))) Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems Demonstrates Retail RFID Solutions

Technology Enables Advanced Point-of-Sale Capabilities and M-Commerce Cashless Payments for Convenience Store, Vending, and Fast Food Applications

))) DALLAS, TX (April 23, 2001)

Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid™) Systems, together with retail POS network providers 2Scoot and FreedomPay, today demonstrated its latest retail application initiatives at NACSTECH 2001 (TI booth # 438), the national convenience store conference focused on technology advancements. TI also showed the ExxonMobil Speedpass™ automated payment system for in-store purchases. In 2000, ExxonMobil extended Speedpass, based on TI technology, inside more than 4,500 service stations nationwide.

"We’re seeing new applications and innovative uses of RFID technology begin to take off," said Bill Allen, eMarketing Manager for
TI-RFid™. "Convenience stores, fast food restaurants, vending machines and event ticketing are just some of the new retail businesses using cashless RFID 'wireless wallet' technology to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

2Scoot and Nokia

Earlier this year, TI-RFid™ began working with 2Scoot, a provider of m-business payment and loyalty programs for quick-service restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and other retailers. The RFID-based 2Scoot system is available to consumers as a key ring tag, a vehicle tag, and in Nokia 5100 Series SmartCovers™.  2Scoot is conducting field trials of its "buy on the fly" technology at Tricon national quick service restaurant chains – Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell in Raleigh, NC – where customers can use the system to purchase food quickly, conveniently and securely without using cash.

At NACSTECH 2001, 2Scoot is demonstrating its integrated customer management system used by merchants to track buying patterns, target repeat customers, manage powerful loyalty programs on a real-time basis, and link multi-merchant transactions for cross promotions.  2Scoot is also showing how the RFID devices provide a mobile cashless payment device that can be used both in the store and at drive-thru locations to make purchases quickly and conveniently.

FreedomPay

Texas Instruments is also working with FreedomPay, Inc., the leading provider of cashless payment and reward systems that leverages the Internet to provide a ubiquitous, micro-payment solution for its members and retailers.  FreedomPay provides consumers with an easy-to-understand payment system with immediate and tangible benefits.

In April 2001, McDonald's began a market-wide test of FreedomPay's RFID network in Boise, Idaho and the surrounding Treasure Valley area.  FreedomPay also announced that Compass Group North America's Canteen Vending, the world leader in the vending and cafeteria industries, signed an exclusive agreement to progressively install FreedomPay in 50,000 vending machines by the end of 2002.

By simply waving a FreedomPay RFID wand over a sensor at the point of sale, consumers' purchases are automatically deducted from their account through FreedomPay's network.  The FreedomPay network provides instant discounts, rewards and promotions to consumers and helps partner companies to efficiently build one-to-one relationships through brand-targeted promotions.

This week at NACSTECH 2001, FreedomPay is showing its cashless payment and rewards program in quick service, cafeteria and vending applications. FreedomPay is also demonstrating its web application www.freedompay.com, which allows customers to access real-time information on their accounts and track purchases as they are made.