Pervasive computing needs better situation - awareness

Pervasive computing systems use sensing, computing and communication capabilities to observe and respond to environmental phenomena. Such systems will eventually enable computers to seamlessly integrate into everyday life. They have many potential applications in the office, home, healthcare, gaming, environmental monitoring and public transportation. Healthcare is one of the most exciting examples. Sensors deployed in a home setting for the elderly and disabled might provide an effective way to monitor and manage their personal health and well-being without intervening in their normal life or activities. Situation-awareness is a core component of pervasive computing technology. Sensors capture information about users and their environment. This data can include a user’s location and interaction with everyday objects, as well as information on the weather, ambient noise level and so forth. ’Situations’, in this sense, are external semantic interpretations of sensor data.1 The power of using situations lies in their ability to provide a