A Multi-layered Context Modelling Approach for End Users, Expert Users and Programmers

Presentation given at SERVE 2016, International Workshop on Smart Ecosystems cReation by Visual dEsign, Bari, Italy.

ABSTRACT: Context awareness plays an important role in smart environments and embedded interactions. In order to increase user satisfaction and acceptance, context-aware solutions should be controllable by end users. Over the last few years we have therefore witnessed an emerging trend of visual programming tools for context-aware applications based on simple "if this then that" rules. Unfortunately, existing solutions do not support the easy reuse of the "this" part in other rules. Further, the desired level of control varies among individuals. In order to let users choose the right level of automation and control, we propose a multi-layered context modelling approach distinguishing between end users, expert users and programmers. We report on our ongoing development of the Context Modelling Toolkit (CMT) consisting of the necessary context modelling concepts as well as a rule-based context processing engine. We further discuss an initial design of the graphical user interface for the presented multi-layered context modelling approach.

Research paper: https://beatsigner.com/publications/a-multi-layered-context-modelling-approach-for-end-users-expert-users-and-programmers.pdf

Transcript

1. A Multi-layered Context Modelling
   Approach for End Users, Expert
   Users and Programmers
   Sandra Trullemans and Beat Signer
   05/06/2016
   

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2. IF situation THEN action
   Smart Homes
   Digital Homes
   IF THEN
   I Sleep
   IF THEN
   Message in meeting
   Situation
   Situation
   

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3. Where We Can do Better
   • Sensor-level knowledge required
   • Hard for complex situations
   

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4. Rules in Practise
   End User
   Programmer
   

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5. Multi-layered Modelling Approach
   End User Expert User Programmer
   

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6. Collaboration
   +
   Reusing Situations Templates
   

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7. Reuse of Situations
   IF THEN
   I Sleep
   IF THEN
   I Sleep
   Situation
   Situation
   

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8. Situation Rules
   IF THEN
   I Sleep
   IF THEN
   Situation
   Situation
   I Sleep
   

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9. Collaboration
   +
   Reusing Situations Templates
   

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10. Templates
    IF THEN
    Someone is Sleeping
    A Time A Bed A Room A State
    Situation
    

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11. Filling In a Template
    IF THEN
    Someone is Sleeping
    A Time A Bed A Room A State
    20:00 Her Bed Her Bedroom ON
    

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12. Multi-Layered Context Modelling
    Facts Actions
    Situations
    Rules
    Tool Rule
    Templates
    Functions
    Filled in
    Template
    Situations
    End User
    Expert User
    Programmer
    

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13. Creation of a Template
    

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14. Adding IF Statements
    

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15. To Fill In by End User
    

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16. Situations on the IF side
    

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17. New Situation on THEN side
    

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18. Filling In a Template
    

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19. Selecting the Bed
    

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20. Entering the Hour
    

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21. Labelling the New Situation
    

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22. Reuse the Template
    

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23. Making Context Rules
    

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24. Adding an Action
    

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25. Lessons Learned
    • Level of abstraction is too high
    • Importance of intelligibility
    

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26. Takeaway Message
    Reusing Situations
    Templates
    End User
    Expert User
    Programmer
    

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27. Open Questions
    • Level of abstraction and intelligibility
    • Managing situations
    • Guiding end users
    

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