The Differences between RFID Labels and Smart Labels

The technical details of RFID systems—of which there are many variations—are detailed in the patent and other literature and are well-known in the art. A new form of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags like RFID Pigeon Ring Tag—silicon chips a few millimeters in diameter that can transmit data to a receiver. Dubbed product emitting numbering identification (PENI) tags, they are cheaper to make than traditional RFID tags. With the newer PENI tags, the radio is embedded directly on the chip, driving the price down significantly.
Essentially RFID technology uses two chips, a microchip and a radio transmitter, in a package as small as 0.4 inches across to store price and other product information. In some embodiments of the PENI tag, all of the information on the tag can be updated every time the package was scanned.

An RFID label is identification label, as thin as paper, with an integrated chip and antenna for contact-free data transfer. A small RFID label affixed to virtually any object individually identifies the object using a unique, factory-programmed, unalterable code. The technology has become a primary player in automated data collection, identification, and analysis systems worldwide. In the past, high cost of components, immature technology, and inefficient methods of applying the technology have limited the commercial use of these system.
Smart labels contain a paper thin RFID tag, sandwiched between a paper and plastic laminate, to provide a durable, low cost ‘electronic label’ with integral read/write memory. These smart labels have the same characteristics as Personalized RFID NFC HF Tag (for brevity, ‘RFID tag’ is used synonymously in the text that follows to mean both tag and smart label).
Smart labels are ultra thin RFID tags that are small and thin enough to be laminated between layers of paper or plastic, to produce low cost, consumable labels, stickers, tickets and documents, with an integral read/write memory. They are destined to revolutionize many commercial operations. Smart labels have all the benefits of RFID tags, but are flexible and of low enough cost to be disposable.
Smart labels effectively combine the advantages of existing barcode, RFID and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) technologies. Like Round UHF PPS Laundry Tag, smart labels can store information dynamically, without contact or line of sight. Such labels are almost indistinguishable from conventional paper labels widely used to support bar codes and other visible markings.
However, these new labels provide the ability to carry information that may be changed at any time—providing a secure electronic “database” on individual labels. For the first time, it thus becomes possible, for example, to use smart labels on packaging, such that a label placed within a sealed carton may be read, and new information added or deleted at any time, with a range of security features to maintain data integrity. More details at spvrfid

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