USING EMBEDDED TECHNOLOGY IN END-USER PROGRAMMING OF SMART SPACES WITH MOBILE DEVICES

Abstract

A recent shift in computing paradigm from stand-alone microcomputers and mainframes towards entirely pervasivecomputing where billions of miniature, ubiquitous inter-connected computing elements weave themselves into thefabric of everyday life. Embedded systems run the computing devices hidden inside every object and appliance suchas cell phones, toys, handheld PDAs, cameras, microwave ovens, cars, airplanes, etc. These numerous, easilyaccessible devices connected to each other and to network infrastructure exhibit context-awareness of anenvironment in order to optimize their operation in that environment. In this paper, we examined embedded systemsin end-user programming of smart spaces with mobile devices. We designed and implemented a microcontrollerbasedsystem capable of monitoring and controlling the electronic appliances in a home from any location. Weadopted a task-driven computing approach of the composition of the semantic web. The end user uses thefunctionality of the networked devices in the home as semantic web services to arbitrarily form his request whichinvolves the typing of SMS through the user-friendly interface of a Java enabled mobile phone. An Arduinomicrocontroller for generating the timing and control signals programmed using Wiring language was used. TheGSM wireless technology was used for transmission and reception of the data. Our work addresses the problem ofenergy wastage and domestic accidents by enabling end-users to easily use their mobile devices to monitor andinstruct their home devices from any location over a wireless network.

Keywords: Embedded Technology, Smart Spaces, End-User Programming, Mobile Devices, Pervasive Networking