Niina Keränen

IEEE802.15.6 -based multi-accelerometer WBAN system for monitoring Parkinson's disease

In this paper we present a detailed example of a wireless body area network (WBAN) scenario utilizing the recent IEEE802.15.6 standard as applied to a multi-accelerometer system for monitoring Parkinsons disease and fall detection. Ultra wideband physical layer and standard security protocols are applied to meet application requirements for data rate and security.

Receiver performance evaluation on IEEE 802.15.6 based WBAN for monitoring Parkinson's disease

Advantages of remote health monitoring are incontestable: prolonging the patients possibility to stay at home by monitoring the health condition remotely, the quality of patients life is improved as well as healthcare costs are significantly reduced. Parkinsons disease is one example, for which some wireless monitoring systems have been presented recently. However, concrete performance evaluations for the IEEE 802.15.6 standard based communication in the realistic use scenarios have not been presented yet in the literature. The aim of this paper is to evaluate performance of ultra wideband energy detector receivers on the physical layer of the IEEE 802.15.6 standard. The monitoring system and node locations are designed for monitoring Parkinsons disease symptoms. Measurement based radio channel models were used in the evaluations. Two modulation methods, on-off keying and pulse position modulation, are evaluated and compared using two different antennas suitable for body area network communication. Pulse position modulation based system is found to outperform on-off keying based system, which on the other hand, is simpler to implement. Furthermore, it is shown how antenna placement, position, and properties are impacting on the channel characteristics of the radio link, and hence, on the bit error rate performance.

Twinkle Megane: Near-Eye LED Indicators on Glasses for Simple and Smart Navigation in Daily Life

We present an eyeglass-type wearable device that has light emitting diode (LED) indicators on the frame of it. The device produces lighting patterns of 14 RGB LEDs near user’s eyes as guiding information. Since installed LEDs on the frame of glasses are light and saving power, it is feasible to develop it for daily use. On the other hand, it cannot provide rich information such as text or images. In this study, we aim to realize a remote assistive system that provides assistive commands by lighting patterns of the eyeglass-type device from remote sites. Especially, we consider elderlies who are suffering from mild cognitive impairment as users. They would be one of potential user groups since the device does not block their sights by text or images and it can be worn in daily life without the additional sense of restraint. This paper explains our conceptual assistive system structure, a prototype eyeglass-type device with near-eye LED indicators and usability experimentation in simple navigational tasks.

ICT Use in Family Caregiving of Elderly and Disabled Subjects

This study examined the use of ICT in caregiving as assessed by family caregivers of disabled or elderly subjects (N = 53). The results showed limited current use of ICT-based technologies either for on-site or remote assistance. However, perceived usefulness was evaluated as high when these technologies were used. The factors for the use of ICT were different for on-site assistance or remote assistance. The data obtained can be used in the development of future ICT and IoT –based assistive technologies.

Study for acceptance on new navigation assistance by visually impaired people

The ageing population increases the prevalence of impairments, such as visual impairment. Earlier studies have indicated that acceptance issues for assistive technological and non-technological assistive tools for visually impaired people exist. This study helps to understand acceptance of navigation assistance by visually impaired people, and also aims to validate UTAUT2 method in context of special group of consumers.

Relationship Between Everyday Health Information Literacy and Attitudes Towards Mobile Technology Among Older People

In order to benefit from advanced mobile information technology (AMIT) in e-health services, people need competencies in finding, evaluating, and understanding health-related information in varying everyday life situations, that is, everyday health information literacy (EHIL). This study focused on the relationship between EHIL and AMIT use and attitudes towards it among older adults. A paper questionnaire was posted to a random sample of 1,500 home dwelling subjects aged 65 or more living in Northern Finland. A variety of themes were addressed in the questionnaire including a 4-item version of an EHIL screening tool. The response rate was 61% (n = 918). Older adults with negative attitudes towards or having less experience with mobile information technology were likely to have poor self-estimated EHIL skills. Older people are at risk of marginalization in regard to m-services, and these results should be utilized by decision-makers and software designers in digitalization of services.

Twinkle Megane: Evaluation of Near-Eye LED Indicators on Glasses for Simple and Smart Navigation in Daily Life

We present an eyeglass-type wearable device that has light emitting diode (LED) indicators on the frame. The device produces lighting patterns of 14 RGB LEDs near user’s eyes as guiding information. Since installed LEDs are light and saving power, it is feasible to develop it for daily use. On the other hand, it cannot provide rich information such as text or images. In this study, we aim to realize a remote assistive system that provides assistive commands by visual cues from remote sites. Especially, we consider elderlies who are suffering from mild cognitive impairment as users. They would be one of potential user groups since the device does not block their sights by text or images and it can be worn in daily life without the additional sense of restraint. This paper explains our conceptual assistive system structure, a prototype eyeglass-type device with near-eye LED indicators and usability experimentation in simple detecting and walking navigational tasks. Received on 21 November 2016; accepted on 05 September 2017; published on 07 September 2017

Opinions and use of mobile information technology among older people in Northern Finland: preliminary results of a population based study

Older peoples usage of mobile devices is increasing. This study is part of the GASEL project and seeks to increase the understanding of the use of mobile information technology and opinions towards it. Opinions are compared between genders and age groups. The population based data were collected by conducting a questionnaire survey. A random sample of 1,500 adults 65 years of age or older was obtained from the Finnish Population Register Centre. The number of respondents was 918 with a response rate of 61.2 %. About one fifth (n=169) had used a tablet computer and approximately one third (n=226) had used a mobile phone with a touch screen in the past 12 months without encountering major difficulties. The respondents had mostly thought that using the devices would not be easy. They had also thought that the usage would not be too expensive for them. Men and younger old people held more positive opinions towards these new technologies. Older people are slower in adapting and accepting new technologies and this should be taken into account when designing services, applications and content, as these technologies have the potential to enrichen the lives of this specific population group.