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HOLEMAN - Milestone 3 SUMMARY The primary users of the OurTime Companion will be adult family members geographically separated from the children/grandchildren they wish to interact with and said young children. The secondary users of the system will be the adult caregivers of the children/grandchildren who often mediate the interactions between distant family members and children as well as other relatives or close friends such as Aunts/Uncles/cousins or daycare providers.For this project I will be focusing on grandparents between 60-75 and children between the ages of 3-8. Some of the grandparents may be retired, but most are still working full or part-time and cannot travel much. The grandparents all have a basic understanding of computers and basic internet and email skills, most of the grandparents still working have smart phones as well as tablets and internet connected televisions. The grandchildren all attend day care or primary school and are exposed to laptops, tablets and smartphones through their parents and other adult caregivers. The children are adept at searching for familiar visual cues and using touch interfaces to start and stop actions on those interfaces.The grandparents or grandchildren will initiate a connection on their video –enabled touch screen tablet interface. Once a connection is made, the grandparent will help the grandchild pick a story to read together. When reading the story, either side will see highlights around items touched by the other on the story screen to which they will respond. The grandparents or grandchildren will be connecting from their home in evening hours of the weekday (4 pm – 8/9 pm) or on a weekend. With an independently balanced stand with adjustable heights for the tablet, the connection can take place easily in most rooms of the house. Based on discussion with the grandparents and observation of the children, the likely location of initiation will be in the living room on the floor or couch, or in the bedroom on the floor or bed. Most grandparents and grandchildren will be sitting down for reading stories, but if they leave the story and just interact via video it is possible that they will be moving around the house at the time of interaction.REQUIREMENTS Application core functionsthe application shall require registration with the central repository prior to engaging in two-way communication with another registered application instancethe application shall have a settings section available only to logged in usersthe application shall have an activity section available to all users the application shall allow two-way audio connection between two different usersthe application shall allow two-way video connection between two different usersthe application shall allow two-way screen connection between two different usersthe application shall allow for complete 2-way recording of audio, video, and screen touches from either end of the connectionthe application shall allow geo-fencing to limit activity to a designated location/locationsthe application shall allow geo-fencing to automatically engage the application in the activity state in a designated location/locationsthe application shall allow for setting activity session limitations {time boxing}the application shall allow books and games in one user's activity section to be shared with a connection for the length of their session connectionthe application shall have 'parental' controlsthe application shall have the ability to prevent lockscreen timeouts during an activity sessionlogged in - settings statethe application's settings section shall allow logged in users to designate other applications as ‘allowed’the application's settings section shall allow logged in users to remove the ‘allowed’ designation from other applicationsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to engage automatic session recording parametersthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to edit automatic session recording parametersthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to disengage automatic session recording parameters the application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to turn on geo-fencingthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users edit geo-fencing locationsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to turn off geo-fencing locationsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to create session time limitsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to edit session time limitsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in user to delete session time limitsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to create directory connections with remote usersthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to edit directory connections with remote usersthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to delete directory connections with remote usersthe application’s settings section shall allow a logged in user to choose which directory image of them will display to a remote connectionthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to add books or games to the activity sectionthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to delete books or games from their activity sectionthe application’s settings section shall not allow logged in users to delete books or games from their connections activity sectionsthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to engage automatic session recording parametersthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to edit automatic session recording parametersthe application’s settings section shall allow logged in users to disengage automatic session recording parameters not logged in - activity statethe application shall only allow users to access designated applications installed on the same tablet until a session times out or a login code is entered {parental controls}the application shall prevent the tablet lockscreen from engaging until a session times out or a login code is entered {allows children to engage/disengage without requiring adult intervention}the application shall allow a user to initiate a 2-way connection request to another user in their directorythe application shall allow a user to accept a 2-way connection request from another user in their directorythe application shall allow a user to end a 2-way connection with a connected user the application shall allow a user to set a reminder to initiate a connectionthe application shall allow a user to send a calendar request to a connection in their directory to plan for a connected sessionthe application shall allow connected users to see video from their connectionthe application shall allow connected users to hear audio from their connectionthe application shall allow connected users to share their screen with their connectionthe application shall allow connected users to initiate a shared story with their connectionthe application shall allow connected users to initiate a game with their