Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
allows the use of different devices by seamless interoperability and
synchronisation;
allows the work with a lot of information at the same time by providing a big
screen space for a large number of documents;
allows advanced search functionality and linking of content;
allows interoperability of different applications;
supports efficiently work flow.
Besides the use of a computer, the most common problem faced by elderly people
and those not self-sufficient is work concerned with moving objects.
People with limitations and older people often suffer from weaknesses in their
upper and lower limbs. They therefore have difficulties in moving objects a long
distance, in standing up for long time and in moving and carrying heavy objects. These
motor limitations can sometimes cause dismissal from employment or retirement or can
be the reason for not employing a potential worker.
In order to overcome this problem, automation, mechanization and robotics can
suggest effective technological solutions that can support elderly people and extend
their employment at their work place. Technological systems can be developed to help
in the movement of objects, so aiding elderly workers in their tasks. However, these
systems should be safe and not damage the environment or injure employees. For this
reason they should be designed to recognize the presence of obstacles and people and
to plan the best pathway to avoid such obstacles. This characteristic can be developed
not only by setting sensors on a robot but also by setting them in the surrounding
environment and designing a constant exchange of information and interaction among
them. An example of this idea in described in the Scenario 13.
Scenario 13. Smart Computer Interface
Helen is 63 years old and is a psychologist. She is a professional and works in her office. She actually works
in the Human Resources department of a company. The managers of the firm asked her to create a database
of employees' skills, attitudes and ambitions. She has therefore organized a meeting with workers and she
enters the information she obtains onto the database.
Normally she doesn't use PC in her work but she uses a special computer workstation for this task.
The smart PC is able to recognize who is using it thanks to its biometrical system: access to the
database on the employees is allowed only to Helen and some managers.
When the workstation identifies Helen, it adopts working conditions suited for Helen. She is unable to
use a normal keyboard and suffers from arthritis in her finger joints; she also has carpal-tunnel syndrome.
She therefore uses two different interfaces to use the PC: a tablet keyboard and a voice keyboard. When
Helen uses the first system, she writes her notes using a special pen directly on the tablet keyboard: the tool
recognizes Helen's calligraphy and compiles the words in text files. If Helen feels tired in her hands and she
prefers not to grip the special pen, she uses the second system, a voice keyboard. This recognizes her voice
and reports the words she pronounces onto text files in the database. The voice keyboard is smart because it
recognizes and transcribes only the words spoken by Helen, not by other employees in the Human
Resources office; it is also able to distinguish vocal commands from sentences dictated.
Technological challenges
Secure access to information.
Multimodal and adaptive user interfaces.
 
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