Showing papers on "User interface published in 1997"

Contextual Design: Defining Customer-Centered Systems

Abstract: This book introduces a customer-centered approach to business by showing how data gathered from people while they work can drive the definition of a product or process while supporting the needs of teams and their organizations. This is a practical, hands-on guide for anyone trying to design systems that reflect the way customers want to do their work. The authors developed Contextual Design, the method discussed here, through their work with teams struggling to design products and internal systems. In this book, you'll find the underlying principles of the method and how to apply them to different problems, constraints, and organizational situations. Contextual Design enables you to + gather detailed data about how people work and use systems + develop a coherent picture of a whole customer population + generate systems designs from a knowledge of customer work + diagram a set of existing systems, showing their relationships, inconsistencies, redundancies, and omissions Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Gathering Customer Data Chapter 3 Principles of Contextual Inquiry Chapter 4 Contextual Inquiry in Practice Chapter 5 A Language of Work Chapter 6 Work Models Chapter 7 The Interpretation Session Chapter 8 Consolidation Chapter 9 Creating One View of the Customer Chapter 10 Communicating to the Organization Chapter 11 Work Redesign Chapter 12 Using Data to Drive Design Chapter 13 Design from Data Chapter 14 System Design Chapter 15 The User Environment Design Chapter 16 Project Planning and Strategy Chapter 17 Prototyping as a Design Tool Chapter 18 From Structure to User Interface Chapter 19 Iterating with a Prototype Chapter 20 Putting It into Practice

Formalizing and Securing Relationships on Public Networks

Abstract: Smart contracts combine protocols with user interfaces to formalize and secure relationships over computer networks. Objectives and principles for the design of these systems are derived from legal principles, economic theory, and theories of reliable and secure protocols. Similarities and differences between smart contracts and traditional business procedures based on written contracts, controls, and static forms are discussed. By using cryptographic and other security mechanisms, we can secure many algorithmically specifiable relationships from breach by principals, and from eavesdropping or malicious interference by third parties, up to considerations of time, user interface, and completeness of the algorithmic specification. This article discusses protocols with application in important contracting areas, including credit, content rights management, payment systems, and contracts with bearer.

Object-oriented application frameworks

Abstract: Computing power and network bandwidth have increased dramatically over the past decade However, the design and implementation of complex software remains expensive and error-prone Much of the cost and effort stems from the continuous rediscovery and re-invention of core concepts and components across the software industry In particular, the growing heterogeneity of hardware architectures and diversity of operating system and communication platforms makes it hard to build correct, portable, efficient, and inexpensive applications from scratch Object-oriented (OO) application frameworks are a promising technology for reifying proven software designs and implementations in order to reduce the cost and improve the quality of software A framework is a reusable, ``semi-complete'' application that can be specialized to produce custom applications [Johnson:88] In contrast to earlier OO reuse techniques based on class libraries, frameworks are targeted for particular business units (such as data processing or cellular communications) and application domains (such as user interfaces or real-time avionics) Frameworks like MacApp, ET++, Interviews, ACE, Microsoft's MFC and DCOM, JavaSoft's RMI, and implementations of OMG's CORBA play an increasingly important role in contemporary software development

Pick-and-drop: a direct manipulation technique for multiple computer environments

Abstract: This paper proposes a new field of user interfaces called multi-computer direct manipulation and presents a penbased direct manipulation technique that can be used for data transfer between different computers as well as within the same computer. The proposed Pick-andDrop allows a user to pick up an object on a display and drop it on another display as if he/she were manipulating a physical object. Even though the pen itself does not have storage capabilities, a combination of Pen-ID and the pen manager on the network provides the illusion that the pen can physically pick up and move a computer object. Based on this concept, we have built several experimental applications using palm-sized, desk-top, and wall-sized pen computers. We also considered the importance of physical artifacts in designing user interfaces in a future computing environment.

The metaDESK: models and prototypes for tangible user interfaces

Abstract: The metaDESK is a user interface platform demonstrating new interaction techniques we call "tangible user inter- faces." We explore the physical instantiation of interface elements from the graphical user interface paradigm, giving physical form to windows, icons, handles, menus, and controls. The design and implementation of the metaDESK display, sensor, and software architectures is discussed. A prototype application driving an interaction with geographi- cal space, Tangible Geospace, is presented to demonstrate these concepts.

Lore: a database management system for semistructured data

Abstract: Lore (for Lightweight Object Repository) is a DBMS designed specifically for managing semistructured information. Implementing Lore has required rethinking all aspects of a DBMS, including storage management, indexing, query processing and optimization, and user interfaces. This paper provides an overview of these aspects of the Lore system, as well as other novel features such as dynamic structural summaries and seamless access to data from external sources.

