Affective wearables

An affective wearable is a wearable system equipped with sensors and tools which enables recognition of its wearer's affective patterns. Affective patterns include expressions of emotion such as a joyful smile, an angry gesture, a strained voice or a change in autonomic nervous system activity such as accelerated heart rate or increasing skin conductivity. This paper describes new applications of affective wearables, and presents a prototype which gathers physiological signals and their annotations from its wearer. Results of preliminary experiments of its performance are reported for a user wearing four different sensors and engaging in several natural activities.     

Lightful user interaction on smart wearables

Smart wearables are body-worn small devices that require novel user interaction due to its compactness and wearability. Current UI/UX of smart wearables is rooted in a smartphone-like UI/UX that is inadequate in many cases constrained by such small form factors. To overcome these limitations, research efforts are invested for augmenting wearable devices with various sensors and improving efficiency of existing input modalities through careful orchestration. In this paper, we propose a new concept called lightful user interaction exploiting a readily available ambient light sensor as a novel and alternative user interface for smart wearables. We design and model lightful user interaction based on typical usages of representative smart wearables. Then, we demonstrate the proposed lightful user interaction through three implemented applications such as PIN entry, morse code, and control indicator, respectively. At the end, we evaluate the concept and applications in terms of occluded display area, input expressivity and lightweight implementation aspects to make a case for a promising novel and alternative UI for smart wearables.     

Comparison of algorithms and classifiers for stride detection using wearables

Neural Computing and Applications - Sensor-based systems for diagnosis or therapy support of motor dysfunctions need methodologies of automatically stride detection from movement sequences. In this...     

A system design for surveillance systems protecting critical infrastructures

Critical infrastructures are attractive targets for attacks by intruders with different hostile aims. Modern information and sensor technology provides abilities to detect such attacks. The objective of this work is to outline a system design for surveillance systems aimed at protection of critical infrastructures, with the focus on early threat detection at the perimeter of critical infrastructures. The outline of the system design is based on an assessment of stakeholder needs. The needs were identified from interviews with domain experts and system operators. The system design of the surveillance system and the user requirements in terms of capabilities were then determined. The result consists of the system design for surveillance systems, comprising the systems capabilities, the systems structure, and the systems process. The outcome of the work will have an impact on the implementation of the surveillance systems with respect to the sensors utilized, the sensor data algorithms and the fusion techniques.     

Estimating micro-PLC execution time for time critical system design

In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) program execution time, using the informations available at the design stage. So far, the usual practice is to check execution time after complete development of PLC application program. In case, the developed PLC program does not meet the required response time, it is interactively modified. This situation can be avoided to a great extent with our proposed estimation method. We calculate the maximum theoretical execution time and later refine it using application statistics. Preliminary applications of our method show encouraging results.     

SNS collaborative learning design: enhancing critical thinking for human–computer interface design

Universal Access in the Information Society - In many cases, classrooms seem to be functioning as well as ever, though the challenges and expectations have changed quite dramatically. This study...     

Consumer valuation of the wearables: The case of smartwatches

Wearable devices indicate objects encompassing both mobile computing and fashion characteristics. Although the combination of the two characteristics is relatively new, consumers’ recognition of smartwatches, one type of wearable, is increasing. However, despite the heightened interest in smartwatches, sales are growing more slowly than expected. In order to comprehend this, we should understand potential consumers’ perceptions of smartwatches. This study explored how much potential consumers value various smartwatch attributes by examining their preference structure of the wearable. The preference structure was generated from a conjoint analysis including five smartwatch attributes: brand, price, standalone communication, display shape, and display size. We also compared findings by user group (current wristwatch users vs. non-users). Results showed that display shape and standalone communication are more critical factors influencing respondents’ smartwatch choices than brand and price for both types of users. Results also revealed that a curved display shape is most preferred.     

On design derivatives for optimization with a critical point constraint

Design optimization of geometrically nonlinear structures with a critical point constraint is considered. A staggered scheme is applied to the optimization problem and the reduced optimization problem is solved at the critical point. Derivatives of the objective function and constraints are defined consistently with the algorithmic steps of the staggered scheme. It is noticed that different schemes require different design derivatives of the objective function and constraints. It is stressed that a distinction must be made between the derivative of displacements at the critical load and the derivative of critical displacements. For the sake of simplicity a nonlinear two-bar truss structure is used to show that their properties are quite different; while the first one grows to infinity when approaching the critical point and thus does not exist, the other exists at the critical point and is equal to zero. Subsequently, two methods of computing the design derivative of critical loads are analysed, and it is demonstrated, for the truss example, that both methods yield correct results. Then, two optimization problems, i.e. the minimum volume problem and the maximum critical load problem, are formulated. Both problems are solved for the two-bar truss, and yield results that compare favourably with those obtained analytically. The solution scheme is shown to be insensitive to initial errors in the determination of the critical point.     

On design derivatives for optimization with a critical point constraint

Design optimization of geometrically nonlinear structures with a critical point constraint is considered. A staggered scheme is applied to the optimization problem and the reduced optimization problem is solved at the critical point. Derivatives of the objective function and constraints are defined consistently with the algorithmic steps of the staggered scheme.It is noticed that different schemes require different design derivatives of the objective function and constraints. It is stressed that a distinction must be made between the derivative of displacements at the critical load and the derivative of critical displacements. For the sake of simplicity a nonlinear two-bar truss structure is used to show that their properties are quite different; while the first one grows to infinity when approaching the critical point and thus does not exist, the other exists at the critical point and is equal to zero.Subsequently, two methods of computing the design derivative of critical loads are analysed, and it is demonstrated, for the truss example, that both methods yield correct results. Then, two optimization problems, i.e. the minimum volume problem and the maximum critical load problem, are formulated. Both problems are solved for the two-bar truss, and yield results that compare favourably with those obtained analytically. The solution scheme is shown to be insensitive to initial errors in the determination of the critical point.     

