SenseCam Aids Patients with Memory Problems

Ponca City, We Love You writes "A small digital camera developed by Microsoft Research could boost memory in people with dementia and possibly mild forms of Alzheimer's disease. SenseCam is worn around the neck and automatically takes a wide-angle, low-resolution photograph every 30 seconds. It contains an accelerometer to stabilize the image and reduce blurriness, and it can be configured to take pictures in response to changes in movement, temperature, or lighting. An entire day's events can be captured and downloaded onto a PC where software converts the pictures into a short movie displaying the images at up to 10 frames per second, to allow patients to view a day's events in a few minutes to jolt their memory. "Not only does SenseCam allow people to recall memories while they are looking at the images, which in itself is wonderful, but after an initial period of consolidation, it appears to lead to long-term retention of memories over many months, without the need to view the images repeatedly," says neuropsychologist Emma Berry."

Uh, I forgot where I put the computer...

[tjstork]

The whole "upload the day to the PC" part seems a bit contrived. Why can't you just watch this life movie wherever you are?

Sure, but...

[MykeBNY]

That's great and all, that technology is being used to help people.

But I have to wonder, now, how people with cameras around their necks will be treated. Will they be arrested as terrorists for taking pictures of busy streets and important bridges? Will they be barred from entering many businesses who have a "no pictures" policy? If they witness a crime, will they be hassled to give up their helpful device for evidence? Or worse yet, be a higher-risk target for the bad guys wanting to make sure that evidence is destroyed?

Furthermore, where does their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness end and my right to privacy begin? I don't like being monitored without my knowledge/permission.

On the other hand, integrate a GPS and a voluntary program, and they could earn extra income from Google Streets for getting updated street-level pictures of cities... ;)

Is it legal in Japan?

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

In many countries, like Japan, there is a law that says whenever a picture is taken using a digital camera a loud and distinct click must be sounded. This was because people were snapping surreptitious pictures of other people of a particular gender from very peculiar angles and there was a public outcry. So should this camera on the lanyard sound click every 30 seconds?

Why the extra step?

[roc97007]

I'm not sure why the extra step of downloading to a PC. It wouldn't be hard to put a screen on the other side of the device, like most digital snapshot cameras currently have, and view the movie there. Sure, the device would cost more, but not nearly as much as a PC and Vista license. (Or even XP license.)

I suppose one could say that "most people have a PC", but the people I know of with dementia either aren't computer-savvy or have lost the knack. To be really useful, it should be self-contained, easy to hold, and really easy to use, with big buttons.

Seems to me that Microsoft isn't actually solving "how can we do this". They're solving "how can we do this with Windows".