Intelligent user assistance facility

Abstract: A general event composing and monitoring system that allows high-level events to be created from combinations of low-level events. An event specification tool allows for rapid development of a general event processor that creates high-level events from combinations of user actions. The event system, in combination with a reasoning system, is able to monitor and perform inference about several classes of events for a variety of purposes. The various classes of events include the current context, the state of key data structures in a program, general sequences of user inputs, including actions with a mouse-controlled cursor while interacting with a graphical user interface, words typed in free-text queries for assistance, visual information about users, such as gaze and gesture information, and speech information. Additionally, a method is provided for building an intelligent user interface system by constructing a reasoning model to compute the probability of alternative user's intentions, goals, or informational needs through analysis of information about a user's actions, program state, and words. The intelligent user interface system monitors user interaction with a software application and applies probabilistic reasoning to sense that the user may need assistance in using a particular feature or to accomplish a specific task. The intelligent user interface also accepts a free-text query from the user asking for help and combines the inference analysis of user actions and program state with an inference analysis of the free-text query. The inference system accesses a rich, updatable user profile system to continually check for competencies and changes assistance that is given based on user competence.

Surgical system providing automatic reconfiguration

Abstract: This invention is a system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments connected thereto. The microsurgical instruments are for use by a user such as a surgeon in performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The system includes a data communication bus and a user interface (3) connected to the data communication bus. The user interface (3) provides information to the user and receives information from the user which is representative of microsurgical instruments. The system also includes surgical modules (13) connected to and controlling the microsurgical instruments as a function of at least one of the operating parameters. The surgical modules (13) are also connected to the data communication bus. The data communication bus provides communication of data representative of operating parameters between the user interface (3) and the surgical modules (13).

Personal online banking with integrated online statement and checkbook user interface

Abstract: A software product, computer implemented method, and system provide an integrated user interface having three simultaneously displayed items of information, including a list of transaction instructions, a list of uncleared transactions, and a list of cleared transactions. The simultaneous display, and interaction between the lists, provides for integration of various tasks separately associated with personal finance software products and with online banking products. Two account balances are also simultaneously displayed, a balance for cleared transactions, and a separate balance based on both cleared and uncleared transactions. The two balances provide the user with a complete view of the status of their account and available funds. The software product and system supports online bill payment, electronic funds transfer, and checkbook transactions, without requiring navigation through multiple, separate user interfaces for different modules of the product.

The wearable remembrance agent: a system for augmented memory

Abstract: This paper describes the wearable remembrance agent, a continuously running proactive memory aid that uses the physical context of a wearable computer to provide notes that might be relevant in that context. A currently running prototype is described, along with future directions for research inspired by using the prototype.

An open agent architecture

Abstract: Tile goal of this ongoing project is to develop an open agent architecture and accompanying user interface for networked desktop and handheld machines. The system we are building should support distributed execution of a user’s requests, interoperability of multiple application subsystems, addition of new agents, and incorporation of existing applications. It should also be transparent; users should not need to know where their requests are being executed, nor how. Finally, in order to facilitate the user’s delegating tasks to agents, the architecture will be served by a multimodal interface, including pen, voice, and direct manipulation. Design considerations taken to support this functionality will be discussed below.

Intranet-based system with methods for co-active delivery of information to multiple users

Abstract: An Intranet-based system with methods for co-active information delivery is described. The system allows users to manage the distribution and delivery of information across an enterprise Intranet, the Internet, and common communication channels (e.g., printers, fax, pager and e-mail). The system provides a wizard-like user interface which intuitively walks users through various tasks, including distribution of new documents, updating of existing documents, modifying profiles/policies of documents, groups, roles and individuals. The system provides "Adaptive Distribution" methodology so that, as organizational changes occur, the system ensures that the most current, relevant information is always made available to appropriate eligible subscribers; no additional effort is required from either the subscribers or the distributors. Subscriber lists of a distribution automatically respond to changes in group composition, accommodating new or departing individuals within the organization, as well as accommodating changing organizational roles. As an organization changes, newly eligible recipients are electronically contacted with their new profile. At the same time, newly ineligible people are automatically cut off from the information flow. In this manner, the adaptive methodology ensures that all of these profiles are contextually linked together and changed automatically as new information or context for any part of the profile is updated.

Mudding: Social phenomena in text-based virtual realities.

