4.
5 APPLICATION TO SPECIFIC SCENARIOS: HOME
AND LEISURE
4.5.1 HOMES AND HOME NETWORKS
WHAT ARE SMART HOMES?
In smart homes the devices in your household are
connected to each other over networks. The
devices can communicate with each other and with
the homes' inhabitants. The user is able to control
various household devices, such as the window
shutters, lighting and heating system, via a remote-
controlled device or a computer. Some smart
homes may even control these aspects
automatically, such as light sensors which detect
the amount of light entering the room and switch
on the lights accordingly. Not only can smart homes
increase the convenience for their inhabitants,
they also may offer help for disabled people who
are not capable of operating such household
devices on their own. Smart homes may also
increase security. Security systems intelligently
detect intruders and respond accordingly with an
alarm.
The possible benefits of smart homes may include:
Convenience: Smart homes may increase the
convenience for the user. For example, the coffee
machine will turn itself on automatically each
morning; parents can program videos the children
are allowed to watch at specific times; and home
entertainment centres are able to play specified
music and videos on all television screens in the
home.
Security: Smart security systems grant access to the
home only to authorized people.
Energy saving: Intelligent heating systems and light
control' can help reduce energy costs.
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS?
Make a list of all the electrical and electronic
equipment that can be found in your home, such as
the refrigerator, the coffee machine and toaster. Of
course, you must not forget the compute¡ the
television set, radios and lighting. Some homes
may also have camera systems installed and doors
that open electronically. All of these devices use
electricity and can be connected to each other, as
well as to a central server located in the house. The
home's inhabitants can then control these devices
either online or with the help of a hand-held
remote control device.
Did you forget to turn off the oven before you left
the house? Simply log into the system and check via
the Internet. It is also possible for the devices to
switch themselves on and off depending on the
current environmental conditions. For example,
the heating system will turn itself on automatically
only if there is someone in the house and if the
room temperature drops below a specified level.
In the future, smart homes may see an additional
boost - the “Internet of things” This is a wireless
network over which household objects can
communicate, where each object has an identifying
RFID chip. For example, a flower pot may contain a
chip that continually measures its soil's moisture.
When the moisture drops below a specified level,
the chip will send a signal to a central server to
remind the home's inhabitants to water the plant.
Even humans can be tagged with a chip located
inside their clothing or shoes. The home is then
able to know where the inhabitants are located
inside the home and can automatically control the
home's lighting, heating or air conditioning
accordingly.
Another example is intelligent refrigerators. These
refrigerators can track the food that it contains.
Every object that is placed into the refrigerator is
tagged with an invisible chip. The refrigerator
tracks these object and displays a list of food items
on the refrigerator door. The refrigerator will also
warn the user if food has been stored in the
refrigerator for too long and may have become
spoiled.
WHAT IS UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING?
One objective is to integrate technology into
everyday objects in such a way that the technology
itself is hidden from users. Ubiquitous computing
(also known as pervasive computing or everywhere
computing) incorporates small, inexpensive
devices into everyday objects. Smart homes should
not look like places out of science fiction movies.
Rather, they should use intuitive and nature
interfaces.
Let's consider the previous example of the flower
pot. One A could design a flower pot with a digital
display indicating the soil's moisture level. In this
case, the output device (the LCD display) would
spoil the design of the pot and look very
“technical”. Ubiquitous computing tries to
eliminate unnatural interfaces by replacing them
with more natural ones. For example, the flower
pot could play a simple melody each time the user
approaches the flower pot to remind them that the
plant needs watering.
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGE OF SMART
HOMES?
Possible disadvantage of smart homes include:
Electronic waste: The rapid progress of hardware
and software technology may require users to
periodically replace the components of a smart
home, resulting in an accumulation of electronic
waste. Replaced batteries may also accumulate in
large quantities and need to be recycled.
Electrosmog: The devices connected to a home
network communicate using wireless technology.
This increases electrosmog.
