Using the iDTV for Managing Services in the Ubiquitous Computing Environment

Among the most promising applications provided by digital TV systems are the ones that enable TV-sets to work as the central processing unit of a house. This is supported by the extending of iDTV functionalities, taking into account its computer platform not only for application execution, but also for management of electronic devices services in smart homes, like a home gateway. In this context, this paper presents an infrastructure that allows exchange of data from the iDTV to home network devices, such as sensors, mobile devices, and so on. This model is supported by open services gateway initiative (OSGi), as a framework for networked devices, and the Brazilian reference middleware, Ginga. Thus it is possible to use devices services in OSGi-based home networks, through the digital TV. In order to prove the model functionalities, we created validating scenarios of service management involving iDTV interaction with mobile phones and electronic sensor devices.