手工年代，怀念纯真

怀旧是每个人都有的乡愁．所以最好的时光永远是逝去的纯真年代。人们会为新材料、新技术的出现欢欣鼓舞．却无法割舍老式手工的诱惑。无论精雕细琢还是质朴淡雅，那些手工制成的物品里总多了份脉脉温情。自然．这样的吸引力不会被品牌忽略。     

Behavior change through wearables: the interplay between self-leadership and IT-based leadership

Electronic Markets - Physical inactivity is a global public health problem that poses health risks to individuals and imposes financial burdens on already strained healthcare systems. Wearables...     

An LMI-based approach to critical control system design for rate-limited exogenous inputs

This paper considers a linear matrix inequality approach to the design of critical control systems for rate-limited exogenous inputs. The sufficient condition for ensuring the critical requirement is derived from the exponential convergence condition of the unit step response. By changing the variables, it is transformed into the set of BMI and LMI conditions. The problem amounts to a convex feasibility problem with a line search. The obtained controller has the same order as a plant. To show the validity of the proposed method, a numerical example of multi-conditioned critical control system design is presented.     

民间工艺品“老字号”的品牌再定位

民间工艺品"老字号"是指历史悠久的民间工艺产品名或品牌化产品。民间工艺品中的"老字号"可以说是品质精良、风格独特和信誉卓越的。许多消费者对传统民间工艺品有很深的情结。然而,如今的民间工艺品"老字号"存在着品牌形象陈旧、品牌定位模糊、品牌内涵缺乏创新等等问题。在对一些"老字号"的调查研究基础之上,本文试图提出一套切合实际的民间工艺"老字号"品牌再定位模式。     

Reliability-based optimization of design variance to identify critical tolerances

Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) is a topic of interest for research in both academia and industry. RBDO typically involves adjusting the mean values of the design variables while fixing the spread parameters, often measured as variance, in order to accomplish a given objective within the stated constraints. This paper proposes an alternate way to meet given design criteria by fixing the mean values of the statistical inputs and allowing the spread parameters to become design variables. To do this, product cost models are proposed in terms of statistical variables. By performing this type of optimization, the design changes are kept to a minimum, and the focus is instead shifted to variance control. An initial study is performed on a three-bar truss subject to static loading with material variability. A more complex example is performed involving the cost minimization of an unmanned undersea vehicle subjected to hydrostatic buckling.     

Identifying mobile phone design features critical to user satisfaction

A variety of mobile phones are available to consumers. They differ from each other in many design features including shape, color, size, and material. This study attempts to identify some of the design features of a mobile phone critical to user satisfaction. Empirical models linking design features to satisfaction levels were developed and used to identify critical design features. Design properties common to “desirable” and “undesirable” phones were then extracted by comparing the values of the critical design features. The approach used in this study may help the product designers identify critical design features with their desirable properties in a systematic manner. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 14: 15–29, 2004.     

嵌入式自适应安全关键中间件设计方法研究

由于嵌入式安全关键系统自身的特点和应用环境的特殊性,导致了设计嵌入式安全关键应用比一般的嵌入式实时应用要困难得多。在分析传统嵌入式实时中间件技术应用于嵌入式安全关键系统不足的基础上,提出了一种新的自适应安全关键中间件(ASCM)的设计方法,并对相应的体系结构和关键技术进行了讨论。另外,针对嵌入式安全关键系统运行环境的特殊性,重点讨论了一种端到端的自适应服务质量(QoS)管理机制。     

新艺术运动时期手工艺的发展

新艺术运动涉及工艺、建筑、绘画等众多领域,主张借助与纯美术的融合来提高手工艺的地位。在当时的社会背景下,手工艺存在两个不同的发展方向,其中艺术化的趋势给手工艺的发展带来崭新的面貌。手工的概念渗透到建筑设计中,强化了建筑设计的时代特征。     

Physiolytics at the workplace: Affordances and constraints of wearables use from an employee's perspective

Wearables paired with data analytics and machine learning algorithms that measure physiological (and other) parameters are slowly finding their way into our workplace. Several studies have reported positive effects from using such “physiolytics” devices and purported the notion that it may lead to significant workplace safety improvements or to increased awareness among employees concerning unhealthy work practices and other job‐related health and well‐being issues. At the same time, physiolytics may cause an overdependency on technology and create new constraints on privacy, individuality, and personal freedom. While it is easy to understand why organizations are implementing physiolytics, it remains unclear what employees think about using wearables at their workplace. Using an affordance theory lens, we, therefore, explore the mental models of employees who are faced with the introduction of physiolytics as part of corporate wellness or security programs. We identify five distinct user types each of which characterizes a specific viewpoint on physiolytics at the workplace: the freedom loving, the individualist, the cynical, the tech independent, and the balancer. Our findings allow for better understanding the wider implications and possible user responses to the introduction of wearable technologies in occupational settings and address the need for opening up the “user black box” in IS use research.