Subject-Oriented Specification of Smart Environments

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a subject-oriented approach for specifying possible activities in smart environments. The approach is based on task models for subjects and a team model for representing the results of the cooperation. This model can be considered as communication model in the sense of S-BPM. Tasks in the team model have triggers for starting and finishing them. The triggers are the result of task executions in instances of models of subjects. A very restricted notation of OCL is used for those purposes. The same kind of simple OCL expressions can be used to specify preconditions of tasks. Tasks in the team model cannot be executed directly. They only present the result of other models. However, team models can also restrict the execution of other models. Additionally, context definitions are introduced for task models. Within a certain context, variables can be bound to specific values. This allows a very detailed description of activities that is more precise than most workflow specifications. Communication can be restricted to certain instances of subjects.