Showing papers on "Internet appliance published in 2003"

What's so different about the mobile Internet?

Abstract: The mobile Internet, defined as wireless access to the digitized contents of the Internet via mobile devices, has advanced significantly, both in terms of its user population and its technology. Recent research suggests that the number of mobile Internet users in the world will grow 18-fold between 2000 and 2005, to about 729 million [5]. The number of people using the mobile Internet already exceeds those using the stationary Internet in Japan [3]. In South Korea, the number of people owning a mobile phone is 29 million (64% of the total population), the number of mobile Internet subscribers is estimated to be about 18 million (39% of the total population), and more than 3.5 million people are already using a 2.5G mobile Internet service, CDMA-1x, with a speed of 2.4Mbps [8]. The rapid growth of the mobile Internet has significant implications for e-businesses. However, we cannot simply transfer the rules of the stationary Internet to the mobile Internet “game” because the mobile Internet differs significantly in various aspects from the stationary Internet. Hence we need to analyze the characteristics of the mobile Internet and their impact on e-business. This study investigates the business implications of the mobile Internet from the user’s perspective. In three consecutive large-scale surveys conducted in Korea, the effects of the characteristics of the mobile Internet on business users were identified. The business implications of the mobile Internet were then compared with those of the stationary Internet, and their divergences analyzed according to the characteristics of mobile Internet systems.

Method and apparatus for providing content access controls to access the internet

Abstract: An Internet access control system is defined using a client-server architecture. The computer program installed on the client computer validates/identifies the user and user specific information is passed to the client computer. All user requests to access the Internet are intercepted by an application executing on the client computer. The URL extracted from the internet access request is sent to the Internet access control web server to determine if the URL is in a master list of previously evaluated websites. If the URL is found, the website ratings and subject matter categories are sent to the client computer for determination of whether or not the website contains information appropriate for the user attempting to access the Internet using web access settings defined by, for example, a parent or employer. If the URL is determined to be appropriate, the Internet access request is sent to the computer networking layer to which the request was originally routed; otherwise, the Internet access request is edited and is sent to the computer networking layer to which the request was originally routed for redirection of the transmission request.

Computer Networks and Internets: With Internet Applications

Abstract: Computer networks and internets: with internet application , Computer networks and internets: with internet application , کتابخانه دیجیتال و فن آوری اطلاعات دانشگاه امام صادق(ع)

Mobile Internet Acces in FleetNet.

Abstract: Inter-vehicle communication systems play an important role in future road communication scenarios like FleetNet. For such communication scenarios, ad hoc networks offer a promising approach due to their characteristics such as low latency and cost efficiency. While multi-hop ad hoc network communication among vehicles provides for many interesting and important applications (e.g., traveling safety, smoothed traffic flow), users also will be interested in accessing Internet services. This access can be achieved via roadside installed Internet gateways. However, the Internet integration of inter-vehicle communication systems entails several difficulties, such as mobility support, communication efficiency, or the discovery and handover of connections from one gateway to the next. In this paper, we propose a communication architecture that addresses these issues. Our communication architecture combines a proxy-based approach with Mobile IP. Additionally, the architecture integrates the passengers’ mobile devices used within the vehicles, i.e. they are able to access the Internet using the inter-vehicle communication system.

Connection discrepancies: Unmasking further layers of the digital divide

Abstract: In assessing the integration of the Internet into society, scholars have documented that certain sectors of the population are disadvantaged by their lack of access to computer resources. The disadvantaged have traditionally included the less educated, non-whites, females, the elderly and lower income people. Scholars are now beginning to address differences in Internet experiences among Internet users, but most studies fail to account for the type of connection people use to access the Internet. The purpose of this study is to expand the level of information surrounding Internet connections. This study finds that (1) most Internet data sources fail to ask questions about types of Internet connections; (2) broadband users experience the Internet differently; and, (3) in determining who is likely to spend more time online, the type of connection is more important than other digital divide demographics such as education, race or gender. Subsequently, those engaged in the exploration of our Internet society should start controlling for how Internet users connect to the World Wide Web.

Computer and Internet Use at Work in 2001.

