Utilising the Open Channel Created by Telecare: Acoustic Communication Analysis of Radio Sounds at Home

摘要

Since policy makers are advocating telecare as a popular solution for the aging society, it is expected that sooner or later many homes will have an always-on open channel as the result of telecare technology usage. Our previous studies have shown that this channel can be tapped to provide the feeling of presence of loved ones without the exchange of content. In this paper, the idea is discussed further by analysing the meaning of radio sounds at home from the perspectives of Acoustic Communication Theory. The analysis justifies the need to further explore the use of meaningful environmental sound objects in a domestic setting to negate 'social silence', by giving an example of a possible design.