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1. [In
At th
the w
billio
oper
Goog
on th
Kore
large
locat
prese
The
that
mobi
could
incid
move
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IMES
ndoor posit
he beginnin
world. This
n people, a
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gle, Apple, a
hese operat
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tion and tim
ently being
phone mark
time, it too
ile phones,
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and Microso
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share of abo
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ket shifted
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o the move
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ent of glob
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oft have be
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dentify the
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illion units
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At
) from
s that
. This
urope,
and later on, it was also introduced into Japan as a regulation.
In the past, phones were installed at fixed positions; therefore, the location of each
phone could instantly be identified from the phone number. With the spread of mobile
phones in the 1990s, however, locating the user became difficult, and this lead to GPS
being built into mobile phones. When the GPS built-in mobile phones became popular,
another issue arose. The indoor positioning technology development began in the late
1990s after the recognition of the fact that GPS could not identify indoor locations.
The first technology that emerged was called Assisted GPS. It is a technique to
receive ultra-weak GPS signals that leak indoors by increasing the receiver sensitivity
to the limit. With this, the GPS base stations on the communication network were
used to identify the location of the indoor positions. This technology was developed by
SnapTrack, Inc., a venture company of about 30 people in Silicon Valley in the United
States. When a U.S. company, Qualcomm Inc. bought this company for about 100
billion yen in the early 1990s, it was a topic of conversation. Soon after that, KDDI
introduced this technology for the first time in Japan.
With the modernization of the telecommunication network by carriers, the Internet
communication technology advanced. Typically, the communication technology called
Wi-Fi. has spread all over the world. Since this inexpensive technology can easily
allow a mobile phone to exchange data wirelessly over a computer network, it has
become the world’s most popular infrastructure. It is convenient in hotels or bullet
trains, when you are on the run at work, as well as when you are at home. Incidentally,
in 2012, Wi-Fi was installed in approximately 23 million places in Japan. Currently, this
Internet communication technology is built into new generation smartphones as a
basic function. Almost simultaneously, the positioning technique, which estimates the
distance to the recipient by the intensity level of the radio wave received from the
Wi-Fi base station, was developed as an additional use of Wi-Fi. The greatest
advantage of the Wi-Fi positioning technology is that it has spread globally. The
representative firm on this technology is Skyhook Wireless, a venture company in the
U.S. However, the drawbacks of this system are:
1. Since it estimates a position with the strength of radio waves from the Wi-Fi
station, the exact location cannot be obtained.
2. The position of the Wi-Fi station is not necessarily fixed and its position
coordinates may not be obtained with high accuracy.
3. The spatial environment between the Wii station and the user is not always
constant due to the movements of people and the existence of radio wave
shielding materials, therefore, the accuracy and stability in positioning are
often poor.
2.[Reflection points of Wi-Fi that have become the world’s social infrastructure]
I think that the reflection points of Wi-Fi in the past existed in the installation of the
Wi-Fi. stations. Originally, the Wi-Fi. stations were created for a communication
network purpose. If the communication function was performed properly within the
scope of the rules, having no mutual interference problems, the purpose for installing
Wi-Fi. stations was achieved. For that reason, we did not need to know the exact
locations of the installation of the Wi-Fi. stations. Subsequently, the positioning
technology using the intensity of the radio waves from the Wi-Fi. stations has been
devised as a derivative technology and spread around the world instantaneously. This
new technology spread because it was devised without modifying the features of the
Wi-Fi. station and the hardware, which is also the case for IMES. But now the
positioning system is widely available, the drawback of it (i.e. the accuracy of
positioning is poor and unstable) has been exposed. Right now, this system cannot be
a trump card for the indoor positioning technology due to its poor and unstable
performance. With hindsight, if we knew the exact locations of all of the Wi-Fi.
stations, theoretically, more accurate location information should have been obtained.
3.[The trend of companies in the world that have involvement in the smartphone
business.]
