IoT: The Global Neural Network

Chapter 1

Introduction

Interest of Things (IoT) is seen as a billion of smart, connected “things” more like a “universal global neural network” in the cloud, or on premise that will encompass every aspect of our lives, and its foundation is the central intelligence that is embedded within the device. IoT is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles and other objects, which comprises of an embedded system with actuators, sensors, and network connectivity that enable to collect and exchange data.

The IoT allows objects to be sensed and/or controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for more integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, and result in improved accuracy, efficiency and economic benefit. The IoT is a rapidly increasing and promising technology, which becomes more and present in our everyday lives. Furthermore, the technology is an instance of the more general class of cyber-physical systems, which also encompasses technologies such as smart grids, smart homes, and smart cities. The creativity of this new era has no limit, with amazing potential to improve our day-to-day lives. IoT has found its way into homecare by redefining the concept in a positive way. The biggest advantage that IoT offers for homecare is that the patients can be monitored in the comfort of their own home. Sensors can be installed on different type of apparatus and through the data that is gathered this allows the monitoring of the patients by either the carer or doctor so they can analyse the patient if there are any health concerns or issues. The critical concern when it comes to Internet of Things entails the coverage on the societal understanding, the impact IoT has in the medical, and health related purposes and the subsequent benefits. To most consumers, IoT is an avenue that carries with it the potential of delivering solutions, which are thought to dramatically improve health, energy efficiency, security and education among many other areas. To most enterprises, Internet of things is thought to underpin significant solutions said to enhance decision-making as well as productivity across the retail, manufacturing, health, and agriculture among other sectors. Dimitrov (2016) insists that a good background of Internet of things lies behind the machine-to-machine solutions, which is regarded as a subset of IoT. Key findings made by Dimitrov (2016) indicate that the definition of IoT is moving towards the wireless networks used in connecting devices while limiting direct human intervention. In the year 2013, most of the machine-to-machine solutions are said to have accounted for at least 2.8% of the entire global mobile connections, which amounts to 195 million. Such achievements have also attracted efforts towards development of control systems, wireless sensor networks, and automation among other areas.

While discussing the wide applications of IoT, it also good enough to focus on the impact it has in medicine and healthcare. Alqahtani (2018) who touched on the communication shares a significant preamble as well as sensing devices together with their respective software. This comes after taking into consideration the IoT solutions, which are taking different dimensions due to dynamics seen in different sectors. A snippet of such solutions has highly been shared by the IoT enabled healthcare research, which carries with it the most valuable implications as much as preventive care is concerned. Medical, and specifically IoTmore so healthcare , applications, in the face of IOT, foster enhancement of the quality of services while trying to reduce costs. Kulkarni and Sathe (2014) assert that in the face of through Internet of Things, it is possible to track most of the health parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure and even the blood glucose among many others. Most of the measurements can be attained in real time with the help of the wireless sensors. This has attracted the attention of developers who eye for better data processing technologies as well as advanced technologies, which never go without IoT application. Rghioui et al. (2014) believe that in the face of advancing technologies, the real focus leans in favour of the medical IoT, which is regarded as a system, which constitutes health-monitoring devicesThrough the use of IoT devices and applications have become a significant focus. (Rghioui et al. 2014). This means that most of the health parameters can remotely be recorded using a back-end system, which later analyses data while providing the most appropriate feedback to the professionals. Medical IoT system is regarded as a complicated set-up that carries with it varieties of systems as well as mechanisms that constitute smart sensors, cloud computing, network gateways, clinical information systems as well as big data among other components. Perhaps, the true impact IoT in medicine can be felt through the growth of enabling technologies, which help professional in making the right decisions. First, identification technology is part of IoT that allows the authorized node to generate data before assigning the unique identification number (UID) to every node the identification technology is significant in terms of creating relations across a number of identities in the relevant digital domain (Darshan and Anandakumar 2015). The second enabling technology under IoT in the medical and healthcare area includes the communication technologies. The IoT networks are said to carry heterogeneous transmission rates, frequencies, as well as standards needed in transferring data. With this, IoT has served as a regular means of long term and short-term communication via such technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ultra-wideband. Other technologies include location technology with the help of real time location systems, sensing technology as well as cloud computing. According to Darshan and Anandakumar (2015) argued that the attention of medical IoT system is given more to sensing technologies. Most of the sensing technologies are regarded as the on-the-ground devices known for performing a critical role of taking measurements, monitoring as well as collecting the required data. For instance, the invention of oximeter in the 1970s served as the major tool for diagnosis. It helped physicians in monitoring the blood oxygen saturation as well as the patient’s heart rate, which are considered as critical parameters across the emergency services. Further attention is equally given to remote e-health monitoring, which has the capacity of providing patients’ real time information (Alqahtani 2018). IoT essentially has marked a significant transformation in the clinical laboratory industry, health insurance industry, and healthcare as far as medical related fields are put into consideration. IoT, through these transformations, allows patients, doctors, and other parties such as guardians, parents, families and even nurses to be part of the entire system. This has led to development of significant databases, which are patient centred and largely involves substantial flexibility as regards the patients’ medical conditions. The emergence of better and newer types of the dynamic information, as a result of IoT, has seen significant application of the sensor-based solutions, which include mobile apps said to track the consumer behaviour, wearable, and biosensors among other connected health devices (Darshan and Anandakumar 2015). In addition, IoT serves as a critical component in handling chronic diseases as well as control and prevention of diseases. This is possible under the framework of remote monitoring realized through powerful wireless solutions.

