DNP Launches Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth(R) Beacon
To start IoT-Driven Location-Based Service
Jun 18, 2025
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) is pleased to announce the June 22 launch of the DNP Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth® Beacon that can be operated by low level artificial light. This new development comprises the opening salvo targeting an Internet of Things (IoT)-driven Location-Based Service (LBS) that the Company plans to commence around autumn 2016. Looking ahead, in addition to marketing the new terminal to companies with indoor facilities, including retailers, airports and railways, DNP will also develop related devices and back end systems.
The newly developed terminal has been introduced on an advance basis, for the internal flight security checkpoint waiting time guidance service targeting smartphone applications offered by Japan Airlines at the Haneda Airport Terminal 1.
Background
The use of beacons is on the rise as a mechanism capable of distributing facilities guidance information and shopping coupons to smartphones, based on the fact that they provide a more stable performance than Global Positioning System (GPS) or Wi-Fi in indoor facilities with complicated structures, such as commercial facilities, airports and railway stations. Many currently available beacons, however, require batteries or AC power sources, resulting in the need for battery exchange and increased electrical works burdens. All these challenges work to produce higher costs at the post-installation stage.
DNP has conducted field tests involving the use of beacons to distributes hopping coupons and indoor guidance information at airports and railway stations. And in this latest development, DNP has capitalized on those experiences to develop a solar cell-powered Bluetooth® beacon that can be operated by low level artificial light in a stable manner, and reduces maintenance burdens.
DNP Solar Cell-Powered Bluetooth® Beacon
DNP Solar Battery-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 stores as a reference, DNP has developed a terminal capable of the stable transmission of a signal with an illuminance of 1000 lux for 100 milliseconds (or ten times per second). The newly developed product operates under artificial indoor lighting (of 200-1000 lux), and achieved levels of stability under low light conditions are 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 Eddystone beacon 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-installation stage, the newly developed product integrates a function allowing for OS setting changes to be made via wireless, from a smartphone for example. (Button-cells are used for setting purposes).
* A coin battery is used for setup.
[Product Specifications]
External dimensions | 63 mm x 115 mm (vertical and horizontal) x 12 mm (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 Can be set to any of the above |
| Reference pricing | 15,000 yen per unit (exclusive of tax) |
[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 of 600 million yen from beacon-driven LBS and other related operations, such as application development, along with server provision and operation.
- DNP has positioned Knowledge and Communication, Food and Healthcare, Lifestyle and Mobility, and the Environment and Energy as business growth areas, and is engaged in the creation of new values. Amid the diversification of consumer values, and anticipating the IoT and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) developments based on various sensors, the Company will provide services and solutions aiming to achieve pleasant communication at various consumer lifestyle sites.
- The Bluetooth® word mark and logo is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc. DNP is licensed to use the word mark and trademark.
- iBeacon is an Apple Inc. registered trademark.
- iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the USA and other countries, and is used under license.
- Android and Eddystone are registered trademarks of Google Inc.
- Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this news release are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at any time without notice.