[Federal Register: March 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 40)]
[Notices]
[Page 9598]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01mr04-51]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Wireless Sensor Technology Forum
AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
United States Patent and Trademark Office, Technology Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA), United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO), and Technology Administration (TA) will host a half-day
forum on sensor technologies, entitled ``From RFID to Smart Dust: The
Expanding Market for Wireless Sensor Technologies.'' The first panel
will address the future market for sensor technologies by examining a
variety of wireless sensor technologies, along with the current and
potential future uses by industry and government. Panelists will
include researchers, market analysts, and industry and government
users. The second panel will address public policy issues facing sensor
technologies such as spectrum use, privacy and security, and
intellectual property. Panelists will include representatives from
companies and government, as well as public policy analysts.
DATES: The Wireless Sensor Technology Forum will be held from 9 a.m. to
1:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The forum on wireless sensor technologies will be held at
the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Auditorium, Washington, DC. (Entrance to the Department of Commerce is
on 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Lader, Office of Policy Analysis
and Development, NTIA, at (202) 482-1880, or electronic mail:
wlader@ntia.doc.gov. Please direct media inquiries to the Office of
Public Affairs, NTIA, at (202) 482-7002.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sensor applications stand to transform the
way business is conducted by yielding greater efficiencies and by
reducing costs for the retail, manufacturing, security, shipping and
transportation industries by billions of dollars. These industries
currently use limited radio frequency identification (RFID) technology
in security systems, tollbooths, gasoline pumps, electronic ear tags
for livestock, antitheft devices, toys and other products.\1\ Market
analysts project that sensor technologies will be the next billion-
dollar market for the information technology industry, with current
RFID projects and services generating $1 billion annually, but
potentially growing to $7 billion by 2008.\2\
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\1\ See Scientific American, ``RFID: A Key to Automating
Everything,'' pp. 56-65 (January 2004).
\2\ See ``RFID: Investing in the Next Multi-Billion Dollar I.T.
Opportunity,'' Precursor Advisors (January 12, 2003).
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According to the RFID Journal, RFID is a generic term used to
describe technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify
objects and consumer goods and products. RFID uses several methods to
identify such items. One such method employs an RFID reader, which can
process serial numbers stored on a microchip attached to an antenna
(collectively known as the RFID tag). The RFID chip transmits
information about the product to the RFID reader via radio waves. \3\
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\3\ See RFID Journal, Frequently Asked Questions available at
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/207.
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The Department of Commerce's forum on wireless sensor technologies
is being held at a critical time when companies are actively debating
the design and implementation of sensor applications worldwide.\4\ By
holding this event, the Department of Commerce will increase awareness
of sensor technology applications, their potential future economic
impact, and public policy issues they may raise.
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\4\ In 2003, the Department of Defense and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
each announced requirements for suppliers to include passive-
tracking RFID tags on product shipments by 2005. Wal-Mart projects
the implementation of RFID tags to generate $8.4 billion in annual
cost savings. See ``Case Study: Wal-Mart's Race for RFID,'' CIO
Insight (January 8, 2004).
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Public Participation: The panel discussions will be open to the
public and press on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.
Due to security requirements and to facilitate entry to the Department
of Commerce building, attendees must present photo identification and/
or a U.S. Government building pass, if applicable, and should arrive at
least one-half hour ahead of the panel sessions. The public meeting is
physically accessible to people with disabilities. Any member of the
public wishing to attend and requiring special services, such as sign
language interpretation or other ancillary aids, should contact Wendy
Lader at (202) 482-1880 or at wlader@ntia.doc.gov at least three (3)
days prior to the meeting.
Dated: February 24, 2004.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-4420 Filed 2-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P