Abstract: A MUD (Multi-User Dungeon or, sometimes, Multi-User Dimension) is a network-accessible, multi-participant, user-extensible virtual reality whose user interface is entirely textual. Participants (usually called players) have the appearance of being situated in an artificially-constructed place that also contains those other players who are connected at the same time. Players can communicate easily with each other in real time. This virtual gathering place has many of the social attributes of other places, and many of the usual social mechanisms operate there. Certain attributes of this virtual place, however, tend to have significant effects on social phenomena, leading to new mechanisms and modes of behavior not usually seen ‘IRL’ (in real life). In this paper, I relate my experiences and observations from having created and maintained a MUD for over a year. 1 A Brief Introduction to Mudding The Machine did not transmit nuances of expression. It only gave a general idea of people—an idea that was good enough for all practical purposes. E.M. Forster [1] A MUD is a software program that accepts ‘connections’ from multiple users across some kind of network (e.g., telephone lines or the Internet) and provides to each user access to a shared database of ‘rooms’, ‘exits’, and other objects. Each user browses and manipulates this database from ‘inside’ one of those rooms, seeing only those objects that are in the same room and moving from room to room mostly via the exits that connect them. A MUD, therefore, is a kind of virtual reality, an electronically-represented ‘place’ that users can visit. MUDs are not, however, like the kinds of virtual realities that one usually hears about, with fancy graphics and special hardware to sense the position and orientation of the user’s real-world body. A MUD user’s interface to the database is entirely text-based; all commands are typed in by the users and all feedback is

Portable aerobic fitness monitor for walking and running

Abstract: A personal fitness monitoring device and a method for assessing the fitness of an individual as the individual exercises includes using a pedometer to determine and output data representing the locomotion of the individual. A heart rate monitor determines and outputs data representing the heart rate of the individual. A determination arrangement calculates the fitness of the individual as the individual exercises using personal data provided by the individual in combination with the data outputs of the pedometer and the heart rate without requiring a predetermined exercise regime. In one embodiment, the pedometer calculates a distance traveled by the individual using personal data provided by the individual. The personal fitness monitoring device may further include a user interface for communicating with the user. The user interface uses a single user controlled selecting mechanism to select a desired one of various user selectable options. The single user controlled selecting mechanism is arranged such that the user selects the desired option by actuating the selecting mechanism during or immediately following the time during which the desired option is being presented by the user interface. The personal fitness monitoring device may also include a predicting arrangement for tracking and predicting the fitness of the individual.

Platform independent computer network management client

Abstract: A client-server network management system includes: a plurality of managed computer network elements, a managed element server that executes on a first computer; and at least one managed element server client that typically executes on a second computer. The managed element server and managed element server client are computer processes that execute from memory of their respective computers. The client-server network management system is really two applications in one: a visual element manager builder and a manager. The manager provides the run-time environment in which element managers are executed to monitor and manage computer network behavior such as network throughput, collision rate, and number of duplicate IP packets, to name a few. The manager portion of managed element server is independent of any graphic user interface. The logic and structure of the manager of managed element server is cleanly separated from the graphic user interfaces. The visual element manager builder is a visual development environment in which device vendors or network managers may create standardized element management applications, called element managers. A user can build an element manager without writing a any computer code. In addition, a user can edit an element manager without writing any computer code. A graphic user interface of this invention, that is displayed by the client, includes a visual image of a computer network element being managed. As a user looks at the visual display in the graphic user interface, the user is provided the same visual information as if the user where physically present at the location of the managed computer network element. Thus, at a glance, a user can obtain considerable information about the status of the computer network element as represented by the visual display.

Post-WIMP user interfaces

Abstract: characterized by four distinguishable interface styles, each lasting for many years and optimized to the hardware available at the time. In the first period, the early 1950s and 1960s, computers were used in batch mode with punched-card input and line-printer output; there were essentially no user interfaces because there were no interactive users (although some of us were privileged to be able to do console debugging using switches and lights as our “user interface”). The second period in the evolution of interfaces (early 1960s through early 1980s) was the era of timesharing on mainframes and minicomputers using mechanical or “glass” teletypes (alphanumeric displays), when for the first time users could interact with the computer by typing in commands with parameters. Note that this era persisted even through the age of personal microcomputers with such operating systems as DOS and Unix with their command line shells. During the 1970s, timesharing and manual command lines remained deeply entrenched, but at Xerox PARC the third age of user interfaces dawned. Raster graphics-based networked workstations and “pointand-click” WIMP GUIs (graphical user interfaces based on windows, icons, menus, and a pointing device, typically a mouse) are the legacy of Xerox PARC that we’re still using today. WIMP GUIs were popularized by the Macintosh in 1984 and later copied by Windows on the PC and Motif on Unix workstations. Applications today have much the same look and feel as the early desktop applications (except for the increased “realism” achieved through the use of drop shadows for buttons and other UI widgets); the main advance lies in the shift from monochrome displays to color and in a large set of software-engineering tools for building WIMP interfaces. I find it rather surprising that the third generation of WIMP user interfaces has been so dominant for more than two decades; they are apparently sufficiently good for conventional desktop tasks that the field is stuck comfortably in a rut. I argue in this essay that the status quo does not suffice—that the newer forms of computing and computing devices available today necessitate new thinking t h e h u m a n c o n n e c t i o n Andries van Dam

