Architecture of Mobile eLearning Services Ivan Minov, Stanimir Stoyanov

Overview InfoStation Architecture General architecture Supporting agent Push Registry Types of agents in InfoStation

-The First Tier of the network architecture encompasses mobile devices (cellular phones, laptops and PDAs), equipped with intelligent agents that act as personal assistants for the users. -The Second Tier consists of InfoStations, deployed around a University Campus, and faciliates the mobile users’ access to the eLearning services. -The Third Tier is the InfoStation Center itself. Its main functions are to: control the InfoStations, update and synchronize information across the system, manage different types of profiles. InfoStation architecture

General architecture The architecture of multi agent support of InfoStation for an access to the eLearning services. Bluetooth/WiFi TCP/IP Personal AgentSupport Connection Agents A 3 agents User Interface eLearning ServiceseLearning Service Mobile DeviceInfoStation InfoStation Center Interface Agents

Supporting Agents We have to define different types of InfoStation support agents. Two basic agent classes: –Bluetooth agents; –WiFi agents. Development of Bluetooth agents: –First step – simulation; –Second step – real mobile devices.

JADE (Java Agent DEvelopment Framework) JADE is a software Framework fully implemented in Java language by T-Lab. It simplifies the implementation of multi-agent systems through a middle- ware that complies with the FIPA specifications. The agent platform can be distributed across machines (which not even need to share the same OS). it’s open source.

Mobil Device with PushRegistry The push registry enables MIDlets to set themselves up to be launched automatically, without user initiation. PushRegistry allows to be activated MIDlet: By inbound network connections By timer-based alarms Our mobile application will use activation through inbound network connection. Manual Activation by user PausedActive Destroyed Activate Inbound Connection (MIDP 2.0) Timer- based Alert (MIDP 2.0) startApp() pauseApp() new() destroyApp() Activation Methods PushRegistry activation

What we have on the mobile device? Our application that registers a Bluetooth service with PushRegistry. Personal agent that is not a part of JADE. ( Now its development is in background ) Possibility for visualization of data received by InfoStation.

Types of agents in InfoStation Agent support Bluetooth connection: – Scanner Agent; – Connection Initiator Agent; – Connection Agent. Support agent: – Query Manager Agent; – Connection Adviser Agent. Agent and Service: – Simple Service; – Interface Agent.

request Agent and Service level Blue- tooth Agent level Support Agent level Create conn Create agent and give it connection Communication between agents in InfoStation Mobile Device INFOSTATIONINFOSTATION Bluetooth service and address Scanner Agent List with device Filtered devices Connection Adviser Agent DB Connection Initiator Agent Bluetooth API Connection Agent Send Thread Query Manager Agent Simple Service Interface Agents A 3 Agents Receive Thread Our protocol ACL messages

Working on Prototype version of: – InfoStation agents and communication between them; –Bluetooth support of InfoStation; –Communication protocol with mobile device; –Mobile application using Push Registry.

Future Plans Advance in support of the Bluetooth located in the InfoStation. Development of the communication protocol between InfoStation and a mobile device. Advance in the Agent and Service level. Adding WiFi communication, like Bluetooth. Test under real conditions.

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