Incentive-based cooperative and secure inter-personal networking

Abstract

In this paper we describe a framework for enabling a "stranded" mobile user to negotiate connectivity and networking resources through another user's devices. (A "stranded" user is one who has no direct means to access a network for communication purposes or other computing services.) The entity under consideration in this paper is the Wireless Personal-Area Network (WPAN). We regard the user's WPAN as an entity that negotiates short-term contracts on behalf of the user for access services through WPANs of other users that act as bridges to locally available resources. This collaborative approach allows on-the-go users to be always connected, even in locations where their service providers offer no coverage.