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A pluggable middleware architecture for developing context-aware mobile applications

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Abstract

The proliferation of powerful smartphone devices provides a great opportunity for context-aware mobile applications becoming mainstream. However, we argue that conventional software development techniques suffer because of the added complexity required for collecting and managing context information. This paper presents a component-based middleware architecture which facilitates the development and deployment of context-aware applications via reusable components. The main contribution of this approach is the combination of a development methodology with the middleware architecture, which together bring significant value to developers of context-aware applications. Further contributions include the following: The methodology utilizes separation of concerns, thus decreasing the developmental cost and improving the productivity. The design and implementation of context-aware applications are also eased via the use of reusable components, called context plug-ins. Finally, the middleware architecture facilitates the deployment and management of the context plug-ins in a resource-aware manner. The proposed methodology and middleware architecture are evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively.

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Notes

  1. MUSIC, https://developer.berlios.de/projects/ist-music/.

  2. RSCM, http://code.google.com/p/rscm/.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the partial financial support given to this research by UCLan Cyprus and the EU (6th Framework Programme, contract number 35166).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCLan Cyprus, 7080, Pyla, Cyprus

    Nearchos Paspallis

  2. University of Cyprus, 2109, Aglantzia, Cyprus

    George A. Papadopoulos

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  1. Nearchos Paspallis
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  2. George A. Papadopoulos
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Correspondence to Nearchos Paspallis.

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Paspallis, N., Papadopoulos, G.A. A pluggable middleware architecture for developing context-aware mobile applications. Pers Ubiquit Comput 18, 1099–1116 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-013-0722-7

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