))) Texas Instruments RFID Technology Enables M-Commerce Cashless Payments for Nokia Phone Users

Field trials beginning with two national quick-service restaurant chains

))) DALLAS, TX (January 8, 2001)

what:

Fast food is getting even faster for consumers who’ll be using the new Texas Instruments RFID-enabled Nokia wireless phone. In two national quick-serve restaurant chains, Nokia is beginning trials of its Nokia 5100 Series SmartCovers™, which incorporate TI’s radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and use a wireless network from 2Scoot. Consumers can combine the SmartCovers with any Nokia model 5100 Series phone and turn their phone into a mobile cashless payment device they can use inside the restaurant or at the drive-thru to make food purchases quickly and conveniently.

how it works:

TI's DST tags provide a highly secure wireless transaction using authentication encryption. Using this technology, the RFID reader sends any random number (of predetermined length) to the tag, which is then scrambled based upon a 40 bit hidden encryption key so that the reader can authenticate the response as being only from a valid tag.

benefits:

Fast, convenient and safe way to pay for fast food without the hassles of fumbling for your wallet. Allows retailers to identify individual purchasers and create powerful customer loyalty programs.

background:

RFID retail applications based on Texas Instruments technology debuted in 1997, with the introduction of ExxonMobil’s Speedpass™. There are now more than 4 million Speedpass customers.  McDonalds is currently testing Speedpass at nine Chicago-area restaurants. TI's RFID systems are deployed worldwide with more than 100 million tags used in diverse applications including automotive anti-theft, asset management, assess control, supply chain and logistics.

View the Nokia press announcement at http://press.nokia.com/PR/200101/803668_5.html.