SP4 integrates and evaluates the SP2 and SP3 applications on all layers (at application and UI level, in communication platforms and as services on devices). The integration is done on top of the Reference Architecture and Platform developed in SP1.
Integrated solutions will be tested on 4 different pilot sites in:
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Italy and
- Romania/Greece/Bulgaria.
Figure: Applications will be integrated in four pilot sites throughout Europe
Solution at different pilot sites will differ in their functionality and size, depending on the availability of infrastructure, users and environment. The following types of pilots will be created:
- Living Labs (as controlled environments),
- Sheltered Homes,
- Independent Living Homes, and
- In Car/Transport infrastructures.
The impact will be measured by different criteria from different points of view:
- the technological view (e.g., meeting technical specifications, meeting functional and non-functional requirements, like reliability, dependability),
- the elderly community view (e.g., functionality, qualification level, ease of use (usability), accessibility, support in specific situations, support in emergency situations), and
- the view of professionals (e.g., market viability, advantages in daily routine tasks).
Above all a reference proof-of-concept of OASIS architecture and platform will be realised.
Finally, demonstrations of integrated solutions at the pilot sites towards the public and the professional community are planned (cf. WP5.3.2).
The approach to integration:
Integration starts with the development of applications and common UIs for all supported types of devices and all OASIS services (WP4.1). Not only the UIs will be finally developed, but also the appropriate UI modalities will be selected; with performance of innovative research on haptic and olfactory interfaces and following three cycles of iterative development (see WP4.1 for details).
The UI layers should do the following:
- Push information to the elderly (proactive system).
- Provide info upon request.
- Provide consultation and guidance (e.g. reminders) proactively or upon request.
- Provide warning and intervention to the user, the carer and the medical centre of the user.
The supported types of devices are defined below, under WP4.4.
Integration is also performed in the form of network connectivity in WP4.2, from the body (BAN) to the surrounding environment, such as home or vehicle (PAN) and then to the service centre (LAN and Wan infrastructures, that provide IP-enabled connectivity).
The basic scenario is the following:
Figure: Basic scenario for OASIS seamless connectivity
Users in the OASIS system will be monitored using two type of devices: wearable sensors for continuous acquisition of vital data (ECG, Heart Rate, respiration, etc.), and other monitoring devices for acquisition of short, and specific measures of vital parameters (blood pressure, glucose, etc.). The information has to be processed by the system. Therefore, it will be necessary to transmit the data to the devices in charge of perform this process.
In the case of wearable sensors, they are worn by the user during long periods of the time, and usually synchronization between the data acquired by various sensors will be necessary. All this information has to be concentrated by a hub that has also to be worn by the user. It can be a mobile phone, a PDA or another more specific device. The elements of this monitoring system, composed of the wearable sensors, the hub, and the communication between them, form a Body Area Network (BAN). In addition, the BAN, through the hub, will be able to connect with external systems in a local environment or through Internet.
The integration of the sensors is based on a sensor wireless network, following a star topology, where each sensor has its own communication module that transmits the information to the central device (BAN hub), which has the capacity of processing and retransmit the information to external networks.
Finally, the OASIS applications and integrated services are ported on a wide range of devices. WP4.4 involves the creation of an integrated system, the Activity Space (AS) involving:
- mobile devices, including PDAs, Smartphones and others (i.e. SUNSPOTS, touch panels, ….). Different types of devices will have different set of functionalities, however, they will all share the same AS infrastructure and the system will be able to provide device-specific functionalities.
- Non-mobile interaction devices, such as IP-TV, PC, IP-Phone, Info-kiosks, etc.
Although the architecture followed would potentially allow to use any mobile or stationary device, already several devices belonging to OASIS partners or their affiliates have been selected for priority applications (among other because of access and exploitation reasons). They briefly follow in the table below. Of course this selection will be re-evaluated during the course of WP4.4, as new devices, with enhanced capabilities, are constantly and rapidly emerging.
