We have received various questions about the activities, organization, and technology of the Ubiquitous ID Center. The following are frequently asked questions and their answers.

About Ubiquitous ID Technology

Q1

Q2

What are the activities of the Ubiquitous ID Center?

Our activities include:
(1) Research and development; experiments and operation of Ubiquitous ID technology,
(2) Operation and management of ucode spaces.
(3) Operation of the ucode (Ubiquitous ID) resolution server and database.
(4) Operation of the eTRON authentication authority.

Q3

What is a ucode?

A ucode is a "one and only number" (unique ID) that is assigned to every single physical object and location in order to identify it. A data carrier device that stores a ucode (bar code, RFID, Active chip, smart card, etc.) is called a "ucode tag". The basic code of a ucode is 128 bits long and can be extended in 128-bit units as needed.

Q4

Is all the information about a physical object stored in its ucode tag?

Authorized ucode tags include read-only electronic tags and bar codes, in addition to read/write electronic tags. Information that cannot be stored in ucode tags is stored in the server (database) on the network.

Q5

Do ucodes support different identification (ID) code systems?

That's right. The ucode system is a meta-code system that encompasses various code systems. It distinguishes among these various code systems and uses the appropriate one. Our policy is "weak standardization"- creating systems that focus on locality and connecting these systems using computers to enable communication among the different code systems.

Q6

Why do you classify wireless tags into various types?

Just as there are various means of transportation from jumbo jets to bicycles, there is no such thing as a "super tag" - a single tag that can be used for anything at a single frequency. Some applications place importance on tags being cheap and others require good security, regardless of the cost. Similarly, some electronic tickets are platinum tickets of a famous artist and some are lottery tickets in a neighborhood association. Various kinds of RFID tags address different needs in addition to cost and security, such as communication distance, the materials used in the tags, whether it is writable, and battery or no battery. In the ucode tag system of the Ubiquitous ID Center, these various types of tags are divided into major classes mainly from a perspective of security. We would like users to be able to select the most appropriate tag for their uses by checking the tag types and the classes.

Q7

There are various classes of ucodes. Are frequency bands and communication protocols in each class different?

Basically, more than one type of frequency band and communication protocol are used for ucode tags. However, this does not mean that any kind of frequency band or communication protocols can be used. Ucode tags are authorized in accordance with the standards set by the following policy.
First of all, it is a given fact that the frequency bands and intensities of radio waves used for communications meet the legal restrictions in the areas where the tags are used. It would not be a problem if various different types of communication protocols were used. However, from the perspective of user-friendliness, situations in which users have to be aware of different communication protocols for tags used in the world and change their read/write devices accordingly should be avoided. Therefore, it is important that data can be read using a single ucode tag read/write device, such as a Ubiquitous Communicator (UC). If that is technically possible, we believe that it will not be much of a problem to have more than one type of communication protocol. In other words, if UCs become more technically advanced so that they can support multiple communication protocols, greater diversity of communication protocols will be authorized. As described above, linkage with the technical development of tag interface devices is a feature of tag standardization at the Ubiquitous ID Center.

Q8

It doesn't seem like a very practical idea to, say, attach IC tags to all goods sold at a supermarket. In other words, it seems unlikely that IC tags will be an alternative to the current two-dimensional bar codes because of problems with ID versions and management and chip costs.

We agree. Therefore, some of our ucode tags are printed tags, such as two-dimensional bar codes, etc.

Q9

Is it true that in Ubiquitous ID Technology, a ucode resolution server must always be used?

No, it isn't. A ucode resolution server is a mechanism that obtains information correctly when a ucode is read from an unknown ucode tag. In other words, it is needed only when it is connected to an open system. It is not needed when the system is built as a fully closed internal system.

Q10

What is eTRON?

In an Ubiquitous computing environment, eTRON (Economy and Entity TRON) architecture is used as a system security technology, a mechanism for encoded and authenticated communication in order to protect personal information on the communication channel. eTRON is a wide-area distribution system architecture using tamper-resistant hardware that safely stores "information" - a core of computerized social activities - and enables distribution of such information across a digital information infrastructure.

Q11

What is uTAD?

uTAD (Ubiquitous and TRON Application Databus) is a data format that describes the attributes of physical objects in the real world to which ucodes are assigned. It is a method for describing the content stored in ucode tags and product information servers and is the standard data format for the TRON standard browser.

Q12

What EAP is available to A and e members?

EAP (Experimental Activity Procedure) is a system through which the Ubiquitous ID Center supports ucode tag verification experiments conducted by A and e members of the T-Engine Forum.

Q13

Are there any restrictions when we apply for a verification experiment related to ucode tags?

There are no particular restrictions. We would like to provide as much support as we can regardless of the scale and type of experiment. However, this system is not only for providing equipment to members. We would like you to file an application for your experimental details in the form of EAP, and we will evaluate the application within the Ubiquitous ID Center and decide whether or not we will provide support for your experiments.
Please contact the T-Engine Forum Secretariat if you have more questions or would like a consultation.

Q14

What kind of support does the Ubiquitous ID Center provide in EAP?

The overview of the support we provide is listed below:
(1) Selecting members required for discussing an action plan (from the center staff or corporate members).
(2) Providing the technology for designing the action plan.
(3) Renting out a ucode resolution server during the experiment period.
(4) Renting out or selling a verification experiment kit.
(5) Joint promotion for mass media.

Q15

Who pays for the experiment?

Corporate applicants play a key role in EAP verification experiments in EAP (the Ubiquitous ID Center plays only a supporting role). Therefore, corporate applicants basically pay the necessary costs for a verification experiment.

Q16

What is a Ubiquitous Communicator?

A Ubiquitous Communicator (hereinafter referred to as "UC") is a general-purpose communication terminal used in a ubiquitous computing environment. UCs come in various styles, such as a PDA style, mobile phone style, a watch style, etc., and it is a feature of UCs that they are equipped with the following three communication functions in some form or other:
(1) A function to communicate with "physical objects", such as a function to communicate with ucode tags and a function to read barcodes.
(2) A function to communicate with the "environment", such as wireless LAN and infrared data communication.
(3) A function to communicate with "people", which is a function to provide user interfaces for various types of communications, including VoIP (Voice Over IP) and a function to process moving images, such as MPEG.

Q17

We are already using a bar code system. Will we have to create a new system when we use the Ubiquitous ID Center?

No, you will not have to. The greatest feature of ucodes is that it is a meta-code system, which makes it possible to include the data structure of the existing bar code system into ucodes. Therefore, the existing system can be linked to the Ubiquitous ID Center by adding a function to exchange data.

Q18

Do you have any plans for verification experiments?

Many verification experiments are scheduled, including the "Autonomous Movement Support Project" of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the "2004 Food Traceability Development Activities" of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The details of these experiments will be released on our web site (http://www.uidcenter.org/).