As a trend to recognize the issue of indoor positioning technology, the
smartphone-related companies in the world have started working on this problem. The
world's major carriers, developers, and manufacturers of communication devices and
companies that develop the indoor positioning technology, such as Qualcomm Inc.,
Nokia, Broadcom, Samsung, Vizio, Philips and Huawei, gathered in 2012, and launched
the "In-Location Alliance" as a research and development group of indoor positioning
technology. This gathering proves that, depending on the individual purpose, the
indoor positioning technology widely used in current smartphones does not yet meet
necessary and sufficient conditions. GNSS Technologies Inc. sought entry to this
"In-Location Alliance" in order to identify the direction of the indoor positioning
technology by IMES, for which we obtained a patent internationally, and to identify the
technical trends and needs for indoor positioning technology. Currently, we are the
only company from Japan that has been selected to participate as a member of the
alliance.
4.[IMES: An epoch‐making invention from Japan.]
In the course of the world’s indoor positioning technology development, an epoch‐
making technology named IMES was invented around 2006. (Japanese official name
for IMES is Indoor MEssaging System. It is also called Indoor Measuring System in
the United States and Europe.) IMES is one of the few Japanese inventions in the field
of positioning technology that allows us to overcome the disadvantages of assisted
GPS and Wi-Fi. positioning all at once. In addition to the activities with JAXA, SPAC
and the IMES consortium in Japan, we have engaged in our own activities to promote
IMES overseas. As a result, we feel that the research to utilize IMES has become
more active. At this stage, we are not able to disclose specific organization and
company names, though, we have been surprised by truly unique ideas that have been
considered to utilize IMES, compared to the commonly conceived ideas in GNSS
Technologies Inc. or in Japan. Judging from these circumstances, the fields where
IMES can be used are still underdeveloped, therefore, there is a potential that
innovative sectors and services can be created around the world by utilizing IMES. For
that reason, by foreseeing the next 10 years or so, we believe that it is important to
develop new industries ahead of the rest of the world.
5.[Unparalleled superiority of IMES]
The characteristic of IMES is that it is an innovative technology that satisfies the
conditions for being built into smartphones, resolving the drawbacks which exist in
pseudolites, the assisted GPS and the Wi-Fi. positioning systems.
1. Since three-dimensional position data can be obtained from an indoor transmitter
at one place, it allows extremely free development indoors. This is different from
pseudolites, which require transmitters at four places.
2. Position coordinate data are directly obtained from the IMES transmitter. This
means that the IMES built-in smartphones do not need to perform the position
calculation, resulting in extremely low power consumption.
3. There is almost no increase in cost because a receiver can be changed to
seamlessly perform both indoor and outdoor positioning by just adding extra
programs without changing the design of the commonly used GPS receiver.
4. IMES allows us to locate a position accurately because it sends "floor data" of
buildings or underground shopping malls along with the "position data", no matter
how large buildings are or how deep the underground shopping areas are.
5. By controlling the radio field strength of each IMES transmitter every 1dBm, the
precision control ranging from ten meters or a little more to one meter is generally
possible.
6. If you receive IMES radio waves, it is guaranteed that you will be in that position
within a few meters, and instability or degradation of the positioning accuracy does
not occur as may happen with Assisted GPS and Wi-Fi. .
7. Precise three-dimensional indoor navigation is possible with IMES.
8. Since it can operate without time synchronization with an outdoor GPS satellite, or
between the IMES transmitters, technically, it is easy to install.
We conducted experiments measuring distances between a patient and a bed when
the patient got out of bed, and it was possible to determine the position of the patient
from
GPS
dBm
world
cons
insta
stren
be re
10m
posit
servi
infor
inclu
the m
The
posit
posit
great
range
appli
cont
rece
wave
accu
infor
that
stand
for in
be th
coor
6.[C
the bed ac
signals are
, extremely
d. For that
sidered to b
alled anywh
ngth that G
eceived, it i
with 100%
tion, it is of
ices. Unlike
rmation to a
des "where
movements
great featu
tion inside
tioning is re
test of all h
e. This rel
ed service
rolled by f
ivers can a
e strength
urate posit
rmation. Th
are comp
dards. Ther
ndoor and o
he ID for t
dinates and
Conceptual
ccurately to
e sent equa
y weak radio
reason, it i
be a very st
ere. In gene
PS receive
is guarante
certainty. F
f great valu
e Wi-Fi. , IM
a wide rang
e, when and
s of goods.
