Abstract: The protection of data on a client mobile computing device by a server computer system such as within an enterprise network or on a separate mobile computing device is described. Security tools are described that provide different security policies to be enforced based on a location associated with a network environment in which a mobile device is operating. Methods for detecting the location of the mobile device are described. Additionally, the security tools may also provide for enforcing different policies based on security features. Examples of security features include the type of connection, wired or wireless, over which data is being transferred, the operation of anti-virus software, or the type of network adapter card. The different security policies provide enforcement mechanisms that may be tailored based upon the detected location and/or active security features associated with the mobile device. Examples of enforcement mechanisms are adaptive port blocking, file hiding and file encryption.

Abstract: Ad hoc networks are a new wireless networking paradigm for mobile hosts. In this paper, we designed an intelligent transport system. The ITS (intelligent transport system) includes two big function modules: Information processing application system and Road condition information transferring system. The main task of the road condition information transferring module is in charge of the information exchange of the car inside, car to car and car to road. The module works in ad hoc network, we call the network VANET (vehicular ad-hoc network) . Vehicular networks are likely to become the most relevant form of mobile ad hoc networks. For the sake of insuring the system can run normally, the information can be transferring correctly and fleetly, the security of VANET (vehicular ad-hoc network) of the road condition information transferring system is crucial. So integrate the characteristics of ad hoc network itself, in the ITS of this paper, we concern the security issues of VANETs from some aspects and provide the appropriate solving measures. To make sure the ITS can be used under the security pattern.

Abstract: A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder s mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions may be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions may be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or widget. The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

Abstract: Although a large volume of literature is available on mobile commerce (m-commerce), the topic is still under development and offers potential opportunities for further research and applications. Since the subject is at the stage of development, a review of the literature on m-commerce with the objective of bringing to the fore the state-of-art in m-commerce research and applications will initiate further research on the growth of m-commerce technologies. This paper reviews the literature on m-commerce and applications using a suitable classification scheme to identify the gap between theory and practice and future research directions. The 149 m-commerce articles are classified and the results of these are presented based on a scheme that consists of five distinct categories: m-commerce theory and research, wireless network infrastructure, mobile middleware, wireless user infrastructure, and m-commerce applications and cases. A comprehensive list of references is presented. We hope that the findings of this research will provide useful insights into the anatomy of m-commerce literature and be a good source for anyone who is interested in m-commerce. The paper also provides some future directions for research.

Abstract: Motion coordination is a remarkable phenomenon in biological systems and an extremely useful tool for groups of vehicles, mobile sensors, and embedded robotic systems For many applications, teams of mobile autonomous agents need the ability to deploy over a region, assume a specified pattern, rendezvous at a common point, or move in a synchronized manner The objective of this article is to illustrate the use of systems theory to analyze emergent behaviors in animal groups and to design autonomous and reliable robotic networks We present and survey some recently developed theoretical tools for modeling, analysis, and design of motion coordination algorithms in both continuous and discrete time We pay special attention to the distributed character of coordination algorithms, the characterization of their performance, and the development of design methodologies that provide mobile networks with provably correct cooperative strategies

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. An advertising platform manager provides tools for an advertiser to create and transmit relevant ad messages to a user based on specific location, time, and profile data of the user. Such location-based ad serving allows for the creation of ads that directly leverage a key component of the user's interaction with the mobile device in that messages can be tied directly to the location display of a product or service offered by the advertiser. The ad messages can be provided in the form of text or graphic messages, logos, display branding. Information related to time and location-sensitive promotional events can also be effectively broadcast to users in the form of alerts or coupons that encourage user to visit a location that may be near the user.

Abstract: Mobile commerce, generally defined as conducting information inquiries and/or business transactions by using mobile devices via wireless communications, is considered the next big wave of investment and application of information technology. Mobile commerce is estimated to account for a sizable portion of the US$6.9 trillion e-commerce revenue by 2004. Although abundant research on the technology side of mobile commerce has been published, there exists ''very limited research on the strategies and applications of M-commerce'' [A. Gunasekaran, E. Ngai, Call for papers: special issue on mobile commerce: strategies, technologies, and applications, Decision Support Systems 35 (2003) 187-188. [15]]. We propose and validate a modified task-technology fit model to explore the factors affecting the effective adoption of mobile commerce in the insurance industry. In particular, we study: (1) if the mobile commerce system based on personal digital assistant (PDA) technology is applicable for the insurance industry; (2) whether individual differences will impact the cognitive fit of insurance agents' use of PDA mobile commerce system; (3) which of the three major insurance tasks is better suited for the PDA technology; and (4) which PDA technology characteristic is best for which type of insurance tasks. Our research finds that the PDA mobile commerce system is indeed suitable for the insurance industry. In terms of the impact of individual differences, we discover that position experience, cognitive style, and computer self-efficacy are major factors that can predict the fit of applying PDA technology for insurance tasks. Counter conventional wisdom, other demographic variables such as gender and age are found to be non-significant. Among three major insurance tasks, we find that the PDA mobile technology provides the highest level of assistance in post-contract customer services, followed by recruiting new insurance contracts, and tax and legal information services.

