Showing papers in "Personal and Ubiquitous Computing in 2000"
TL;DR: In this article, an XML-based language to describe implicit human-computer interaction (HCI) is proposed, using contextual variables that can be grouped using different types of semantics as well as actions that are called by triggers.
Abstract: In this paper the term “implicit human-computer interaction” is defined. It is discussed how the availability of processing power and advanced sensing technology can enable a shift in HCI from explicit interaction, such as direct manipulation GUIs, towards a more implicit interaction based on situational context. In the paper, an algorithm is given based on a number of questions to identify applications that can facilitate implicit interaction. An XML-based language to describe implicit HCI is proposed. The language uses contextual variables that can be grouped using different types of semantics as well as actions that are called by triggers. The term of perception is discussed and four basic approaches are identified that are useful when building context-aware applications. Two examples, a wearable context awareness component and a sensor-board, show how sensor-based perception can be implemented. It is also discussed how situational context can be exploited to improve input and output of mobile devices.
685 citations
TL;DR: A new text entry method using a single key-press per letter together with a large dictionary of words for disambiguation is described, which is similar to technology recently licensed, independently, to several phone companies and extended with automatic word completion.
Abstract: Mobile phone networks are increasingly supporting the transmission of textual messages between mobile phones and between mobile phones and other services. This paper describes the current text entry method on mobile phones and describes a new text entry method using a single key-press per letter together with a large dictionary of words for disambiguation. This approach, which is similar to technology recently licensed, independently, to several phone companies, is then extended with automatic word completion. The paper reports the results of initial user tests comparing the text entry methods, analysis of word clashes with the dictionary-based methods and keystroke level modelling of the different input methods.
134 citations
TL;DR: The paper reports on the development of an initial pattern language based on studies of a number of domestic, environments and offers a general structure for presenting these patterns.
Abstract: This paper considers how we may provide support for the development of general design principles in domestic environments. In particular, we examine the potential for usingdesign patterns as a means of presenting ethnographic material and outlining design solutions. The paper reports on the development of an initial pattern language based on our studies of a number of domestic, environments and offers a general structure for presenting these patterns. Finally, we briefly reflect on our experiences of developing an on-line set of patterns for this class of environment.
70 citations
TL;DR: In usability tests, participants performed background monitoring tasks significantly more accurately using this spatialised audio progress bar, and their performance in a simultaneously running, visually demanding foreground task was significantly improved in the eye-free monitoring condition.
Abstract: Our work addresses the problem of (visual) clutter in mobile device interfaces. The solution we propose involves the translation of technique-from the graphical to the audio domain-for expliting space in information representation. This article presents an illustrative example in the form of a spatialisedaudio progress bar. In usability tests, participants performed background monitoring tasks significantly more accurately using this spatialised audio (a compared with a conventional visual) progress bar. Moreover, their performance in a simultaneously running, visually demanding foreground task was significantly improved in the eye-free monitoring condition. These results have important implications for the design of multi-tasking interfaces for mobile devices.
60 citations
TL;DR: The KAN-G framework, which enables affective awareness through the exchange of digital photographs, is described, and various components, which make the capture, distribution, observation and annotation of snapshots easy and effortless, are discussed.
Abstract: By transforming the personal computer into a communication appliance, the Internet has initiated the true home computing revolution. As a result, Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) technologies are increasingly used in domestic settings, and are changing the way people keep in touch with their relatives and friends. This article first looks at how CMC tools are currently used in the home, and points at some of their benefits and limitations. Most of these tools supportexplicit interpersonal communication, by providing a new medium for sustaining conversations. The need for tools supportingimplicit interaction between users, in more natural and effottless ways, is then argued for. The idea of affective awareness is introduced as a general sense of being in touch with one's family and friends. Finally, the KAN-G framework, which enables affective awareness through the exchange of digital photographs, is described. Various components, which make the capture, distribution, observation and annotation of snapshots easy and effortless, are discussed.
47 citations
TL;DR: Speech recognition has a number of potential advantages over traditional manual controls for the operation of in-car and other mobile devices, but the importance of good human factors in the design of speech dialogues is emphasised.
