Personal Server: Pervasive Computing and Beyond

Existing Mobile Technology Cell Phones

• Small User Interface• Limited Input/Output• Reduced Processing capabilities

Personal Data Assistants• Powered Down Most of The Time• Little Connectivity• Limited User Interface

Existing Mobile Technology

Notebook Computers• Limited Uptime due to Batteries• Large Size• Cumbersome Weight• Connectivity• PC Comparable Input and Output

Personal Server Prototype User Interface

• Limited to a jog dial and 2 buttons

Input and Output• No significant built in input or

output• Uses devices from the

surrounding environment to keep the device itself very small

Data Storage• Enables carrying large

amounts of data easily via FLASH based technologies such as Compact Flash and MicroDrives

• Uses processing and networking capabilities from environment

Personal Server Prototype (cont.) Always On

• Only limited connectivity by devices in the surrounding environment

Size, Weight Same size as a deck of cards Weighs only 135 grams, comparable to a wallet

Processing Much more processing capability than other mobile

devices by using processing power from devices in surrounding environment

Built in Processor

Implementation Storage

FLASH memory of 32MB and a 64MB DRAM

Only 16MB required for Linux based OS

Compact Flash Slot for memory of up to 1GB

Processing StrongARM SA1110

processor with maximum speed at 206Mhz

Augmented Processing Capabilities through using devices in the environment

Implementation (cont.) Connectivity

Bluetooth, capable of a 723kbps maximum data rate

Provides a direct connection to emerging sensor networks or wearable systems

CompactFlash slot enables FLASH based technologies such as 802.11

Input/Output StrongARM 1111 companion chip handles

Bluetooth and CF slot input/output Most user input and output done via

Bluetooth on devices in environment

Implementation (cont.) Power

Uses a 920mAhr Li-ion battery similar to those in current cell phones

Processor consumes only 650mW running at 206Mhz

Dynamic Voltage Management allows the processor to self-regulate its processing speed and conserve considerable amount of energy while still operating instead of going into a non-active mode

Uses between 1 and 700 mW depending on system usage.

Future Work . . . Discovery

An out-of-band discovery signal to reduce power consumption and alleviate discovery traffic pollution on the radio spectrum

Reduction in discovery and setup time which currently takes 21 seconds

Privacy & Security Passive Discovery to reduce personal information

being broadcast User Awareness of public displays or computers

being used Power Management

Further power reduction through closed loop power monitoring or mobile agents

Future Work . . . . (cont.) Adaptive UI

Automatically detect the type and size of display and adjust accordingly without being programmed for each one

Automatically detect the security and accessibility of the display and adapt the available content

Usage Models Possible use as a central control unit for devices

surrounding it like a remote control, watch, health monitoring device, wireless headsets, etc.

Could be used in conjunction with other prototypes or ideas such as the EasyLiving Project

Future Work . . . . . (cont.) Distributed File Systems

Implementing Bayou or Coda style distributed file systems to protect the data on the Personal Server if it is lost, stolen, or damaged

These would also facilitate automatic synchronization and migration

Industrial Design Integration capabilities including a non

obtrusive renewable recharging capability is required.

Example, if the personal server was embedded into a shoe, a special shoe rack for night time recharging

Conclusions Emerging Technologies

Emergence and abundance of wireless and mobile technologies will help facilitate the Personal Server Prototype

Further development of decreasing chip size, increasing chip processing power, and increasing battery lifetimes will increase the Personal Server’s potential as a true personal computer replacement

Mobile Awareness People need to become comfortable with

mobile technology and its ability to replace the existing computer paradigm

Conclusions (cont.) Suggestions

Abundance of private display booths in public places like a telephone booth

Some type of user authentication Allow the Personal Server to work

similar to iButton as well Second CF slot for both memory and

future expansion

Conclusions (cont..) Problems

When multiple devices present in environment, lack of user discretion

Limited to Bluetooth User input on whether or not to connect

to devices Possible LCD display for device

selection Full power drain?

Q&A

Questions?