RFID Beyond Data Acquisition :
Innovative Applications throughout the Value Chain
MIT – Stanford joint Conference, Oct 10, 2007
Practical Implementation of RFID
for Driving the Ubiquitous
Ryo IMURA Ph.D.
Hitachi, Ltd.
Professor, University of Tokyo
Evolution of RFID Technology
Attention to Auto Identification
in Ubiquitous Network
Ubiquitous : for anyone, anytime and from anywhere
Networked service for Product information and Location
Open SCM for Retail Industries
Palette & Case level, Long reading distance, Anti-collision
1) more cost reduction, 2) improve the system operation
Social Demand of Tracking & Tracing Service
Item level tagging, Product authentication for Lifecycle
1) Security & Safety, 2) Reliability, 3) Quality, 4) Traceability
Ubiquitous ID (ucode*) :
*unique ID code simply to identify only item information
1
μ-Chip for item tagging with u-code
*μ-Chip
1. Chip Size
 World smallest RFID chip
 0.4 mm x 0.4mm x 0.1mm
2. 2.45GHz ISM band
3. Security
approx. 50mm
 Read only memory (ROM)
 128 bits unique ID (u-code) written during production
4. Passive Transponder
 No power source to maintain the chip (battery-less)
 Reading distance: approx 10-60 cm with anti-collision
5. Simplicity
 Complex functionality enabled through back office
system and networked database (No application data)
*(Originally developed for Counterfeit Prevention of Banknote in 1997)
2
Typical application : World EXPO 2005
Result of e-Ticketing System (for 6 month operation)
Total number of μRFID
embedded e-ticket
25 M
Total system down
0 sec
Ticket entrance through put
28 msec/p
(Target = 2 sec/piece)
Entry by counterfeit ticket
0
(Some copies appeared at ticket shop
but could not be used and changed)
Error rate
0.0016 %
(Target = 0.03 %)
Approaching to
the Shanghai
EXPO 2010 !
RFID e-ticketing system has been successfully achieved
for such a large scale world EXPO and Amusement
3
Result of Washing Test
(reliability check)
Once during the
World EXPO 2005,
a mother washed
her husband pant
without checking
the pocket which
includes the ticket
μ-Chip u-ID was successfully detected after 10X washing
4
Expansion of e-Ticketing System
in Xin Dian Di Countdown Party 2007
Co-organized by Shanghai Municipal
Government and Shui-on Land Ltd.
Requirements :
- Distinguish different types of tickets
- Chips are numbered & accordant with ticket No
- Status of each ticket
Data report collected by R-Ticket for tracking
& record of attendee information and traffics
Reliability : Detection of 3,000 counterfeit tickets
High performance : High speed entrance
Easy-to-use : Do not require knowledge/training
Statistics : Data report for data analysis
5
Innovation of The Tech Museum (@San Jose)
(from 2004)
Interactive
experience
enabled by
RFID wristband
Enter your TechTag number here:
GO!
