Development of a networked information, communications, and control system for the homes of older people

Subproject "Smart Home" examines how to assist older people through communications technology. Planned is the development of an internal communications network for the home designed to enable the centralized control, regulation, and monitoring of various household appliances. Environmental factors such as light and temperature are to be regulated automatically in the home.
Important is the integration of an emergency alarm system that is able to notify emergency services, relatives, and neighbors quickly and without complications. How to generate an emergency alarm plays a fundamental role in Smart Home design since we need to consider situations where people may not be able to call for help on their own.
Overall safety and security in the home, for example the early detection and reporting of a fire or break-in, must be increased through the network.
Communication outside the home takes place via an interface with an external communication network. The simplest example is the telephone. Especially important for older people, the interface serves both for data exchange (screen-telephone, television, internet) and the permanent contact with a service station able to receive alarms and calls for help, and to monitor local network operations.

The target group for the use of the Smart Home system are older, non-handicapped, and retired people.
In order to achieve effective results from our study, tailored to meet the needs of our target group, we have identified the following user requirements on communications technology:

• Technology needs to achieve an optimal fit to the individual needs of older people. (Work must address the individual requirements and desires of older people, and results must be tested and held to this standard.).
• We need to explain the acceptance of new technologies. Constant exchange with older people is a must in this process.
• The components of the system need to work "invisibly" for the user, in the background, and avoid the appearance of "old folks" technology at all costs.
• The system must be extremely reliable and operated by a small number of commands.
• The few control commands must be very simple and not predicated on any kind of technological knowledge whatsoever.
• An emergency alarm system must be integrated.
• A security system (fire alarm, break-in detector) needs to set off an alarm automatically.
• Disruptions in the local network need to be detected by outside stations able to make necessary repairs.
• It must be possible to adapt the network components to meet the changing needs of the user.

Literature:

• Fellbaum, K. (Hrsg.): Elektronische Kommunikationshilfen. Weidler-Verlag. Berlin 1986.
• Fellbaum, K.: Forschungsprojekt Behindertenkommunikationssysteme. Schriftenreihe des Bundesministers fźr Arbeit und Sozialordnung. Bonn 1990.
• Tetzchner, S. (Hrsg.): EUR 13845- COST 219 - Issues in Telecommunication and Disability, Information technologies and scienes series, Office for Official Publications of the Europ. Comm., 1991-VI, 495 pp.
• Duke, R.E.; Hang, M.R.; Rosenberg, M.: Communikations Technology and the Elderly – Issues and Forecasts. New York. Springer 1984.
• Wild, C.; Kirschner, A. (Hrsg.): Technology for the elderly: Safety-alarm systems, technical aids and smart homes, Kneysel 1994.
• Ekberg J., Routio R.: Smart Home for supporting independent living.
• Chan, M.; Viard, T.; Caillavet, M.-L.; Campo, E.: Smart Technologie for the Elderly and Disabled Users at Home.
• Stefanelli, L.: Open Architecture for a Flexible and Integrated Environment for Disabled and Elderly People - DEFIE.
• Parsons, H. McIlvain; Terner, J./Kearsley, G.: Design of remote control units for seniors, Experimental Aging Research, 20 (1994), 211-218.
• De Wolf-Combier, B.: Heimsysteme - eine Revolution der Wohnkultur. I&T Magazine, Juli 95, S. 19-21, EuropŠische Kommission Brźssel.
• van Berlo, A.; Ekberg, J. (Hrsg.): Smart Homes. COST 219bis Publication. Staakes, Helsinki, Finnland 1998.
• Wild, C.; Kirschner, A.: Safety-Alarm Systems, Technical Aids and Smart Homes. The Akon Series `Ageing in the contemporary society` Vol. 8, 1994.
• Allen, B.; Dillon, B.: Enviroment Control and Field Bus Systems. Central Remedical Clinic, Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 1997.
• Placencia Porrero, I.; Ballabio, E. (Hrsg.): Improving the Quality of Life for the European Citizen. Technology for Inclusive Design and Equality. IOS Press Amsterdam, 1998.

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