Formal Definition of the Smart Object Matching Problem

Abstract

Smart objects represent appliances enhanced by digital and interconnectable functionality, which are intended to support users in everyday life. By embedding sensors, these objects become input resp. interaction devices that stimulate the actuators of their own or other smart objects. However, due to a large number of objects to be expected, there also exist a number of challenges for the usability of such devices. In addition to the invisible nature of embedded digital functionality, wireless interconnections and possible changes in connectivity depending on the context, it is often not possible for users to explore the complete functionality of a smart object and interconnect them appropriately. In this paper, we present a dynamic approach for the automated interconnection of smart objects input and output capabilities with reference to the assignment problem. In addition to a formal definition, we present an evaluation of a naive approach and familiar algorithms for this problem.