 
The US Army has contracted PerfecTech to produce a prototype Electronic Information Carrier (EIC) which is designed to have the following attributes:
- Approximately the size of current ‘dog tag’
- Onboard storage capacity up to 4 gigabytes of data (encrypted)
- Data accessibility through an integral USB port and via wireless read/write transmissions up to three (3) meters distance in combat conditions.
- Data security to meet FIPS 140-2 level 1 or 2 standards for the on-board storage
- Secure wireless transmissions
- Ease of configuration and use
- Data transmitted to/from the EIC (up to 20k bytes)
- Mesh Network techniques to locate EIC’s and transmit data
The EIC prototype was delivered to the U.S. Army in 2006 and is scheduled for a bidding process in early 2007.
Techniques developed for EIC, combined with ERIC offer extraordinary capabilities for documenting persons and/or objects as they move through their ‘life cycle’.
A major benefit of the solution design is that, unlike pure R&D efforts, it utilizes technologies already proven in other applications that are integrated and packaged in new ways. This packaging, dependent upon the options included, could be as small half the size of a credit card and up to 3/8” thick.
A further benefit is that this combination of technologies can readily be applied to numerous other applications that require on-board data storage and wireless networking.
Storage capacity
The proposed minimum capacity is 2 gigabytes of on-board data accessible in read/write mode via both an integrated USB port and/or via wireless transmission. Higher capacities can be achieved with some tradeoff in size and battery life.
Networking
The networking technology utilized provides a dynamically configurable, low-cost, two-way wireless intelligent communications network used for the transmission and receipt of data. The network is comprised of device-to-device messaging enabled by inexpensive and compact intelligent two-way data radios.
The key feature of these radios is their capability to exchange data messages with each other. Each device becomes a part of a self-configuring network and shares the task of conveying messages throughout the system. Wireless messages are automatically routed through multiple device-to-device ‘hops.’ Devices communicate with each other, and interface with wired, wireless or Internet based Local and Wide Area Networks (LAN/WANs). The network provides robust area coverage, redundancy, noise immunity and dynamic routing and reconfiguration. A large amount of information can be exchanged in a short period of time because these devices operate in parallel. Critical data is passed from one device to another while less important items are suppressed.
This networking concept is in stark contrast to traditional networks that require an expensive and rigid fixed communications infrastructure. Cellular phones and radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, for example, communicate with a central point and are not capable of direct communication with one another. In comparison, our solution provides the capability for every device to communicate with every other device, thereby enabling the system to be easily and rapidly deployed. This translates to a much lower infrastructure and total ownership cost than with other AIDC technologies. Additionally, this technology provides dynamic telemetry capabilities and robust ad hoc communications, features that are not inherent to traditional wireless networks.
All operating parameters, such as interval between transmissions, power consumption of each device, number of devices, and the level of network traffic are dynamically adjusted to fit the application and environment.  Each node in the diagram to the right represents a device configured with a short-range radio transceiver, a microprocessor, and sufficient memory to support application specific tasks. The lettered nodes illustrated below have additional hardware that results in added functionality. Even the least capable devices are able to make use of the features of the more capable devices nearby. Connections may be established with devices that are not adjacent. Nearby devices may be unable to establish direct connections because of adverse environmental conditions, as represented by the obstacle. The network has no prior knowledge of the location or connection paths available. The messages sent by the devices themselves and the operating protocol allow this information to be dynamically derived. The illustrated local network consists of 18 devices; each able to communicate with at least one other as indicated by the connecting lines.
The network provides robust area coverage, redundancy, noise immunity and dynamic routing and reconfiguration. Wireless transmission distances can be statically defined for a specific application if desired, or allowed to be dynamically adjusted by the network. The dynamic RF output power adjustment is referred to as dynamic power throttling. This is used by the network to maximize long and short-range wireless communication between two devices. It can also be used to locate the relative position of a device in relation to another device. With these techniques, network transmission distances of 50 meters or more can easily be achieved depending on the environmental surroundings. The dynamic configuration and automatic routing enable messages to be routed by the most efficient method to their ultimate destination.
The network also provides the ability to isolate frequencies with higher error rate due to signal interference and dynamically adjust to other frequencies to maintain network stability and continue to maximize data throughput. Since devices can operate in parallel on multiple frequencies, a large amount of information can be exchanged in a short period of time. Additionally, critical data is passed from one device to another while less important items are suppressed.
Within a network, one or more devices are configured to function as network gateways. Gateways transmit messages to, and receive messages from, the centralized network components. Wide area connectivity is provided by a terrestrial wide area data network such as broadband Ethernet, cellular network, satellite data network, or any other existing communications infrastructure.
Providing gateway services allow individual devices to effectively become part of the Internet. Status inquiries and data messages can originate at any PC/Handheld location using a standard web browser and be directed to any device. Secure network communications provided via encryption and/or frequency hopping and application-specific features provide extremely high levels of security.
Security
The JAVA Powered Crypto iButton (“JiB”) is one of the means of securing the sensitive information and programs stored on the device. It can be integrated and packaged with the devices described above and provide the key(s) for encryption/decryption when data in storage is accessed by either the radio transceiver or the USB connection.
Additional capabilities
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) capabilities can be provided at the base station and/or individual device.
The device can readily be interfaced to external monitors – such as environmental and physical monitors – to transmit and/or trigger certain actions based upon sensor inputs.
Potential Applications
Department of the Army - Electronic Information Carrier (EIC)
We have been engaged with the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology research Center (TATRC) of The US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) at Fort Detrick, MD to develop a proof-of-concept of this device for potential use across the uniformed services for the capture and maintenance of medical history and treatment data. We are also engaged in preliminary discussions of the potential benefits of using this device for patient tracking throughout the medical system.
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Wireless communications to enhance personal documentation.
Maintain size and increase capability.
Critical medical information unitized to the individual to ensure accurate data to support decision making.
Combination of MESH Networking and GPS technology provides a formidable advantage.
State of the art portable technology enhancing uplink capability of MESH.
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