Consideration of IoT in medicine largely comes with significant benefits considered by professionals. According to Coetzee and Eksteen (2011) assert that IoT is cost saving as a result of improved asset utilization as well as process efficiencies. Asset utilization comes with the essence of tracking the assets while making use of sensors. This helps in getting the real-time insights on the condition of assets, because of the increased visibility, and the supply chain. The same viewpoint can be applied to improved productivity and efficiencies as far as medicine and healthcare related services are concerned. With aging comes poor memory or poor eyesight, so there is a growing concern that number of patients who need constant help is on the rise. Timing is critical for some patients as this can have a knock-on effect on their health condition so taking a certain medication in order to prevent this is a must; therefore, developing and designing an automated pill dispenser will be the solution for monitoring loved ones.

Aim of the project

To create and design a smart pill dispenser prototype, intended to help people (users) that are under monitored medication and suffering from memory loss due to illness or stress. The smart pill dispenser is an Internet of Things device, which helps patients under such condition to control the tablet intake trough an Android application by proper guidance or by another person. The pill dispenser device is integrated with the Android application to receive notifications related with the pill intake and to send alerts. The aim of this study is to build a Smart Pill Dispenser to remind the user to take the medication and include a monitoring mechanism. In order to make a useful smart pill dispencer it had to be easily integrated with the recent sweeping smart technologies. While at the same time it had is fit for the elders and their limited knowledge and experience to implement the ease of use. Size and portability were also an important fact that we had to keep in mind. For it to be called smart, its connected through a wireless network, which enables it to be connected to the internet for future applications and integration, also its distinguished by the wide range of the Wi-Fi instead of a Bluetooth or any other communication protocols, and remove the need for wired connections. Through that same network it is connected to the mobile phone making use of a mobile application, this will allow the carer or doctor to administer dosages and timings accordingly without having to actually be present at the site also set alarms for notifications. Will also include a buzzer with a LED blinking red to warn that it is time for the medication intake. This model can aid in helping elders to take their medication at the right time with the right dosage

