| Tasks = Data + Action + Context: Automated Task Assistance through Data-Oriented Analysis | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 1-13 | |
| Alan Dix | |||
| Human activity unfolds partly through planning and learnt sequences of
actions, and partly through reaction to the physical objects and digital data
in the environment. This paper describes various techniques related to
automatic task assistance that take this role of data as central. Although this
brings additional complexity, it also offers ways to simplify or bypass
problems in task inference that otherwise appear difficult or impossible.
Although the focus in this paper is on automated task support, the importance
of objects and data in understanding tasks is one that applies to other forms
of task analysis in the design process. Keywords: task inference; data detectors; automated task support; intelligent user
interfaces; task as grammar | |||
| Assessment of Object Use for Task Modeling | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 14-28 | |
| Sybille Caffiau; Patrick Girard; Dominique L. Scapin; Laurent Guittet; Loe Sanou | |||
| Past research in task modeling suggests the need to introduce objects when
using task models for the design of interactive applications. Objects are
however rarely included in the task model notations and formalisms.
Furthermore, when part of the formalism, their definition is usually informal;
and the supporting tool does not generally take them into account for
simulation. K-MADe is the first tool that fully uses objects for condition
evaluations during task model simulation. This paper presents an evaluation
investigating the usage of formal objects with K-MADe. The results show that
whilst object concepts seem to be essential in the task model process, their
usage and manipulation is not easy. Keywords: evaluation; task models; objects; K-MADe | |||
| Task Model-Based Usability Evaluation for Smart Environments | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 29-40 | |
| Stefan Propp; Gregor Buchholz; Peter Forbrig | |||
| Task models are widely used within the research field of HCI for the
model-based development of interactive systems. Recently introduced approaches
applied task models further to model the cooperative behavior of people using
devices within a smart environment. We describe a method of model-based
usability evaluation to evaluate interactive systems, with a particular focus
on smart environments, which are developed based on task models. We consider
the evaluation in early development stages to interactively walk through the
models and in later stages to execute a test case within a real environment.
The paper provides results of a prototypical implementation. Keywords: Model-based Usability Evaluation; Task Models; Smart Environment | |||
| From Task to Agent-Oriented Meta-models, and Back Again | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 41-57 | |
| Steve Goschnick; Sandrine Balbo; Liz Sonenberg | |||
| In the research discussed here, in addition to extracting meta-models from
numerous existing Agent architectures and frameworks, we looked at several Task
meta-models, with the aim of creating a more comprehensive Agent meta-model
with respect to the analysis, design and development of computer games. From
the agent-oriented perspective gained by examining the resultant extensive
agent meta-model -- named ShaMAN -- we then revisit the Task Analysis research
domain, and consider what benefits Task Analysis and Modelling may draw from
the Agent-oriented paradigm. Keywords: Agent-oriented; Task Models; Multi-Agent Systems; Meta-model; Agent
Meta-models; Task Meta-models; Software Engineering; Computer game development;
Agents in computer games | |||
| Steps in Identifying Interaction Design Patterns for Multimodal Systems | | BIBA | Full-Text | 58-71 | |
| Andreas Ratzka | |||
| The context of this work is usability engineering for multimodal interaction. In contrast to other work that concentrates on prototyping toolkits or abstract guidelines, this research focuses on user interface patterns for multimodal interaction. Designing multimodal applications requires several skills ranging from design and implementation. Thus, different kinds of patterns (from architecture patterns to user interface patterns) can be applied to this field. This work focuses on user-task near user interface patterns. At first, a traditional approach of modality selection based on task- and context-based rules is presented. Next, a twofold process of pattern mining is presented. In the first phase, pattern candidates are derived top-down from proven knowledge about how multimodality enhances usability. In the second phase, literature is mined for real solutions to underpin these pattern candidates and find new ones. Along with this, relationships between patterns are depicted. | |||
