2006

TRONSHOW2007 Successfully Ends

23rd TRON Project Symposium (TRONSHOW2007) was held from December 5 (Tue) -7(Thu), 2006 at the Exhibition hall on the second basement floor of Tokyo International Forum organized by T-Engine Forum and TRON ASSOCIATION. This TRONSHOW2007 included two exhibitions, " Next-Generation Real-Time System Technology Exhibition" , which introduced element technology for the embedded equipment and " Ubiquitous Computing International Symposium" , which introduced ubiquitous computing technology to improve the understanding of element technology and application image required for the realization of ubiquitous computing environment.
The results of the state-of-the-art technology related to ubiquitous computing was presented by the exhibitors and organizers at the exhibition site and welcomed many visitors from both home and abroad.
Also, following the TRONSHOW2006 in the past, an exhibition pavilion for the government was established to present the exhibitions from the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
As for lectures and seminars, every day a series of panel sessions and seminars by key personnel of the government and the private sector, including the keynote speech by Chair Sakamura on December 5 (Tue), were favorably received.
[TRONSHOW2007 website]
(http://www.tronshow.org/index-e.html)

TEPS2007 Organized

On December 2, 2006(Sat), TRON Enableware Symposium (TEPS2007) was held at B5 Hall of Tokyo International Forum.
For the infrastructure of a ubiquitous society, which is based on the idea of universal design, it is essential that everybody can use computers irrespective of the age and various physical disabilities.
At this symposium, a discussion was conducted on ubiquitous society infrastructure, particularly public transportation, to be realized based on universal design.
Also the keynote speech on " Universal Design of Public Transportation"by Chair Sakamura, technology presentation and panel sessions were conducted and were received favorably.

Exhibition at the Regional ICT Futurity Festa 2006 in Niigata

YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory exhibited at the "Regional ICT Futurity Festa 2006 in Niigata", which was held mainly at TOKI MESSE in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture from October 27(Fri) to 29 (Sun), 2006. At this event, various equipment and systems were shown to give a glimpse of a future ubiquitous society at the exhibition booth presented by the Shinetsu Bureau of Telecommunications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Ubiquitous Network Symposium 2006

The Ubiquitous Network Symposium 2006 was held at Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall on October 6, 2006 (Fri). Aiming to realize a ubiquitous network, this symposium was organized as a venue for presenting reports and exchanging opinions on the commissioned studies of ubiquitous network technology which the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications launched in 2003. YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory presented research results on micro chips and the Asia Ubiquitous platform. This year, a symposium was held in conjunction with CEATEC JAPAN 2006 and the research results were presented in a special exhibition pavilion within the CEATEC venue.

Exhibition at CEATEC JAPAN 2006

YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory exhibited at CEATEC Japan 2005 held at Makuhari Messe from October 3 (Tue) to 7 (Sat), 2006. At this event, a booth was held within the exhibition area of National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and the research findings on ubiquitous computing technology were presented.

 http://www.ceatec.com/index.html

Ubiquitous Sightseeing Guide to start in the Toyota Universal Design Showcase!

The "Universal Design (UD) Exhibition of Information" is being held from Saturday, September 30, 2006 to Sunday, November 19 in the MEGA WEB Toyota Universal Design Showcase in Tokyo. In the "Universal Design in the Car" section of the showcase, the "Ubiquitous Guide Experience" for navigating each corner of the hall in 4 languages using UCs (Ubiquitous Communicator) and "White Cane Demonstration Studies" using white canes with sensor functions, are being executed.

Ubiquitous ID center exhibited at TX Festa In Akihabara

From July 29 (Sat) to September 3, 2006 (Sun), "TX Festa In Akihabara" was held at Tsukuba Express Akihabara Station. Ubiquitous ID Center exhibited its ubiquitous ID technology at the site on August 7, 2006 (Monday). Within the booth, we demonstrated various experiments including "Free Mobility Assistance Project" using ubiquitous technology and ubiquitous computing technology, having many visitors experience them.

YRP UNL establishes "uID/RFID Open Laboratory" with Fudan University

YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory established the "Fudan University UNL uID/RFID Open Laboratory" jointly with Fudan University in Shanghai, China. With the collaboration of Sakamura Laboratory, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies of the University of Tokyo, this Open Laboratory had been established as the base for research, development and promotion of ubiquitous ID in China. Also, within the Open laboratory, a permanent technology exhibition was opened to introduce uID technology and T-Engine technology.
[Click here for details](PDF document)

"River-Walk Assistance System Feasibility Study Experiment" at Arakawa River starts

The "River-Walk Assistance System Feasibility Study Experiment" began in the Arakawa River area of the Iwabuchi section of Kita Ward, Tokyo on Thursday, June 1, 2006. These feasibility studies are carried out as part of the "Free Mobility Assistance Project" promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and use uID technology to verify the effectiveness methods of providing information assistance to people visiting rivers.

