Architecture for presentation coordination under a multiple device environment

The paper proposes an architecture to coordinate presentations automatically under a multiple device environment. The architecture enables various types of networked devices to present a "scenario" cooperatively. Such a scenario might be that, while watching a TV programme, the viewer can access additional background information via a PDA. A scenario which should be shared among the devices during the presentation is distributed to appropriate devices based on their availability, their functionality and their usable resources. The appropriate part of the scenario is distributed to a device which is introduced to the network in the middle of the presentation based on its capability, and the device plays its role as described in the scenario. The device is reconfigured automatically if such is appropriate and possible. These actions assure users the best effort of their home network environment for a better viewing experience. The result of an experimental implementation of the architecture on a PC environment is also reported.