In 2009, T-Engine Forum and its subsidiary Ubiquitous ID Center carried out many activities as in previous years. Furthermore, T-Kernel adoptions in devices have been steadily increasing with the forward-looking activities of various T-Engine Forum member organizations. This section introduces several topics from 2009. Various other activities in Japan and other countries are further explained on separate pages.

 

 

T-Engine/T-Kernel in 2009

 

■Release of MP T-Kernel

One word that could describe the trend in the embedded industry this year would be "multi-core." The T-Engine Forum has been researching and developing software for this technology which offers both power saving and high performance of a CPU at the same time from early on.
On March 26, 2009, versions of T-Kernel which support multi-core processors were released to the public as AMP T-Kernel and SMP T-Kernel. Subsequently, on May 12, 2009, AMP T-Kernel Standard Extension and SMP T-Kernel Standard Extension were also publicly released as Standard Extensions that support each of these MP T-Kernels.
Currently, research and development on an MP T-Kernel that consolidates AMP T-Kernel and SMP T-Kernel are being carried out by the T-Engine Forum (Figure 1).
In addition, "MP T-Kernel/NE1 Evaluation Board" (by Personal Media Corp.) has been commercially released to the public since June 2009 for evaluation of MP T-Kernel. Also, the development environment is rapidly getting in shape (Figure 2).

 

 

 

■T-License Revisions

The T-Kernel released from the T-Engine Forum, which is available by downloading, is distributed to users who accept the terms and conditions of the "T-License." T-Kernel Standard Extension, and AMP T-Kernel and SMP T-Kernel as well as each Standard Extension that supports T-Kernel family are distributed under licenses compliant with T-License.
The existing T-License was revised as of March 24, 2009. The latest major changes to the existing T-License are the following four points.

1. The stipulation that the existence of Standard T-Engine and μT-Engine hardware are essential has been revised.
2. It is now possible to distribute the results smoothly when T-Kernel is ported to run on various hardware (CPUs) and to work with many compilers.
3. Distribution of header file is explicitly allowed to improve the developers' convenience.
4. "what can be done" as well as "What cannot be done" has been clarified for easier understanding.

Legal systems in actual society are revised in accordance with the progress of technology and changes of usage patterns in general. Although T-License took into account the circumstances unique to the embedded industry from the beginning, the above revisions to the existing T-License were made to reflect the current users' opinions that came about from the expansion of T-Kernel user community, and the development and the public release of the new T-Kernel called MP T-Kernel.
Those who have already downloaded T-Kernel under the previous T-License can download T-Kernel once again under the revised T-License to enjoy the relaxed conditions. New users and existing users are welcomed to use the new license so that they can use T-Kernel in more places.

 

 

■Increased Adoption of T-Kernel

"DVD 800 Navi" car navigation system manufactured by Robert Bosch GmbH, in which a T-Kernel is used, was adopted to a vehicle by Opel in Germany which won the 2009 European Car of the Year award. This section introduces the growing number of usage examples.

 

●SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION

　Colorio
"eT-Kernel Multi-Core Edition" (eSOL Co., Ltd.) is used in the MultiPhoto Colorio "EP-901F" premium model with fax function (Figure 3), premium model "EP-901A", and "EP-801A" economy model.

 

Figure 3: Colorio "EP-901F" Premium Model with Fax Machine

 

●FOSTEX COMPANY, Foster Electric Company, Limited

　"LR16" Live Recording Mixer
"eT-Kernel" (eSOL Co., Ltd.) is used in "LR16", an audio mixing console for small and medium size live concerts and speech events. T-Kernel controls the user interface for screen display and operation keys, the management of the file system and storage system during recording and playback, and communication with the USB connector and control unit, etc. (Figure 4).

 

Figure 4: "LR16" Live Recording Mixer

 

●JAXA
　SDS-1: Small Demonstration Satellite-1
"eT-Kernel" (eSOL Co., Ltd.) is used in the ultra-small space experiment platform "SpaceWire Interface demonstration Module (SWIM)" carried by "Small Demonstration Satellite 1 (SDS-1) that was launched in January 2009 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). SpaceWire is the next-generation satellite bus communication standard that is standardized and managed by space agencies and manufacturers in Europe, Japan, Russia, the USA, etc. SpaceCube2 with eT-Kernel is used in SWIM for the purpose of performing feasibility studies in space of computers using SpaceWire (Figure 5).

 

Figure 5: SpaceCube2
©Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

 

 

ucode/Ubiquitous ID Technology in 2009

 

■Certified Tags

Ubiquitous ID Center allocates ucodes and also certifies RFID tags as ucode tags. Newly certified tags in 2009 are explained in the following.

