| KISTI 2005.03.28 | 「인체 통신」이라고 하는 귀에 익숙하지 않는 통신기술이 갑자기 각광을 받고 있다. 인체 통신은 사람의 몸을 케이블 대신 사용하여 데이터 통신을 실현하는 기술이다. 아이디어는 1990년대 중순부터 있었지만, 최근 화제에 오르게 된 이유는 실제로 사용할 수 있는 물건이 나왔기 때문이다.
우선 2004년 9월 마츠시타(松下) 전공이 세계최초로 제품을 발매하였고, 2005년 2월에는 NTT가 최대 10 Mbps라고 하는 고속의 전송 속도를 실현하는 신기술인 「RedTacton」를 발표하여 시범제품을 공개함으로써 인체통신에 불이 붙은 상황이다.
그렇다면, 인체 통신이란 어떤 기술일까? 먼저 정체를 들여다보면, 인간의 몸도 LAN 케이블과 같이 물리적으로 보면 '같은 도체로 간주(NTT 마이크로 시스템 인테그레이션 연구소의 시나가와 미츠루 특별 연구원)'할 수 있기 때문에, 전기신호를 통할 수 있고 데이터 통신에도 사용할 수 있다는 것이다.
구체적으로 전기신호를 교환하는 방식은 마츠시타 전공과 NTT의 방식이 각각 다르다.
마츠시타 전공의 방식은 '체내를 흐르는 전류의 변화'를 이용하는 방식이다. 인체에 송수신기의 전극을 접촉시켜 미소 전류를 변화시키는 것으로 0과 1을 표현한다. 실제로 흐르는 전류는 최대 500μA 정도이며, '체지방계와 동 레벨이며 건강에의 영향은 전혀 없다'(마츠시타 전공 제품 디바이스 사업부 상품 기획 개발 그룹의 가쇼안기 과장)고 한다.
한편, NTT의 방식은 '인체의 표면 전계 변화'를 이용하는 방식이다. 송신기로부터 절연체를 이용하여 접촉하고 있는 인체에 전압을 걸면, 이에 따라 인체의 표면 전계가 변하는 방식이다. 수신기에 내장한 '포토닉 전계 센서'라고 하는 디바이스로 극히 적은 변화를 증폭하여 신호를 읽어낸다.
인체 통신은 인체를 전송 매체로 사용하는 것으로, 통신 범위나 상대를 명확하게 한정할 수 있는 메리트가 있다. 그러나 이 메리트를 어떻게 하느냐에 따라 용도가 달라질 수 있다. 잘 이용할 수 없다면, 특정 분야에서만 사용될 틈새 기술로 끝나 버릴 가능성이 있다.
NTT는 2005년 4월부터 실시 예정인 공동 필드 실험을 위해 2월 중순부터 인체 통신의 이용에 관한 아이디어를 폭넓게 모집하고 있다. 이러한 아이디어로부터 깜짝 놀랄만한 응용작품이 나올 지도 모를 일이다.
정보출처 http://itpro.nikkeibp.co.jp/free/NNW/NETHOT/20050318/157673/ |
RedTacton
RedTacton은 NTT가 개발한 사람의 몸의 표면을 전송 경로로 하는 고속통신기술로Photonic 전계 센서(フォトニック電界センサ?)를 이용 최대 10Mbps의 통신 속도로인체의 임의의 2점 간 쌍방향 통신을 구현한 PC 카드 사이즈의 prototype이다.RedTacton은사물을 접하고잡고 앉고 걷고 밟는다는사람의 자연스러운 동작을 이용하며 몸에 걸친 휴대단말과 여러가지환경에적용되고 있는컴퓨터 등과의 통신을가능케 한다.
