An Ontology-based Conceptual Model for Composing Context-Aware Applications

1. An Ontology-basedConceptual Model for ComposingContext-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 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 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 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” 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 UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

7. GAS Ontology 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 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 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 UbiComp04 - W12 workshop

11. Fin. Thank you for your attention!