Abstract: The personal computer is becoming a hallmark of the workplace in postindustrial America. The advent of microcomputers in the mid-1970s expanded both the use of computers and employees’ computer skills in the workplace. For many people, computers have become an indispensable tool on the job. In September 2001, 72.3 million individuals used a computer at work, accounting for 53.5 percent of total employment; in addition, about 2 of every 5 employed persons connected to the Internet or used e-mail while on the job.1 These findings are from a special supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted in September 2001.2 The Computer and Internet Use Survey obtained information on computer and Internet or e-mail use at home, school, and work, as well as on the use of the Internet for job searches. The data presented in this article pertain to computer and Internet use at work and to job searches using the Internet.3 (For further information about the survey, see the appendix.)

SOC CMOS technology for personal Internet products

Abstract: Worldwide demand for Personal Internet Products is increasing rapidly, and will shape the directions of CMOS technology in the years ahead. Personal Internet Products are loosely defined in this paper as communication, computing and consumer products, which are enabled by the Internet: cell phones, PDAs, WLANs, Internet audio/video, ADSL, cable modems etc. Personal Internet Products are based on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and analog functionality. They are made accessible to billions of people around the globe by intense focus on cost through SOC integration. In the Internet Age, Moore's Law will continue to be a technology imperative for the semiconductor industry. But SOC integration will be an additional technology imperative that drives down the cost of Personal Internet Product to mass market levels. SOC integration for Personal Internet Products requires the integration of analog, power analog, RF and memory onto the digital baseband processor, which is fabricated in high density, high performance, low cost digital CMOS technology. This paper describes the challenges and some of the solutions to achieve this vision.

Distributed processing system having sensor based data collection and associated method

Abstract: A sensor-based network hosted on a distributed computing platform and associated method are disclosed. The distributed computing platform takes advantage of unused capabilities of internet, intranet, wireless or otherwise network connected client systems, such as personal computers, internet appliances, notebook computers, server systems, storage devices or any other connected computing device. One capability for many of these devices is the ability to provide the infrastructure support for sensors, such as power, communication services, recording, data logging services and other supporting services that would allow the sensor to gather data and provide and/or communicate that data in a useful and timely manner. Such sensors can interface to these devices using a variety of communication techniques, and these sensors can be a single set or multiple sets of sensor devices associated with each device. These sensors can take on a wide variety of forms and purposes, including but not limited to sensors for weather related measurements, atmospheric conditions, air/water/environmental conditions, seismic activity, location information (such as GPS data), biological conditions, health conditions, and chemical contamination measurements.

Internet cordless phone

Abstract: An Internet cordless phone enabling a plurality of users to wirelessly make Internet calls at the same time over one Internet line is provided. The provided Internet cordless phone includes an Internet phone station for processing an Internet phone protocol and cordless handsets for processing audio codec and user interface, wherein the Internet phone station and the cordless handsets are connected by Bluetooth asynchronous connection-less (ACL) links. By using the provided Internet cordless phone, a maximum of seven people can make Internet calls over one Internet line so that the cost of making calls is reduced and mobility limitations are overcome.

Adoption of the Internet and WAP-enabled phones in Singapore

Abstract: The Internet, and more recently mobile phones have seen tremendous growth over the past few years. This paper examines the adoption of the Internet and WAP-enabled mobile phones in Singapore. Specifically, we compare users of WAP-enabled mobile phones and non-WAP-enabled mobile phones in terms of profile of Internet users, Internet activities and issues relating to WAP-enabled mobile phones. The results indicate that short messaging system (SMS) and caller ID are popular functions for mobile phone users. Respondent also use the mobile phone for buying cinema/concert tickets and accessing personalised news. These results provide researchers and practitioners with some insights on the adoption of the Internet and WAP-enabled mobile phones. For researchers, such insights would be useful in understanding the adoption phenomenon, while for practitioners, such insights would provide some basis for adopting certain policies to promote adoption.

IrisNet: An Architecture for Enabling Sensor-Enriched Internet Service

Abstract: The proliferation and affordability of webcams and other smart sensors have created opportunities for novel sensor-enriched Internet services, which combine traditional data sources with information collected from live sensor feeds. This paper describes the design, architecture, and implementation of IrisNet, the first generalpurpose software infrastructure tailored to the unique demands of worldwide sensing services. IrisNet provides service authors with a very high-level abstraction of the underlying system, to ease authoring of new services. For scalability and decreased bandwidth consumption, IrisNet pushes both sensor feed processing and queries close to the sensor nodes. IrisNet provides distributed query processing, data partitioning, caching, load balancing, and replication schemes optimized for sensor-enriched Internet services. This paper reports on experiments with a working IrisNet prototype running two example services that demonstrate the effectiveness of IrisNet’s features in achieving scalability and reducing query re-

Method of upgrading system software of a home appliance

Abstract: A method of upgrading system software of a home appliance, includes reading a system software version of the home appliance to be upgraded among home appliances constituting a home network with a home server, reading a latest system software version corresponding to the home appliance from an appliance company server connected through the home server and Internet, comparing the system software version of the home appliance in the home network with the system software version of the corresponding home appliance in the appliance company server, if the system software version of the corresponding home appliance in the appliance company server is newer than the system software version of the home appliance in the home network, downloading the system software of the corresponding home appliance from the appliance company server to the home server, and replacing the system software of the home appliance at home with the downloaded system software through the home network.

