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Showing papers on "User interface published in 2010"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: publCIF is an application designed for creating, editing and validating crystallographic information files (CIFs) that are used in journal publication and provides a web interface to the checkCIF service of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), which provides a full crystallographic analysis of the structural data.
Abstract: publCIF is an application designed for creating, editing and validating crystallographic information files (CIFs) that are used in journal publication. It validates syntax and dictionary-defined data attributes through internal routines, and also provides a web interface to the checkCIF service of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), which provides a full crystallographic analysis of the structural data. The graphical interface allows users to edit the CIF either in its `raw' ASCII form (using a text editor with context-sensitive data validation and input facilities) or as a formatted representation of a structure report (using a word-processing environment), as well as via a number of convenience tools (e.g. spreadsheet representations of looped data). Beyond file and data validation, publCIF provides access to resources to facilitate preparation of a structure report (e.g. databases of author details, experimental data, standard references etc., either distributed with the program or collected during its use), along with tools for reference parsing, spell checking, structure visualization and image management. publCIF was commissioned by the IUCr, both as free software for authors and as a tool for in-house journal production; the tool for authors is described here. Binary distributions for Linux, MacOS and Windows operating systems are available.

4,836 citations


BookDOI
28 Oct 2010
TL;DR: This handbook illustrates how recommender systems can support the user in decision-making, planning and purchasing processes, and works for well known corporations such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and AT&T.
Abstract: The explosive growth of e-commerce and online environments has made the issue of information search and selection increasingly serious; users are overloaded by options to consider and they may not have the time or knowledge to personally evaluate these options. Recommender systems have proven to be a valuable way for online users to cope with the information overload and have become one of the most powerful and popular tools in electronic commerce. Correspondingly, various techniques for recommendation generation have been proposed. During the last decade, many of them have also been successfully deployed in commercial environments. Recommender Systems Handbook, an edited volume, is a multi-disciplinary effort that involves world-wide experts from diverse fields, such as artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, information technology, data mining, statistics, adaptive user interfaces, decision support systems, marketing, and consumer behavior. Theoreticians and practitioners from these fields continually seek techniques for more efficient, cost-effective and accurate recommender systems. This handbook aims to impose a degree of order on this diversity, by presenting a coherent and unified repository of recommender systems major concepts, theories, methodologies, trends, challenges and applications. Extensive artificial applications, a variety of real-world applications, and detailed case studies are included. Recommender Systems Handbook illustrates how this technology can support the user in decision-making, planning and purchasing processes. It works for well known corporations such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and AT&T. This handbook is suitable for researchers and advanced-level students in computer science as a reference.

2,401 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
13 Jun 2010
TL;DR: The design, construction and verification of cyber-physical systems pose a multitude of technical challenges that must be addressed by a cross-disciplinary community of researchers and educators.
Abstract: Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are physical and engineered systems whose operations are monitored, coordinated, controlled and integrated by a computing and communication core. Just as the internet transformed how humans interact with one another, cyber-physical systems will transform how we interact with the physical world around us. Many grand challenges await in the economically vital domains of transportation, health-care, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, defense, aerospace and buildings. The design, construction and verification of cyber-physical systems pose a multitude of technical challenges that must be addressed by a cross-disciplinary community of researchers and educators.

1,692 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
03 Oct 2010
TL;DR: S soylent, a word processing interface that enables writers to call on Mechanical Turk workers to shorten, proofread, and otherwise edit parts of their documents on demand, and the Find-Fix-Verify crowd programming pattern, which splits tasks into a series of generation and review stages.
Abstract: This paper introduces architectural and interaction patterns for integrating crowdsourced human contributions directly into user interfaces. We focus on writing and editing, complex endeavors that span many levels of conceptual and pragmatic activity. Authoring tools offer help with pragmatics, but for higher-level help, writers commonly turn to other people. We thus present Soylent, a word processing interface that enables writers to call on Mechanical Turk workers to shorten, proofread, and otherwise edit parts of their documents on demand. To improve worker quality, we introduce the Find-Fix-Verify crowd programming pattern, which splits tasks into a series of generation and review stages. Evaluation studies demonstrate the feasibility of crowdsourced editing and investigate questions of reliability, cost, wait time, and work time for edits.

