Context-based Messaging for Ad Hoc Networks

Ad hoc networks are spontaneously formed networks of devices such as PDAs and mobile phones that are connected through unreliable and slow wireless links. As the adoption into social situations of such devices increases, it is becoming increasingly desirable to support distributed applications over such networks. When dealing with unstable networks it is preferable to improve robustness by having devices interact with one another without explicitly specifying addresses [4]. Since these networks are likely to cover significant geographical regions and comprise devices that are diverse in both capability and purpose, we propose that addressing devices by their contextual situation may be useful for a range of applications.