Knowledge Sharing Protocol for Smart Spaces

In this paper we present a novel knowledge sharing protocol (KSP) for semantic technology empowered ubiquitous computing systems. In particular the protocol is designed for M3 which is a blackboard based semantic interoperability solution for smart spaces. The main difference between the KSP and existing work is that KSP provides SPARQL-like knowledge sharing mechanisms in compact binary format that is designed to be suitable also for resource restricted devices and networks. In order to evaluate the KSP in practice we implemented a case study in a prototype smart space, called Smart Greenhouse. In the case study the KSP messages were on average 70.09% and 87.08% shorter than the messages in existing M3 communication protocols. Because the KSP provides a mechanism for automating the interaction in smart spaces it was also possible to implement the case study with fewer messages than with other M3 communication protocols. This makes the KSP a better alternative for resource restricted devices in semantic technology empowered smart spaces. KeywordsSemantic Web; SPARQL; Ambient Intelligence; Ubiquitous Computing; embedded system; M3.