Abstracts of Magazine FUJITSU 2006-5 (VOL.57, NO.3)

Special Issue : Ubiquitous

• Fujitsu's Activities for Ubiquitous Computing

In a ubiquitous society, anyone can access a computer through a network at anytime and from anywhere. Using and applying computers systematically creates value for newly developed products and changes society qualitatively. Many examples of technological innovation have been already achieved in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. This paper first examines the trends in technology for ubiquitous computing, and then describes Fujitsu's latest notable examples of technological innovation for ubiquitous society from the standpoint of traceability, ubiquitous terminal, and security classifications. It also introduces Fujitsu's appealing ubiquitous technology now being developed. Finally, this paper explains Fujitsu's policy of activity for the ubiquitous society, focusing on the approach and steps of development.

• Measures of Government Ministries for Realizing Ubiquitous Society

In January 2006, the IT Strategic Headquarters of Japan announced a new policy framework called the IT New Reform Strategy. This is the successor of the previous e-Japan and e-Japan II information technology (IT) strategies and is intended for realizing a society in which everyone can benefit from IT, anytime and anywhere. Under the IT New Reform Strategy, IT programs such as programs for building a network infrastructure and developing human resources will be promoted to realize a ubiquitous network society in which everyone can access the information communications network, anytime and anywhere. In accordance with these programs, several ministries are aggressively proceeding with action programs and measures related to the ubiquitous network society. This paper summarizes the framework of the ubiquitous policies established by various governmental organizations. It then describes some field trials that have been conducted to realize a ubiquitous network society and Fujitsu's involvement in these field trials.

• Application of UHF-Band RFID Tags to Food Distribution Industry

Since last year, in response to rising expectations for the application of RFID in food distribution, 17 distribution-related enterprises have held an event called the "RFID for Distribution Workshop." This paper outlines the debates that are held at this event and explores the possibilities of using RFID to optimize the supply chain between manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. It then describes the advantages of RFID (management of pull-dates, optimization of individual supply chains, improved logistics efficiency) and the scanning technology issues and issues about coordination between supply chains that need to be solved. Lastly, it introduces some RFID applications in the distribution industry, for example, the pilot implementation of a system for scanning the UHF-band RFID tags of crates moving on convey belts and the linkage of this system with a transport system.

• Asset-Management System That Uses UHF-Band RFID Tags

UHF-band RFID tags with a long reading-distance became usable in Japan after a general-affairs ministerial ordinance revision in April 2005. At an early stage, Fujitsu recognized the possibilities of UHF-band RFID tags and advanced development of a UHF-band product. Then, in September 2005, we were the first in Japan to commercially produce UHF-band RFID tags and related equipment. To make a system that uses RFID and accumulate know-how from IT and its application, we built an asset-management system based on the use of RFID tags that has provided many benefits to its users. This paper describes the functions, system configuration, and effects of applying this asset management system. It also describes our plans to expand its coverage and some of the problems we expect to encounter during the expansion.

• Office Door Access Security Management Systems Using Mobile FeliCa

Mobile FeliCa is a total-platform brand by using FeliCa IC chips which are embedded in mobile phones. Nationwide Mobile FeliCa services began in Japan in July 2004. Users can add or delete applications to or from the IC chips anytime by themselves. These services are expected to be widely used anytime and anywhere because Mobile FeliCa is a key device for realizing a ubiquitous society. Fujitsu provides many solutions for using Mobile FeliCa, for example, advanced IC card solutions, and is planning various systems that will take full advantage of the safety and convenience of Mobile FeliCa. We introduce one of the solutions by applying Mobile FeliCa, which is an office door access security management systems' use case of high-rise compound building Shinjuku Park Tower operated by Tokyo Gas Urban Development Co., Ltd.

• Student I.D. System at Chiba Institute of Technology

Fujitsu has deployed the world's first student ID system to incorporate contact-less palm vein authentication technology and multifunctional SmartCards at Chiba Institute of Technology. By recording each student's palm vein pattern data on a SmartCard, coupled with verification through such information as student ID number and the department to which each student belongs, more secure access to personal records is made possible. As a result, students at Chiba Institute of Technology can view such personal data as their academic transcripts from information kiosk terminals installed at various locations on campus, by simply inserting their student ID cards into the terminals and placing their palms over the reader. This paper describes this system.

• Compact and Low-Cost Palm Vein Sensor

Fujitsu's palm-vein authentication technology can defeat the serious problem of ATM card skimming. We have now advanced this technology to the second stage by reducing the size and cost of the optical systems of our reflection palm-vein sensors. This has enabled us to develop a new, compact reflection palm-vein sensor that can be installed in an ATM. We expect the new sensor will be widely used by financial institutions and will bring us strong business growth worldwide. This paper describes the technology of our palm-vein sensors.