Privacy: The hone server controlling the devices of
the smart home can reveal much about the
inhabitants' lifestyle. The server may store data on
the products bought (i.e. data from the smart
refrigerator), the times at which the inhabitants
entered and left the house, security)' camera
recordings, and entertainment preferences from
the home media station. The home is one of the
most intimate personal places that humans have. If
the server's security is compromised, then this
private place may be opened to the public.
Security: In the past, criminals had to use brute
force techniques to enter a house. Now it may be
possible to trick electronically controlled security
devices by cracking a code. Even fingerprint
scanners are not totally secure and can be fooled
by placing a layer of artificial skin with someone
else’s fingerprint over one's owns thumbs.
Technical failure: The more complex the devices,
the higher the chance of technical failure.
Stress: In order to keep the smart home
functioning, the user must maintain and manage
the devices. An intelligent coffee machine will be
able to automatically make coffee for breakfast
only if it contains sufficient water and coffee. These
things have to be prepared in advance. It may also
be necessary to program the machine. Devices that
are not connected to an electrical power source
need to be supplied with batteries, which must be
recharged periodically. Intelligent machines may
therefore not always make life easier for the
person.
TOK STIMULUS: HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE?
Do smart homes really reduce the everyday
workload of its inhabitants or does technology
because more stress? The display screen on the
refrigerator may remind the inhabitant that certain
food products need to be replaced. Is this really
supporting the person or is this a cause of
unnecessary stress? Why is it that at a time when
technology assists us in accomplishing everyday
tasks, more and more people complain of having
'not enough time’?
TOK stimulus: Predicting the future of technology?
Predicting the future of technological progress can
be quite difficult. Sixty years ago, visionaries
predicted that by the year 2000 humanoid
household robots would assist women in doing
everyday household work such as washing and
cooking. Sixty years later we can see that
technological developments have not kept up with
such expectations. The visionaries seemed to have
overlooked the social changes that have occurred
in many countries. Fixed gender roles and
responsibilities, such as women staying at home
and taking care of domestic duties while men are
the breadwinners, are much less rigid in some of
today’s societies. Furthermore, the enormous
impact of the Internet and mobile technology
(which has certainly shaped our everyday life more
than any household robot would have) was not
foreseen at all.
How did the visionaries get it so wrong? In many
cases, when people predict future developments,
they are basing their prediction on current
technology. As the I 950s was the period of the
start of the space race between the super powers
USA and the then USSR, this may have contributed
to the 'Golden Age of Science Fiction', during which
robots started to play a significant role.
HOW DOES THE FUTURE OF THE HOME LOOK?
Will increased miniaturization and the Internet of
Things really become as popular as expected? Or
will another new, but yet un-known, technology
influence our everyday life more than we can
imagine now?
HOW CON HOME NETWORKS CONTROL LIGHTING?
Intelligent homes may help save money by
intelligently controlling the home's lighting system
and help to increase security.
Raising and lowering of shutters: Light sensors can
assess the amount of light entering the rooms of
the house. The lights are switched on when the
amount of light drops below a specified level, with
the lights being switched on only in those rooms
that are currently occupied. In addition, advanced
systems may use external moving mirrors that
reflect sunlight through the house's windows.
These mirrors are adjusted based on the position of
the Sun.
Control of lights for security: The lights of the home
can be controlled over the network, giving the
impression that the home is occupied even when
the inhabitants are away, hopefully deterring
burglars. Although a simple timer switch can be
used to turn the lights on and off, more flexibility
can be obtained by manually controlling the
lighting over a network. The home owner may also
use a camera system to check that the house is in
order
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE SECURITY MECHANISMS?
Homes and offices can be equipped to improve
security. As described below, this can be achieved
in several ways.
Chip card access: A chip card can be used to grant
access to different parts of the building. The card
contains an RFID chip, which communicates
wirelessly with a chip card reader. The user holds
que chip card next to the reader to open the door
Monitoring of movement: The chip card readers
are connected to a central server. This server
records which chip card was used to open the
doors, making it possible to track people's
movements inside the building. This can be
important particularly in offices in which valuable
or confidential material is stored. If some of the
material is stolen, then it is easier to track down
who was in a particular room and when.