| Information Supply Mechanisms in Ubiquitous Computing, Crisis Management and Workflow Modelling | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 72-83 | |
| Jurriaan van Diggelen; Robbert-Jan Beun; Rogier M. van Eijk; Peter J. Werkhoven | |||
| The successful application of ubiquitous computing in crisis management
requires a thorough understanding of the mechanisms that extract information
from sensors and communicate it via PDA's to crisis workers. Whereas query and
subscribe protocols are well studied mechanisms for information exchange
between different computers, it is not straightforward how to apply them for
communication between a computer and a human crisis worker, with limited
cognitive resources. To examine the imposed cognitive load, we focus on the
relation of the information supply mechanism with the workflow, or task model,
of the crisis worker. We formalize workflows and interaction mechanisms in
colored Petri nets, specify various ways to relate them and discuss their pros
and cons. Keywords: Ubiquitous Computing; Notification Systems; Human-machine Interaction;
Workflow Modelling; Petri Nets | |||
| A Method for Modeling Interactions on Task Representations in Business Task Management Systems | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 84-97 | |
| Todor Stoitsev; Stefan Scheidl | |||
| Task modeling approaches facilitate the design of interactive systems by
bridging the gap from understanding human tasks to designing interfaces to
support these tasks. Business Task Management (BTM) systems provide explicit
task representations for managing and coordinating work items, by further
requiring definition of how such task representations can be created,
distributed and monitored throughout an organization. This paper presents a
method for modeling interactions on task representations in BTM systems. It
introduces generic task-centric roles as useful abstractions, encapsulating
different perspectives on tasks and related interactions. This allows generic,
domain-independent views on tasks resulting in enhanced adaptability of BTM
systems in different application contexts. The method is implemented in the
Collaborative Task Manager (CTM) tool. Keywords: Task management; interactions modeling; end user development | |||
| AMBOSS: A Task Modeling Approach for Safety-Critical Systems | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 98-109 | |
| Matthias Giese; Tomasz Mistrzyk; Andreas Pfau; Gerd Szwillus; Michael von Detten | |||
| In a recent project we created AMBOSS, a task modeling environment taking
into account the special needs for safety-critical socio-technical systems. An
AMBOSS task model allows the specification of relevant information concerning
safety aspects. To achieve this we complemented task models with additional
information elements and appropriate structures. These refer primarily to
aspects of timing, spatial information, and communication. In this paper we
give an introductory overview about AMBOSS and its contribution to modeling
safety-critical systems. In addition, we present AmbossA, the visual pattern
language for detecting particular constellations of interest within a task
model. Keywords: task modeling; safety-critical systems; socio-technical systems; task
editor; simulation; task patterns | |||
| UI Design without a Task Modeling Language -- Using BPMN and Diamodl for Task Modeling and Dialog Design | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 110-117 | |
| Hallvard Trætteberg | |||
| In the field of model-based user interface design (MB-UID) task modeling is
established as a necessary activity. However, in many (industrial) contexts, it
is not realistic to introduce yet another modeling notation, particularly when
user interface design is considered less important than overall process logic
and system architecture. Therefore, it may make more sense to adapt existing
process-oriented notations to task modeling, than vice versa (adapting task
modeling languages to process modeling). This paper describes our experiences
with using BPMN and Diamodl for process and task modeling and dialog design,
respectively. Keywords: User interface design; dialog modeling; business process management notation | |||
| Task-Based Development Methodology for Collaborative Environments | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 118-125 | |
| Maik Wurdel; Daniel Sinnig; Peter Forbrig | |||
| The paper presents a task-based development methodology for collaborative
