Ubiquitous computing - computing in context

This work evaluates possible sensing technologies, particularly low-level physical sensors, and perception techniques for their role in providing context within Ubiquitous Computing systems. It introduces abstractions at sensor, cue, and context levels, leading to a flexible context acquisition architecture. A bottom-up approach for modeling context-aware systems is proposed, leveraging the generality of context knowledge at the artefact level compared to the system level. The research explores the development of context-aware systems through prototyping, suggesting a pattern language to generalize and communicate findings. As context acquisition systems are often task-specific, the design and construction of hardware and software are crucial. The study presents methods, architectures, and tools to enhance development efficiency, including the Smart-Its platform, a rapid prototyping system for context-aware applications, along with user experience insights. Recognizing that context is omnipresent, a communication platform is developed to effectively share information based on spatial and temporal relationships. The concept of implicit human-computer interaction is introduced, emphasizing the use of context information as implicit input, and its implications on user interfaces and interaction processes. Finally, the research evaluates Ubiquitous Computing systems, assessing various techniques and proposing the concept of probin