Context sensitivity (computer science)

Context sensitivity ( English context awareness , also context dependency ) describes the behavior of application programs that use information about their "context", ie their environment, in order to adapt their behavior to it.

The basis on which these systems work is information that is made available by a wide variety of sources or sensors. This information is used to draw conclusions about the context. The determined context is used by the application to adapt its behavior, in particular the behavior of the user interface . Context is e.g. B. defined as "[...] any information that can be used to characterize the situation of an entity ." The use of contextual information is most often associated with the time and place aspect of people. However, any further aspects can be included in a context model if appropriate sources or sensors exist. This can be, for example, archive data or vital signs of people, the temperature in an environment or the relationships between people.

The aim of the development of context-sensitive applications is to achieve a higher utility value than with classic applications.

Lower forms

The sub-forms of context sensitivity apply

• Change Awareness , the awareness of changes in the database; see e.g. B. Computer Supported Cooperative Work
• Collaboration Awareness , the awareness of the intended use "application for group work"; see e.g. B. Computer Supported Cooperative Work
• Gaze Awareness , awareness of the direction in which the user is looking; see e.g. B. Computer Supported Cooperative Work
• Location Awareness ( spatial dependence ), awareness of the location; see e.g. B. Location Services
• Security Awareness , the awareness or sensitivity of IT users for information security issues

For context modeling in the development of web-based systems, a subdivision into the context categories user & role , task , place , time and device was suggested as appropriate.

Types of contextual systems

A contextual system can use context information in a variety of ways. Context information can be used as a trigger for functions of the system, e.g. B. Triggering of an alarm when exceeding permissible vital signs. Context information can also be used to enrich documents or other resources with background information. For example, images can be automatically given a time and location stamp. Context information can also be used to parameterize functions. In this way, all people who are in the same room can be determined using the context model. This information can be used to implement a room-dependent mail distributor. Ultimately, context information can be visualized by the system and made available to the user for information purposes.

Existing systems

Systems currently available concentrate on the location aspect and implement location-dependent services. On the basis of location sensors, e.g. B. GPS or cell location of cellular devices are provided here services or information that are useful in the vicinity of the user. Location based services (LBS) are only a special case, however. More complex context-dependent systems currently only exist in the research laboratories of the relevant universities and institutes.

Video and computer games

Context sensitivity is used in games wherever there are few buttons available, such as computer mice , gamepads and joysticks . Some key functions are only activated when the action is needed appropriately for the situation. For example, the action of the game character of addressing non-player characters does not appear until they are in the vicinity. The actions to be carried out are usually displayed on the screen.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Anind K. Dey, Gregory D. Abowd: Towards a Better Understanding of Context and Context-Awareness . Graphics, Visualization and Usability Center and College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta / Georgia July 8, 1999 ( ftp.cc.gatech.edu [PDF; 58 kB ; accessed on January 6, 2009]).
2. ↑ Jürgen Ziegler, Steffen Lohmann, Wolfgang Kaltz: Context modeling for adaptive web-based systems . In: Christian Stary (Ed.): Art and Science. Crossing the boundaries of interactive ART . Oldenbourg, Munich 2005, ISBN 3-486-57805-7 , p. 181–189 ( informatik.uni-hamburg.de [PDF; 160 kB ; accessed on October 8, 2010]). informatik.uni-hamburg.de ( Memento of the original from September 20, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.