Context Adaptive Systems

Abstract

An analysis of approaches to adaptive and context-aware systems will be given. Adaptation between the user needs and the system performance will be discussed reflecting the context of use. Context-awareness will be discussed affecting the adaptation in a long-term perspective; situation-awareness will be discussed affecting the adaptation in a specific point in time and space. Three functions are presented that determine the adaptation process: the sensory function collecting the internal and external stimuli for the adaptation; the inference function identifying the adaption mechanisms based on adaptation models; and the effector function performing the identifi ed mechanisms. Finally the actors in the process of adaptation will be discussed like the user (adaptable version of adaptations), the system (adaptive version of adaptations) and a combination of both eventually together with an end-user expert.