ures of IME
buildings, i
eliable and
has to be th
iability is a
s. IMES ra
further adju
lso corresp
for these G
ion coordi
e coordinat
patible with
refore, the
outdoor pos
the IMES t
d the PRN
l diagram of
o within abo
ally to the w
o waves tha
s exempt e
trict regulat
eral, IMES t
rs can pick
ed to ident
From the fa
e to a num
ES has bee
e of applied
d who", whi
ES are: Thre
ncluding th
can be ut
he reliable p
an absolute
adio waves
usting thes
pond to this
GPS receiv
nates and
tes stored
h the GPS
individual c
sitioning, an
transmitter
codes that
f the IMES
out 1m. IME
whole world
at can disa
even from t
tion by wor
transmitter
k up in the a
tify the thre
act that IME
ber of serv
en develope
d service se
ich are ess
ee-dimensi
he floor lev
tilized for a
positioning
e element
are extrem
se weak IM
s sensitivity
vers is clea
provide v
in IMES ar
S receivers
coordinates
nd the loca
r. Basically,
are given t
signal prop
Th
tra
tra
Th
ref
env
the
the
tra
dec
ES uses the
d and the si
ppear amon
he Japan R
rld standard
rs are set u
area within
ee-dimensio
ES can gua
vices that u
ed from the
ectors. Spe
ential to th
onal naviga
vel, can be
a wide rang
function wi
in utilizing
mely weak
MES radio
y. In addition
ar. The IME
very accur
re the sam
s and the
s stored in
ation of an I
IMES is m
to each coo
pagation los
e following
ansmission
ansmitted f
e distance
flections th
vironment.
e local area
e diagram
ansmission
clines to -
same radio
gnal streng
ng noises in
Radio Law, w
ds, and basi
p for the ra
5 ~10m. If I
onal positio
rantee the
se location
beginning t
ecifically, th
he activities
ation is pos
obtained. T
ge of applie
th a very s
this techn
but the co
waves eve
n, the limita
ES transmit
rate and r
e as the G
specificat
IMES are
IMES trans
maintained
ordinate.
ss]
g diagram s
loss when
from an IM
can vary sl
at occur in
After all, fin
a is necessa
on the
power is
-130dBm a
o waves as
gth used is
n the natur
which is
ically, it can
adio wave
MES signal
oning within
accuracy o
n informatio
to provide u
his informat
s of people
ssible. The e
The accura
ed services
small uncert
nology for
overage ca
ery 1dBm.
ation of the
tters store
reliable po
GPS coordi
tions are g
the unique
smitter itsel
by the po
shows a ty
a GPS sig
MES transm
ightly due t
the surrou
ne adjustme
ary. As sho
e left, if
s -90dBm
at 1m away
GPS.
-130
al
n be
s can
5 ~
of the
on
useful
tion
and
exact
acy in
. The
tainty
many
an be
GPS
radio
very
sition
nates
global
data
lf can
sition
ypical
nal is
mitter.
to the
nding
ent in
wn in
the
m, it
y and
becomes the radio wave strength that can be received by a common GPS receiver.
7.[IMES: Officially employed by Japan's positioning satellite system "MICHIBIKI"]
Japan's first positioning satellite named "MICHIBIKI" (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System)
was launched three years ago, and along with the United States, Russia, the EU and
China, Japan joined the ranks of the countries that possess positioning satellite
systems. (Note: The generic term for these satellites is Global Navigation Satellite
System - GNSS.) Among these satellite positioning systems, the unique features of
the IMES indoor positioning technology have attracted special attention. IMES is a
highly compatible technology that can be integrated with not only Japan's
"MICHIBIKI", but also all of the world's satellite positioning systems in exactly the
same manner. Incidentally, there are no regulations in the world for the indoor satellite
positioning systems except Japan. I would say this is because no one in the rest of the
world thought that they could devise something like IMES. Only Japan's Quasi-Zenith
satellite positioning system incorporated the IMES indoor positioning system to
reinforce its indoor positioning function. Thus, the IMES system is Japan's unique
invention. As a result of the discussion between the Japanese government and the
GPS agencies of the U.S. government, the IMES system was employed as a
specification of "MICHIBIKI", which is interoperable with GPS. The U.S. officially
assigned 10 PRN codes to IMES for transmitting satellite signals on the ground. This
means that IMES is officially recognized throughout the world as part of the GPS
system specifications. In other words, the unique approach of IMES is officially
recognized as a valuable technology throughout the world.
