r tacton final report

8/7/2019 r tacton final report

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/r-tacton-final-report 1/14

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

S. No. Title

2. Introduction

3. What is Red Tacton?

4. How Red Tacton works?

5. Mechanism of communication

with Red Tacton

6. About Human Area Networks

7. Three Features

a) Touch

b) Broadband and Interactive

c) Media

8. Comparison with other

network technologies

9. Comparison with other human

communication networks

10. Application Fields

11. Prototypes12. Bibliography



INTRODUCTION

Human society is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, when networks are seamlesslyinterconnected and information is always accessible at our fingertips. The practical

implementation of ubiquitous services requires three levels of connectivity: Wide Area

Networks (WAN), typically via the Internet, to remotely connect all types of severs andterminals; Local Area Networks (LAN), typically via Ethernet or WiFi connectivity

among all the information and communication appliances in offices and homes; and

Human Area Networks (HAN) for connectivity to personal information, media andcommunication appliances within the much smaller sphere of ordinary daily activities the

last one meter. RedTacton is a new Human Area Networking technology that uses the

surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path!! RedTacton

involves initiating communication with a touch that could result in a wide range of actions in response. So, NTT combined touch and action to coin the term Tacton, and

then added the word Red — a warm color —to emphasize warm and cordial

communications, creating the name RedTacton.

WHAT IS RED TACTON?

RedTacton is a new Human Area Networking technology that uses the surface of the

human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path. RedTacton was developed

by a seven-person research team led by Yuichi Kado, executive manager of the SmartDevices Laboratory at NTT's Microsystems Integration Laboratories, in Atsugi, west of

Tokyo. It uses the minute electric fields emitted on the surface of the human body.

Technically, it is completely distinct from wireless and infrared. A transmission path is

formed at the moment a part of the human body comes in contact with a RedTactontransceiver. Physically separating ends the contact and thus ends communication

medium. A RedTacton transmitter couples with extremely weak electric fields on thesurface of the body. The weak electric fields pass through the body to a RedTactonreceiver, where the weak electric fields affect the optical properties of an electro-optic

crystal. Using a transmitter embedded in say, a PDA RedTacton sends a 5 volts pulse

along the surface of body. The human body shunts most of electricity to ground resultingin weak electric field that can be modulated to carry signals .As the receiver is located

either on another part of the body, the components of a hand free handset or in an

acquaintance PDA as it senses modulation in the electric field the receiver decodes themto recover the data. Exactly how the receiver senses these modulations in the electric field

generated by the transmitter is one of the major differences between PAN and

RedTacton. An electro-optical sensor embedded in the receiver and composed of an

electro-optical crystal, a laser diode, and photodetectors reads the body's electric fieldthrough an electrode, which then transmits that field to a bismuth silicon oxide optical

crystal. The electric field changes the refractive index of the crystal, which in turn

changes the polarization of the sensor's laser beam as it shines through the crystal.Photodetectors register polarization changes as changes in light intensity and convert

those changes into electrical signals, which are then processed by your cellphone or PDA.

The extent to which the optical properties are changed is detected by laser light which isthen converted to an electrical signal by a detector circuit. Using RedTacton,



communication starts when terminals carried by the user or embedded in devices are

linked in various combinations according to the user's natural, physical movements.

Communication is possible using any body surfaces, such as the hands, fingers, arms,feet, face, legs or torso. RedTacton works through shoes and clothing as well.

Fig. 1: Red Tacton

Experiments with a prototype transceiver embedded in a PC Card attached to a PDA have

resulted in a two-way 10-Mb/s Ethernet-speed connection that can transmit data in bothdirections, but not at the same time. NTT is also trying to shrink the RedTacton

transceiver down to the size of a compact flash card or smaller so it can be slotted into

cellphones, PDAs, and digital cameras. In theory, this would let you upload a spreadsheetfrom the PDA in your pocket to a friend's smartphone by touching hands.



HOW RED TACTON WORKS?

