The Aging Mind Opportunities in Cognitive Research (2000) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Appendix D: Cognitive Aging and Adaptive Technologies
Appendix D: Cognitive Aging and Adaptive Technologies
Pages 166-188
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 166... ...
However, as computers become smaller, more powerful, and more easily embedded in other objects and processes, they provide the opportunity to construct technology that can augment greatly the adaptivity and functionality of the older adult user. Examples of current and future adaptive technologies include computers that can be worn for example, eyeglasses that enhance the peripheral field of vision (Tebara et al., 1998)
|
From page 167... ...
The third section discusses powerful modeling tools that can be used to infer the behavior of individuals from the much more detailed record that the new sensing technologies provide. It also shows how these tools can lead directly to the development of a next generation of personalized, highly interactive interfaces that themselves increase the adaptivity of existing technologies.
|
From page 168... ...
However, before sensor technology can be implemented, much must be learned about the basic visual search strategies of older adults, in order to know what information to present and when to present it, reducing to a minimum the number of false or useless warnings. And much must be learned about older adults' ability to handle successfully multiple forms of input when the load on the cognitive systems is especially high as it will be during a potential collision.
|
From page 169... ...
A synthesized voice could provide users with the azimuth, distance, and height of an object, but it is not yet clear how effective this would be. Of course, at some point, three-dimensional virtual auditory displays may make it possible to synthesize the warning at a point in virtual space coincident with its point in actual space (although see the section below on displays)
|
From page 170... ...
Hidden Markov models may play a particularly important role in this context (Reichle et al., 19981. DISPLAYS Advances in miniaturization are not confined to sensor technologies.
|
From page 171... ...
They make it possible for the pilot to keep his or her eyes focused on the outside world and simultaneously to monitor the critical instruments. Head-up displays can now be used in the automobile as well (Gish and Staplin, 19951.
|
From page 172... ...
For example, variable message signs are now used to display the predicted travel time along a driver's current route and several alternative routes to a common destination. Research with younger adults suggests that the proportion diverting along the alternative route can be predicted and, more importantly (at least in the current context)
|
From page 173... ...
Thus, it is not all that surprising that older adults have difficulty keeping track of their medical appointments. Early studies indicated that automated telephone reminders can help (Leirer et al., 19891.
|
From page 174... ...
For example, as noted above, older adults generally have difficulty with ATMs. This might change greatly if the interface could be tailored to the user, which it could be if the relevant information on the user (say the relative duration of various cognitive processes)
|
From page 175... ...
And then dynamic programming can be used to identify the hierarchy that minimizes the average terminal option access time. These are but a few of the many possible ways in which one can potentially individualize an interface for older adults and thereby adapt it to the user (Fisher, 19931.
|
From page 176... ...
Sometimes, actions must be taken on that information very quickly, perhaps in order to avoid a collision. The sensor technology designed to yield such real-time information has great potential for older adults, aiding in nighttime driving, parallel parking maneuvers, intersection maneuvers, and steering and braking during potential collision scenarios.
|
From page 177... ...
We need to understand in much more detail how older adults scan both static and dynamic visual scenes. In order to make large advances in this understanding we will need to increase the ability to interpret patterns of eye movements, patterns that can reveal the underlying or latent cognitive processes (Rayner, 1998~.
|
From page 178... ...
and by other accounts toward their vergence resting position (Weintraub and Ensing, 19921. In either case, the result is that objects in the outside world appear more distant and smaller than in fact they really are.
|
From page 179... ...
As noted above, it depends on our having for a given task both a quantitative model that can predict performance for each of the different possible interface designs and a mathematical or computer method that can be used to identify the optimal design. Such a capability depends on our having an understanding of the effects of aging on the structure and duration of the cognitive processes underlying the performance (Fisher and Glaser, 19961.
|
From page 180... ...
, computer science (path planning algorithm development) , electrical engineering (control theory)
|
From page 181... ...
The basic vocabulary is the elementary cognitive process, much as it was conceived by Donders (1868) over a century ago.
|
From page 182... ...
Journal of Robotic Systems 10:931-946. 1994 Nonholonomic Path Planning Using Harmonic Functions (Technical Report #94-50)
|
From page 183... ...
Pp. 602-610 in SPIE 4th International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, The International Societyfor Optical Engineering, Vol.
|
From page 184... ...
Allen 1996 Adult age differences in the use of distractor homogeneity during visual search. Psychology and Aging 11:454-474.
|
From page 185... ...
Schmandt, and A Pentland 1997 Wearable Audio Computing: A Survey of Interaction Techniques (Perceptual Computing Technical Report #463)
|
From page 186... ...
Goldstein 1992 General Latent Network Theory: Structural and Quantitative Analysis of Networks of Cognitive Processes (Technical Report 92-1)
|
From page 187... ...
Whiteside, J.A. 1974 Eye movements of children, adults, and elderly persons during inspection of dot patterns.
|
From page 188... ...
188 COGNITIVE AGING AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES Wightman, F.L., and D.J. Kistler 1989 Headphone simulation of free-field listening: I
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.