Direct manipulation for comprehensible, predictable and controllable user interfaces

Abstract: Direct manipulation user interfaces have proven their worth over two decades, but they are still in their youth. Dramatic opportunities exist to develop direct manipulation programming to create end-user programming tools, dynamic queries to perform information search in large databases, and information visualization to support network database browsing. Direct manipulation depends on visual representation of the objects and actions of interest, physical . actions or pointing instead of complex syntax, and rapid incremental reversible operations whose effect on the object of interest is immediately visible. This strategy can lead to user interfaces that are comprehensible, predictable and controllable. Direct manipulation interfaces are seen as more likely candidates to influence advanced user interfaces than adaptive, autonomous, intelligent agents. User control and responsibility are highly desirable. Note: This paper is adapted, with permission of the publisher, from the forthcoming book: Designing the User Znte~ace: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction (3rd Edition), Addison Wesley, Reading, MA (1997).

Towards situated computing

Abstract: Situated computing concerns the ability of computing devices to detect, interpret and respond to aspects of the user's local environment. In this paper, we use our recent prototyping experience to identify a number of challenging issues that must be resolved in building wearable computers that support situated applications. The paper is organized into three areas: Sensing the local environment, interpreting sensor data, and realizing the value of situated applications. We conclude that while it is feasible to develop interesting prototypes, there remain many difficulties to overcome before robust systems may be widely deployed.

Making computers easier for older adults to use: area cursors and sticky icons

Abstract: The normal effects of aging include some decline in cognitive, perceptual, and motor abilities. This can have a negative effect on the performance of a number of tasks, including basic pointing and selection tasks common to today’s graphical user interfaces. This paper describes a study of the effectiveness of two interaction techniques: area cursors and sticky icons, in improving the performance of older adults in basic selection tasks. The study described here indicates that when combined, these techniques can decrease target selection times for older adults by as much as 50°/0 when applied to the most difficult cases (smallest selection targets). At the same time these techniques are shown not to impede performance in cases known to be problematical for related techniques (e.g., differentiation between closely spaced targets) and to provide similar but smaller benefits for younger users.

Television schedule system with access control

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule system (1) with a user interface (38) which allows a user to control access to television programs by, time rating, content, and/or channel. Furthermore, the user may set a limit on pay-per-view (PPV) spending to limit the purchase of PPV programs.

Automatic word completion system for partially entered data

Abstract: A word completion system that can automatically predict unrestricted word completions for data entries in an unstructured portion of a data file. The word completion system applies prediction criteria to avoid annoying the user by displaying an excessive number of wrong suggestions. Suggested word completions, which may change as the user types a partial data entry, are displayed in a non-disruptive manner and selected using traditional acceptance keystrokes, such as the “tab” key or the “enter” key. The word completion system may be deployed on an individual application program basis or on a application-independent basis. Because different word suggestion lists may be appropriate for different application programs, and for different data files created with the same application program, the word completion system allows the user to select one or more suggestion lists for use with each data file. A user interface allows the user to customize each suggestion list on an on-going basis. Each suggestion list may contain dynamic word completions that are tied to dynamic parameters maintained by the computer system, such as the time, date, registered user, and so forth. Each suggestion list may also be tied to contextual information, such as structured data fields or context labels assigned manually or by a document-creation aid known as a “wizard.”

System and method for globally accessing computer services

Abstract: A system (100) for communicating through a computer network (140). The system includes a communications engine for establishing a communications link with a server (130), a browser (155), coupled to the communications engine, for receiving applet information corresponding to a service from the server, and an applet engine for using the applet information to control user interface I/O of the service. The communications engine may confirm user access privileges before establishing a communications link between the client (150) and the server (130). The communications engine receives configuration data (137), and configures client attributes using the configuration data to provide a user-specific user interface to the client. The system may be stored on a floppy disk or hard drive.

How user perceptions influence software use

Abstract: Traditionally, human-computer interaction researchers have focused on a system's usability. The authors applied an MIS-proven technology acceptance model that accounts for system usefulness as well. They discovered that this factor has a strong bearing on user acceptance.

