Sandra I. Woolley

Contrasting paradigms for the development of wearable computers

In this paper, current applications of wearable computers are reviewed and categorized according to dimensions of “time” and “reference.” The time dimension is based on whether the system uses information that is stored, information that is current, or information that can help in predicting future events. The reference dimension is concerned with the type of application, event, task, environment, person, or artifact. Each of these categories can be described in terms of its temporal features (stored, current, or predicted). It is proposed that these dimensions distinguish wearable computers from their desk-bound counterparts, and this raises the question of appropriate paradigms for wearable computers. A user-centered methodology is then presented and illustrated by paramedic and fire-fighter applications.

A wavelet-based region of interest encoder for the compression of angiogram video sequences

A new method for the compression of angiogram video sequences is presented. The method is based on the philosophy that diagnostically significant areas of the image should be allocated the greatest proportion of the total allocated bit budget. The approach uses a three-dimensional wavelet-coder based on the popular set partitioning in hierarchical trees algorithm. Incorporated into this framework are a region-of-interest (ROI) detection stage and a texture-modeling stage. The combined result is an approach that models the high-frequency wavelet coefficients for some diagnostically unimportant regions of the image in an extremely efficient manner. This allows additional bits to be used within the ROI to improve the quality of the diagnostically significant areas. Results are compared for a number of real data sets and evaluated by trained cardiologists.

Defining and evaluating context for wearable computing

Abstract Defining ‘context’ has proved to be a non-trivial problem for research in context-awareness. In this paper we address two questions: what features of activity are required to define context? and does the use of context-awareness measurably improve user performance? The first question was addressed by a study of everyday activities, using a Photo Diary method to arrive at a set of Context Identifiers. We feel that it is important to discover what features of activity are needed in order to describe context. Two user trials were carried out to address the second question. We conclude that the use of context improves user task proficiency.

Evaluating contextual information for wearable computing

Does the use of a wearable context-aware computer increase task proficiency? User trials have been carried out in an attempt to answer this question. The study involves WECAPC software developed to ran on the /spl chi//sup 3/ wearable computer. The trials demonstrate that a wearable computer with simple context-awareness yields superior performance to either Internet search or realworld activity. Thus, we conclude that the use of context does indeed improve user task proficiency.

A mobile health device to help people with severe allergies

This paper presents, a pervasive mobile health device that can help patients with life-threatening allergies to manage their health in normal life and in emergency scenarios. With mobile context-aware smartphone technology, personal wireless networks and Web-based interfaces, it is being designed to encourage the patient and their carers to learn about and safely manage their allergies and health. The design also includes an alarm that can be generated from sensed context so that if an anaphylactic reaction occurs, carers could be alerted or emergency services could be contacted.

Diagnostically lossless 3D wavelet compression for digital angiogram video

Summary form only given. A novel method for the compression of angiogram video sequences is presented. The approach consists of a 3D wavelet encoding algorithm, incorporating a region of interest (ROI) estimation model to provide higher-quality image reconstruction in areas considered to be diagnostically significant. This is coupled with a texture modelling procedure, which provides a model for some of the high frequency wavelet coefficients corresponding to diagnostically insignificant regions. This allows some of the wavelet coefficients to be represented extremely efficiently. The results are evaluated by trained cardiologists and show some promise.

A user-centered mobile health device to manage life-threatening anaphylactic allergies and provide support in allergic reactions

This paper presents a user-centered mobile health device to help people with life-threatening allergies request emergency services in the case of an anaphylactic attack. The device was designed as a support tool to directly assist anaphylactic people and their carers, as opposed to a medical resource designed for practitioners. It makes use of multimedia technology, for example, with first aid video demonstrations showing how to deliver life-saving adrenaline injections using the injectors typically carried by anaphylactic people. A 3-axis accelerometer mounted on the adrenaline injector sends data via Bluetooth to the Smartphone platform and injections events can be automatically sensed and communicated together with personal information and GPS location. Emergency services can receive an alarm and a web-based application can show a patient record and provide a map of their location. This paper describes the health management and alarm functions of the device and presents usability test results from real anaphylactic users.

Layered annotations of digital images for data collection in the field

This paper presents the development and initial usertrial of a wearable computer for collecting andannotating images for field-working applications. Theapplication is based upon the need for fieldarchaeologists to collect accurate records of finds,although it is proposed that the application can beeasily adapted to a host of field-based activities. Theimages are collected via a webcam and then georectified,if required. Users can then annotate theresultant images using a layered system of annotations.The user trial indicates that such an approach issuperior to conventional paper-based methods.

A Theoretical Framework for Stigmergetic Reconstruction of Ancient Text

Cuneiform script, an intellectual breakthrough 5,000 years ago, made recording information possible. Cuneiform is mankind’s first ever script, recorded and communicated using clay tablets for thousands of years across the entirety of the Ancient Near East. Remnants of the medium are now stored worldwide in many of collections and time required for the joining of the fragments using traditional methodologies means that the information recorded within these fragments will not be known in our lifetime. The research narrated in this chapter opens up a novel method for reconstructing the fragments, using nature-inspired approaches and new mobile digitising technology. It covers groundwork done to date for supporting a full-scale stigmergy reconstruction of cuneiform tablets and provides hypothetical scenarios within a theoretical framework for testing ‘in the wild’.

Detection and segmentation of pipeline inspection features for diagnostically lossless data compression

In this paper we discuss the characteristics of pipeline features, e.g. welds, cracks and erosion objects, and present a method for the diagnostically lossless compression of Transverse Field Inspection data, a new type of pipeline inspection data in contrast to the traditional Magnetic Flux Leakage inspection data.