J. C. Silva

A Methodology for GUI Layer Redefinition through Virtualization and Computer Vision

Nowadays despite improvements in usability and intuitiveness users have to adapt to the proposed systems to satisfy their needs. For instance, they must learn how to achieve tasks, how to interact with the system, and fulfill systems specifications. This paper proposes an approach to improve this situation enabling graphical user interface redefinition through virtualization and computer vision with the aim of increasing the systems usability. To achieve this goal the approach is based on enriched task models, virtualization and picture-driven computing.

Demonstration-based Help for Interactive Systems

A very important aspect of any interactive system is its ease of use. Advances in usability, online assistance, help (e.g. contextual help), interaction styles and design techniques (e.g. user-centered design) try to facilitate the use of these systems. However, users still face challenges in accomplishing tasks (e.g. they still have to learn the required steps in order to accomplish a task). The fact that an increasing number of GUIs are frequently being updated increases the challenges faced by the users. This paper presents DemoHelp, a tool that enables the addition of live demonstration-based help to existing interactive systems. The tool enhances the ease of use and learning of interactive systems. Based on picture-driven computing and task automation the tool reduces the challenges faced by users when trying to learn how to perform a task. The work is illustrated by means of an example.

An approach for graphical user interface external bad smells detection

In the context of an effort to develop methodologies to support the evaluation of interactive system, this paper investigates an approach to detect graphical user interface external bad smells. Our approach consists in detecting user interface external bad smells through model-based reverse engineering from source code. Models are used to define which widgets are present in the interface, when can particular graphical user interface (GUI) events occur, under which conditions, which system actions are executed, and which GUI state is generated next. From these models we obtain metrics that can later be used to identify the smells.

Mobile Applications for Active Aging

Many countries, including several European states are aging. This demographic change opens a variety of opportunities for innovation in products and services tailored to the needs of an aging population. This paper focus on how ICT-based mobile application can be used to potentiate active aging. The role that mobile computing can play in the support of everyday activities is increasingly recognized. Several countries are currently faced to the aging of their population. Therefore, it is of major importance to develop solutions that extend the time that elderly can live in their preferred environment by increasing their autonomy, comfort and mobility while limiting associated costs and the effects of a possible lack of caregiver human resources. This paper describes the state of the art of solutions for elderly population active aging through mobile applications, as well as the opportunities that mobile applications offer to improve the quality of life of the elderly and to support a cohesive and inclusive society.

Picture-Based Task Definition and Parameterization Support System

Applications for task definition and automation are valuable tools to automated software engineering area. This paper describes a solution to support a parameterized task definition using screen capture images. The approach allows the capture of a sequence of actions defined by the user. Through the captured sequence of actions, the approach assists in the implementation of task automation processes.

Multi-screen and Multi-device Game Development

Users are interacting with an increasing number of devices and screens. However, these screens are usually used independently without collaboration between them. Although there have been several advances in multi-screen applications the game community does not seem to have fully explored this opportunity as yet. This paper presents an approach for the development of mobile multi-screen and multi-device games. The approach aims to enable and foster the creation of multi-device games sharing information via a centralized screen and is demonstrated by means of an example, the well-known Casino Roulette game. The results of a preliminary evaluation of the game are also presented.

Real-time app development approach for indoor monitoring

After a contextualization of mobile applications, this paper presents a approach for real-time mobile application development. Through the presented approach it is proposed to use different hardware components and technologies accessible in mobile devices, namely WIFI, GSM, sensors as well as colored Petri nets for modeling the behavior of the system.

A methodology for playful learning application development

After a contextualization of games for children, as educational tool, this paper presents an approach to playful learning application development using colored Petri nets (colored Petri net - CPN) and connecting them to a 3D application server. At the end of the article the authors present an analysis of the results, showing the interaction between the user and the games content.

Methodology to support the use of interactive systems

Interactive systems users still face several challenge. Besides current improvements in usability and intuitiveness users have to adapt to the systems proposed to satisfy their needs. For instance, they must learn how to achieve tasks, how to interact with the system, etc. This paper proposes a methodology to improve this situation supporting the use of interactive systems by users. To achieve this goal the approach is based on enriched task models and picture-driven computing. An example based on a text editor illustrates the approach.