BeTelGeuse: Tool for Context Data Gathering via Bluetooth

BeTelGeuse: Tool for Context Data Gathering via Bluetooth Patrik Floréen, Joonas Kukkonen, Eemil Lagerspetz, Petteri Nurmi, Jukka Suomela Helsinki Institute for Information Technology HIIT University of Helsinki, Finland

Outline • Introduction • BeTelGeuse • Sensors and Data Gathering • Demonstration • Conclusions

Context Data Gathering • Different kinds of context data gathering tools have been developed • Mobile tools, e.g. ContextPhone, IBM Mobile Health Toolkit • Custom sensor boards, e.g. Citron • However, many of these tools are designed for specific environments or a set of sensors • Lack of generic context data gathering tools

BeTelGeuse

Goals of BeTelGeuse • Support different platforms • PC • Mobile phones • Hand held devices • Extendable to new types of Bluetooth sensors • Simplify gathering of contextual data • A cheap tool for researchers

Features • BeTelGeuse creates a parser object for each sensor connected to it • It is possible to add support for new sensor types • Local device can be used as a data source • Bluetooth proximity, cell id, etc • Plug-ins can be used for: • Transmitting the data • Preprocessing • Modular architecture – new parsers, plug-ins and other components can easily be added

BeTelGeuse Requirements • Programmed in Java • The core is Java 1.3, MIDP 2.0 / CLDC 1.1, and Personal Profile compatible • Java Bluetooth stack is required • BeTelGeuse has been tested with Windows XP, Linux, Nokia 6680, Sony Ericsson W800i and Hewlett-Packard hx4700 PDA

Adding Support for a New Sensor • Program a parser • Implement the parser interface or extend an existing parser • Link the parser to BeTelGeuse • An identification number needs to be assigned to the parser • Currently BeTelGeuse has parsers for GPS sensors, and Suunto training system

Using Sensors with BeTelGeuse • Authenticate and pair the sensor • Some sensors require authentication and pairing with the local device • Authentication is platform and stack dependent • Start BeTelGeuse • Select a parser for the sensor • The Bluetooth address or the friendly-name can be used to map the sensor to a parser • BeTelGeuse periodically inquires for new devices • Parser object is automatically created

Data Gathering • BeTelGeuse is not designed to analyze the data, it simply collects it • Plug-ins can be used, for example, to send the data to a server • Example uses: • Offline data analysis • Developing models for activity recognition • Online data analysis • Activity recognition • Data source for other programs

PC Version of BeTelGeuse

MIDP Version of BeTelGeuse • Requires MIDP 2.0 and CLDC 1.1 • Allows mobile gathering of data • Contains the same functionalities as the PC version • We use a GPRS connection to send data to a server

MIDP Version of BeTelGeuse • Battery life depends on the number of sensors connected to BeTelGeuse • BeTelGeuse uses a lightweight transfer protocol to transmit the data to a server

BeTelGeuse and Google Earth

Conclusions • Presented a generic data gathering tool • Discussed how to use and extend the tool for own purposes • Demonstrated the tool • Presented an example use for the tool

BeTelGeuse: Tool for Context Data Gathering via Bluetooth