Showing papers by "Jorge Luis Victória Barbosa published in 2012"

Learning in Ubiquitous Computing Environments

Abstract: The application of ubiquitous technologies in the improvement of education strategies is called Ubiquitous Learning. GlobalEdu is a model created to support ubiquitous learning. The model has the necessary support to implement learning-related functionalities in ubiquitous environments. The basic ubiquitous computing support must be supplied by a middleware where GlobalEdu lays atop. This article proposes the GlobalEdu model and its integration with two ubiquitous middlewares: ISAM and LOCAL. ISAM supports the creation of large-scale ubiquitous systems. As such, its integration with GlobalEdu results in large-scale ubiquitous learning environments. LOCAL is dedicated to create small-scale ubiquitous learning environments. The integration GlobalEdu/LOCAL results in a local ubiquitous learning environment. Based on this small-scale environment, the authors' created a system and applied it in a practical scenario involving the community of a Computer Engineering undergraduate course. The system was positively evaluated by 20 individuals and the initial results attest the system's usefulness.

A model for context awareness in Ubicomp

Abstract: In this paper we present a view of EXEHDA middleware and a novel service created for dynamic adaptation. EXEHDA is service-oriented, adaptive and was conceived to support the execution of ubiquitous applications. The main concept in the proposed design for the middleware and for the application is context awareness expressed in an adaptive behavior. The middleware manages and implements the follow-me semantics for ubiquitous applications. This is also a key to provide functionality adapted to the constraints and unpredictability of the large-scale environment. EXEHDA provides services for distributed adaptive execution, context recognition, ubiquitous storage and access, and anonymous and asynchronous communications. To evaluate the proposed service we developed a case study, implementing an application in medical area. Analyzing the results we can see that the users found the application easy to use and usefulness for health workers at a hospital.

Hefestos: a model for ubiquitous accessibility support

Abstract: This paper presents the Hefestos Model, designed to provide ubiquitous accessibility. The project aims at supporting accessibility for People With Disability (PWD) and elderly in various situations of their everyday life. Offering context awareness, user profiles and trails management, the model is a base for applying assistive technologies that fulfills accessibility needs. Moreover, in the proposed model, we devised an ontology. Besides the benefits of intrinsic semantic representation, the use of an ontology fosters future integration with others solutions. We also present a case study based on a prototype, which was developed to evaluate the model. This assessment used a smart wheelchair, operated by a paraplegic person, which is under development at University of the Sinos Valley (Unisinos).

Um Modelo Multiagente para Recomendação de Conteúdo Educacional em um Ambiente Ubíquo

Abstract: Atualmente, existem muitos materiais educacionais disponiveis e os alunos podem acessar estes materiais a qualquer momento e em qualquer lugar. Um ambiente que atenda a estas expectativas e auxilie o professor a propiciar oportunidades pedagogicas, traz grandes beneficios no aprendizado dos alunos. Este artigo apresenta um modelo de recomendacao de conteudo educacional aplicado em um ambiente de aprendizagem ubiquo que visa atender esta necessidade. O modelo sugere conteudos educacionais considerando o perfil e o contexto do aprendiz efetuando uma busca integrada a um repositorio centralizado de OAs.

Um Modelo para Gerenciamento de Múultiplas Trilhas Aplicado a Sistemas de Apoio à Educação

Abstract: A difusao da computacao movel e de sistemas de localizacao viabiliza a utilizacao de contextos e trilhas em diversas aplicacoes Uma trilha representa um conjunto de contextos visitados por um usuario historicamente organizado Fundamentado nessas caracteristicas, este artigo apresenta uma proposta para o gerenciamento de multiplas trilhas em ambientes educacionais, tendo como principal contribuicao a representacao dos dados de cada entidade em diversas trilhas Esta abordagem amplia a possibilidade de composicao do contexto das entidades, proporcionando maior flexibilidade e abrangencia para sua utilizacao em sistemas de apoio a educacao

