Juha Lehikoinen

MEX: a distributed software architecture for wearable computers

A new dynamic software architecture for wearable computers is proposed. Key properties of this MEX architecture are examined and compared to some other existing software architecture. One application utilizing MEX, called WalkMap, is presented. The aim of the applications currently under development is to enhance the communication and cooperation of the users utilizing wearable computers in their daily lives. Based on that, the software components needed to access context information anywhere and the hardware requirements arising from constant usage are considered. The hardware platform for the software architecture developed is briefly described.

Experiments in mobile spatial audio-conferencing: key-based and gesture-based interaction

In this paper we describe an exploration into the usability of spatial sound and multimodal interaction techniques for a mobile phone conferencing application. We compared traditional keypad based-interaction to that of a newer approach using the phone itself as a device to navigate within a virtual spatial auditory environment. While the traditional keypad interaction proved to be more straightforward to use, there was no significant impact on task completion times or number of interaction movements made between the techniques. Overall, users felt that the spatial audio application supported group awareness while aiding peripheral task monitoring. They also felt it aided the feeling of social connectedness and offered enhanced support for communication.

User needs for metadata management in mobile multimedia content services

Users increasingly need to manage their personal content on different platforms, including mobile devices. Metadata is a central means for users to manage large amounts of different types of personal content. Even though technical solutions and services that use metadata have been developed during the past few years, user needs for metadata management in different phases of media creation and consumption cycle have not been studied in depth. In this interview study with 26 users, we examined users habits and expectations regarding the use of metadata in managing personal content with mobile devices. We present user needs for metadata management, i.e. what metadata should be stored, and how they should be accessed, used and shared. The results indicate that even though users consider managing metadata burdensome when it has to be created manually, browsing metadata becomes an integral part of user experience in mobile multimedia content services.

BinScroll: a rapid selection technique for alphanumeric lists

We present a new, efficient technique to find an alphanumeric item in a sorted list. Our technique, called BinScroll, is based on binary search, the well-known computer science search algorithm. BinScroll can be used with a minimum of four buttons, making it ideal for keyboardless mobile use. It can also be implemented with a minimum of three lines of text, making it suitable for devices with limited screen space. Our initial evaluation showed that after 15 minutes of training, a novel user is able to locate any item from a list of 10 000 movie names in 14 seconds on average.