 

●Plate Type Inmetal IC Tag
RFID tags (HANEX Co., Ltd.) utilizing a longwave radio band (125 KHz) have been newly certified as ucode tags. These RFID tags can be used in the presence of water and near metal surface as well (Figure 1). There are two types of RFID tags each containing a chip built within a stainless steel or aluminum exterior casing. The first tag contains a read/write chip called HitagS while the second tag contains a read-only chip called Unique. These RFID tags can be used for managing items made from metal such as tools, metal molds, and manufacturing devices. In addition, the management and maintenance of devices used outdoors, etc. is also possible by attaching these RFID tags to them.

 

Figure 1: Plate Type Inmetal IC Tag

 

●Britem
Two sticker type IC tag labels (Lintec Corporation) have been newly certified as ucode tags (Figure 2). The first tag TS-L102LC (30 mm in width x 20 mm in length) is suitable for small bottles, etc. while the other tag TS-L102NC is large enough to permit printing (55 mm in width × 35 mm in length).
For the latest information on certified tags, please check the Ubiquitous ID Center website.

 

Figure 2: Britem

 

 

■Release of Ubiquitous ID Related Technology

YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory is the member of executive committee of T-Engine Forum in addition to making technical contributions to the activities of Ubiquitous ID Center.
The Laboratory released the following three implementations of ubiquitous ID technologies to T-Engine Forum members in 2009 before the eventual public release. Among these, "ucoder" has already been released to the public while the other two are also scheduled to be released to the public sequentially.

 

●ucoder (ucode Universal Information Service)
The universal information service called "ucoder" has been released to the general public as a web system to allow anyone to easily issue ucodes and associate information with them at the YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory website (Figure 3).
When a ucoder account is created in this system, a maximum of 100 ucodes can be issued. ucodes issued to the account holder are unique numbers for the account holder only, and will never be issued to others forever.
ucoder offers the mechanism for identifying objects and space in the real world by associating various information such as textual information and Internet URLs with these ucodes. Information associated by ucoder can be linked to a ucodeQR, a type of two-dimensional bar code with electronic signature. Information associated with ucodes can be easily viewed by mobile phones with a bar code reading function, etc. Information associated by ucoder itself is prepared on a web on the Internet.
This is a merit since anyone who scans ucodeQR can view the latest information by only updating data on the web server when information is provided.

 

●Ubiquitous Location Information Database
The "Ubiquitous Location Information Database" is a platform used as infrastructure to connect places on a map to related content by using ucodes to provide information in a suitable format for users (Figure 4).
The function to define the relationship between ucodes called "ucode Relation model (ucR model)" is available in ucode framework. Attribute information regarding a place such as the "name," "coordinates," and the "location information provider" and content such as a "title," "description outline," and the "content registrant" can be defined using this function.
The application that uses this function to register, edit, and view content related to a place is the "Ubiquitous Location Information Database." It has been released for trial use to T-Engine Forum members since July 2009.

 

 

●ucode Resolution Client Library
The "ucode Resolution Client Library" is a C language library software for a client to execute the ucode resolution function in conjunction with the ucode resolution server provided by Ubiquitous ID Center. The library, which operates in Linux and Windows, has been provided in binary to T-Engine Forum members since June 2009.

 

 

■Examples of ucode Usage

●Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project 2009

 

 

The "Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project 2009" organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in cooperation with the Ginza Association was implemented from Tuesday, February 10 through Friday, March 6, 2009. Many T-Engine Forum members participated (Table 1).
Feasibility study experiments during the period of October 15, 2009 to March 31, 2010 are called "Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project 2009 (Heisei 21)."

 

●Nara Free Mobility Assistance Project

The "Nara Free Mobility Assistance Project" was implemented during the period from Tuesday, January 20, 2009 through Sunday, February 8, 2009 around Nara Park by the Kinki Regional Development Bureau of The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Nara Prefecture. Using ucode information received from radio wave markers and RFIDs by Ubiquitous Communicator (UC), services were offered for route guidance to destinations, audio sightseeing guidance, and tourist area and store information.

 

 

●"Hida Takayama" Free Mobility Assistance Project Feasibility Study Experiment

The "'Hida Takayama' Free Mobility Assistance Project Feasibility Study Experiment" was carried out in a study area from JR Takayama Station to the "Old Private Houses" and "Takayama Jinya" within Takayama City during the period from Saturday, February 14, 2009 through Sunday, March 1, 2009 in collaboration between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Takayama City. Audio sightseeing guidance as well as information provision on current location and neighboring facilities, route searches, route guidance, and warning alerts were provided.