814 citations


Patent
02 Apr 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, an improved user interface and method for presenting recommendations to a user when the user adds an item to a shopping cart is presented, where a page generation process generates and returns a page that includes a recommendation portion and a condensed view of the shopping cart.
Abstract: An improved user interface and method are provided for presenting recommendations to a user when the user adds an item to a shopping cart. In response to the shopping cart add event, a page generation process generates and returns a page that includes a recommendations portion and a condensed view of the shopping cart. The recommendations portion preferably includes multiple recommendation sections, each of which displays a different respective set of recommended items selected according to a different respective recommendation or selection algorithm (e.g., recommendations based on shopping cart contents, recommendations based on purchase history, etc.). The condensed shopping cart view preferably lacks controls for editing the shopping cart, and lacks certain types of product information, making more screen real estate available for the display of the recommendations content. A link to a full shopping cart page allows the user to edit the shopping cart and view expanded product descriptions.

555 citations


Patent
07 May 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, an accessibility method is performed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, in response to detecting a first user interface navigation gesture by a finger on the touch sensitive surface, navigating in the plurality of user interface elements in accordance with a current navigable unit type.
Abstract: An accessibility method is performed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a plurality of user interface elements on the display; in response to detecting a first user interface navigation gesture by a finger on the touch-sensitive surface, navigating in the plurality of user interface elements in accordance with a current navigable unit type; in response to detecting a first user interface navigation setting gesture on the touch-sensitive surface: changing the current navigable unit type from the first navigable unit type to a second navigable unit type; and outputting accessibility information about the second navigable unit type; after changing the current navigable unit type, in response to detecting a second user interface navigation gesture by the finger on the touch-sensitive surface, navigating in the plurality of user interface elements in accordance with the current navigable unit type.

532 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: I believe the authors will look back on 2010 as the year they expanded beyond the mouse and keyboard and started incorporating more natural forms of interaction such as touch, speech, gestures, handwriting, and vision— what computer scientists call the 'NUI' or natural user interface.
Abstract: I believe we will look back on 2010 as the year we expanded beyond the mouse and keyboard and started incorporating more natural forms of interaction such as touch, speech, gestures, handwriting, and vision— what computer scientists call the 'NUI' or natural user interface. \" —Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft Gestural interaction is the new excitement in the halls of industry. Advances in the size, power, and cost of microprocessors , memory, cameras, and other sensing devices now make it possible to control by wipes and flicks, hand gestures , and body movements. A new world of interaction is here: The rulebooks and guidelines are being rewritten, or at least, such is the claim. And the new interactions even have a new marketing name: natural, as in \" Natural User Interface. \" As usual, marketing rhetoric is ahead of reality. Fundamental principles of knowledge of results, feedback , and a good conceptual model still rule. The strength of the graphical user interface (GUI) has little to do with its use of graphics: It has to do with the ease of remembering actions, both in what actions are possible and how to invoke them. Visible icons and visible menus are the mechanisms, and despite the well-known problems of scaling up to the demands of modern complex systems, they still allow one to explore and learn. The important design rule of a GUI is visibility: Through the menus, all possible actions can be made visible and, therefore, easily discoverable. The system can often be learned through exploration. Systems that avoid these well-known methods suffer. Gestural interfaces are not new. Gestures have been part of the interface scene since the very early days. Brad Myers' 1998 review describes work in the 1960s and reminds us that they were first commercially deployed in systems for computer-aided design and with the Apple Newton of 1992. Myron Krueger's pioneering work on artificial reality in the early 1980s was my first introduction to gestural interaction with large, projected images. Multiple-touch systems have been around since the 1980s: Bill Buxton's review correlates the date of the first multi-touch system designed for human-computer interaction with the 1982 M.S. thesis of Nimish Mehta. Specialized sensors for detecting human location and movement have long played a role in game design. Musical instruments are both multi-touch and gestural, and electronic input devices such as drum pads and electric guitars extend these modes of …

