Information and Technology Implementation Issues in AAL Solutions

With the population ageing effect, the technological developments, and pressure to reduce the cost with healthcare, are reunited the conditions for the development of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions. This work is a revision of the current state of the art. Its aim is the characterization of the AAL solutions, within the AAL4ALL scope. Therefore, it is presented features, scenarios and projects, referring the limitations and the opportunities for the future developments of prototypes using high level information and technology in AAL environments. Moreover, it is presented guidelines of operation, exposing the conceptual approach, and the discussion and conclusion, which present recommendations and current AAL4ALL project positions in terms of concepts and technologies.

Sensors on mobile devices for AAL

Com o envelhecimento da população, as preocupações com a garantia do seu bem-estar aumentam criando a necessidade de desenvolver ferramentas que permitam monitorizar em permanência este sector da população. A utilização de smartphones pelos mais velhos pode ser crucial no seu bem-estar e na sua autonomia contribuindo para a recolha de informação importante já que estes estão muitas vezes equipados com sensores que podem dar indicações preciosas ao cuidador sobre o estado atual do paciente. Os sensores podem fornecer dados sobre a atividade física do paciente, bem como detetar quedas ou calcular a sua posição, com a ajuda do acelerómetro, do giroscópio e do sensor de campo magnético. No entanto, funcionalidades como essas requerem, obrigatoriamente, uma frequência de amostragem mínima por parte dos sensores que permita a implementação de algoritmos, que determinarão esses parâmetros da forma mais exata possível. Dado que nem sempre os pacientes se fazem acompanhar do seu smartphone quando estão na sua residência, a criação de ambientes de AAL (Ambient Assisted Living) com recurso a dispositivos externos que podem ser “vestidos” pelos pacientes pode também ser uma solução adequada. Estes contêm normalmente os mesmos sensores que os smartphones e comunicam com estes através de tecnologias sem fios, como é o caso do Bluetooth Low Energy. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a possibilidade de alteração da frequência dos sensores em diferentes sistemas operativos, tendo sido efectuadas modificações nas instalações por defeito de alguns sistemas operativos abertos. Com o objectivo de permitir a criação de uma solução de AAL com recurso a um dispositivo externo implementaram-se serviços e perfis num dispositivo externo, o SensorTag.

EvAAL: Evaluating AAL Systems through Competitive Benchmarking

Owing to the complexity of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems and platforms, the evaluation of AAL solutions is a complex task that will challenge researchers for years to come. However, the analysis and comparison of proposed solutions is paramount to enable us to assess research results in this area. We have thus organized an international contest called EvAAL: Evaluating AAL Systems through Competitive Benchmarking. Its aims are to raise interest within the research and developer communities in the multidisciplinary research fields enabling AAL, and to create benchmarks for the evaluation and comparison of AAL systems.

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for truck, utility, cargo/troop carrier, 1-1/4 ton, 4x4, M998 (2320-01-107-7155) ... truck, ambulance, 2-litter, soft top, 4x4, M1035 (2310-01-146-7194).

"May 1988."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for armored combat earthmover (ACE), M9 (NSN 2350-00-808-7100).

"June 1992."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for radio test set AN/PRM-34 (NSN 6625-01-094-5646).

"2 September 1983."

Hand receipt manual covering end item/components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) related to compressor, reciprocating, air, receiver, mounted, electric motor driven, 5 cfm, 175 psi (Champion Pneumatic model 60CAW20HM-1) (national stock no. 4310-00-930-7147) ...

"February 1979."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) simulator system, firing, laser, M80, NSN 1270-01-165-6240, for AH-1S helicopter.

"October 1988."

Hand receipt covering content of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for tank, combat, full-tracked, 105-mm gun, M1 (2350-01-061-2445) General Abrams.

"March 1985."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for tractor, full tracked, low speed, diesel engine-driven-medium-drawbar-pull : model, tractor with ripper ... NSN, 2410-01-223-0350 ....

"November 1992."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for truck, container handler, rough terrain, 50,000 lb capacity, DED, PT (NSN 3930-01-082-3758) with tophandler(s).

"May 1981."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for automatic message switching central AN/TYC-39(V)1 (NSN 5805-01-123-1851), AN/TYC-39(V)5 (NSN 5805-01-152-3068).

"20 April 1984."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for radiac set AN/PDR-56F (NSN 6665-01-113-9530).

"28 January 1983."

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI), basic issue items (BII), and additional authorization list (AAL) for message entry device, variable format AN/GSC-21 (VFMED) (NSN 7010-01-017-6967).

"3 June 1983."