What is a “smart label”?
“Smart labels” are a particularly innovative form of RFID tag and operate in much the same way. However, a smart label consists of an adhesive label that is embedded with an ultra-thin RFID tag “inlay” (the tag IC plus printed antenna). Smart labels combine the read range and unattended processing capability of RFID with the convenience and flexibility of on-demand label printing. Smart labels also can be pre-printed and pre-coded for use. In on-demand applications, the tag inlay can be encoded with fixed or variable data and tested before the label is printed, while the label can contain all the bar codes, text, and graphics used in established applications. Smart labels are called “smart” because of the flexible capabilities provided by the silicon chip embedded in the tag inlay. A read/write smart label also can be programmed and reprogrammed in use, following initial coding during the label production process.
A smart label is a label that contains an RFID tag and has a surface to print human readable information and/or 2-3D barcodes. The RFID smart tag devices are basically very small database applications that receive information via radio frequency (RF) waves. This capability will automate an increasing number of tasks. For example, a library patron or store customer would no longer have to stop at a cash register or a library check out. RFID devices would store information about both the patron and their selections, which would be transmitted to electronic equipment and updated in all associated system components.