464 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
26 Apr 2010
TL;DR: How trust is based on intimacy and other considerations inform the architecture, algorithms, and user interface of Aardvark, and how they are reflected in the behavior of AARDvark users are described.
Abstract: We present Aardvark, a social search engine. With Aardvark, users ask a question, either by instant message, email, web input, text message, or voice. Aardvark then routes the question to the person in the user's extended social network most likely to be able to answer that question. As compared to a traditional web search engine, where the challenge lies in finding the right document to satisfy a user's information need, the challenge in a social search engine like Aardvark lies in finding the right person to satisfy a user's information need. Further, while trust in a traditional search engine is based on authority, in a social search engine like Aardvark, trust is based on intimacy. We describe how these considerations inform the architecture, algorithms, and user interface of Aardvark, and how they are reflected in the behavior of Aardvark users.

451 citations


Patent
Imran Chaudhri1
22 Sep 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, a multifunction device displays a plurality of selectable user interface objects on the display, and the device moves a first input object in the plurality of selected user interfaces across the display to a location on display that is proximate to a second input object.
Abstract: A multifunction device displays a plurality of selectable user interface objects on the display. In response to detecting the first input, the device moves a first object in the plurality of selectable user interface objects across the display to a location on the display that is proximate to a second object in the plurality of selectable user interface objects. In response to detecting that the first input meets predefined folder-creation criteria while the first object is proximate to the second object, the device creates a folder that contains the first object and the second object.

435 citations


Patent
14 Jan 2010
TL;DR: A variety of road traffic condition information may be presented to users in various manners, including by presenting information on graphically displayed maps for geographic areas to indicate various information about road conditions in the geographic area.
Abstract: Techniques are described for displaying or otherwise providing information to users regarding various types of road traffic condition information in various ways. The information may be provided, for example, as part of a user interface (or “UI”), which may in some situations further include one or more types of user-selectable controls to allow a user to manipulate in various ways what road traffic condition information is displayed and/or how the information is displayed. A variety of types of road traffic condition information may be presented to users in various manners, including by presenting information on graphically displayed maps for geographic areas to indicate various information about road conditions in the geographic area. In addition, provided controls may allow users to select particular times, select particular routes, indicate to perform animation of various types of changing traffic conditions over a sequence of multiple successive times, etc.

414 citations


Patent
16 Jul 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, a system and method providing for communication and resolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof.
Abstract: A system and method providing for communication and resolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof. A user interface having express representation of both information elements, and associated reliability of the information. An automated system for optimally conveying information based on relevance and reliability.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The implementation of the generalized control approach on a single unilateral transfemoral amputee subject is described and the effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated via experiments.
Abstract: This paper describes a control architecture and intent recognition approach for the real-time supervisory control of a powered lower limb prosthesis. The approach infers user intent to stand, sit, or walk, by recognizing patterns in prosthesis sensor data in real time, without the need for instrumentation of the sound-side leg. Specifically, the intent recognizer utilizes time-based features extracted from frames of prosthesis signals, which are subsequently reduced to a lower dimensionality (for computational efficiency). These data are initially used to train intent models, which classify the patterns as standing, sitting, or walking. The trained models are subsequently used to infer the user's intent in real time. In addition to describing the generalized control approach, this paper describes the implementation of this approach on a single unilateral transfemoral amputee subject and demonstrates via experiments the effectiveness of the approach. In the real-time supervisory control experiments, the intent recognizer identified all 90 activity-mode transitions, switching the underlying middle-level controllers without any perceivable delay by the user. The intent recognizer also identified six activity-mode transitions, which were not intended by the user. Due to the intentional overlapping functionality of the middle-level controllers, the incorrect classifications neither caused problems in functionality, nor were perceived by the user.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Design with Intent Method is illustrated via application to an everyday human-technology interaction problem: reducing the likelihood of a customer leaving his or her card in an automatic teller machine, demonstrating that the method has potential for development and application as part of a user-centred design process.