A Decentralized Infrastructure for Ubiquitous Learning Environments

Abstract: This article proposes an infrastructure called Global. The main hypothesis consists in the possible creation of an architecture completely decentralized and extensible, focused in the development of ubiquitous learning environments. The text describes the infrastructure´s architecture. Additionally, the article presents an implementation and a concepts proof through the use of Global in the developing of three applications. The applications were choose to demonstrate three specific hypothesis, allowing to verify the main hypothesis. The first demonstrates that Global can be used to create ubiquitous learning environments. The second shows that the infrastructure permits the decentralization, being extensible to create ubiquitous learning environments. The third demonstrates that Global is extensible enough to be applied in areas other than education. The results allow the verification of the main hypothesis, proving Global is extensible, decentralized and can be used to develop ubiquitous learning environments.

Managing adaptation in Ubicomp

Abstract: In this paper we present a view of EXEHDA middleware and a novel service created for dynamic adaptation EXEHDA is service-oriented, adaptive and was conceived to support the execution of ubiquitous applications The main concept in the proposed design for the middleware and for the application is context awareness expressed in an adaptive behavior The middleware manages and implements the follow-me semantics for ubiquitous applications This is also a key to provide functionality adapted to the constraints and unpredictability of the large-scale environment EXEHDA provides services for distributed adaptive execution, context recognition, ubiquitous storage and access, and anonymous and asynchronous communications To evaluate the proposed service we developed a case study, implementing an application in medical area Analyzing the results we can see that the users found the application easy to use and usefulness for health workers at a hospital

Um Modelo de Adaptação de Objetos de Aprendizagem com foco em Dispositivos Móveis

Abstract: A popularidade de dispositivos moveis com acesso a internet torna viavel o acesso a conteudo educacional independente do lugar ou momento. Entretanto, utilizar esta tecnologia para este proposito, requer esforco por parte dos educadores, pois o conteudo deve ser disponibilizado para as diversas versoes e modelos de dispositivos, bem como, poderiam estar adaptados ao perfil de aprendizado do aluno. Este trabalho propoe um modelo e um prototipo de um sistema de adaptacao de objetos de aprendizagem para dispositivos moveis.

Implementing a Spontaneous Social Network for Managing Ubiquitous Interactions

Abstract: The widespread of mobile devices has allowed people to have access to social networks and the variety of services wherever they are and whenever they want. In this scope, the idea of creating spontaneous social networks allow the interaction among users through the creation of mechanisms of communication and sharing services in specific places. In this sense, this article presents a model of a spontaneous social network based in the user's current location. The proposal, which is called Mingle, allows users to interact, access and offer services related to their current location, preferably through their mobile devices. A prototype was developed, composed of two components, an Android client and a server to manage the spontaneous social network. Based on the prototype, two evaluations were conducted. The first one was related to the mobile client and is based on a scenario. The second evaluation regards the server, and assesses its performance. The results are encouraging and show good potential for Mingle use and application.

Uma Infraestrutura Descentralizada para Ambientes de Aprendizagem Ubíqua A Decentralized Infrastructure for Ubiquitous Learning Environments

Abstract: Resumo Este artigo propoe uma infraestrutura denominada Global. A principal hipotese do trabalho consiste na possivel criacao de uma arquitetura completamente descentralizada e extensivel focada no desenvolvimento de ambientes de aprendizagem ubiqua. O texto descreve a arquitetura da infraestrutura. O artigo apresenta ainda uma implementacao e uma prova de conceitos usando a infraestrutura no desenvolvimento de tres aplicacoes. As aplicacoes foram escolhidas buscando a demonstracao de tres hipoteses especificas para a verificacao da hipotese principal. A primeira aplicacao demonstra que a Global pode ser usada para a criacao de ambientes de aprendizagem ubiqua. A segunda mostra que a infraestrutura permite a descentralizacao, sendo extensivel para a criacao de ambientes de aprendizagem ubiqua. A terceira demonstra que a Global e extensivel o suficiente para sua aplicacao em outras areas que nao a educacao. Os resultados alcancados com a implementacao das aplicacoes permitiram a verificacao da principal hipotese do trabalho, comprovando que a Global e extensivel, descentralizada e pode ser usada para o desenvolvimento de ambientes de aprendizagem ubiqua. Palavras-Chave: Descentralizacao, Computacao Ubiqua, Educacao, Aprendizagem Ubiqua.

