What Do Sensors Do in a Smartphone? For Seniors Zarrin Begum

Microphone Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Sensor GPS receiver Barometer Magnetometer Accelerometer Gyroscope

The Sensors Explained  The gyroscope is a sensor that orientates the screen instantly when the phone is moved landscape or portrait. Therefore, a senior wouldn’t have any trouble with the orientation when using the device, because it does it for you automatically. For example, if the elder wished to view a YouTube video landscape, they would only simply have to orientate their phone and the screen would automatically adjust to the position it is in. Therefore, the elder would not have to worry with orientation (as long as their orientation lock was off on their device)>  The magnetometer sensor is a sensor that detects magnetic fields, so in a realistic situation, if the senior was lost, they would have the compass to guide them as it directs them using North, South, East and West. It is helpful as say, they are in a supermarket and have forgotten where they have parked their car (impacted by their memory loss), they can find their car with this sensor. It will direct them in which way they should go in order to find where thy parked their car. This beneficial as elders are known to particularly suffer from memory loss as they age, so this will prove to be beneficial for them.  The proximity sensor is useful as it is placed in the ear piece so it can detect if you are in phone call (which you most likely are), it will automatically turn your phone off. This will be beneficial for a senior because they do not have to deal with manifold things whilst calling at once. This will not make it complicated for them; it will make it much more easier for them. It will pt them at ease, and won’t cause any disruptions. Especially if the elder isn't experienced, this sensor (like the rest) will be beneficial and provide an easy experience.  The ambient light sensor adjusts a display’s backlight, which improves user experience and saves power and battery. A given situation with a senior is when they enter a dark or light room and have vision difficulties or impairment (from age), it will change automatically, adapting to the lighting in the room or place, which is beneficial. If the area the elder was in was dark, the ambient light sensor would work and alter to the light so the elder would have no trouble with visibility. Elders are also known to have vision difficulties as they age.  An accelerometer sensor is beneficial to be used to detect earthquakes and may by used in medical devices for artificial body parts. This is especially beneficial for the elderly considering their fragility. It detects the movement of the elder, and tracks their exercise. Elders are generally particularly sensitive to lack of exercise as stereotypes of elders seem to have determined that they are typically sat in their chairs most of the time. An example of where the situation would be applied is when the elder is dancing to some music emerging from the phone that is in their hand. It detects their movement and the elder can track how much they have been moving.

 A GPS receiver sensor tracks movement and location of the phone. This can be used for when somebody loses their phone and need to track it down. In addition, it is helpful when the person gets lost – similar to a compass, whereas the person is actually being tracked so they can find their way back. This is beneficial for a senior if they are walking and have lost their way, possibly de to their memory loss (as it increases when you grow older). GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it won't cost you anything to turn on the GPS in your cell phone, however It uses up some credit. So, the elder in order to save money, would be require to turn it off when it isn’t an emergency or involving travelling.  A Barometer sensor is used to measure pressure which is used to measure the change in the weather forecast in one’s area. This beneficial for seniors as they are aware of the temperature and can turn the heater on or turn the fan on (according to the weather changes) so they won’t get hypothermia or too hot easily as they can do so. The elder can check the local forecast, and they can adjust the temperature of the room to prevent it being too hot or too cold. This will most likely be beneficial in the winter because elders seem to be impacted a lot by the Winter temperature a lot more.  A microphone sensor in the Smartphone transfers the sound from the Smartphone being played into the air using electrical signals. This is clearly one of the most evident sensors known, and its beneficial of course for hearing audio or speaking when making calls. This of course is generally imperative. Seniors with hearing difficulties/ impairment can change the volume also with the side buttons, The microphone sensor allows communication and sound to be transferred, and it is important that the elder has a good microphone, so the audio is clear for the elder to hear, and the microphone can allow clear sound emerging from the device from the other individual on the line.  A camera sensor is of course used for photography and videoing. It is to determine image size, resolution and the depth of the field. Essentially, it enhances the quality of the photo or video outcome. In fact, without it, the camera element of the Smartphone would not be a working feature. the sensor is key. The elder can use it to video call and send images to their significant other(s). In a given situation, if they were video calling a loved one, it is important that the camera quality is good, (this also links with the microphone sensor), so the person on the other side can see them clearly. In addition to this, if they were taking pictures of places they visit to keep loved ones updated, the camera sensor is essential so the images are clearly visible and they can truly capture the moment.