Book
26 Feb 2010
TL;DR: Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) as discussed by the authors have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds, drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, showing a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information.
Abstract: In the last two decades, Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds. Drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, TUIs show a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information. However, TUI research is still in its infancy and extensive research is required in order to fully understand the implications of tangible user interfaces, to develop technologies that further bridge the digital and the physical, and to guide TUI design with empirical knowledge. This monograph examines the existing body of work on Tangible User Interfaces. We start by sketching the history of tangible user interfaces, examining the intellectual origins of this field. We then present TUIs in a broader context, survey application domains, and review frameworks and taxonomies. We also discuss conceptual foundations of TUIs including perspectives from cognitive sciences, psychology, and philosophy. Methods and technologies for designing, building, and evaluating TUIs are also addressed. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limitations of TUIs and chart directions for future research.

BookDOI
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: Brain-computer interfaces , Brain-computer interface , کتابخانه مرکزی دانشگاه علوم پزشاشکی اتهران.
Abstract: Brain-computer interfaces , Brain-computer interfaces , کتابخانه مرکزی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران

Patent
05 Jan 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a first user input identifying a 2D object presented in a user interface can be detected, and a second user input including a 3D gesture input that includes a movement in proximity to a surface, and the 3D object can be presented in the user interface.
Abstract: Three-dimensional objects can be generated based on two-dimensional objects. A first user input identifying a 2D object presented in a user interface can be detected, and a second user input including a 3D gesture input that includes a movement in proximity to a surface can be detected. A 3D object can be generated based on the 2D object according to the first and second user inputs, and the 3D object can be presented in the user interface.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors developed various prototypes to explore novel ways for human-computer interaction enabled by the Internet of Things and related technologies and derive a set of guidelines for embedding interfaces into people's daily lives.
Abstract: The Internet of Things assumes that objects have digital functionality and can be identified and tracked automatically. The main goal of embedded interaction is to look at new opportunities that arise for interactive systems and the immediate value users gain. The authors developed various prototypes to explore novel ways for human-computer interaction (HCI), enabled by the Internet of Things and related technologies. Based on these experiences, they derive a set of guidelines for embedding interfaces into people's daily lives.

Patent
21 Dec 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, the user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface.
Abstract: The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of the study show that, compared to manufacturers' defaults, interfaces automatically generated by Supple significantly improve speed, accuracy and satisfaction of people with motor impairments.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
25 Oct 2010
TL;DR: Sonic Visualiser is a friendly and flexible end-user desktop application for analysis, visualisation, and annotation of music audio files that has a user interface that resembles familiar audio editing applications, a set of useful standard visualisation facilities, and support for a plugin format for additional automated analysis methods.
Abstract: Sonic Visualiser is a friendly and flexible end-user desktop application for analysis, visualisation, and annotation of music audio files. Its stated goal is to be "the first program you reach for when want to study a musical recording rather than simply listen to it". To this end, it has a user interface that resembles familiar audio editing applications, a set of useful standard visualisation facilities, and support for a plugin format for additional automated analysis methods.

Patent
09 Feb 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, a physical interaction zone of a user is defined based on a size of the user and other factors such as shape and location of the zone can be customized for the user.
Abstract: In a motion capture system having a depth camera, a physical interaction zone of a user is defined based on a size of the user and other factors The zone is a volume in which the user performs hand gestures to provide inputs to an application The shape and location of the zone can be customized for the user The zone is anchored to the user so that the gestures can be performed from any location in the field of view Also, the zone is kept between the user and the depth camera even as the user rotates his or her body so that the user is not facing the camera A display provides feedback based on a mapping from a coordinate system of the zone to a coordinate system of the display The user can move a cursor on the display or control an avatar

