ijesr/march 2013/ volume-3/issue-3/article no-19/2729-2742 ... · 2assistant professor , phonics...

*Corresponding Author www.ijesr.org 2729

IJESR/March 2013/ Volume-3/Issue-3/Article No-19/2729-2742 ISSN 2277-2685

International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

RED TACTON: ADVANCED COMMUNICATION USING TOUCH

TECHNOLOGY

Parag Bansal1 , Amit Kumar Chauhan*

2, Shubhangi Joshi

3

1B.Tech. Student, Phonics School of Engineering, Roorkee. (U.K), India

2Assistant Professor ,

Phonics School of Engineering, Roorkee. (U.K), India

3B.Tech. Student, Saharanpur Institute of Engineering & Technology, Saharanpur (U.P),

India.

ABSTRACT

"RED TACTON" is a human area network technology that establishes communication by

touching the objects that results in a wide range of actions in response.“REDTACTON” gives

a whole new meaning to the term “networking”. All the user-friendly services require

technologies that enable communication between people and objects in close proximity. It

uses the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network transmission path. Red

Tacton uses the minute electric field generated by human body as medium for transmitting

the data. A transmission path is formed automatically when a person comes into contact with

a device and communication between mobile terminals begins. Here, the human body acts as

a transmission medium supporting IEEE 802.3 half duplex communication at 10Mbit/s. It is

completely distinct from wireless and infrared. Using a new super-sensitive photonic electric

field sensor, it can achieve duplex communication over human body. The chips which will be

embedded in various devices contain transmitter and receiver built to send and accept data in

digital format.

In this paper we will discuss about red tacton, its working principle, features and applications

in various fields. And we will compare our red tacton with the other technology for data

transmission .we will also discuss its future developments.

Keywords: Red Tacton , Human Area Networking , NTT, Communication Using Touch

Technology.

1. INTRODUCTION

RED TACTON technology was developed by Japanese Company Nippon Telegraph and

Telephone Corporation .Touch and action gives Tacton, and word Red implies a warm colour

– to emphasize warm and cordial communications .Red Tacton is a new Human Area

Networking technology that uses the surface of the human body as a safe, high speed network

transmission path. It is completely distinct from wireless and infrared technologies as it uses

the minute electric field emitted on the surface of the human body as shown in fig.(1).


Copyright © 2012 Published by IJESR. All rights reserved 2730

Fig 1: Communication using Red Tacton

A transmission path is formed at the moment when a part of the human body comes in

contact with a Red Tacton transceiver. Using Red Tacton, communication starts when

terminals carried by the user or embedded in devices are linked in various combinations

according to the user. Communication is possible using any body surfaces, such as the hands,

fingers, arms, feet, face, legs or torso. Red Tacton works through shoes and clothing as well.

When the physical contact gets separated, the communication is ended [8]. It use a low

frequency ranging from 5 to 10 MHZ to drive the transmitter electrode, higher receiver

sensitivity, and the minimum required power for the transmitter. This frequency reduces

ambient noise such as electrical hum in the receiver circuits & avoids the strong

environmental noise below 1 MHz and controls electric field emissions from the human body

and the transmitter electrodes.

The chips which will embedded in various devices contain a transmitter and receiver built to

send and accept data in digital format. The transmitter and receiver are capacitively coupled

to the human body through flat electrodes that are equivalent to the antennas in regular

wireless systems. The human body electric field is modulated and can be read and

demodulated through these couplings. The chips can take any type of file such as mp3 music

file or mail and convert it into the format that takes the form of digitals pulse that can be

passed and read through a human being electric field .The chip in receiver devices reads these

tiny changes and convert the file back into its original form.

Using Red Tacton enabled devices, music from a digital audio player in your pocket would

pass through your clothing and shoot over your body to headphones in your ears. Instead of

fiddling around with a cable to connect your digital camera to your computer, you could

transfer pictures just by touching the PC while the camera is around your neck. And since

data can pass from one body to another, you could also exchange electronic business cards by

shaking hands, trade music files by dancing cheek to cheek, or swap phone numbers just by

kissing. It can be used for high safety purposes.

