Juan A. Fraile

Applying wearable solutions in dependent environments

This paper proposes a multiagent system (MAS) that uses smart wearable devices and mobile technology for the care of patients in a geriatric home care facility. The system is based on an advanced ZigBee wireless sensor network (WSN) and includes location and identification microchips installed in patient clothing and caregiver uniforms. The use of radio-frequency identification and near-field communication technologies allows remote monitoring of patients, and makes it possible for them to receive treatment according to preventive medical protocol. The proposed MAS manage the infrastructure of services within the environment both efficiently and securely by reasoning, task-planning, and synchronizing the data obtained from the sensors. Additionally, this paper presents the design and implementation of the reasoning agent in the MAS. A system prototype was installed in a real environment and the results obtained are presented in this paper.

Integrating hardware agents into an enhanced multi-agent architecture for Ambient Intelligence systems

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) systems require the integration of complex and innovative solutions. In this sense, agents and multi-agent systems have characteristics such as autonomy, reasoning, reactivity, social abilities and pro-activity which make them appropriate for developing distributed systems based on Ambient Intelligence. In addition, the use of context-aware technologies is an essential aspect in these developments in order to perceive stimuli from the context and react to it autonomously. This paper presents the integration of the Hardware-Embedded Reactive Agents (HERA) Platform into the Flexible and User Services Oriented Multi-agent Architecture (FUSION@), a multi-agent architecture for developing AmI systems that integrates intelligent agents with a service-oriented architecture approach. Because of this integration, FUSION@ has the ability to manage both software and hardware agents by using self-adaptable heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. Preliminary results presented in this paper demonstrate the feasibility of FUSION@ as a future alternative for developing Ambient Intelligence systems where users and systems can use both software and hardware agents in a transparent way, achieving a higher level of ubiquitous computing and communication.

Context-aware multiagent system: Planning home care tasks

Context-aware systems are able to capture information from the context in which they are executed, assign a meaning to the gathered information, and change their behavior accordingly. As a result, the systems can offer services to users according to their individual situation within the context. This article analyzes the important aspects of context-aware computing such as capturing information for context attributes and determining the manner of interacting with users in the environment. Used in conjunction with mobile devices, context-aware systems are specifically used to improve the usability of applications and services. This article proposes the home care context-aware computing (HoCCAC) multiagent system that identifies and maintains a permanent fix on the location of patients in their home, and manages the infrastructure of services within their environment securely and reliably by processing and reasoning the data received. Based on the multiagent system, a prototype was developed to monitor patients in their home. The HoCCAC multiagent system uses a critical path method-based planning model that, in the present study, prepares the most optimal task-planning schedule for the patients in their home, is capable of reacting automatically when faced with dangerous or emergency situations, replanning any plans in progress and sending alert messages to the system. The results obtained with this prototype are presented in this article.

HoCaMA: Home Care Hybrid Multiagent Architecture

Home Care is one of the main objectives of Ambient Intelligence. Nowadays, the disabled and elderly population, which represents a significant part of our society, requires novel solutions for providing home care in an effective way. In this chapter, we present HoCaMA, a hybrid multiagent architecture that facilitates remote monitoring and care services for disabled patients at their homes. HoCaMA combines multiagent systems and Web services to facilitate the communication and integration with multiple health care systems. In addition, HoCaMA focuses on the design of reactive agents capable of interacting with different sensors present in the environment, and incorporates a system of alerts through SMS and MMS mobile technologies. Finally, it uses Radio Frequency IDentification and JavaCard technologies to provide advanced location and identification systems, as well as automatic access control facilities. HoCaMA has been implemented in a real environment and the results obtained are presented within this chapter.

A distributed architecture for facilitating the integration of blind musicians in symphonic orchestras

The emergence of new technologies is providing opportunities to develop novel solutions that facilitate the integration of visually impaired people in different activities of our daily life. This paper presents a distributed intelligent architecture, called DIAMI, focused on facilitating the integration of blind musicians into orchestras. The DIAMI architecture provides a distributed, ubiquitous system aimed at providing a way for blind musicians to receive instructions from the orchestra conductor in an unobtrusive manner. The structure of the DIAMI architecture and the preliminary results obtained are presented in detail within this paper.

Agents in Home Care: A Case Study

Home Care is the term used to refer to any kind of care to a person at his own home. This article presents a case study of the HoCa hybrid multiagent architecture aimed at improving of dependent people in their homes. Hoca architecture uses a set of distributed components to provide a solution to the needs of the assisted people and its main components are software agents that interact with the environment through a distributed communications system. This paper describes the hybrid multiagent system in a home care environment and presents the results obtained.

Applying Context-Aware Computing in Dependent Environments

Context-aware systems gather data from their surrounding environments in order to offer completely new opportunities in the development of end user applications. Used in conjunction with mobile devices, these systems are of great value and increase usability. Applications and services should adapt to changing conditions within dynamic environments. This article analyzes the important aspects of context-aware computing and shows how it can be applied to monitor dependent individuals in their home. The proposed system logically processes the data it receives in order to identify and maintain a permanent location on the patient in the home, managing the infrastructure of services both safely and securely.

HoCa Home Care Multi-agent Architecture

This paper presents a Hybrid Multi-Agent Architecture for the control and supervision of dependent environments, based on an Ambient Intelligence model. HoCa architecture incorporates a management system of alerts based on SMS and MMS technologies, and an automated identification, localization, and movement control system based on Java Card and RFID technologies. HoCa is independent from the programming language and operating system in that it is executable. The core of the architecture is formed by both deliberative agents and reactive agents that interact to offer efficient services. The architecture has been tested in a real environment and the results obtained are presented in this paper.

Wireless Sensor Networks in Home Care

Ambient Intelligence has acquired great importance in recent years and requires the development of new innovative solutions. This paper presents a novel architecture which integrates a service oriented approach into Wireless Sensor Networks to optimize the construction of Ambient Intelligence environments. The architecture proposes a new and easier method to develop distributed intelligent ubiquitous systems, where devices can communicate in a distributed way independent of time and location restrictions. The architecture is easily adapted to changing environments. A prototype system has been proposed to test this architecture. This system is aimed to improve health care and assistance to dependent persons in their homes. Preliminary results are presented in this paper.

Touch Me: A New and Easier Way for Accessibility Using Smartphones and NFC

In this article we describe a real and practical mobile solution called Touch Me. This smart mobility project is based on NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. It is implemented for Android phones and has been tested by older and blind people. After a few tests we believe that this kind of software is a new and easier way for accessibility. It is especially useful for identifying and describing objects. The user simply has to touch the object with the smartphone and then listen an audio description of its content. To make this possible it is necessary to attach NFC smart tags to the object and to write the description on it using another mobile application, called Write Me Description. In addition, Touch Me can be used to manage basic functions of a smartphone like making a call or launching an application. In this case we need to combine this software with a personalized pad that must include smart tags. To configure these tags we need another two applications, called Write Me Contact and Write Me App.