applications. According to our methodology a collaborative task model may be
used during analysis, requirements and design. In order to ensure that analysis
information is correctly translated into subsequent development phases a
refinement relation is proposed supporting the incremental development of task
specifications. The development methodology is exemplified by a case study in
which interactive support for a conference session is developed. Keywords: Collaborative Task Models; Development Methodology; Refinement; Tool Support | |||
| An Event-Condition-Action Approach for Contextual Interaction in Virtual Environments | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 126-133 | |
| Lode Vanacken; Joan De Boeck; Chris Raymaekers; Karin Coninx | |||
| In order to support context-dependency in model-based development, three
components need to be realised: Context Detection, Context Switching and
Context Handling. Context detection is the process for detecting changes in
context, while context switching brings the system in the new state that needs
to be supported. Finally, context handling adapts the interaction possibilities
to the current context. In this paper we discuss an approach for context
detection and switching for virtual environments that is based on the
Event-Condition-Action paradigm. Both context detection and switching are
split-up and supported by our graphical notation for the design of multimodal
interaction techniques. The main advantage of this approach is that we provide
the designer with a flexible context system, supported by scalable diagrams. Keywords: Multimodal Interaction Techniques; Model-Based User Interface Design;
Context-Awareness | |||
| Automated Usability Evaluation during Model-Based Interactive System Development | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 134-141 | |
| Sebastian Feuerstack; Marco Blumendorf; Maximilian Kern; Michael Kruppa; Michael Quade; Mathias Runge; Sahin Albayrak | |||
| In this paper we describe an approach to efficiently evaluate the usability
of an interactive application that has been realized to support various
platforms and modalities. Therefore we combine our Multi-Access Service
Platform (MASP), a model-based runtime environment to offer multimodal user
interfaces with the MeMo workbench which is a tool supporting an automated
usability analysis. Instead of deriving a system model by reverse-engineering
or annotating screenshots for the automated usability analysis, we use the
semantics of the runtime models of the MASP. This allows us to reduce the
evaluation effort by automating parts of the testing process for various
combinations of platforms and user groups that should be addressed by the
application. Furthermore, by testing the application at runtime, the usability
evaluation can also consider system dynamics and information that are
unavailable at design time. Keywords: model-based user interface development; automated usability evaluation | |||
| Integrating Groupware Notations with UML | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 142-149 | |
| William J. Giraldo; Ana I. Molina; Manuel Ortega; Cesar A. Collazos | |||
| In this paper we introduce a notation integration proposal. This proposal
supports the user interface design of groupware applications enabling
integration with software processes through UML notation. We introduce our
methodological approach to deal with the conceptual design of applications for
supporting group work, called CIAM. A study case (the design of a Conference
Review System) is presented to describe our proposal. The integration process
proposed is supported by a software tool called CIAT. Keywords: GUI development; groupware design; interaction design | |||
| MuiCSer: A Process Framework for Multi-disciplinary User-Centred Software Engineering Processes | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 150-165 | |
| Mieke Haesen; Karin Coninx; Jan Van den Bergh; Kris Luyten | |||
| In this paper we introduce MuiCSer, a conceptual process framework for
Multi-disciplinary User-centred Software Engineering (UCSE) processes. UCSE
processes strive for the combination of basic principles and practices from
software engineering and user-centred design approaches in order to increase
the overall user experience with the resulting product. The MuiCSer framework
aims to provide a common understanding of important components and associated
activities of UCSE processes. As such, the conceptual framework acts as a frame
of reference for future research regarding various aspects and concepts related
to this kind of processes, including models, development artefacts and tools.