정보 기기의Personalizing이나Security에의 응용 등뿌리에 가까운 기술로대체제는 무선 LAN , 블루투스(Bluetooth) , 적외선 통신(IrDA)이지만 자연스럽다는 점에서 가능성이 큰 기술이라 하겠다.'자연스러움'과 '개인화'라... | | |
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February 18, 2005 |
RedTacton: An innovative Human Area Networking technology that uses the surface of the human body as a transmission path
- Communication through natural human actions: touching, holding, walking - |
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT, headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. President and CEO, Norio Wada) is pursuing research and development of an innovative Human Area Networking technology called RedTacton (*1) that safely turns the surface of the human body into a data transmission path at speeds up to 10 Mbps between any two points on the body. Using a novel electro-optic sensor (*2), NTT has already developed a small PCMCIA card-sized prototype RedTacton transceiver (see Fig. 1). RedTacton enables the first practical Human Area Network between body-centered electronic devices and PCs or other network devices embedded in the environment via a new generation of user interface based on totally natural human actions such as touching, holding, sitting, walking, or stepping on a particular spot. RedTacton can be used for intuitive operation of computer-based systems in daily life, temporary one-to-one private networks based on personal handshaking, device personalization, security, and a host of other applications based on new behavior patterns enabled by RedTacton. NTT is committed to moving RedTacton out of the laboratory and into commercial production as quickly as possible by organizing joint field trials with partners outside the company, under NTT's comprehensive producer (*3) program.
1.Background
Human society is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, when networks are seamlessly interconnected 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 and terminals; 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 and communication appliances within the much smaller sphere of ordinary daily activities-- the last one meter. NTT's RedTacton is a break-through technology that, for the first time, enables reliable high-speed HAN. In the past, Bluetooth, infrared communications (IrDA), radio frequency ID systems (RFID), and other technologies have been proposed to solve the "last meter" connectivity problem. However, they each have various fundamental technical limitations that constrain their usage, such as the precipitous fall-off in transmission speed in multi-user environments producing network congestion.
2.Technical Points
RedTacton takes a different technical approach. Instead of relying on electromagnetic waves or light waves to carry data, RedTacton uses weak electric fields on the surface of the body (*4) as a transmission medium. Figure 2 illustrates the basic principles of operation. A RedTacton transmitter couples with extremely weak electric fields on the surface of the body. The weak electric fields pass through the body to a RedTacton receiver, where the weak electric fields affects the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal. The extent to which the optical properties are changed is detected by laser light which is then converted to an electrical signal by a detector circuit.
The three major functional features of RedTacton are highlighted below.
| (1) | A communications path can be created with a simple touch, automatically initiating the flow of data between a body-centric electronic device and a computer that is embedded in the environment. For example, two people equipped with RedTacton devices could exchange data just by shaking hands. A wide range of natural human actions -- grasping, sitting down, walking, or standing in a particular place -- can be used to trigger RedTacton to start a networked process. |
(2) |
Using a RedTacton electro-optic sensor, two-way communication is supported between any two points on the body at a throughput of up to 10 Mbps. Communication is not just confined to the surface of the body, but can travel through the user's clothing to a RedTacton device in a pocket or through shoes to communicate with a RedTacton device embedded in the floor. Unlike wireless technologies, the transmission speed does not deteriorate even in the presence of large crowds of people all communicating at the same time in meeting rooms, auditoriums or stores. Because the body surface is the transmission path, increasing the number of connected users directly increases the available number of individual communication channels . |
(3) |
RedTacton can utilize a wide range of materials as a transmission medium, as long as the material is conductive and dielectric, which includes water and other liquids, various metals, certain plastics, glass, etc. Using ordinary structures such as tables and walls that are familiar and readily available, one could easily construct a seamless communication environment at very low cost using RedTacton . (Note that constraints are imposed by the length and environment of the propagating conductor, and by the thickness of the dielectric.) |
3.Potential Applications
-One-to-One services
With the ability to send attribute data from personal information devices worn on the body to computers embedded in the environment, one-to-one services could be implemented that are tailored to the individual needs of the user.
-Intuitive operation of personal information devices
Communication is triggered by totally natural human actions and behavior, so there is no need to insert smart cards, connect cables, tune frequencies, or any of the other inconveniences usually associated with today's electronic devices.
-Device personalization
Setup, registration, and configuration information for an individual user can all be uploaded to a device the instant the device is touched, eliminating the need for the device to be registered or configured in advance.
