E. Vaquerizo, Y. Garrido, J. Falcó, T. Skenhan, A. Jiménez, R. Casas
This paper appears in: The Open Knowlege Society. A Computer Science and Information SystemsManifesto (Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol19 )
First World Summit on the Knowledge Society, in Athens (Greece).
Evaluation of IT with end users is necessary to create systems that provide real benefit to society. Usually, evaluation is considered only as a trial of technology with users simply responding to questionnaires. Nevertheless, the process implies many aspects that should not be overlooked. In this paper we present a detailed framework that attempts to present all the mandatory and advisable issues that should be addressed in an evaluation of IT with users. This framework is valid for laboratory tests, and is also specifically recommended for social scenarios; for example day centers, user’s dwellings, etc. This framework is being used in a European project where hundreds of users test technology in different scenarios.
Marco, A.Casas, R.Asensio, A.Coarasa, V.Blasco, R.Ibarz, A.
This paper appears in: Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, 2008. PIMRC 2008. IEEE 19th International Symposium on
Date: 15-18 September 2008
Pages: 1-5
ISBN: 978-1-4244-2643-0...........
Abstract
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Nowadays, almost everyone has a mobile telephone. This requires GSM localization systems to have greater applicability all of the time. The ldquokiller issuerdquo in this field is the well-known non-line-of-sight (NLOS) error, which hinders localization robustness and accuracy in real scenarios. Many techniques have been developed to deal with this problem, but they usually require prior statistical information or error modeling, or are computationally expensive. In this paper, we present a simple method based on the least median of squares technique to mitigate the NLOS effect. The method we propose is widely used in artificial vision applications and manages to overcome NLOS error effects, yielding higher location accuracy and robustness than other techniques. It can successfully deal with more than half of the available corrupted measurements- no matter how severely-without any previous statistical knowledge-corrupted measurements are not identifiable-and with reduced computation load.
A. Marco, R. Casas, J. Falco, H. Gracia, J.I. Artigas and A. Roy
This paper appears in: Computer Communications, vol 31, Issue 6
Date: 18 April 2008
Pages: 1055-1066
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Abstract
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Many techniques have been developed to perform indoor location. Each strategy has its own advantages and drawbacks, with the application demanding location information the main determinant of the system to be used. In this paper, a system is presented that serves location to innovative services for elderly and disabled people, ranging from alarm and monitoring to support for navigation and leisure. The system uses ZigBee and ultrasound to fulfill the application requirements, differing in this respect from all other existing systems. ZUPS (ZigBee and ultrasound positioning system) provides wide multicell coverage, easy extension, robustness even in crowded scenarios, different levels of precision depending on the user’s profile and service requirements (from a few centimeters to meters), limited infrastructure requirements, simple calibration, and cost-effectiveness. The system has been evaluated from the technical, functional, and usability standpoints, with satisfactory results, and its suitability has also been demonstrated in a residence for people with disabilities located in Zaragoza, Spain.
> A Middleware-based Approach for Context-aware Computing
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Zigor Salvador-Artola, Mikel Larrea-Álava, Daniel Cascado-Caballero, José Luis Sevillano-Ramos, Roberto Casas-Nebra, Álvaro Marco-Marco This paper appears in: Upgrade, European Journal for the Informatics Professional, Vol. 8, No. 4 Date: 2007 Pages: 25-30 ISSN: 1684-5285 ...................
Abstract
...................
Ubiquitous computing environments integrate a large number of heterogeneous devices, which convey an increasing level of complexity when developing ubiquitous applications. A solution to this problem resorts to the use of a software abstraction layer, known as middleware, which encapsulates the underlying elements of the environment and offers unified and standardised access to applications which need to make use of the resources of the environment. Moreover, a middleware layer can also provide high-level built-in services, such as context management services.
Members of the EASY LINE + project team will present a paper at a conference in July.“User Modelling in Ambient Intelligence for Elderly and Disabled People” (Casas, R., Blasco Marín, R., Robinet, A., Roy Delgado, A., Roy Yarza, A., McGinn, J, Picking, R. & Grout, V.) will appear in the Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP 2008), from the University of Linz, Austria, which takes place from July 9-11, 2008.
R. Blasco, R. Casas, A. Marco, V. Coarasa, Y. Garrido, J. Falcó This paper appears in: Proc. of International Conference on Bio-inspired Systems and Signal Processing BIOSIGNALS 2008, Funchal (Portugal) Date: 2008 Pages: 540-545 ISBN: 978-989-8111-18-0 Abstract
Falls are one of the biggest concerns of elderly people. This paper addresses a fall detection system which uses an accelerometer to collect body accelerations, ZigBee to send relevant data when a fall might have happened and a neural network to recognize fall patterns. This method presents improved performance compared to traditional basic-threshold systems. Main advantage is that fall detection ratio is higher on neural network based systems. Another important issue is the high immunity to events not being falls, but with similar patterns (e.g. sitting in a sofa abruptly), usually confused with real falls. Minimization of these occurrences has big influence on the confidence the user has on the system.
> Hidden Issues In Deploying An Indoor Location System R. Casas, D. Cuartielles, A. Marco, H. Gracia, J. Falco. This paper appears in: IEEE Pervasive Computing, Vol. 6, No. 2 Date: 2007 Pages: 62-69 ISSN: 1536-1268 Abstract
Determining the location of people and objects within indoor environments with a high degree of accuracy is one of the main technical obstacles to overcome within context aware applications, one of the pillars of pervasive computing. This article focuses on the design and deployment of indoor positioning systems. We concentrate on the problems that our research team faced during the development and deployment of indoor positioning systems at a number of different locations. Our study demonstrates, via an extensive collection of case studies involving trial and error, that it is almost impossible to anticipate the development of situations that can make the installation process practically unfeasible. The deployment of our prototype system helped several research groups to identify applications for location technologies. The installation process became a priceless tool in evaluating how to deploy ubiquitous indoor technologies. Our main contribution to this field of research is a collection of advice regarding both technological and practical factors to consider when designing and deploying an indoor positioning system.