Abstract: Speech recognition has a number of potential advantages over traditional manual controls for the operation of in-car and other mobile devices. Two laboratory experiments aimed to test these proposed benefits, and to optimise the design of future speech interfaces. Participants carried out tasks with a phone or in-car enteratainment system, while engaged in a concurrent driving task. Speech input reduced the adverse effects of system operation on driving performance, but manual control led to faster transaction times and improved task accuracy. Explicit feedback of the recognition results was found to be necessary, with audio-only feedback leading to better task performance than combined audio-plus-visual. It is recommended that speech technology is incorporated into the user interface as a redundant alternative to manual operation. However, the importance of good human factors in the design of speech dialogues is emphasised.
37 citations
TL;DR: This paper focuses on the problem of visual information seeking within the context of music and touchable screen displays, and presents a design concept which is intended to combine the advantages of the old and new media.
Abstract: The development of networked information appliances, combined with the proliferation of broadband Internet access and e-commerce, has the potential to greatly affect media consumption in the home. In this paper we consider the influence of these developments on a common domestic activity, finding and listening to music. After summarising the relative strengths and weaknesses of accessing music in physical and digital formats, we present a design concept which is intended to combine the advantages of the old and new media. In particular, we focus on the problem of visual information seeking within the context of music and touchable screen displays.
25 citations
TL;DR: user interface design issues and several usability studies for the Nokia 9000 Communicator WWW browser and for WWW pages optimised for the browser show how within the same, restricted design domain, different forms of consistency have to be favoured over others in solving various design problems.
Abstract: Consistency is a commonly accepted but sometimes problematic design goal. External and internal consistency may conflict, and sometimes the best solution is inconsistent in both respects. We describe user interface design issues and several usability studies for the Nokia 9000 Communicator WWW browser and for WWW pages optimised for the browser. The results show how within the same, restricted design domain, different forms of consistency have to be favoured over others in solving various design problems.
18 citations
TL;DR: Text and digit entry speed of two wearable one-handed input paradigms, the Finger-Joint-Gesture palm-keypad glove and the Invisible Phone Clock, were benchmarked against traditional one- handed cellular phone keypad input in a repeated-measurement design employing 18 subjects using a 9-word sentence.
Abstract: Text and digit entry speed of two wearable one-handed input paradigms, the Finger-Joint-Gesture palm-keypad glove and the Invisible Phone Clock, were benchmarked against traditional one-handed cellular phone keypad input in a repeated-measurement design employing 18 subjects using a 9-word sentence. No significant difference in error-corrected text entry speed (5.3 ec-wpm) was found. Digit entry speed was significantly faster (8.3 ec-wpm) and differed significantly between input paradigms. Furthermore, digit entry was fastest for the traditional cellular phone keypad and slowest for the Invisible Clock keypad. A prediction model based on Fitts' law slightly overestimated text entry speed for novice users. Another prediction model, where each movement time between successive keys was corrected for key repeat time for each specific input paradigm, predicted the experimental results more accurately. Thirteen of the subjects ranked the Invisible Phone Clock as 1st choice. The subjects' mapping of the Ericsson cellular phone functions (YES, CLR, NO, and Address Book) was not according to the designer's model, partly due to functional fixedness. The input paradigms could be suitable candidates for new fragmentised interfaces where wearability is the key issue.
16 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigates software architecture options for mobile user interfaces, in particular those for collaborative systems, and proposes architectures that bring computation closer to the users, hence reducing feedback and feedthrough delays.
Abstract: Architectural design has an important effect on usability, most notably on temporal properties. This paper investigates software architecture options for mobile user interfaces, in particular those for collaborative systems. One of the new features of mobile systems, as compared with fixed networks, is the connection point to the physical network, the point of presence (PoP), which forms an additional location for code and data. This allows architectures that bring computation closer to the users, hence reducing feedback and feedthrough delays. A consequence of using PoPs is that code and data have to be mobile within the network, leading to potential security problems.
16 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that there is a high demand for automated design approaches which are able to generate information presentations that are tailored to the available presentation capabilities of particular target devices.
