Running head: LAB 1 – LoQui Product Description1

Lab 1 – LoQui Product Description

Tyler Aker

Old Dominion University

CS 410W

Professor James Brunelle

December 11, 2019

Final

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Running head: LAB 1 – LoQui Product Description2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….3

2. Product Description………………………………………………………………………….4

2.1. Key Product Features and Capabilities…………………………………………..……..4

2.2. Major Components……………………………………………………………...………5

3. Identification of Case Study…………………………………………………………………6

4. Product Prototype Description………………………………………………………………6

4.1. Prototype Architecture………………………………………………………………….8

4.2. Prototype Features and Capabilities……………………………………………………9

4.3. Prototype Development Challenges……………………………………………………10

5. Glossary……………………………………………………………………………………..11

6. References…………………………………………………………………………………..12

Tables and Figures

Figure 1 – MFCD………………………………………………………………………………..5

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1. Introduction

Autism is a developmental disorder that can affect one’s social skills and nonverbal

communication. According to the CDC, 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with Autism. Children

with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD have trouble developing abilities to communicate and

interact socially with others. During social interactions, they have trouble making eye contact

and making conversation. A child with ASD also has a hard time understanding and interpreting

emotion through facial expressions. The range of the spectrum go from highly functioning

individuals with mild symptoms to severe cases where the child is non-verbal. Parents with

autistic children must dedicate significant time and effort to work with their child outside of

regular therapy to ensure they make progress.

LoQui is designed to work with children with ASD and assist with improving social skills

and speech. The application will run on mobile platforms and will include a life-like Avatar that

interacts with child and guides them along the way. Various games within the application will

teach and quiz the child on detecting the proper emotions, speaking words, and encourages the

user to make eye contact with the screen. The parents will be able to set goals for the children

and customize the rewards within the game. Rewards can be time to play outside or getting their

favorite candy. All the scores in the games will be recorded and provided in a report to the

parents so that they can see where the child is progressing or where they may need more

attention.

The feedback from LoQui will provide valuable information to parents and therapists

about where the therapy needs to focus. The scores will be displayed graphically in progress

reports showing how well the child is able to pronounce words, understand emotion, and

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maintain eye contact over a period of time. Therapists can have more incite and collect more

data from when the child is at home to better determine what program is best for the child.

2. Product Description

LoQui is a mobile application that interacts with an autistic child using games and a

realistic avatar. As the child plays the games, the app builds a profile for the child and collects

the scores from the games. The parents are the able to track the child’s progress over time and

determine the areas that they need to focus on for their child’s development.

The main objective for the application is to help improve children with autism’s

communication and social skills. Ultimately, making the child more comfortable in social

situations. Parents will also benefit from the insight of knowing where their child is improving

and gives them a clearer understanding of what needs work.

The app must be easy and fun for a child to use and act as a tool for the child to learn.

The reporting must also be easy to comprehend and decipher for the parents or caregivers. The

parents will also be able to boost the child’s interest in the game by customizing rewards that

will work best for their child, whether it be going outside to play or getting their favorite snack.

2.1 Key Product Features and Capabilities

After the parent sets up their account within the app, they will be able to create a custom

profile for their child. The app will allow the parents to configure both goals as well as rewards

that apply well to their child. These settings could be suggested by the therapist. There will be a

great variety of avatars to choose from both male and female as well as different races. There

will be a speech game in the app that have the child speak words. The avatar will prompt the

child to say a word on the screen and through the speaker of the device. The child will then

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respond with word and be graded on accuracy. Another game will have the child pick an

emotion on the screen that describes the face on the avatar. Finally, there will be a third game

that plays a visual cue to encourage eye contact. The scores from these games will be collected

and then stored in a database. The data will be reported to the parents through progress tracking.

When the child reaches certain benchmarks set by the parent a reward is received.

2.2 Major Components (Hardware/Software)

LoQui will run on mobile devices like at tablet or smartphone with Android or iOS

operating systems. We will use both tablets and smartphones to develop and test the prototype to

ensure formatting is correct on all screen types.