Visitor can re-experience
interaction at museum
Website
Conversion to µ-chip from 13.56MHz
technology greatly reduced cost of
RFID wristband program
6
Smart Library System (Self-rental service)
1. Improvement by μ-Chip RFID with unique ID number
for Quick & Easy procedure without standing in a line
μ-Chip anti-collision feature enables
to detect multiple books at a time
Automatic Rental
machine
(for Lending & Return)
Entry of
member ID
Easy & speedy for
self-service users
(Reference & Reservation)
*1 Detecting each book ID smoothly
from thin books even if piled up
*2 No waiting for checking in & out
even in the weekend congestion
Reader
e-Library opened in Tokyo from Nov, 2007
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Smart Library System (Library Stocktaking)
2. Easy and simple quick checking for collection of books
Pulling out each book and read the barcode one by one
Barcode
Conventional
reader
(Barcode)
Transaction : 1,000 / hour (reference)
Only scanning μ-Chip embedded in the book cover by reader
Using RFID
μ-chip
Low cost
& invisible
μ-Chip tag
00E8XX･･･
μ-Chip
Transaction : 30,000 / hour reader
Transfer / authentication
*Checking huge number
of books and materials
without closing the library
*In the case of one public library in Japan it improved the stocktaking
by checking the collection of books of each cabinet day by day
8
Total System of Smart Library (e-Library)
ID Management Server(DB)
μ-Chip & Mag-tape hybrid tag system
Automatic
Rental machine
μ-reader for checking book
Reader
Display
terminal
Handy
reader
Library Data
system
Mag-tape
Gate
reader
Mag-tape
attachment
9
Smart Library System (Value added service)
3. Easy to search the contents of book and look for
the location where the related materials stored
Contents of book and related information
are shown in the display of Kiosk
terminal by reading μ-Chip ID
著者紹介
Author index
Related books
読んだ人
の声
同じジャンル
の本
Connection
Extension
- Introduction of books written by the same author and in same edition
- Referring which library stores related books and on line reservation
- Networking with school and university library in near future
10
New Approach for Embedded Technology
µ-Chip
2.45GHz embedded antenna
Original Concept : Anti-counterfeit
of Banknote and Direct embedding
into Paper Media
µ-Chip
Ultra-small Embedded
Antenna type µ-Chip
worked as RFID Tag
For example : Banknote, Certificate,
Voucher and Document control etc
11
Document Filing and Management System
Keeping important papers by attaching RFID with unique ID
Tracking items : who keeps it, who takes out of office,
who makes copy, who loses it, who forgets to return,
how long to maintain and how to make easy stocktaking
Typical maintenance period
Financial book & balance sheet
Location and position sensing ID
(commercial code) : 10 years
Public design drawings : 20-50 years
Filing case
Important
documents
μ-Chip
μ-Chip
embedded
document & file
Filing cabinet
12
Service and Concerns
in Ubiquitous RFID Applications
●To realize Secure and Easy access services from anytime,
anywhere, anyone and anything
●RFID applications and new business models are related to
many items such as services, network architecture, security,
privacy and even for human lifestyle & culture
●The essential part should be how can RFID solutions meet
the User Requirements and Public Expectation
●To add value to the existing market situation both in the
upstream processing industry and for downstream consumers
Ex. Traceability in Food Chain and Medicine
Prevention of Counterfeit & Copy products
For the establishment of Public & Social Infrastructure
13
Current topics in the Food Market
Increase in Customer Concerns
1. Diseases
BSE, Chicken Fever
2. Contamination
Virus, Food Additives, Chemical remainders
3. Security
Anti-counterfeit
4. Quality Assurance
GM food products
e.g. Regulation and Standardization in Japan
・Food Safety Law
・Production record ＪＡＳ(Japanese Agricultural Standard) Law
・Beef Traceability Law (Dec 2004)
・ＨＡＣＣＰ（Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point）
・ISO２２０００（Food Safety Management System）
14
Traceability in Future Food Chain
Farm/Maker
Distribution Market/Store
Origin
Produce
Processing
Shipment
Sorting
Inspection
Labeling
Delivery
Arrival
Inventory
Quality
Inspection
Consumer
Ubiquitous
Information Access to
Production & Distribution history
Product/Food
Information
Traceability DB Center
Expanding food
traceability Project
to cross-border
such as ASEAN
from Jan, 2008
Everybody knows
“China free” in article
15
Item Tagging of Small Medicine Package
“S” shape pattern
small antenna tag
(molded in Plastic
Cap in future)
Product DB
To identify each drug
information through
Internet Data Center
Checking miss-packing, medical effects
or combination and terms of validity etc.
