CT - PocketID

Pocket-sized RAIN power: mobile UHF scanning straight from USB-C

The CT-PocketID turns any USB-C-equipped smartphone, tablet, or laptop into a fully functional UHF RFID reader, no docking station, no Bluetooth pairing, no external power supply required. CRAFT TECHNOLOGIES has packaged a complete RAIN front end into a device the size of a USB stick, designed to be plugged in, recognised as a HID keyboard, and put to work within seconds. Captured EPC data flows directly into whatever input field is active on the host device, whether that is an ERP system, a warehouse management front end, or a retail point-of-sale screen. For teams looking to buy a UHF RFID handheld reader that requires zero training and no custom integration, the CT-PocketID is a direct fit.

Performance is built around controlled short-range capture: the reader processes up to 30 tags per second and delivers a read range of up to 15 cm. This deliberately tight read field eliminates accidental capture of neighbouring tags on a shelf and keeps single-item scans clean and predictable. RF output is adjustable from 0 dBm to 20 dBm in fine steps, giving the operator full control over the size of the read zone for each specific use case. Current CT-PocketID pricing, stock levels, and volume conditions are available on request from IDCRAFT.

The ABS housing measures a compact 66 x 39 x 8 mm, smaller than most power bank adapters, and weighs almost nothing. A built-in status LED confirms power state and successful read events, so operators can keep working without watching the host screen. Power is drawn entirely over USB-C at 100 to 150 mA at 5 V, which means the reader has effectively no impact on the battery life of the connected device. Firmware updates run through the same USB-C interface, keeping long-term maintenance straightforward.

Technical Highlights

• ISO 18000-6C / EPC Gen2: full RAIN compliance with all standard UHF tags and transponders
• Read range up to 15 cm: controlled single-item scanning without shelf-level cross-reads
• Adjustable RF output 0 to 20 dBm: read field precisely matched to the application
• USB-C with HID keyboard emulation: plug-and-play into any software, no SDK required
• 66 x 39 x 8 mm ABS enclosure: full UHF reader in a true pocket-format factor

Applications

• Mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) in retail: fast tag capture at smartphone-based checkouts
• Field asset tracking: inventory checks without bulky handheld hardware
• Access and credential management: mobile verification of UHF-based ID cards
• Branch-level stock control: daily spot inventories with no dedicated scanning equipment

The CT-PocketID fills a specific gap in mobile RFID hardware. Until now, organisations had to choose between heavy industrial handhelds and smartphone-only solutions without any UHF capability. This reader introduces a third option: a true UHF front end that piggybacks on the mobile devices field staff already carry. Both Android and iOS hosts are supported, provided they offer a USB-C port, which makes the device a strong fit for mixed fleets.

From an integration standpoint, the keyboard emulation mode is the fastest route to production. Because the reader registers as a standard HID keyboard, UHF data flows into any existing input field, whether that is a web interface, a native app, or a desktop application. For deeper integrations, the dedicated read/write mode also supports writing to EPC memory and user memory banks.

When you order the CT-PocketID UHF RFID reader from IDCRAFT, you get the assurance of a specialist value added distributor. We verify the regional frequency variant (EU 865 to 868 MHz or US 902 to 928 MHz) against your deployment region before shipping, and we advise on suitable tag selection, from standard labels and on-metal tags to high-temperature transponders.

Looking to order the CT-PocketID UHF RFID Portable Reader or need a custom quote for larger quantities? Contact IDCRAFT GmbH, your Value Added Distributor for UHF | RAIN - RFID hardware.