Abstract: This contribution addresses the integration of mobile devices with limited display and interaction capabilities into a multi-user system for tele-conferencing and collaborative work. We first report on a recently conducted case study in which we used a simulation environment to investigate how a small group of geographically dispersed users can jointly solve localisation and route planning tasks when equipped with communication devices that essentially differ with regard to available input and output capabilities. We then present a system architecture that includes gateway components as interfaces between the mobile devices and one or more interactive applications. Finally, we argue that there is a high demand for automated design approaches which are able to generate information presentations that are tailored to the available presentation capabilities of particular target devices.
TL;DR: Research issues surrounding the development and design of interactive technologies for home are discussed in the Special Issue of Personal Technologies.
Abstract: Research issues surrounding the development and design of interactive technologies for home are discussed in the Special Issue of Personal Technologies. Liechti and Ichikawa's paper provides an overview of the mainstream literature on computer mediated communications (CMC), literature which derives mainly from the CHI and CSCW communities. It also reports on an instantiation of the kind of multimedia applications that would seem a logical output from that literature. Rose and Kroff offer an analysis of how the logic of the same sort can be applied to hitherto noninteractive technology in home settings, namely music reproduction. Here they show how innovative interfaces can allow much. Hughes and co-researchers consider the problem of how to describe home environments. They worry about how to do service to the richness of domestic life while at the same time providing sufficient abstraction to allow design thinking.
TL;DR: This paper sets out some basic economic concepts and then takes the first tentative steps towards identifying the explanatory variables that should be included in a model of demand for new domestic technology.
Abstract: Economic considerations should be fundamental to the design process. Modern economics provides a useful tool to analyse consumer demand for new technology. This paper sets out some basic economic concepts and then looks at the history of the introduction into the household of phones. TVs and VCRs, CDs and home computers and the Internet. It then takes the first tentative steps towards identifying the explanatory variables that should be included in a model of demand for new domestic technology.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the present challenges of an in-car communication system UI design and present some design implications concerning general UI design of a car communication system, and present a case study of a Nokia research project.
Abstract: The rapid development of in-car communication systems in recent years has enabled diverse information supplies in automobiles. The advantages of these systems may be obvious, but to apply telematic applications extensively in traffic, and especially in the car environment, calls for an understanding of the possible drawbacks and the means to minimise them. The research project in Nokia investigated different methods of implementing an in-car communication system, and different user interface solutions for them. The aim of the project was to identify the Uls for an in-car communication system that offers potential and to test these with end users. In this paper I will explore the present challenges of an in-car communication system UI design. I will go through a case study of a Nokia research project, and finally I will present some design implications concerning general UI design of an in-car communication system.
TL;DR: A retrospective account of the field studies, questionnaire surveys and user trials carried out during the Satchel research project, which describes each study and presents illustrative results to show how each contributed to the overall success of the research project.
Abstract: This paper provides a retrospective account of the field studies, questionnaire surveys and user trials we carried out during our Satchel research project. Satchel is a system that supports mobile document work by providing streamlined access to documents and document services. We describe each study and present illustrative results to show how each one contributed to the overall success of the research project. More specifically, we describe how each study affected the design of our Satchel prototypes and the design of the scenarios that were used as communication tools during the course of the project. We analyse the relative value of each of the studies and trials, concentrating on cost factors such as research effort, expenses, and amount of subject time required. Although we acknowledge that not all research projects will be able to include such a wide number or variety of user studies, we hope that our analysis will provide useful information for other research projects.
TL;DR: The current use of email and SMS is explored, focussing on the differences in the ways they are used and understood among their users, and it is argued that, since the systems are different, established practices in using them as well as systems applied to understanding them are different.
Abstract: Trends in technological development show that devices of personal communication and information management are converging and penetrating to new user segments. Therefore, it is a question of interest how the convergence of applications should be managed. This article explores the current use of email and SMS, focussing on the differences in the ways they are used and understood among their users. It is argued that, since the systems are different and have been in use for some time, established practices in using them as well as systems applied to understanding them are different. Based on analysis of interview data, it is conluded that this is the case, and that the future converged systems should not be considered as replacements of the current ones, but rather that the systems need to supplement each other. For example, the need for a “quick and dirty” instant asynchronous media such as SMS seems to remain, and therefore it cannot be replaced simply by implementing email to mobile phones. The need for email and SMS seems to be different, and thus the development should be towards a better understanding of these needs rather than simple “technological” convergence.
