The Access Grid (AG) is an emerging standard for distributed collaboration. The AG collaboration model allows people at different locations to see and talk with people at other locations simultaneously and encourages sharing resources (e.g., applications, instruments, etc.). An AG node has a large tiled projection screen on which remote participants and software applications are displayed. Multiple streams of audio and video encourage seamless interaction between participants at different nodes. AG technology has been used for meetings, brainstorming sessions, distance learning (e.g., seminars, classes, training, etc.), informal gatherings after work, and sharing of remote instruments. Many organizations and individuals use the system for everyday activities and group collaboration.

Some observers propose the widespread deployment of AG technology for Scientific Collaboration (including peer review) and Crisis Management. Face-to-face meetings between peers are a critical component of the national and global scientific enterprise. Current AG software, however, is inappropriate for widespread deployment at this time. First, an AG node is complex and expensive to operate and maintain. Second, AG software does not support authentication and security. And third, the underlying communication tools (e.g., shared applications, media streaming, etc.) can be improved to support capabilities requested by current AG users.

The research and development proposed here will address these problems. A programmable automation system will be developed and tested that will eliminate the need for a local operator. The AG software will be modified to support authentication of both participants and nodes and to provide credential management services that assist participants in obtaining and using credentials for secure sessions. The streaming media tools will be modified to encrypt data using the Secure Real Time Transport Protocol being developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The streaming media and application sharing tools used by the AG software will be enhanced to improve interaction and communication. An existing shared whiteboard and virtual desktop application will be integrated with the system. This software will support multiple users, multicast transport, and session archiving and playback to/from a storage system that uses the IETF Real Time Streaming Protocol. In addition, these tools will be modified to use authentication and secure communication protocols so they can be used in private meetings.

The streaming media tools will be enhanced to add features required by the automation and security work. In addition, support for omni-directional cameras and virtual cameras that can be controlled by a remote node will be added to the video tool (vic) and support for spatial location of sound will be added to the audio tool (rat). Spatial sound will be used in the automation system to provide audio cues to participants that will direct the user's attention to the current speaker. Audio cues based on spatial sound will be compared with other types of cues to direct user’s attention (e.g., highlighting a window and switching source(s) displayed in a window(s)).