In the backdrop of rapid developments in fine processing technologies and wireless technologies, there have been growing expectations that information processing devices will be incorporated into a wide range of equipment and devices, thus promoting the arrival of the "Ubiquitous Information Society" that will provide support and greater comfort for people's lifestyles. The field of "built-in systems"—integrating information technologies and various equipment and devices—is one of Japan's greatest strengths, and it would be strategically advantageous for Japan to be among the first in the world to develop and put to use technologies in fields such as this, where its superiority has already been demonstrated. To accomplish this, in addition to fundamental technological development, it will be necessary to first resolve a number of issues related to social safety, for example with regard to privacy and affinity with the real world (see Fig. 1). These issues can only be resolved through a combination of engineering, the humanities, and social sciences. The aim of this research is to establish a bridge between knowledge and technologies in differing fields based on a core of system sciences, which represents one aspect of "trans-disciplinary science and technology" (see Fig. 2), to develop fundamental technologies moving in appropriate directions, and to provide advise related to the establishment of social systems.
Fig. 1: Issues involved in the establishment of a ubiquitous
information society
Fig. 2: Activities related to Trans-disciplinary Science and
Technology
This research is conducted as a program for the "Promotion of Leading Researches" in Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
In this research, we have established a total of four sub-themes from various perspectives, including development of basic technologies, affinity with the real world, social safety, and combining differing fields, and are conducting activities targeting issues that demand resolution in the context of achieving a ubiquitous information society.
In a ubiquitous information society, users are surrounded by a large number of information devices, and a wide range of information sensed through these devices is distributed over networks. As a result, there is an increased risk from the threats to personal privacy, and there is even a potential danger that this could lead to a "surveillance society." In response to these types of issues, this research examines the establishment of appropriate policies for handling privacy from a humanitarian and social perspective, and clarifies the basic requirements that should be met by these systems.
(2) Research related to lifestyle design in a ubiquitous information society
In order for ubiquitous information technologies to be put to use, we must first clearly understand the frustrations and problem areas faced by users in their current information lifestyle environments, and establish directions for proposing measures to resolve these issues. Here, we present a clear picture of the status of applications for these technologies in our current information society, and clarify the requirements for achieving a ubiquitous information society.
(3) Research related to the architecture of ubiquitous information systems
The central technical foundations upon which the ubiquitous information society will be based are comprised of systems that will enable linked operations of various information devices built into larger equipment. In the context of a ubiquitous information society, it will be impossible to respond to individual user needs and unforeseen situations by achieving these links through conventional fixed design. For this reason, based on autonomous decentralized concepts and technologies that have been the target of research and development activities in the field of system sciences, we will develop system architecture in which various types of information devices dynamically and autonomously generate actions in response to user needs and unforeseen situations. Furthermore, requirements related to areas such as safety and lifestyles proposed based on knowledge of the humanities and social sciences will be evaluated deductively using creative simulations, incorporated into the system architecture, and developed to the level of requirements for social systems.
(4) Research related to inter-operative technologies for ubiquitous information platforms
The middleware that will achieve linked operations between the various devices built into larger equipment will be implemented gradually, both in terms of time and space. Even middleware that is implemented independently will have to be able to operate in connection with other middleware. Specifically, in the context of system architecture in which linked operations are created autonomously, it is necessary to create operations that are not restricted by the time and location at which the individual middleware elements are implemented. In this research, we will develop inter-operative technologies based on various types of middleware that is currently in development.
From August 29, 2002, to March 31, 2005.
| Year | Phase | Details of Research |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | Proposal of basic requirements | Determine the relationship between the ubiquitous information society and existing social systems, define technological requirements, study system architecture concepts and simulation specifications, study specifications for middleware for links between different devices, etc. |
| 2nd year | Prototypes and evaluations | Create prototypes for simulators and middleware based on basic requirements, analyze and test "system dynamism, " conduct connection tests using actual devices, reflect results in further system architecture, etc. |
| 3rd year | Evaluations using verification tests | Construct and evaluate test environments that assume actual operations, organize the requirements of social systems, etc. |