2. HUMAN AREA NETWORK

The electro–optic sensor has feature that it supports one point contact measurement that is

independent of the ground, which is the most significant feature in the present context. NTT

has had excellent success with an electro-optic sensor combining an electro-optic crystal with

laser light and recently reported an application of this sensor for measuring high frequency

electronic devices [2,3]. NTT utilized this feature to fabricate an intra body communication

receiver for its human area networking technology as shown in fig.(2), which is called Red

Tacton.



Fig 2: Human Area Networking technology

In addition to the WANs (Internet) and LANs, there are applications best served by Human

Area Networks (HANs) that connect the last meter.

Human society is entering an era of ubiquitous computing, where everything is networked.

By making Human Area Networks feasible, Red Tacton will enable ubiquitous services based

on human-centered interactions and therefore more intimate and easier for people to use.

3. WORKING PRINCIPLE

The communication can be established via Intra body communication method. As shown in

figure (3), there are two basic methods:

A). Electric current method

B). Electric field method ( Red Tacton)

Fig 3: Communication methods

The Red Tacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the body. A model

of the distribution of the electric field around the human body is shown figure.(4). Here, the

human body is standing above the earth ground, and both the transmitter and receiver have

signal and ground electrodes.

Fig 4: Model of electric field distribution



If the AC signal is in the 5–10 MHz band, the body can be treated essentially as a conductor,

and for the most part, the AC electric field induced by the transmitter does not radiate into the

region of space around the body, but is transmitted over the body’s surface and escapes to the

earth ground. Communication is achieved in the receiver by detecting this AC electrical field

before it escapes to the earth ground. A variable reactance circuit into the output stages of the

transmitter is used to efficiently induce a stable AC electric-field signal on the body’s

surface.

The Red Tacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric field on the surface of the body

caused by the transmitter [9]. Using a new super-sensitive photonic electric field sensor, Red

Tacton can achieve duplex communication over the human body at a maximum speed of 10

mbps. Red tacton relies upon the principle that the optical properties of an electro-optic

crystal can vary according to the changes of a weak electric field.

Fig 5: Electeo-Optic field sensor combined with Electro-Optic crystal and laser light

Red Tacton detects changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal using a laser

and converts the result to an electrical signal in an optical receiver circuit. The transmitter

sends data by inducing fluctuations in the minute electric field on the surface of the human

body. Data is received using a photonic electric field sensor that combines an electro-optic

crystal and a laser light to detect fluctuations in the minute electric field as shown in fig.(5).

Fig 6: Working principle

The naturally occurring electric field induced on the surface of the human body dissipates

into the earth that can be measured by fig.(6). 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.

4. TRANSMISSION STEPS [10]

A). The Red Tacton transmitter induces a weak electric field on the surface of the body.

B). The Red Tacton receiver senses changes in the weak electric field on the surface of the

body caused by the transmitter.



C). It relies on the principle that the optical properties of the electro-optic crystal varies

according to the changes in the weak electric field.

D). It detects the changes in the optical properties of an electro-optic crystal using a laser

beam and converts the result into an electrical signal in a detector circuit.

5. RED TACTON TRANSCEIVER

The hardware of Red Tacton transceiver & PDA developed by NTT is shown in fig.(7) .

Fig 7: Hardware of Red Tacton Transceiver Fig 8: Block diagram of Red Tacton Transceiver

The signal from the interface is sent to the data sense circuit and the transmitter circuit. The

data sense circuit senses the signal and if the data is present it sends control signal to the

transmitter which activates the transmitter circuit as shown in fig.(8). The transmitter circuit

varies the electric field on the surface of our body. This change in the electric field is detected

by the electro-optic sensor. The output of the electro-optic sensor is given to the detector

circuit, which in turn given to the interface of the receiving Red Tacton device .The

experimental setup for intra body communication assuming communication between two

electronic devices (PDAs) is shown in the figure(9):

Fig 9: Experimental set up for intrabody communic -ation

We prepared two sets of Red Tacton transceivers, each connected to a PDA. The subject held

one transmitting/receiving electrode in each hand. We quantitatively measured the bit error

rates of signals sent through the body. The results showed that the system had no significant

practical problems at a transmission speed of 10 Mbit/s. Besides communication between two

hands; we also demonstrated reliable communication between a foot achieved not only when



the electrodes were in direct contact with the person’s skin but also when the signals passed

through clothing and shoes.

