Extending Instant Messaging to Support Spontaneous Interactions in Ad-hoc Networks

The proliferation of different computing devices such as handhelds and wall-size whiteboards, as well as Internetbased distributed information systems are creating ubiquitous computing environments that provide constant access to information regardless of the user's location. Handheld computers are being transformed from personal electronic agendas into mobile communication devices with intermittent network connectivity. Thus, these devices are becoming a natural medium to tap into an ubiquitous computing infrastructure. Not only do they store much of the user’s personal information (contacts list, meeting schedule, to-do list, etc.), but they are always at hand, in sharp contrast with desktop computers. Handhelds, however, most often operate disconnected from the network reducing the opportunities for computer-mediated collaboration with other peers or computational resources. In this paper we propose the extension of an Instant Messaging and Presence Awareness (IM&PA) application running on a handheld device to interact with devices that come within reach of the user as he moves within a pervasive computing environment. Agents are used to represent the devices and appear as first class objects in the IM&PA system, which provides a consistent interface for the user to be aware of the status, and be able to interact with, both people and devices.