pREST: a REST-based protocol for pervasive systems

Abstract

The convergence of embedded systems and wireless communication enables interconnection of electronic devices to render control and provide information to the user. Offices, apartments, and public spaces are or in the near future will be able to deliver information and services to their occupants ranging from instant Internet access to configuration and control in a context dependent, personalized way. Despite progressing internetworking and sophistication, we are still dealing with islands of functionality rather than the invisible computer envisioned by Mark Weiser. We believe that the spread and acceptance of smart environments will depend on common standards as well as a simple and flexible way to access data and devices and compose services from existing ones. A good example of such a system is the World Wide Web, whose success is mainly due to the simplicity with which all kinds of content can be published and referenced. We present an access protocol to bring the Web's simplicity and holistic view on data and services to pervasive systems. Our approach is based on the representational state transfer architectural style and emphasizes abstraction of data and services as resources, interoperation via self describing data and service orchestration with loosely typed components. A particular concern is to provide for functionality in the absence of proxy nodes or infrastructure services like directory servers.