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LoQui will be developed Java for the Android app and Swift for the iOS app. The

android application will be developed with Android Studio and for Swift we will use the Xcode

IDE. For testing, Junit will be used for Java and Xcode for Swift. For issue tracking and

continuous integration, we will use GitHub.

For the database, we will be implementing a cloud-hosted Google Firebase to store the

parent and child data. We will also use Firebase authentication to log into the app. We will store

data locally on the app and sync that data with the database when the device is connected to the

internet.

3. Identification of Case Study

LoQui is designed primarily to improve social abilities for autistic children. The main

user will be the child and our app will have the most impact on them. Parents or caregivers use

the information collected from the app to keep track of their child’s progress. The therapist can

also use the data collected within the app to validate the current treatment plans and or determine

if something needs to be adjusted in the child’s therapy.

4. Product Prototype Description

a. Proof of Concept

i. Parents

1. Create User Account and Profile

2. Set user preferences

3. Track game progress

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4. Watch the tutorial

5. Choose an Avatar

6. Choose music to play

7. Choose Rewards

8. Set progress goals

ii. Children

1. Play emotion training games

2. Eye contact tracked during play

3. Earn Rewards through improved progress

b. Risk Mitigation

i. Application will contain a tutorial for both the parent and child

ii. Offer a variety of Avatars

iii. Parent can modify settings in the app to suit their child’s needs

iv. Customizable Rewards System adjusted by the parent

v. All data will be encrypted

vi. App will be 100% in compliance with HIPAA standards

c. Customer Feedback

i. Professors/Instructors

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ii. Students

4.1 Prototype Architecture (Hardware/Software/Algorithms)

a. Hardware Utilized

i. Android Smartphone

b. Software Utilized

i. Android Studio

1. Application feature libraries

ii. GitHub

iii. Firebase API

iv. Google Identity Platform

1. Account creation and management

2. Authentication

v. OpenCV 4.1.2

1. Java library for real-time computer vision

c. Primary Languages

i. Java

d. Target Deployment Platforms

i. Android Mobile Devices

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4.2 Prototype Features and Capabilities

a. Demonstrate ease of use

i. Allows user to test interface

ii. Allows user to explore functionality

iii. Displays a how to use and play tutorial

b. Demonstrates user account creation and verification

i. Allows user to register for a LoQui profile

ii. Allows user to sign-in upon each use

c. Demonstrates user profile customization

i. Allows user to customize profile settings

ii. Allows user to choose an avatar

d. Demonstrate emotion training game

i. Displays an avatar showing a certain emotion

ii. Displays different choices regarding the avatar’s emotion

iii. Allows child to choose an emotion from the given choices

e. Demonstrate real-time feedback

i. Displays correct emotion after each round

ii. Allows child to see updated total score upon each round

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f. Demonstrate real-time eye movement tracking throughout game

i. Allows user’s eye movement to be tracked throughout game play

ii. Allows the user’s eye movement tracking to be pause when game play is not detected

g. Demonstrate progress tracking

i. scores from emotion training and eye contact are generated and stored

e. Demonstrate a reward system

i. Displays animated rewards upon reaching each set goal

4.3 Prototype Development Challenges

a. Requirements volatility

i. LoQui is complex, and keeping requirements complete and consistent is going to be a

challenge

b. We will not have iOS representation as part of the Prototype

c. Usability

i. Designing LoQui to be easily used by children with ASD

c. Implementing eye-movement tracking functionality within the app

d. Lack of knowledge of Autism from a professional standpoint

i. Autism is a complex mental disorder

e. Security

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i. Protecting user’s personal data

5. Glossary

All terms are in the context of LoQui.

Android - A mobile operating system that is based on a modified Linux Kernel, used mainly on

touch screen mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)1 - Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological

and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a

person's life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. It

includes what used to be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders.

Avatar - An electronic image on a computer that represents a person that can be interacted with

by a user.

Google Firebase - A NoSQL Cloud Hosted Database that offers live synchronization and

supports offline use.

iOS - A mobile operating system that was developed by Apple specifically for use in their

own mobile devices, such as the iPhone or iPad.

Java - A Class based object oriented programming language that was invented in 1995.

