Progetto e sviluppo di una libreria tuProlog per l’interfacciamento di sensori in contesti di pervasive computing

Il termine pervasive computing incarna l’idea di andare oltre il paradigma dei personal computers: è l’idea che qualsiasi device possa essere tecnologizzato ed interconnesso con un network distribuito, costituendo un nuovo modello di interazione uomo-macchina. All’interno di questo paradigma gioca un ruolo fondamentale il concetto di context-awareness, che fa riferimento all’idea che i computer possano raccogliere dati dall’ambiente circostante e reagire in maniera intelligente e proattiva basandosi su di essi. Un sistema siffatto necessita da un lato di una infrastruttura per la raccolta dei dati dall’ambiente, dall'altro di un supporto per la componente intelligente e reattiva. In tale scenario, questa tesi ha l'obiettivo di progettare e realizzare una libreria per l'interfacciamento di un sistema distribuito di sensori Java-based con l’interprete tuProlog, un sistema Prolog leggero e configurabile, scritto anch'esso in Java ma disponibile per una pluralità di piattaforme, in modo da porre le basi per la costruzione di sistemi context-aware in questo ambiente.

Using context and preferences to implement self-adapting pervasive computing applications

Applications that exploit contextual information in order to adapt their behaviour to dynamically changing operating environments and user requirements are increasingly being explored as part of the vision of pervasive or ubiquitous computing. Despite recent advances in infrastructure to support these applications through the acquisition, interpretation and dissemination of context data from sensors, they remain prohibitively difficult to develop and have made little penetration beyond the laboratory. This situation persists largely due to a lack of appropriately high-level abstractions for describing, reasoning about and exploiting context information as a basis for adaptation. In this paper, we present our efforts to address this challenge, focusing on our novel approach involving the use of preference information as a basis for making flexible adaptation decisions. We also discuss our experiences in applying our conceptual and software frameworks for context and preference modelling to a case study involving the development of an adaptive communication application.

Developing context-aware pervasive computing applications: Models and approach

There is growing interest in the use of context-awareness as a technique for developing pervasive computing applications that are flexible, adaptable, and capable of acting autonomously on behalf of users. However, context-awareness introduces a variety of software engineering challenges. In this paper, we address these challenges by proposing a set of conceptual models designed to support the software engineering process, including context modelling techniques, a preference model for representing context-dependent requirements, and two programming models. We also present a software infrastructure and software engineering process that can be used in conjunction with our models. Finally, we discuss a case study that demonstrates the strengths of our models and software engineering approach with respect to a set of software quality metrics.

A software engineering framework for context-aware pervasive computing

There is growing interest in the use of context-awareness as a technique for developing pervasive computing applications that are flexible, adaptable, and capable of acting autonomously on behalf of users. However, context-awareness introduces various software engineering challenges, as well as privacy and usability concerns. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework and software infrastructure that together address known software engineering challenges, and enable further practical exploration of social and usability issues by facilitating the prototyping and fine-tuning of context-aware applications.

Active node supporting context-aware vertical handover in pervasive computing environment with redundant positioning

A major requirement for pervasive systems is to integrate context-awareness to support heterogeneous networks and device technologies and at the same time support application adaptations to suit user activities. However, current infrastructures for pervasive systems are based on centralized architectures which are focused on context support for service adaptations in response to changes in the computing environment or user mobility. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical architecture based on active nodes, which maximizes the computational capabilities of various nodes within the pervasive computing environment, while efficiently gathering and evaluating context information from the user's working environment. The migratable active node architecture employs various decision making processes for evaluating a rich set of context information in order to dynamically allocate active nodes in the working environment, perform application adaptations and predict user mobility. The active node also utilizes the Redundant Positioning System to accurately manage user's mobility. This paper demonstrates the active node capabilities through context-aware vertical handover applications.

Tangible applications for regular objects:An end-user model for pervasive computing at home

This paper describes an end-user model for a domestic pervasive computing platform formed by regular home objects. The platform does not rely on pre-planned infrastructure; instead, it exploits objects that are already available in the home and exposes their joint sensing, actuating and computing capabilities to home automation applications. We advocate an incremental process of the platform formation and introduce tangible, object-like artifacts for representing important platform functions. One of those artifacts, the application pill, is a tiny object with a minimal user interface, used to carry the application, as well as to start and stop its execution and provide hints about its operational status. We also emphasize streamlining the user's interaction with the platform. The user engages any UI-capable object of his choice to configure applications, while applications issue notifications and alerts exploiting whichever available objects can be used for that purpose. Finally, the paper briefly describes an actual implementation of the presented end-user model. © (2010) by International Academy, Research, and Industry Association (IARIA).

