IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - March 2015 - 76

by 2017. Additionally, NFC services heavily rely on the
use of data networks; as a result, mobile phone service
providers are promoting NFC-enabled phones as an
additional source of potential revenue.

Card Emulation Mode
In this mode, the NFC device itself acts as a tag, appearing to an external reader in much the same way as a traditional contactless smart card. It eliminates the need for
physical objects such as credit cards, keys, and coupons.
For instance, in payment applications, the usage of NFCenabled mobile phones eliminates the need for carrying
credit cards or cash [10]. Likewise, in an electronic key

Local authorities are faced
with a variety of challenges,
particularly in crowd control
and personal identification.

application, NFC usage eliminates the necessity of carrying physical keys for access control [11].

Reader/Writer Mode
In this mode, the NFC device is capable of reading NFC
tags, such as NFC smart poster tags. This mode is on
the RF interface compliant to the ISO 14443 and FeliCa
schemes. For example, in an electronic voting application, NFC tags are used to read candidates' data prior to
voting. In a remote grocery shopping application, NFC
tags placed on grocery items help clients shop from
home by touching their mobile devices to the tagged
products. Patients can also upload their medical information using NFC technology from their home networks.

Peer-to-Peer Mode
In this mode, two NFC devices can exchange data, following the ISO/IEC 18092 standard. It is used for device
pairing, networking, and file transfer operations. For
example, users can make new friends by touching their
mobile devices to those of other users. Users can also
exchange their business cards by touching their NFCenabled mobile phones to each other [11].

Proof of Concept Application
Given the widespread availability of NFC technology
in most present-day smart phones, it is sensible to
implement NFC as a solution to commonly encountered

problems faced by attendees at social, religious, or sport
gatherings. Usage of the mobile technology leverages the
already available wireless mobile infrastructure, reducing
additional cost as envisaged in other ideas [11].
The developed system utilizes an NFC enabled Samsung smart phone that runs Google Android OS. NetBeans
IDE with the Android plug-in was used for developing the
application. A Microsoft SQL server was used to store the
pilgrims' database and a Microsoft ASP.net web service
was created to provide web access to the database.
When applying for a Hajj permit, a profile for each
pilgrim is created. The profile requires each pilgrim to
provide necessary information such as medical records,
blood type, passport details, and contact information.
Each profile is loaded into the pilgrim's central database
and maintained by the Hajj authorities. At the point of
entry to Saudi Arabia (Hajj terminal), a mobile application is installed in the pilgrim's NFC-enabled mobile
phone and a copy of his/her own profile is copied
from the central database to his/her mobile phone.
In the event that a pilgrim does not possess an NFCenabled mobile phone, most services can still be provided through an NFC tag (in the form of a wristband or a
card). However, it is expected that most people will carry
NFC-enabled mobile phones in the near future.
The proof of concept system shown in Fig. 1 consists
of several domains catering to the following services:
■ Medical emergencies: In this case, by using an NFCenabled mobile phone, a medical professional can
access the medical records of a patient - stored in
that patient's mobile phone-while avoiding communication problems caused by a language barriers or medical condition preventing the patient from speaking.
■ Hajj permit verification: At each checkpoint on
the several routes to Makkah city, security officers
verify the validity of each pilgrim's permit. Using
his NFC-enabled mobile phone, a security officer
can quickly identify authorized pilgrims without the
need to read their documents, as is done presently.
■ Pilgrim identification: Pilgrims are provided several services by their Hajj guide (Mutawif), including meals, transportation services, and access to
accommodations. Using NFC, the identification
process becomes seamless and efficient.
■ Data and information exchange: With the proposed
system, smart hotspots can be made available
throughout the Holy area, allowing pilgrims to
obtain the requisite information and guidance on
how to perform the rituals required at that site.
■ Helping lost pilgrims: Using the proposed system,
volunteers or officers can use their NFC-enabled
mobile phones to retrieve the pilgrim's camp location from the pilgrim's NFC phone or tag, allowing
them to guide the pilgrim back to his camp.

IEEE TEchnology and SocIETy MagazInE

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MARCH 2015

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