User - Any user of the account. This could indicate a child user interacting with

the app, or a parent user modifying settings or checking progress within the app.

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6. References

6 Therapies that can help treat autism (n.d.) Retrieved 9. October, 2019, from 

https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/therapies-to-help-with-autism#1

Autism Resource Page. (2017, February 24). Retrieved October 15, 2019, from

https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/autism-resource-page/. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Retrieved from   https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-

disorders-asd

Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2019, November 25). Retrieved from MedlinePlus:

Blue Eyes Photos HQ 1440x900. (2010, December 21). Retrieved from Funny animal picture - beautiful

animals: http://animalpicturebeautifulanimals.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-eyes-photos-hq-

1440x900.html

Copeland, L., Buch, G., (2013) Early Intervention Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism – Open

Access Journal. Retrieved Oct 12, 2019, from

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linda_Copeland3/publication/266146609_Early_Interventi

on_Issues_in_Autism_Spectrum_Disorders/links/5428abcd0cf238c6ea7cd8cd/Early-

Intervention-Issues-in-Autism-Spectrum-Disorders.pdf

Csillag, J. (2016, June 7). 5 Apps to Help People with Autism Learn Social Skills. Retrieved October 15,

2019, from https://blog.asha.org/2016/06/08/5-apps-to-help-people-with-autism-learn-social-

skills/. 

Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

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Dealing with Favoritism in the Family. (2010, September 13). Retrieved from Wikinut:

https://family.wikinut.com/Dealing-With-Favoritism-in-the-Family/11zbhcqn/

Discover ideas about Create Avatar Free. (2019, October 14). Retrieved from Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/325174035572993956/?nic=1

Empowering Parents To Protect Children. (2019, October 14). Retrieved from Topricin:

https://topricin.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/empowering-parents-to-protect-children/

End of the year reminder from the nurses office. (2019, October 16). Retrieved from PSD401.net:

https://psd401.net/ves/end-of-the-year-reminder-from-the-nurses-office/

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2014). Common

gene variants account for most genetic risk for autism. Retrieved Oct 12, 2019, from

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/072114-gene-variants-autism

Fletcher-Watson, S. (2015, January 9). Can an app teach eye-contact? Retrieved October 15, 2019, from

https://dart.ed.ac.uk/app-eye-contact/. 

Green/Red Check Marks, Retrieved  from   https://icon-library.net/icon/checkmark-and-x-icon-0.html

Hetler, H. (2019, June 15). Apps for Autism: 8 Reasons Why Tactus Therapy Works Well. Retrieved

October 15, 2019, from https://tactustherapy.com/apps-for-autism/ . 

Hopkins, I. M.,  Gower, M. W., Perez, T. A., Smith, D. S., Amthor, F. R., Wimsatt, F. C., &

Biasini,  F. J. (Feb 2. 2011)   Avatar assistant: improving social skills in students with an

ASD through a computer-based intervention, Springer Science+Business Media

https://medlineplus.gov/autismspectrumdisorder.html

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Mouth Speaking Clipart. (2019, October 14). Retrieved from ClipArtMag: http://clipartmag.com/mouth-

speaking-clipart

New App Teaches Kids With Autism to Maintain Eye Contact. (2018, December 17). Retrieved October

15, 2019, from https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders/new-

app-teaches-kids-with-autism-to-maintain-eye-contact/.

Palmer, C. (2019, May 30). 5 Principles of Speech Therapy for Children with Autism. Retrieved

October 15, 2019, from https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/5-principles-of-speech-

therapy-autism/.

Spence, B. (2015, February 11). Improving Eye Contact For Kids With Autism - There's An App For

That! Retrieved October 15, 2019, from http://info.staffingplus.com/improving-eye-contact-for-

kids-with-autism-theres-an-app-for-that. 

Top 5 iPhone and Android Apps for Autistic Children. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2019, from

https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/top-5-iphone-and-android-apps-for-autistic-

children/. 

TopVectors. (2017, June 6). Smiling little boy sitting on the floor and playing with digital tablet. Child

and modern technology colorful cartoon character vector Illustration stock illustration. Retrieved

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and-playing-with-digital-tablet-child-and-gm693215772-128008133  

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