To facilitate creating social circle for the retired

1. Project Report on
social network for elderly with
composable computing
Hong Kong Polytechnic Unversity
MDes Interaction Design
CHOI Chi Kit, Jackson
CHENG Peng
GU Pan
1

2. Content
01 Introduction 5
02 Composable Computing Opportunity 7
03 Background Understanding
Elderly Population in Hong Kong 9
Field Observation 11
Interview and Group Discussion 13
First published 2010 by JPG Team
(c) 2010 Copyright Card Sorting Exercise 16
Direct Manipulation Workshop 17
Project Report designed and produced by Project Statement 19
Jackson Choi, Cheng Peng
Project Objectives 21
All right reserved. No part of this report may be reprinted
or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, 04 Design the Interactions
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
Experience Strategies Vs Design Objectives 23
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Interaction Model 24
the authors. Business Model 26
05 Create the Scenario and Prototype
MDes Scenario Sketches 30
Interaction Design System Diagram 31
Scenario Storyboards 32
SoSoCo device 36
School of Design
User Interface Design 37
06 Project Reflection 39
07 Special Thanks 40
08 References 41
Project sponsored by
09 Appendix
Questionnaire for elderly 42
Letter of Confidentiality 44
Letter to Social Service Organization 45
2 3

3. The Assignment
In this project, we are required to research and understand
01:: Introduction
the social and psychological needs of the elderly and then
generate design proposal / concepts accordinly that are
supported by composbale computing accordingly. The
project is sponsored by ASTRI, Hong Kong Applied Science
and Technology Research Institute Company Limited.
SoSoCo is an integrated Social Network Service for elderly and the retired to
JPG team members are create new social circle of their interests, hobbies and special skills through
Jackson Choi, Cheng Peng, Gu Pan. composable computing. It is a psychological need of people to be accepted,
recognized and needed. People have different social circles in their lives, but the
situation shift after aging and retirement. Stress and pressure are accumulating
which create a negative impact to the mental as well as physical health of the
elderly. SoSoCo is a product / service that make use of the rapid advancement of
technology and the growing social demand.
Final Presentation:
Concept Development P6 P6 Completed project proposal
with design items and
Interaction Model Concept Refinement materoials.
Experience Strategies Business Model Internal Presentation:
Scenario Development P5 P5 Presentation rehearsal.
Finalized design proposals.
Feedback & Second Client Presentation:
Synthesis &
Evaluation P4 P4 Confirmation of project
Translation direction.
Scenario setting and service
Needs, pattern Usability scope.
Multi-touch Testing
and behaviour
skills
First Client Presentation:
P3 P3 Identification of design
problems and project
Research & Rationalization opportunities.
Task Analysis Potential project directions
identifying the daily and proposals.
Primary Research
activities and routines
Observation in Scenario confirmation
target’s habitats
Secondary Research Community Network: UI Design Research analysis and
Interview elderly in range of P2 psychological needs Production of desig items P2 Insights. Preliminary idea
generation.
location such as social centers, and restrictions. and demonstration
church and online platform.
Workshops of General review of
P1 multi-touch competency
Scenario discussion
P1 background understanding
towards topic context.
Our design process: Card Sorting and identification
Research, synthesis,
design, feedback, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Schedule (week)
proposal timeline
4 5

4. COMPOSABLE COMPUTING 02::
Composable Computing
Opportunity
allows users to easily and
seamlessly extend the As computers and portable electronic devices are penetrating into our daily lives
with various forms and functionalities, their uses are limited to specific tasks by
their compact sizes and input/output limitations. The potential of these devices
capabilities of their digital could be explored through extensive integration.
COMPOSABLE COMPUTING allows sharing of components of other
device with the nearby
infrastructure in the environment around us, storage and displays, for a wireless
interface. Components such as display, storage, networking, processing, sensors.
With motion sensor (accelerometers) installed, the device can remotely control
other interfaces through motion detection.
resources in their environment, Key functions:
• Create together with different devices
and further allow its resources • Share resource among devices (display, storage, application, etc)
• Dynamic Presentation with handheld devices
to augment other devices in Research suggested that aged population in near future is more accustom
to digital device, and the advancement of technology actually connect users
of most age group to technology. The new cohort of seniors is more adapted
to technologies and digital devices. In recent research by Pavel Alpeyev and
the locality. Yoshinori Eki, it shows that “the iPad Leads Apple to the Elderly”. Seniors
love the ease of use the tablet offers, and they have the money for it. In their
advertisement of the game controller Wii by Nintendo, elder game players are
Dynamic composable computing, Intel Research their target customers.
Diagram of
interconnected
devices
6 7

