Context-Aware Pervasive Systems : Architectures for a New Breed of Applications

The concept of aware systems is one of the most exciting trends in computing today, fueled by recent developments in pervasive computing. This book introduces a new breed of computer applications that are termed "context-aware pervasive systems" and provides architectural blueprints for building context-aware behavior into applications. It reviews the anatomy of context-aware pervasive applications, including mobile services, and discusses the integration of context-aware computing with software agents and the Web. It also explores the use of context-awareness for addressing and communications. This text distills general design principles and a generic architecture for context-aware applications.

The concept of aware systems is among the most exciting trends in computing today, fueled by recent developments in pervasive computing, including new computers worn by users, embedded devices, smart appliances, sensors, and varieties of wireless networking technology. Context-Aware Pervasive Systems: The Architecture of a New Breed of Applications introduces a diverse set of application areas and provides blueprints for building context-aware behavior into applications.

Reviewing the anatomy of context-aware pervasive applications, this resource covers abstract architecture. It examines mobile services, appliances, smart devices, software agents, electronic communication, sensor networks, security frameworks, and intelligent software agents. The book also discusses the use of context awareness for communication among people, devices, and software agents and how sensors can be aware of their own situations. Exploring the use of physical context for controlling and enhancing security in pervasive computing environments, this guide addresses mirror worlds and elucidates design perspectives based on a declarative programming language paradigm.

This carefully paced volume presents a timely and relevant introduction to the emergence of context-aware systems and brings together architectures and principles of context-aware computing in one source.