User Interface Approach Research Articles

Designing a 3D gestural interface to support user interaction with time-oriented data as immersive 3D radar charts

The design of intuitive three-dimensional user interfaces is vital for interaction in virtual reality, allowing to effectively close the loop between a human user and the virtual environment. The utilization of 3D gestural input allows for useful hand interaction with virtual content by directly grasping visible objects, or through invisible gestural commands that are associated with corresponding features in the immersive 3D space. The design of such interfaces remains complex and challenging. In this article, we present a design approach for a three-dimensional user interface using 3D gestural input with the aim to facilitate user interaction within the context of Immersive Analytics. Based on a scenario of exploring time-oriented data in immersive virtual reality using 3D Radar Charts, we implemented a rich set of features that is closely aligned with relevant 3D interaction techniques, data analysis tasks, and aspects of hand posture comfort. We conducted an empirical evaluation (n=12)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(n=12)$$\\end{document}, featuring a series of representative tasks to evaluate the developed user interface design prototype. The results, based on questionnaires, observations, and interviews, indicate good usability and an engaging user experience. We are able to reflect on the implemented hand-based grasping and gestural command techniques, identifying aspects for improvement in regard to hand detection and precision as well as emphasizing a prototype’s ability to infer user intent for better prevention of unintentional gestures.

Human-Centered Design in Human-Robot Interaction Evaluating User Experience and Usability

Social robotics is a fledgling field with a lot of potential. For several decades, it was a concept defined by research and theoretical approaches. Robots have gradually found their way into various aspects of our society as scientific and technological breakthroughs have allowed them to do, and they are now ready to leave the industry and enter our daily lives. In this regard, user experience is critical to ensuring an effortless and natural connection between robots and people. This study concentrated on the user interface approach in terms of a robot's embodiment, focusing on its motions, gestures, and dialogues. The goal was to examine how robotic platforms and people interact, as well as what differences should be considered while building robot activities. To accomplish this goal, a quantitative and qualitative investigation based on actual conversations between many human beings and the artificially intelligent platform was done. The information was acquired by capturing each interaction and having every participant fill out a questionnaire. The findings revealed that participants enjoyed communicating with a robot and considered it engaging, which resulted in increased trust and pleasure. However, the robot's response delays and faults created dissatisfaction and disconnection. The study discovered that adding embodiment into the robot's design increased its user experience and that the robot's personality and conduct were important elements. It was established that robotic platforms, as well as their look, movements, and mode of communication, had a significant impact on user perception and interaction.

Adaptive user interfaces in systems targeting chronic disease: a systematic literature review

eHealth technologies have been increasingly used to foster proactive self-management skills for patients with chronic diseases. However, it is challenging to provide each user with their desired support due to the dynamic and diverse nature of the chronic disease and its impact on users. Many such eHealth applications support aspects of “adaptive user interfaces”—interfaces that change or can be changed to accommodate the user and usage context differences. To identify the state of the art in adaptive user interfaces in the field of chronic diseases, we systematically located and analysed 48 key studies in the literature with the aim of categorising the key approaches used to date and identifying limitations, gaps, and trends in research. Our data synthesis is based on the data sources used for interface adaptation, the data collection techniques used to extract the data, the adaptive mechanisms used to process the data, and the adaptive elements generated at the interface. The findings of this review will aid researchers and developers in understanding where adaptive user interface approaches can be applied and necessary considerations for employing adaptive user interfaces to different chronic disease-related eHealth applications.

Evaluating the User Interface and Usability Approaches for E-Learning Systems

E-learning offers an experience that is not constrained by time or geography. Owing to the advancements in technology and accessible computing, users have several ways to interact with e-learning programs. Therefore, usability approaches are crucial for the success of an e-learning application or a website. This study investigates various user-interface usability evaluation methods (UEM) and distribution of e-learning web-based applications, such as Moodle, Blackboard, Learning Management System (LMS), Zoom, Google Classroom, Facebook, and other online programs that exist for online education. To evaluate the usability features of online educational apps and websites, including their effectiveness and usability for students, a survey was conducted to collect responses on online education.