5. People have different
social circles in 03:: Background Understanding
their lives, but the
situation shift after
aging and retirement.
Elderly population in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong population is ageing
“Hong Kong
The retired elderly population In 2008, In 2039,
is left-over from the projections 2010- the population of elderly the precentage will
2039” published by
original network,
Hong Kong Census
persons aged above 65 is increase to
being forgotten and
ignored. and Statistics
Department
12.6%
28%
Stress accumulates socially and psychologically
The number is In Social Psychology
growing. There are
welfare services by
Ego drive is a need to have our presence noticed, recognized, and accepted have
to be satisfied before one can identify a place for oneself in the society. Value means being
the government and
public organizations, SoSoCo needed and recognized; Connect stands for relationship and compassion; Quality of life
but they treat their Psychological referes to mobility and health of the elderly.
subjects as inferiors Model showing
people in social fundamental needs
welfare sector. of Personal Value,
Social Connection
and Quality of Life
The diagrams show elderly being left over after retirement
8 9

6. Pattern 1
Field Observation
Pattern 2 Observation in location is conducted to find out patterns of how people interact
with each other
Date: 2 Oct 2010
Venue: Ma On Shan Public Park, Macpherson Playground Mong Kok
Pattern 1 Pattern 2 Pattern 3 Pattern 4 Pattern 5
Activity Resting, sitting Exercise, Exercise with Exercise Talk and chat on
practice facilities together, TaiChi, common topics
Sword dance such as TV
programs
Pattern 3
Companion Alone Alone Closer but still In groups Friends with
silent common
interests
Location Occupy one Scattered in far In preset areas In large public Anywhere
bench alone distant, evenly in space convenient
public area
Emotion Bored, no one to Calm, away Calm, silence Calm, some sort Warm,
talk to from others of engagement, energetic
still alone
Level of LOW LOW LOW Mid level of High
Pattern 4 Communication interaction
Insights Common Goals Common topics
Potential Break the Ice, Break the Ice, Break the Ice, Facilitate Further
share interests, share interests, share interests, further com- establishment
knowledge knowledge knowledge munication by of relationship
creating interac-
tion
Key observations:
Pattern 5
Level of connection grows with level of commonality
01 Activities
02 Interested topics
10 11

7. Interviews and group discussion
are conducted with elderly from social service centers. 3 male and 3 female
retired elderly of our target group are interviewed with set of questions. The
objectives are:
01 To collect information of their daily activities
02 To understand needs and expectation from retired life
03 To investigate physical and psychological constraints
* see Appendix for questionnaires and letter of consent .
12 13

8. “I am a volunteer of elderly services. “I love to sing. It is easier for me to
I like to do exercise with my friends. make new friends. At least we have some
Having companies makes me feel warm.” common topics to take about and share
Ms. Tam Ken Quan the same hobbies!”
Ms. Chan Ying Ping
Key quotes from
“We have gathering once in a while, but informants
keeping the momentum is not easy!...
someone has to take the lead!”
Mr. Chow Kam Chi
Mr. Yue Yai Chung
Mr. Fong Hing
Insights:
01 Elderly know what they want, but just need an
Online Interview using QQ
“I have the urge to share my extra push to facilitate connection
“I have the urge to share my thoughts to others, … it feels
thoughts to others, … it feels good good to talk to somebody.” 02 They have lots of things to share
~ Christine Poon
to talk to somebody.”
03 Elderly are health conscious
Christine Poon
04 Elderly are more active than we thought
05 No social network service in the market for our
target
14 15

