Basic Principles of Dynamic Configurability
The University of Glasgow is developing dynamic configurability for home care systems alongside its development work into Multimodal Systems. It aims to merge these two concepts into what is known in the MATCH Project as a Dynamically Configurable Multimodal System.
A dynamic system is able to respond to changes in the environment of the home, as well as to changes in the system itself. The system must also allow the user to configure the system to meet their particular needs. Rather than having fixed rules or configurations for the system, users should be able to specify their criteria for configuration of the system. This should allow the system to dynamically configure itself by applying user criteria to potential choices. The system must also have a lot of flexibility to allow for the user's current circumstances, e.g. they don't want spoken reminders if they have guests present.
An example of dynamic adaptation could be the task of presenting a reminder to the user that their favourite television show is starting. The system default might be set as audio reminders from the stereo system, but could instead be text messages on a TV in certain circumstances.
There is a great deal of complexity in achieving this aim, but what it offers as additional functionality to the overall home care system is extremely useful.
If we look first of all by what we mean by dynamic, we wish the system to be able to respond to changes in requirements. A further requirement is that the system can learn. By learning, we mean that the system can interpret what happens in real time such as the user's routine. The system should remember past actions to alter the way it performs in the future.
Configurability is closely related to the dynamics of the system. The system must allow the user to configure it as they see fit. This may depend on the level of impairment that the user has, so the system can be configured in the best way possible to help them. The system must also have a lot of flexibility to allow for the user's current circumstances, e.g. they don't want spoken reminders if they have guests present.
Dynamic configurability supports a system with a great deal of flexibility in how it operates. The system can work with itself and the user to make choices that automate simple decision making. An example could be changing the TV to display textual scrolling reminders when the user's favourite soap opera comes on at set time. The default might be set as audio reminders from the stereo system. The system could recognise what the user does and ask the user if they wish to alter their preferences, or it could do this automatically. The system could also decide whether to act on its own when a conflict of actions occurs, e.g. turning up the heating when the window is wide open or notifying the user there is a problem.
