Final Prototype - Introduction and Hardware

Health Monitoring System

Our final prototype is a pair of integrated devices used for monitoring an elderly person's health. The aim of this system is to help save lives through quicker response to potential problems, and to try and make it easier for someone to check their own health at home, without requiring a large number of check-ups, particularly if the person has to check their health anyway (e.g. if they have been told by their doctor to keep a record of their weight and diet). The user would be able to receive free assistance with set up and tutorials on purchasing the device.

The system consists of two pieces of hardware: a watch used for monitoring the user's heart rate and movement and a portable input device for allowing easy logging and sending of health information.

Watch

The watch is used for real-time monitoring of the user's heart rate, movement and location. It is designed to require as little input from the user as possible to function correctly.

• The watch is digital, but has an analogue appearance.
• Available in a variety of styles for both the watch strap and the face.
• Available with larger numbers for easier viewing.
• Built-in GPS tracking and wireless transmission using GPRS. This is under the assumption that GPS is more accurate in the future, and can work indoors.
• Built-in bluetooth for communicating with the input device automatically (e.g. to store a log of heart rate averages).
• Built-in speaker and microphone for making emergency calls.
• Waterproof.
• Takes regular watch batteries, replaceable without the need for a screwdriver.
• Two buttons used for performing different actions: Either button can be used to wind the time, pressing both buttons together makes a call to emergency services, pressing and holding both buttons sends a panic alarm, and pressing and holding a single button makes an emergency call to a family member.
• Built-in red and green LED lights to indicate different states: green if the watch is being worn and is operating, off if the watch is not operating, and red if an emergency call or alarm has been activated.
• Built-in vibration capability to notify the user when emergency functions have been activated.
• Built-in sensors to monitor heart rate, body temperature, movement, and detect if the watch is being worn.
• Dimensions: same as a regular watch, assuming all the technology can be fitted into a device the size of a regular watch in the future.

Input Device

The input device is used for logging, viewing and transmitting general health information about the user. This device allows people whoc regularly have to check various health heuristics (e.g. weight, blood pressure, diet, etc) to easily keep a record of recorded information, and send it immediately to a GP or other health specialist without requiring an appointment.

• Dimensions: device is approximately the size of an A4 sheet of paper (A5 sheet when folded), and thin and lightweight.
• The device is laid out so that the user opens it like a book, as this was found to be an intuitive method that people used.
• Two touch screens: one for input (right hand side), and one for displaying instructions (left hand side).
• Built-in microphone and speakers for performing speech input and speech output of text.
• Stylus has been enlarged, and is now stored in clear view in the device.
• Stylus is attached to the device by a retractable cord, to prevent it from going missing.
• Send information wirelessly using GPRS.
• Can communicate with the watch using bluetooth.
• Rechargable directly through mains.
  

Security System

The optional security features have been removed from the prototype, to reduce the complexity for the user, and to allow us to focus on the health monitoring aspect.