Method for converting internet messages for publishing

Abstract: A method of converting internet messages is provided. A first message database is provided on a first computer which is coupled to the Internet and accessible by users thereof. Internet messages from an Internet discussion forum such as a standard e-mail users group, message forum or newsgroup database can be transferred from the first database to a more specialized forum in a second database on a second computer, also coupled to the Internet, utilizing a protocol provided on the second computer. The messages can be edited and revised for further discussion and eventual publishing as a book, web page or other known publishing format.

System for the internet connections, and server for routing connections to a client machine

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an Internet connection system which is capable of benefiting from the IPv6 by relatively easy means and in which manufacturers of client-side devices can create added values for users. IPv6 packets are transmitted by a tunneling connection between a home network and a server on the Internet. Also terminal devices present in the home network can be uniquely recognized and controlled from outside via the server. Since all communications are performed via the server on the Internet regardless of the carrier and the ISP, the terminal device and all connections to the terminal device can be freely configured and controlled by the owner or the manufacturer of the server on the Internet.

Internet surfing for the blind : a prototype

Abstract: The right of blind people to access the Internet is simply ignored in many countries because Web pages have been designed for normal people. As a result, many blind people are not enjoying the benefits of the Internet and the improvement in the quality of life that Internet use can bring. In order for visually impaired persons to surf the Internet, it is necessary to develop a special human‐computer interface (HCI) system. This paper presents the design of a Web project for the blind. The aim of this research is to develop a new HCI model and an associated computer system for visually impaired people so that they can browse the World Wide Web via Internet. An assessment of the potential of a wide range of applications and their impact are also presented.

Smart Home Concepts: Current Trends

Abstract: Smart Home Concepts: Current Trends Alladi Venkatesh Ph.D. CRITO University of California Irvine CA 92697 avenkate@uci.edu http://www.crito.uci.edu A. Introduction In this paper, we discuss some important current developments concerning smart home technologies and their future prospects. Information Appliances Information appliances are consumer devices which offer Internet and/or network access without using the traditional operating system interface. That being said, the line dividing information appliances (“IAs”) and traditional PCs is not altogether clear. For instance, a device whose only user interface is a Web browser, but which runs on top of the Linux operating system, is considered an IA because of its simplified interface. However, operating systems, most notably Microsoft Windows, have grown increasingly simple and browser-like themselves. Just ten years ago, remember, the “c-prompt” was a daily fact of life for PC users. The evolution of Windows has pushed the PC ever closer to our information appliance definition, and seems likely to continue on this path toward usability. Thus, it may be useful to briefly consider some devices currently considered IAs (more discussion of particular devices can be found in Section 2 of this paper). Information appliances include PDAs, palmtops, and set-top boxes. However, as network capabilities are added to more familiar devices, “intelligent” car stereos, VCRs, and refrigerators start to come under the IA heading as well. The IA market is also likely to introduce more new devices, such as personal hand-held scanners and Web tablets, both of which are currently in some stage of development or introduction. In his article “How information appliances are winning over businesses”, Chris Edwards states that “there is no single definition of what an appliance should look like”. This statement in itself could be considered a useful description. Typically, an information appliance does not have a hard drive, or at least not a big one, and is only required to run smaller applications and use less processor speed than a traditional PC. In exchange for these, the typical IA is more portable, more versatile, and less expensive. In addition, because IA operating systems (OS’s) tend to be simpler than PC standard OS’s, information appliances are generally easier to use. Says Edwards, information appliances “appeal to users more familiar with Sony PlayStations than computers”. The information appliance can also be considered in terms of function. IA’s are expected to deliver the benefits of the Internet without the potential hassle of a PC. They are expected to be easily networked and intuitive in operation. Finally, the general term “information appliance” has a number of synonyms. These include “internet appliance”, “net terminal”, and “web appliance”. While the names used seem to be interchangeable, “information appliance” is most prevalent. Smart Homes Smart homes, then, are homes which utilize information appliances and a home-based network to connect household appliances to each other and to the outside Internet world. Because of the integral nature of the home-based network into the smart home, the discussion of the smart home should be inclusive of the discussion of the networked home. There have been several high-profile smart home projects undertaken by private citizens over the last few years. The most well-known of these has been Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ residence on Mercer Island east of Seattle. The home includes art frames which can display different “paintings” on demand, as

