Ubiquitous Computing

Computers become the

(Weiser, 1994)
 Ubiquitous Computing

Major computing trends

Mainframe

Many people share a computer

Personal computer

One computer – one person

Internet

Distributed computing

Transition

Ubiquitous computer

Many computers share us
 Ubiquitous Computing

Basic concepts

Silicon-based information technology, the computer,
is in a world of its own

Not just “the user interface problem”

Idea of personal computer is misplaced – a
transitional step

“Computers should become part of the natural
environment and vanish into the background”
 Ubiquitous Computing

Basic concepts

“Good tool doesn't intrude on your consciousness”

Need invisible tools

Computers exist on the periphery

No longer distinguishable as computers

Problematic Human Computer Interfaces

Intelligent agent

Voice control

GUI desktop
 Ubiquitous Computing

Basic concepts

Virtual reality

the desktop metaphor

Virtuality

Computer readable data brought into the physical world

Computer-controlled devices interact
 Ubiquitous Computing

Requirements

Computers interact with us and our environment

Computers communicate and adapt

Computers become devices with a purpose

Desk

Chair

Door

Window

Pen
 Ubiquitous Computing

Early incarnation

PARC

“tabs”,“pads” and “boards”
 Ubiquitous Computing

Ubiquitous Computing Issues

Location

Networking

Context-aware computing

Scale

Portability

Power
 Ubiquitous Computing

Technical requirements

Location

Networking

Context awareness

Situated computing

Scale

Embedded operating systems

Small CPUs

Low power consumption
 Ubiquitous Computing

Ubiquitous computing

Networking

Current OS and network devices

assume static network locations

Ubiquitous computing devices

Move, drop and rejoin networks rapidly
 Ubiquitous Computing

Purpose-built computing

Proliferation of micro-processors

Consumer devices

Embedded computing

Invisible computer (black box)

Interface with user (as a device)

Interface with other devices
 Ubiquitous Computing

Location-aware computing

Context-aware

Social networking devices

ParcTab

Palm-size computer with location-aware features
 Ubiquitous Computing

Categories of context-aware applications:

Proximate selection

Automatic contextual reconfiguration

Contextual information and commands

Context-triggered actions
 Ubiquitous Computing

Context-aware computing attributes

Identity

Location

Time

History

Environment
 Ubiquitous Computing

Context-aware computing attributes

Where you are

Who you are with

What resources are nearby

Other elements: lighting, noise level, network
availability, communication costs, social situation
 Ubiquitous Computing

Context-aware computing

Proximate-selection

User-interface technique

Located objects are emphasized

Output devices (printers, monitors)

Networks
 Ubiquitous Computing

Context-triggered actions

Specify how context-aware applications should adapt

Arriving/departing

Missing

Attention
 Ubiquitous Computing

Social Networking with Ubiquitous Computing

Build relationships in an active social cyberspace

Wearable social networking

Provides social nuances and affordances
 Ubiquitous Computing

Iband wearable social-networking braclet

Context-activation triggers exchange of
personal information
 Ubiquitous Computing

Iband issues

Social issues

No option for privacy control

Control of personal information

Technical issues

Cross-talk

Initiation of connection
 Ubiquitous Computing

Current incarnations

Consumer devices
 Ubiquitous Computing

Multi-purpose consumer
devices
Ubiquitous Computing
 Ubiquitous Computing

Current 'tabs'
 Ubiquitous Computing
 Ambient
Ubiquitous Computing
Ubiquitous Computing
 Bibliography
Shilt, B. N., Adams, Norman A., Want, R. (1994). Context-aware computing
applications. IEEE Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applications.
Coatta, T. (2006). The (not so) hidden computer. ACM Queue, 4 (3), 23-26.
Weiser, M. (1991). The computer for the 21st century. Scientific American,
September, 1991, pp. 94-104.
Kourouthanasis, P., Spinellis, D., Roussos, G. & Giaglis, G. (2002). Intelligent
Cokes and Diapers: MyGrocer Ubiquitous Computing Environment First
International Mobile Business Conference, 150-172.
Kanis, M., Winters, N., Agamanolis, S., Gavin, A. & Cullinan, C. (2005). Toward
wearable social networking with iBand. CHI '05: CHI '05 extended abstracts on
Human factors in computing systems, ACM Press, 1521-1524.
Weiser, M. (1994). The world is not a desktop. Interactions, 1 (1), 7-8.
Weiser, M.(1998) The invisible interface: Increasing the power of the environment
through calm technology. CoBuild, 1.