Resource discovery for pervasive environments

Pervasive computing will mean a marked change in the way people use and interact with computers. Access to information and services will no longer be restricted to desktop or laptop computers. Mobile services will co-operate seamlessly and in a transparent way to provide the required information without any user intervention. Resource discovery will play an integral role in the future of pervasive systems but there are many significant problems yet to be overcome. This paper investigates and analyses the deficiencies of the current resource discovery protocols; identifies the key problems and presents a solution. We present a distributed and adaptable architecture that addresses the identified deficiencies. It uses technologies such as XML and J2ME CLDC. A significantly different approach to that of previous attempts has been taken in order to present a flexible and adaptable resource discovery system, which will be required to underpin the future pervasive computing environment. A prototype, using a Palm Pilot Vx on which the system operates, has been implemented and tested.