Human Area NetworkBy: Vinayak

Nandikal

Introduction to HAN

Human Area Networking is a technology that safely Human Area Networking is a technology that safely turns the surface of the human body into a data turns the surface of the human body into a data transmission path at speeds up to 10 Mbps between transmission path at speeds up to 10 Mbps between any two points on the body.any two points on the body.

Human body is surrounded by a minute electric field

Personal data stored on a transmitter

A circuit is created when a person touches a target object

Data travels across the body’s natural electric field

Information enters a receiver – can activate commands such as unlock door

History of HAN

•The concept of intra-body communication was first proposed by IBM in 1996.

•This communication mechanism was later evaluated and reported by several research groups around the world.

• All those reported technologies had two limitations

Limitations…1.1. The operating range through the body The operating range through the body

was limited to a few tens of was limited to a few tens of centimeters .centimeters .

2.2. The top communication speed was only The top communication speed was only 40 bit/s !!40 bit/s !!

These limitations were overcome by These limitations were overcome by NTTNTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) located in Tokyo, Japan by Corporation) located in Tokyo, Japan by using photonic electric field sensors and using photonic electric field sensors and finally came up with a human area finally came up with a human area networking technology called networking technology called ‘‘REDREDTACTON’.TACTON’.

Electro-optic sensor The electro-optic sensor has three key features:

It can measure electric fields from a device under test (DUT) without contacting it, which minimizes measurement disturbance.

Ultra wide-band measurement is possible

It supports one-point contact measurement that is independent of the ground, which is the most significant feature in the present context.

NTT utilized this third feature to fabricate an intrabody communication receiver for its human area networking technology, which is called RedTacton.

Overview of HANRedRedTacton is a new Human Area Networking Tacton is a new Human Area Networking technology that turns the surface of the human body technology that turns the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path.as a safe, high speed network transmission path.

Communication is possible using any body Communication is possible using any body surfaces, such as the hands, fingers, arms, feet, surfaces, such as the hands, fingers, arms, feet, face, legs or toes.face, legs or toes.

RedRedTacton works through shoes and clothing as Tacton works through shoes and clothing as well. well.

RedRedTacton uses the minute electric field emitted Tacton uses the minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human body for data on the surface of the human body for data transmission.transmission.

NTT developed super sensitive Photonic electric NTT developed super sensitive Photonic electric field sensorfield sensor for detecting minute electric field for detecting minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human body.emitted on the surface of the human body.

What is RedTacton?

TACTON “touch-act-on” Meaning “action touch-act-on” Meaning “action triggered by touching”. triggered by touching”.

RED It is an auspicious color according to It is an auspicious color according to Japanese cultureJapanese culture

Figure shows a photograph of the RedTacton transceiver connected to a PDA and a block diagram of the RedTacton transceiver developed by NTT.

RedTacton transceiver

The transmitter consists of a transmitter circuit that induces electric fields toward the body and a data sense circuit, which distinguishes transmitting and receiving modes by detecting both transmission and reception data and outputs control signals corresponding to the two modes to enable two-way communication. Implementation of receive-first half-duplex communication scheme that sends only after checking to make sure that there is no data to receive in order to avoid packet collisions

RedTacton takes advantage of the long-overlooked electric field that surrounds the human body.

RedTacton transceiver

How RedTacton works?

1. The RedTacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the body.2. The RedTacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric field on the surface of the body caused by the transmitter.

3. RedTacton relies upon the principle that the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal can vary according to the changes of a weak electric field.4. RedTacton detects changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal using a laser and converts the result to an electrical signal in a optical receiver circuit

Multiple transceivers can be used simultaneously. This is because RedTacton uses a proprietary CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) protocol that allows multiple access with the same medium from multiple nodes

Contd…

Mechanism of communication with RedTacton The naturally occurring

electric field induced on the surface of the human body dissipates into the earth. Therefore, this electric field is exceptionally faint and unstable. The photonic electric field sensor developed by NTT enables weak electric fields to be measured by detecting changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal with a laser beam.

System Safety

NO current flows into human body from redtacton devices. RedTacton uses the electric field that occurs naturally on the surface of the human body for communication. Transmitter and receiver electrodes are covered with an insulating films.RedTacton is in conformity to the "Radiofrequency-exposureProtection” standard (RCR STD-38)" issued by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB).

Features of RedTactonRedRedTacton has three main functional Tacton has three main functional features.features.    

                                     

                        

Touching, gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other Touching, gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other human movements can be the triggers for unlocking or human movements can be the triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining data. data.

Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a maximum speed of 10Mbps. Because the transmission maximum speed of 10Mbps. Because the transmission path is on the surface of the body, transmission speed path is on the surface of the body, transmission speed does not deteriorate in congested areas where many does not deteriorate in congested areas where many people are communicating at the same time. people are communicating at the same time.

In addition to the human body, various conductors and In addition to the human body, various conductors and dielectrics can be used as transmission media. dielectrics can be used as transmission media. Conductors and dielectrics may also be used in Conductors and dielectrics may also be used in combination combination

Applications

Four major application fields using Four major application fields using RedRedTacton are introduced:Tacton are introduced:

1.1. One to One servicesOne to One services

2.2. Intuitive OperationsIntuitive Operations

3.3. PersonalizationPersonalization

4.4. New Behaviour New Behaviour patternspatterns

5.5. Security ApplicationsSecurity Applications

1. One to One services

Enable one-to-one services tailored to the user's situation and tastes

Information recorded in the Information recorded in the RedRedTacton device is sent to the Tacton device is sent to the touched objects. touched objects.