An SUI-based approach to explore visual search results cluster-graphs.

Nowadays, exponential growth in online production and extensive perceptual power of visual contents (i.e., images) complicate the users' information needs. The research has shown that users are interested in satisfying their visual information needs by accessing the image objects. However, the exploration of images via existing search engines is challenging. Mainly, existing search engines employ linear lists or grid layouts, sorted in descending order of relevancy to the user's query to present the image results, which hinders image exploration via multiple information modalities associated with them. Furthermore, results at lower-ranking positions are cumbersome to reach. This research proposed a Search User Interface (SUI) approach to instantiate the non-linear reachability of the image results by enabling interactive exploration and visualization options. We represent the results in a cluster-graph data model, where the nodes represent images and the edges are multimodal similarity relationships. The results in clusters are reachable via multimodal similarity relationships. We instantiated the proposed approach over a real dataset of images and evaluated it via multiple types of usability tests and behavioral analysis techniques. The usability testing reveals good satisfaction (76.83%) and usability (83.73%) scores.

User interface approaches implemented with automated patient deterioration surveillance tools: protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionEarly identification of patients who may suffer from unexpected adverse events (eg, sepsis, sudden cardiac arrest) gives bedside staff valuable lead time to care for these patients appropriately. Consequently, many...

Natural notification system for the interior of shared car

The paper describes the design process, hardware prototyping and user testing of an innovative user interface notification system for the interior of a shared autonomous car. We describe the idea and need for this design, its hardware and software functions, and prototype production. The key innovation is in exploring possibilities of applying the so-called natural user interface approach - meaning avoiding screen-based interactions and graphical user interfaces in favor of gesture, voice or glance interaction.

Graphical User Interface Approach for Quality Evaluation of Indian Rice

Graphical User Interface Approach for Quality Evaluation of Indian Rice

LDoW-PaN

This work aimed to propose LDoW-PaN, a Linked Data presentation and navigation model focused on the average user. The LDoW-PaN model is an extension of the Dexter Hypertext Reference Model. Through the LDoW-PaN model, ordinary people—who have no experience with technologies that involve the Linked Data environment—can interact with the Web of Data (RDF) more closely related to how they interact with the Web of Documents (HTML). To evaluate the proposal, some tools were developed, including the following: (i) a Web Service, which implements the lower-level layers of the LDoW-PaN model; (ii) a client-side script library, which implements the presentation and navigation layer; and (iii) a browser extension, which uses these tools to provide Linked Data presentation and navigation to users browsing the Web. The browser extension was developed using user interface approaches that are well known, well accepted, and evaluated by the Web research community, such as faceted navigation and presentation through tooltips. Therefore, the prototype evaluation included: usability evaluation through two classical techniques; computational complexity measures; and an analysis of the performance of the operations provided by the proposed model.

Finding Places: HCI Platform for Public Participation in Refugees’ Accommodation Process

This paper describes the conception, development and deployment of a novel HCI system for public participation and decision-making. This system was applied for the process of allocating refugee accommodation in the City of Hamburg within the FindingPlaces project (FP) in 2016. The CityScope (CS) – a rapid prototyping platform for urban planning and decision-making – offered a technical solution which was complemented by a workshop process to facilitate effective interaction of multiple participants and stakeholder groups. This paper presents the origins of CS and the evolution of the tangible user interface approach to urban planning and public participation. It further outlines technical features of the system, including custom hardware and software in use, utilization in real-time as well as technical constraints and limitations. Special focus is on the adaptation of the CS technology to the specific demands of Hamburg´s FP project, whose procedures, processes, and results are reflected. The final section analyzes success factors as well as shortcomings of the approach, and indicates further R&D as well as application scenarios for the CS.