A distributed architecture for dynamic contexts composition in Ubicomp

Abstract: Ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) environments are characterized by high distribution, heterogeneity and dynamism. In these environments, applications must be aware of their contexts and adapt to changes in them. A major research challenge in the area of Ubicomp is related to context awareness. Considering the characteristics of ubiquitous environments, this paper presents an architecture for context awareness, called DynamiCC (Dynamic Context Composition), that includes elements to support: context modeling, contextual data collection, actuation on the environment, and composition and interpretation of contextual information. We consider that the main contributions of this work are the employ of a hybrid approach for context modeling, and the proposal of an architecture that supports the interpretation and the composition of dynamic contexts, which enables the construction of complex contexts, in runtime of applications. To assess the functionality of the DynamiCC, we did a discussion of usage scenarios, highlighting the prototypes and tests performed.

Mingle spontaneous social network

Abstract: Social networks provide a new way of communication that still preserves our human social interaction. Due to the widespread use of mobile devices, people tend to use their smartphone or tablet as the main way to make that interaction. Furthermore, applications developed to these devices are fostering the use of contextual information, such as the location of the user. In this way, this article proposes Mingle, a model for a spontaneous social network targeted at mobile devices. In our proposal, the social network is spontaneous, i.e. involves only people that are physically present in a specific location. Besides presenting the model, we show a developed prototype using Android-based devices. We evaluated Mingle employing two strategies, a usage case and a performance evaluation. The results were encouraging and show the potential of deploying Mingle in real situations.

A Ubiquitous Business Community (UBC) Model for Clusters.

Abstract: Nowadays a growing convergence of computing platforms, mobile telephony, broadband and wireless networks allow small firms to implement strategies and business transactions that once were only affordable to medium and large size companies. In this context, a Ubiquitous Business Community (UBC) can be defined as a computer application designed to promote the interaction between members of a business community despite their location or computing platforms, anytime (allowing synchronous or asynchronous interactions), anywhere, sensitive to the context of users (location, information needs, time demands, user profiles), as well as to business transactions opportunities. This work presents an UBC model that has the potential to leverage interactions and to promote business transactions and collaboration inside a cluster. This model can underpin the creation of prototypes or systems to implement an UBC in a real cluster.

Towards a model to explore business opportunities in trail-aware environments

Abstract: In mobile computing environments, the tracking of users allows applications to adapt to the users' contexts (Context Awareness). Context, in this sense, is any information that can be used to characterize the users' situations and that is relevant to the interaction between the user and an application. In recent years, the use of context information and users' profiles have been considered an opportunity for ubiquitous commerce. Furthermore, the improvement and the wide adoption of location systems are stimulating the tracking of users, allowing the use of trails. A trail is the history of the contexts visited by a user during a certain period. In this article, we propose a model for trails management and its application in ubiquitous commerce. In this text, we consider that Trail Awareness is an advance of the simple use of contexts and profiles. We present a prototype and its application in a simulated commercial environment for discovery of deal opportunities using trail awareness.

A Proposal of a Mobile Payment System Based on Android

Abstract: This paper aims at presenting an architectural model proposal for a novel Mobile Payment System, called 4iPay. This work considers the following premises: independence of device, location, carrier and cardholder to meet the needs of executing payment transactions in ubiquitous commerce. Our proposal considers the convergence of concepts of ubiquity, unity, universality and unison to form the proposed model. This article describes the model, implementation, preliminary assessments and requirements for mobile payment in ubiquitous environments. We developed a prototype of 4iPay using Android smart phones. The prototype was evaluated in three different scenarios.

