Abstract
The goal of this chapter is to present an ontology-driven approach and a context management framework for the composition of context-aware Ubiquitous Computing (Ubiquitous computing) applications. We focus on composing Ubiquitous computing applications from everyday physical objects enhanced with sensing, acting, processing and communication abilities. First we outline how context is modeled and used in various Ubiquitous computing systems emphasizing on ontology-oriented approaches. Then we describe the ontology that was developed in order to conceptually represent context-aware Ubiquitous computing systems. This ontology is designed taking into account both the autonomous nature of components, objects and artifacts and the necessity of their interoperability; so it is divided into two layers, a private (application-specific) and a common (core) one. The core ontology defines a meta-model of the Ubiquitous computing domain based on the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) ontology. Following we present an hierarchical approach for engineering context-aware Ubiquitous computing systems including the context management and decision-making processes as well as the analysis of the mechanism that was developed based on that processes. Finally we conclude by evaluating our ontology-driven approach and presenting the lessons learned. A prototype application is also outlined where an augmented plant is incorporated in a ubiquitous computing environment in order to collaborate with other augmented objects, providing thus a communication channel between plants and people.
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Goumopoulos, C., Kameas, A. (2010). An Ontology-Driven Approach and a Context Management Framework for Ubiquitous Computing Applications. In: Poli, R., Healy, M., Kameas, A. (eds) Theory and Applications of Ontology: Computer Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8847-5_20
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