16
Certified Tag for Fire Sensor
For checking
terms of validity
of Battery
for use of periodic
Inspection and
Maintenance
service
UID-DB*
ucode tag
*Authorized by Japan Housing Corporation
UID :
(For Building & Home security)
Ubiquitous Data Center
17
Practical application in Power Industry
- Testing for Terminal connection -
Confirmation of terminal wiring by
unique ID code matching each other
For Construction and Maintenance
in case of huge number of wiring
Newly developed
U-shaped antenna
18
Tool and Implement Management
Prevention of missing Tools item level
“Tool Guard”
for your safety and secure construction
Package System
1.Attaching RFID
unique ID to each
Tool with on-Metal
application Tag
2.Check Tool IDs
before carrying out
3.Confirm each ID
& number of Tools
after usage
19
RFID tag for Metal product
(HITACHI Joho Chipin/Innovation)
52.0mm
Specification (μ-Chip metal tag)
Antenna
SUS304 0.5mm*t
Sealing
Silicon resin
Screw hole 3.5mmΦ
Range
0-40 ℃ (-30-70℃)
Distance
10-500mm
Kitchen gas equipment
with tag for Maintenance History & Asset Management
20
RFID Application for Factory Automation
- Error rate (up to 5%) of conventional Bar-code
Issues to be solved: - Bar-code cannot be read after painting process
DB associates each
material with the μ-ID
and its corresponding
NC process data
Difficulties in 13.56MHz, UHF band RFID implementation due
to the narrow tag spacing and interference between readers
Entry & linking of
μ-ID and NC Process
information
μ-ID
Attaching
μ-Chip tag
&
ID read
μ-ID
ID read
&
Access to
NC data
μ-ID Inspection
Order
NC Process Data
NC Data
NC
machine
process
DB
Painting
process
Inspection
Stage
- - -Full Automation- - Material Wood
21
Sample Tag for CD/DVD Authentication
To identify the
Disc for rental
service
(it also protects
illegal copy of
contents)
22
Anti-counterfeit Prevention for Liquor
Liquor label
with fragile
antenna
(not to be
reused)
DB
To identify
original brand
23
Mobile RFID Reader
Key device for Ubiquitous Network Access
RFID reader and cell phone
combined with Bluetooth
Prototype Reader
embedded into
cell phone
(2005.11)
Now commercialized
by several mobile
phone makers
24
Guideline for Public Policy
- Privacy protection and Security Starting up RFID in Lifestyle
1) Do not implement RFID only by industry users viewpoint
2) Listen to the consumer’s voice and clear up their concern
Needs basic policy
1) Inform the consumer : Notice “RFID tag attached ! “
2) “RFID tag” could be killed by consumer’s request
(At least to provide the technical solution)
25
UHF band RFID for Open SCM use
(ISO18000-6)
“μ-Chip HIBIKI” UHF band tag Prototype
ISO 18000-6 Type C compliant
IC chip
Inlet size：154mm×13mm
Antenna
Final target : 5￠ price level Inlet (chip+antenna)@100M/month
26
Privacy Protection Scheme
by “Secure RFID” Project
Retail Store
Consumer
Sales
Reuse & Recycle
Consumption
RFID tag
Readable
Password
Deactivation
ISO18000-6 Type C
Current specification
“Kill Command” =
Permanent Deactivation
Unreadable or
Reduced Read Distance
Password
Readable
Reactivation
New Feature planned by post-HIBIKI
“Secure RFID” Project
Password operation enables
Deactivation & Reactivation
in addition to Kill Command
27
Returnable Cage for ECO’S
Hibiki Tag
Antenna
Light
Distribution reading
28
Ubiquitous multi band Reader
●Several types of Ubiquitous communicator (By Ubiquitous Network Lab.)