Control Networks and the Internet

Abstract: There has been quite a lot of talk about the emergence of the Internet and its applicability to nearly everything around us. Indeed the power of the Internet is not really in its sheer technical innovation but in the way it cuts across traditional communication boundaries and permits new possibilities for the average nontechnical user. The technology for the Internet has been around for over twenty-five years. What then has prompted its explosive expansion in the last few years? The answer to this question is important in understanding where the Internet is going and what things it will affect on its path in the next few years. Many believe that the Internet’s potential has only been minimally tapped so far. The true impact of the Internet and the many “killer apps” it will spawn are yet to come. The Internet and the World Wide Web have in essence allowed people to easily and economically reach other people. Electronic mail, arguably the most popular application of the Internet, has become an indispensable tool for many businesses and families. The number of new businesses and individuals connected to the Internet is growing at an astonishing rate. In short, people can now get in touch and stay in touch with others more easily than ever before, thanks to the Internet.

Omnisphere: a personal communication environment

Abstract: Small ubiquitous devices connected by wireless networks will become future Internet appliances. To support them, communication networks must evolve to seamlessly assist appliances and provide advanced functionalities. We present a personal communication environment called Omnisphere that provides a communication and information universe surrounding wireless appliances. It is based on a high level concept called ambient services that allows to construct complex services out of primitive ones by connecting them with typed data flows. A typed data flow is an abstract view of communication between ambient services. It encapsulates three elements: channels, control, and metadata. Omnisphere provides a predefined service for discovery of component services and binding them together with data flows. Our strategy for service discovery is to delegate most of the operations to the network infrastructure and to automate them as much as possible. Based on the user ID and appliance ID, Omnisphere retrieves the information that restricts the set of possible services: User preferences, device capabilities, and context. It then makes use of existing discovery protocols such as SLP, Jini, or UPnP to discover relevant services and matches them with the required characteristics. Such a discovery process relieves appliances, which may have limited resources, from the operation that may consume scarce resources and may require the availability of different discovery protocols on the appliance.

Method and apparatus for secure internet communications

Abstract: Network communication from a client computer accessing an application service computer through use of the Internet (where the application service computer is normally protected from general Internet access by a firewall) is enabled by validating each computer message instance between the client computer and the application service computer against a first message permissive in a message address confirmation computer and a second message permissive in a firewall-tunnel computer. The firewall-tunnel computer and the message address confirmation computer interface directly to the Internet via secure protocol. The approach enables bi-directional multi-protocol communications by using HTTP protocol communications to the Internet in a computer systems infrastructure without need for re-configuration of firewall or NAT devices installed between the Internet and a network otherwise protected by a firewall or NAT device.

Household Demand for Wireless Telephony: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract: This paper provides initial estimates of the household penetration rates of Internet ready cell phones and Internet enabled PDAs. The data used for this analysis is based on over 4,000 completed surveys obtained for the period, January 2003 through February 2003. The paper provides a framework for assessing the initial demand for Internet ready mobile devices (cell phones, PDAs) including the probability that those devices are connected to the Internet. Issues addressed are: (1) the impact of wireless mobile devices on second lines, (2) the relationship of wireless Internet access on a household’s choice of Internet access (broadband vs. dial-up) and (3) the level of interest in advanced services such as voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The demand for Internet ready devices is segmented by income and age and by cell phone service provider.

Embedded-Internet Devices: A Means of Realising th Pervasive Computing Vision.

Abstract: This paper explores the feasibility of applying newly emerging low-cost embedded-Internet devices in support of pervasive computing; a new vision whereby domestic appliances are provided with Internet connections enabling them to be accessed and controlled from anywhere, anytime, via any web based interface. The principal challenges addressed by this work were how to design an embedded -Internet computing architecture that supported appliance control, multimode heterogeneous clients interfacing and mixed wired and wireless communication. We present a generic architectural solution for the design of Internet appliances. We show how this can be realised by describing a practical implementation based around a novel, “botanical plant care” embedded-Internet appliance. In this the server-side utilised a Dallas Semiconductors TINI embedded-Internet device, as this product typified the available off-the-shelf technology. The client side was based around PCs, PDAs and mobile phones using Web and WAP interfaces. The communication mediums were wired-IP, WiFi and Bluetooth. The choice of these technologies was driven by their widespread public use which is leading them to become the de-facto standards in this area. From this work we show that it is feasible to use the new generation of low-cost embedded-Internet devices, with minimal development facilities, to “quickly” create interesting high-tech applications for the new ranges of Internet products that are envisaged by the pervasive computing vision.

