Ontological User Profile Modeling for Context-Aware Application Personalization

Existing context-aware adaptation techniques are limited in their support for user personalization. There is relatively less developed research involving adaptive user modeling for user applications in the emerging areas of mobile and pervasive computing. This paper describes the creation of a User Profile Ontology for context-aware application personalization within mobile environments. We analyze users’ behavior and characterize users’ needs for context-aware applications. Special emphasis is placed in the ontological modeling of dynamic components for use in adaptable applications. We illustrate the use of the model in the context of a case study, focusing on providing personalized services to older people via smart-device technologies.