Automated reasoning based user interface

Motivation: The ability to directly trace how requirements are implemented in a software system is crucial in domains that require a high level of trust (e.g. medicine, law, crisis management). This paper describes an approach that allows a high level of traceability to be achieved with model-driven engineering supported by automated reasoning. The paper gives an introduction to the novel, automated user interface synthesis in which a set of requirements is automatically translated into a working application. It is presented as a generalization of the current state of the art model-driven approaches both from the conceptual perspective as well as the concrete implementation is discussed together with its advantages like the alignment of business logic with the application and ease of adaptability. It also presents how a high level of traceability can be obtained if runtime support of automated reasoning over models is applied.Results: We have defined the Automated Reasoning-Based User Interface (ARBUI) approach and implemented a framework for application programming that follows our definition. The framework, called Semantic MVC, is based on model-driven engineering principles enhanced with W3C standards for the semantic web. We will present the general architecture and main ideas underlying our approach and framework. Finally, we will present a practical application of the Semantic MVC that we created in the medical domain as a Clinical Decision Support System for GIST cancer in cooperation with the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology in Warsaw. The discussed expert system allows the expert to directly modify the executable knowledge on the fly, making the overall system cost effective.

On energy impact of web user interface approaches

Developers base selection of a User Interface (UI) development approach on functionality, development and maintenance costs, usability, responsiveness, etc. User expectations continue to grow for greater functionality and continuous interactivity, extending demands on computational resources. To facility scale, recent approaches push more UI computation to clients. Such client-side delegation of functionality increase, continuous usage, and localized computation create ever-growing energy demands, which may negatively impact battery life on mobile platforms. Nonetheless, developers given little attention to the power demands aspects of UI framework selection. We evaluate the impact of contemporary UI framework selection on resource utilization and energy consumption. We suggest an alternative delivery approach designed to preserve low energy demands on clients while still allowing offloading of computation from server to client. Our work focuses on web-based mobile applications; however, we believe our approach to energy demand reduction and framework evaluation to be generally applicable.

GUI based Wireless Communication for Plant Automation

field instruments of the process plant are communicated with the remote control room where the supervisor is alarmed to monitor the process parameters regulating at some desired value. The onsite monitoring is limited to only specific supervisors. This paper aims to interface the plant parameters to web server for constant monitoring the state of the process plant at various locations by multiple supervisors. This paper considered the temperature parameter (PV) to regulate at some desired value. The measured signal is logged by the arduino board and then the signal is transferred to the AT mega 328 microcontroller. PID algorithm is applied to regulate the parameters. AT mega 328 is used as a controller and to output the data serially to IEEE 802.4.15 wireless communication device. The data received at the personal computer for analysis and monitoring the state of the plant parameters using Graphic user interface (GUI) approach. GUI is implemented with the support of python, internet of things application. The developed model produced more reliable results to consider for implementation in process plants. Keywordstemperature, Arduino board, AT mega 328 microcontroller, Graphic user interface.

Theory to practice on finite element method and computational fluid dynamics tools

Computer-aided engineering has become increasingly important in engineering practices, where processes such as mathematical modelling, stress and deformation analysis can be performed by an individual engineer, without the need for a range of specialists. A case study was conducted at Curtin University Sarawak (CSM) to evaluate the performance of mechanical engineering students in the usage of finite element method and computational fluid dynamics tools. CSM is a branch campus of Curtin University, Australia, where the course structures and all assessments are identical to those of her mother campus. The curriculum design and teaching materials are developed by Curtin University, Australia. Similar teaching contents are delivered in CSM. The aim of the study is to investigate the students’ comprehension in the theoretical knowledge and its applications in practical engineering problems. This paper describes the learning experience of mechanical engineering students, in particular, the correlation between theoretical knowledge and engineering practice. Teaching experience of academic staffs was also detailed, discussed and mapped against the students’ views to give a comprehensive picture of the students’ learning experience. Based on the study, it was shown that the teaching methodology plays a crucial role in ensuring effective learning. An initial study which compared graphical user interface and programming teaching approach was conducted, in which the latter has showed to be more effective.

Sharing your view: A distributed user interface approach for reviewing emergency plans

Emergency planning is an ongoing activity in which a multidisciplinary group of experts intermittently collaborate to define the most appropriate response to risks. One of the most important tasks of emergency planning is the review of plans as a way of maintaining, refining, and improving them. This review of plans is based on exchanging knowledge and experiences in order to take into account different perspectives and generate alternative solutions. An exploratory case study carried out within municipal organizations has disclosed how the application of rigid plan reviewing practices hinders team creativity and, consequently, effective decision-making. This paper presents a computer-based collaborative environment aimed at supporting unstructured team discussion during the post-hoc review of emergency plan. This collaborative environment allows emergency planning team members to share their view in a free manner by interacting with user interface components distributed across several input and output dimensions. The usage of the environment has proved how the application of new interactive technologies can create more dynamic work settings, fostering team creativity.