6. FEATURES OF RED TACTON

Red Tacton is highlighted into three distinctive feature ,fig.(10):

Fig 10: Features of Red Tacton

A). Touch: Touching, gripping, walking, sitting, steeping and other human movements can

be the triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining data as

shown in fig.(11). Using Red Tacton, communication starts when terminals carried by the

user or embedded in devices are linked in various combinations through physical contact

according to the human's natural movements.

Fig 11: Touch Features

B). Broadband and interactive: Duplex, interactive communication is possible at a

maximum speed of 10Mbps. Because the transmission path is on the surface of the body as

shown in fig.(12), transmission speed does not deteriorate in congested areas where many

people are communicating at the same time. Communication speed can deteriorate in

crowded spaces due to a lack of bandwidth. Device drivers can be downloaded instantly and

executable programs can be quickly sent.

Fig 12: Broadband & Interactive features



C). Any media: In addition to human body, various conductors and dielectrics can be used

as transmission media as shown in fig.(13). Conductors and dielectrics may also be used in

combination. Touching, gripping, sitting, walking, stepping and other human movements can

be the triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment or obtaining data.

Fig 13: Direction of communication in different mediums

In different Materials, different direction of communication takes place as in :

1) Dielectrics—signal pass through materials

2) Conductor—signals travel along surface.

A communication environment can be created easily and at low-cost by using items close at

hand, such as desks, walls, and metal objects. But there is one limitation on the length of the

conductor to be propagated, on installation locations, and on the thickness of the dielectric to

be passed through. For example, a person might carry a PDA that transmits an ID or a simple

script (computer program) to a device embedded in the environment. Then, when the person

briefly touches the system or simply walks through a gate, the transmission could trigger

various kinds of action such as opening the gate or assessing the toll or charge. A natural

gesture such as turning a knob to open a door could enable identification and authentication

of the person seeking admission.

It illustrates a system where a metal surface acts as the conductor of electric field instead of a

human body. A conductive metal sheet is placed on the top of a table, and a conferencing

system is created simply by placing devices on it. Laptop computers could be connected to

the internet by simply placing them on the table. Even different networks could be supported

such as an enterprise LAN (local area network) and internet access, by providing separate

metal sheets for each network.

7. HUMAN SAFETY

HUMAN SAFETY is obviously an important issue. The transmitting and receiving electrodes

of the Red Tacton transceiver are completely covered with insulating film, so the body of the

person acting as the transmission medium is completely insulated. This makes it impossible

for current to flow into a person’s body from the transceiver. When communication occurs,

displacement current is generated by the electrons in the body because the body is subjected

to minute electrical fields. However, such displacement currents are very common everyday

occurrences to which we are all subjected. Red Tacton conforms to the “Radio Frequency-

Exposure Protection Standard (RCR STD-38)” issued by the Association of Radio Industries

and Businesses (ARIB). The levels produced by Red Tacton are well below the safety limit

specified by this standard.



8. PROTOTYPES

A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing

to be replicated or learned from.NTT has made three types of prototypes as shown in

fig.(14):-

A). PC Card Transceiver (PC Card type)-

PC Card was originally designed for computer storage expansion, but the existence of a

usable general standard for notebook peripherals led to many kinds of devices being made

available in this form. Typical devices included network cards, modems, and hard disks. In

Red Tacton, we can use PC Card Transceiver having both the capabilities to transmit and

receive of communication speed of 10Mbps and communication method used in this is Half-

duplex. TCP/IP protocol suite is used in the transceiver and interface is PCMCIA which was

developed by Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.

