Mobile internet enabled sensors using mobile phones as access network

摘要

We envision ambient intelligent environments with an infrastructure based on heterogeneous sensor and actuator devices accessible over the Internet. Initial steps to realize this concept have been taken by developing an Embedded Internet System (EIS) architecture for Internet protocol enabled devices. In many cases these devices will be in close proximity to a person. Such applications are found in for example sport and wellness. The mobile connection of such devices to the global Internet in a simple and cheap way is of particular interest. It is here proposed that such connection will make use of the existing and wide spread mobile phone networks. Since a few years most new mobile phones are equipped with Bluetooth technology making a mobile phone capable of connecting to 7 other Bluetooth devices. Thus by giving EIS devices a Bluetooth communication channel it will become possible to tunnel the EIS sensor communication through a mobile phone nearby the sensor. The proposed architecture will be described with discussion on limitations due to existing infrastructures and business models in the telecom networks.