User-oriented System for Smart City approaches

The SMART CITY is an important field for ubiquitous computing (UC), ambient intelligence (AmI), connected vehicles (CV), and the User Interface approach. Data vitalization related to in-city data collection and their appropriate diffusion to city actors (private and professional) and their services (applications) is the main issue. In the context of Hotspot-based Internet, Location-based services and Internet of Things, we study User-oriented systems with four typical variants related to transportation and user' behavior: a dynamic lane allocation system, a system for urban goods delivery, bus shelter-based communication, and street and store consumer adapted guidance and advertising.

GeoPointer – approaching tangible augmentation of the real world

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to present an architecture and prototypical implementation of a context‐sensitive software system which combines the tangible user interface approach with a mobile augmented reality (AR) application.Design/methodology/approachThe work which is described within this paper is based on a creational approach, which means that a prototypical implementation is used to gather further research results. The prototypical approach allows performing ongoing tests concerning the accuracy and different context‐sensitive threshold functions.FindingsWithin this paper, the implementation and practical use of tangible user interfaces for outdoor selection of geographical objects is reported and discussed in detail.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is necessary within the area of context‐sensitive dynamically changing threshold functions, which would allow improving the accuracy of the selected tangible user interface approach.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of using tangible user interfaces within outdoor applications should improve the usability of AR applications.Originality/valueDespite the fact that there exist a multitude of research results within the area of gesture recognition and AR applications, this research work focuses on the pointing gesture to select outdoor geographical objects.

Using affective human–machine interface to increase the operation performance in virtual construction crane training system: A novel approach

In the construction industry, some progress have been achieved by researchers to design and implement environments for task training using VR technology and its derivatives such as Augmented and Mixed Reality. Although, these developments have been well recognized at the application level, however crucial to the virtual training system is the effective and reliable measurement of training performance of the particular skill and handling the experiment for long-run. It is known that motor skills cannot be measured directly, but only inferred by observing behaviour or performance measures. The typical way of measuring performance is through measuring task completion time and accuracy, but can be supported by indirect measurement of some other factors. In this paper, a virtual crane training system has been developed which can be controlled using control commands extracted from facial gestures and is capable to lift up loads/materials in the virtual construction sites. Then, we integrate affective computing concept into the conventional VR training platform for measuring the cognitive load and level of satisfaction during performance using human's forehead bioelectric-signals. By employing the affective measures and our novel control scheme, the designed interface could be adapted to user's affective status during the performance in real-time. This adaptable user interface approach helps the trainee to cope with the training for long-run performance, leads to gaining more expertise and provides more effective transfer of learning to other operation environments. The detailed methodology of the affective control is presented in the paper. The results and future applications of the proposed method for disabled users, especially from neck down are discussed.

IMapping

We present iMapping, a zooming based approach for visually organizing information objects. It was developed on top of semantic desktop technologies and especially targets the support of personal knowledge management. iMapping has been designed to combine the advantages of spatial hypertext and other proven visual mapping approaches like mind-mapping and concept mapping, which are incompatible in their original form. We describe the design and prototypical implementation of iMapping -- which is fundamentally based on deep zooming and nesting. iMapping bridges the gap between unstructured content like informal text notes and semantic models by allowing annotations with the whole range from vague associations to formal relations. First experimental evaluation of the iMapping user-interface approach indicates favorable user experience and functionality, compared with state-of-the-art Mind-Mapping software.

A member interface approach to a mobile virtual community of practice

We introduce a new user interface approach for mobile community members, which is geared towards turning ubiquitous wireless handheld devices to community enablers. Our approach consists of an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based language to specify the functionality of the user interface and client-side interpreters that execute the interface. We present two prototype implementations.