The Broadband Phone Network: Experiences with Context-Aware Telephony CUED/F − INFENG/TR.533

We introduce the Broadband Phone, a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) based phone which integrates a high-resolution, touch-sensitive LCD screen. The Broadband Phone Network features: (i) a thin-client network architecture enabling easy integration into the sentient environment at the Anonymous University; (ii) location-sensing via the Active Bat indoor location system allowing applications such as the “follow-me phone”; and (iii) location-based handover of Bluetooth connections, enabling integration of the users’ own personal mobile phones. We describe the thin-client network architecture, the applications which use it such as the new dialing mechanisms, and also how the Broadband Phone can be used as a peripheral display. Finally, we relate our experiences with more than a year of operating this phone network and discuss the pros and cons of our