> Health and Social Considerations in Ambient Intelligence Design A. Ibarz, R. Casas, A. Marco, Y. Garrido, J Falcó, A. Roy. This paper appears in: Proc. International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing & Ambient Intelligence. UCAmI 2007 (Zaragoza, Spain) Date: September, 2007 Pages: 91-96 ISBN: 84-9732-442-0 Abstract
The generalized proliferation of technological gadgets and communication networks in everyday life is evolving, as increases the demand for ubiquitous access to information, toward ambient intelligence. Ambient intelligence environment is composed of invisible computational power, as well as intelligent mobile and wearable devices. Universal access and design for all are concepts widely known in the development of ambient intelligence systems. Both factors allow users with different needs and requirements to benefit from AmI technologies. This paper addresses the changes that social and health sciences bring about for the engineering approach to ambient intelligence; especially for the elderly and people with disabilities. Furthermore, an ambient intelligence system (designed for household appliances environment) called “e-servant®” will be introduced. “E-servant®” includes a multidisciplinary (health, social workers and engineers) approach of ambient intelligence, as well as a feedback to quality of life standards especially for the people with special needs.
Antonio Bono-Nuez, Bonifacio Martín-del-Brío, Rubén Blasco-Marín, Roberto Casas-Nebra, Armando Roy-Yarza
This paper appears in: Lecture notes in Computer Science Date: June, 2007 Pages: 906-913 ISBN: 84-9732-442-0
Abstract
Elderly people usually have some disabilities that get worst with the years. Many times these disabilities difficult the tasks carried out in a normal independent life, as is the case with home tasks. In addition, about one fourth of the household accidents happen in the kitchen. Within the framework of a European project –Easyline plus-, we have developed a tool to evaluate the quality of life of elderly people based on kitchen activity, extracted from data provided by the appliances. Such a tool has found to be very useful for social carers in order to monitor elderly activity, and as an objective support for diagnosis of the evolution of the personal abilities and autonomy of the user.
Maged N. Kamel Boulos , Ricardo Castellot Lou, Athanasios Anastasiou, Chris D. Nugent , Jan Alexandersson, Gottfried Zimmermann, Ulises Cortes and Roberto Casas
This paper appears in: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Date: May, 2007 Pages: ISSN:1660-4601
Abstract
Technological advances and societal changes in recent years have contributed to a shift in traditional care models and in the relationship between patients and their doctors/carers, with (in general) an increase in the patient-carer physical distance and corresponding changes in the modes of access to relevant care information by all groups. The objective of this paper is to showcase the research efforts of six projects (that the authors are currently, or have recently been, involved in), CAALYX, eCAALYX, COGKNOW, EasyLine+, I2HOME, and SHARE-it, all funded by the European Commission towards a future where citizens can take an active role into managing their own healthcare. Most importantly, sensitive groups of citizens, such as the elderly, chronically ill and those suffering from various physical and cognitive disabilities, will be able to maintain vital and feature-rich connections with their families, friends and healthcare providers, who can then respond to, and prevent, the development of adverse health conditions in those they care for in a timely manner, wherever the carers and the people cared for happen to be.
Picking R, Grout V, McGinn J, Crisp J, and Grout H.
This paper appears in: International Journal of Ambient Computing and Intelligence
Date: November 18-21 2009, Salzburg, Austria
First International Workshop on Designing Ambient Interactions for Oder Users (DAI09), [part of the ·rd European Conference on Ambient Intelligence (AmI 09) ]
Roy Delgado, Robinet A, McGinn J, Grout V, and Picking R
This paper appears in:
Proceedings of the Third Collaborative Research Symposium on Security, E-Learnong, Interpret and Networkling (eds U.G. Bleimann, PS Dowland & S.M. Furnell) ISNRG, Plymouth, July 2007
Date: July 2007
Abstract
Computer systems have shown in the past (Zajicek, 2000) that they can be powerful allies in home-based health care and offer great potential lo improve quality of Jife· bu! only ¡fthey are designed to take under considemtion the specific needs of their beneficiaries. Salistying usability as well as lhe functional requirements in such a home setling are equally critical. This paper discusses the development of user interfaces, fo llowing lhe "Design-for-all" philosophy, oriented towards a multi-agent system interacting with an intelligent engine. Originally, the system will focos on the control of white goods (large kitchen appliances) but will have scalability properties making it appropriate and extensible for the inclusion of other devices that may be deployed thereafter. The interfaces must be nexible enough to adapt to the targeted public, fit any user's preferences and/or needs and make the interaction as simple and intuitive as possible. This work is part of the EU FP6 1ST e-inclusion ' EASY LlNE+' project
Source: Metro Date: 2008.02.06 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
By: Michel Vallés Source: El Periódico de Aragón Date: 2008.02.06 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Source: Date: 2008 May .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Source: The Parliament Magazine Date: 2009.07.13 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
>Smart kitchen will help OAPS
By: Martin Williams Source: Daily Post Date: 2009.06.10 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Source: BBC Date: 2009 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... > Easy Line+ Radio BBC Glyndwr
Source: BBC Date: 2009 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Date: 2009 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... > Easy Line+ Video Interview BBC Glyndwr, UK Source: BBC Date: 2009 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................