Motivation of developing the prototype

Technology plays a big advantage in people’s health life. Now they are capable to live longer than previous generation with the help of advanced technology. This fact makes it possible for the elderly population to grow but also as a consequence for increasing the population puts a pressure on the traditional healthcare systems, to provide quality care for a growing population for a long period of time. There are many advantages to grow old at home but the main concern is safety in not doing self-harm (Medgadget, 2019). The motivation for developing theThe proposedstudy and design of smart prototype pill device provides the opportunity to investigate approaches prototype device came from the desire to support health care solutions that support potential independence for suffering health issues that require frequent medicines. It is help people in need as it is scientifically proven that a lot of people experience memory lapses due to the fact that they are ill or engaged in a very stressful environment. Each person is affected differently, for some patients loss of memory often increases with the age, on others for the fact that life is to stressful for them (WebMD, 2019). Memory loss is often associated with first sign of Alzheimer; in the past loss of memory was the normal symptom that were associated with aging; however scientists believe that this is the first signs that can affect a person’s ability to carry out their daily activity (Alzheimer's Society, 2019). According to Dr. Armond B. Neel Jr. (2015) article, sometimes the side effects of medication could impact a patient’s memory especially by the antianxiety drugs (benzodiazepines). There are many factors when a patient has long-term illness and is in need of regular medication that can impact normal memory function so the intake of pills must be monitored. Forbes statistics shows that a large number of medical innovations and improvements that have changed the wellbeing of patients around the globe have been accomplished by placing Internet of Things devices into the patient’s life (Forbes.com, 2019). IoT technology has evolved rapidly making possible that more devices to be equipped with the ability to share date with other device. Over the last years, IoT devices such as pill dispenser had a big impact in the field of personal healthcare, which is the alternative for the traditional hospitalisation (Health and Care, 2019). Most people with chronic diseases must take a wide range of medication on a period of time in order to stabilise their condition. Keeping track of the right pill every day has become a daily challenge for the elderly people, making it difficult for them to remember which medication has to be taken at the correct time or confusing the medication by not being able to distinguish one from the other. This problem will be a big concern for the members of the family or for the carer. The proposed solution of a pill dispenser will be the key that can offer comfort and safety for both, the user and family and not ending up taking the wrong dosage or medicine that can cause several health problems.

Due to the fact that many elderly people, which suffer from Alzheimer’s or partial memory loss, choose to be cared at home not in hospital, pill dispenser can provide for the user and the carer the required assistance. According to the analytical research by FMI (Future Market Insights), which estimates that smart pill bottles will have significant growth till 2028 and many users will adopt such technology that can be a lifesaver for humanity. Dementia care is the key application areas for the smart pill dispensers, according to the research due to the fact that 80% of sales are accounted by dementia afflicted or aging patients (Dailychronicle24.com, 2019). On the market there has been few models of pill dispensers but many of them have issues such as they are too expensive or too complicated to be used by elderly people.

Objectives of the research

Objective 1

Review the existing literature and identify the challenges.

Objective 2

Understanding how IOT is used in this area to support potentially better health care by addressing effective medication management, through literature research.

Objective 3

To investigate user requirements for helping in design of the IOT pill dispenser and analyse the results and future potential.

Objective 4

Design and develop a user centred pill dispenser to help improve the care and wellbeing on people with long-term health issues.

Objective 5

Research and find solution for security improvement. Analyse the interaction between human and the device.

Process of the project

After critically review the existing pill dispenser devices, the information will be collected and based on that, a questionnaire will be made and presented to the target audience in order to collect data that will have as main objective to help in gathering the required features for the device. The outcome from the collected data will be interpreted and analysed to bring up the weaknesses in other devices and focuses on the improvements.

The prototype device will be connected with an Android app through Wi-Fi, which lets the device inform the user when:

The medication intake must be made.

The medication is missed.

The medication is already taken.

The device will have sensors that will emit voice and lights notification at a particular set of time for alerting the user that it is time to take the medication.

In addition, the device will be user friendly and offer feature that will be easy to understand.

Security implementation

Understanding the device lifecycle play an important role in security implementation because each layer must have specific security features.

Firmware checks trough-emended passwords for checking that no tempering has been made.

Use certificate-based encryption

Encryption the communication between the device to Internet and to app and from device to user. (HTTPs, AES, etc.).

API security

Develop secure application for the device.

Testing the prototype

The prototype will be tested in presence of other interviewers and the meeting will be video recorded.

Resources use for the project

To create the prototype device, I will use the following resources:

Northumbria online library and books.

Journals and articles

Android studio for developing the application for the prototype.

Arduino platform for programming the prototype

Access to "Things Speak" platform to allow the collection of the data from the sensors and be stored in a Cloud channel.

Constraints

Time can be a constrain, if the data can be gathered as soon as possible then the prototype can be built to meet the requirements. Allocating a time for each task and follow the schedule of the activities strictly should not be a constraint.