Um estudo de técnicas aplicadas ao reconhecimento da língua de sinais: novas possibilidades de inclusão digital

Abstract: A inclusao do surdo na sociedade ouvinte esbarra na falta de conhecimento do ouvinte sobre a Lingua Brasileira de Sinais (LIBRAS). Alguns trabalhos visam sanar esta deficiencia com o desenvolvimento de ferramentas automaticas de apoio. Apesar de algumas iniciativas nao terem apresentado resultados adequados, novas tecnologias permitem identificar possibilidades promissoras. Neste trabalho e apresentado um levantamento de pesquisas para a deteccao e traducao da lingua de sinais, complementado com a analise de possibilidades atuais e com a descricao de necessidades para uma interpretacao funcional da LIBRAS.

A proposal for managing multiple trails in educational environments

Abstract: Mobile computing and localization systems recent diffusion enables the use of contexts and trails in several applications, with the incorporation of resources for content adaptation and distribution. A trail represents a set of user contexts, historically organized. This article presents a proposal for managing multiple trails in mobile computing environments. Its differential is the representation of the data of each entity in several trails. This approach allows the multiple aspects of interest for the entity to be modeled and stored. In addition, facilitates its use in different applications, which may need only part of the elements in this set of trails. In this way, this proposal extends the possibility of context composition for entities, providing greater flexibility to their use. This is demonstrated in two case studies of the application of this model.

U'Ductor: A Model for Supporting Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care Management

Abstract: Accordingly with the World Health Organization, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes are the most common chronic diseases and one of the leading causes of the mortality in the world. In such cases we need more than patient engagement to help to control of the disease, community and health organizations support is also desirable. These roles must support the patients' self-management activities, making them feel confident and motivated. This support can be accomplished by ubiquitous computing. The ubiquitous computing gives conditions to help chronic diseases patients in the management of their activities, offering support to them anytime, anywhere. In this context, this article presents U'Ductor, a model for supporting ubiquitous chronic care management, whose goal is to help the integration between patient and community resources. The U'Ductor gives a step forward in relation to the studied related works by integrating patients, community resources and community members. Those features were not completely explored in the studied works in the way we employ in U'Ductor. An implementation of the model was evaluated by a chronic patient, which gave a positive feedback about it.

DynamiCC: a framework for dynamic context composition in ubicomp

Abstract: Ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) environments are characterized by high distribution, heterogeneity and dynamism. In these environments, applications must be aware of their contexts and adapt to changes in them. A major research challenge in the area of Ubicomp is related to context awareness. Considering the characteristics of ubiquitous environments, this paper presents a framework for context awareness, called DynamiCC (Dynamic Context Composition), which includes elements to support context modeling, contextual data collection, environment actuation, composition and interpretation of contextual information. We consider that the main contributions of this work are the use of a hybrid approach for context modeling, and the proposal of an architecture that supports interpretation and composition of dynamic contexts. DynamiCC enables the construction of complex contexts at runtime. To assess the functionality of the proposed model, we developed usage scenarios.

Efficient combination of DNS, P2P and mobile devices for improving commerce between supliers and consumers

Abstract: Currently, we can observe the growing of the use of mobile devices as a media for both Internet access and carrying out purchase and sale of products and services. Commonly, E- commerce platforms are enabled by either proprietary systems or by buying ads on specialized websites. This scenario involves the adoption of strategies based on e-commerce servers, which represent a non-scalable strategy. The situation is even more critical considering the current scenario, where mobile devices has been involved in trading, the so-called m-commerce. In this context, this paper proposes the use of the P2P technology as the network substrate for supporting mobile commerce. For that, we are using the notion of ultrapeers that act as managers that receive, process and pass on requests for trade. Suppliers and consumers act as end points and access ultrapeers of their geographic region through a standardized interface. To implement the distributed scenario, changes are made over the DNS servers so that mobile devices can locate ultrapeers based on their geolocation data. Thus, suppliers who need to travel can advertise their products in the regions which they pass, boosting their business through this opportunistic approach. Finally, experimental evaluation showed that the architecture is feasible for mobile commerce environments composed by both stationary and mobile devices.