shared connectionthe application’s two-way screen connection shall show indicators on both screens when and where a user touches their screenthe application shall show users the length of time available in a time-boxed sessionthe application shall allow users to hide the length of time remaining in a time-boxed sessionthe application shall indicate to users when a time-boxed session is about to endthe application shall allow a user to pause a shared game in the application {no effect on other 'allowed' applications}the application shall allow a user to bookmark a shared book in the application {no effect on other 'allowed' applications}Stand core functionsthe stand shall be mobilethe stand shall require a human push or pull to move to a new locationthe stand shall have a 'kick-stand' engaged when it is not in motionthe stand shall have a hand-contact area that dis-engages the 'kick-stand' and allows the base to movethe stand shall move via a universal angle directional ball the stand shall have a powered gyroscope balancing mechanism in the ball basethe stand shall have the 'kick-stand' device automatically deploy if the gyroscope battery loses powerthe stand shall have a battery to power the gyroscope, accelerometer and screen protection mechanismthe stand shall have a battery indicator lightthe stand shall recharge the battery by contact platethe stand charge contact plate shall have a low-power magnetic connection to ensure correct positionthe stand shall have an adjustable height neckthe stand shall have a 'goose-neck' adjustable angle headthe stand shall allow easy access to insert a tabletthe stand shall allow easy access to remove a tabletthe stand shall allow access to a tablet's physical connectionsthe stand shall allow access to a tablet's touchscreenthe stand shall have an accelerometer in the head to monitor the speed of head accelerationthe stand shall have a screen protection mechanism which deploys in the case of sudden accelerationthe stand shall pair with sensors to sound an audio alert when it approaches a designated boundary {most likely stairs or a doorway}DESIGN SPACE ApplicationThe design requires users to connect through a central server because connecting devices without a central server and without static IP addresses can be very difficult.The central server is also a child-safety security feature in that a user has to be registered with the service and also must be approved by the logged in person on either end so that children cannot make connections with strangers.The design allows for parents to have general parental controls based on interviews with parents – they want to set location limits (geo-fencing) and session time limits and like the idea of automatically knowing when a child can engage/dis-engage the application so that parents can limit a child’s screen time but also give the child a certain level of autonomy as to whether they want to instigate an activity without needing the parent’s intervention to unlock a tabletThis geo-fencing to automatically open and engage the application by location will likely prove to be a battery drain to a certain extent, but the tablet can still be in sleep mode when inactive, just without the lockscreen engaging which would require the parent to intervene to unlock itThe design also allows only logged in users to be able to add (purchase) books or games to share in the activity space so that kids don’t run up any purchases on their parent’s accounts.Initially a book or game would need to be rented or purchased based on an agreement with a publishing company. In the future, I would like to have an import function that would allow parents to take pictures/scans of books they already own to use for story sharing. This could be a potential copyright issue, I will need to discuss with a copyright specialist about whether that would fall under fair use terms.StandThe stand needs to be well-balanced enough for a child to pull across a room on a hard surface or low-pile carpeted floor.The stand also needs to be self-balancing since if it had a tablet raised above 2 feet and was tipped over, the crash would very likely destroy the tablet or potentially injure a child or pet at floor level.The stand also needs some basic logic to check the accelerometer and battery levels and that needs to be housed somewhere in the stand, possibly at the base of the neckThe hardest part is having a gyroscope, accelerometer, and rechargeable battery. They will add to the cost of the stand so I kept it quasi-simple by having it require a person to physically push or pull it from location to location. That means it doesn’t need to have a motor or drive application to move the stand around which would increase the cost and complexity. Gyroscope balancing toys are already on the market in large numbers, so the cost of purchasing that level of gyroscope in bulk should be reasonable. Accelerometers are also in wide use in many mobile devices so the costs on those would be reasonable as well. The rechargeable battery will be the most expensive part of the stand so I am keeping up on battery news and improvements, there are some indications that battery prices will be going down as the technology improves over the next year.I think the tablet is still vulnerable to tipping at stairs and doorways so the idea of low powered battery sensors that could be paired with the stand to warn about danger areas makes sense. I don’t have a feel for what those sensors would cost, they may be saved for version 2 of the stand.Initially I just wanted the stand to have an adjustable-height neck but as I talked with parents about how their children use tablets, it became clear that having a gooseneck to allow the tablet to angle over a couch or chair (like a tv tray table) when it’s placed in the stand head would make sense. Then, the stand base could be on the floor and the stand head could extend towards the back of the couch where small arms can reach it easily without the stand tipping over.THE DESIGN (8 points)Following the precept that recognition is easier than recall, this design offers easy visual recognition for all users of people in the contacts directory/book cover art/game art that can be read or played with the contacts in the directory through simple touch interaction.The more detailed configuration/settings section is behind a login with an emoji passcode (security validations of emoji passcodes for banks are currently underway) with the option for a 2nd level validation with a PIN sent to a phone to allow extra security, and protection from older children learning the passcode to change the settings. The settings portion is more complex and has more text-based assistance for adult users to create the desired settings. It comes with setting default recommendations based on the age of the children who will have access to the tablet and allows for full customization.The need for a parental-controls component was realized during family interviews and highly desired by both the parents and the older kids who want more autonomy and