Hermes (prototype)

1
Hermes(prototype)

• Context aware message delivery using
  intelligent doorplates.
• Dan Fitton
• df_at_comp.lancs.ac.uk
• http//www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/computing/users/fitton
  d/

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Overview of Functionality
Hermes is based around intelligent door plates
(PDAs) typically placed outside an office. It
allows a user to specify public and private
messages when leaving their office, either from a
predefined selection or individually. The public
message is clearly displayed on the persons
doorplate for all passers-by to see. If a person
is away from their office it is possible to leave
them a note (analogous to an electronic Post-it),
by selecting the appropriate option on the
doorplate and writing on its touch-sensitive
screen. When a person returns to their office
they can view any notes left in their absence
along with the time they were left. Private
messages are only displayed to those who can
authenticate themselves with the doorplate, and
only if the owner has explicitly given them this
privilege. Once a user has identified themselves
to a doorplate, if they decide the leave a note
this can be tagged with their identity, enabling
the receiver to reply to it. If a person finds
that they will be away longer than originally
thought, or needs to update the message on their
doorplate for any reason, they can send an SMS
message from their mobile phone to the system
containing the new message. The system can then
identify the sender from their mobile phone
number an update the public (or private) message
on their doorplate. A doorplate can also be
configured to scroll information while it is not
in use e.g. stock prices, news headlines etc.
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Simple Scenario
1. Person A leaves public and private messages
when leaving office.
Gone home for lunch. Back about 330.
2. Authenticated user is allowed to see private
message.
Out to lunch.
Car broken down wont be back till Tuesday.
4. System receives SMS message, identifies sender
and updates their public (or private) message.
3. Person As car breaks down on way back to
work. Sends SMS message to system to inform
colleagues that may try to find them.
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Features

• User authentication using Bluetooth / iButton /
  PIN.
• Buddy list of trusted users.

• View notes in web browser from anywhere.
• Doorplate scrolls information when not in use
  e.g. news, weather, notices, stock prices etc.

• Integration with other context aware ubiquitous
  technologies e.g. MediaCup.
• Easy update of context using any doorplate,
  mobile device, or on the web.
• Written in Java for platform independence.

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Architectural Overview
Messaging Server
GSM MODEM to receive SMS messages
Serial Connection
Wireless Network
Mobile Phone Networks
Users mobile phones
Door Plates
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Implementation
The prototype implementation consists of Door
Plate HP Jornada 568 (Pocket PC2002) Symbol
Spectrum24 11MBit 802.11 Sun PersonalJava beta1
/ NsiCom crème Server Intel Pentium
III Slackware Linux Wavecom
WMOD2B Blackdown JDK 1.3.1 SMSLink SMS
gateway Jakarta Tomcat servlet server 802.11
connectivity
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Implementation
SMSLink Monitor
Central Agent
Servlet Server
Notes
New SMS Messages
Server
Message Updates
LAN
Log In
Get/Set Messages
Get Notes
Register
Door Plate
Web Browser
Web Pages
Web Pages
Client Agent