• Introduction of Applications and Activities for Ad-hoc Networks

Ubiquitous computing that can be performed anywhere and anytime is based on network infrastructures that people can use anytime and anywhere without any awareness of said use. Ideal networks for ubiquitous computing will be realized through several technologies in the near future. Among these promising technologies, ad-hoc network technology is expected to provide a new social infrastructure in public telecommunications, sensor networks, temporary networks for disaster areas, and inter-vehicle communications in the intelligent transport systems (ITS). Therefore, the ad-hoc network technology is important for realizing a ubiquitous society. This paper describes the requirements for ad-hoc networks and introduces activities and applications of ad-hoc networks at Fujitsu.

• Self-CheckOut System

A couple of years have passed since the introduction of the term "Self-CheckOut system" into the retail system of Japan. Since last year, Self-CheckOut systems have been installed in Japanese retail stores, and in the near future, these systems will be as important as similar store systems such as POS systems. This paper introduces the development background of Self-CheckOut systems in the U.S. and Europe and describes how they started being popular in Japan. It then introduces a new Fujitsu Self-CheckOut solution for the Japanese retail market for managing goods, store layouts, and transactions. Lastly, this paper presents a case study of the introduction of this solution at Okuwa Co., Ltd.

• Intelligent Wheelchair Robot

The number of senior citizens, and consequently the number of people requiring a wheelchair, is expected to gradually increase in Japan. To reduce the workload on caregivers and increase the convenience of wheelchair users, an autonomous type of wheelchair is desirable. In response, in cooperation with AISIN SEIKI Co., Ltd. and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), we have developed an intelligent wheelchair robot that can move autonomously. This robot is part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) project for the practical application of next-generation robots and was demonstrated at EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN. In addition to its basic functions for autonomous movement and obstacle avoidance, it also has functions for providing information to users, cooperating with traffic signals, and facilitating its management at a support center. These functions employ location-based services technology and vehicle monitoring technology that Fujitsu has cultivated in the ITS field. In this paper, we introduce the robot's hardware/software systems and report a demonstration experiment that was performed at the EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN.

• Deployment of Ubiquitous Technology

The concept of "ubiquitous computing" was conceived in 1988. (The word "ubiquitous" means being everywhere at the same time.) Nearly 20 years have passed since then. Wireless tags, mobile phones, and other technology are being promoted to realize this concept. The strong impact of this concept is based on the linkage of a logical field in the traditional information society with the real world. This linkage and structure is common for Web 2.0 trends. This paper outlines the technology for and effects of realizing the ubiquitous society. It then introduces the concept of user centric computing whereby a user selects information data and sets up an information environment suited both to the user and existing situation in a dynamic and flexible manner.

• RFID Tag Equipment for Today's Ubiquitous Society

Practical use of UHF-band RFID became possible in Japan after January 2006, when a re-revision of a ministerial ordinance established the specifications for frequency sharing and a low-power reader/writer. Fujitsu began shipping UHF-band RFID tags and related equipment for frequency sharing soon after in March 2006. To meet our customers' various requirements, we provide a wide range of RFID tags, for example, resin tags, metal tags, and linen tags for attachment to cloth and other applications. We also provide a reader/writer that can be connected to a PC, a CompactFlash card type reader/writer, gate antennas, and label printers. By combining this equipment, customers can flexibly construct their own systems. This paper describes these UHF-band RFID tags and the UHF-band RFID equipment. It also describes some examples of their use.

• RFID Middleware: RFIDCONNECT

Radio Frequency Identification, RFID is identifying things thru the use of radio technology. As it could simultaneously identify plural number of things, its fundamental technology is attracted the attention of people that could realize various things to visualize, an efficient management and an improvement of productivity. Though currently many industries including retail and manufacturing are trying to accelerate usages of RFID technology, handling RFID characteristic which are identifying plural things with realizing stable communication and corresponding huge number of IC tags information are tending to one of the obstacles which are making long-term start-up development and increasing costs. Thus those problems could be solved with RFID middleware that Fujitsu has RFID special technologies and the condensed know-how. We introduce strong points and the functions of RFID middleware "RFIDCONNECT".

• Multipurpose Practical Sensor Network: S-wire

Sensor networks collect data from sensors that are deployed everywhere, ranging from fields, rivers, and dangerous places to offices, hospitals, and homes. For such locations, sensor networks may be embedded in soil, water, and buildings. Conversely, current sensor network systems that utilize radio communications cannot be used in soil, water, and buildings. In order to use a sensor network in such places, a sensor network method that enables use under said conditions is urgently needed. Therefore, we developed a new sensor network method called the S-wire method that employs wired communication among nodes. In S-wire, each node is connected to the other nodes with wire. Moreover, power is supplied and communication performed through the wire. S-wire thus enables sensor networks to be embedded underground, underwater, and in physical structures. Moreover, wire breakage can easily be detected and paths generated automatically. This paper describes the details and applications of S-wire.

• Ubiquitous Society Implemented by Task Computing

"Anytime, anywhere, anyone" are the key concepts for realizing a society that can enjoy ubiquitous computing. Because of the growth of secure, seamless, and high-bandwidth networks, "anytime" and "anywhere" will soon become a reality. There are also many Internet-based services and networked information appliances available that can be remotely accessed. Unfortunately, only technologically knowledgeable people can currently access such services and devices and obtain benefits from them. In order to enable "anyone" to benefit from networked services and devices, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Inc. have developed a technology called Task Computing. In this paper, we describe this technology and its applications using usage scenarios as examples.