[The PRN codes on the ground that have been assigned to IMES]
http://www.losangeles.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070530-036.pdf
8.[IMES: The world's social infrastructure]
If IMES spreads throughout the world with smartphones like the Wi-Fi.
communication network has, anyone will be able to freely use the seamless indoor and
outdoor positioning environment anywhere, anytime. There is no doubt that this
function will make a great contribution to the systems in the world that require a
positioning function, and to the development of the related industries. That is to say
that in the living environment where people are active and goods move around, we will
be able to obtain real time information such as "when, where, and who" seamlessly, no
matter whether you are inside or outside of a building. When the three elements of the
mobile communication devices represented by smartphones, the communications
technology through the Internet, and the seamless satellite positioning technology are
integrated at a global scale, the resulting important functions, which are the base of
industrial revolutions for the present age, can be provided to the world. In the
countries around the world including Japan, business has changed from using simple
labour to machine manufacturing. I think future business should focus on "Intelligent
Business" by integrating all of the above three elements and using them with
smartphones. The environment that combines "position and communication" on a
global scale is becoming a reality. The creation of this environment has been our aim
since the founding of GNSS Technologies Inc. . In this sense, IMES should be installed
worldwide observing certain rules and should become a commonly used major global
infrastructure which continuously produces more convenience with other related
industries.
Radio waves assigned to the satellite positioning systems in the world, typically GPS,
are now literally a worldwide social infrastructure. Apart from the individual purpose of
principal maintenance, the systems which are planned to be built in China, the EU, and
India will be commonly available free of charge worldwide. Because IMES uses some of
those radio waves, it is essential to create rules and an environment so that IMES can
be used freely and universally.
9.[The importance of IMES installation, its management and maintenance, and
acquisition of its technical aspects]
As I have already commented, if IMES spreads globally, and if its maintenance is done
under unified rules, significant benefits will be brought to the world. It will literally be a
world infrastructure that originates from Japan. For that matter, it is necessary to
establish installation standards and methods for IMES transmitters, and management
and maintenance for the PRN codes. On top of that, there is a need to show the world
the "recommended management standard" that eliminates the Japanese
self-righteousness and respects the flexible vitality of the private sector. Currently,
JAXA and the IMES consortium are in charge of drafting the management standards.
The operators that use the IMES technology for their services should follow the
installation and maintenance management that complies with the recommended rules,
and this needs to be presented to the world as the Japanese management system.
However, in reality, there are many difficult problems to solve before making the
Japanese IMES handling standards into global standards. Because of the
extraterritorial rights that exist between countries, we could recommend our handling
standards, but we have no authority to enforce them on other countries that have
different political systems. Even if we could, it is extremely unlikely to succeed unless
some arrangements could be made between the countries. Furthermore, it is virtually
impossible for the private sector to influence political power for the creation of new
business. As a way to solve this problem, our strategy would be to integrate the
management and maintenance procedures into the terms and conditions of IMES by
making a contract subject to patent right consent. GNSS Technologies Inc. aimed in
this
prov
toget
unive
strat
and g
10.