The contour spectrum

Abstract: We introduce the contour spectrllm, a user interface component that improves qualitative user interaction and provides real-time exad quantification in the visualization of isoconlours. The contour spectrum is a signature consisting of a variety of scalar data and conlour attributes, computed over the range of scalar values wE!R. We explore the use of surface area, volume, and gradient integral of the contour that are shown to be univariate B-spline functions of the scalar value w for multi-dimensional unstructured triangulal' grids. These quantitative propcrties arc calculated in real-time and presented to the user as a collection of signature graphs (plots of functions of w) to assist in selecting relevant isovalues Wo for informative visualization. For timevarying data, these quantitativc properties can also be computed over time, and displaycd using a 2D interface, giving the user an overview of the time-varying function, and allowing interaction in both isovalue and timestep. The effectiveness of the current system and potential extensions are discussed.

Human-computer interaction: psychology as a science of design.

Abstract: Human-computer interaction (HCI) study is the region of intersection between psychology and the social sciences, on the one hand, and computer science and technology, on the other. HCI researchers analyze and design specific user interface technologies (e.g. pointing devices). They study and improve the processes of technology development (e.g. task analysis, design rationale). They develop and evaluate new applications of technology (e.g. word processors, digital libraries). Throughout the past two decades, HCI has progressively integrated its scientific concerns with the engineering goal of improving the usability of computer systems and applications, which has resulted in a body of technical knowledge and methodology. HCI continues to provide a challenging test domain for applying and developing psychological and social theory in the context of technology development and use.

Multi-node user interface component and method thereof for use in accessing a plurality of linked records

Abstract: A user interface component and method of using the same graphically display linked records with node display elements representing individual records, and optional link display elements representing the links therebetween. The user interface component may be automatically and dynamically generated during navigation between linked records, such that whenever a new link is taken from a record represented by a node display element, a new node display element is generated. In addition, the user interface component may further be configured to graphically represent the particular location of a particular link within a record, as well as a scroll display element associated with selected node display elements such that specific data or locations within the records associated therewith may be accessed. Moreover, the user interface component may also be configured to incorporate a retrieve progress display element that indicates a current status of a retrieve operation for a record. Individual node display elements within a user interface component may also separately indicate status information for their associated records, e.g., displaying a cache status and/or a matching status that indicates whether associated records match a predetermined search criteria, among others. The user interface component may also be utilized to perform common operations such as printing, caching and loading, among others, on selected records in response to user selection of the nodes associated with the selected records.

Highlighting tool for search specification in a user interface of a computer system

Abstract: A search interface is provided that is easy to use and understand. A unique visual metaphor in the form of a "highlight" tool is used for this purpose. The highlighting tool is used to identify search terms. In one embodiment, a user uses the tool to mark text on a document, such as an HTML document displayed in a Web browser. Upon selection of this text, and preferably following a time delay, a pop-up menu appears that offers the user the option of searching for this text. After searching and receiving the results, the user can again use the highlighting tool to mark one or more words/terms (or other information, such as a URL) within the results listed.

System for managing multimedia objects

Abstract: A system for managing multimedia objects such as text, images, sound, and video clips. The system provides improved organization of multimedia objects, through use of albums organized into collections of albums. In addition, improved printout of multimedia objects through user-activateable selection of particular fields from a multimedia database to accompany printouts of multimedia objects. A user interface is defined for allowing a user to obtain a thumbnail view of images in multimedia objects, simply by sliding a mouse cursor over database entry pointing of the image. In addition, a unique architecture of a system for managing multimedia objects is described.

User interface and rule processing for a personal communications routing system

Abstract: A user interface provides a uniform control scheme among different devices in a personal communications routing system. The system allows devices such as a personal computer, personal information communicator, pager, fax machine and base station to be operated with a standard twelve key telephone keypad controller for the purpose of accessing electronic messages such as e-mail, voice-mail, fax transmissions, etc. Handheld communicators are docked with the devices to provide wireless transmission between a base station and numerous devices in a multi-user environment. The base station receives electronic messages for the users in, e.g., an office and routes the messages to a device as the user instructs. The user is able to perform operations on the messages such as reading, responding, deleting, etc., by using the keypad. A visual indication of user designated message bins, along with icons to represent messages received, is used to special advantage by coordinating the bin layout with the arrangement of keys on the keypad. Another feature of the system is that rules can be predefined to route, screen or otherwise manipulate the messages. The rules are applied by the base station to each incoming message. Different users can have different rules such as automatic forwarding of messages, automatic paging upon receipt of a message and sorting of messages by sender's name or time of day.