Isetan Co., Ltd. introduces the "I Garden" Flower Guide Tour using uID technology

From June 1, 2006, "I Garden" a rooftop garden on the roof of the Isetan Shinjuku Store, with ucode tags installed-information plates set up, opened. In the I Garden, information on flowers, etc. can be acquired from the information plates setup in dozens of locations with a ubiquitous communicator (UC). Initially, UCs were lent out to members of the Isetan I Kids Club to conduct guided flower tours and in the future, the contents are scheduled to be increased according to the season and the visitors..

The ubiquitous ID center introduced at the Wireless Technology Park 2006.

The "Wireless Technology Park 2006" was held in PACIFICO YOKOHAMA from Thursday April 27 - Friday April 28, 2006. The YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory jointly exhibited in the YRP R&D Promotion Committee booth, which was a sponsor at this event. Many visitors experienced various feasibility study experiment demonstrations that used ubiquitous ID technology and ubiquitous computing technology by accessing the Ubiquitous ID Center from the booth.

Announcement of the 8th Symposium of the University of Tokyo, the 21st Century COE "Formation of the next-generation Ubiquitous Information Infrastructure"

On May 30, 2006(Tue) from 13:30 to 17:30 at the University of Tokyo Main Hall (Yasuda Hall), the 8th Symposium on "Ubiquitous Network and Innovation" was held by Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies of the University of Tokyo, the 21st Century COE "Formation of the next-generation ubiquitous information society infrastructure".

First in the world! Demonstrations of the cross media guide with art collection management and the newly developed ubiquitous communicator with uID technology conducted

Demonstrations of the cross media guide with art collection management and the newly developed ubiquitous communicator with uID technology were conducted by Chairman Sakamura in the National Museum of Western Art on April 12, 2006. The aim of this project is to establish a management system that applies uID technology by attaching ucode tags on exhibits. When ucodes are used, the exhibit and material can be transferred anywhere and the management information related to the exhibit and material can continue to be used without any change. This is because we can use unique identification numbers. They won't change even if the owner changes. For this reason, experiments have begun first in the National Museum of Western Art, and in the future, similar experiments are scheduled to be deployed to art galleries and museums throughout Japan, furthermore, to art galleries and museums of the world. A new ubiquitous communicator has been developed with an organic EL that greatly improves outdoor visibility. The size of the display is large and appropriate level of miniaturization was achieved as a guide terminal that can be used in art galleries. With this terminal, a cross media guide that matches the context of visitors who use uID technology can be achieved.

Introduction of uID product solutions on the web

Personal Media Corporation has opened the following web site to introduce uID products/solutions such as UC (Ubiquitous Communicator).

First in the Industry! Development of "UC (Ubiquitous Communicator) for Business use", a Handy Terminal for Business use with the ucode Resolution Function.

The YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory has developed the "UC (Ubiquitous Communicator) for Business use", a handy terminal for business use with the ucode resolution function.
The newly developed UC for business use is environmentally resistant with high dust and water resistance, and robust, which are the requirements for business use, and it also has a longer battery life.
ucodes are obtained by reading authorized RFID ucode tags of 13.56MHz ISO15693 standard, as well as by using one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode readers with CCD cameras.
Click here for details(PDF document)

In-store Experiments with AOYAMA TRADING, a Men's Clothing Store to Aim for the Full-Scale Introduction of uID Technology were conducted.

The YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory and AOYAMA TRADING Co., Ltd. conducted feasibility study experiments for distribution management systems that utilize ubiquitous ID technology for which standardization is promoted by the Ubiquitous ID Center, from the production stage to the sales stage using suits sold by AOYAMA TRADING with a view on practical application.
As the final stage of these experiments, from Thursday, Mar. 9 through Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2006, in the General main store of "Yofuku-no-Aoyama" in Ikebukuro, in-store experiments were conducted to provide detailed information to customers on materials and sewing methods, and recommendations for shirts and ties that match suits by using ucode tags attached to each suit that can be read by a kiosk terminal that was set in the store and portable terminals called Ubiquitous Communicators.
Prior to these experiments, an opening ceremony was held in the presence of Mr. Osamu Aoyama (President and CEO of AOYAMA TRADING) and Chairman Sakamura on the 9th.