In ad
calcu
dete
emis
(B)[
direction a
iders aroun
ther based
ersal indoo
tegy is gaini
gradually sp
[Developm
(A)[IMES
ddition, by s
ulated locat
rmined thro
sion simula
[IMES data
at an early
nd the worl
on mutual
r positionin
ing support
preading th
ment of our
transmitter
sending pro
tion to this
ough adjust
ation system
manageme
stage. We
ld and crea
benefits. In
ng system.
t regardless
roughout th
IMES insta
r installatio
visionally d
software, t
tments at th
ms are used
ent system]
will collab
ate a busin
n this enviro
Since it is
s of world p
he world.
allation, man
on and mana
determined
the ultimate
he actual in
d to calcula
]
orate with
ess environ
onment, ou
s about rul
ublic institu
nagement a
agement so
Wh
tra
po
PR
co
str
on
inf
eac
Th
to
tra
ma
data that s
e radio field
nstallation s
ate the prov
In a
to I
ana
of o
info
man
inst
mod
inst
num
vers
date
data
indoor pos
nment whe
r ultimate g
es, not ab
utions or pr
and mainten
oftware]
hen instal
ansmitter, t
sition co
RN code, I
de, and t
rength, whic
the se
ormation, w
ch transm
ese data c
the data
ansmitter i
anagement
satisfies the
d strength c
site. The co
visional dat
addition to t
MES, this s
lyse and m
other data,
ormation ab
nagement r
tallation loc
dification hi
tallation, IM
mbers, infor
sions, manu
e of manufa
abase is de
sitioning se
ere we can
goal is to b
out money
rivate comp
nance tools
ling an
things suc
ordinates,
D, the sec
the radio
ch are all b
etting loc
will be writt
itter wirele
can then be
abase of
installation
software.
e planned a
can be
oordinate/r
ta.
the data wr
system can
anage all so
such as
bout the
responsibilit
cations,
istory after
MES unit ser
rmation on
ufacturers,
acture. This
esigned to s
ervice
work
uild a
y, this
panies,
s]
IMES
ch as
the
curity
wave
based
cation
ten to
ssly.
e sent
IMES
and
and
radio
ritten
orts
ty,
r
rial
and
s
share
the d
(C)[
three
cons
malls
tech
posit
field
requ
Once
datab
This
down
whic
the s
mobi
final
and l
for e
these
GNS
diffic
syste
surve
Thes
data with th
[IMES posit
e-dimensio
structed by
s to vector
nology. Firs
tion and the
strength an
ired signal
e the posit
base for st
database
nloading thi
h was deve
signal stren
ile PC at th
data from
longitude c
each IMES
e tools.
SS Technolo
cult unless t
ems like (A)
eying inside
se systems
he other tw
tion and co
nally create
converting
data using
st, an IMES
e radio wav
nd diffusion
strength fo
tion is dete
toring each
can be s
s data to th
eloped by G
ngth by com
e installatio
being chan
oordinates,
transmitte
ogies Inc. re
there was a
), (B), and (
e the buildin
are design
wo systems.
ordinate ca
ed building
g raster draw
three-dime
transmitte
ve strength
n wave simu
or the area
ermined on
IMES tran
stored in I
he "IMES tr
GNSS Tech
mmunicatin
on location.
nged. By go
plus floor
r. Preparat
ealized earl
a manageme
C), which I
ngs are esp
ed so that
.
alculation s
graphics. T
wing data fo
ensional CA
er is installe
are adjuste
ulation func
is confirme
the graphi
nsmitter tha
IMES trans
ransmitter
hnologies In
ng with eac
There is th
oing through
data can b
tion for inst
ly on that s
ent system
have just d
pecially har
anyone can
system]
It is v
accu
to mo
there
effici
syste
that
surve
accu
equip
allow
three
as yo
The 3D grap
or buildings
AD, GIS, an
ed at the sc
ed through
ctions. Fina
ed by lookin
cs of this
at is going
smitters b
installation
nc. , it is als
h IMES tra
he security
h these pro
e easily and
tallation ca
setting up IM
in place. T
described. C
d even if yo
n easily per
very difficu
rate positio
ount IMES
efore, surve
ency is ver
em has bee
anyone can
ey work qui
rately. This
pped with a
ws you to ob
e-dimension
ou click any
phics of the
s and underg
nd compute
cheduled po
simulations
ally, the cov
ng at the gr
system, th
to be mou
efore the
and manag
so possible
ansmitter w
lock system
ocedures, a
d automatic
an be highly
MES transm
herefore, w
Coordinate
ou have som
rform these
ult to find th
on coordina
inside a bu
ey work
ry poor. Thi
en develope
n conduct t
ickly and
s system is
a function th
btain
nal coordina
ywhere on t
e buildings a
ground sho
r graphics
osition, and
s using the
verage of th
raphics.
