User-centric framework for device aggregation

As intelligent devices become affordable and wireless infrastructure becomes pervasive, the potential to combine, or aggregate, device functionality to provide a user with a better experience grows. Currently, the user must have a detailed understanding of the physical properties of the devices, the software services offered, and the dynamic behavior of the environment in order to form an appropriate aggregation. Even a small number of devices can be aggregated in many ways to perform a particular task effectively. This problem is more severe when the user is in an environment with unfamiliar devices, when a large number of devices are available, or when multiple tasks need to be performed simultaneously. This thesis presents the design and implementation of a system for the user-centric aggregation of device functionality in a dynamic environment. It supports the automated selection of device functionality for aggregation using predefined descriptions of devices and their services. It facilitates the selection of the aggregation that best matches a user's preferences using declarative policies, and it allows a user to express trade-offs between the quality of device attributes, user distraction, and aggregation stability. This approach enables a user to have a richer experience without having to constantly worry about device details and the aggregation of device functionality.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Kumar, Rajnish

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Zwaenepoel, Willy

• Computer science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17600

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/17600