Maintaining spatial-temporal knowledge through human interaction

Using wireless peer-to-peer interactions between portable devices, it is possible to locally share information and maintain spatial-temporal knowledge emanating from the surroundings. We consider the prospects for unleashing ambient data from the surrounding environment for information provision using two biological phenomena: human mobility and human social interaction. This leads to analogies with epidemiology and is highly relevant to future technology-rich environments. Here, embedded devices in the physical environment, such as sensors and wireless-enabled appliances, represent information sources that can provide extensive situated information. In this paper we address a candidate scenario where isolated sensors in the environment provide real-time data from fixed locations. Using simulation, we examine what happens when information is greedily acquired and shared by mobile participants through peer-to-peer interaction. This is assessed taking into account availability of source nodes and the effects of mobility with respect to temporal accuracy of information. The results reaffirm the need to consider a range of mobility models in testing and validating protocols