Location-aware Services and Interfaces in Smart Homes using Multiagent Systems

摘要

This paper provides an architecture for developing smart environments using software agents. The main advantage of using agents is the autonomy that they can provide. An intelligent agent bases its behaviour on a set of high-level goals, and determines autonomously the necessary actions to meet those goals. These actions may include interaction and cooperation with other agents. In fact, multiagent systems are distributed systems, which made them very suitable for their application to smart home environments, where coordination of distributed sensors and effectors is needed. The two services we have implemented over our proposed architecture show how software agents can help to adapt the environment to the preferences or desires of the user. We are currently working on improving the Bluetooth Detection Equipments, to make the location process faster, more reliable and more efficient in terms of energy consumption. A distributed hierarchical architecture for a Presence Detection System (iHPDS) that extends the functionality provided by the BDEs and the iHLA is being developed. Interaction between users and the system may be made easier by integrating the personal device and the interface device in a single cell phone. New services are being developed and implemented, and interfaces for remote management of the smart home are being designed.