News & Events

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2004: The V2 Simulation Environment, an interactive Web-based application developed by the Trace Center, was made publicly available today. This simulation is intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the V2 draft standards for a Universal Remote Console framework, and to provide a hands-on simulation environment for people interested in the technical details of the draft standards.

This V2 Simulation Environment is based on the most recent revision of the family of V2 draft standards on a Universal Remote Console framework, collectively called "Protocol to Facilitate Operation of Information and Electronic Products through Remote and Alternative Interfaces and Intelligent Agents." These draft standards are currently in public review under ANSI. They describe a framework for a next-generation universal remote control (called "Universal Remote Console") which will allow the use of any device as controller of electronic devices and services. This technology will also facilitate the use of intelligent user agents for controlling home appliances and services at work and in public environments.

The Simulation Environment is written as a set of Java applets, and uses Web technologies such as XML and the XML Schema Definition language. In multiple windows that are spawned from a common Web browser, the user may launch simulations of house appliances ("targets"), and control the simulations through Universal Remote Consoles. The user can track the message flow between the Universal Remote Consoles and the targets, thus gaining a better understanding of the concepts and mechanisms of the V2 draft standards.

It is important to note that the V2 standards are designed for any networking platform, and that the Web-based implementation of Trace’s Simulation Environment is just for demonstration purposes. In fact, the Trace Center is also working on a V2 implementation that is based on Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology.

The Trace Center has been working on these standards with other members of the V2 Technical Committee of the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) for more than 3 years. Previous versions of this application have been on display at past presentations, including a presentation to the Japanese industry last month in Tokyo.

Trace has worked toward the development of a standard on a Universal Remote Console framework for many years. It has been an active member of the V2 Technical Committee since its inauguration in October 2000. Prof. Gregg Vanderheiden, Director of the Trace Center, is currently acting chair of V2. Dr. Gottfried Zimmermann, project director at the Trace Center and independent consultant, is editor of the V2 draft standards and directs the V2 tools program at Trace.