Chapter 2

Introduction

A literature review is always necessary in any research. It provides a platform on which the research can dig current knowledge, methodological contributions and theoretical underpinnings Based on this, the research considers secondary materials, which provide a background on significant studies that can be linked to the research topic. The review shall touch on the understanding of IoT, user requirements linked to IoT and applicable features associated to the pill dispenser.

Literature review

The study of Internet of Things attracts a significant research of IoT applications in healthcare and its evolution. According to Ibarra-Esquer et al. (2017) regarded IoT as being intelligent as well as an invisible network fabric that generate an embedded technology, which has the capacity of communicating either indirectly or directly via the internet. Ibarra- Internet of Things started to emerged in the 1990s but did not receive so much attention until the early 2000 supported by enterprise networks as well as consumer market demands Notably, internet connectivity is said to have been low at the time due to insignificant performance linked to network connection. Ibarra-Esquer et al. (2017) assert that in the 2000s, Internet connectivity came out as a norm for most of the enterprise applications. This means that at this time, Internet connectivity became common across most of the enterprises thereby marking the genesis of IoT. Chase (2013) noted that the world currently deploys around 5 billion smart connected things with forecasts attracting more than 50 billion connected devices before the year 2020. Chase (2013) indicates that the term IoT came in place in the year 1999 after Kelvin Ashton introduced it. While this looked impossible, the current technology trend reflects a significant growth of IoT after its implementation. Ibarra-Esquer et al. (2017) argues that implementation of IoT added a fresh way for the smart cities, emergencies, logistics, and security. Kulkarni and Sathe (2014) believe that history of IoT, especially in healthcare, must have started around 1974 with the term described as an embedded computer system. At the time, this would incorporate a large system whose key function was never data processing. The systems in healthcare were implemented with the help of such devices like single board computers and microcontrollers among others. However, the devices have significantly gained momentum since the affordable use of the prototyping platforms such as Lego Mindstorms, Arduino and Raspberry Pi among others. It was until early 1990s where Mark Weiser thought of ubiquitous computing, which was later thought to be pervasive (Bhatt et al. 2017). The fundamental backbone behind ubiquitous computing entails the advances made by the embedded computing technologies as well as ubiquitous networks on a significant scale of several computers. Ibarra-Esquer et al. (2017) insisted that this concept closely resembled the actual IoT in which Weiser indicated the significant challenge of designing the operating system, which could host software that can exploit essential capabilities of networks. This informs on the background of IoT and how it made its way into numerous applications witnessed today. Mainetti et al. (2011) indicated that by mid-1990s, sensor nodes began developing several technologies such as digital electronics and wireless communications. These are regarded as tiny modules, which have the capacity of sensing data, which could be transmitted over the network. A keen focus on sensor nodes and digital electronics shows the significant input towards understanding IoT. Significant numbers of the sensor nodes pave way for implementation of sensor networks which attracted applications in a number of areas. This further attracted significant platforms like localization, cloud technologies, nanotechnology and big data. Internet of things in healthcare started taking its current shape in the year 1999. The scope widened to attract website of alliances, development of magazines and IT related organizations. Further attention to IoT is captured by Istepanian et al. (2011) who focused on the establishment phase that ran from the year 2009 to 2011. During this phase, the concept began changing towards networks. This could mean that IoT could play a significant role of bridging the gap between the representation of information technology and physical world. An increased attention towards healthcare has further attracted advances in communications, microelectronics and information technology. The gap between the physical world and the virtual one continuously bridged by a number of technological developments. Developments in IoT refer to capabilities in identification, cooperation, communication, addressability, actuation, sensing and embedded information processing as well as novel user interfaces. Darwish et al. (2017) asserted that from the year 2012, IoT turned into an extension of the internet and the physical realm. This is remarkable extension is attached to smart objects as systems started bringing the user information in a secure way. According to Yuehong et al. (2016), the most important bit of the long history and evolution of IoT entail its application in healthcare. This has paved way for significant medical applications which include elderly care, chronic diseases, remote health monitoring and fitness programs The evolution of IoT healthcare services has attracted significant changes in healthcare in the 21st century, which counts as part of the IoT evolution since the dawn of the new millennium. Based on the research conducted by Yuehong et al. (2016), the IoT evolution is marked by healthcare services. Some of these services include the Ambient Assisted Living, which is a system that carries the potential of solving personal healthcare challenges. The Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems are believed to facilitate an ecosystem of computers, wireless networks, medical sensors and software applications linked to healthcare monitoring. Another service includes m-Health Things, which attract a new concept believed to match functionalities of IoT and m-health. The two platforms are thought to define the new as well as innovative future linked to 4G health applications as linked to technological advancement and growth of IoT applications. Other services include adverse drug reaction, wearable device access, semantic medical access, embedded gateway configuration and embedded context prediction among others.

