A concept of context-aware computing based on symbol grounding perspective

Conventional context-aware system refers to an intelligent mobile system that can sense the Real Space (RS). Its essential functions are to understand the situation in RS as well as to supply suitable information or services to users depending on the perceived situation. In order to realize that, pattern recognition technologies based on signal or image processing (non-symbolic processing) as well as natural language processing technologies based on knowledge processing (symbolic processing) should be implemented. Historically, symbolic processing and non-symbolic processing have independently evolved but about 20 years ago Steven Harnad had proposed `Symbol Grounding Problem´ and argued that it is necessary to integrate non-symbolic processing and symbolic processing. However, there are very few discussions dealing in both context-aware computing and symbol grounding mechanism. Therefore, this paper defines the desired functions for context-aware system in the view point of symbol grounding mechanism and proposes a novel context-aware system, symbiotic grounding system, as an advanced symbol grounding system.