Communicating E2E
Donald Bren Professor of Computer Science Ramesh Jain and his research group are taking an event-centric approach for realizing E2E connection.
Communication has typically been a person-to-person (P2P) interaction. Computers, cell phones and other technology have transitioned communication to occur in a device-to-device (D2D) method.
Jain is looking at taking this interaction back to a P2P approach using technology to bring people closer together in an ever-connected world.
This new approach, Environment to environment (E2E) connectivity, can be achieved by placing multiple heterogeneous sensors (cameras, microphones, infrared, etc.) in an environment to detect appropriate objects and events continuously and creating a dynamic Situation Model of the environment.
This situation model can be used to provide adequate symbolic as well as sensory (experiential) information to users in other environments.
By creating a similar situation model for the other environments, a joint situation model can be prepared that can help in presenting appropriate information in both environments at adequate locations.
According to Jain, this innovative communication model will make interactions among people in different locations much more natural because unlike current device-to-device models, “people will be free and natural in their environment and will be able to interact with remote environments as if they are at the same place.”
The applications of E2E technologies are diverse.
There are business applications in which two international office can have truly one on one meetings, to bringing an interactive museum exhibit into your own home.
In situations where interaction and transmission of large volumes of data are critical issues, E2E will provide a convenient communications mechanism from remote sites with a convenient display interface.
The first prototype E2E communications are now taking place between UC irvine and the National University of Singapore.
Professor Jain hopes to take what has become such a device-centric communication into a person-centric communication.
“People should not be concerned about the functionality and focus of communication through a single medium, such as teleconferencing. They should worry only about communication not the medium.”
