident, from the Swedish company TagMaster AB is the first microwave-based ID-system with credit-card-type badges. It provides quick and easy non-contact identification of people and products at up to four metres.
(2) The vehicle manufacturer Volvo uses the Confident system during final assembly operations at its Torslanda factory near Gothenburg, Sweden. BMW is also about to instal the system at its new factory at Greenville, USA.

Technical Data:
frequency/channels: 2.45 GHz/100 channels
transmission range: 4 m
read/write rate: 16/4 kbit/s

Communication unit (WiseMan S1500):
database function for off-line use (15,000 badges)
data-logger (5,000 events)
motion detector (with or without ID badge)
Interface RS485/RS232, DTMF, relay, parallel T/O

ID-badges (ScriptTag 91250):
Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 2.5 mm
8-digit security code
82-digit memory with encryption function
waterproof and shock-resistant
service life: approx 8 years.

For further information see attached list of contact addresses

TAGMASTER LIST OF DISTRIBUTORS

Head Office
TagMaster AB
Staffan Gunnarsson, Managing Director
Erland Pontusson, Vice President Marketing
Electrum 410
164 40 Kista
SWEDEN
Tel: +46 8 752 17 70
Fax: +46 8 750 53 62

Denmark
El-Tek
Jan Nörret
Snaremosevej 21E
7000 Fredericia
Tel: (+45) 75 94 43 55
Fax: (+45) 75 94 43 61

Great Britain
Feedback Data Ltd
Andrew Buchanan
Bell Lane, Uckfield
East Sussex, TN22 1PT
Tel: (+44) 01825 761411
Fax: (+44) 01825 768238

Norway
ScanSecure AS
Öyvind Finnerud
PB 2178
3103 Tönsberg
Tel: (+47) 33 31 02 00
Fax: (+47) 33 31 04 70

France
Accor
Jean Pierre Clerc
10, rue Peclet
75015 Paris
Tel: (+33) 1 42 50 60 21
Fax: (+33) 1 45 32 87 17




Austria
Berthold GmbH
Rudolf Berthold
Bahnstrasse 37
2486 Puttendorf
Tel: (+43) 02623 74 010
Fax: (+43) 02623 74 01025

Belgium
Eurolux NV
Ralph Stein
Zonig Industriel, Wavre Nord
Av Mercator 3 A
1300 Wavre
Tel: (+32) 01024 4862
Fax: (+32) 01024 4867

The Netherlands
Internationale Toegangs Systemen BV
Koos Noordermeer
Corkstraat 46
3047 AC Rotterdam
Tel: (+31) 010 262 1045
Fax: (+31) 010 262 1294

Italy
Primec srl
Mario Ferri
Via Nizza, 239
10126 Torino
Tel: (+39) 011 6634589
Fax: (+39) 011 6962610

Germany
Feedback Data GmbH
Bernd Schuck
Herrnholz 14
94598 Schöllnach
Tel: (+49) 09903 2787
Fax: (+49) 09903 2813

Sat Gesellsch. f Aut GmbH
Bernhard Schurzmann
Äussere Oberausstrasse 14
83026 Rosenheim
Tel: (+49) 08031 44060
Fax: (+49) 08031 440644


Spain
Jebrimont SA
Antonio Fernández
C/Princesa 31
2800B Madrid
Tel: (+34) 91 541 92 17
Fax: (+34) 91 547 61 77

Distributors in Asia and Australia

Al Dharis Establishment
John R Bell
Mez 2 Morshe Ali Morshed Bldg
P.O. Box 8217
Abu Dhabi
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tel: +971 2 793 868

Comit Communication
Toh Leng Kwang
Technologies Pte Ltd
911 Bukit Timah Road
SINGAPORE 2158
Tel: +65 46 22 755
Fax: +65 46 23 617

KM Luk & Eng Ltd
K M Luk
BF 1/F, Shatin Ind Ctr
Siu Lek Yaen Rd
Shatin
HONG KONG
Tel: +852 26356184
Fax: +852 26356181

Kenwood Corporation
T Kurata
Business Development Dpt
14-6 Dogenzaka 1-chome
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150
JAPAN
Tel: +81 35 457 7156
Fax: +81 35 457 7160






New Computer Technology Pty Ltd
Michael Yo
5 Mary Parade
Rydalmere, NSW2116
AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 2 898 0090
Fax: +61 2 898 0202

Pacific Information Technology Co. Ltd
Jong-Seung Byoun
Sin-Song Building 1003
25-4 Yoido-Dong
Yeondeungpo-Gu
Seoul
KOREA
Tel: +82 2 785 6516
Fax: +82 2 785 6519

Scanditronic (M) SDN BHD
Hans Tysk
C11-3 Jalan Ampang Utana 1/I
Off Jalan Ampang
68000 Ampang Selangor
MALAYSIA
Tel: +60 3 452 47 49
Fax: +60 3 452 47 45