Since its inception in 1979, the SIA New Product Showcase Awards has been one of the security industry’s most revered awards programmes recognising innovative security products, services and solutions. This year, in partnership with ISC West, the winners were presented with their awards in virtual format. The Judges’ Choice Award, which recognises the most innovative product within the physical security category, was given to Suprema for its Airfob Patch.

The Airfob Patch is a retrofit adhesive-backed device that attaches to existing RF card readers to make them compatible with mobile credentials. When attached to existing card readers, Airfob Patch acquires credential compatibility, power, and OSDP or Wiegand communication with the reader and adds Suprema's Mobile Access credential capability. Airfob Patch harvests power from the RF field signals transmitted from the reader and stores it until needed. The wireless method of power and data transfer eliminates the need to splice a reader’s pigtail for installation.

“Airfob Patch is the world’s first mobile-to-RF-card signal translator, enabling mobile phones to communicate with the existing RF card readers via Bluetooth,” said Young S. Moon, the CEO of Suprema Inc. “Installation is as easy as adding a sticker. No wire, batteries or construction is required,” he added.

Suprema Mobile Access and Airfob Patch were developed by Moca system, a Suprema affiliate company that began in 2019 to focus on mobile access card solution. Moca system has developed solutions that use a stable Bluetooth-based wireless communication method that is being evaluated for patents.

“SIA congratulates Suprema Inc. for being selected as the recipient of the Judges’ Choice Award in SIA’s 2020 New Product Showcase,” said Don Erickson, the CEO of SIA. “It’s this type of continual innovation and drive to succeed that advances the security industry and which contributes to the safety and security of our world.”