RedTacton uses weak electric fields on the surface of the body as a transmission

medium.

Fig. 2: Principle of Red Tacton

1. The RedTacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the

body.2. The electric field sensor (transistor or photonic electric field sensor) detects

electric field that reaches the RedTacton receiver.3. Signals are processed in the receiver circuit and the data is downloaded.

MECHANISM OF COMMUNICATION WITH RED TACTON

The slim, PCMCIA-based RedTacton transceiver combines an optical receiver circuit

equipped with a super-sensitive photonic electrical field sensor and a crystal to transmitdata over the surface of human body at up to 10 megabits per second between wearable

devices The weak electric fields pass through the body to a RedTacton receiver, where

The weak electric field affects the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal.

The extent to which the optical properties are changed is detected by laser light which isthen converted to an electrical signal by a detector circuit. RedTacton transceiver

electrodes are covered with an insulating film, so there is no way that current from



Fig. 3: Mechanism of Red Tacton

RedTacton can flow into the user’s body. Note however that, just like the weak

electromagnetic waves produced by most common electrical appliances, a faint

modulating displacement current does pass through the body when using RedTacton. Thelevel of displacement current involved is considered harmless and is in full compliance

with the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) radio frequency-

exposure protection standards (RCR STD-38).Previous reports on this technology have described short communication distances of

several tens of centimeters and low maximum data speeds of 40 Kbit/s. The reason for

those restrictions is that electrical sensors are used in the receiving circuit. Electricalsensors basically involve two-wire communication with a signal line and a ground line,

so when there is only a signal line (i.e., the human body) the signal cannot be transmitted

properly. The NTT laboratories turned to the ground-independent, single-point-contactmeasurement capability of a photonic electric field sensor in the receiver. That is the

NTT human are network RED TACTON technology.

ABOUT HUMAN AREA NETWORKS

There are applications best served by Human Area Networks (HANs) that connect the

last meter. Human society is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, where everythingis networked .By making Human Area Networks feasible, RedTacton will enable

ubiquitous services based on human-centered interactions and therefore more intimate

and easier for people to use.



Fig. 4: Different networks

THREE FEATURES

RedTacton has three main functional features.

1.) Touch-communication with just a touch or a step!

Touching, gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other human movements can be the

triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining data.

Using RedTacton, communication starts when terminals carried by the user or embeddedin devices are linked in various combinations through physical contact according to the

human's natural movements.

2.) Broadband and Interactive: bandwidth does not deteriorate even with duplex

operation and simultaneous access by many users!!

Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a maximum speed of 10Mbps. Becausethe transmission path is on the surface of the body, transmission speed does not

deteriorate in congested areas where many people are communicating at the same time.

Maximum communication speed may be slower than 10Mbps depending on the usageenvironment.



Fig. 5: wireless LAN Fig. 6: RedTacton

(Communication speed can deteriorate (Device drivers can be downloaded instantlyand In crowded spaces due to a lack of executable programs can be quickly sent.)

Bandwidth.)3.) Media: works with many transmission media common in human life

a.) Conductors-signals travel along the surface of the material

E.g. metal, water

b.) Dielectric-signals pass through materials

e.g., glass, walls, wood etc. c.) Conductor + Dielectric-combinations of traveling along and passing through

Materials

e.g., metal body and tires, surface of the body and shoes/clothing

COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

The chart below shows the positioning of RedTacton with respect to existing

communication technologies. The focus on ubiquitous service has brought about theshortening of distances in communication. RedTacton is positioned as the last 1m

solution to ultimate close-range communication. Wireless communication creates

connections when signals arrive, allowing for easy connections because connectors areunnecessary. However, seen from another aspect, the arriving signals can be intercepted,

so security becomes an issue. Wired communication transmits data between two

connection points, so interception is difficult and security can be considered to be high.However, connectors and cables are a nuisance. Taking the above points in account,

RedTacton is situated directly between wireless and wired communication. In other

words, RedTacton allows for easy connection without connectors, while at the same time

allowing transmission of data only between two contact points. It thus has the feature of being difficult to intercept.



