DNP Launches Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth(R) Beacon

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) is pleased to announce the June 22 launchof the DNP Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth® Beacon that can be operated bylow level artificial light. This new development comprises the opening salvotargeting an Internet of Things (IoT)-driven Location-Based Service (LBS) thatthe Company plans to commence around autumn 2016. Looking ahead, in additionto marketing the new terminal to companies with indoor facilities, includingretailers, airports and railways, DNP will also develop related devices andback end systems.

The newly developed terminal has been introduced on an advance basis, forthe internal flight security checkpoint waiting time guidance service targetingsmartphone applications offered by Japan Airlines at the Haneda Airport Terminal1.

[Background]

The use of beacons is on the rise as a mechanism capable of distributingfacilities guidance information and shopping coupons to smartphones, based onthe fact that they provide a more stable performance than Global PositioningSystem (GPS) or Wi-Fi in indoor facilities with complicated structures, suchas commercial facilities, airports and railway stations. Many currently availablebeacons, however, require batteries or AC power sources, resulting in the needfor battery exchange and increased electrical works burdens. All these challengeswork to produce higher costs at the post-installation stage.

DNP has conducted field tests involving the use of beacons to distributeshopping coupons and indoor guidance information at airports and railway stations.And in this latest development, DNP has capitalized on those experiences todevelop a solar cell-powered Bluetooth® beacon that can be operated by lowlevel artificial light in a stable manner, and reduces maintenance burdens.

DNP Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth® Beacon

[DNP Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth® Beacon Features]

1, Operates with low level artificial light in a stable manner

Using the JIS lighting requirements for general showcases at department storesas a reference, DNP has developed a terminal capable of the stable transmissionof a signal with an illuminance of 1000 lux for 100 milliseconds (or ten timesper second). The newly developed product operates under artificial indoor lighting(of 200-1000 lux), and achieved levels of stability under low light conditionsare top class compared to beacons of similar types.

2, Compatible with both Apple and Google smartphones

The newly developed product is compatible with the iBeacon and Eddystonebeacon standards, and does not impose smart phone OS, such as iOS or Android,on the user.

3, Beacon setting changes can be made via wireless

In order to reduce setting alteration task burdens in the post-installationstage, the newly developed product integrates a function allowing for OS settingchanges to be made via wireless, from a smartphone for example. (Button-cellsare used for setting purposes).

[Product Specifications]

External dimensions	63mm x 115mm (vertical and horizontal) x 12mm (height)
Weight	Approximately 65 g
Beacon power source	Solar cell for indoor use
Antenna	Inbuilt (pattern antenna)
Transmission output	-16, -12, -8, -4, 0, +4 dBm
Configurable beacon specifications	iBeacon, Eddystone-UID, Eddystone-URL
Reference pricing	15,000 yen per unit (exclusive of tax)

* Individual quotations available depending on the lot size.

[Looking Ahead]

DNP will market the newly developed product to companies with indoor facilities,including distributors and retailers, restaurants, amusement centers, airports,railways and highway operators, aiming for sales over the next three years of600 million yen from beacon-driven LBS and other related operations, such asapplication development, along with server provision and operation.

DNP has positioned Knowledge and Communication, Food and Healthcare, Lifestyleand Mobility, and the Environment and Energy as business growth areas, and isengaged in the creation of new values. Amid the diversification of consumervalues, and anticipating the IoT and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) developments basedon various sensors, the Company will provide services and solutions aiming toachieve pleasant communication at various consumer lifestyle sites.

 

* The Bluetooth® word mark and logo is a registered trademark ownedby Bluetooth SIG Inc. DNP is licenced to use the word mark and trademark.

* iBeacon is an Apple Inc. registered trademark

* iOS is the trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the US andother countries, and is used under licence.

* Android and Eddystone are the registered trademarks of Google Inc.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this newsrelease are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at anytime without notice.