Fingerprint scanning door handles: These are also
known as biometric door lock. A fingerprint
scanner on the door handle (or beside the door)
reads the individual's fingerprint. If the fingerprint
matches the fingerprint stored in the database,
then the door will open. Nevertheless, fingerprint
scanners can be easily tricked using artificial skin
placed on top of one's thumbs; hence, this system
may not be as secure as previously thought.
Video monitoring: Video cameras can be
connected to the central server of a smart home,
making it possible to monitor and control the video
cameras over the Internet. Such a system allows a
holidaying home owner to check regularly that
everything is in order at home.
FOR DICCUSION
If not properly designed a smart home can
compromise the privacy of its inhabitants and
visitor. What measures would you employ to
ensure that privacy is maintained?
WHAT ARE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES?
Home entertainment centres (or media centres)
are computer systems or software solutions that
are designed to store and play music and videos. It
is also possible to store and display digital
photographs. The media centre is connected to the
TV screen, allowing the user to select and play
music and video files by operating a remote
control. Some notebook computers are designed
with the purpose of a media centre in mind. These
systems use media centre software that runs on a
standard operating system. Depending on the
model and brand, entertainment centres may
contain any of the following features.
Playing and burning CD-ROMs and DVDs: The
media stored on the hard disk can be burned on a
CD-ROM or DVD for playback on audio CD
recorders or DVD players. Many DVDs and CD-
ROMS are copy protected, meaning that discs
cannot be copied to the hard disk of the media
centre and can only be played directly from the
optical drive.
Card readers: This makes it possible to view digital
images and videos stored on a memory card.
Support for a large number of media formats: The
entertainment centres operating system can
handle a wide range of different media file formats,
increasing the convenience for users.
Network connectivity: Internet connectivity makes
it possible to stream audio and video content.
Remote controls: Instead of a keyboard and mouse,
the user can operate the media centre using an
infrared remote control'
Docking stations for audio players: Some
entertainment centres may contain a docking
station for portable MP3 audio players. This
feature makes it possible to play media content
stored on these players.
Large hard disk for storage: Media files are stored
on an integrated hard disk. The hard disk is also
used for recording radio and TV shows.
Elegant design: As entertainment centres should fit
in well with the living room's design, they should be
designed in an appropriate and functional manner.
Entertainment centres are connected directly to
the TV screen, which serves as an interface.
Simple to use operating systems: Media centres
often use operating systems that are limited to the
most basic functionality of selecting and playing of
media files, thus simplifying the media centre’s use.
Ability to ¡record radio and TV shows: An
integrated TV and radio receiver allows users to
record television and radio programmes.
(Imagen)
User interface of entertainment centres are simple
and easy to use.
SOCIAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO SMART
HOMES
Reliability and integrity
. What are some reliability issues associated with
home networks and smart homes? What are the
possible consequences should such systems fail?
. When it comes to identifying its inhabitants, how
reliable is a home security system's biometric
system?
Security
Although some security systems can improve the
safety of the home's inhabitants, how can such
systems also make them more vulnerable?
Intellectual property
Does the wide use of home entertainment centres
lead to a rise in the amount of downloads over file-
sharing sites?
The digital divide and equality of access
How can home networks assist people with
disabilities and improve their accessibility and
independence around the home?
People and machines
To what extent can home security systems give its
inhabitants a false sense of security?
Is increased use of technology in the home a
cause for additional stress?
Do lT-based security systems (e.g. biometrics,
video monitoring systems etc.) automatically
improve the home's security?
Digital citizen ship
Home networks and intelligent homes may lead to
an increase in e-waste.
4.5.2 DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT
WHAT ARE SPECIAL EFFECTS IN FILMS?
