iMobile: a proxy-based platform for mobile services

Abstract

iMobile is a proxy-based platform that addresses the researchissues in building mobile services. iMobile acts as a massagegateway that allows mobile devices using various protocols ondifferent access networks to relay messages to each other. It alsoallows these clients to access internet services, corporatedatabases, and to control various networked devices. iMobileimplements three key abstractions: devlet, infolet,and applet. A devlet is a driver attached to the proxy thatreceives and sends messages through a particular protocol formobile devices. An infolet hosted on iMobile uses an access methodto provide an abstract view of an information space. An appletimplements service or application logic by processing informationfrom various infolets. The Core of iMobile, the let engine,implements the basic framework for maintaining applets, devlets andinfolets, supports user and device profiles for personalization andtranscoding, and invokes proper applets and infolets to answerrequests from a devlet. The iMobile architecture allows new accessdevices and protocols to be added to its framework without changesin the service logic. iMobile effectively provides a personal agenton the network that enables a user to have mobile access to thevast information and services available on the various wireless andwireline networks, without being limited by where the user is orwhat device or communication or protocol is available.