3D digital prototyping and usability enhancement of information appliances based on UsiXML

Abstract

Recently, usability assessment of user interfaces (UIs) in the early design stage has become indispensable for the human-centered design of information appliances. Several digital prototyping tools of the UI software, in which the UI behavior can be simulated, have been developed so far. However, some problems can arise when using them for the usability assessment, such as: a lack of simulation fidelity, time-consuming modeling work, and lack of systematic usability assessment functions. To solve these problems, we developed a tool for virtual 3D prototyping and usability assessment of information appliances. First, we extended the specification of UsiXML (which is the XML-compliant UI description language) so that the static structure both of the logical elements displayed on the UI and of the physical elements placed on the housings can be modeled. Secondly, we developed 3D prototyping and simulation functions so that the extended UsiXML is combined with the 3D CAD models of the housings and where the interaction can be simulated based on the dynamic-behavior model of the UsiXML. Finally, we developed the automated user test and usability assessment functions which are connected to the models of the extended UsiXML. An example of the efficient usability assessment and the UI redesign using a 3D digital prototype of a digital camera is shown.