Recent advancement of technology enables the network connections for
various kinds of appliances. For example, in recent vehicle, a lot of
microprocessors are equipped with communication network.
Car navigation system and car audio system are inherently equipped with
microprocessor, but recent technology enables that brake and engine are
also controlled via network. Additionally, in home environment, several
kinds of information appliances are developed such as TV, VCR,
Air-Conditioner, Microwave, etc. However, most of these appliances only
have fixed set of the communication functions.
In this project, we have developed a middleware named “cogma” for
mobile appliances. It enables the easy development of cooperative
applications among various kinds of appliances in mobile environment.
The middleware is designed for
(1) Working not only on embedded device but also on note PC,
(2)Dynamic reconfiguration of sensor or control devices, and
cope with sudden power-on/off,
(3) Cooperation of different kind of functional devices.
By virtue of dynamic code mobility based on mobile agent technology,
on middleware enables the on-demand code installation. The middleware
also has a logical network configuration tool. By using this tool, user can
control/monitor the embedded device via GUI-terminal.
“cogma”system can utilize several kind of network links such as TCP/IP,
and serial. On these links, the system can construct an ad-hoc network.
Each device has information about its function. Devices on the same network
exchange information about them to cooperate each other. In this project,
we develop a SmartMeeting application. In this application, LCD projector,
Note PC, and Light are controlled through SmartMeeting codget.
By using this application, usability and feasibility of the middleware is
exemplified. |