))) 3M to integrate Texas Instruments technology into Digital Identification products

New digital technology for libraries combines identification with 3M™ Tattle-Tape™ Security

))) ST. PAUL, MN – DALLAS, TX (June 10, 1999)

Technology leaders 3M and Texas Instruments today announced that 3M has introduced the 3MTM Digital Identification System, which is based on radio frequency identification technology and uses a Texas Instruments Tag-It™ smart label, specifically for use in libraries.

Both companies expect the system to revolutionize how libraries track and secure their materials. The 3M Digital Identification System integrates digital identification and 3M Tattle-Tape security systems in libraries.

According to John Yorkovich, digital technologies marketing manager at 3M Library Systems, the new Digital Identification System enhances Materials Flow Management within a library, which is the goal of 3M.

"The 3M Digital Identification System further streamlines the flow of materials into, within and out of a library in several ways. Because of the Digital Identification System tag, there is no requirement to locate traditional optical barcode labels and position them correctly, whether at the circulation desk or at the 3MTM SelfCheck™ System. The system accelerates the check out and check in process, thus making the patron's visit to the library more efficient and library staff more productive."

And, according to Yorkovich, there is no need to replace existing Tattle-Tape security strips when Digital Identification System tags are put onto an item. Because an RFID-based label can easily be compromised when a patron passes through a detection system, the combination of the Tattle-Tape security strip and the new Digital Identification System tag ensures security is retained.

3M's Digital Identification System tags feature tiny transponders that are manufactured by Texas Instruments. A transponder contains information unique to the item it marks. A special reading device can decode this information, which can be used for a number of library tasks.

"We were eager to work with 3M to design the most efficient means of using smart label technology in libraries," said Rick Heimann, business development at Texas Instruments. Texas Instruments has successfully applied RFID technology for various uses, including security access and logistics management in such industries as automotive and petroleum.

"The 3M Digital Identification System is unique in that we haven't simply taken RFID technology and retrofitted it for use in libraries," said Yorkovich. "We have selected Texas Instruments smart label technology and combined it with our Materials Flow Management components to create a system that offers all the benefits of RFID technology without compromising security — a critical component to library materials flow management."

The new 3M Digital Identification System was recently installed in the Curriculum Materials Library at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where it will be further refined for official introduction to the market. UNLV plans to integrate the system into its state-of-the-art Lied Library during its construction. The Lied Library will be one of the most technologically advanced libraries in the world, according to Yorkovich.

3M Library Systems used information gathered through extensive research among librarians to create a Digital Identification System that meets the unique needs of libraries.

"For example, RFID was originally developed for data capture applications and was used for tracking everything from livestock to automobiles. Libraries told us they want to be able to change the information contained on a digital identification tag," said Yorkovich, who notes that the 3M digital identification tag is "re-writeable"; libraries don't have to replace a book's digital identification tag just because they're changing the book's status. One of the many benefits of this capability is that it minimizes the number of "hits" on the circulation system database, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the database for all library activities.

3M Digital Identification System tags are part of the optimization of an entire checkout, check-in and inventory management process that maximizes security. Other components of the 3M Digital Identification System that maximize Materials Flow Management at libraries are:

 ))) Conversion stations for the transition from optical barcodes to digital identification tags
 ))) 3MTM SelfCheckTM Systems
 ))) 3MTM Staff Workstations
 ))) 3MTM Tattle-TapeTM Security Strips and 3MTM Detection Systems

The global leader in library security for nearly 30 years, 3M protects literally billions of individual items in thousands of libraries throughout the world. 3M is a diversified manufacturing company with 1998 sales of $15 billion. The company has operations in more than 60 countries and employs more than 70,000 people worldwide. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., 3M is a manufacturer of more than 50,000 products serving industrial, commercial and consumer markets.