Apparently, Baker et al. (2017) believed that IoT is essentially a fresh field in the world of healthcare. Some of the pioneering works have been directed towards development of healthcare IoT systems at the centre of healthcare evolution. Based on this, most of the IoT systems have been directed towards diabetes management and rehabilitation through the AAL. Notably, IoT has been at the centre of the design of many systems while ensuring secure communication. Some of these systems, according to Leppänen et al. (2016, include the wearable healthcare systems, which are essentially linked to the Internet of Things technology. In this system, for instance, designers would use pulse sensors, which are essential in reading vital sign upon detection of the wide range of the emergency conditions. Some of these conditions are not limited to vasovagal syncope, pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest. Again, the respiratory rate sensors, which are known for monitoring sensors. With more attention drawn towards IoT in healthcare and the smart pill dispenser prototype, studies aligned to user centred design approach and its importance in the design process. As mentioned before, IoT supports the design process of the systems, which still remains relevant for the smart pill dispenser. According to Chammas et al. (2015), the user centered design is regarded as philosophy as well as a process, which puts a person at the significant centre while focusing on cognitive factors said to come in play during the people’s interactions. The user centred approach has attracted more attention over the recent years. A number of methods as well as tools felt necessary within organizations for the purpose of comprehending the user and task requirements. The user centred approach attracts the idea of electronic interfaces made possible through software engineering. Chammas et al. (2015) also talks more about the interaction design in which the design triggers users to incorporate the relevant product, which can be a system or an app to the routine where necessary. While talking about the user centered design approach, most of the researchers would preferably talk of the interactive design which is known for handling problems while using available material. The interactive design also finds more categories, which includes the genius design, activity centered design, and user centred design and system design. In the 1980s, Chammas et al. (2015) noted that most of the computer scientists and designers behind human-computer interaction started on the practice question of designing the systems that used to be left for the engineers. However, in the subsequent years, software designers started a movement that concentrated more on the users than the computer. The movement could be referred to as the User-Centred Design, which is largely regarded as being based on ergonomics as well as usability knowledge that finds the needs of the users. The UCD approach attracts similar use of the procedure, the standard design guides as well as documenting for future projects. Notably, the ISO 14598 predecessors are known to have facilitated the significant translation of the UCD approach known to complementary to significant software development methods. The approach is believed to be used across the system life cycle while explaining activities of the design and clarifying the user-centred design principles.

