There is more to context than location

Context is a key issue in interaction between human and computer, describing the surrounding facts that add meaning. In mobile computing research published the parameter location is most often used to approximate context and to implement context-aware applications. We propose that ultra-mobile computing, characterized by devices that are operational and operated while on the move (e.g. PDAs, mobile phones, wearable computers), can significantly benefit from a wider notion of context. To structure the field we introduce a working model for context, discuss mechanisms to acquire context beyond location, and application of context-awareness in ultra-mobile computing. We investigate the utility of sensors for context-awareness and present two prototypical implementations - a light sensitive display and an orientation aware PDA interface. The concept is then extended to a model for sensor fusion to enable more sophisticated context recognition. Based on an implementation of the model an ex...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 1999
• Where: CG
• Authors: Albrecht Schmidt, Michael Beigl, Hans-Werner Gellersen
• Keywords: CG 1999, Computer Graphics, Mobile Computing Research, Sophisticated Contexts, Ultra-mobile Computing