Appropriate service is provided Appropriate service is provided based on the information received by based on the information received by the the RedRedTacton receiver.Tacton receiver.

a)a) Elimination of Human ErrorsElimination of Human Errors

An alarm sounds An alarm sounds automatically to avoid automatically to avoid accidental medicine accidental medicine ingestion.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

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 touching or standing in front of items they are interested in, consumers can get more in-depth information.

2. Intuitive operations

Natural movements and actions are the Natural movements and actions are the trigger (touch).trigger (touch).

RedRed Tacton transceivers embedded in two Tacton transceivers embedded in two terminals can communicate not only data but terminals can communicate not only data but also the control or configuration instructions also the control or configuration instructions needed to operate devices (broadband & needed to operate devices (broadband & interactive).interactive).

a) Intuitive Operations

Touch a printer to print.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.

b). Instant private data exchange

Instantaneous private network via personal handshake

By shaking hands, personal profile data can be exchanged between mobile terminals on the users. (Electronic exchange of business cards) Communication can be kept private using authentication and encryption technologies.

3. Personalization

Digital lifestyle can be instantly Digital lifestyle can be instantly personalized with just a touch.personalized with just a touch.

A pre-recorded configuration script can be A pre-recorded configuration script can be embedded in a mobile terminal with built-in embedded in a mobile terminal with built-in RedRedTacton transceiver.Tacton transceiver.

When another device with When another device with RedRedTacton Tacton capabilities is touched, personalization data capabilities is touched, personalization data and configuration scripts can be downloaded and configuration scripts can be downloaded automatically.automatically.

a) Personalization of mobile phones

Just 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.

Examples of similar applications: Room temperature and lighting are customized when a switch in the living room is pressed.

b). Personalization of Automobiles

Just sitting on the seat riggers 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 sitting in the car. The driver's home is set as the destination in the car navigation system. The stereo plays the driver's favorite song.

4. New Behaviour pattern

Various conductors and dielectrics can be used as Red Tacton communication media and this has the potential to create new behaviour patterns.

Walls and partitions can be used as communication media.

a). Conferencing system

Connect a network by just putting 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.

b). Wearable

Wireless Headset

RedTacton can carry music or video between headsets, mobile devices, mobile phones, etc. Users can listen to music from a RedTacton player simply by putting on a headset or holding a viewer.

5. Security Applications

Automatic user authentication and log-Automatic user authentication and log-in with just a touch.in with just a touch.

ID and privileges are recorded in a ID and privileges are recorded in a mobile RedTacton device.mobile RedTacton device.

Corresponding RedTacton receivers Corresponding RedTacton receivers are installed at security check points.are installed at security check points.

The system can provide authentication The system can provide authentication and record who touched the device, and and record who touched the device, and when.when.

a) a) User verification and lock management at User verification and lock management at entranceentrance

User verification & 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 as fingerprint ID or other biometric in the mobile terminal.Examples of similar applications: 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 stored enables lock administration and keeps a record of who accessed documents at what time.

Comparison with other Comparison with other Human Human communication communication methodsmethods

RedRedTacton does not Tacton does not require the electrode to be require the electrode to be in direct contact with the in direct contact with the skin.skin.

With the electric With the electric amperage method, amperage method, electrode must be in direct electrode must be in direct contact with the skin. contact with the skin.

Signal &Detection

systemGround line Distance &

speedContact status with

the electrode

Amperageelectric

Clear signal lines needed for body and earth ground

Elbow to fingertip at approx. 3kbps

The electrode must be in constant contact with the body to maintain good conductivity

Voltageelectric

Capacity coupling between the earth ground and equipment

Wrist to fingertip at approx. 1kbps

Communication possible even when passing through thin insulators

Electric fieldphotonics

(RedTacton)

Capacity coupling between the earth ground and equipment

Anywhere on the body at up to 10Mbps

Communication possible even through shoes and clothing

Contd….

Comparison with other network technologiesComparison with other network technologies

Evaluation criteria Wireless LAN

Infrared

RedTacto

n

Transfer speed(Can DVD-quality images be sent?)

E P E

Performance deterioration during periods of congestion (Simultaneous use by many people in small spaces)

P E E

Duplex data transfer (Interactive processing) E E E

PerformanPerformance:ce: E: E: Excellent Excellent P: PoorP: Poor

RedTacton prototypesNTT has made three types of prototypes:NTT has made three types of prototypes:

Communicationspeed:10MbpsProtocols : TCP/IPCommunication method :Half-duplexInterface: PCMCIA

Communicationspeed:10MbpsProtocols :TCP/IPCommunication method : Half-duplexInterface: RJ45

(under constructions)

Plans for CommercializationIt seems like there was a press release event where they demoed the technology. The first demo was a PDA medication assistant that shows instructions relevant to touched medicine bottles. The second was a museum guide PDA whose contents was fed from a floor-embedded transmitter through a user’s feet.

NTT plans to develop transceivers with an emphasis on portability that are more compact and less power consumption. Through field testing, NTT will continue to investigate and improve the robustness of Human Area Networking and human body surface communication applications.

Thank You