9. Card sorting Exercise: Direct Manipulation Workshop:
01 To understand their daily routine and activities 01 To see the adaptability of target users towards new interactive methods
02 To understand their views on personal values 02 To test on direct manipulation with multi-touch devices.
03 To know their concerns and worries and physical limitation
Task 01: Informants are asked to take picture and browse through photo album
with iPhone.
Task 02: Informants playing the motion game “Labyrinth”
Insights:
Insights: 01 Elderly always claim that they are afraid of
computer and advanced technologies.
01 Elderly build their lives around talking to others
and doing physical exercises 02 But in the workshop, target users have no
problem accomplishing tasks assigned with
02 They like to have friends of similar hobbies direct manipulation and motion detection games.
03 They are interested in joining activities organized 03 It is a misconception for both designers and
by social service centre. users that “elderly” is not in the same category
04 They are health conscious and like to share with technology. Elderly can use products of new
health information. technology if they are well-designed
16 17

10. Project Statement
“Create a service
facilitating the building
of social network for the
elderly through invisible
Thorough talks and com-
munication with target
users by visual aids of
network with composable
storyboards. Low-fidelity
prototypes are used for
usability testing. computing”
18 19

11. Project Objectives:
01: Facilitates social network
02: Enhances physical activities
Tasks Functions
1 Ice breaking • To start a communication Primary
• Provide topics
• Share emotion
2 Find friends • Personal record with hobby, preferences, etc Primary
• Prompt when people with similar hobbies is nearby
• Synchronization of hobbies
3 Sharing • Download content into device (Chinese Opera songs, news, Secondary
interests)
• Share content with others
• May be done through human gesture / motion
• Emotion
4 Facilitate group • Exercise with motion detection Primary
action • Synchronization of gesture
• Feedback for good synchronized motion
5 Health alarm • Will alert nearby people if they have trouble Secondary
20 21

12. 04:: Design the Interactions
SoSoCo initiates the creation of social circles based on elderly’s hobbies and
activities. Profile matching and sharing can facilitate not only social networking,
but the motion detection functions can also provide useful feedback for
enjoyable physical exercises.
}{
Experience Strategies Design Objectives
1. Break the ice for me 1. Matching profiles
2. Enjoy sharing with friends 2. Short learning curve and easy to use
3. Encourage physical exercises 3. Motion detection with feedback
4. Live with me, at home and at play 4. Able to talk to other peripherals
22 23

13. Interaction Model
This interaction model illustrates the relationship of target users. Different users
have different profile and interests which are represented by different colors.
Users will form “social circles” based on their interests and hobbies that are
visualized as circles of colors. This model highlights the flexibility and dynamic
nature of social circles among the elderly. Participants can join the circle when
needed but they are not bounded by rules. However the “hobby-based” nature
of network can create strong bonds between elderly.
24 25

14. Business Model
SoSoCo is a collaboration project between social service organizations,
telecommunication service providers and software/device developer who
contribute to the target group connection, tele-network establishment and
communication tools and development. The diagram below demonstrates
the relationship between various stakeholder and their contribution to the
establishment of the business structure as well as the proposed values.
Activiti
ey e
K
mer Relation
s
Public forum Customer acquisition
to
sh
Cus
Ice breaking
ips
Boosting sales
Motion synchronization Promotion events
e Propositio Elderly
lu
y partners
ns
ke
Va
Telecom service social
Shopping mall Cost Structure networking Revenue Streams
Elderly center
Leisure and Cultural
Software development
healthy Extra-service networking
Service package fee
Hardware production
Services Department
Design exercise 3-party promotion
Hardware sales
Resourc annels
Key Ch
es
Technical support Teleservice package
Experience of organization Service center
and interaction for elderly
26 27

15. 28 29

16. 05:: Create the scenario and
prototype
Scenario Sketches System diagram
& Other Devices
INPUT INPUT
INFO Other SoSoCo INFO
VISUAL VISUAL
POSTURE Data Matching POSTURE
VOICE VOICE
Data Sharing
FEEDBACK FEEDBACK
Data Manipulation
30 31

