A Framework for Adaptive UbiComp Applications Based on the Jack-in-the-Net Architecture

The Jack-in-the-Net Architecture (Ja-Net) that we present in this paper provides a unique and promising approach to design ubiquitous computing applications that can scale, self-organize, and adapt to short- and long-term changes in network conditions and user preferences. In Ja-Net, network applications are implemented by a group of distributed, autonomous entities called the cyber-entities. Each cyber-entity implements a function component related to its service and follows simple behavior rules (such as migration, replication, energy exchange, death, and relationship establishment with other cyber-entities). They form organizations or communities by establishing and learning useful relationships with a number of other cyber-entities and collectively provide higher level services through interactions among them. Consequently, desirable services and characteristics emerge in network applications through autonomous and self-organizing interactions among cyber-entities (service emergence). In this paper, we discuss the design and implementation of Ja-Net platform software that achieves dynamic and adaptive provision of network applications through service emergence. We also built an application for Ja-Net that features service emergence and we empirically verified that the application can adapt itself to user preferences.