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
2. IF situation THEN action Smart Homes Digital Homes IF THEN I Sleep IF THEN Message in meeting Situation Situation
3. Where We Can do Better • Sensor-level knowledge required • Hard for complex situations
4. Rules in Practise End User Programmer
5. Multi-layered Modelling Approach End User Expert User Programmer
6. Collaboration + Reusing Situations Templates
7. Reuse of Situations IF THEN I Sleep IF THEN I Sleep Situation Situation
8. Situation Rules IF THEN I Sleep IF THEN Situation Situation I Sleep
9. Collaboration + Reusing Situations Templates
10. Templates IF THEN Someone is Sleeping A Time A Bed A Room A State Situation
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
12. Multi-Layered Context Modelling Facts Actions Situations Rules Tool Rule Templates Functions Filled in Template Situations End User Expert User Programmer
13. Creation of a Template
14. Adding IF Statements
15. To Fill In by End User
16. Situations on the IF side
17. New Situation on THEN side
18. Filling In a Template
19. Selecting the Bed
20. Entering the Hour
21. Labelling the New Situation
22. Reuse the Template
23. Making Context Rules
24. Adding an Action
25. Lessons Learned • Level of abstraction is too high • Importance of intelligibility
26. Takeaway Message Reusing Situations Templates End User Expert User Programmer
27. Open Questions • Level of abstraction and intelligibility • Managing situations • Guiding end users