Abstract: The MOBILEHCI series provides a forum for academics and practitioners to discuss the challenges and potential solutions for effective interaction with mobile systems and services. It covers the design, evaluation and application of techniques and approaches for all mobile and wearable computing devices and services.

Abstract: This paper studies the problem of dynamically covering a given region in the plane using a set of mobile sensor agents. A novel problem formulation is proposed that addresses a number of important multiagent missions. The coverage goal, which is to cover a given search domain using multiple mobile sensors such that each point is surveyed until a certain preset level is achieved, is formulated in a mathematically precise problem statement. A control law is developed that guarantees to meet the coverage goal. This control law is modified to guarantee that a partially connected fleet also attains the coverage goal. Finally, a collision avoidance component is added to the controller to guarantee that the agents do not collide. The new controller is shown to safely achieve coverage. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the main results.

Abstract: A mobile client application executes on a mobile phone and interfaces with a mobile payment platform. A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder's mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions may be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions may be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or “widget.” The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

Abstract: Mobile computing offers potential opportunities for students' learning. It is important to have an operational understanding of the context in developing a user interface that is both useful and flexible. The author believes that the complexity of the relationships involved can be analysed using activity theory. Activity theory, as a social and cultural psychological theory, can be used to design a mobile learning environment. This paper presents the use of activity theory as a framework for describing the components of an activity system for the design of a context-aware mobile learning application.

Abstract: Next-generation wireless mobile communications will be driven by converged networks that integrate disparate technologies and services. The wireless mesh network is envisaged to be one of the key components in the converged networks of the future, providing flexible high- bandwidth wireless backhaul over large geographical areas. While single radio mesh nodes operating on a single channel suffer from capacity constraints, equipping mesh routers with multiple radios using multiple nonoverlap- ping channels can significantly alleviate the capacity problem and increase the aggregate bandwidth available to the network. However, the assignment of channels to the radio interfaces poses significant challenges. The goal of channel assignment algorithms in multiradio mesh networks is to minimize interference while improving the aggregate network capacity and maintaining the connectivity of the network. In this article we examine the unique constraints of channel assignment in wireless mesh networks and identify the key factors governing assignment schemes, with particular reference to interference, traffic patterns, and multipath connectivity. After presenting a taxonomy of existing channel assignment algorithms for WMNs, we describe a new channel assignment scheme called MesTiC, which incorporates the mesh traffic pattern together with connectivity issues in order to minimize interference in multi- radio mesh networks.

Abstract: In this paper, we present the findings of a case study on the development of a radio frequency identification (RFID) prototype system that is integrated with mobile commerce (m-commerce) in a container depot. A system architecture capable of integrating mobile commerce and RFID applications is proposed. The system architecture is examined and explained in the context of the case study. The aims of the system are to (i) keep track of the locations of stackers and containers, (ii) provide greater visibility of the operations data, and (iii) improve the control processes. The case study illustrates the benefits and advantages of using an RFID system, particularly its support of m-commerce activities in the container depot, and describes some of the most important problems and issues. Finally, several research issues and directions of RFID applications in container depots are presented and discussed.

Abstract: Mobiscopes extend the traditional sensor network model, introducing challenges in data management and integrity, privacy, and network system design. Researchers need an architecture and general methodology for designing future mobiscopes. A mobiscope is a federation of distributed mobile sensors into a taskable sensing system that achieves high-density sampling coverage over a wide area through mobility.

Abstract: Simulation and emulation are valuable techniques for the evaluation of algorithms and protocols used in mobile ad-hoc networks. However, these techniques always require the simplification of real-world properties such as radio characteristics or node mobility. It has been shown that this may lead to results and conclusions which do not reflect the behavior of ad-hoc networks in the real world. Various prototype implementations demonstrate that even simple protocols such as flooding do not behave as it was predicted by earlier simulation. To overcome this problem, real-world experiments are required. In this paper, we present a survey on existing real-world implementations of mobile ad-hoc networks. We report on the technology used for the implementations as well as on key findings from experiments conducted with these implementations.

Abstract: Location-based social network manager processes are described. The processes are executed on a computer coupled to location-aware mobile communication devices over a wireless network. The process determines geographic location of a mobile device operated by a user, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile device on a mobile device GUI, and superimposes on the map respective locations of other users of mobile devices coupled to the mobile device. The user can build a database of friends among the other users whose location can be displayed on each respective mobile device. A privacy function allows a user to define who among the network of friends can view location information of the user on their mobile devices. Messaging and alert functions using the communications of the mobile device can incorporate location information resulting in interaction among users based on user identity as well as relative position to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A comprehensive network manager process provides management functions to allow communication with mobile phone users outside of the service network and allows for efficient communication with groups of users within the service network.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for managing mobile devices of supported by different platforms. In some embodiments, the invention provides this management capability by utilizing one or more agents or modules native to the platforms themselves to provide interaction with individual mobile. In some embodiments, the invention provides an abstraction layer by which management tasks or other functions relating to mobile devices of different types may be generally defined and translated for application to mobile devices supported by different platforms. In some embodiments, the invention utilizes existing organizational structure of an enterprise or organization to define management permission for mobile device administrators and end users as well as to define policy configuration schemes for mobile devices. In some embodiments, the invention tracks the lifecycle of mobile devices within an enterprise or organization as assets within the organization.

