Article: RFID Bands coming to WDW

[WebmasterMike]

We all knew it was coming...

Disneys wireless wristband replaces tickets at theme parks
OCTOBER 6, 2012 BY MIKE FLACY

Transitioning theme park technology into the digital world, Disney may soon roll out a new way to gain access to parks and rides.
Detailed in documents filed with the FCC this week, representatives with Disney are seeking approval for a wristband that will be used for admission privileges to major theme parks like Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. Rather than having to keep track of tickets, the Magic Band can be worn throughout the day and it communicates on the 2.4 GHz spectrum. The bracelet is designed to be disposable as well as waterproof for rides like Splash Mountain or Disneys various water parks. However, its also likely that Disney could produce more permanent models for Los Angeles and Orlando residents that have purchased yearly access to the Disney parks. Hypothetically, it would be as simple as visiting the Disney site or using a mobile application to add a day-pass to the account tied to the band.

Beyond waterproofing, its also likely that the band is fully sealed to prevent kids from tampering with the internal components of the band. The band houses a non-replaceable battery and there isnt a power switch on the device. Regarding communication, the band houses two passive RFID (radio-frequency identification) tag radios; high frequency and ultra-high frequency.
The band can also be personalized with a specific name. According to documentation printed on the band, the admission rights are nontransferable and the band must be used by the same person each time they visit the park.

Beyond allowing visitors to gain access to the parks, its likely that the Magic Band will interact with turnstiles offering Disneys FastPass system. The FastPass allows park visitors to register at a specific ride for a future time in order to skip long wait times. During November 2011, Disney started rolling out RFID turnstiles at Epcot that interact with a ticket using an embedded RFID chip underneath a Mickey Mouse sticker. In order to activate the turnstiles, guests hold the ticket up to the RFID scanner and press their finger on the bio-metric scanner to gain access to a new area. Its also possible that Disney could use the Magic Band to allow guests access to hotel rooms at Walt Disney World resorts.



http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/disney-wireless-wristband-replaces-tickets/#ixzz2911TCbKw

FCC ID : Q3E-MB-R1G1
To Whom It May Concern:
The radio of the device, Model MB-R1G1, is a wrist worn arm band that transmits a 2.4 GHz
signal to an indoor wireless infrastructure. The PCB assembly is potted in plastic and
completely overmolded with thermal plastic polyurethane. The band has no on off switch
and is powered with a non-replaceable coin cell. The PCB assembly also includes a passive
UHF RFID tag radio and a passive HF RFID tag radio. Please note that passive tags only
require FCC 15B verification whereas active tags require certification under 15C.
The type of equipment approval is original certification covered by CFR47 part 15.247 rules.

 

[jcb]

I know the first thing you will do when you get home with it is take it apart to see how it ticks. What I'm wondering is whether you'll be able to wait until you get home.

 

[WebmasterMike]

I know the first thing you will do when you get home with it is take it apart to see how it ticks. What I'm wondering is whether you'll be able to wait until you get home.

I don't have to. I have an RFID prototyping kit on my desk at the office.

It appears to have HF and UHF RFID Chips along with a Zigbee Near Field Radio operating on 2.4ghz.

 

[jcb]

I don't have to. I have an RFID prototyping kit on my desk at the office.

It appears to have HF and UHF RFID Chips along with a Zigbee Near Field Radio operating on 2.4ghz.

Somehow, I just knew you would say this.

I'm still trying to figure out bar codes.

 

[WebmasterMike]

Somehow, I just knew you would say this.

I'm still trying to figure out bar codes.

Morse code, you know, binary! 01 011 01 001 0001 1100

FWIW, My DW had my wedding band made so that the outside has our anniversary date in binary.

 

[jcb]

morse code, you know, binary! 01 011 01 001 0001 1100

fwiw, my dw had my wedding band made so that the outside has our anniversary date in binary.

01010011 01101000 01100101 00100111 01110011 00100000 01100100 01100101 01100110 01101001 01101110 01101001 01110100 01100101 01101100 01111001 00100000 01100001 00100000 01101011 01100101 01100101 01110000 01100101 01110010 00101110

 

[mdvlprof]

That's one way to make sure you don't forget the date

 

[jcb]

Sadly, when it comes to binary, I still have to cheat:

 

[WebmasterMike]

Sadly, when it comes to binary, I still have to cheat:

Jack, is that your binary clock?

 

[jcb]

Jack, is that your binary clock?

So I am given to understand.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm going to think up a great comment for this thread as soon as I finish enjoying Food & Wine.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I wonder if they will have an option for someone if they don't want a wristband? Like if they have a sensitivity issue to wearing something like that or they would just rather carry a card isted?

 

[OKW Lover]

I wonder if they will have an option for someone if they don't want a wristband? Like if they have a sensitivity issue to wearing something like that or they would just rather carry a card isted?

I wouldn't get too hung up ion the wrist band thing. They will work just as well on a belt loop or camera strap. It's not like they need to feel a pulse to work.

At least not yet....

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I honestly can't wrap my head around this. Why would they go through this expense on something that'd be disposable?

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I wouldn't get too hung up ion the wrist band thing. They will work just as well on a belt loop or camera strap. It's not like they need to feel a pulse to work.

At least not yet....

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I wasn't thinking of it needing a pulse . More of say an autistic kid who won't wear something like that. I', not autistic but when I used to go to a local amusement park they had a play all day pass that was a bracelet that you wore, by the end of the day I wanted it off.

 

[WebmasterMike]

I honestly can't wrap my head around this. Why would they go through this expense on something that'd be disposable?

Current media is disposable.

 

[AndyPok1]

I honestly can't wrap my head around this. Why would they go through this expense on something that'd be disposable?

Marketing/statistics/tracking.

They can put RFID readers everywhere and figure out rather accurately traffic patterns and habits.

That data is worth more than the minimal cost once R+D is completed.

 

[golden2323]

Guess this puts and end to sending one person to pick up fastpasses for the group now? If the wristband replaces the cards, you can't just hand them off anymore.

 

[OKW Lover]

Guess this puts and end to sending one person to pick up fastpasses for the group now? If the wristband replaces the cards, you can't just hand them off anymore.

Just because its a "wristband" doesn't mean you can't take it off.

 

[kbelle8995]

Just because its a "wristband" doesn't mean you can't take it off.

Oh no they will just be standing in the line with all the bracelets on one arm like it's the 80's all over again.

I'm looking forward to watching the tourists who don't understand how this works and keeps hitting it on the post and screaming about it not working properly.