1. An Ontology-based Conceptual Model for Composing Context-Aware Applications
Eleni Christopoulou, Christos Goumopoulos,
Ioannis Zaharakis & Achilles Kameas
R.A. Computer Technology Institute, DAISy group
Patras, Greece

2. Context-aware UbiComp applications
Ambient environments
dynamic and heterogeneous
Context
physical, environmental and personal information
Decouple UbiComp application composition from context acquisition, representation and management
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

3. Plug/synapse model 1/2 High-level conceptual model
artefacts are components of UbiComp applications
plugs make visible the artefact’s properties, capabilities and services to people and to other artefacts
synapses are associations between two compatible plugs
Users can compose UbiComp applications simply by creating associations between the artefacts
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

4. Plug/synapse model 2/2 Application developer’s point of view
plugs are context-providers that offer high-level abstractions for accessing context
synapses represent users preferences and needs and the emerging behavior of a UbiComp application
Service infrastructure’s perspective
plugs are reusable building blocks for context rendering
synapses determine the context of operation for each artefact
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

5. Context & plug/synapse model
A context-provider component (plug) reads input sensor data and outputs
low level context information: time, temperature, etc.
high-level context information: activity, state, mood, etc.
An artefact from its own experience and use has
low level context information acquired from its own sensors
high level context information - interpretation of its low level context information
An artefact gets context information through synapses from other artefacts’ plugs
information from a “third-person experience”
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

6. The “study” UbiComp application
“Open/Close” plug  eBook’s state – low level context
“Switch On/Off” plug  eLamp’s state – low level context
& eLamp’s ability to provide “light” – high level context
e.g. light’s color, selected luminosity
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

7. GAS Ontology
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

8. Enhancing GAS Ontology
Mixed communities of artefacts and plants
Incorporation of new concepts
ePlant, eEntity
Need of a context management and reasoning process
definition of a plant’s state and behaviour
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

9. Our vision 1/2
The combination and cooperation of artefacts  the continuous formation of new societies
provide services not existing initially in the individuals
The formation of such emergent societies depends on
space and time
knowledge about previous local interactions, previous configured teams, successfully achieved goals or possible failures
Need to model and embed
social memory
enhanced context memory
shared experiences
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

10. Our vision 2/2 Evolving multi-dimensional ontologies
non-functional descriptions, rules and constraints of application
dynamic behaviour and interactions
An open and universally available and accessible core ontology
evolved into higher goal, application and context specific one during the society life-time
Ontologies of specific application domains can be proprietary
7/9/2004
UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

11. Thank you for your attention!
Fin.
Thank you for your attention!