17. Scenario 01 Profile setting:
SoSoCo is a social network system. By
identifying personal profile, hobbies and
interests, SoSoCo will link up users of similar
interests and facilitates the establishment of
various social circles.
Input personal info by sliding the octopus to SoSoCo. The device To set up my identity and profile, just slide my octopus to the
can talk to peripherals updating the routines and interests. device, and necessary information will be retrieved that includes
my name, shopping history and navigation information.
02 Ice Breaking:
SoSoCo provides data matching and ice breaking for
users with similar hobbies.
Hi
here
I
am
ah
Ming
And I can also record a short voice greeting to say Hello to new SoSoCo can talk to other digital appliances to keep track my Today I take a walk in the park nearby. SoSoCo will do data
friends. routines. For example, my frequently watched TV program will be matching and alert me when someone having similar interest is
automatically put into my profile. near by.
I
am
Panda.
…..
…………..
I
like
Tai
Chi..
I
am
Chan
Da
Man.
03 Motion Synchronizer:
I
like
Tai
Chi..
SoSoCo function as motion synchronizer for group
practice in public and personal training at home
And we both hear voice greetings from each other. We start talking about our interested topics, and this is useful for When we wave good-bye, the hand gesture automatically
ice breaking and helps us to expand our social circle. updates our friend list.
At park I like to practice Tai Chi in the morning with group of Movement of the master is recorded during his demonstration, When the group starts to practice, their SoSoCo and camera SoSoCo stored the demonstration of the master so that I can
32
elderly where we use SoSoCo for synchronization during practice. and the data of movement is transferred to the group
automatically.
can compare posture with that of the master. Haptic and audio
feedback will be generated when not in synchronization.
practice at home. 33

18. 04 Public Forum:
SoSoCo creates public forum for open discussion,
info searching and voting by communicating to public
screens and other SoSoCo.
With the SoSoCo talking to my multimedia display, the movement Again feedback will be generated for synchronization. As people are gathering in the area, the system detects the “most
of the master is displayed on screen, and my movement will be I can practice Tai Chi in great confident and fun. interested” topic from the crowd.
captured and displayed next to the master for comparison.
Pictures will be selected and displayed on screen. Then the place I share my additional images by swiping them to the screen and Polling questions will be shown occasionally. We can vote by The system will calculate the percentage of results and display on
will naturally become an open forum. I join my interested forum. can easily check out further information by placing my device over turning our devices to the corresponding direction. screen. Opinions can be shared easily.
the images.
05 Gymnastic Weight:
SoSoCo becomes a widget for exercises.
Topics will be changed according to the combination of participants. I can enjoy the discussion and make new friends. While I am watching TV at home, I have set in “exercise mode”
that the TV display will be dimming after certain period of time.
06 Magnifying Reader:
SoSoCo becomes a medium connecting reading
materials, large screen displays and the database
online.
I need to shake my SoSoCo to power up the screen again. This is a At home, I use my device as magnifying glass for reading. I can push the image onto the big multimedia screen . The
34
good exercise for me preventing from holding my position for too
long. I can do that while reading too.
computer will search and display additional information on the 35
screen. I can add interested topics and store into my “interest list”.

19. Sosoco hand held device User Interface
The device serves functions of telecommunication, GPS location based service The User interface is kept simple and direct for easy
and visual based networking. Special considerations had been given to physical usability of our target users. Amount of button is limited
as well as digital features for our target group of elderly. to its minimum, and their size and position are adjusted
based on the frequency of use.
Specific functions
are designed for
target users, they will
be represented by
large graphic icons
for easy reference.
Also the size of
the icons will be
determined by the
frequency of usage.
To cater fort specific
physical requirement
of users, important
buttons are created
with good tactile
Prototypes of hand sensation which
held device were include power
made for usability button, gripper and
test. Users tried the camera shutter.
the user interface
and grips and gave
suggests.
Touch screen surface
is built with subtle
wavy texture so that
users will feel more
secure in process of
interaction.
36 37

