Tokyo, September 27, 2004
Rikkyo Primary School today introduced a new security system at its Tokyo campus that uses active RFID tags(1) to accurately monitor the comings and goings of its students in real time. The system, which was developed and is being deployed by Fujitsu Limited, will also help guard against unauthorized entry to the school grounds. The system begins trial operation today and is scheduled for full-scale rollout with the beginning of the new school year in April 2005.
With a number of students commuting a long distance to the school, Rikkyo Primary School administrators and parents recognized the need for enhanced measures to ensure the safety of the children. The new system automatically records the exact time a student enters or exits the campus, making it possible for school staff as well as parents or guardians to confirm the safe arrival and exit of each child.
In the new system, students and authorized staff are given active RFID tags, which can be attached to book bags or other personal items. Because the tags can be read by scanners from a distance of up to 10 meters, no specialized entryways are required, and students can come and go freely without having to stop at a security checkpoint. Their entry/exit is recorded simply when they pass by the scanners.
In developing the system, Fujitsu and Rikkyo Primary School gave careful consideration to privacy and safety concerns. The RFID tags themselves use number codes and carry no individually identifying or information. As a result, no personal information about a student could be obtained from the tag should it be lost or stolen. In addition, because the tags use very low-power radio waves even weaker than television broadcast signals, there is no health impact.
"We take school security very seriously and already employ security cameras and have guards posted on school grounds 24 hours a day," said Tsukasa Tanaka, principal of Rikkyo Primary School. "By supplementing these measures with this state-of-the-art active RFID tag-based system, we will be able to provide an even more secure environment for offering individually oriented instruction under our Christian-based educational principles."
In addition to school security applications, Fujitsu is developing and deploying innovative active RFID tag solutions in an expanding array of fields, including manufacturing, logistics and the retail sector.
Main Features of New Security System for Rikkyo Primary School
1. Individual Recognition via Active RFID Tags
The system instantaneously records the comings and goings of multiple people passing by the scanners, which are able to read the active RFID tags from a distance of up to 10 meters. This enables real-time monitoring of students' arrivals and departures without them having to stop at security checkpoints. As the system does not require the installation of specialized gateways, it is easy to set up and tie in with the school’s existing infrastructure.
a. Unobtrusive Monitoring of School Entry/Exit
The system instantaneously records the comings and goings of multiple people passing by the scanners, which are able to read the active RFID tags from a distance of up to 10 meters. This enables real-time monitoring of students' arrivals and departures without them having to stop at security checkpoints. As the system does not require the installation of specialized gateways, it is easy to set up and tie in with the school's existing infrastructure.
b. Detection of Unauthorized Entry
With all students and school staff members carrying active RFID tags, the system is able to identify all authorized personnel as they enter or leave the school grounds. In concert with infrared sensors at the gate, it also detects any unauthorized entry.
c. Privacy and Data Security
As the active RFID tags themselves carry no individually identifying information, no personal information could be obtained from the tags should they be lost or stolen.
2. E-mail Notification of School Arrival/Departure
The system can send an e-mail notification to a child's parent or guardian when the child enters and leaves the campus, enabling real-time confirmation of school arrival and departure times.
3. Dedicated Website for Confirmation of School Arrival/Departure
Teachers and staff can verify the comings and goings of all the children at the school via a dedicated secure web site, which shows both active RFID tag time-stamps and security camera imagery. Parents and guardians can likewise log onto the secure site to confirm school arrival and departure information for their own children.
4. Enhanced Security through Linkage of Active RFID Tags and Security Cameras
Linkage of the active RFID tag system with the existing security camera system enables instant search and identification of time and photographic evidence in the case of unauthorized entry.
5. Urgent Contact Network
The new system also supports an e-mail-based urgent contact network feature for providing important information to the school community on a timely basis. This could be used, for instance, in the event of public safety warnings issued in the event of accidents or weather incidents requiring last-minute school closings or evacuations. It could also be used in non-emergency situations, such as distributing parent/guardian confirmation and attendance notices for school events.
Active RFID tag using security system developed by Fujitsu