still have boundaries.The requirement to buy vs. upload books was based on a discussion with a patent attorney who suggested that licensing would be the most difficult part of the software and that fair use lawsuits could take a long time to resolve. Having a website where parents can vote for or suggest books to license may help publishers feel the impetus to license content more readilyThe patent lawyer also suggested contracting with new authors directly to create an e-format version of books not under contract to a publisher.A user story:Jill and Jake have both come home from work. They have a 6 month old daughter and a three year old son, Jon. Jake wants to get dinner started while Jill is feeding the baby, and his son Jon is demanding his attention. Jake suggests to Jon that he ‘call’ grandma and read the truck book until Jill comes downstairs. Jon climbs up onto the couch and pulls the tablet over. He touches the power button and see the OurTime application display (geo-fencing and time box allows Jon access without a login) and Jon touches his grandma’s picture. Grandma’s tablet makes noise, and looking at it she sees it’s Jon calling her on the OurTime application. Grandma accepts the connection and starts talking to Jon. Jon asks to read the truck book and grandma swipes through the list of books on her screen until she sees two truck books. Touching the first one makes it glow on her screen and Jon’s screen and she asks him if that is the one he wants. When he says yes, grandma double taps the book and it opens up, with her video feed in the corner as she reads the words. When she touches a letter, it is highlighted. When she touches the cab of a truck, it highlights on both screens and when Jon touches a truck tire it also highlights on both screens. Jon has a short attention span, so grandma reads some words to him and points to the pictures and talks with him about what they are. Fifteen minutes later Jake comes over to stand behind Jon, says hi to his mother on the video feed and says they will call her again after dinner. Jake lets Jon touch the goodbye button and put the tablet aside to go to dinneractivity screen 1activity screen 2activity screen 3tablet stand sketchFUTURE TECHNOLOGIES & SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS There are several existing technologies that affect this design, but refinements to them are now emerging that make the design more feasible. For the stand itself, the self-balancing powered gyroscope as seen in Segways is now scaled down to $300 range self-balancing scooters and $100 maker kit robots. The gyroscopic technology is now affordable and small scale and allows the stand design to move forward.The ability to charge a battery by contact instead of plugging in, and the smaller, cheaper batteries that are being developed every few months are also key to the ease of use and basic nature of the safe stand.In addition to the stand being safe insofar as it will not tip over accidentally, it also offers a tablet protection mechanism in the head that is triggered by an accelerometer to quickly inflate small, soft, plastic tubes across the front and back of the stand tablet holding area that will provide cushioning in case of a tip over. This is similar in effect to motorcycle jackets with inflatable collars that use accelerometers to detect an accident situation and instantly inflate a safety hood to absorb impact.These cushions will be inflated by a pressurized canister in the neck of the stand and once a tip over happens the canister will need to be replaced with a fresh one. Small pressurized canisters like this are already for sale commercially in motorcycle collars, as well as used for inflating balloons and opening wine bottles. The tablet application itself takes advantage of the differing developmental stages of child psychology with it’s ability to interact with family members and familiar, or new, stories and games. The parents I interviewed also mentioned how they would like to use it connect with their children when they are away on work travel, so an application that shows what a child is touching on the screen is very important for interactive connection.Parents also raised concerns about their children’s posture when using tablets as they are often bent over them, placing a lot of strain on the neck and back. Parents admit to modeling this poor behavior for their children as well, so the interest in a stand that is adjustable to hold a tablet at different height and angles is present. The main concern is that the stand will be clunky, awkward to move, an annoyance to charge and get in the way when it’s not being used, so care with the industrial design will make a big difference in the success of the stand.There are a number of studies that look at interpersonal communication mediated by technology. In the past, this meant text messaging and email on mobile devices, but now with the popularity of FaceTime and Skype, and Google hangouts, many friend and family circles are using video chat as a way to connect when they are not physically close to each other.There is some concern that this leads to more difficulty on the part of younger children separating fictional video stories from real-life people they know who also appear at times on video screens. They best way to help children understand the difference is have the video users ask time and location specific questions and be as interactive as possible.Young children also thrive on repetition, so the ability to record an adult reading a story and letting the child play the story over and over will help them understand the differences between live and recorded. There are currently recordable books that adults can ‘read’ to a child over and over again. They tend to be popular with the 2-3 year old kids who strive to read on their own. Thus, with recordings, as a child ages they are able to mentally separate interactive from recorded material and once they are done with mastering something (counting, colors, shapes etc.) they are eager to move on to the next thing.There is definitely a strong desire for child safety and family privacy that needs to be taken into account, which is why having double-authentication to create a connection as well as the ability to record both sides of a session with full audio and video to a cloud location or video storage device ensures adults can monitor interactions more unobtrusively. It is important for children’s development to have increasing levels of autonomy and decision making, so parents can set up location and time boundaries for the use of technology that are not dependent on the parent being in the room to oversee. Firm boundaries and time management skills are important for all levels of development even into adulthood. RESEARCH-BASED McLeod, S. (2009). Jean Piaget. Retrieved from updated 2015Gelman, D. L. (2014, July 15). Kids 4–6: “The Muddy Middle”. Retrieved from Gelman, D. L. (2011, August 9). Designing Fun. Retrieved from ................
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