Abstract: Hypertension and arrhythmia are chronic diseases, which can be effectively prevented and controlled only if the physiological parameters of the patient are constantly monitored, along with the full support of the health education and professional medical care. In this paper, a role-based intelligent mobile care system with alert mechanism in chronic care environment is proposed and implemented. The roles in our system include patients, physicians, nurses, and healthcare providers. Each of the roles represents a person that uses a mobile device such as a mobile phone to communicate with the server setup in the care center such that he or she can go around without restrictions. For commercial mobile phones with Bluetooth communication capability attached to chronic patients, we have developed physiological signal recognition algorithms that were implemented and built-in in the mobile phone without affecting its original communication functions. It is thus possible to integrate several front-end mobile care devices with Bluetooth communication capability to extract patients' various physiological parameters [such as blood pressure, pulse, saturation of haemoglobin (SpO2), and electrocardiogram (ECG)], to monitor multiple physiological signals without space limit, and to upload important or abnormal physiological information to healthcare center for storage and analysis or transmit the information to physicians and healthcare providers for further processing. Thus, the physiological signal extraction devices only have to deal with signal extraction and wireless transmission. Since they do not have to do signal processing, their form factor can be further reduced to reach the goal of microminiaturization and power saving. An alert management mechanism has been included in back-end healthcare center to initiate various strategies for automatic emergency alerts after receiving emergency messages or after automatically recognizing emergency messages. Within the time intervals in system setting, according to the medical history of a specific patient, our prototype system can inform various healthcare providers in sequence to provide healthcare service with their reply to ensure the accuracy of alert information and the completeness of early warning notification to further improve the healthcare quality. In the end, with the testing results and performance evaluation of our implemented system prototype, we conclude that it is possible to set up a complete intelligent health care chain with mobile monitoring and healthcare service via the assistance of our system.

Abstract: An audible indication of a user's position within a given speech grammar framework is provided for a speech-enabled software application, and recognition of speech grammars are limited to use only when a software application that has requested a given set of speech grammars is in focus by a user of an associated mobile computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A journal creation and management component provides tools for users to create and store user-generated content in the form of an online journal. This user-generated content can be automatically tagged with location information provided by the location-aware mobile communication device. Such geo-tagged journal information can be shared with specific users in the network or utilized by users with specific interest in the location dimension of the journal content. The user-generated content can be provided in the form of text or graphic messages, pictures, audio/video clips, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method including asynchronous location-based messaging is provided. Multimedia content may be created and associated with a specific geographic location. Notification messages associated with location-based content may be designated for receipt by particular users, for example, when the users are located within a predetermined distance of the geographic location. The notification messages, which may be transmitted to users' mobile computing devices, may include information about, as well as a pointer to, the location-based content to enable the content to be accessed immediately or at a later time through any number of interfaces.

Abstract: Mobile ad hoc networks and wireless sensor networks have promised a wide variety of applications. However, they are often deployed in potentially adverse or even hostile environments. Therefore, they cannot be readily deployed without first addressing security challenges. Intrusion detection systems provide a necessary layer of in-depth protection for wired networks. However, relatively little research has been performed about intrusion detection in the areas of mobile ad hoc networks and wireless sensor networks. In this article, first we briefly introduce mobile ad hoc networks and wireless sensor networks and their security concerns. Then, we focus on their intrusion detection capabilities. Specifically, we present the challenge of constructing intrusion detection systems for mobile ad hoc networks and wireless sensor networks, survey the existing intrusion detection techniques, and indicate important future research directions.

Abstract: Many e-commerce Web sites offer numerous services, so a product search could return an overwhelming set of options. Without system support, filtering irrelevant products, comparing alternatives, and selecting the best option can be difficult or impossible - especially for users connecting to the Web through a mobile device. Few Web-based recommender systems have been designed for mobile users. A critique-based recommendation methodology aids the acquisition and revision of user preferences in a mobile recommender system. We designed a product recommendation methodology and implemented it in MobyRek, a mobile-phone recommender system that helps users search for travel products. MobyRek supports limited asking and answering of questions and is based mostly on critiques.

Abstract: A system, method, and process for managing and monitoring mobile data, content, access, and usage of mobile devices are provided. The described exemplary system, method, and process provide an infrastructure for managing and monitoring various applications and services of mobile devices such as Internet access, voice, messaging, gaming, music, and video.

Abstract: The emergent field of mobile learning has generated much interest and discussion among researchers and yielded substantial research results. Although mobile technologies can potentially support and enable teaching and learning, the mere availability of information and tools is no guarantee that learning will occur. So, a major consideration in mobile learning is to design and develop with learners and learning principles in mind. The June issue of IEEE Distributed Systems Online features a revised version of the best paper from the IADIS (International Association for the Development of the Information Society) Mobile Learning 2006 International Conference.