One of the main themes of this project is the stick-e note architecture. This provides a framework for context-aware applications and services based on a simple Post-It note metaphor. Detailed information about this architecture is presented within this section.

Overview

Most context-aware applications can be conceived as attaching objects to particular contexts so that, should the user enter such a context, the object will be invoked. These objects could take the form of information, actions or even user-interfaces. For example, on a tour of London various informative displays (i.e. information objects) may be attached to various sites of interest so that, for instance, should the user approach Big Ben then a display containing details of the history of the clock would be invoked.

This notion of attaching objects to contexts naturally lends itself to comparison with Post-It notes, the little yellow paper notes that can be written on and stuck to various parts of office furniture, walls, doors, etc. so as to provide information in a convenient or attention-grabbing location. An electronic version can be envisaged where the user types a message which is stored along with the current location so that the electronic note can be displayed again if this location is re-encountered. These electronic versions of Post-It notes we call stick-e notes

Stick-e notes lend themselves to a much broader environment of use than their manual counterparts. This is achieved through:

1. a diverse use of contexts, and
2. a diverse range of content.

Stick-e notes can be attached to all sorts of contexts in addition to location, e.g. presence of people or objects, temperature, time, etc. They can be precisely attached by using multiple types of context (e.g. attaching a stick-e note to both "When I next meet Vince" and "in the Computing Laboratory", so that the information is only displayed if I meet Vince when he is in the Computing Laboratory). They may also be attached to more than one context of the same type to enable re-use of the stick-e note within different situations (e.g. attaching a "tell x my viva results" message to both "when I next see Helena" and "when I next see Geraldina" so that I am reminded to tell the results of my viva to either Geraldina or Helena should I meet them).

The content of stick-e notes can incorporate a much richer context than text alone. The information can be delivered to the user in a multi-media format such as an HTML (Hyper-Text Mark-up Language) page. Further, stick-e notes need not be limited to deploying just information: controls and interfaces can also be attached to contexts, e.g. when entering an office a stick-e note containing an office environment control panel may be invoked through which the user can control temperature and lighting settings of the room.

Stick-e notes may also contain actions to which there may not be any visible content except that resulting from the invoked action. There is a wide spectrum of applicability for stick-e actions. The user may make use of them in order to cause some configuration changes (such as connecting to the network whilst in the office) or application launches (such as causing the computer book catalogue to be displayed when entering the library). It is these stick-e actions which allow application designers to provide context-aware services to their own applications.

Any comments, criticisms or suggestions on this research are very welcome, please email them to us.

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