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• Baquero, R
• Rodríguez, J
• Mendoza, S
• Decouchant, D
• Papis, A
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• Baquero, R
• Rodríguez, J
• Mendoza, S
• Decouchant, D
• Papis, A
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• Baquero, R
• Rodríguez, J
• Mendoza, S
• Decouchant, D
• Papis, A

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Sensors 2012, 12(8), 10259-10291; doi:10.3390/s120810259

Article

FunBlocks. A Modular Framework for AmI System Development

Rafael Baquero ^1,* , José Rodríguez ¹ , Sonia Mendoza ¹ , Dominique Decouchant ^2,3  and Alfredo Piero Mateos Papis ²

¹ Department of Computer Science, CINVESTAV-IPN, Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, DF 07360, Mexico ² Department of Information Technologies, UAM Cuajimalpa, Av. Constituyentes 1000 Lomas Altas, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, DF 11950, Mexico ³ Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire LIG, 681 Rue de la Passerelle, 38400 St Martin d’Hères, France

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 6 June 2012; in revised form: 12 July 2012 / Accepted: 27 July 2012 / Published: 30 July 2012

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Select papers from UCAmI 2011 - the 5th International Symposium on Ubiquitous Computing and Ambient Intelligence (UCAmI'11))

Download PDF Full-Text [377 KB, uploaded 30 July 2012 11:59 CEST]

Abstract: The last decade has seen explosive growth in the technologies required to implement Ambient Intelligence (AmI) systems. Technologies such as facial and speech recognition, home networks, household cleaning robots, to name a few, have become commonplace. However, due to the multidisciplinary nature of AmI systems and the distinct requirements of different user groups, integrating these developments into full-scale systems is not an easy task. In this paper we propose FunBlocks, a minimalist modular framework for the development of AmI systems based on the function module abstraction used in the IEC 61499 standard for distributed control systems. FunBlocks provides a framework for the development of AmI systems through the integration of modules loosely joined by means of an event-driven middleware and a module and sensor/actuator catalog. The modular design of the FunBlocks framework allows the development of AmI systems which can be customized to a wide variety of usage scenarios.

Keywords: Ambient Intelligence; AmI frameworks; modular schemes; distributed control systems; domotics

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