"Kobe Airport Ubiquitous Feasibility Study Experiments " were conducted.

An opening ceremony for the "Kobe Airport Ubiquitous Feasibility Experiments" was held on Feb. 12, 2006 in the presence of a number of interested people including Mr. Kitagawa, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation and Mr. Yada, Mayor of Kobe City.
Additionally, full scale experiments for the "Ubiquitous Feasibility Study Experiments" were conducted from Monday, Mar. 13 through Sunday, Mar. 19, 2006. These feasibility study experiments were conducted as part of the Free Mobility Assistance Project promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation and Kobe City, and the world's first Ubiquitous Airport Information Service was provided to airport users including the disabled and elderly, foreigners and business people etc.
What's significant about these feasibility study experiments was that approximately 1,200 ZigBee (wireless) markers, IC tags and other devices were attached to the ceilings, floors and walls in the airport terminal, and services were provided according to location and status of the users using Ubiquitous Communicators and Street Information Stations (large display type).

Achievements for the "Feasibility Project for Ubiquitous Food Information Infrastructure Systems" reported at the "Food Fair for Food-Conscious People 2006"

The T-Engine Forum exhibited in the "Food Fair for Food-Conscious People 2006 ", which took place in the Tokyo Big Site from Wednesday, Mar. 1 through Friday, Mar. 3, 2006. The Forum also reported the achievements for the "Feasibility Project for Ubiquitous Food Information Infrastructure Systems " conducted as part of the "Ubiquitous Food Safety and Security System Development Activities " supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the 2005 fiscal year. In the exhibition booth, demonstrations of various types of food traceability-related devices linked to the "Ubiquitous Food Information Infrastructure Systems " and a video introducing scenes of how the feasibility study experiments were conducted. In particular, the "Automatic packaging/measuring machine with an incorporated system that automatically issues ucodes " and "A system that manages shopping data and allergy information of individuals with eTRON-applied membership cards " drew attention. Additionally, on Mar.3, a debriefing session organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Nokyo Ryutsu Kenkyusho reported on the achievements for the "Ubiquitous Food Safety and Security Development Activities ", and Noboru Koshizuka, Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo, reported the achievements for the feasibility project that the T-Engine Forum worked on this fiscal year.

"Lecture and Demonstration for the Itabashi-Ward Free Mobility Assistance Project"

On Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006, a lecture was given and a technological exhibition and demonstration for the Free Mobility Assistance Systems that utilize ubiquitous ID technology was held at Green Hall in Itabashi ward.
Itabashi-ward is working towards the realization of a universal society that is safe and comfortable to live in for everyone.
For the lecture on the 23rd, Chairman Sakamura gave the keynote speech under the theme of "About a Universal Society Utilizing Ubiquitous Technology".

In-Store Experiments for "Feasibility Project for Ubiquitous Food Information Infrastructure Systems" were conducted.

The T-Engine Forum conducted feasibility study experiments for "Ubiquitous Food Information Infrastructure Systems" as part of the 2005 Ubiquitous Food Safety and Security Development Activities supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in cooperation with MITSUKOSHI, LTD., CO-OP Sapporo, Summit, Inc., and the University of Tokyo.
The Forum started in-store experiments, first at Shindo and Misono branches of CO-OP Sapporo on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, followed by the Mitaka City Hall branch of Summit, Inc. and the Nihombashi main store of the Mitsukoshi Department store.

Feasibility Study Experiments for the "Yuki-Navi Aomori" Free Mobility Assistance Project

From Wednesday, Jan. 25 through Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, feasibility study experiments were conducted near the Yanagimachi intersection in Aomori City to verify the application of the free mobility assistance systems that utilize ubiquitous ID technology promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation in cold snowy regions.
As routes change due to heavy snow in Aomori Prefecture, guidance systems like "Yuki-Navi" were considered to be important.
Therefore, snow and road information, etc. were provided by using IC tags, infrared markers, Ubiquitous Communicators, and Street Information Stations set up on the streets and in arcades, and how information should be provided to enable everyone to travel smoothly was verified.
Additionally, prior to these experiments, on Jan. 25 an opening event was held in the presence of Mr. Mimura, the governor of Aomori Prefecture, and many interested people and citizens participated.