Fig. 7: distance vs. transfer rate graph for various networks

COMPARISON WITH OTHER HUMAN COMMUNICATION

NETWORKS

"Intra-body communication" using the human body as a transmission medium has beenreported, but the electric field/photonics method employed by RedTacton is superior to

conventional methods in terms of communication distance, speed, and interactivity.

P: Possible

N: Not possible

P*: Possible under certain conditions

Signal &

Detectionsystem

Groundline

Distance

&speed

Duplex communication

Contact status withthe electrode

Between

mobileterminals

Between

mobile

terminals andexternal

equipment

Amperageelectric

Clear

signallines

needed for

body andearth

ground

Elbow to

fingertipat approx.

3kbps

N P*

The electrode mustbe in constant

contact with the

body to maintaingood conductivity

Voltage

electric

Capacity

couplingbetween

Wrist to

fingertipat approx.

P* P Communication

possible even whenpassing through thin



the earth

ground

andequipment

1kbps insulators

Electric fieldelectric

(RedTacton)

Capacity

couplingbetweenthe earth

ground

andequipment

Anywhereon the

body at

230kbps

P P

Communicationpossible even

through shoes and

clothing

Electric fieldphotonics

(RedTacton)

Capacity

coupling

betweenthe earth

ground

andequipment

Anywhereon the

body at up

to 10Mbps

P P

Communicationpossible even

through shoes and

clothing

Fig. 8: Comparison table between various HAN

RedTacton does not require the electrode be in direct contact with the skin. High-speed

communication is possible between two arbitrary points on the body.

Fig. 9: Different method of data transfer in HAN

With the electric amperage method, a clear signal line and ground line are required. With

the electric voltage method, capacity coupling can substitute. Therefore, the electrodedoes not have to be in direct contact with the skin.



APPLICATIONS FIELDS

Six major application fields using RedTacton are introduced.

1.) One to one services

Enable one-to-one services tailored to the user's situation and tastes. Attributeinformation recorded in the RedTacton device is sent to the touched objects. The

appropriate service is provided based on the attribute information received by the

RedTacton receiver.

a.) Elimination of Human Error

An alarm sounds automatically to avoid accidental medicine ingestion

RedTacton devices embedded medicine bottles transmit information on the

medicines' attributes. If the user touches the wrong medicine, an alarm will trigger

on the terminal he is carrying. The alarm sounds only if the user actually touches

the medicine bottle, reducing false alarms common with passive wireless ID tags,

which can trigger simply by proximity.

Examples of similar applications

• Alert and contact record at medical, long-term care, and childcare

facilities.

• Avoidance of risk at construction sites (an alarm sounds if specialequipment is handled by anyone other than supervisors)

b.) Marketing Applications (context awareness)

Touch advertising and receive information

When a consumer stands in front of an advertising panel, advertising and

information matching his or her attributes is automatically displayed. By touchingor standing in front of items they are interested in, consumers can get more in-depth information.


• Brochures only of products of interest to the visitor can be downloaded

automatically at trade shows.

• Inside a shop, shoppers can view related information on their mobileterminals immediately after touching a product.

2.) Intuitive operations

Natural movements and actions are the trigger. There's no "operation" any more. Justintuitive human interaction. RedTacton transceivers embedded in two terminals can

communicate not only data but also the control or configuration instructions needed to

operate devices. Cable connections are eliminated. The body itself is used as transmissionmedium.

a.) Intuitive operation

Touch a printer to print



Print out where you want just by touching the desired printer with one hand and a

PC or digital camera with the other hand to make the link. Complicated

configurations are reduced by downloading device drivers "at first touch".


•Display notebook PC screen on projectors with just a touch.