We present the MuiCSer process framework and illustrate its instantiation in
customized processes for the (re)design of a system. The conceptual framework
has been helpful to investigate the role of members of a multi-disciplinary
team when realizing artefacts in a model-based approach. In particular process
coverage of existing artefact transformation tools has been studied. Keywords: User-Centred Software Engineering; User-Centred Design; Process Framework | |||
| A Fluid Flow Approach to Usability Analysis of Multi-user Systems | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 166-180 | |
| Mieke Massink; Diego Latella; Maurice H. ter Beek; Michael D. Harrison; Michele Loreti | |||
| The analysis of usability aspects of multi-user systems, such as
co-operative work systems and pervasive systems, pose particular problems
because group behavior of their users may have considerable impact on
usability. Model-based analysis of such features leads to state-space explosion
because of the sheer number of entities to be modeled when automatic techniques
such as model checking are used. In this paper we explore the use of a recently
proposed scalable model-based technique based on solving sets of Ordinary
Differential Equations (ODEs). Starting from a formal model specified using the
Performance Evaluation Process Algebra (PEPA), we show how different groupware
usage patterns may be modeled and analyzed using this approach. We illustrate
how the approach can explore different design options and their impact on group
behavior by comparing file access policies in the context of a groupware
application. Keywords: Formal Methods; Model-based usability analysis; Performance Evaluation
Process Algebra; Ordinary Differential Equations; Groupware Systems | |||
| Task-Driven Plasticity: One Step Forward with UbiDraw | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 181-196 | |
| Jean Vanderdonckt; Juan Manuel Gonzalez Calleros | |||
| Task-driven plasticity refers to as the capability of a user interface to
exhibit plasticity driven by the user's task, i.e. the capability of a user
interface to adapt itself to various contexts of use while preserving some
predefined usability properties by performing adaptivity based on some task
parameters such as complexity, frequency, and criticality. The predefined
usability property considered in task-driven plasticity consists of maximizing
the observability of user commands in a system-initiated way driven by the
ranking of different tasks and sub-tasks. In order to illustrate this concept,
we developed UbiDraw, a vectorial hand drawing application that adapts its user
interface by displaying, undisplaying, resizing, and relocating tool bars and
icons according to the current user's task, the task frequency, or the user's
preference for some task. This application is built on top of a context watcher
and a set of ubiquitous widgets. The context watchers probes the context of use
by monitoring how the user is carrying out her current tasks (e.g., task
preference, task frequency) whose definitions are given in a run-time task
model. The context watcher sends this information to the ubiquitous widgets so
as to support task-driven plasticity. Keywords: adaptation of user interface; context-aware adaptation; plasticity of user
interface; task-based design; task-driven plasticity; user interface
description language | |||
| The Guilet Dialog Model and Dialog Core for Graphical User Interfaces | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 197-204 | |
| Jürgen Rückert; Barbara Paech | |||
| Model-based approaches to graphical user interfaces (GUIs) achieved poor
acceptance of software engineers because the offer models, architectures,
components, frameworks and libraries that restrict the flexibility of
development too much. We propose a dialog model which enables flexible
development with no restrictions on presentation and application layer and
without any implementation-technology dependence. The dialog model supports GUI
designers and developers in understanding the behavior of the GUI. The dialog
model controls the dialog core component. The dialog component relieves GUI
developers of re-implementing the coordination of presentation and application
layer. Keywords: Model-based user interfaces; Dialog models; Dialog cores; UI engines | |||
| An Ontology-Based Adaptation Framework for Multimodal Interactive Systems | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 205-212 | |
| Matthias Bezold | |||
| One approach for improving the usability of interactive systems is adapting
them to user behavior, which can be accomplished by adaptation rules. The
advantage of rules is that they are explicit and intuitive, but their
expressivity depends on the richness of the underlying data model. In this
paper, a framework for the adaptation of interactive systems is presented that
relies on a uniform ontology-based information representation, for instance for
the system and the user model. Such a description can then be employed by the
adaptation rules. By adding semantic information, the scope of the rules is
widened. Moreover, special emphasis is put on the dynamic aspects of
interactive systems, mainly the interaction of the user with the system and
system events. Exemplary rules used in an interactive TV prototype illustrate
this framework. Keywords: Adaptive interactive systems; Knowledge base; Ontology; Interactive systems
engineering; Rule-based adaptation | |||
| Some Thoughts about the Horizontal Development of Software Engineers | | BIBA | Full-Text | 213-220 | |
| Anke Dittmar; Peter Forbrig | |||
