The missing layer — Virtualizing smart spaces

Abstract

With the Virtual State Layer (VSL), an abstraction for software-based orchestration of smart spaces is presented. The aim of the VSL is to ease the programming of orchestration software while not limiting its functionality. The VSL primarily provides: the virtualization of that part of the real world that can be orchestrated via sensors and actuators, a base for the creation of portable orchestration services, mechanisms to easily couple services, and the availability of state over time. The VSL approach is conceptually situated between ontology-based systems and protocol-translating systems for orchestrating smart spaces. The concept and its implementation - a Java-based distributed P2P publish-subscribe system - are presented.