3,397 research outputs found
Lean Middleware
This paper describes an approach to achieving data integration across multiple sources in an enterprise, in a manner that is cost efficient and economically scalable. We present an approach that does not rely on major investment in structured, heavy-weight database systems for data storage or heavy-weight middleware responsible for integrated access. The approach is centered around pushing any required data structure and semantics functionality (schema) to application clients, as well as pushing integration specification and functionality to clients where integration can be performed on-the-fly
Semi-automated creation of converged iTV services: From macromedia director simulations to services ready for broadcast
While sound and video may capture viewers’ attention, interaction can captivate them. This has not been available prior to the advent of Digital Television. In fact, what lies at the heart of the Digital Television revolution
is this new type of interactive content, offered
in the form of interactive Television (iTV) services. On top of that, the new world of converged networks has created a demand for a new type of converged services on a range of mobile terminals (Tablet PCs, PDAs and mobile phones). This paper aims at presenting a new approach to service creation that allows for the semi-automatic translation of simulations and rapid prototypes created in the accessible desktop
multimedia authoring package Macromedia Director
into services ready for broadcast. This is achieved by a series of tools that de-skill and speed-up the process of creating digital TV user interfaces (UI) and applications for mobile terminals.
The benefits of rapid prototyping are essential for the production of these new types of services, and are therefore discussed in the first section of this paper.
In the following sections, an overview of the
operation of content, service, creation and management sub-systems is presented, which illustrates why these tools compose an important and integral part of a system responsible of creating, delivering and managing converged broadcast and telecommunications services.
The next section examines a number of metadata
languages candidates for describing the iTV services user interface and the schema language adopted in this project. A detailed description of the operation of the two tools is provided to offer an insight of how they can be used to de-skill and speed-up the process of creating digital TV user interfaces and applications for mobile terminals. Finally, representative broadcast oriented and telecommunication oriented converged service components are also introduced, demonstrating how these tools have been used to generate different types of services
GEMINI: A Generic Multi-Modal Natural Interface Framework for Videogames
In recent years videogame companies have recognized the role of player
engagement as a major factor in user experience and enjoyment. This encouraged
a greater investment in new types of game controllers such as the WiiMote, Rock
Band instruments and the Kinect. However, the native software of these
controllers was not originally designed to be used in other game applications.
This work addresses this issue by building a middleware framework, which maps
body poses or voice commands to actions in any game. This not only warrants a
more natural and customized user-experience but it also defines an
interoperable virtual controller. In this version of the framework, body poses
and voice commands are respectively recognized through the Kinect's built-in
cameras and microphones. The acquired data is then translated into the native
interaction scheme in real time using a lightweight method based on spatial
restrictions. The system is also prepared to use Nintendo's Wiimote as an
auxiliary and unobtrusive gamepad for physically or verbally impractical
commands. System validation was performed by analyzing the performance of
certain tasks and examining user reports. Both confirmed this approach as a
practical and alluring alternative to the game's native interaction scheme. In
sum, this framework provides a game-controlling tool that is totally
customizable and very flexible, thus expanding the market of game consumers.Comment: WorldCIST'13 Internacional Conferenc
MONICA in Hamburg: Towards Large-Scale IoT Deployments in a Smart City
Modern cities and metropolitan areas all over the world face new management
challenges in the 21st century primarily due to increasing demands on living
standards by the urban population. These challenges range from climate change,
pollution, transportation, and citizen engagement, to urban planning, and
security threats. The primary goal of a Smart City is to counteract these
problems and mitigate their effects by means of modern ICT to improve urban
administration and infrastructure. Key ideas are to utilise network
communication to inter-connect public authorities; but also to deploy and
integrate numerous sensors and actuators throughout the city infrastructure -
which is also widely known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Thus, IoT
technologies will be an integral part and key enabler to achieve many
objectives of the Smart City vision.
The contributions of this paper are as follows. We first examine a number of
IoT platforms, technologies and network standards that can help to foster a
Smart City environment. Second, we introduce the EU project MONICA which aims
for demonstration of large-scale IoT deployments at public, inner-city events
and give an overview on its IoT platform architecture. And third, we provide a
case-study report on SmartCity activities by the City of Hamburg and provide
insights on recent (on-going) field tests of a vertically integrated,
end-to-end IoT sensor application.Comment: 6 page
AstroGrid-D: Grid Technology for Astronomical Science
We present status and results of AstroGrid-D, a joint effort of
astrophysicists and computer scientists to employ grid technology for
scientific applications. AstroGrid-D provides access to a network of
distributed machines with a set of commands as well as software interfaces. It
allows simple use of computer and storage facilities and to schedule or monitor
compute tasks and data management. It is based on the Globus Toolkit middleware
(GT4). Chapter 1 describes the context which led to the demand for advanced
software solutions in Astrophysics, and we state the goals of the project. We
then present characteristic astrophysical applications that have been
implemented on AstroGrid-D in chapter 2. We describe simulations of different
complexity, compute-intensive calculations running on multiple sites, and
advanced applications for specific scientific purposes, such as a connection to
robotic telescopes. We can show from these examples how grid execution improves
e.g. the scientific workflow. Chapter 3 explains the software tools and
services that we adapted or newly developed. Section 3.1 is focused on the
administrative aspects of the infrastructure, to manage users and monitor
activity. Section 3.2 characterises the central components of our architecture:
The AstroGrid-D information service to collect and store metadata, a file
management system, the data management system, and a job manager for automatic
submission of compute tasks. We summarise the successfully established
infrastructure in chapter 4, concluding with our future plans to establish
AstroGrid-D as a platform of modern e-Astronomy.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures Subjects: data analysis, image processing,
robotic telescopes, simulations, grid. Accepted for publication in New
Astronom
Next generation IT - Computing in the cloud life after jurassic OO middleware
It is painfully clear that current middleware cannot provide agility nor provide cost effective scalable commodity infrastructure. Current IT applications programming technology is too complex and too inefficient to leverage next generation infrastructures On top of this we are facing an acute shortage of skilled application developers. Hence we need to consider simpler alternative solutions, of which cloud computing and functional Infrastructure enabled Domain Oriented Programming seem to be the most promising on the horizon. Simple services enable agility and leverage scaleable commodity technology. Functional Services enable rapid application development and enable the service infrastructure to handle concurrency. Domain Oriented Programming enables domain specific service development on top of which Business Programming empowers business teams with embedded developers to deliver applications quickly
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