• Smart Shopping System

Advanced ubiquitous technologies are dramatically changing our shopping scenes. For example, these technologies are being used to provide traceability information about goods, improve the efficiency of goods distribution, and provide information services to help customers shop on the Internet or by using a digital TV system. Ubiquitous technology enables us to monitor stock levels of daily necessities using "intelligent shelves." By using the stock data from these shelves, consumers can create a shopping list and then use a smart shopping cart on a store's server to order the list items. Also, viewers of a digital TV program showing how to cook a recipe can directly order the ingredients using the digital TV system without needing to search for them. In response to these changes in commerce, Fujitsu is developing an information providing system called the Smart Shopping system that enables customers to shop more comfortably and helps retailers increase their sales revenue. In this paper, we discuss the new relationship between homes and stores brought about by these new technologies and introduce the Smart Shopping system.

• Color Electronic Paper

We have developed a prototype film-substrate-based, bendable color electronic paper with an image memory function. The prototype conforms to QVGA (320 × 240 pixels) specifications and has a 3.8-inch display area. The new electronic paper features vivid color images, a reflectance of 30%, and a total of 4096 colors that maintain their color and brightness even when the screen is bent. It also features an image memory function that enables continuous display of the same image without the need for electricity. This thin (0.8 mm), flexible (bend radius: 60 mm) electronic paper uses very little power to change screen images and can be handled as easily as paper, making it ideal for displaying information and advertisements in public areas. This paper describes the structure, display mechanism, display characteristics, and applications of this color electronic paper.

• Development of "enon" Service Robot

In recent years, robot use has expanded from the industrial field to include new robots that provide individuals with various services. While Fujitsu has developed many home-use robots, we are now also developing robots for use in public places. In a wide range of service industries, robots can provide services to a very large number of people. Fujitsu has developed the "enon" service robot to provide basic guidance, transport objects, and make security patrols in our offices and commercial buildings. enon can also provide many application services by connecting to a network. In this paper, we describe our development targets for the enon service robot, enon's configuration, and how we designed the system to be safe. We also present the results of a trial performed in 2005 in which we deployed enon in a shopping center.

• Interaction System Using Large Display: UBWALL

Until now, the main IT device for ubiquitous computing has been the mobile terminal. IT devices installed in actual site are expected to become more important in the future, and the interaction between these devices and mobile terminals will bring a big change to society. Large advertisement displays are already being used at locations such as airports, stations, and stores; however, they still provide information in only one direction. On the other hand, contactless IC cards are widely used, for example, as membership cards and commuter tickets. Fujitsu's UBWALL is a large display device that provides bi-directional and personalized information services to people carrying a special contactless IC card. This paper describes UBWALL and some examples of using UBWALL to display advertisements.

• Print-type Steganography Technology

Camera-embedded mobile phones have recently come into common use, and this development has stimulated a growth in the number of Internet services based on QR codes and barcodes printed on sales advertisements. However, these codes are unattractive and visually meaningless to people. This paper introduces the concept and key technologies of a steganographic printing system that embeds invisible data into printed color images, which can then be easily printed by personal-use color printers. This technology makes it possible to access any kind of digital content just by capturing an image using a mobile phone. Furthermore, unlike digital watermarking, this technology does not reduce image quality, and unlike QR codes and barcodes, it does not interfere with page layout and artwork. A wide variety of potential applications can be anticipated for this technology, for example, sales promotions and new card games.

• Knowledge Management Using Business Information Navigator

The spread of the Internet and intranets is bringing a huge increase in the amount of electronic data in the world. In the past, such data control systems as Relational Database (RDB) were employed to systematically structure and manage most electronic data. However, because of the expansion of the network community, the volume of unstructured data such as e-mails and Web pages is rapidly increasing. As a result, better techniques for managing unstructured data have become critical requirements in the ubiquitous society. Most unstructured data is fragmentary, and to make the most of unstructured data as knowledge, we have to integrate it and view it as a whole from various points of view. Two major issues in knowledge management are how to reduce the cost of data integration and how to make connections among fragmentary data. In this paper, we introduce two Fujitsu products for managing unstructured data: the KnowWho Human Knowledge Navigator part of Fujitsu's Business Information Navigator and a financial information management system.

• Development of Ubiquitous Service Terminals

Servers and communications networks will play an important role in realizing ubiquitous services. However, the ubiquitous services that users will use are ultimately provided through interfaces. The ubiquitous terminals will function as the final interfaces. Services must be provided without consideration given to location, timing, or target users. Moreover, as services continue to diversify, more types of mobile terminals without specific restrictions will adversely affect usability. Therefore, our first goal is to use a single ubiquitous terminal for various services. Various networks to be connected to said services and the functions for providing diversified services must also be integrated. In addition, different types of terminals must provide identical services even if such different terminals include existing terminals. To satisfy these requirements, Fujitsu has developed dual-mode portable IP terminals, broadband terminals, and solution platforms. This paper describes the results of our development of these terminals and related products.