ZigBee-Based Alarm System for Pervasive Healthcare in Rural Areas

CASAS, R. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; MARCO,A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; PLAZA,I. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; GARRIDO,Y. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; FALCO,J. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: An alarm system suitable for pervasive healthcare in rural areas is presented. Taking advantage of ZigBee features, users can move freely around their habitual environment while enjoying constant protection. The resulting system is cost-effective, easily deployed (no wiring is needed) and the mobile device’s batteries last for months. The user interface is a key issue when working with the elderly and those with disabilities. To ensure proper usability and avoid abandoning of the device, an alarm-detection procedure has been developed and contrasted with end-users. The application scenario is the isolated village of Fortanete, Spain, where the selfsustainability of the system is essential. In this environment, management of the alarm relies upon the user’s relatives and neighbours to solve any problems that arise. Privacy and ethical considerations have also been addressed, as this kind of system can potentially invade the users’ privacy; cognitive disabilities of the users also make it mandatory.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1049/iet-com:20060649

Año: 2008

Publicado en: IET Communications 2, 2 (2008), 208-214
ISSN: 1751-8628

Factor impacto JCR: 0.345 (2008)

Categ. JCR: ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC rank: 194 / 225 = 0.862 (2008) - Q4 - T3

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Ingen.Sistemas y Automát. (Dpto. Informát.Ingenie.Sistms.)
Área (Departamento): Área Tecnología Electrónica (Dpto. Ingeniería Electrón.Com.)
Área (Departamento): Proy. investigación JBA (Dpto. Ingeniería Electrón.Com.)