This document outlines a proposed Ubiquitous Control Modeling Language (UCML) for developing applications on Android devices. UCML is an XML-based language that allows modules to be developed to acquire sensor data, apply conditions, and trigger responses. It aims to support on-device development, resource utilization, and making Android a Ubiquitous Computing platform. The document describes UCML's structure and elements, provides sample modules, and evaluates UCML as a prototype for controlling devices and interacting with the environment through sensors.

1. Abdulrahman M.S. Salman
School of Computer Science
2009
Selim.2k@gmail.com
Ubiquitous Control Modeling Language for Android
An approach towards Android as a Ubiquitous Computing platform

2. Outlines
• Objectives
• Background
– XML
– Ubiquitous Computing
– Google’s Android
– C3 & ODD approaches
– What is UCML
– UAT
• UCML, the Application
• UCML Structure
• UCML, the Language
• UCML Sample Modules
• Limitations
• Applications
• Evaluation
• Conclusion

3. Objectives
• Propose the “On-Device Development”
concept
• Provide a software prototype UCML initiative
to support the concept.
– Simple and friendly application for mobile users.
– Being a base for upgrading/extending to complex
applications.
• Prove UCML within Android platform as a
UbiComp system

4. XML
• Global standard
• Defined elements
• Special-purpose
Languages
– WML, UIML, AIML…
<xyz>
<x>hello</x>
<y foo=“bar” />
<z foo=“bar”>hello</z>
</xyz>

5. Google’s Android
• Free Open Source
• Supported by OpenHandsetAlliance
and Google Community
• Software stack for electronic devices
– OS based on Linux 2.6
– Middleware
• Libraries (SQLite, OpenGL, WebKit…)
• DVM & Core Libraries
• Application Framework
– Applications (phone native & 3rd
party)

6. Google’s Android

7. Ubiquitous Computing
• the vision of mobile
computing where
technology will get
involved in everything
around us.

8. Ubiquitous Computing
UbiComp System
Response
Situation
Sensing

9. What is UCML
• UCML is a prototype software for mobile devices
runs within Android platform aiming at utilizing
smart mobile devices resources.
– Consists of modules developed by XML-based
language.
– Depends on natural language understanding.
• Revolves around
– Acquire data from built-in sensors
– Apply conditions on these data
– Fire responses when these conditions are satisfied

10. What is UCML
UbiComp System
Response
Situation
Sensing
Response
Sensing
Environmen
t

11. C3 & ODD approaches
• The On-Device Development approach so as to
develop, execute the software altogether from
within the device itself.
– Smart, autonomous, resource-utilization
• C3 is a paradigm used to describe entities revolve
around the power of Computer in processing, the
capability to Control surrounding environment,
and the facility of Communication between
devices in this environment.
– C3-compliant

12. UAT
• Why?
• Promote criteria for assessing potential,
capability, and competency of devices
towards satisfying Ubiquitous Computing
conditions and requirement constraints which
subsequently facilitate establishing
categorization and specifications.

13. UAT
Synopses Platform: UCML within Android
Mobility (accompanied, wearable, embedded) Accompanied: hand-held
Category (Tab, Pad, Board) Tap
Context-aware (adaptive) depend on the application of a UCML module
Running all the time Yes
Being everywhere Yes
Networked Interconnectivity In-development (future work)
Input Sensor-oriented
Internet-enabled Yes
On-Device development/Configuration Yes
C3-Compliant Yes

14. UCML, the Application

15. UCML, the Application

16. UCML, the Application

17. UCML, the Application

18. UCML structure
Module

19. UCML, the Language
<ucml>
<sensor name="[sensor_name]">
<reading type="[reading_type]" [other_attributes]=” ”/>
<response action="[response_action]" [other_attributes] =” ”/>
</sensor>
</ucml>

20. UCML, the Language
<sensor name="[sensor_name]">
• sensor_name:
– accelerometer
– magneticfield
– orientation
– temperature.

21. UCML, the Language
<reading type="[reading_type]" [other_attributes]=” ”/>
• reading_type:
– threshold
– Range
• other_attributes
– Threshold
– All
• x, y, z
• xmin, ymin, zmin, xmax, ymax, zmax

22. UCML, the Language
<response action="[response_action]" [other_attributes] =” ”/>
response_action: other_attributes
enable feature
disable feature
notify msg
vibrate pattern, repeat
sendsms destination, sms
senddata destination, data, port
openweb web
dialnumber number

23. UCML, the Language
<ucml>
<sensor name="[sensor_name]">
<log filename="[file_name]" period=“[time_in_secs]"/>
</sensor>
</ucml>
• file saved on /data/data/[package]/files/
[file_name].xml

24. UCML, the Language
.
.
.
Output of
the LOG
tag

25. UCML Sample Modules
<ucml>
<sensor name="accelerometer">
<reading type="threshold"
threshold="8"/>
<response action="notify" msg="hi
the Accelerometer threshold
fired!!!"/>
</sensor>
</ucml>

26. UCML Sample Modules
<ucml>
<sensor name=“magneticfield">
<reading type="threshold" all="yes"
x="-2" y="5" z="-9"/>
<response action="vibrate"
pattern=“300 500 700"
repeat="no"/>
</sensor>
</ucml>

27. UCML Sample Modules
<ucml>
<sensor name="orientation">
<reading type="range" all="no"
xmin="10" ymin="8" zmin="-1"
xmax="15" ymax="12" zmax="3"/>
<response action="sendsms"
destination="07928610611" sms=“I ve
moved the phone!!!"/>
</sensor>
</ucml>

28. UCML module live

29. Applications
• monitoring,
• controlling,
• logging,
• gesture recognition,
• and interaction with devices.

30. Limitations
• Explicit Communication with remote sensors and
actuators.
• Rich framework.
• Auto-Complete feature.
• Deployment as stand-alone application.
• Running as a service.
• Android platform is new in the market !!!

31. Evaluation
• Target users: Digital Generation.
– And others interested.
• Age: 7 to 35
• Informal Survey: 7 individuals 24-35 years old
• Result:
– Enjoyable
– Extraordinary and Enjoyable

32. Conclusion
• ODD, C3, and UAT have been defined.
• UCML discovers a new interface for end-users which
will enrich the user experience in HCI.
• The ODD approach is a new trend and would face
some reluctance.
• Android is promising and is always being updated.
• Android is excellent for Ubiquitous Computing
scenarios.
• Current UCML version is an initiative prototype
software represents a basic building block for further
development and upgrades.

33. Qs

34. Tools and Technologies
• Eclipse IDE, ADT plug-in
• Android SDK 1.5, Android Emulator
• XML
• Java syntax, JDK tools
• Adobe Illustrator, IconArchive.com
• OpenIntents SensorSimulator

35. Ubiquitous Computing
• Ubiquitous smart devices
– Tabs: Inch-scale devices (mobile phones)
– Pads: foot-scale devices (laptops)
– Boards: yard-scale interactive displays (surface
computers)