• Transfer songs to portable music players from notebook PCs with just a

touch.

b.) Instant private data exchange

Instantaneous private data exchange through handshake

By shaking hands, personal profile data can be exchanged between mobile

Terminals on the users. Communication can be kept private using authenticationAnd encryption technologies.


• Group photos taken with digital cameras are instantly transferred toindividual's mobile terminal.

• Diagrams written on white boards during meetings are transferred toindividual's mobile terminals on the spot.

3.) Personalization

Digital lifestyle can be instantly personalized with just a touch. A pre-recorded

configuration script can be embedded in a mobile terminal with built-in RedTacton

transceiver. When another device with RedTacton capabilities is touched, personalization

data and configuration scripts can be downloaded automatically.

a.) Personalization of mobile phonesJust touching a phone makes it your own

Your own phone number is allocated and billing commences. Automatic importing

of personal address book and call history.


• The PC is configured to the user's specifications simply by touching the

mouse.

• Room temperature and lighting are customized when a switch in the living

room is pressed.

b.) Personalization of automobilesJust sitting in the car triggers the car to load all its presets, just the way you

like.

The seat position and steering wheel height adjust to match the driver just by sittingin the car. The driver's home is set as the destination in the car navigation system.

The stereo plays the driver's favorite song.




• Touching the TV remote control triggers a filter/search routine according to

your personal programming preferences.

4.) New Behavior Patterns

Various conductors and dielectrics can be used as RedTacton communication media, and

this has the potential to create new behavior patterns.

a.) Conferencing System

Connect to a network just by putting a laptop on the table

An electrically conductive sheet is embedded in the table. A network connection

is initiated simply by placing a lap-top on the table. Using different sheet

patterns enables segmentation of the table into subnets


• Walls and partitions can be used as communication media, eliminating

construction to install electrical wiring.

• Ad hoc networking using conductive liquid sprays is possible.

b.) Wearable

Wireless Headset

RedTacton can carry music or video between headsets, mobile devices,

mobilephones, etc. Users can listen to music from a RedTacton player simplyby putting on a headset or holding a viewer.


• Connecting head mounted displays.

5.) Security Applications

Automatic user authentication and log-in with just a touch. ID and privileges are recorded

in a mobile RedTacton device. Corresponding RedTacton receivers are installed at

security check points. The system can provide authentication and record who touched thedevice, and when.

a.) User verification and lock management at the entrance

User verification and unlocking with just a touch

Carrying a mobile RedTacton-capable device in one's pocket, ID is verified and the

door unlocked when the user holds the doorknob normally. Secure lock

administration is possible by combining personal verification tools such asfingerprint ID or other biometric in the mobile terminal.


• Automated car door lock/unlock just by touching the handle; unlocking

a bicycle just by sitting on it.

• As a pass in amusement facilities



b.) Confidential document management

Automatic access log for confidential document storage

A RedTacton receiver in a cabinet where important documents are storedenables lock administration and keeps a record of who accessed documents at

what time.


• Seat reservation management by verifying that the right person is in the

right seat.

• Log and verification of the person who touched the terminal.

6.) Communication in new domains

• Potential for use as communication method in outer space and under water

• Potential for use as communication method with devices inside the human body

PROTOTYPES

Security Devices (Development Completed)

Portable Card-Size Transmitter

• Transmission rate: 230Kbps

• Protocol: Proprietary protocol

• Transmission method: Unidirectional

Embedded Receiver

• Transmission rate: 230Kbps

• Protocol: Proprietary protocol

• Transmission method: Unidirectional

• External device interface:

10/100BASE-T, RS232C

Data Transmission Devices (in Development).

PC Card Transceiver

• Transmission rate: 10Mbp

• Protocol: TCP/IP

• Transmission method: Half-duplex

• Terminal interface: PCMCI

Embedded Receiver



• Transmission rate: 10Mbp

• Protocol: TCP/IP

• Transmission method: Half-duplex

• External device interface: 10BASE-T

USB Transceiver

• Transmission rate not yet determined(in testing stage)

r tacton final report

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