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.

Multi-level user support through adaptive hypermedia: a highly application-independent help component

Abstract: Adaptive help components are an essential extension for complex systems that aim to provide usability to a broad range of users with different levels of expertise. The increasing availability of distributed hypermedia information generates new challenges for the development of adaptive help systems, including the realization of appropriate presentation, navigation, user modeling, and the integration with existing applications. After identifying the shortcomings of current hypermedia systems, we present an adaptive hypermedia help system that supports context-sensitive and user-adaptive presentation of hypermedia help variants on different levels of the user’s dialog with the application. The system supports user-controlled help adaptation and agent-based retrieval of additional hypermedia help information, and can easily be integrated into new and existing applications. This has already been realized with sample application systems in the area of medical imaging and CAD.

Augmented Reality with Back-Projection Systems using Transflective Surfaces

Abstract: In this paper, we describe the use of a hand-held semi-transparent mirror to support augmented reality tasks with back-projection systems. This setup overcomes the problem of occlusion of virtual objects by real ones linked with such display systems. The presented approach allows an intuitive and effective application of immersive or semi-immersiv e virtual reality tasks and interaction techniques to an augmented surrounding space. Thereby, we use the tracked mirror as an interactive image-plane that merges the reflected graphics, which are displayed on the projection plane, with the transmitted image of the real environment. In our implementation, we also address traditional augmented reality problems, such as real-object registration and virtual-object occlusion. The presentation is complemented by a hypothesis of conceivable further setups that apply transflective surfaces to support a mixed reality (i.e., combined AR and VR) environment.

Increasing student retention in computer science through research programs for undergraduates

Abstract: To address the alarming decrease in students in Rhode Island computer science programs and the under-representation of women and minorities, we have devised a program to introduce students to research in computer graphics, art and new media. This program integrates good mentoring practice and pedagogy, including problem-based learning. Special attention is paid to creating a cohort of students who come together every week to learn about the research process, and ethical and societal issues related to it. Each student takes a small project from the proposal stage, through design and implementation, to publication and presentation. We report on the first two years of the program.

Serious Games

Abstract: This special issue showcases developments in serious games that can have an impact on future research, development, and application of computer graphics and related techniques. The articles demonstrate the games' rich potential, spanning from health and culture applications to novel interaction techniques and support for 3D player data visualization.

Towards Sociable Virtual Humans: Multimodal Recognition of Human Input and Behavior

Abstract: One of the biggest obstacles for constructing effective sociable virtual humans lies in the failure of machines to recognize the desires, feelings and intentions of the human user. Virtual humans lack the ability to fully understand and decode the communication signals human users emit when communicating with each other. This article describes our research in overcoming this problem by developing senses for the virtual humans which enables them to hear and understand human speech, localize the human user in front of the display system, recognize hand postures and to recognize the emotional state of the human user by classifying facial expression. We report on the methods needed to perform these tasks in real-time and conclude with an outlook on promising research issues of the future.

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.