Page 241 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

230 HANDBOOK OF ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

All three projects were delivered using KNX infrastructure (Linskell, 2010). They all
incorporated high-end logic devices that linked all the alerts in a tree structure, allowing
the overall alert status for each accommodation to be calculated as green, yellow or red.
This information was available centrally from a PC acting as a server, KNX-based LCD dis-
play panel and portable units, discussed later. PC integration was achieved via a hardware
and software solution using the EIB IP/Net protocol. Alerts generated audible warnings
using sound files, so they could be context specific. Carers used intuitive web pages to
monitor status and set the alert level of each alert source, i.e., whether its activation con-
tributed to the calculation of a yellow or red alert status, or was disabled. Additionally, the
level of individual alert signals could be set automatically based on additional information
such as time of day, number of alerts within a given timeframe or a particular combina-
tion of other events. Staff determined the supervisory parameters for each individual’s
monitoring system on a case-by-case basis at any time, and so flexibly altered the system
response based on both client and carer requirements. This allowed the supervisory sys-
tem to match the pattern of care required, rather than requiring the care regime to adapt
to the technology. Programming was carefully matched to associated carer operational
protocols and documented accordingly. The benefits of system flexibility and the ability
to reflect changes in real time described in these projects were illustrative of the general
benefits that intelligent systems can offer in the assisted living environment.
Carers made mobile connection to the system with WiFi-enabled, touchscreen personal
digital assistants (PDAs). The performance of the PDAs was optimised by the implementa-
tion of a Java-less version of the server. When the PDAs were logged on to the server they
remained connected, even when in powersave mode, allowing them to run continuously
for a number of days without recharge. The top-level page displayed the accommodations
as rectangular blocks in a layout that reflected the layout of the accommodations. Each
block was depicted in the colour of its current status, thus the statuses of all accommoda-
tions were viewed simultaneously and could be assessed accordingly. Tapping on one of
the blocks linked to a summary screen of the alerts for that accommodation. In this way
carers could intuitively assess the overall alert status of all the accommodations and make
considered decisions about how to react to situations that arose.
Cambus Smart Cottage

Clackmannanshire Council commissioned the development of a cottage in Cambus
to include a smart house system. The project, which was funded through the Scottish
Telecare Project, was based on the KNX platform. The cottage, which was primarily for use
by Learning Disability Services, was required for respite and assessment, and had been
adapted as part of the project to be fully accessible. It included a full range of automation
(lights, mains, doors, blinds, heating and bath) and monitoring (heat, gas, flood, doors,
windows, warden call, attack and presence). It had been configured for remote moni-
toring and control and it incorporated an alert management system with a PC, display
panel and PDA access. The system was programmed for red alerts to automatically trigger