| We argue that current patterns of thought and action in software engineering and in HCI will simply be reproduced if we are not able to become more aware of their impact on our own behaviour, attitudes and values. We suggest that a more balanced and intertwined vertical and horizontal development of people can contribute to human-centred design processes. The case study presented describes a modest attempt to demonstrate this with future software engineers and managers. Though not a spectacular example, it shows a small tight network of activities and roles over time with feedback loops to facilitate deep reflection, mutual awareness and respect. The paper supports the idea of design as an ongoing intervention process beyond problem setting and problem solving. | |||
| Involving End Users in Distributed Requirements Engineering | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 221-228 | |
| Steffen Lohmann; Jürgen Ziegler; Philipp Heim | |||
| Active involvement of end users in the development of interactive systems is
both highly recommended and highly challenging. This is particularly true in
settings where the requirements of a large number of geographically distributed
users have to be taken into account. In this paper, we address this problem by
introducing an integrated, web-based approach that enables users to easily
express their ideas on how the interaction with a system could be improved. In
addition, the user input is contextualized, allowing for highly structured
means to access, explore, and analyze the user requirements. Keywords: Distributed Requirements Engineering; User Involvement; Global Software
Development; Web-based Participation; Distributed Participatory Design | |||
| Concepts for Analysis and Design of Mobile Healthcare Applications | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 229-236 | |
| Joseph McKnight; Gavin Doherty; Bridget Kane; Saturnino Luz | |||
| In complex domains such as healthcare, careful analysis of user requirements
is an important aspect of the development process. In recent years,
ethnographic study has become a popular tool for building up an understanding
of the healthcare domain. However, linking observational data with the design
and development process is a challenging problem. A range of conceptual
frameworks have been proposed which can aid in transforming these data into
concrete requirements. In this paper, we argue that the framework and
associated design concepts used will have a strong influence on shaping the
outcome of design, and that the development team should consider carefully
which are most appropriate to the problem they face. We use a case study based
around a patient review process as an illustrative example. Keywords: Conceptual Analysis; Concepts; Healthcare; Ethnographic Study; Mobility | |||
| ShaMAN: An Agent Meta-model for Computer Games | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 237-245 | |
| Steve Goschnick; Sandrine Balbo; Liz Sonenberg | |||
| In this paper, we detail recent research on agent meta-models. In
particular, we introduce a new agent meta-model called ShaMAN, created with a
specific focus on computer game development using agent systems. ShaMAN was
derived by applying the concept of Normalisation from Information Analysis,
against a superset of agent meta-model concepts from the meta-models
investigated. A number of features are identified, including human-agent
locales and socialworlds, that might be usefully added to a generic AO
meta-model. Keywords: Agent-oriented; Agent Architecture; Multi-Agent Systems; Meta-model; Agent
Meta-models; Agents in Computer Games; HCI | |||
| A Study on Appropriate Plant Diagram Synthesis for User-Suited HMI in Operating Control | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 246-254 | |
| Mieczyslaw Metzger; Grzegorz Polaków | |||
| In this paper a study on appropriate plant diagram synthesis for user-suited
HMI in operating control is presented. Discussion is based on the long-term
personal experience and illustrated with excerpts of existing HMIs developed
for research and industrial use. The HMI notion is defined for operating
control and for operator training. The paper present three aspects of plant
diagrams design. The first aspect deals with task-oriented usage of screen
space for plant diagram and other GUI elements. Second aspect covers all
methods of image creation for process diagrams, including photography,
schematic diagrams, use of predefined normalised 3D graphical elements, and
creative possibilities of 3D scene. The third aspect stresses capability of
dynamic visualisation with the use of animated graphics. Keywords: Usability of HMI for operating control; software engineering for user-suited
HMI; plant diagram for GUI; visualisation; SCADA | |||
| Preserving Rich User Interface State in Web Applications across Various Platforms | | BIBA | Full-Text | 255-262 | |
| Fabio Paternò; Carmen Santoro; Antonio Scorcia | |||
| This paper aims to provide thorough discussion of the aspects that compose the state of a Web application user interface, and show how it can be preserved across multiple devices with different interaction resources when the user interface dynamically migrates. The approach proposed exploits a migration server along with logical user interface descriptions. | |||
| From Desktop to Tabletop: Migrating the User Interface of AgilePlanner | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 263-270 | |
| Xin Wang; Yaser Ghanam; Frank Maurer | |||
| Digital tabletops are emerging interactive systems that support group
collaborations. To utilize digital tabletops for agile planning meetings, we
migrated a desktop based planning tool -- AgilePlanner to a digital tabletop.
