Design Patterns
Design Patterns
Design patterns are commonly used for solving recurring problems. Team design patterns denote solutions to complex interactions between groups of actors. The interaction design patterns, in our project, denote interactions between the robot and human actors. By using these reusable design patterns complex communication between all actors is facilitated.
TDPs
Our system makes use of three TDPs which apply to three separate using scenes, namely the activity reminder, the quiz, and the change of settings.
TDP for activity reminder
Our first design pattern solves the problem of 4 actors working together in order for the patient to perform their necessary daily activities. Due to loss of memory, the patient might have difficulties communicating as dementia might impair their communication skills. In this situation, using music as a substitute for speech can save the effort that PwD need to take. We formalize this TDP with OB01: Help delay memory loss for patient's daily tasks and OB05: Keep the caregiver updated with the patient's condition.
The caregiver would first set up the agenda concerning the right time, the corresponding tasks, and the music that is sent to the robot. The robot then plays the music to remind the patient of certain activities that should be performed currently. After the patient has executed the tasks, he/she will need to confirm to the robot that the task has been finished. The robot will then send the health condition data of the patient to the caregiver.
When the confirmation of the patient is not received by the robot, the robot will send a health notification to the caregiver and family members when the related activity is of high priority. This then enables the family members or the caregiver to contact the patient directly and help him/her physically if needed. Moreover, the robot will repeat playing the music at a specific time interval depending on the settings, to again remind the patient of performing the activity.
This design pattern solves multiple problems that occur during group communication. To stay functional during the decline of the patient's mental health, music is used as communication means between the patient and the robot. The robot does not need to be able to comprehend complex speech communication. Besides, through the data transmitted from the robot, the caregiver can track the latest progress in controlling the disease.
TDP for quiz
The TDP quiz team design pattern solves the problem of using speech communication between robot and patient to create or reinforce the connection between specific music and daily tasks. The main objective that the design pattern solves is OB04: help reinforce the connection between specific music and daily tasks with quizzes.
The initiation of the quizzes can either be achieved through the patient asking the robot or the robot asking the patient. In the former situation, the robot would always say yes to the request while the patient can choose to reject the quiz in the latter situation. After the robot starts the quiz, the patient will be asked to answer several questions on pairs of music and corresponding tasks. If the patient gives the correct answer, the robot will continue the quiz. If wrong answers are given, the robot will inform the patient of the correct answers.
This design pattern solves the initial problem by letting the patient think about the connections and repeating the task and music combinations. It also prevents patients from learning wrong associations by correcting them. The process of quiz initiation prevents patients from having to play the quiz while not wanting to, which reduces the annoyance with the robot and music. The robot is able to initiate the quiz and make sure that the patient is reminded of the existence and that the quiz is played periodically.
TDP for changing settings
This TDP is formalized with OB01: to help delay memory loss for the patient's daily tasks. When the patient becomes unsatisfied with the settings of the robot or agenda, he/she can ask the caregiver to do some adjustments, such as highering the volume, changing the music, etc. If the caregiver finds the requirement reasonable, proper changes will be done to the robot. The caregiver can also choose to refuse the request as frequent changes to the agenda would cause some obfuscation and delay in controlling dementia.
This design pattern makes it possible for the patient to find a treatment solution that is tailor-made for himself/herself with the professional guidance of the caregiver.
Interaction Design Patterns
To enable communication between the robot and the other actors we need specific design patterns which enable effective communication. The communication between the robot and loved ones is a simple text message notifying the not performing of activities and therefore does not need a design pattern.
Patient and Robot
The person with dementia and the robot need effective and joyful communication in order to complete the other objectives. In order to achieve this, the 2 actors can communicate with different methods in different situations.
The robot can communicate with the patient by playing a song that is associated with a task. The patient can then respond by asking the robot about the task or by notifying the robot of the completion of the task by performing a predefined hand gesture. To improve the connection between the robot and the patient it is also possible to have small talk between the two actors.
These communication methods enable effective communication between the patient and robot while still being not tedious. The communication that is necessary for reminding the patient and then the confirmation consists of music and a simple gesture which enables this critical part of communication to be robust against the effects of dementia and possibly verbal communication loss.
Caregiver and Robot
The caregiver needs to denote the activities of the patient on an easy-to-manage platform, without knowledge of programming. The robot needs to be able to communicate the health status of the patient with a clear visualization.
We use an application on the side of the caregiver to enable the caregiver to create and manage the agenda of the patient and to display the health status collected by the robot.
This enables the caregiver to clearly and effectively manage the robot, preventing the caregiver from making mistakes in the agenda, spending too much time managing the robot, and missing crucial health information.