A significant number of principles are thought to be considered in the course of developing any interactive system. First, it is required that the project should essentially be based on the significant understanding of the users, tasks and the environments. In relation to smart pill dispenser, the UCD approach demands that the design should take into consideration significant aspects linked to the project. The second principle entails users who need to be involved in the development process (Chammas et al. 2015). The user engagement, in this case, is regarded as a valuable resource attached to knowledge as far as the context of use and solutions are put into consideration. The third principle demands that the project need to be conducted as well as refined via assessments while focusing more on the users thereby minimizing risks of the system. Notably, the design needs to address the absolute user experience (Darshan and Anandakumar, 2015). The project team should also involve the multidisciplinary perspectives and skills. This means that team members need to emerge from separate areas with required views, experiences, and skills. A discussion on the user centred design approach aligned to Internet of Things is fronted by Leppänen et al. (2016). The author noted that already some efforts have been made to facilitate the coexistence of as well as interactions between Internet of Things and human beings. The ecosystem avails human-to-things interactions with two key objectives. First, the ecosystem aids at improving the significant quality of the user experience as well as enhancing the collaboration. Human and things are expected to initiate bidirectional interactions in smart spaces. The realization of the interaction between Internet of things and use-centred design approach, as seen in the SandS project, indicates tools meant to personalize the significant behaviour of the smart things (Terninko 2018). This is evident in the opportunistic IoT, which is known for making use of the human social behaviour as the mediator of communities with unconnected objects. Leppänen et al. (2016) further denotes that the interaction between IoT and user-centred design approach is more evident in social IoT known for designing machines, which can communicate with other machines on the basis of an autonomous ocial relationship. Notably, social web of things is known for reusing the web architectures for the purposes of integrating most of the heterogeneous devices and the social networks (Dailychronicle24.com, 2019). Besides, the NFC and RFID are regarded as powerful technology enablers known for connecting the digital and the physical worlds. This can intuitively connect most of the smart objects with human beings (Baker et al. 2017). Endsley (2016) believes that in designing the smart pill dispenser, it is necessary to have a user-centred design mind-set, which recognizes the essence of making use of applications and the design process. In this sense, Endsley (2016) seemingly asserts that the UCD approach, in the presence of IoT, prompts the designer to first focus on the customer’s needs. As it would be for the smart pill dispenser, the User Centered Design approach equally provides a common language for the stakeholders, designers as well as the end users. This is evident in the case of the Lunar Rover Mission carried out by NASA, which is said to have used the integrated user centred design. In addition, UCD approach attracts measurement as a significant part of the design process (Terninko 2018). This is because measurement creates a mechanism, which helps in understanding what is needed and what is to be improved. Apparently, the UCD approach would only attract simple sketches, which are simple to understand. A flow structure as well as navigation can highly support the main tasks. In addition, UCD approach is fundamental in attracting such technologies like IoT for the purposes of creating smart spaces. Niting Bange et al. proposed a basic pill dispenser that helps the patients to take the medication on time, by notifying them through an alarm clock. The device was made of an Arduino controller, GSM model, 4x4 matrix model keypad, RTC module, LCD display and an alarm system. There are also significant limitations for this system and the most critical that need to be mentioned is that the system does not automate the pill dispenser mechanism and it doesn’t keep record of the pills dosage (Ijarece.org, 2017). In the first case of the pill dispensers they had limitations such as the fact that is not automated, Sahil Upadhyay et al. comes up with a better version of a pill dispenser by making it automated. The automated pill dispenser is GSM based and has the purpose to assist the users with an age over 60, who tends to forget the periodical pill intakes. The notifications that are generated based on the consumption of the pills are sent towards family members or carrier trough an SMS. The model uses GSM communication to provide interaction between machine and human. The limitation of the system is that it has issues with the network when communicating between modules. In addition, the system is imitated in terms of portability (Pdfs.semanticscholar.org, 2019). Andrea Mondrag'on et al. proposed a better version of an automated pill dispenser. The device has the feature to attract the attention of the user when he/she misses the time to take the medicine. The system consists of 2 devices. One is the pill dispenser, which is a fixed device and the other one is a mobile device that can communicate with the fixed device in order to capture information and notify the user. The limitations of this system are that it does not provide evidence to monitor the pills intake and also is limited in terms of portability and weight.

IOT is the most emerging technology evolving day-by-day bringing new features, making individuals to research and try to bring new improvement versions of the device. Videet Parekh, Chris Pinto et al. developed a pill dispenser device called "Avion", which uses a combination of an LCD display and a mobile application that remind elderly people to take the pills at the right time. The device has different trays that allow to be filled with different tablet size. The limitations of the project are that the application cannot distinguish or know which pill the dispenser will provide for the user and also the application can't give a solution when the person forgets to take a pill (https://www.ijser.org, 2016). Many researchers and scientists have brought improvements for the proposed IoT device but also, they face limitations and challenges. Maheswar Rao Kinthada et al. proposed the latest system called "eMedicare" which has the purpose to act as a pill monitoring system. The device offers assistance for the patients with memory loss and also notifies the carrier if the pill is not consumed through messages or phone. The biggest limitation that faces such a system, which promises a lot, is that is limited in number of the pills that can be monitored at the same time (www.academia.edu , 2016). Based on the findings and previous developed projects, a survey table will be made to bring up the main issues, which will help me to focus on the improvements when the device will be developed.

