Category Archives: PhD

Situatedness for Global Display Web Apps

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Most display systems are making use of static definition for the
places in which they are situated. The content shown on these
displays is predefined as is the case of television broadcasting. In
this paper we present an approach that allows local display
managers, e.g., display owners, to instantiate global display web
applications on each display basis. We describe an innovative
model for content presentation that takes into consideration both
the display environmental data, e.g., sensors and user interactions,
and app specific configuration. This approach enables the content
being shown to be highly personalized, thus reflecting the
dynamic and situated behavior of global display web apps.

 

The article for this work can be accessed at: http://pervasivedisplays.org/2013/publications/demos/taivan.pdf

Detecting Encounter Nodes in a Wi-Fi Trace

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The analysis of Wi-Fi data and patterns of nodal encounters can provide significant knowledge about human mobility patterns and these results can be used for extracting realistic human mobility models. Human mobility models are applicable in many domains such as urban planning, social sciences, epidemiology and network communication. Analyzing and understanding nodal encounter patterns is a critical basis for the success of designing protocols and also efficient deployment of Wireless Network infrastructures.

To extract real encounter events among nodes, we should first deal with Ping-Pong Events. In this project we propose an algorithm for detecting and smoothing Ping-Pong Events in Wi-Fi traces and then by exploiting another mechanism we extract encounter nodes.

Analyzing and understanding the distribution of Encounter events is an important stage in extracting a structure of relation among mobile nodes in traces and aids to better message dissemination, prediction of message diffusion and the message delivery in an opportunistic setting.

 

 

Research grant available for PhD student

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The research group on Mobile and Ubiquitous Systems Applications is accepting applications for a research grant to work in the European Project JuxtaLearn. We seek candidates with a MSc degree in one of the areas of Informatics Engineering, Communications Engineering, Information Systems, Ubiquitous Computing, Human Computer Interaction or equivalent. Applicants must be proficient in at least one programming language, must be able to fluently speak and write in English, and must be a dynamic and highly motivated individual (m/f) with a strong willingness for independent thinking, self-learning and team-work. This opportunity is open to outstanding candidates that are initiating or willing to initiate their PhD in any of the above areas. The successful applicant will integrate the international research team of the JuxtaLearn project and work under the supervision of Professor Rui José. The work will involve the design, implementation and evaluation of a video sharing system for public displays that may adequately support the learning requirements of the project.

The initial grant is for six months, but can be extended up to two years. The grant is expected to start early on 2013 by arrangement with the successful candidate. The award includes a stipend of 11760 Euros per annum (tax exempt), health insurance, social security, research-related travel expenses, and research equipment.

How to apply

Detailed instructions on how to apply may be found in:

http://tinyurl.com/juxtalearn-phd

The application deadline is 9th November 2012. Pre-selected candidates may be called for an individual interview. Prospective candidates are also invited to contact Rui José (rui@dsi.uminho.pt) for additional information about this research opportunity and informally discuss specific research interests before applying.

About the research group

The Mobile and Ubiquitous Systems group (Ubicomp@UMinho) is a research group at Algoritmi, an ICT research centre of the Engineering School of the University of Minho. The group is currently composed of 8 Senior Researchers, two of which full-time Post-Doc Researchers and over 30 PhD and MSc students.

The group has been active in the field of ubiquitous computing for several years and is now well integrated in the ubicomp research community. We have a well deployed network of partnerships, both within academia and industry. The international collaboration has been mainly promoted as part of European projects, including FP5, FP6 and FP7. The group is hosted in Guimarães.

Web-Site: http://ubicomp.algoritmi.uminho.pt/

About JuxtaLearn

The Juxtlearn project aims to stimulate student curiosity in science and technology through creative film making and editing activities. The creation, sharing and social engagement around videos exploring threshold concepts that are their own personal barriers to understanding will facilitate student creative inspiration and further conceptual insight and understanding. Students will, for example, be supported in instigating reflective decisions on what to film, how to film it and what and where to edit.  Public displays will enable sharing and commenting of these performances thus encouraging public curiosity and a ‘buzz’ around specific complex concepts.

The project is funded by the European Commission and involves the following international partners: The Open University(UK), Linnaeus University(SWE), Rhein-Ruhr Institute (GER), University of Birmingham (UK), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (SPN), Universidade do Minho (POR), CatcherMedia (UK)

http://www8.open.ac.uk/iet/main/research-scholarship/research-projects/juxtalearn