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Dynamic User Task Composition Based on User Preferences

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Published:01 February 2011Publication History
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Abstract

As the number of devices in a pervasive environment is increased, the number of components available on the network also grows rapidly. In such cases, it is possible to compose various applications through a combination of different sets of components. Considering the multifaceted problem of having varying device capabilities supporting a different set of protocols, and each device hosting a number of components providing the same functionality, it becomes very difficult to choose a particular device hosting a required component which can be the best-fit for the user. This becomes practically impossible when the required components are distributed across various devices in the networked environment.

We propose a solution for dynamic user task composition considering user preferences, device capabilities, and heterogeneity of communication protocols. With our proposed approach, a user task can be instantiated in different environments using a different set of devices and components, depending upon their capabilities and user preferences. We propose mechanisms for modeling device capabilities and user preferences and for modeling the user task as a graph. We then propose algorithms for selection of devices based on user preferences and task requirements. Since the underlying network is also modeled as a graph, we describe an algorithm for mapping of services in the user task on to the components distributed across devices in the pervasive environment. We also give an overview of our initial implementation and some results of our evaluations.

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  1. Dynamic User Task Composition Based on User Preferences

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    Reviews

    Andrea F Paramithiotti

    In pervasive environments, several devices are present at any given time; many of these perform the same, or similar, tasks. Thus, when a user wants to perform a task, he can choose the device best suited for it. Though this may seem to be an advantage at first glance, in practice, it is an inconvenience because it forces the user to make an often-difficult choice between apparently similar devices. In this paper, the authors overcome this burden by presenting a dynamic user task composition method based on user preferences: in practice, the user just declares a set of preferences, and then devices interact automatically with each other, following these preferences. The paper is quite thorough. After an introduction explaining what the paper is about, and a quick presentation of previous and related work, it presents modeling methods for both user preferences and tasks. It then describes a practical Java implementation of this method, which in the future might be incorporated into an open-source cloud environment. This work is a research paper: a conceptual framework outlining advantages and disadvantages of a given approach. At this stage, it proposes algorithms, not working solutions or commercial products; even the Java prototype serves only validation purposes. Consequently, the main audience for this paper is the research community in the field of autonomous and adaptive systems, which is presented with new concepts and advancements. Online Computing Reviews Service

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    • Published in

      cover image ACM Transactions on Autonomous and Adaptive Systems
      ACM Transactions on Autonomous and Adaptive Systems  Volume 6, Issue 1
      February 2011
      127 pages
      ISSN:1556-4665
      EISSN:1556-4703
      DOI:10.1145/1921641
      Issue’s Table of Contents

      Copyright © 2011 ACM

      Publisher

      Association for Computing Machinery

      New York, NY, United States

      Publication History

      • Published: 1 February 2011
      • Accepted: 1 July 2010
      • Revised: 1 March 2010
      • Received: 1 June 2009
      Published in taas Volume 6, Issue 1

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