The use of computers in the film industry is
nothing new Already in 1977 computers were used
to control the camera systems when filming the
space battles of the Star Wars series, as controlling
the cameras by hand would have taken too long
and would not have resulted in the desired effects.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, computers were
increasingly used to replace actors, and here we
are not simply talking about computer animated
films or cartoons. In the 1991 film Terminator 2, the
face of a real actor was placed on top of a
computer-animated model of a robot made of
liquid metal. This robot could change shape, with
astonishing and surprisingly real results - a
breakthrough in special effects. But, of course, this
was all fantasy and the audience was clearly aware
that robots made of liquid metal do not exist in real
life. The computer graphics background was simply
too obvious to cause any real concern.
The demarcation between reality and special
effects became blurred in the 1994 film Forrest
Gump, starring Tom Hanks. Although this film also
used computer-based special effects, it did so in a
substantially more subtle way. The producers of
the film used real historical film footage and
digitized them. They then copied the modern actor
into the old film, replacing the original people of
the film. In the final product, viewers could see
Forrest Gump (i.e. Torn Hanks) shake hands with
US President Lyndon Johnson, who died in 1973.
The film Forrest Gump was proof that, yes, it is
possible to modify and change historical
documents, even films, in such a way that it is very
difficult to detect the forgery. Furthermore, closely
watch the first few minutes of the film. You will see
a fluffy bird's feather dancing in the wind,
accompanied by nice piano music. I think you have
already guessed that the feather is not real; it was
designed on the computer and is computer
animated.
Today, people must ask themselves how much of a
historical photograph or film is actually original and
how much of it has been modified.
WHAT ARE DIGITAL ACTORS?
Advancements in computer graphics technology
also make it possible to now create films in which
the actors are entirely computer generated. The
animated 2001 science fiction movie Final Fantasy
was one of the first productions in which digital
actors replaced real humans in a surprisingly
realistic manner.
The movement of digital actors still poses a
challenge and it may be necessary to digitize the
movements of real people in order to animate the
digital actors. Furthermore, it is necessary to use
the voice of real actors for synchronization
WHAT IS AUDIENCE MONITORING?
Broadcasting corporations earn money by airing
advertisements between shows. The more people
that watch a particular television show, the higher
the value-of the advertisement slot since, after all,
more people will be watching the advertisement.
Therefore, it is in the interest of the broadcasting
corporation to determine how many people
actually watch a particular television programme.
Audience-monitoring systems are hardware
devices that are connected to the television set.
The device records the channels watched by users
and for how long. These devices provide essential
statistics to the broadcasting corporations about
viewers’ behaviour.
WHAT IS DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT?
The term digital entertainment is a blanket term
that includes all forms of entertainment that can be
accessed over an IT system (such as a computer).
The various forms are listed below.
Gaming: This includes playing computer games
either alone or interactively with other people over
network.
Online gambling: Users can play against other
people over Web services, for money. Online
gambling sites may be blocked by some countries.
In order to participate, the user must be in
possession of a credit card, which also is a means
of verifying the user’s age.
Social networking: People form interest groups
around specific topics and communicate with each
other.
Virtual worlds: These are 3D computer-generated
worlds in which players can interact with other
people. Virtual worlds can be seen as a form of
social networking.
Print (text) media: This includes electronic books
(i.e. e-books) or material published on the Web.
Music and podcasts: The user downloads and
listens to music, news and MP3 files that are
produced specifically for certain interest groups.
There is much legal and free material available on
the Web.
Movies: This includes rented or bought DVDs that
can be watched. Even when a compute¡ is not used
to watch a DVD, it still counts as digital
entertainment.
(Online) television: The user views pre-recorded TV
shows on demand. The show is started whenever
the user wishes to view the programme.
HOW IS DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT DIFFERENT
FROM LIVE ENTERTAINMENT?
Digital entertainment is different from live
entertainment in the following ways.
It is on demand: The user decides independently
when to consume the entertainment. Live
entertainment (such as the cinema) is bound to a
certain schedule.
Higher degree of interactivity: The user has more
freedom when it comes to interrupting the
performance and continuing to watch it when they
wish.
