A remote controlled wireless enabled environment

Abstract

Home and office networks using Bluetooth or WiFi enabled devices have generated interest in the networking community. Network developers are looking into different means of remotely controlling the devices comprising such networks, so as to have the flexibility to change various device parameters without actually being present near them. We look into an interoperable environment in which various heterogeneous networks are present, comprised of Bluetooth scatternets, 802.11 networks, and other networks like HIPERLAN. We present one such method of remotely controlling devices present in a Bluetooth enabled environment in the home or office from anywhere via the Internet. A Web page applet programmed in Java can be accessed from any Java-enabled browser and is used to control parameters of devices in a remote Bluetooth environment. It is also used to display the current state of the Bluetooth devices. A novel application of using Bluetooth devices for remote control is that a passive electronic device can be given processing power simply by connecting a Bluetooth chip to it. While, currently, Bluetooth simulations have been done, networking with other technologies is going on, so that ultimately devices with various enabling technologies can talk to each other and also switch between technologies according to desired quality of service (QoS) requirements, security, and other factors like power consumption, required bit rate, etc.