Motoki Miura

An Empirical Study of an RFID Mat Sensor System in a Group Home

We have been developing an RFID (radio frequency identification) mat system to assist caregivers in a group home. In Japan, the number of group homes offering home-like care for elderly persons suffering from dementia has increased considerably. Even though the smaller number of people residing in a group home makes it suitable for family-like care, the scarcity of caregivers increases the burden, especially during the night. To augment caregiver attention, we developed floor mats with embedded RFID antennae and slippers with RFID tags. These can help caregivers be aware of the activities of persons suffering from dementia by specifying whether an individual has passed over a mat in a particular corridor. This not only helps the caregivers understand such persons by reviewing their activities but also keeps them informed about their current activities. We introduced the floor mats in a real group home and confirmed the feasibility of the system. In this study, we describe the system and lessons learned from our experiment.

Practical environment for realizing augmented classroom with wireless digital pens

We have developed AirTransNote, a student notes sharing system to facilitate collaborative and interactive learning in a regular lecture at conventional classrooms. Our former student system employed ultrasonic digital pens to capture student notes on a usual paper sheet. Although the paper-based approach is intuitive for learners, the ultrasonic pen with a PDA created some difficulties when used by senior high school students. In order to eliminate those difficulties, we have introduced anoto-based pens and a data gathering system called digital pen gateway. Owing to the improved student system, students could easily submit their answers with handling of multiple paper sheets. The teacher could refer the answers to choose students who need assistance during the lecture. Questionnaire results showed that the simpler student interface is quite acceptable, and the system can realize our augmented classroom concept in a practical way.

AirTransNote: An Instant Note Sharing and Reproducing System to Support Students Learning

We developed AirTransNote, an interactive learning system augmented by digital pens and PDAs for each student. All notes written on regular paper sheets are immediately digitized and transmitted to teachers PC and recognized to generate feedback. Also since the students drawings can be projected on a screen, our system helps students to recall their thought process. We conducted an experimental lecture session at a senior high school, and observed student responses while using AirTransNote.

AirTransNote: augmented classrooms with digital pen devices and RFID tags

AirTransNote augments activities in classrooms by sharing student notes written on regular paper using wireless communications. AirTransNote uses digital pens to free students from the need to use PCs for note taking. To improve the effectiveness of the system, we used a portable remote controller with an RFID tag reader. Teachers can select notes for students by using the controller as magic wand. The selection interface is intuitive for both teachers and students. Also, the system can save time for setting up devices before lectures. The system promotes an augmented classroom, enabling interactive lectures in regular classrooms using natural styles.

Aware Group Home Enhanced by RFID Technology

In Japan, the number of group homesoffering home-like care for elderly persons suffering from dementia has increased considerably. Even though the lesser number of people residing in a group home is suitable for family-like care, the shortage of caregivers increases the burden, especially during the night. To supplement this lack of attention, we developed floor mats embedded with RFID antennae and slippers with RFID tags. These can help caregivers be aware of the activities of persons suffering from dementia, by specifying whether an individual has passed over a sheet in a particular corridor. This not only helps the caregivers understand such persons by reviewing their activities, but also keeps them informed about the persons current activities.

Augmented classroom: a paper-centric approach for collaborative learning system

We developed AirTransNote, a computer-mediated classroom collaboration system. The system enables real-time note-sharing. AirTransNote manages notes written by students on paper and enables the teacher to browse through the notes or show them to the students. AirTransNote can analyze students answers, helping the teacher better understand their problems. The system is not meant to provide an alternative to the conventional way of instruction; rather, it is designed to enhance class interaction. We conducted a preliminary study using questionnaires and found that this system can be feasible to apply for classroom environment.

A framework for event-driven demonstration based on the Java toolkit

An event-driven demonstration shows the behavior of an application by re-executing the captured events. It is used to provide help regarding how an application works because it can show typical behaviors in an effective way. Such help functions are needed in Java applets, which are carried out by everyone using a Web browser. We describe a framework in which we can execute the event-driven demonstrations of Java applets. We have developed Jedemo recorder and player. The Jedemo recorder captures the occurring events while the applet is running. To make the demonstration more efficient and understandable, the developer can add indexes and messages to the captured events. Then Jedemo player re-executes the captured events showing also the indexes and messages that were added to them. The Jedemo recorder and player suits almost all applets. They are implemented as applets. The developer can integrate his applet with Jedemo player without any trouble. This framework is helpful for both the developer of the applets and the person who accesses the applets.

A Case Study on Project-Management Training-Support Tools for Japanese/Chinese/Indian Offshore Development Engineers

We developed project-management training-support tools. The tools consist of a Web-based training (WBT) (e-learning) system and software designed to teach bridge software engineers (SEs) methods for solving problems. We asked a group of bridge SEs to participate in an experiment to determine whether training with our tools would improve their project-management and/or problem-solving skills. The results suggest that WBT (e-learning) is an effective method for acquiring explicit knowledge. However, the results also suggest that the software designed to teach the SEs methods for solving problems is ineffective in improving their problem-solving skills.

RodDirect: two-dimensional input with stylus knob

Portable handheld devices inherently involve difficulties with methods of input due to their compact size. Several approaches to attach extra sensors have been proposed, but these have not enabled size or exterior design to be minimized. We propose a novel and simple input technique for handheld devices that makes use of a stylus in a holder that is twisted and pushed/pulled like a knob. Both rotating and sliding the stylus inside the holder can simultaneously adjust two parameters. We implemented a prototype system with an inexpensive image sensor, and evaluated its input. An ANOVA test revealed that our method could scroll as fast as tap-and-drag operations on a screen.

A Tabletop Interface Using Controllable Transparency Glass for Collaborative Card-Based Creative Activity

Conventional tabletop systems have focused on communication with virtual data, using phiconsor physical objects as handles. This approach is versatile, given the full use of a horizontal display. However, we consider that an another approach can be formulated that can support normal specific tasks on a table. We have developed a card-handling activity environment enhanced by a tabletop interface. We use a glass tabletop with controllable transparency to improve surface scanning and the display of supplemental data. We describe the architecture of the tabletop system and its design criteria. Due to its simple configuration, this tabletop system can handle a large number of paper cards, as used in the KJ method. Therefore, our system can be used to enhance card-based tasks by showing additional data, and it provides the ability to review transactions by recording the tasks.