Emotions in Pervasive Computing Environments

8 Emotions in Pervasive Computing Environments Nevin VUNKA JUNGUM1 and Éric LAURENT2

1 Computer Science and Engineering Department,
University of Mauritius Réduit, Mauritius

2 Laboratoire de Psychologie, ENACT-MCA, University of Franche-Comté Besançon, France

Abstract The ability of an intelligent environment to connect and adapt to real internal sates, needs and behaviors’ meaning of humans can be made possible by considering users’ emotional states as contextual parameters. In this paper, we build on enactive psychology and investigate the incorporation of emotions in pervasive systems. We define emotions, and discuss the coding of emotional human markers by smart environments. In addition, we compare some existing works and identify how emotions can be detected and modeled by a pervasive system in order to enhance its service and response to users. Finally, we analyze closely one XML-based language for representing and annotating emotions known as EARL and raise two important issues which pertain to emotion representation and modeling in XML-based languages.

Keywords: enactive psychology, emotion-computing, pervasive computing middleware, emotion modeling, xml-based language.

1. Introduction Problems or scenarios in real-life and computer processing logic can be represented using mathematical equations, whereby objects are represented using variables and constants and relationships using operators. Consider the following equation that represents a specific situation/scenario: y = x2 + x + 1

(Eq. 1) When x = 1,
y = 12 + 1 + 1 = 3 (using mathematical logic; this is what computers use). Now, in real-life: y = x2 + x + 1

(Eq. 1) When x = 1, y is either 3 or something else, that is, not 3 (using human reasoning; this is what human used). Because of emotions, people tend to add an additional variable which represent the state of emotion. And this changes the equation to: y = x2 + x + 1 + µ,

(Eq. 2) where µ is a variable whose value varies with the state of emotion. Thus possibly leading to a non-logical response from humans; this is how even the most intelligent person on earth can make “errors”, or say, produce a variable behavior relatively to what could be predicted on the basis of a strictly rational norm; whereas the less powerful and oldest computer will never since its calculations are based entirely on logic without any emotion. This view on emotions corresponds to the classical sketch where information processing abilities are decreased. Therefore emotions are seen as negative processes that tend to diminish the power of the system. Though opinions on emotions in psychology have changed – because emotion is also considered as a positive and adaptive process – we will try to show that current models of pervasive computing systems deal poorly with emotions, including when the latter is restricted to its negative influences on cognition. The fundamental aim of a non-simulated real-life pervasive computing environment is to support users in the environment, by providing personalized services and eliminate the user’s thought that he/she is dealing with computers to accomplish his/her task. How can a system, whose environment is based on mathematical logic, be used to support another system which is based on human logic/reasoning which is influenced by emotions? Is it an important issue? Yes it is. Consider the following scenario. In a smart building of tomorrow, the IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2009

9 environment is supported with the deployment of a pervasive computing system. Everything is automated and access to resources is autonomous and invisible, say, users are identified using their mobile phones. Previously, before becoming a smart building, the old Mr. Harry, the storekeeper, used to control access to equipments used for maintenance like hammers and all that. However, due to advance in technology, the service of Mr. Harry was no more required. Access to resources like equipments was controlled using the pervasive computing system. Jack and Paul were two colleagues working for the maintenance department. The relation between the two was not that good due to conflict of interest at workplace. One day, like any other day, they were busy abusing and arguing with each other. But this time things were getting worst. In a fit of rage, without thinking about the consequence, Jack went to the store, since he was identified as a maintenance staff by the system, so he was allowed access and he took the hammer and went back to Paul, and he hit the latter on his head with the hammer. Imagine if the pervasive computing system was not introduced, Mr. Harry, the storekeeper, would have still been there, and when he wou

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