> > As for the weigh scale, that was just a suggestion. Another 
> technique 
> > perhaps is to put an RFID scanner and scale in the cart. The RFID 
> > scanner continuously scans the basket, if there is a change 
> in weight 
> > and no change in the RFID inventory the cart will tag itself as 
> > "problem" and signal the self check-out terminal that a 
> manual check 
> > should happen.
> 
> Put 2 items in the cart at the same time, one with a destroyed tag.
> 
> I understand what you're trying to say, my point is just that 
> there's so many loopholes in the system, and no real advantage. 


RFID isn't intended to save you mony, time or hassle, it's to help out
everyone else.  The loopholes exist in every other system, and are handled
the same way.  Like bar codes, adoption & alternate uses will take a while. 

Supermarket checkout is the most visible use, but there are others.

At the warehouse level, incoming stock needs to be logged into the system.
For some items (electronics) this means recording their serials numbers, or
at least verifying that what's on the pallet matches what the manufacturer
said they sent.  This means scanning each item, or manually checking
serials.  If the RFID tag includes serial numbers, that's done in a few
seconds.  Stock can go straight from the truck to the bay.

Perishable items (canned food, etc) can have their expiry date in the tag.
This means the stock control system knows if there is old stock on the floor
and sends someone out to get it.  Currently you hire a bunch of temps to go
& look.  At checkout, an alert can be put up.  If course, the often
mentioned RFID fridge can do the same.

Sure, some items (fruit) may not have tags.  No reason not to, of course.
These can be handle like the deli section does, someone bags & tags it for
you.  Otherwise, non-RFID is handle at checkout much like now.  Smarter
shoppers will soon be trained to work in pairs, one runs the RFID stuff thru
the self-checkout and heads for the car, the other takes the fruit & vegies
the manual route.

Stocktake becomes a no-brainer.  Take a scanner up & down the aisle.  This
may also  eliminate the old "I'll hide this product over here and come back
for it tomorrow" game as it'll pick up stock that's in the wrong location.

Recalls are less of a problem.  You know exactly what part of your stock is
affected.  "Yes, we have 3 exploding Sony batteries".

Things get interesting when the RFID tag is embedded in the product, not the
packaging.  Great for thieves, they won't mug you for that iPod if they can
check the serial number is an early one, meaning the screen is probably
broken or scratched, or the battery is worn out.  Airports can spot Sony
batteries too!

Or you walk into an Apple store and the staff snigger at you for having last
years model, like how uncool, man.

The DataDot system can already do a lot of this. 

Tony

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