Uniting the physical and virtual: ICT solutions for open smart spaces

This publication describes some of the research highlights achieved in the focus areas of the Open Smart Spaces spearhead programme 2009-2012: interoperability, smartness, and natural interaction. Interoperability between devices, software and other resources is essential for the emergence of smart spaces. The different levels of interoperability are discussed together with the importance of a common language for the devices. Semantic interoperability in resource limited devices is also elaborated and an implementation example is given. Context recognition has taken significant technical steps and matured from laboratory to real world applications during last couple of years. This development from recognising user's physical activity - sitting, walking, running - to more elaborate life pattern analysis is discussed. Development of VTT Node, a wireless sensing and processing device bringing distributed intelligence into industrial condition monitoring is explained. An overview of how existing near fi eld communication antennas and circuits can double for the purpose of wireless charging is given. Finally, the interesting possibilities given by augmented and mixed reality and 3D cameras are introduced.