Showing papers by "Hans Gellersen published in 2002"

Multi-sensor context-awareness in mobile devices and smart artifacts

Abstract: The use of context in mobile devices is receiving increasing attention in mobile and ubiquitous computing research. In this article we consider how to augment mobile devices with awareness of their environment and situation as context. Most work to date has been based on integration of generic context sensors, in particular for location and visual context. We propose a different approach based on integration of multiple diverse sensors for awareness of situational context that can not be inferred from location, and targeted at mobile device platforms that typically do not permit processing of visual context. We have investigated multi-sensor context-awareness in a series of projects, and report experience from development of a number of device prototypes. These include development of an awareness module for augmentation of a mobile phone, of the Mediacup exemplifying context-enabled everyday artifacts, and of the Smart-Its platform for aware mobile devices. The prototypes have been explored in various applications to validate the multi-sensor approach to awareness, and to develop new perspectives of how embedded context-awareness can be applied in mobile and ubiquitous computing.

Beyond prototypes: challenges in deploying ubiquitous systems

Abstract: The authors discuss the problems in creating the next generation of widely deployed ubiquitous computing systems and articulate current technical and sociological challenges to inspire researchers in the field. They discuss significant research challenges that have yet to be addressed. Central to documenting these challenges is recognizing the context within which we are operating, so they first describe the technical and social changes of the 1990s that directly affected ubiquitous computing then.

Multi-sensor context aware clothing

Abstract: Inspired by perception in biological systems, distribution of a massive amount of simple sensing devices is gaining more support in detection applications. A focus on fusion of sensor signals instead of strong analysis algorithms, and a scheme to distribute sensors, results in new issues. Especially in wearable computing, where sensor data continuously changes, and clothing provides an ideal supporting structure for simple sensors, this approach may prove to be favourable. Experiments with a body-distributed sensor system investigate the influence of two factors that affect classification of what has been sensed: an increase in sensors enhances recognition, while adding new classes or contexts depreciates the results. Finally, a wearable computing related scenario is discussed that exploits the presence of many sensors.

Context-aware computing [Guest Editors' Intro.]

Abstract: When teh Guest Editors originally proposed this special issue topic to the IEEE, it was targeted for the Personal Communications magazine. Since that original proposal, IEEE Pervasive Computing came into existence and Personal Communications was renamed IEEE Wireless Communications. The editorial boards decided to spread the special issue across both magazines. We received a total of 24 submissions, and 12 were accepted (seven in IEEE Pervasive Computing and five in the Oct. 2002 IEEE Wireless Communications). The Guest Editors provide a brief summary of the articles included in tis Special Issue.

Smart clustering - networking smart objects based on their physical relationships

Abstract: We propose a new concept that facilitates networking of smart objects by creating topologies that reflect the physical environment As the objects are clustered according to their physical relationships we obtain a self-organizing, scalable and fault-tolerant peer-to-peer like network We present the ideas and benefits of this concept and our ongoing work that implements the detection of the relationships between a load-sensing table and sensor-augmented objects

Look Who's Visiting: Supporting Awareness for Visitors in the Web

Abstract: Individuals, groups and organizations host places in the World Wide Web to attract visitors, but once they have established a web presence they usually maintain little or no awareness of visiting activity. However, the standard web infrastructure supports the capture of detailed activity-related information. In the first part of this paper, we contribute a preliminary study conducted with expert web hosts in different domains, investigating the use of information on visiting activity as feedback for web operation. From this study, we infer general requirements for web awareness support, based on which we have designed two systems aimed to promote more awareness of web activity and visitors. The first is a system supporting ambient notification of web events, end-user configurability, and ambient display for overview and comparison of activity in a web place. The second system moves beyond awareness of web activity to provide glances into the visitors’ sites, introducing reciprocity to the host–visitor relationship. Both systems have been prototyped and deployed in work environments for an evaluation in everyday use.

Pin&Play: bringing power and networking to wall-mounted appliances

Abstract: The classic obstacles in the digital augmentation of everyday objects and appliances are usually situated around batteries, communication, size, and weight. Wired communication is often not possible, changing or charging batteries is generally considered a nuisance, and augmenting an appliance is usually not worth it if it means increasing its size or weight. For the subclass of devices and objects that are typically attached to surfaces such as walls and boards, we consider surface augmentation to address this problem. We present several implementations where low-cost wallpaper, consisting of insulated conductive layers, provides both power and a networking bus to common devices like pins on a notice board, wall switches, lights, and thermostats. They can be placed and replaced at will in any orientation, while the attachment to the wall supplies power and networking as a bonus. Moreover, our prototypes show that this doesn't affect familiarity of the objects, which makes interaction with them a breeze.