A context-fusion framework for enhancing context-awareness on mobile application

Mobile devices and smartphones have become a significant communication channel for everyday life. The sensing capabilities of mobile devices are expanding rapidly, and sensors embedded in these devices are cheaper and more powerful than before. It is evident that mobile devices have become the most suitable candidates to sense contextual information without needing extra tools. However, current research shows only a limited number of sensors are being explored and investigated. As a result, it still needs to be clarified what forms of contextual information extracted from mo- bile sensors are useful. Therefore, this research investigates the context sensing using current mobile sensors, the study follows experimental methods and sensor data is evaluated and synthesised, in order to deduce the value of various sensors and combinations of sensor for the use in context-aware mobile applications. This study aims to develop a context fusion framework that will enhance the context-awareness on mobile applications, as well as exploring innovative techniques for context sensing on smartphone devices.

Exploring context-awareness in the construction logistics services delivery

Managing a construction project supply chain effectively and efficiently is extremely difficult due to involvement of numerous sectors that are supported by ineffective communication system. An efficient construction supply chain system ensures the delivery of materials and other services to construction site while minimising costs and rewarding all sectors based on value added to the supply chain. The advancement of information, communication and wireless technologies is driving construction companies to deploy supply chain management strategies to seek better outputs. As part of the emerging wireless technologies, contextaware computing capability represents the next generation of ICT to the construction services. Conceptually, context-awareness could be integrated with Web Services in order to ensure the delivery of pertinent information to construction site and enhance construction supply chain collaboration. An initial study has indicated that this integrated system has the potential of serving and improving the construction services delivery through access to context-specific data, information and services on as-needed basis.

Editorial : towards merging grid and pervasive computing

This special issue is in response to the increasing convergence between grids and pervasive computing, while different approaches exist, challenges and opportunities are numerous in this context (Parashar and Pierson, to appear). The research papers selected for this special issue represent recent progresses in the field, including works on mobile ad-hoc grids, service and data discovery, context-aware application building and context accuracy, and communication. All of these papers not only provide novel ideas and state-of-the-art techniques in the field, but also stimulate future research in the Pervasive Grid environment.

Advances in pervasive computing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of advances in pervasive computing.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a critical analysis of the literature.
Findings – Tools expected to support these advances are: resource location framework, data management (e.g. replica control) framework, communication paradigms, and smart interaction mechanisms. Also, infrastructures needed to support pervasive computing applications and an information appliance should be easy for anyone to use and the interaction with the device should be intuitive.
Originality/value – The paper shows how everyday devices with embedded processing and connectivity could interconnect as a pervasive network of intelligent devices that cooperatively and autonomously collect, process and transport information, in order to adapt to the associated context and activity

Vertical handover supporting pervasive computing in future wireless networks

A variety of current and future wired and wireless networking technologies can be transformed into a seamless communication environments through application of context-based vertical handovers. Such seamless communication environments are needed for future pervasive/ubiquitous systems. Pervasive systems are context aware and need to adapt to context changes, including network disconnections and changes in network Quality of Service (QoS). Vertical handover is one of many possible adaptation methods. It allows users to roam freely between heterogeneous networks while maintaining the continuity of their applications. This paper proposes a vertical handover mechanism suitable for multimedia applications in pervasive systems. The paper focuses on the handover decision making process which uses context information regarding user devices, user location, network environment and requested QoS. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Context-awareness privacy in data communications

Internet users consume online targeted advertising based on information collected about them and voluntarily share personal information in social networks. Sensor information and data from smart-phones is collected and used by applications, sometimes in unclear ways. As it happens today with smartphones, in the near future sensors will be shipped in all types of connected devices, enabling ubiquitous information gathering from the physical environment, enabling the vision of Ambient Intelligence. The value of gathered data, if not obvious, can be harnessed through data mining techniques and put to use by enabling personalized and tailored services as well as business intelligence practices, fueling the digital economy. However, the ever-expanding information gathering and use undermines the privacy conceptions of the past. Natural social practices of managing privacy in daily relations are overridden by socially-awkward communication tools, service providers struggle with security issues resulting in harmful data leaks, governments use mass surveillance techniques, the incentives of the digital economy threaten consumer privacy, and the advancement of consumergrade data-gathering technology enables new inter-personal abuses. A wide range of fields attempts to address technology-related privacy problems, however they vary immensely in terms of assumptions, scope and approach. Privacy of future use cases is typically handled vertically, instead of building upon previous work that can be re-contextualized, while current privacy problems are typically addressed per type in a more focused way. Because significant effort was required to make sense of the relations and structure of privacy-related work, this thesis attempts to transmit a structured view of it. It is multi-disciplinary - from cryptography to economics, including distributed systems and information theory - and addresses privacy issues of different natures. As existing work is framed and discussed, the contributions to the state-of-theart done in the scope of this thesis are presented. The contributions add to five distinct areas: 1) identity in distributed systems; 2) future context-aware services; 3) event-based context management; 4) low-latency information flow control; 5) high-dimensional dataset anonymity. Finally, having laid out such landscape of the privacy-preserving work, the current and future privacy challenges are discussed, considering not only technical but also socio-economic perspectives.