A method for operating an internet broadcasting station

Abstract: A method to generate revenue for an Internet broadcasting station (130) is disclosed. The method includes providing audio programming content via the Internet broadcasting station (130) over the Internet and providing an Internet search engine (120) as part of the Internet broadcasting station such that a user of the Internet broadcasting station may search (122) for web sites on the Internet without the audio programming content being interrupted. Also, the method includes paying a provider of the Internet broadcasting station a predetermined monetary amount from a sponsor of the Internet broadcasting station (130) every time a user of the Internet broadcasting station goes to a web site of the sponsor using the Internet search engine.

Fast address configuration strategies for the next-generation internet

Abstract: Fast IPv6 Address Configuration is pivotal to the unification of mobile Internet and mobile telephony services. We describe the standard method for IPv6 address configuration and examine its drawbacks, identify the current alternatives and their flaws and suggest two new methods of Duplicate Address Detection which perform Address Configuration more quickly.

Embedded user interface in a communication device

Abstract: An embedded user interface within a communication device communicates with a user's computer for configuring Internet access, troubleshooting Internet service, and controlling user access to the Internet. Upon receiving a request to provide content from the Internet, the communication device determines if Internet access is available. If the communication device is not connected or the Internet connection is already in use, the device returns a web page generated locally within the communication device. Otherwise, the request is delivered via a broadband connection.

System, apparatus, and method for configuring a packet switched network appliance to have access to a packet switched network

Abstract: A network server is adapted to connect on the network with Internet appliances, and to fully configure such appliances over a network connection to access and operate on the Internet. In a preferred embodiment the appliances have first control routines adapted to cooperate with second routines at the server, and also a network address for connection. An initiation signal by a user at a network-connected appliance launches the first routines, causing the appliance to invoke the network address and to establish network communication with the server and to initiate configuration interaction. In some cases special telephone numbers are provided with new appliances, and the dial-up server, through Destination Number Information Service (DNIS) uses the dial-up number in conjunction with a data repository to select appropriate software for interfacing with and configuring a connecting appliance. A full range of services may be provided, including value-added services, such a browsers and browser configuration.

A vision of the Internet in 2010

Abstract: This paper presents a vision of the Internet eight years from now (i.e. in the year 2010). The study underpinning this vision was performed in two steps: the definition of requirements and drivers together with an extrapolation of technology developments. The vision is a direct result of the author’s extensive experience with working with the development of the Internet including his technical leadership of the Mobile Wireless Internet Forum and as a contributor to the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Toward understanding the mobile Internet user behavior: a methodology for user clustering with aging analysis

Abstract: The mobile Internet emergence gives a new class of opportunities to analyze the user behavior in the environment that is closely related to the users' real lives. The rapid growth in the wireless Internet has a significant dynamic nature, which leads to the difficulty of stable analysis. It is common to witness the drastic traffic change in the mobile Internet. It is important to identify the dynamic transitions of use patterns. User tracking is possible to use the user identifier commonly used in the mobile Internet. From the long-term observation of mobile Internet user transaction logs based on the user identifier, we analyze the long-term usage pattern to identify the metrics to segment various mobile Internet user behaviors. The proposed method uses the number of months in which an end user shows continuous use. The results from the case study and future issues are presented.

An Empirical Study on the Breadth and Depth Tradeoffs in Very Small Screens: Focusing on Mobile Internet Phones

Abstract: Recently many people can retrieve information anywhere and anytime using handheld mobile Internet devices. Although there has been much progress in mobile Internet technologies, small size of mobile Internet screen remains as a fundamental limitation causing poor usability. One way to work within this constraint is to organize an information structure with efficient depth/breadth design. This study investigated the impacts of screen size and horizontal depth, a new concept proposed by this paper for mobile Internet, on user’s behaviors and perceptions. Results of a lab experiment showed that horizontal depth and screen size significantly affect the navigation behaviors and perceptions of mobile Internet users.