Fairy in a Smart IC Card : Yet Another Mobile Computing System ("AI Challenges in the Near Future")

Abstract

The performance of recent smart IC cards is equal to the one of micro-computer kits about twenty years ago. Using the functions of smart IC cards, this paper proposes yet another mobile computing system for community computing, which aims at supporting personal information management, information service, and dynamic collaborative filtering. The main features of the system are (1) the agents, or fairies in a card are small, cheap, and easy-to-use; (2) they are fully distributed among ubiquitous computing environments with and/or without computer networks; and (3) holder-centered information controlling mechanisms. The application candidates include travel navigation, collaborative education, and electronic commerce. This paper discusses the system architecture, feasibility of applications, and future issues.