Increased choice: The user is not bound to the
schedule provided by the broadcasting corporation
or theatre.
Dependence on digital technology: Digital
entertainment requires the use of IT equipment
and software.
FOR DISUSSION
Despite the advantage of digital entertainment,
why do many people still watch live
entertainment? What does live entertainment
offer that digital entertainment doesn’t?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF DIGITAL
ENTERTAINMENT?
The content of digital entertainment is frequently
criticized for having content that is inappropriate or
dangerous for children and others. This includes
violent computer games with a high degree of
realism, racist and sexist material, and
pornographic material viewable directly over the
internet and as a component of computer games.
It is necessary to control the access of this type of
content to children and other groups. Pornography
is easily accessible over the Internet and it is
difficult to check the age of the users accessing
these pages. The laws regulating pornography are
different for each country. Material published on a
web server in one country may not be legal in
another country. In order to control this type of
material, it is necessary to make worldwide laws,
which is unrealistic.
Some computer games, such as the so-called 'ego
shooters', may possess highly violent content.
Sound and graphics further increases the realism of
these games. The same technology that game
players use nowadays is also used by the military to
train soldiers for combat. People who spend many
hours playing these games train themselves to
shoot at anything that moves so that shooting
starts to become a reflex-like activity - shoot first,
think later
TOK STIMULUS: CAN COMPUTES BE CREATIVE?
Programmers have develops software that enable
computers to compose music and paint paintings.
At the push of a button, the computer will draw a
new picture or compose a new song. Each song or
drawing is completely unique and has never existed
before. The software programmer has
programmed only general guidelines regarding
musical harmony and picture composition. Certain
notes and colours simply don't go together.
Although the limits of what is considered “good
art” are predetermined, the actual artwork it-self is
generated by the computer. The computer will
then generate random melodies and images based
on these guidelines, with each work different from
the ones before - each piece is unique.
If each picture or music piece is unique, can a
computer be considered creative?
Can computer-generated pieces be considered art
in the first place or is art (by definition) limited to
humans?
A computer draws random lines on the screen. Is
this art? A human artist draws random lines on the
canvas. Is this art? Visit the site
http://www.random-art.org/ to generate some
computer art. To what extent can a computer be
considered creative?
Does the painting (made by a human or by a
computer) have to look nice to be considered art?
WHAT ARE SOME COMPUTER GAME PLATFORMS?
Computer games are now included on many
consumer products, having been made possible by
the comparatively high computation power of
these devices.
Personal compute¡: Games have been offered for
personal computers since their inception. Many
early computers did not possess strong graphics
capabilities. Text adventure games in which the
use¡ reads a story and then controls the character's
actions by typing commands were popular during
the early days of computing.
Hand-held video game systems: These devices
began to emerge in the 1980s. They had LCD
screens and were powered by a small battery.
More recent hand-held video game systems
include colour display and substantially more
complex graphics.
Video game console: These are dedicated
computers designed for gaming. Sometimes the
internal electronics are based on a personal
computer but with powerful graphics processing
capability.
Cellular telephones/mobile phones: The display of
the mobile phone may be large enough for simple
computer games. Smart phones possess a larger
display and are therefore able to show graphics of
a higher resolution and with more realism.
GPS navigation systems: Some GPS navigation
systems include an MP3 music player and simple
computer games.
Calculators: Some users are able to program (or
download) simple games into their graphics
calculator.
Social and ethical issues related to digital
entertainment
Reliability and integrity.
Digital processing of films and photographs can be
abused to create a false representation of reality.
Should videos and photographs still be allowed as
valid evidence in court trials?
Intellectual property.
The downloading and distribution of digital media
for which a person is n o t authorized is a violation
of intellectual property rights. In what ways has
digital entertainment made the (illegal) exchange
of media files simpler?
The digital divide and equality of access.
Computer users in developing countries often can’t
afford the high prices of digital music, films and
other content. Does this justify the (illegal)
download and distribution of digital content in
these countries?
People and machines.
What are the consequences of actors being
replaced by their digital counterparts?