Patent
30 Nov 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a sharing model enables users to easily and conveniently create and share standard and custom database objects, and applications, among users or groups of users, including tab sets.
Abstract: A sharing model enables users to easily and conveniently create and share standard and custom database objects, and applications, among users or groups of users. The sharing model includes systems and methods that allow users to conveniently create and customize tabs and tab sets that define relationships between custom objects and fields, standard objects and fields, and applications. A tab visually represents a user interface into an element of an application or into a database object. Selection of a tab provides a user access to the object or element of the application represented by the tab. A tab set is a group of related tabs that work as a unit to provide application functionality. New tabs and tab sets may be defined and tab set views may be customized so that an end user can easily and conveniently switch between the various objects and application elements represented by the displayed tabs and tab set views.

Patent
21 Jan 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, a novel user interface, operating system, software language and architecture are described for a novel operating system based on the Java programming language (Java SE 2.0).
Abstract: Disclosed are a novel user interface, operating system, software language and architecture.

BookDOI
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: This practical guide to successful Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) experiments, uses the general-purpose software platform BCI2000 and provides comprehensive introductory and intermediate concepts of all relevant aspects pertaining to common BCI experiments.
Abstract: This practical guide to successful Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) experiments, uses the general-purpose software platform BCI2000. It provides comprehensive introductory and intermediate concepts of all relevant aspects pertaining to common BCI experiments. Opening with a general introduction to the principles of BCI operation, brain signal acquisition using different types of sensors, BCI signal processing (including common feature extraction and feature translation methods), and device output, this general introduction to BCI research is followed by an introduction to the BCI2000 software platform, including a step-by step tour and step-by-step tutorials for using BCI2000 with sensorimotor rhythms and P300 evoked potentials. Advanced concepts are discussed and a programming reference and exercises included. There is a section for frequently asked questions and technical references.

Patent
28 Oct 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a graphical user interface and digital content processor for the management of digital data is presented, characterized by two treeview controls capable of transforming the screen display of items under management by acting as a filtering mechanism for the category value pairs inherent in every item under management.
Abstract: A graphical user interface and digital content processor for the management of digital data. The graphical user interface is characterized by two treeview controls capable of transforming the screen display of items under management by acting as a filtering mechanism for the category value pairs inherent in every item under management. The treeview controls folders, or nodes, transform the screen display of data under management to filter by the category values represented by the treeview controls' folders when selected.

Patent
10 Jun 2010
TL;DR: A context-aware mobile device such as a cell phone automatically determines appropriate user interface (UI) settings to implement at different times and/or locations, thereby relieving the user of this task as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A context-aware mobile device such as a cell phone automatically determines appropriate user interface (UI) settings to implement at different times and/or locations. A behavior of the mobile device is tracked by determining locations visited and UI settings which are manually configured by the user. Patterns in the movement and UI settings relative to one another and to time are detected. When a particular location or time is subsequently reached which corresponds to the pattern, an appropriate UI setting can be implemented, thereby relieving the user of this task. Locations can be detected by electromagnetic signals at different locations, such as from a Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth network, RF or infrared beacon, or a wireless point-of-sale terminal. An identifier from the signals such as an SSID can be stored. Labels for locations can be automatically assigned, or the user can be prompted to provide a label for commonly visited locations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that use situations characterized by high distraction and poor quality of network connection are particularly challenging for the design of mobile IS, and that the user interface requires particular attention.
Abstract: Mobile information technology (IT) holds great promise to support managerial processes; however, clear guidelines of how to design effective mobile information systems (IS) for use by managers are still lacking. Building on earlier research studies of task-technology fit (TTF) and other areas of IS, this article presents a three-step conceptual model to establish fit between managerial tasks, mobile IT, and the mobile use context, assuming that a good fit positively impacts task performance. We find that use situations characterized by high distraction and poor quality of network connection are particularly challenging for the design of mobile IS, and that the user interface requires particular attention. Our model contributes to IS research by joining disparate streams of research in an effort to help advance our understanding about the development and utilization of mobile IS. From a practical perspective, we contribute to the success of mobile IS and to the effectiveness of mobile work as it becomes increasingly prevalent in our modern world.

