Abstract
With the use of new computational technologies and novel methodologies for problem solving, recurring to the use of Group Decision Support Systems, normally the problem of incomplete information is marginalized as if we were living in an ideal world. Common sense tells us that in the precise time a decision is make it is impossible to know all the information regarding to it, however decisions must be made. What we propose is, in the ambit of the VirtualECare project, is a possible solution to decision making, through the use of Group Decision Support Systems, aware of incomplete information but, even so, able to make decisions based in the quality of the information and its source.

Abstract
Collaborative Work plays an important role in today's organizations and normally in areas where decisions must be made. However, any decision that involves a collective or group of decision makers is, by itself, complex. In this work we present the VirtualECare project, built in terms of an intelligent multi-agent system able to monitor, interact and serve its customers, which are, normally, in need of care services, and assisted with tools based on open standards, like OSGi an R-OSGi.

Abstract
With the growing numbers of the elderly population, the society is face to face with a set of new problems, namely the lack of resources to assist their living in a noble mode. Nevertheless, with the use of new computational technologies and novel methodologies for problem solving, some solutions to these problems are emerging (e.g., remote sensing/assistance/supervision). Therefore, it is our goal to show that under such scenarios, it is possible to bring into play different interconnected virtual organizations, through which will be provided to the population, in general, and the elderly, in particular, a number of services (e.g., healthcare, entertainment, learning), without derealization or messing up with their routine. © 2007 by International Federation for Information Processing.

Abstract

Abstract
Healthcare projects that intend to decrease the economical and social costs of the real ageing population phenomenon, through the de-localisation of healthcare services delivery and management to the home, have been arising in the scientific community. The VirtualECare project is one of those, so called, Ambient Assisted Living environments, which we have taken a step forward with the introduction of proactive techniques for better adapting to its users, namely elderly or chronic patients, once it is able to learn with their interaction based in contexts. This learning, however, causes the system need to know with whom it is interacting, especially if we are dealing with multi-user environments. Basic detection techniques based in possible devices that users carries along with them (e.g. RFID tags, mobile phones, ...) arc not good enough, since they can lose/forgot/switch them. To obtain the expected results the technology used has to be more advanced and available in several platforms. One possible and already fairly developed technique is Facial Recognition, and it appears to be the most appropriate one to handle the problem. This document exposes the initial approach of the VirtualECare project to the Facial Recognition area.

Abstract
Ambient Assisted Living environments projects arise as technological responses of the scientific community to problems associated with the population-ageing phenomenon. In theory, these environments should allow de-localization of healthcare services delivery and management to the home, thus containing the economic and social costs associated with old age. The VirtualECare project is one of those environments, enhanced with proactive techniques for a better user experience, focused on elderly chronic patients, through the ability of constant learning and adaption based in user interaction and its contexts. This learning and, consequently, adaption needs, however, unequivocally user identification, especially in multi-user environments. Traditional identification techniques and methodologies are not suitable for these scenario since, usually, require user interaction and wireless identification technique (e.g. RFID, Bluetooth) are very exposed to personification. In order to obtain the expected results we needed a more advanced technology. One possible, appropriate and already fairly developed technique is Facial Recognition. In this paper we present the VirtualECare project approach to Facial Recognition authentication techniques its advantages, disadvantages and possible implementations paths.