MaPS: A framework to aid the development of collaborative applications for ubiquitous environments

Authors

  • Daniel de Souza Martins University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos
  • Cassia Nino University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos
  • Jorge Barbosa University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos
  • Débora Barbosa Feevale University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/jacr.2016.51.01

Abstract

A research topic of growing interest is the convergence between Collaborative Systems and Ubiquitous Computing, where context awareness is becoming a tool for enhancing collaboration processes. The application of Ubiquitous Computing concepts in the improvement of collaboration strategies created a research front called Ubiquitous Collaboration. This article proposes a framework to aid the development of collaborative applications for ubiquitous environments, called MaPS. MaPS works at one relevant stage of the collaboration. It uses context information and user profiles to improve the search for peers and the selection of communication channels. The article proposes the framework, its requirements and its architecture. Moreover, we describe a prototype and two applications which were developed with it. The framework was evaluated considering software development, based on the experience got in the implementation of the applications and aspects of functionalities. It was made through a scenario involving active participants. The results of both evaluations show the potential for using MaPS.

Keywords: collaboration, collaborative applications, ubiquitous computing, ubiquitous collaboration, ubiquitous environments, context awareness.

Author Biographies

Daniel de Souza Martins, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos

Daniel de Souza Martins received his BS in Systems Analisys from ULBRA and Specialization in Project Management from SENAC, Brazil, in 2009 and 2014, respectively. Nowadays, he is a collaborator in research projects at Mobilab/UNISINOS. His research interests include ubiquitous computing and ubiquitous learning systems. He also is working as analyst/programmer at Hewlett-Packard.

Cassia Nino, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos

Cassia Nino received her MS in Computer Science at UNISINOS, São Leopoldo, Brazil. Nowadays, she is a collaborator in research projects at Mobilab/UNISINOS. Her research interests include ubiquitous computing and ubiquitous learning systems.

Jorge Barbosa, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos

Jorge Luis Victória Barbosa received his MS and PhD in Computer Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, in 1996 and 2002, respectively. Currently, he is a Full Professor at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo, Brazil. Additionally, he is the Head of the Mobile Computing Laboratory (MobiLab/UNISINOS).His research interests include mobile/ubiquitous computing, programming languages and mobile/ubiquitous learning. He is a member of the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC).

Débora Barbosa, Feevale University

Débora Nice Ferrari Barbosa received her MS and PhD in Computer Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2001 and 2007, respectively. She is a Professor at Feevale University, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. Her research interests include mobile/ubiquitous learning, mobile/ubiquitous computing and artificial intelligence. She is also a member of the SBC.

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Published

2016-06-17

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Articles