Similarities and differences between the actual devices

Summary

The survey led to the conclusion that there are devices that can meet some requirements, but also every improvement version leads towards a new limitation. The automated pill dispenser is a new advancement that needs improvement and offer simple features for the elder user with the purpose of making them understand how to use it. Also, the features must meet user's memory loss requirements in notifying them through voice alarms, or mobile app when the intake of the pill must be made or when is missed. Another important improvement is related with the intake of too many pills. Therefore, the device should contain a feature that doesn’t allow the user to overdose. The literature review went ahead to touch on the history of IoT, features of IoT that can be helpful in the design of the new dispenser as well as the significance of the user centred design approach.

Chapter 3 Research Methodology

Introduction

This study aims to collect information relevant in the development of a Smart Pill Dispenser to remind the user to take the medication this also includes a monitoring mechanism. Kumar (2005) confirms that methodology is the effective adoption of science and scientific perspective in the various activities and endeavors that comprise the research work. In order to make a useful smart pillbox the proposed approach has to be easily integrated with the recent sweeping smart technologies in the field while at the same time be fit for the users with limited knowledge and experience to use. This chapter therefore highlights the various tools, techniques and processes involved in the primary study including: research strategy, research approach, philosophical underpinnings, population sampling, data collection processes, data analysis mechanisms as well as the ethical considerations.

Research Strategy

Research Design

The research design chosen and taken up by an individual is crucial in the clarification of the various techniques and tools used within the study, the design is also responsible for highlighting the structure that is effective for the research some of which include Cross sectional studies, longitudinal studies, case studies (Cresswell and Plano, 2011; Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). Three research designs exist with which researchers can choose from including: Qualitative research, quantitative research and mixed research studies. Qualitative research mostly involves the use of words and description of situations rather than their quantification in the compilation and investigation of data (Hammersley, 2013). This is contrary to the other research design, Quantitative Study, which according to Fallon (2016) mostly involves the collection and analysis of statistical and numerical data. In instances where the research involves both numerically quantifiable data and worded data the use of mixed methods approach, which combines techniques and processes for both data sets is a more effective research design. The study employs a User Centered design methodology which involves the use of focus groups and interviews for requirements gathering as well as performing the usability test and participatory design for design and evaluation. This methodology will likely produce data of all kinds as such the suitability of use of the mixed methods approach.

Research Philosophy

Yin (2013) premises that Philosophical awareness is crucial in being able to effectively guide the researcher through different challenges and risks that may be encountered in the process of the study as well as guide the relevant processes and strategies of the study. It is mainly concerned with how different things are viewed within the world which gives an inclusive idea on the data collection procedures and mechanisms that are effective for the study (Strauss and Corbin (1994) Scholars enumerate five distinct philosophies in the field of social sciences and business research, these include: postmodernism, critical realism, interpretivism, pragmatism, and positivism (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). The study will adopt the interpretivism philosophy however in its process. Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009) highlights that the focus of interpretivism is the generation of a new and complex comprehension of the topic in study. In addition, interpretive philo sophy is crucial when involved in the study of special entities as such making it effective for the study at hand.

Data Collection Methods

Research Methods

This section highlights the different methods that will be involved in the actual process of collecting data in the field. The study involves a user centered design methodology which according to Teoh (2006) is a project or research study approach that puts the intended users of the machine at the centre of its design and development so as to gather and evaluate relevant requirements and Implement design evaluation in order to produce a people-aware Internet of Things application to dispense pills automatically. Among the data collection mechanisms employed include focus groups and informal interviews as well as standard machine and software testing

Focus Groups and Informal Interviews

Given the requirements of the users to be part of the machine development as the User Centered Methodology indicates, the research employed the use of Focus groups which is a low cost, non statistical data collection mechanism used for requirements gathering (IDF, 2018). Different requirements are identified and designed through engaging the end user with regards to some of the difficulties they engage in while taking their pills. In this way, requirements for the IoT application are gathered. Informal interviews were conducted afterwards with the same users to establish any extenuating issues that perhaps may be inappropriate to say in public and also as a follow up for credibility and reliability of the information collected within the focus groups.