is means t
unted is cre
installation
gement syst
e to finely a
wirelessly fr
m to preven
accurate lat
cally determ
y simplified
mitters was
we develope
calculation
me expertis
e hard tasks
he
ates
ilding,
is
ed so
the
hat
ates
the
are
opping
d the
radio
he
hat a
eated.
n. By
tem",
adjust
rom a
nt the
titude
mined
d with
s very
ed the
s and
se.
s.
11.[Requirements for operators who perform installation, management, and
maintenance of IMES]
The operators who perform the installation work of IMES transmitters should research
and develop the handling and measurement methods about the extremely weak signal
of -130dBm, which can easily disappear in the natural environment. GPS signals are
super weak radio waves, which an instrument such as a typical spectrum analyser will
not be able to detect. The operators must understand properly how to handle and
adjust radio waves that they normally do not deal with. On top of that, they must
obtain the skills which allow them to perform the task accurately and precisely by
mastering how to determine the presence of interference between IMES and the
interference avoidance techniques. They must also develop technological tools to
carry out the tasks. Furthermore, the operators must develop a "position
coordinates" surveying method and its management system. It is desirable to make
the installation, management and maintenance standards international. When the
internationally accepted standards are completed, then they will literally become the
universal social infrastructure of indoor positioning.
The operators need knowledge of how to handle the PRN codes and their nature. The
quantities of PRN codes, which are assigned to IMES to avoid interference, are limited.
The operators must avoid interference by arranging the assigned codes theoretically.
Installing in a disorderly manner by ignoring the management and maintenance after
installation, leads to a lack of uniformity, and it will not help IMES to become a reliable
social infrastructure. Firm installation rules, and the methods and regulations that are
readily accepted throughout the world must be established. Selling IMES transmitters
irresponsibly and disorderly also leads to the destruction of the social infrastructure.
Fundamentally, we believe that the unity on the whole must be ensured by a contract
between parties with reliable status who hold technology and management systems.
With these ideas, we are committed to promoting the IMES system.
12.[IMES is the world's only GPS signal transmitter]
As I mentioned earlier, it is very cheap and quick to add the IMES function to the GPS
system on smartphones. However, you cannot find a transmitter that transmits a GPS
signal anywhere in the world. Until now, when we talk about GPS, it has meant the
GPS receivers that receive radio waves from the GPS satellites. Famous GPS
manufacturers around the world, such as JAVAD, Novatel Wireless, u-blox Holding AG,
Septentrio, Qualcomm Inc., Broadcom Corporation, and CSR, including Trimble
Navigation Ltd. in the United States, where I used to work, are all developers and
manufacturers of receivers. For about 20 years since the mid-1980s when GPS was
introduced in Japan, neither company nor country had an idea to utilize the system
that sends signals equivalent to GPS satellite signals for business. Although a product
called pseudolites existed in some areas, there was no company in the world that
pione
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15.[The current situation for private use]
With the start of the function development for the first "MICHIBIKI", a system
development project has started moving forward. This project aims to develop a
system to utilize the seamless indoor/outdoor positioning function by mounting the
IMES signal reception function on GPS/GNSS receivers. In response to this, by the
suggestion from companies like ours, approximately 130, mainly private enterprises
gathered in June 2011 to share ideas, information, and recommendations on IMES, and
established the IMES consortium within Japan Space Forum, where the IMES
consortium office is situated. General examples where the IMES system is utilized are: A shopping guiding system in shopping malls. A search system for missing children in
amusement parks. An information system for underground shopping malls, airports,
railways, tunnels, etc. A system for safety and security in areas such as disaster
prevention. A security system that monitors the incoming and outgoing movements of
people or activities of people in a building. An evacuation guiding system in a fire or
other emergencies, using the indoor surveillance cameras and guiding lights. A
real-time logistics management system that checks the movement of goods inside
and outside a factory.
