Prototype 4

My prototype consists of two main components - the watch for monitoring heart rate and location, and the input device for logging and sending general health information.

Watch Monitor

The watch is capable of monitoring the user's heart rate, as well as tracking their location using GPRS. The watch has built-in bluetooth, allowing it to communicate with other devices in order to send information (e.g. a computer or a mobile phone). When unusual behaviour is detected (e.g. no or very low pulse combined with no movement) the watch automatically notifies either the user's GP, or the emergency services directly. This is the most important part of the system, and has the potential to save lives. This part needs to be usable by as many elderly people as possible, and preferably should be completely automated as well as not creating any added inconvenience to the user.

• The watch should look like a regular analogue watch, and should be available in different styles (e.g. men's and women's). The watch should also be available with larger digits to allow easier viewing. Good examples of the look of the watch can be found at the "Low Vision Watches" section of the Independent Living Aids website.


• The watch should incorporate an emergency alarm, designed to contact the emergency services immediately. It needs to be activatable easily, but not so easily that it could occur by accident (e.g. if there are two buttons on the watch, the user could push and hold both buttons to turn the alarm on/off.


• The watch would be battery powered, so the batteries need to be easy to change. Traditionally changing batteries in watches is more difficult than the average battery-powered device.

Input Device

The input device acts as a way for the user to input information about their health (e.g. weight, blood pressure, daily diet, etc). It also allows the viewing of previously entered information, and the ability to send the information direct to a GP, hopefully reducing the amount of check-ups required, as well as freeing up GP time. Some examples of possible information stored include:

- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Body fat
- Lung capacity
- Blood sugar
- Daily diet log
- Daily exercise log

The idea is that if a user has the equipment at home for checking certain information (e.g. many elderly people have blood pressure checkers, particularly if they have high blood pressure), they can send it directly to their GP, reducing the number of times they need to visit.The device can also receive messages from the GP (e.g. appointment times, recommendations based on sent information, etc).

My interface design is based upon that of the Nintendo DS games console, which incorporates touch-screen technology and a built in microphone, allowing for more intuitive functionality.

- The device has two displays. The input screen is used for navigation and input of data, while the instruction screen constantly displays advice relevant to the section the user is in.

- If the user touches the instruction screen, it reads the instructions out loud through the speakers.

- The user is able to hand write instructions into the input screen at various points (e.g. when inputting a value).

- The microphone activation button is held down to allow the user to speak instructions into the microphone. Example instructions include "Add weight", "view blood pressure", or "help me with sending". The software needs to be able to take into account variations of instructions. The button must be held for the microphone to work, and ensures the device doesn't interpret talking as instructions constantly.

- The speakers are used for for outputting textual information as sound and also providing any other audio clues to aid the user.

- The input device also has built-in bluetooth, to allow information to be sent to a GP over other devices.

- The device should be lightweight and portable, but large enough to accomodate large screen sizes.

- The input device runs on rechargable batteries, and must be easily chargable using an adaptor.

Menu Examples

Below are some examples of the menu structure. Some general points about the menus:

- The user can zoom in on a menu by placing two fingers on the touch screen and pulling them apart, as if they are pulling out the information. The reverse is done for zooming out.

- If all the information cannot be viewed in a single screen, there should be bars on the sides that can be operated using the stylus.

- If any piece of text is touched, the device should read out the text using the speakers.

Main Menu

- The main menu displays four main performable tasks. All other tasks need to be reachable from these.

- "Add info" lets the user input different health information. "View info" lets the user view information that is already stored. "Messages" lets the user view messages from their GP. "Options" lets the user customise the software (e.g. colours, date formatting, metric/imperial measurements, etc. This option would probably only be used by more comfortable uers.

- The buttons should look like they are meant to be pressed (e.g. using a 3D effect), and should have clear labelling.

Adding info - Weight

- The above screen would appear if the user cliked the "Add info" button on the main menu.

- The user is able to hand write what they wish to add. This provides a much more intuitive interface for elderly users. Alternatively, the user can choose from a list of ready-made options, or speak the instruction into the microphone.

- The interface needs to allow the user to recover from mistakes (e.g. erasing what they have written, or going back to the previous menu).

- The menu for adding the actual value would behave in a similar way, allowing the user to hand-write the value.

- Once the user has added the info, they can review what they just added, correct it if necessary, and choose whether they wish to send it.

Viewing Example - Weight Log

- The user accesses this section in the same way as adding information, using the stylus to write where they wish to go.

- The device stores a record of values that were entered by the user, along with the date they were added and indicating whether this value was sent to their GP or not.
- All text must be enlargable, using the method described earlier.

Instructions Example - Main Menu

- The above diagram shows an example display for the instruction screen.

- Instructions should be clear and uncomplicated, with high-contrast colours used.

- Text should be enlargable using the method described earlier, and clicking on the screen will make the device read out the instructions.


Optional Device - Installed House Hub

If the user does not have internet access or a mobile phone, they need another way to send information. This could be achieved by installing a small box which acts similarly to a modem, using the phone line to send messages. The box would be able to communicate wirelessly with both the watch and the input device. In an outdoor scenario, the watch should be able to communicate with existing wireless internet hubs to transmit information in an emergency, if the user does not have a mobile phone.

Technological Assumptions

1. Speech/recognition has improved, and offers at least close to 100% accuracy.
2. The technology required for the watch monitor can be fitted into a device the same size as a regular watch.
3. GPRS accuracy has improved, and is capable of tracking positions indoors.