 

 

●Toyota Free Mobility Assistance Project

The "Toyota Free Mobility Assistance Project" was carried out in a study area around Toyota-shi Station and Shin-toyota Station during the period from Monday, February 9, 2009 through Sunday, February 22, 2009. To accommodate the complicated routes in the area, the infrastructure to identify locations was set up densely.

 

 

●Puratto Plat@Matsuyama

As part of the "Information Grand Voyage Project" of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the "Puratto Plat@Matsuyama" feasibility study experiment was carried out in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture during the period from Wednesday, January 28, 2009 through Sunday, February 15, 2009. "Only for now, only for here, and only for you" sightseeing information was provided by using ucode tags and Ubiquitous Communicator (UC).

 

 

●Kobe Free Mobility Assistance Project Feasibility Study Experiment

A feasibility study experiment was carried out over a broad area between Sannomiya Station and Nankinmachi during the period from Friday, February 6, 2009 through Thursday, February 26, 2009 in collaboration between the Kinki Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Public Health and Welfare Bureau of Kobe City. YRP Ubiquitous Networking Laboratory which participated in this experiment conducted the seamless and barrier-free route navigation, a wide variety of mobility assistance services, and information provision in accordance with the attributes of individuals.

 

 

●Disaster Preparation Drill for a Volcano Eruption on Sakurajima Island

In the "Disaster Preparation Drill for a Volcano Eruption on Sakurajima Island " organized by Kagoshima City on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) carried out an experimental drill on the "Management of Evacuated Residents Using IC Tags Supporting ucodes" and "Report on Disaster Stricken Areas Using Ubiquitous Communicator (UC)".

 

 

●"Ubiquitous Tebura Kanko (Sightseeing Without Luggage)" Feasibility Study Experiment

During the period from Friday, February 13, 2009) through Thursday, February 26, 2009 , Kobe City and the Association for Ubiquitous Space Infrastructure Promotion implemented the "Ubiquitous Tebura Kanko (Sightseeing Without Luggage)" feasibility study experiment for the "Projects for Construction of Local Community Models through ICT Utilization" contracted from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. This experiment targeted for tourists was carried out as a feasibility study experiment to support tourists, etc. with the theme of citizen exchange and sightseeing for the purpose of improving the mobility of tourists and delivering souvenirs purchased by tourists to their hotels.

 

 

●Imai-cho Ubiquitous Project

During the period from Friday, October 9, 2009 through Sunday, December 13, 2009, the "Imai-cho Ubiquitous Project" organized by The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Imai-cho Ubiquitous Project Association is being carried out in the preservation area of important traditional buildings in Imai-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. Route guidance and information on facilities, locations, and stores are made available.

 

 

●Management System for Historical Information of a House

"The Excellent Long-term Housing Promotion Act" was enforced to certify housing maintenance and preservation planning and practice on Thursday, June 4, 2009. Following this enforcement, ucode has been used as common ID to manage historical information of a house due to the uniqueness, which historical information of a house should have, and due to its mechanism to associate entities such as building material and component databases, traceability systems for equipment, etc. and government databases.

 

 

●e-Regional Resource Utilization Project

The Japan Foundation For Regional Vitalization ("Furusato Foundation") provides a "common platform" where regional sightseeing information is shared and disseminated under the common themes by utilizing "space information infrastructure systems." This "common platform" based on ucodes is provided by the Furusato Foundation as the "e-Regional Resource Utilization Project" for disseminating information under a common theme across different local governments.

 

 

 

●"u-home" TRON House Open in Taiwan

"u-home," the third TRON intelligent house, opened in Taipei, Taiwan in August 2009. T-Engine and ubiquitous ID technology is used extensively throughout the house.

 

 

●"The Location Tracking Management System of Returnable Containers Using Active Tags" Feasibility Study Experiment

T-Engine Forum conducted a feasibility study experiment on "The Location Tracking Management System of Returnable Containers Using Active Tags" as part of "2008 Food Industry Competitiveness Reinforcement/Food Distribution Streamlining Projects" of The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries jointly with Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., YOKOHAMA SIJYOU CENTER CO., LTD., YOKOHAMA MARUNAKA SEIKA CO., LTD., and YOKOHAMA LOGISTICS SERVICE CO., LTD. during the period from Sunday, February 1, 2009 through Saturday, February 28, 2009. Temperature sensors were embedded in ucode active tags used for the experiments to make temperature measurements possible.