16.[Use by the government and local governments]
An application for medical and nursing care has the potential for IMES to become a
service for the entire nation. The systems that are planned to be promoted nationwide
are the following. A system for monitoring and recording the activities of caregivers,
and determining feeds for their services. A system for monitoring the real-time
activities of doctors at universities, university hospitals, and general hospitals across
the country. A management system for emergency situations at hospitals. A system
for monitoring the activities of patients inside and outside hospitals. Management
systems for monitoring patient condition 24 hours a day. As IMES seamlessly tracks
situations inside and outside buildings, this IMES function is going to be employed to
support the construction of comprehensive medical management systems. Hospitals,
universities, and local governments across the country are all committed to building
an efficient, fair, and fast system. Efforts to achieve medical services that can
respond to Japan's aging society are continuously being made. The Community Health
Informatics Research and Development Organization was established in 2010 and
GNSS Technologies Inc. participates in this organization as a director and have been
cooperating with the organization on these plans.
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have
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round
world, and they have been established and officially registered in dozens of countries,
including Japan, the EU, and the U.S. as well as Asian and African nations. We are
intending to build a collaborative and cooperative relationship with companies and
businesses that work on the construction of a seamless positioning system
environment, or companies and businesses that provide that service.
18.[A viewpoint on the creation of new business]
The IMES receiver developers can install receivers without incurring too much cost.
However, transmitters are a kind of social infrastructure; therefore, installation is
difficult, unless there are some purposes or benefits for the cost bearers. The same
situation also applies to building owners and the seamless indoor and outdoor
positioning service providers. In all cases, however, once installed, the transmitters
will become commonly and freely available for everyone. Then, the question is who
and for what purposes. Finding a user market will lead to a global business. The IMES
system can be used to make buildings smart or for building security. It can also be
used for advertising at shopping malls, safety and security for underground parking,
applications for communication and positioning inside tunnels, guiding people, goods,
and equipment through the inside and outside of factories, nuclear power plants, etc.,
applications to send shop information to smartphones by integrating with 1seg,
applications for a guiding service system for outside destinations by linking
underground shopping mall maps and smartphones, the 3D, indoor version of common
guiding services, and integration with Indoor Maps, which was developed in Japan and
the U.S. by Google. There are countless possibilities for IMES applications.
The biggest platforms to use the established IMES are mobile communication devices
such as smartphones. There are as many smartphones in the world as there are
people. 6.7 billion people use smartphones worldwide while working and moving. So the
smartphones themselves are the mega market. For a way to provide information at the
time of emergency an agreement was made globally so that, first, all smartphones will
be equipped with GPS. Within 10 years from now, close to 130 satellites dedicated to
the exclusive use for positioning will be launched worldwide. There is no doubt that
the accuracy, reliability, and convenience for the outdoor satellite positioning
technology will dramatically increase compared to now. But it is obvious that the
increased number of satellites will not provide the same reliability to the indoor
positioning technology. As the outdoor positioning functions are enriched more and
more, the necessity for the useful indoor positioning technology increases. For
example, if this point is overcome by IMES, after that, on the stage of the smartphone
fed service market, no matter where you are, all business owners, venture companies,
and individuals around the world can create systems and services that fundamentally
change the world. Or, suddenly one day, someone with the ability and intelligence from
somewhere in the world can do the same thing without belonging to a major
corporation.
The significance of this emergence of the unprecedented huge business platform is
that the world is now capable of creating demands 24 hours a day on the single
worldwide network through real-time communications, with or without movements of
people. From now on, without doubt, many business ideas will be developed around the
world targeting this mega market. From those, the world can expect that there will be
many cases where enormous wealth will be made overnight. Japan has been facing a
fierce competition in terms of manufacturing. I believe that the wise choice for Japan
is to promote industries that focus on this area. Anyone in the world can participate
on this platform. This indicates that everyone is standing on the same starting line.
Therefore, the situation right now is that business ideas that pay more attention to
the world and capture consumers around the world can easily be produced in Japan.
Now is the time; Japan should endeavour with its intelligence to create new
businesses using this enormous platform by targeting the world market.