(common for both 13.56MHz & 2.45GHz)
PDA type
Business UC
μUC
●U-ID Evaluation Kit
◎PDA type reader and
authorized U-code tag
with U-ID software
◎Network connection with
U-ID data center for linking
system operation
29
Joint activities for Traceability Implementation
Industry, academic, government promote strongly
various activity for utilization (more than 100 Projects)
- Driven by e-Japan strategy-
Ministry
Industry
Platform
Ministry of
Economy,
Trade and
Industry
Steel
Ministry of
Ministry of
Agriculture,
Internal
Forestry and
Affairs and
Fisheries
Communications
Publishing
Ubiquitous ＩＤ Center
Food
Ministry of
Land
Infrastructure
and Transport
e-ticket
Ministry of
Health Labor
and Welfare ・・・・・
Medical
Drug ・・・・・
/Health
RFID tag & reader supplier
・・・・・
Hitachi etc.
30
Sensor Net Technology
For New Environmental Health Management & Energy Conservation
Operating Plan
Customer Center
Service Management
Internet
Weather Data Base
Report
【Actual Achievement Collecting
System】
Client building
Central Kitchen
Building Server
G/W
•PC Operating
Information
Local control
Collecting PC operating information
Controller
ＬＡＮ
•PC Operating
Information
•PC Operating
Information
Thermometers,Hygrometers,Light meters
Lights
Air Conditioners
Sensor Net
Electricity meters
（lighting/conditioning/Whole）
31
Over the coming 10-20 years
--- Low cost tag & reader
---Embedded technology
--- System operation
---Networked RFID
ROAD MAP --- Proliferation of devices [mobile phones with RFID readers ?]
--- Sensor Network (Location system, temperature tracking etc)
APPLICATION
- Railway pass
- e-ticket
- e-Pedigree
- Recycling
- Passports
- Citizen Cards
- e-Library
- Food packaging
- Banknote
- Smart Toys
In-house (Production FA, QA)
SCM (Palette & Case)
Authentication (Item level)
Product Lifecycle Management
EVOLUTION
New Mobile Device Business Models
Environmental Regulation : WEEE, RoHS, REACH
32
33
Nikkei Article for UHF band RFID
UHF帯ICタグの店頭利用が困難に
ペースメーカーに悪影響の恐れ、高島屋が利用を断念
UHF帯無線ICタグ・リーダーに対す
る総務省の新指針が波紋を広げて
いる。リーダーが発する電波がペー
スメーカーに悪影響を与える恐れが
あり、それを警告するステッカを表
示せよという内容だ。その指針を受
けて、UHF帯の採用を断念するユー
ザーも出てきた。
- July 31, 2007 -
According to the Ministry
guideline which indicates
a kind of pace-maker has
been found to be affected
by UHF band reader power
equipment so that several
big Japanese Department
stores gave up to use
UHF band RFID in the store.
from Nikkei, July 31, 2007
34
Issue for Open SCM Business Use
“Beneficiary” may not always be the “Cost payer”
No Direct Benefit by tagging
Mismatch!
Happy & Positive
Negative
Material Supplier
Tagging Cost
Processing
System cost &
Operation Cost
Clear Benefit on SCM
Warehouse
Distributor
Retailer
Operation Improvement
& Cost Reduction
“Beneficiary” ==“Cost Payer”
Who is the “Decision Maker”?
Mechanism for cost-sharing and balance the costs & benefits
35
Customer & User Concern (Market Survey)
1. Still cannot find out clear Benefit for both suppliers and
users, and need to establish Cost Sharing Mechanism
2. Still component is expensive, and need to find out
vehicle application to reduce the tag price more cheaper
3. Still watching the Standardization activity, and need to
show when the entire specification will be completed
4. In case of UHF band, users are enforced to customize
tag & reader for each application environment in order to
establish the reading accuracy
5. Still need effort to achieve the common understandings
and public acceptance on Security, Privacy & Safeness
36
Essentials for RFID Revolution
To the next step :
- Common understandings for Public acceptance
- Feasibility Test to show the clear Benefit for both
Industry users and Consumers
- Innovative Technology Development by Government,
Industry and Academia
Three major categories of RFIDs
Shadow cost
Safety & Security
Reliability
Must to have RFID
Nice to have RFID
Cost reduction in SCM
Brand protection
Quality control
Traceability
Public expectation
Hugh potential market
37