TL;DR: The second international workshop on humancomputer interaction with mobile devices took place as part of the IFIP INTERACT '99 conference held in Edinburgh, UK with over 60 participants with an almost equal mix between academic and industrial attendees from within Europe, North America and Asia.
Abstract: The second international workshop on human-computer interaction with mobile devices took place on 30th August,1999 as part of the IFIP INTERACT '99 conference held in Edinburgh, UK. We had over 60 participants with an almost equal mix between academic and industrial attendees from within Europe, North America and Asia.The first workshop had been held in Glasgow the year before and was one of the first to bring together researchers interested in how to design usable interfaces for mobile computers. It was such a success that we decided to run another- this was obviously an area where there were many problems and many people looking for solutions. The growth of the mobile computing market is rapid. The take-up of mobile telephones and personal digital assistants has been dramatic - huge numbers of people now own a mobile device of some kind. But there are still big problems with usability - it is hard to design interfaces and interactions with devices that have small or no screens and limited computing resources. This is becoming worse as more and more complexity is being integrated into these small devices.
TL;DR: One potential balkanisation of the home PC market space is discussed, producing a range of PC-type devices which better fit home environments.
Abstract: It is widely accepted that, if technology is to be more accepted in the home, it must change to better suit this environment. A number of researchers have argued that this change will take the form of the “post-PC world”. Rather than use home PCs, it is predicted we will use single-function “appliances”, crafted for specific purposes. As currently stated, the model is flawed. It over-emphasises usability barriers to home PC adoption, and ignores the great success of multi-function devices. More seriously, the argument is based on a model of innovative technologies competing with and then superseding existing technologies. This is a simplification-often there is a process ofbalkanisation, where the market and use of devices changes, grows, shrinks and is subdivided. One potential balkanisation of the home PC market space is discussed, producing a range of PC-type devices which better fit home environments.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the need for document scanning, and how this portable device was used by their study participants, and discussed this interaction with the local environment as a case of local mobility.
Abstract: While electronic documents are increasingly prevalent in the workplace there are many texts — such as books, magazines and letters — which are not easily available in an electronic form. Since many electronic document systems depend upon documents existing exclusively, or at least predominantly, in electronic form, this suggests an opportunity for document scanning technology. However, conventional scanners are limited by their large size and relatively cumbersome usage. Using a diary-based methodology, this study investigated the use of a new portable document scanning technology. In this paper we explore the need for document scanning, and how this portable device was used by our study participants. Document scanning is shown to be a goal-driven activity — individuals did not scan just to have an electronic version of a document, but to do something with electronic documents, in particular, distributing documents to others, archiving documents and reusing documents. The small design of this device also enabled a mode of usage distinct from that of conventional flarbed scanners. Its size meant that the device was a personal, rather than shared technology; that it could be easily stored when not being used; and that the scanner could be carried to the materials to be scanned, rather than the materials brought to the scanner. We discuss this interaction with the local environment as a case of “local mobility” — this is less to do with portability but with how a device's small size can make it fit better into work environments.
TL;DR: A case study in which mobile computers were used by a UK National Health Service (NHS) Trust to give clinicians access to up-to-date patient data, enabling them to be more clinically effective in their jobs is described.
Abstract: This paper describes a case study in which mobile computers were used by a UK National Health Service (NHS) Trust. The intention was to give clinicians access to up-to-date patient data, enabling them to be more clinically effective in their jobs. Since the majority of their work was performed in the community, it was perceived that the use of hand-held computers would give the flexibility needed to allow this clinical effectiveness to occur. This paper will attempt to demonstrate what happened in reality and point to various factors that had not been considered prior to the introduction of the system. Had these factors been considered, a different system would have been designed with a better fit between the organisation, the needs of the user and their work environment.