A breadboard architecture for pervasive context-aware services in smart spaces: middleware components and prototype applications

Abstract

We present an architectural framework along with a set of middleware elements, facilitating the integration of perceptual components, sensors, actuators, and context-modeling scripts, comprising sophisticated ubiquitous computing applications in smart spaces. The architecture puts special emphasis on the integration of perceptual components contributed by a variety of technology providers, which has not been adequately addressed in legacy architectures. Moreover, the introduced architecture allows for intelligent discovery and management of resources. Along with the description of this breadboard architecture, we present its non-functional features and assess its performance. We also outline a rich set of practical prototype pervasive services that have been built, based on this architecture. These services emphasize on providing non-obtrusive human-centric assistance (e.g., memory aids, meeting recordings, pertinent information) in the scope of meetings, lectures and presentation, Experiences from building these services manifest the benefits of the introduced architecture.