– Single dots made by hand link objects to digital data –
TOKYO, July 19, 2017 – (JCN Newswire) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced the development of a “micro-sized Identifier Dot on Things” (mIDoT) technology that enables single dots written with off-the-shelf glitter ink pens to become distinctive identification tags.
mIDoT analyzes camera images with a specialized algorithm to quickly and accurately recognize tiny patterns in the ink of individual dots, which are difficult to duplicate or identify with the naked eye. Due to random particles in the ink, identical patterns are unlikely to be formed, enabling each 1 mm dot to become one of the smallest and most reliable identification tags in the world.
Compared to conventional technologies, such as barcodes, mIDoT does not require the use of printing or glue. Dots can be easily applied to a wide range of objects by automated machines, or even by hand, enabling the technology to be conveniently used by anyone, anywhere to identify products or property. Moreover, dots can be identified by using a database in the cloud, enabling physical objects to be linked with digital data.
“This technology is expected to be used for a broad range of applications, including identification tags for ultra-small electronic components and products which are too small for the use of barcodes; tags for managing goods that are lent or taken out; keys and tickets used for access control; and identification tags for linking physical objects with digital data in the cloud,” said Akio Yamada, General Manager, Data Science Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.
Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group globally provides “Solutions for Society” that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company’s corporate message of “Orchestrating a brighter world,” NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html.