20. 06:: Project Reflection
In this 15 weeks collaboration project, the team had considered the following
areas. Through back and forth test and analysis, the end result was quite
something as what we planned. Overall speaking the outcomes were
satisfactory and it had been a good learning experience for all of us.
01 There were too many areas we wanted to work for the target needs. But we
tried our best to narrow them down to the most significant ones: Social Circle
and Physical Exercise.
02 We had identified the “meanings” of composable computing and how to make
best use of this conception. It was defined as communication between various
devices for extra extendable performance, not just for simple file transfer
running among devices simultaneously, but also how social network could be
built with that.
03 We studied and understood the definition of interaction model, systematic
diagram, business model, and the differentiation between their functions and
representations.
04 The team had stroked the balance between the real needs & desires of the
Elderly and the application of composable computing as a form of technology.
It was important to aware that technology was tools facilitating the
implementation of concept, but not the aim itself.
After thoughts
01 Insights generated from observation and interview were very useful for concept
development. Many of our ideas come from the discussion and activities with
the elderly and other informants. The result was far better than just creating
design in front of the computer.
02 Technology is only secondary to user requirement. It is important to connect our
design to NEEDS and DESIRES of the users. There were time of confusion when
we tried to apply “composable computing” for the sake of applying. It took us
some time to build up our nerves to step back from composable computing and
really focus on the actual need and behaviour of target users.
03 It is a pity that the final presentation had only gone to the stage of concept video,
and no workable prototype was produced. The scope of concept was too large
for the team to handle that involve dynamic database and advanced device
communication techniques. However it will be good if workable prototypes can
be produced for usability testing.
38 39

21. 07:: Special Thanks 08:: References
Project Supervisors Social Welfare Department, http://www.swd.gov.hk
Prof. XIN Xiang Yang
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, http://www.hkcss.org.hk/download/
Mr. Michael LAI
folder/el/el_eng.htm
Our Sponsor Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, http://www.censtatd.gov.hk
ASTRI Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company
Hong Kong Society for the Aged, www.sage.org.hk/
Limited
Hong Kong Mood Disorders Center, CUHK, http://www.hmdc.med.cuhk.edu.hk/
Organizations
Hong Kong Elderly Ministry, http://www.elderly-ministry.org/elder-study/
Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service 「浸信會愛群社會服務處」, Ms. YAN
university-sage.htm
http://bokss.org.hk
ShamShuiPo Baptist Church, Mr. CHOI Chi Keung Bloomberg Businessweek, http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/
Chinese YMCA Tin Shui Wai Baptist Chapel, Ms. CHOI wai Ying content/10_34/b4192039623670.htm
Informants Bridging IT Power, http://itrc.hkcss.org.hk/program
Ms. Christine POON, Dynamic Composable Computing (DCC) - intel, http://www.youtube.com/
Ms. Betty CHAU, watch?v=6pajtgsv2gk
Ms. CHAN Ying Ping,
Ms. TAM Ken Quan, http://blogs.intel.com/research/2008/03/dynamic_composable_computing_d.php
Mr. CHOW Kam Chi, How Pocket-Size Computers Will Finally Overcome Small Screens and Tiny
Mr. YUE Yai Chung, Keyboards, http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2009/04/23/45950/
Mr. FONG Hing, intel-makes-its-top-ten-technology-predictions-for-next-decade.htm
Ms. TSANG Ah Yuk,
Ms. WONG Pui Lang, Intel’s Top Ten Technology Predictions For Next Decade, http://www.devicedaily.
Ms. LAU Mei Mei, com/hardware/intels-top-ten-technology-predictions-for-next-decade.html
Ms. YUEN Yee Man, Platform Composition -- Intel Labs, http://www.youtube.com/
Mr. MA Kwok Keung, watch?v=YNW0qbQyFiE&NR=1
Ms. LI Suk Bing,
Mr. LAI Wah Siftables, http://alumni.media.mit.edu/~dmerrill/siftables.html
Word Lens, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2OfQdYrHRs&feature=youtu.be
JIVE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKCsKmcVINQ
Co-creation with and for the ageing population / stop-motion, http://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=NPb4uFr6y1s
40 41

