What is it?
- An Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) Card Reader is a machine usually small in size, that picks up information from microchips implanted in cards such as credit cards, ID cards, or membership cards.
What is it for?
- Credit Card Payments: In retail stores that accept credit card payments, RFID card readers are used to collect the credit card number in order to charge the amount of the goods bought by the consumer to his/her account.
- Physical Access: ID cards with microchips implanted inside can be used as keys to secured doors. RFID card readers will collect information stored in the ID card in order to decide whether or not to give the person access.
- Membership details: Some membership cards (e.g. National Bookstore Laking National) send out information to the RFID card reader about the member, year of application of the card, or membership points.
What does it look like?
Sample of an RFID card, and an idea of what it looks like inside.
Sample RFID card reader
What is the technology behind it?
- The RFID card reader has a magnetic field that allows enough energy to give power to the card’s microchip by passing through the coil. This energy allows the microchip to transmit relevant data in the form of digital signals to the card reader. The card reader will convert these digital signals into the information it is designed to collect (e.g. credit card number, membership details, physical access, etc).
Sources
- http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/had_rfid.jpg Accessed August 6, 2009
- http://www.rfidinfotek.com/dynamic_images/1232797539.jpg Accessed August 6, 2009
- http://www.imagineeringezine.com/e-zine/OPID.html Accessed August 6, 2009
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