Testing

Participatory design testing was also be conducted at different stages of the application development with the aim of further enhancing the design process. Le (2017) points out that participatory design test are one of the essential user centered design methodology tests that is low cost non statistical and requires a low sample for testing. This is effective to ensure the design is in the right direction. The IoT application further went through a Usability testing which tests both statistical and non statistical components of the application to ensure its practical usability. This is effective design control and thinking that enhances the chances of efficiency and diversity in the machine design and setting.

Population of Study

According to Gobo (2011) a population is a collection of people, items, objects or subjects that have a relevant consequence or produce a significant impact on a specific element of the study in question and as such presents a unique and previously unaccounted perspective on the study. These are individuals with a specific attachment or approximate to the features or subjects of the study that are being researched (Morse and Richards, 2002). The study will use old and elderly patients who are the intended main users of the pill box as the potential population for the study and requirements gathering and testing.

Sampling

Blaikie (2010) premises that the awareness of a researcher as to the magnitude and the extent to which ones population goes and therefore the confines from which the sample for study can be selected is equally a key consideration in the decision of which sampling technique to be employed. Palinkas et al., (2015) further emphasizes that understanding the different logical explanations that baseline sampling approaches is crucial in being able to understand the distinction between qualitative and quantitative sampling techniques. Different elderly patients may have different problems when it comes to taking their pills or medication, purposive sampling therefore will be adopted in the identification of the sample of elderly patients based on different illnesses that they are diagnosed with and the different requirements they have when it comes to taking their pills or pill administration.

Ethical Considerations

Moral frameworks and considerations are critical in this study especially given the use of humans as the major information sources (Mason, 2010). The questioned users will be informed of the purpose of the project and they will be aware of the benefits and risk of participating. The participants will have the legal age and they will never be exposed to risks such as dignity and emotional distress. All their data will be confidential, and no user will be named in the project. Biggam (2015) and Oliver (2010) point out that the study should be able to occur whilst respect to human dignity, autonomy, privacy and integrity of the participants is observed at all times. Further, the sensitivity of the study topic emphasizes observation of ethical considerations given the users are elderly and ill.

Chapter 4 Survey design

Ethical considerations

The questioned users will be informed of the purpose of the project and they will be aware of the benefits and risk of participating. The participants will have the legal age and they will never be exposed to risks such as dignity and emotional distress. All their data will be confidential, and no user will be named in the project. Note: Northumbria online tool will be used in creation of the questionnaire. The tool has disclaimers, which protect the user data and gain their consent by assuring anonymity.

Chapter 5 Architecture of the prototype

Design Consideration

Several issues are taken into considerations before starting the design process. Each compartment should house pills and capsules. Software must be reliable and enable recording current medication and future medication dispensation. An LED display is to be provided to indicate the working condition and to provide pertinent instructions. Provision for visual and audio notifications is to be provided. Proper storage is to be ensured for quality of medicine.

Hardware concept design

Speaker: The Speaker is provided to give a beep sound to warn the patient regarding the time to take the tablet.

Led: The Light emitting diode display will be a simple red light; it provides information such as power on, flashing as he speaker beeps to have the attention of the user and emergency indication. It also provides pre-selected precautions to the patient concerning the medications being currently dispensed.

Sensors such as:

Software concept design

Android: is the platform in which the application will be developed with the purpose of allowing user to control the pill dispenser. Also, the app will inform the user about the pill intake that must be taken at a time.

Things Speak: Is the analytics platform that will allow the doctor to see the patient’s live data(instant), which are streamed in the cloud and to closely keep it under the radar being able to predict or stop a harmful situation.

Flow Diagram

Comparation between 3 soluttions according to research.

Main usability features.

OFMC checker.

OFMC is a model checker, that combines two ideas for analyzing security protocols based on lazy, demand-driven search. The first is the use of lazy data types as a simple way of building efficient on-the-fly model checkers for protocols with very large, or even infinite, state spaces. The second is the integration of symbolic techniques and optimizations for modeling a lazy Dolev–Yao intruder whose actions are generated in a demand-driven way(Basin, Mödersheim and Viganò, 2019).

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