Patent
Rod Rigole1
16 Mar 2010
TL;DR: An interchange party computer system (IPCS) is a means for presenting user interfaces to consumer computer systems and capturing data input through the user interfaces, the IPCS being associated with at least one database holding data representing a plurality of consumer profiles as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: An interchange party computer system (IPCS) having means for presenting user interfaces to consumer computer systems and capturing data input through the user interfaces, the IPCS being associated with at least one database holding data representing a plurality of consumer profiles, the profiles including consumer profiles expressing service selection attributes for a plurality of service sectors, and at least one database holding data for a plurality of service programs under a plurality of service sectors, each sector being represented by service programs from a plurality of service providers, the IPCS including (a) a Service Comparison/Selection; (b) a Automatic Bill Payment Module; (c) an Automated Services Monitoring Module; (d) an Automated Best Services Selection Module; (e) a Services Search Module; (f) an Incentive Program Module; (g) a Data Mining Module; and/or (h) a Pooling Module.

Book
03 Dec 2010
TL;DR: Embedded System Design can be used as a text book for courses on embedded systems and as a source which provides pointers to relevant material in the area for PhD students and teachers.
Abstract: Until the late 1980s, information processing was associated with large mainframe computers and huge tape drives. During the 1990s, this trend shifted toward information processing with personal computers, or PCs. The trend toward miniaturization continues and in the future the majority of information processing systems will be small mobile computers, many of which will be embedded into larger products and interfaced to the physical environment. Hence, these kinds of systems are called embedded systems. Embedded systems together with their physical environment are called cyber-physical systems. Examples include systems such as transportation and fabrication equipment. It is expected that the total market volume of embedded systems will be significantly larger than that of traditional information processing systems such as PCs and mainframes. Embedded systems share a number of common characteristics. For example, they must be dependable, efficient, meet real-time constraints and require customized user interfaces (instead of generic keyboard and mouse interfaces). Therefore, it makes sense to consider common principles of embedded system design.Embedded System Design starts with an introduction into the area and a survey of specification models and languages for embedded and cyber-physical systems. It provides a brief overview of hardware devices used for such systems and presents the essentials of system software for embedded systems, like real-time operating systems. The book also discusses evaluation and validation techniques for embedded systems. Furthermore, the book presents an overview of techniques for mapping applications to execution platforms. Due to the importance of resource efficiency, the book also contains a selected set of optimization techniques for embedded systems, including special compilation techniques. The book closes with a brief survey on testing.Embedded System Design can be used as a text book for courses on embedded systems and as a source which provides pointers to relevant material in the area for PhD students and teachers. It assumes a basic knowledge of information processing hardware and software. Courseware related to this book is available at http://ls12-www.cs.tu-dortmund.de/~marwedel.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
21 May 2010
TL;DR: It is argued, that the combination of both, a technically sophisticated smart home application and at the same time transparent, intuitive user interfaces showing information regarding the energy usage, e.g. energy price, energy source, standby consumption etc., has the potential to bring the vision of the energy efficient smart home within reach.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a novel smart home system integrating energy efficiency features. The smart home application is built on top of Hydra, a middleware framework that facilitates the intelligent communication of heterogeneous embedded devices through an overlay P2P network. We interconnect common devices available in private households and integrate wireless power metering plugs to gain access to energy consumption data. These data are used for monitoring and analyzing consumed energy on device level in near real-time. Further, transparent information about the energy usage can be used to efficiently program and control home appliances depending on various factors, e.g. the electricity price. Making more and more data available to end-users, brings with it further challenges in the area of user interfaces. Hence, we complete the smart home system by intuitive user interfaces presenting energy consumption data in meaningful contexts and allowing end users to interact with their environment. We argue, that the combination of both, a technically sophisticated smart home application and at the same time transparent, intuitive user interfaces showing information regarding the energy usage, e.g. energy price, energy source, standby consumption etc., has the potential to bring the vision of the energy efficient smart home within reach.