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Research paper : Development and standardization of accessible design technologies that address the needs of senior citizens (K. Kurakata, et al.)−23−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.1 No.1 (2008) standardization as JIS and ISO of the research results obtained. Currently works in international standardization activities including executive secretary of Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage and ISO/TC 159 (Ergonomics) / WG2 Convenor.Discussion with reviewers1 Research process and structure of paperQuestion (Motoyuki Akamatsu)It will be better if an overall structure is presented that reveals the researcher’s thinking “why standardization is best choice” for accessible design, specifying the demands, for example, the efficacy of standardization in accessible design, conditions for such standardization, and data collection based on these, and then providing the solutions. If the processes are clearly explained, as whether standardization is best, and if so, what kind of standard is good, it would be a great help to the readers.Question (Hisao Ichijo)Flow of the research is explained, but I think the elemental technology and the selection and integration process are somewhat unclear.Answer (Kenji Kurakata)By making the following revisions, overall structure was changed as indicated, and I think the significance and advantage of the standardization research were clarified.・Addition of Section 2 on significance and importance of standardization・Adjustment of explanation of Section 3 that summarizes design issue of auditory signal・Revision of explanation of Section 5 on the actual application of the standard2 On research subjectQuestion (Motoyuki Akamatsu)It would be better if you mention detailed issues as well as the main framework of the subject. For example, in actual domestic environment, distances between the device and the user are varied, or there may be furniture between them. There are rooms with strong reverberation and dead rooms, and there may be differences because of them. It would be better to clarify to what degree issues were considered and reasons they were selected as research subjects.Answer (Kenji Kurakata)For detailed issues on domestic sound, we added explanations in “4.2 Accommodating interference by domestic sounds”. For hearing characteristic of the elderly, we explained the technological issues in “4.1 Accommodating decreased hearing due to aging”. I believe these additions will clarify the thought process that the authors went through.3 On evaluation of research resultQuestion (Motoyuki Akamatsu)I think you should show the level you achieved as research goal that you initially set and do a self-evaluation. I expect you to mention whether the resulting JIS is satisfactory or still unsatisfactory from the eyes of the authors.Answer (Kenji Kurakata)I think we achieved almost all research goals set initially for the technology established as JIS. However, due to technological advances that followed, new issues arose such as the use of auditory signals that cannot be accommodated by current JIS. This point is explained as future development in “7.1 Accommodating new auditory signal and voice guide”, and this shall serve as our self-evaluation of the current status. Also, measures to propagate JIS are discussed in detail in the same section and “7.2 Development of international standardization”.4 On thinking about model simplificationQuestion (Hisao Ichijo)I think it will be better to explain the process that lead to your thinking: average energy level greatly affects auditory phenomenon and simplification is the essence of the model.Answer (Kenji Kurakata)This thought process was achieved as an extension of the research that I have been previously involved in, so I cited References [9, 10]. Also, I clarified the authors’ thought process by providing more explanation in “4.1 Accommodating decreased hearing due to aging”.5 Correlation between this research and Type 1 Basic ResearchQuestion (Akira Ono)Conventional research and this research are compared in Figure 7, and ② and ④ are positioned as Type 2 Basic Research, while ① and ③ are positioned as Type 1. I highly evaluate the fact that the authors succeeded in achieving the goal of standardization of accessible design by intentionally taking Type 2 Basic Research method. However, I feel that the results of ① and ③ that are positioned as Type 1 Basic Research may have some kind of significance in this research.For example, can’t research ③ be used to review, although perhaps partly, the validity of result of ④ that was reduced and simplified, since research ③ can present a complex and accurate model?Also, I think research ① presents an average person, but doesn’t it support the base of research ni ② that explains the variation and diversity of people? I would like to hear the authors’ comment.Since the reviewer holds image that Type 2 Basic Research is built upon the base of related Type 1 Basic Research result, I ask this question from my interest of seeing what kind of correlation there is in this study.Answer (Kenji Kurakata)I think you have made a clear point. As questioned, I think the standardization research for accessible design technology that the authors conducted fits the framework of “Type 2 Basic Research is built upon the base of related Type 1 Basic Research result”. That is, the characteristic of this research is “sublimation” of Type 1 Basic Research result on human property to design method applicable to actual practice through Type 2 Basic Research including consideration of environmental conditions.Also in Figure 7, presenting the comparison of this research and conventional research in either-or format was inappropriate. The figure should present the fact that combination with Type 2 at point of maturity, and then converting to Full Research, although understanding the necessity and importance of Type 1, were useful in realizing accessible design product.Considering this point, in the final version, we inserted a figure that clarified the relationship between Type 1 and Type 2 Basic Researches.

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