Using Context Prediction for Self-Management in Ubiquitous Computing Environments

Autonomic computing provides mechanisms for the self-management of computing systems. This paper proposes context prediction as an autonomic mechanism to improve the usability of ubiquitous computing environments; in our case, for behavioral prediction in an environment that supports independent living for ageing people. A purpose of this paper is to stimulate debate on how best to improve ubiquitous computing environments for those who inhabit them; in particular for those ageing people who wish to continue to live independently. We propose a layered and extensible context architecture that provides self-managed and self-configuration capabilities. In particular, in addition to the context provider and context service layers, we propose context prediction and context fusion layers with cross-layer context-quality capabilities. We envisage a distributed peer-to-peer architecture with some form of semantic overlay network facilitating autonomic communications within and beyond the ubiquitous home environment.