This paper reports on challenges of the migration and illustrates differences
between user interactions on a digital tabletop and on a desktop. Moreover,
lessons and experiences learnt from our design process are highlighted to
facilitate future tabletop application design. Keywords: desktop computer; digital tabletop; user interface design; agile planning
tool | |||
| Learning Key Contexts of Use in the Wild for Driving Plastic User Interfaces Engineering | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 271-278 | |
| Vincent Ganneau; Gaëlle Calvary; Rachel Demumieux | |||
| This paper addresses software plasticity, i.e. the ability of interactive
systems to adapt to context of use while preserving user-centered properties.
In plasticity, a classical approach consists in concentrating design efforts on
a set of pre-defined contexts of use that deserve high quality User Interfaces
(UIs), and switching from one to another according to variations of context of
use at runtime. However, key contexts of use cannot be finely envisioned at
design time, especially when dealing with the specific field of mobility. Thus,
we propose a designer's partner tool running on the end-user's mobile device to
probe key contexts of use in the wild. The underlying principles are data
gathering, Bayesian learning, and clustering techniques. Probing key contexts
of use can save design efforts. Keywords: Mobility; plasticity; context of use; probing; Bayesian network; learning;
clustering | |||
| The Ecology of Participants in Co-evolving Socio-technical Environments | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 279-286 | |
| Gerhard Fischer; Antonio Piccinno; Yunwen Ye | |||
| The traditional notions of developer and user are unable to reflect the fact
that many software systems nowadays are developed with the participation of
many people of different interests and capabilities. The sharp distinction
between users and developers gets blurred. Many researchers have used different
concepts such as end-user developer, prosumer, pro-am to describe those new
in-between roles. This paper provides a conceptual framework for characterizing
varied activities that all people involved in using and developing software
systems from a socio-technical perspective. The conceptual framework clarifies
the spectrum of different use and development activities by a continuum of
participants with different roles. Based on the framework, we analyze how
participants change their roles to migrate from users to developers through
interactions, and how such interactions co-evolve both the community and
software artifacts. Keywords: Open-source software; ecology of participants; Software Shaping Workshop;
end-user development; meta-design | |||
| User Interface Migration between Mobile Devices and Digital TV | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 287-292 | |
| Fabio Paternò; Carmen Santoro; Antonio Scorcia | |||
| In this paper we present a demonstration of the Migrantes environment for
supporting user interface migration through different devices, including mobile
ones and digital TV. The goal of the system is to furnish user interfaces that
are able to migrate across different devices, in such a way as to support task
continuity for the mobile user. This is obtained through a number of
transformations that exploit logical descriptions of the user interfaces to be
handled. The migration environment supports the automatic discovery of client
devices and its architecture is based on the composition of a number of
software services required to perform a migration request. Keywords: User Interface Migration; Adaptation to the Interaction Platform; Ubiquitous
Environments | |||
| Demonstration of Software Components for End-User Development | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 293-298 | |
| Mario Gleichmann; Thomas Hasart; Ilvio Bruder; Andreas Heuer; Peter Forbrig | |||
| This paper demonstrates how "End-User-Development" can be implemented with
the Qt4 designer of Trolltech. It provides an example showing how users modify
user interfaces by adding functionality that originally was not available. Keywords: end user development; design; user interface | |||
| Transactions in Task Models | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 299-304 | |
| Daniel Reichart; Peter Forbrig | |||
| In this paper we propose a method to model the behaviour of task models in
error situations. For these purposes we follow the idea of transactions in
database systems. By encapsulating tasks in transactions the atomicity of
complex tasks can be asserted. Corresponding tool support is presented which
includes modelling and simulating task models. The tools themselves were
developed in a model-based way. Keywords: Transaction; Task Model; Tool Support | |||