Extended Features of Task Models for Specifying Cooperative Activities

Abstract

In this paper, an extended version of task models is discussed that allows detailed specifications of cooperative activities. Within the presented specification CoTaL (Cooperative Task Language), there exist two complementary types of task models called role model and team model. One or more instances of each role model describe the specific activities of actors. The team model represents joined activities and reflects progression in cooperation between role instances. For each scenario there exists one instance of the team model. Preconditions and events can be assigned to tasks and refer to one or all running instances of a role model. An event can be a starting or finishing trigger and is activated as result of task executions. Additionally, variables can be defined. They are bound within the specified context during runtime and get the value of the identifier of a certain role instance. In this way, communication and collaboration between different actors can be specified. Tasks of a team model cannot be performed directly but present the result of the execution of other (role) models only. However, a team model can restrict the execution of role model instances. It is shown how such models can be used to specify the activities in a smart meeting room. Snapshots of their simulation in CoTaSE (Cooperative Task Specification Environment) are presented. Additionally to the local implementation there exists an implementation in a cloud. It allows real cooperative executions of tasks.