-New behavior patterns
Tables, walls, floors and chairs can all act as conductors and dielectrics, turning furniture and other architectural elements into a new class of transmission medium. For example, a user could have instant access to the Internet merely by placing a laptop onto a conductive tabletop.
-Security applications
RedTacton could be installed on doors, cabinets and other locations calling for secure access, such that each secure access could be initiated and authenticated with a simple touch. At the same time, all the transaction details and relevant user attributes (personal identity, security clearance, etc.) could be logged by the security system.
4.Enlisting Partners for Collaborative Field Trials
NTT hopes to conduct joint field trials in cooperation with outside companies and organizations to explore potential applications, verify RedTacton reliability, fine-tune the system, and gather business and market data.
| ? | Trial period: from April to September, 2005 (planned) | | ? | RedTacton equipment: NTT will lend partners RedTacton transceiver prototypes. Maintenance fees incurred during the field testing will be borne by the partners. | | ? | Trial environment: Partners will prepare the staffing, equipment, and venues needed to operate the field trials. | | ? | Partner selection: Trial partners will be selected at the sole discretion of NTT. | | ? | Further Information: Inquiries about RedTacton or proposals to participate in joint field trials can be submitted through the RedTacton website (http://www.redtacton.com). |
5.Future developments
RedTacton has a wide range of unique new functional features and enormous potential as a Human Area Networking technology. NTT is committed to quickly identifying and opening up those application areas with the the most commercial promise for RedTacton, a business development process to be coordinated under NTT's Comprehensive Producer Function program.
 | Figure 1: RedTacton PC card prototype
|  | | Figure 2: Principle of RedTacton Communication |
Glossary
*1) RedTacton
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. For more information about RedTacton, please visit the RedTacton webpage at http://www.redtacton.com/.
*2) Electro-Optic sensor
A sensor that bounces a laser beam off of a crystal (electro-optic crystal) and measures the reflected beam. Oscillations in the electric field surrounding the crystal affect the crystal, which changes the reflected light's polarization.
*3) Comprehensive Producer Function
The Comprehensive Producer Function initiative is an NTT internal program launched in July 2003 in which "Producers" within the NTT Holding Company are made responsible for commercialization planning, business development and market research for new technology invented by NTT Labs. The Producers work together with various parties both inside and outside the NTT Group to get NTT's renowned R&D out of the lab and into the marketplace as quickly as possible. NTT plans to apply this commercialization program to a broad range of products and services in the years ahead.
*4) Body surface electric fields
RedTacton transceiver electrodes are covered with an insulating film, so there is no way that current from 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 . The level of displacement current involved is considered harmless and is in full compliance with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) safety guidelines (RCR STD-38).
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For further information, contact:
Hideki Sakamoto
R&D Strategy Department
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
Tel: +81 3-5205-5391
E-mail: info-redtacton@ml.hco.ntt.co.jp |
NTT는 인체의 표면을 전송 경로로 하는 새로운 휴먼 에어리어·네트워크 기술「RedTacton」의 PC 카드형 프로토타입을 발표했다. RedTacton은 전파나 빛이 아니고, 인체의 표면 전계를 이용한 통신기술이다. 사람이 접하는 것에 의해 자동적으로 전송로가 형성되어 동기술을 사용한 휴대 단말기끼리나 거리에 설치된 기기등에 인체를 접촉시켜 데이터의 교환을 실시할 수 있다.
NTT는 동기술을 이용자 상태나 취향에 맞춘 원 투 원 서비스나 사용하는 정보 기기에 이용자 마다의 설정 정보를 보내는 패스널라이즈, 접하는 것으로 이용자를 자동 인증해 이용자 이력을 기록하는 시큐리티 응용 등, 다양한 분야에 활용이 가능하다고 한다.
덧붙여서 릴리스나 공식 페이지에 게재되고 있는 구성예에는 PDA 같은 휴대단말기의 일러스트가 게재되고 있다. 그리고 프레스전용의 데모스트레이션에서는 실제로 HP의 아이팩이 이용되고 있던 것 같다 |
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