Christian Hoareau

Modeling and Processing Information for Context-Aware Computing: A Survey

Abstract.Context-awareness is emerging as a central issue in ubiquitous computing research. Context-aware computing refers to the idea that computing devices can sense and react to the physical environment where they are deployed. A great deal of research on context-awareness has been conducted to explore and address the various challenges related to context acquisition, representation, distribution, and abstraction. This paper surveys the most relevant approaches to modeling context for ubiquitous computing. It also evaluates how the existing works utilize contextual information, with respect to the query processing approaches used to access and manage that information. We also discuss typical problems, shortcomings, and challenges posed by context modeling at large, and highlight some proposals to address some of them.

A model checking-based approach for location query processing in pervasive computing environments

We present a new approach to handle location query processing in pervasive computing environments. We extend the commonly used hierarchical model of space to a semantic model for hybrid logics, i.e. a Kripke structure, and thus map location query processing into a model checking framework. Our approach is built on theoretical foundations that show the soundness of our query framework, explores the connection between location modelling and location query processing, and provides a hybrid logic-based query language that enables efficient search over a decentralised space repository. A prototype implementation is presented and will be discussed.

From model checking to data management in pervasive computing: a location-based query-processing framework

This paper presents a query-processing framework for location-based services. The proposed approach aims at complementing existing context-aware services wherein locations of people, physical objects and services are modeled in a symbolic manner, independently of any sensing technology. To deliver contextual information to the various components of a pervasive computing platform, current systems tend to query the underlying location models in an ad-hoc manner. This makes it difficult to guarantee the quality of the results, and hence the reliability of context-aware services. The main idea behind our framework is to apply and adapt the principles of model checking to query the contextual data structures. Because such query mechanisms have to be sound, our approach is build upon a logic-based query language. We therefore ensure that the results of any query (i) do not miss any information that satisfy its necessary and sufficient conditions and (ii) do not contain any information that does not satisfy the conditions. We describe the implementation of or framework and discuss its applicability to existing graph-based location models.

Query Language for Location-Based Services: A Model Checking Approach

We present a model checking approach to the rationale, implementation, and applications of a query language for location-based services. Such query mechanisms are necessary so that users, objects, and/or services can effectively benefit from the location-awareness of their surrounding environment. The underlying data model is founded on a symbolic model of space organized in a tree structure. Once extended to a semantic model for modal logic, we regard location query processing as a model checking problem, and thus define location queries as hybrid logic-based formulas. Our approach is unique to existing research because it explores the connection between location models and query processing in ubiquitous computing systems, relies on a sound theoretical basis, and provides modal logic-based query mechanisms for expressive searches over a decentralized data structure. A prototype implementation is also presented and will be discussed.

Hybrid Logics and Model Checking: A Recipe for Query Processing in Location-Aware Environments

We introduce a novel approach to handle location- dependent query processing in location-aware environments. We define a hybrid logic-based query language by building a semantic model that benefits from the well- founded model checking techniques. Our language is defined by four modal operators; it can express common location-dependent queries, and has the ability to deal with relative locations. A prototype implementation of the query engine is also presented and will be discussed.

Age in Ubiquitous Computing: A Thin Thread

Ubiquitous computing can significantly improve the general publics quality of life worldwide from birth to old age because it allows monitoring, awareness and support in many environments thanks to sensors, actuators, remote connections, and dedicated knowledge bases. However, ageing influences its usefulness and appropriateness due to growth and decline as well as changes in activities and uses of technology. We discuss potential dedicated services with smart spaces and wearable computers based on the cognitive, physical, physiological, and sensory characteristics of young people and older adults. Our main contribution is to show that existing services support few age-specific needs, and that designs miss age-appropriate techniques, taking into account the whole life span with personal, public and shared systems.

Improving Quality of Life from Birth to Old Age with Ubiquitous Computing and Virtual Reality

Virtual reality and ubiquitous computing can significantly improve the general publics quality of life worldwide from birth to old age because they allow monitoring, awareness and support in real and digital worlds thanks to sensors, actuators, remote connections, and dedicated knowledge bases. However, age influences their usefulness and appropriateness due to growth and decline as well as changes in activities and uses of technology. Based on the cognitive, physical, physiological, and sensory characteristics of young people and older adults, we discuss dedicated systems that exploit intelligent environments, wearable computers and virtual reality. Our most significant contribution is the analysis of the potential and limits of ubiquitous computing and virtual reality to improve quality of life, taking into account all age ranges.

Human Universality in Ubiquitous Computing: Maslow, Where Are You?

Too narrow, the productivity-oriented vision guiding ubiquitous computing should be replaced or enriched with humanistic aspects. We discuss the role of Maslows hierarchy of needs in the creation and adoption of smart spaces, robots and wearable computers worldwide to provide elements for alternative visions of ubiquity. We show that current ubiquitous systems are stratified at the lowest levels of the hierarchy. Based on interviews, questionnaires and experiments, we highlight a positive correlation between the hierarchy of needs and the general publics perception and possible adoption of services. Finally, we discuss implications of these results, and notably the importance of creating humanistic frameworks, services and environments.

Considering Personal Profiles for Comfortable and Efficient Interactions with Smart Clothes

Profiles describing the abilities and specificities of individual wearers enable smart clothes to fundamentally and continuously personalize their behavior, suggesting or selecting useful, comfortable and efficient services and interaction modes. First, we suggest foundations for the design of personal profiles for the general public based on perception, bodily characteristics, culture, language, memory, and spatial abilities. Then, we sketch reactions towards profiles for oneself and ones family based on a 2008 pilot study in Japan. Accordingly, we discuss the creation, update, use and dissemination of profiles, and finally perspectives for future social investigations.

Logic-inspired query processing framework for sensor networks

We present Chequery, a novel query processing framework that brings together model checking approaches and query processing techniques for sensor networks. In addition to its expressiveness, Chequery provides sound mechanisms available to sensor networkspsila administrators for building their data management-oriented tasks.