| Researchers I.L.S.A. for Researchers Features Summary Precipitating Factors Home Care Analysis Emergent Functions SixSigma Analysis Initial Feature Set Publications The Ontology Agency Links Technology Links |
Emergent Functions AnalysisIn traditional system development processes, many potentially valuable features and functions are overlooked because they pertain to interactions between the user and the environment, or possibly interactions between aspects of the environment, rather than specifically to interactions between the user and the system. To find as many of these potential features and functions as possible, we performed several analyses in which aspects of the environment were comprehensively paired off against each other or specific user disabilities and needs were comprehensively paired off against aspects of the environment. We documented any features or functions that each combination might imply.For example, when looking at the interaction between "front door" and "windows," one feature that this interaction implied was that when the front door was locked, the windows could also automatically move to safe positions and lock. Although we did not implement this feature because it was too far removed from the central focus of I.L.S.A., it remains a potentially useful feature for a future product. As another example, the interaction between certain cognitive disabilities and weather suggested the possibility that a client would leave the house in the middle of winter in Minnesota without putting on a jacket. This suggested a reminder feature that reasons about use of the closet before the client opens an outside door. If no closet activity is sensed, a reminder would be given to wear a jacket. The actual outside temperature could be incorporated into the reasoning behind this feature. Together, these analyses produced 85 potential functions, including 38 conditions that should be alerted to caregivers, 10 functions based on special client needs and disabilities, and 37 functions that would provide direct assistance to the client.
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