22. 09:: Appendix
Questionnaire for elderly
MDes in Interaction Design 2 在您的日常生活中，例如對於溝 通 和 娛 樂 等，每天需要頻繁使用的三件産品是什麽？以及
香港理工大學設計系碩士學生--蔡志傑、程鵬、顧盼 你所了解的周圍朋友經常使用的三件産品？
長者退休人仕生活調查
目的
行
Composable
Computing
(電腦組合: 讓鄰近的具備計箅功能的電子設備組合成一台合成的新電腦).
我們是理工大學設計系碩士學生。 理工大學設計系碩士課程和香港應用科技研宅院公司現正合作進 3 對于退休人仕來說，目前在公共場所存在哪些不利于與他人交流的因素。
其中一部分的研究是長者退休人仕生活調查，並嘗試通過電腦組合技術為長者提供相應之互動設計
活動予退休人仕，意在改善長者的生活質數，社交關係及人際網絡。對象主要為年齡界乎60-65歲
之退休人士。本身可自我照顧，有活動能力及有一定的經濟能力。
是次訪談主要圍繞退休及長者服務範圍、內容及活動環境；退休人仕的心理及社會狀況，以及一般 4 你認爲什麽方式是最能夠讓退休人仕實現自我的？(個人價值/社會價值)
面對的問題：如時間的應用，自我形象，社會價值及群體生活等範疇。從而找出改善空間。
問卷題目（退休人仕組別）：
5 如果你參加集體活動，會選擇與熟人還是陌生人一同參與（結交新的朋友）
問題導入：先給長者看我們近期的觀察調研（照片）
一、問題引導
這些畫面是否也經常在您的身邊或者您的身上出現？你認爲出現這種情況的原因是什麽？ 6 如果你有戴耳機收聽的習慣，請問平時你是收聽何種節目？
（是覺得這樣很適合你自己的想法，還是認爲沒有一個很好的機會與別人溝通交流）
7 你希望通過什麽方式來結交新的朋友？ 面對面交談、通信、電話、上網、社交活動、朋
日程表。 友介紹、興趣小組、不打不相識、其他。
上午
下午
晚上
8 如果在結交新朋友的過程中您覺得尴尬或者沒有共同話題時，你會用什麽方式來處理？
對退休 有什麽期望？
9 在多大程度上，你願意在日常生活中接受使用電子産品？
最喜歡的活動是什麽？是否有需要自備工具？ 不願意/一般/很願意 爲什麽？
二、問題發掘 10 在您的心目中，你認爲做一件什麽樣的事情是最讓你感到驕傲的?
幫助別人/分享經驗/自我增值 爲什麽？
請問您家中還有什麼成員？是否同住？
42 43

23. Letter of Confidentiality Letter to social service organization
MDES in Interaction Design
香港理工大學設計系碩士學生--蔡志傑、程鵬、顧盼
長者退休人仕生活調查
2010 10 10
目的
我們是理工大學設計系碩士學生。 理工大學設計系碩士課程和香港應用科技研宅院公司現正合作
進行
Composable
Computing
(電腦組合: 讓鄰近的具備計箅功能的電子設備組合成一台合成的新電
腦). 其中一部分的研究是長者退休人仕生活調查，並嘗試通過電腦組合技術為長者提供相應之互動
設計活動予退休人仕，意在改善長者的生活質數，社交關係及人際網絡。對象主要為年齡界乎60-
65歲之退休人士。本身可自我照顧，有活動能力及有一定的經濟能力。 Composable
是次訪談主要圍繞退休及長者服務範圍、內容及活動環境；退休人仕的心理及社會狀況，以及一般 Computing ( : ).
面對的問題：如時間的應用，自我形象，社會價值及群體生活等範疇。從而找出改善空間。
保密協議
採訪方： 理工大學設計系碩士課程學生
受訪方：
2010 10 12 15 00
本採訪是針對長者退休人仕生活調查，並嘗試提供相應之互動設計活動予退休人
仕，意在改善長者的生活質數，社交關係及人際網絡。從而了解長者服務之現況
及發展空間。
96849374 ( )
訪談將主要圍繞退休及長者服務範圍、內容及活動環境；退休人仕的心理及社會
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采訪過程中一切訪問內容我们將會保密，並只作學術用途。承諾在結束後3個月內
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