Mid-Fi Prototype

InTouch

For our medium-fidelity prototype, we made the large shift from a cup to a smart phone. While we liked the idea of a humble cup, we decided that a phone would be more practical. A phone has all we need to make our concept a reality. A smart phone can notify the user via vibrations and sound, has a screen, and is always connected to a network. We chose to integrate the health sensing element of our design into a case that will fit onto the phone which would sense vital signs and display the information on the screen.

We are also listening to feedback from our lab that concerned privacy issues. The user probably doesn't want their emotions being broadcast every time they touch our design, so we decided to take what is familiar and make it better: a Calendar.

We often know the general schedule of our family to a small extent; suppose a mother has to work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and her child has to attend classes from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Does this mean that it is impossible for these to talk during the entire day? No. But we often treat it that way. Our calendar part of the application allows family members to enter their schedules which will then be analyzed for mutual free times. These free times will be able to be seen easily and the user may also choose to receive notifications for free times. The users will be able to take advantage of previously unused spaces in schedules to connect with other family members.  

Users will have their own code which they can share with other family members. After adding other members, they will be able to compare schedules. Parents will also be able to monitor their child’s schedule by looking at the app. While it is possible people other than family members to share calendars, we are focusing solely on families. Our device may be sold in family packs. 

Privacy 
From our lab and participatory workshop feedback, some had concerns about privacy. Therefore, for calendar events, we allow users to set different categories. For example, an event under a custom 'personal' category may be created whose details are not visible to other family members. By adding a privacy aspect to our application, the user will not feel the need to keep a separate calendar to mark down their events which will allow our app to accurately find mutual free times in family member's schedules.