Montserrat Mateos

Alternative Human-Machine Interface system for powered wheelchairs

In this paper Aescolapius is introduced as new HMI system, Human-Machine Interface, which controls the movement of a powered device, using common peripherals: an RGB camera, a microphone or a mobile phone. In order to test the feasibility of the system, Aescolapius has been integrated in a motorized wheelchair. The goal is to allow disabled people to have alternatives in guiding their wheelchairs: with head movements, using voice commands, sliding a finger across the touch screen of a mobile phone or tilting the phone.

Open linked data and mobile devices as e-tourism tools. A practical approach to collaborative e-learning

Collaborative e-learning is based on a model where knowledge is created through interaction between members that interact by sharing experiences and knowledge. Linked Open Data (LOD) allow to link data with other related data in which people are interested. As a practical approach we introduce a system where is built cultural heritage knowledge from collaboration between open data published by a regional government, enriched with data from other sources of open linked data cloud like DBPedia. Mobile technologies in e-learning allow learning in any place and moment. We try to take advantage of mobile and semantic technologies, like LOD, in a collaborative e-learning environment. Knowledge is built by enriching open data that are shared by institutions to knowledge shared on Semantic Web, by using LOD techniques, leading a scenario of collaborative and human learning by linking data sources and people who share these data. The collaboration between web of data and open data from a public institution has resulted in practice, in a mobile tourism application that works as a tourist guide for citizens. Application also allows the collaboration of tour guides to add new knowledge about the cultural heritage resources. In brief, collaboration between different profiles generates knowledge and collaborative learning. 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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.

Head Tracking System for Wheelchair Movement Control

This paper presents an interface to control an electric wheelchair by using the movements of the head, the voice and a mobile device. The system aims to cover the need of independence of severe disabled people that cannot use a common wheelchair joystick. The structure of the system as well as the preliminary results obtained are presented in this paper.

SCHOM. A tool for communication and collaborative e-learning

Emerging technologies cause changes in education. These changes result in new human learning processes that evolve to collaborative e-learning approach, where social and mobile networks take a great relevance. In this paper we introduce SCHOM (SCHOlar Messaging). We have developed this tool for communication and collaborative e-learning in wired and wireless environments. SCHOM, a SaaS (Software as a Service) in the cloud, allows the exchange of information between members of a domain intra and/or inter academic. SCHOM can be used in different communication channels such as e-mail, instant messaging, chats, discussion boards or microblogging. Besides, it supports different devices: smartphones, tablets or computers. One of the main advantages of this tool is that it ensures the digital anonymous. For instance, one user could send a message to other one knowing his identity. Nevertheless the user will not know the communication channel used to send the message. Each user selects the channels whereby he wants to receive his messages. Registered users on the system are organized in groups (or organizational units) by forming relationships n:m. Groups in turn can be nested to build hierarchical structures that can simulate real work environments, for example, a faculty with its degrades, courses and subjects, . . . A group (each member regardless of the nesting level) can also be receiver of messages. 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-Agent System (GerMAS) Used to Identify Medicines in Geriatric Residences

This article proposes a multi-agent system (MAS) that personalizes medical information in geriatric residences. The personal medical can personalize each medication with the instructions for each patient by using a contactless card reader or a mobile with NFC technology. The use of RFID and NFC technology allows the identification of the patient and the application of preventative medical protocols to the patient. The proposed multi-agent system has reasoning capabilities in order to analyze the situation and achieve a high level of interaction with the patients and the personal medical. A distributed prototype system has been developed to test this multi-agent system. This system is aimed to improve health care and assistance to dependent persons in geriatric residences. Preliminary results are presented in this paper.

A New Proposal for Heterogeneous Data Integration to XML format. Application to the Environment of Libraries

Organizations have to work with large volumes of information at different formats. In this context they are necessary tools and formats like XML, to integrate these data and solve the heterogeneity problem. In this paper we proposed a new software tool called XDS. XDS is a new system to integrate data from relational databases, native XML databases and XML documents. On the other hand, the environment of libraries has also their bibliographical catalogues at different sources and formats. Therefore, we show the use and validity of the XDS system in this environment obtaining the results in a bibliographical format like MODS. Hereby the resources of different bibliographical catalogues can be consulted obtaining the results in the same common format as MODS.

Retrieval of snippets of web pages converted to plain text: more questions than answers

This years WebCLEF task was to retrieve snippets and pieces from documents on various topics. The extraction and the choice of the most widely used snippets can be carried out using various methods. However, the way in which web pages are usually converted to plain text introduces a series of problems that cause inefficiency in the retrieval. Duplicate information, absolutely irrelevants snippets or even meaningless, are some of these problems. Also, it is intended in this paper to explore the real impact of the use of several languages in obtaining relevant fragments.

Automatic Route Playback for Powered Wheelchairs

This paper presents a system to make a wheelchair go along recorded routes automatically, without user intervention. Also introduces several interfaces to control an electric wheelchair, with the head, voice and a mobile device. The system aims at making the daily routes as easily as possible for the person on the wheelchair, and also at covering the need of independence of severe disabled people that cannot use a common wheelchair joystick. The structure of the system as well as the preliminary results obtained is presented in this paper.

A Study Case for Facilitating Communication Using NFC

This article proposes a novel solution that facilitates the use of mobile technology for the elderly. The senior population is rapidly growing, representing 16-17% of the total population in developed countries. The use of a mobile device presents two large obstacles for this group: problems from disabilities due to age, and problems associated with the lack of familiarity with mobile technology.The combined use of contactless technologies such as NFC and MiFARE eliminates the barriers encountered by older individuals. These technologies make it possible to use basic services of a mobile telephone, such as placing a call or sending a message, in a way that is easy, user friendly and intuitive. The ComunicaME system makes it possible to place a call or send a sms on a mobile by simply moving it closer to a contactless tag.