B). Embedded Receiver (Hub Type)-

Receiver is used with the speed of 10 Mbps. Protocols and communication method is same as

that of PC Card Transceiver. RJ 45 is used as an interface in the embedded receiver.

Fig 14: Prototypes

C). USB Transceiver (Box Type)-

A type of connection between a computer and a peripheral device like a printer or a camera .

The original USB could transfer data at a rate of 12Mbps (million bits per second), a new

USB2.0 now transfers at a rate of 480 Mbps.

9. COMPARISON

The positioning of Red Tacton with respect to existing communication technologies. The

focus on ubiquitous service has brought about the shortening of distances in communication.

As shown in fig.(15), Red Tacton is positioned as the last 1m solution to ultimate close-range

communication. Wireless communication creates connections when signals arrive, allowing

for easy connections because connectors are unnecessary. However the arriving signals can

be intercepted, so security becomes an issue. Several “human body communication”

technologies using the human body as a transmission medium have been reported in the past.

But Red Tacton employs a proprietary electric field/photonics method, which surpasses the

other methods in terms of communication distance, transfer speed, and interactivity. Wired

communication transmits data between two connection points, so interception is difficult and

security can be considered to be high .However, connectors and cables are a nuisance.



Fig 15: Comparison with other networks

Taking the above in account, red tacton is situated directly between wireless and wired

communication. In other words, red tacton allows for easy connection without connectors,

while at the same time allowing transmission of data only between two contact point. Its thus

has the feature of being difficult to intercept.

10. APPLICATION OF RED TACTON

Red tacton is promising for applications in areas such as secure systems, intelligent

transportation systems (ITS), medical information systems, production and work-

management systems, payment and settlement systems. The range of red tacton is expanded

throughout society, in the home and office, in public facilities, and for transportation, as an

innovative communications interface connecting people with other people and with objects

(devices) as shown in fig.(16) :

Fig 16:Applications

A). 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. [11]

1). An Alarm: Red Tacton 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 as shown in fig.(17).

Fig 17: One –To-One services

2). Touch Advertising :When a consumer stands in front of an advertising panel and

information matching his or her attributes is automatically displayed. By touching or standing

in front of items, consumers can get more in-depth information.fig.(17).

B). Intuitive Operation: 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.

1). 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 Complicated

configurations are reduced by downloading device drivers “at first touch” as you see in

fig.(18)

Fig 18 : Intuitive operation

2). Instant private data exchange: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.fig.(18).

C).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.

There are many applications under personalization. Some applications are shown in fig.(19).

1). 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.

Fig 19 : Personalisation

2). Personalisation of Automobiles : The seat position and steering wheel height adjust to

match the driver just by sitting in the car [7]. The driver’s home is set as the destination in the

car navigation system. The stereo plays the driver’s favorite song.fig.(19).

3). Wireless Headset :Red Tacton can carry music or video between headsets, mobile

devices, mobile phones, etc. Users can listen to music from a Red Tacton player simply by

putting on a headset or holding a viewer.fig.(19).

4). Conference System :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.fig.(19).

D). Security Applications: Red Tacton 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.

Red Tacton is very secure in all respects such as authenticity, authorization and verification

as well as unlocking as we see in fig.(20).

1). User verification and unlocking with just a touch: Carrying a mobile Red Tacton

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.fig(20).

Fig 20: Security Application



2). Automatic access log:There is also a facility to access automatic log for confidential

document storage. These access logs contain database information in the form of log

files.fig.(20).

E). Other Applications : Red Tacton has many applications. So, it is not easy to explore all

the applications. Some additional applications as shown fig.(21).

1). Under Water Communication :Red Tacton allows communication in outer space and in

water where the speech constraints are very high and thus enables a highly efficient means of

expression of speech which is beyond the purvey of human beings.fig.(21).

Fig 21: Other Applications

2). Communication inside body : Red Tacton is also used for the treatment. In human body,

it is used to detect ailments such as abnormal growths, tumors and excrescences affected

tissues and thus helps in curing different diseases.fig.(21).

11. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Red Tacton has a wide range of unique new functional features and enormous potential as a

Human Area Networking technology [7]. Telecom giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone

Corp(NTT) is committed to quickly identifying and opening up those application areas with

the most commercial promise for Red Tacton, a business development process to be

coordinated under NTT’s Comprehensive Producer Function program.

Red Tacton looks remarkably like a big pot of kryptonite is said to allow over 200kbps of

data through 10 human hands or feet.NTT is planning a

commercial launch of a system to enter rooms that frees users from the trouble of rummaging

in their pockets or handbags for ID cards or keys.

Data will travel through the user’s clothing, handbag or shoes, anyone carrying a special card

can unlock the door simply by touching the knob or standing on a particular spot without

taking the card out. It will have many future applications such as walkthrough ticket gate, a

cabinet that opens only to authorized people and a television control that automatically

chooses favourite programs. The system also improves security. It ensures that only drivers

can open their cars by touching the doors if the keys are in their pockets, not people around

them. You will try to observe and compare Red Tacton with other technologies and analyze

the benefits of it. It uses technology to turn the surface of the human body itself into a means

of data transmission.



Fig 22: Expected application areas

NTT's scientists are providing a bidirectional communications version designed for high-

level security applications and are working to further reduce the size and cost of the

communication modules as shown in fig.(22). They are hoping to expand the range of uses of

this technology throughout society, in the home and office, in public facilities, and for

transportation, as an innovative communications interface connecting people with other

people and with objects (devices).

12. CONCLUSION

Red Tacton is an exciting new technology for human area networking. The performance of

Red Tacton is better as compared to other technologies. It is best to connect network within

short distances. There is no problem of hackers as our body itself is the transmission media.

Using transceiver, we succeeded in achieving 10BASE communication in accordance with

IEEE 802.3 through a human body from one hand to other hand. Today main issue is speed, it

is solved by Red Tacton by providing very high speed of 10Mbps within short distances. The

evolution of Red Tacton technology is a big achievement, which will likely be targeted for

use in applications such as wireless headset, medical application, security applications,

wireless transmission by applying different actions. This could get as simple as two people

equipped with Red Tacton devices being able to exchange data such as text files as well as

business cards just by shaking hands. If red tacton is introduced into cyber market it brings a

marvelous & tremendous change and will be adopted by many more people.

13. REFERENCES

[1] Zimmerman TG. Personal Area Networks: Near-field intrabody communication. IBM

systems journal 1996; 35(3&4): 609-617.

[2] Nagatsuma T, Shinagawa M. Photonic measurement technologies for high frequency

electronics. NTT REVIEW 2002; 14(6): 12-24.

[3] Shinagawa M. Development of Electro-optic sensors for Intra-body Communication. NTT

Technical Review 2004; 2(2): 6-11.



[4] Shinagawa M, Fukumoto M, Ochiai K, Kyuragi H. A near-field-sensing transceiver for

intra-body communication based on the electro-optic effect. IEEE Trans.IM 2004; 53(6):

1533-1538.

[5] Goldstein H. NTT’s shaky approach to data transfer targets a solvedproblem. IEEE

Spectrum January 2006; 24–25.

[6] Kotadia B, Vibhor A. REDTACTON”,IEEE Report. [Online]. Available:http://www.

scribd.com/doc/5007416/Redtacton-IEEEReport

[7] Scribd (2010). "Human Area Networks-RedTacton".[Online].Available:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/55240946/

[8]Wikipedia.(February2009).RedTacton[Online].Available:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red

Tacton.

[9] NTT (February 2005). "RedTacton: An innovative Human Area Networking

technology".[Online].Available:http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news05e/0502/050218.html

[10] Discuss.itacumens(June 2003). "BasicOverview of Human Area

NetworkingTechnology".

[Online]Available:http://discuss.itacumens.com/index.php?topic=12720

[11] Technicalpapers.50webs."REDTACTON". [Online] Available: http://technicalpapers.

50webs.com/pdf/redtaction.pdf

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