L. Miguel Encarnação

Bio: L. Miguel Encarnação is an academic researcher from University of Tübingen. The author has contributed to research in topics: User interface & Augmented reality. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 49 publications receiving 1920 citations. Previous affiliations of L. Miguel Encarnação include Humana.

The virtual showcase

Abstract: Intuitive access to information in habitual real-world environments is a challenge for information technology. An important question is how can we enhance established and well-functioning everyday environments rather than replace them by virtual environments (VEs)? Augmented reality (AR) technology has a lot of potential in this respect because it augments real-world environments with computer-generated imagery. Today, most AR systems use see-through head-mounted displays, which share most of the disadvantages of other head-attached display devices.

Faces of emotion in human-computer interaction

Abstract: The study of users' emotional behavior in the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) field has received increasing attention during the last few years. Our work in this area focuses on the relationship between user emotions and perceived usability problems. Specifically, we propose to observe users' spontaneous facial expressions as a method to identify adverse-event occurrences at the user interface level.This paper reports on the results of an experiment designed to investigate the association between adverse-event occurrences during a word processing task and users' facial expressions monitored using electromyogram (EMG) sensor devices. The results suggest that an increase of task difficulty is related to an increase in specific facial muscle activity, thus creating a baseline for future developments using camera-based monitoring of facial activities.

Merging fossil specimens with computer-generated information

Abstract: While dinosaur fossils reveal much, they keep us guessing about the original organisms' color, sound, and behavior. For several years, modern paleontologists have used 3D computer graphics to help reconstruct these pieces of the past. Augmented reality (AR) leverages this technology to provide an interface that enhances the real world with synthetic supplements. Paleontologists can use AR to present virtual data directly within a real, 3D environment rather than on a flat monitor. This technology's immersiveness can give paleontologists new insights into their research and communicate the results to museum visitors in an exciting and effective way.

An application-independent intelligent user support system exploiting action-sequence based user modelling

Abstract: Many software systems’ usability suffers from their complexity, usually caused by the market-driven trend to bundle a huge amount of features, which are supposed to increase the product’s attractiveness. This attempt, however, more often than not leads to software with poor usability characteristics, therefore requiring an extensive amount of initial effort for the users to become familiar with the system. One way to overcome this problem is by providing user-adapted usage support.

A Translucent Sketchpad for the Virtual Table Exploring Motion‐based Gesture Recognition

Abstract: The Virtual Table presents stereoscopic graphics to a user in a workbench-like setting. For this device, a user interface and new interaction techniques have been developed based on transparent props ‐a tracked hand-held pen and a pad 12 . These props, particularly the pad, are augmented with 3D graphics from the Virtual Table’s display that can serve as a palette for tools and controls as well as a window-like see-through interface, a planeshaped and through-the-plane tool, supporting a variety of new interaction techniques. This paper reports on an extension of this user-interface design space which uses gestural input to create and control solid geometries for CAD and conceptual design. The application of gestural interfaces is a common method for interacting with virtual environments on a habitual and natural basis. The motion-based gesture recognition presented here uses Fuzzy Logic to support a predictable, flexible, and efficient learning process. This new interaction paradigm greatly increases the Virtual Table’s suitability for design tasks. Traditional CAD dialogue can be combined with intuitive rapid sketching of geometry on the pad. Additionally, the resulting events and objects can be associated with scene details below the translucent tablet.

Methods and techniques of adaptive hypermedia

Abstract: Adaptive hypermedia is a new direction of research within the area of adaptive and user model-based interfaces. Adaptive hypermedia (AH) systems build a model of the individual user and apply it for adaptation to that user, for example, to adapt the content of a hypermedia page to the user's knowledge and goals, or to suggest the most relevant links to follow. AH systems are used now in several application areas where the hyperspace is reasonably large and where a hypermedia application is expected to be used by individuals with different goals, knowledge and backgrounds. This paper is a review of existing work on adaptive hypermedia. The paper is centered around a set of identified methods and techniques of AH. It introduces several dimensions of classification of AH systems, methods and techniques and describes the most important of them.

Augmented reality technologies, systems and applications

Abstract: This paper surveys the current state-of-the-art of technology, systems and applications in Augmented Reality. It describes work performed by many different research groups, the purpose behind each new Augmented Reality system, and the difficulties and problems encountered when building some Augmented Reality applications. It surveys mobile augmented reality systems challenges and requirements for successful mobile systems. This paper summarizes the current applications of Augmented Reality and speculates on future applications and where current research will lead Augmented Reality's development. Challenges augmented reality is facing in each of these applications to go from the laboratories to the industry, as well as the future challenges we can forecast are also discussed in this paper. Section 1 gives an introduction to what Augmented Reality is and the motivations for developing this technology. Section 2 discusses Augmented Reality Technologies with computer vision methods, AR devices, interfaces and systems, and visualization tools. The mobile and wireless systems for Augmented Reality are discussed in Section 3. Four classes of current applications that have been explored are described in Section 4. These applications were chosen as they are the most famous type of applications encountered when researching AR apps. The future of augmented reality and the challenges they will be facing are discussed in Section 5.

User models for adaptive hypermedia and adaptive educational systems

Abstract: One distinctive feature of any adaptive system is the user model that represents essential information about each user This chapter complements other chapters of this book in reviewing user models and user modeling approaches applied in adaptive Web systems The presentation is structured along three dimensions: what is being modeled, how it is modeled, and how the models are maintained After a broad overview of the nature of the information presented in these various user models, the chapter focuses on two groups of approaches to user model representation and maintenance: the overlay approach to user model representation and the uncertainty-based approach to user modeling

Video-based image control system

Abstract: A method of using stereo vision to interface with a computer is provided. The method includes capturing a stereo image, and processing the stereo image to determine position information of an object in the stereo image. The object is controlled by a user. The method also includes communicating the position information to the computer to allow the user to interact with a computer application.