Matthias Rötting

Tactile feedback applied to computer mice

Most computer systems use a mouse as the input device for menu selection, pointing, and manipulation of screen objects. The user can get visual information from the screen only about the position of the mouse and the action that was initiated. In contrast, during the manipulation of real objects, the visual channel is only responsible for giving broader information about the action, whereas the motoric action itself is predominantly controlled by tactile information fed by interoceptive and exteroceptive sensory signals. Consequently, working with a standard computer mouse requires concentration primarily on the visual system, leading to strain reactions. Furthermore, human motor action is slower when only visual sense is used and tactile sense is ignored. In respect to this situation, it is proposed that a computer mouse be enhanced with additional tactile feedback to approximate more closely real object handling, thereby reducing strain reactions. To test this hypothesis, a standard computer mouse was e...

Physical gestures for abstract concepts: Inclusive design with primary metaphors

Designers in inclusive design are challenged to create interactive products that cater for a wide range of prior experiences and cognitive abilities of their users. But suitable design guidance for this task is rare. This paper proposes the theory of primary metaphor and explores its validity as a source of design guidance. Primary metaphor theory describes how basic mental representations of physical sensorimotor experiences are extended to understand abstract domains. As primary metaphors are subconscious mental representations that are highly automated, they should be robustly available to people with differing levels of cognitive ability. Their proposed universality should make them accessible to people with differing levels of prior experience with technology. These predictions were tested for 12 primary metaphors that predict relations between spatial gestures and abstract interactive content. In an empirical study, 65 participants from two age groups (young and old) were asked to produce two-dimensional touch and three-dimensional free-form gestures in response to given abstract keywords and spatial dimensions of movements. The results show that across age groups in 92% of all cases users choose gestures that confirmed the predictions of the theory. Although the two age groups differed in their cognitive abilities and prior experience with technology, overall they did not differ in the amount of metaphor-congruent gestures they made. As predicted, only small or zero correlations of metaphor-congruent gestures with prior experience or cognitive ability could be found. The results provide a promising step toward inclusive design guidelines for gesture interaction with abstract content on mobile multitouch devices.

A data-driven algorithm for offline pupil signal preprocessing and eyeblink detection in low-speed eye-tracking protocols

Event detection is the conversion of raw eye-tracking data into events—such as fixations, saccades, glissades, blinks, and so forth—that are relevant for researchers. In eye-tracking studies, event detection algorithms can have a serious impact on higher level analyses, although most studies do not accurately report their settings. We developed a data-driven eyeblink detection algorithm (Identification-Artifact Correction [I-AC]) for 50-Hz eye-tracking protocols. I-AC works by first correcting blink-related artifacts within pupil diameter values and then estimating blink onset and offset. Artifact correction is achieved with data-driven thresholds, and more reliable pupil data are output. Blink parameters are defined according to previous studies on blink-related visual suppression. Blink detection performance was tested with experimental data by visually checking the actual correspondence between I-AC output and participants’ eye images, recorded by the eyetracker simultaneously with gaze data. Results showed a 97% correct detection percentage.

A public data hub for benchmarking common brain?computer interface algorithms

Methods of statistical machine learning have recently proven to be very useful in contemporary brain-computer interface (BCI) research based on the discrimination of electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. Because of this, many research groups develop new algorithms for both feature extraction and classification. However, until now, no large-scale comparison of these algorithms has been accomplished due to the fact that little EEG data is publicly available. Therefore, we at Team PhyPA recorded 32-channel EEGs, electromyograms and electrooculograms of 36 participants during a simple finger movement task. The data are published on our website www.phypa.org and are freely available for downloading. We encourage BCI researchers to test their algorithms on these data and share their results. This work also presents exemplary benchmarking procedures of common feature extraction methods for slow cortical potentials and event-related desynchronization as well as for classification algorithms based on these features.

Multimodal user interfaces in IPS 2

The field of Industrial Product-Service Systems (IPS2) faces various challenges. Goal of the recently started project is the multimodal design of interaction specific warnings and instructions in IPS2 for human operators with relation to their interactions. This approach should help to prevent mistakes of human operators whilst interaction and it should account for the support and optimization of work process in the heterogeneous area of IPS2. Here we discuss how such a project can be realized step-by-step.

Multivariate analysis of human behavior data using fuzzy windowing: Example with driver-car-environment system

In most human component system studies performed in simulators, several factors (or independent variables) (at least two, i.e., individual and time) and many variables (or dependent variables) are present. Large and complex databases have to be analyzed. Instead of using rather automatic procedures, this article suggest that, for a very first analysis at least, the human being must be present and he/she must choose a method being adapted to the data, which is different to run a method supposing that the data fit such or such model. This article suggests starting the analysis while keeping both the multifactorial (MF) and multivariate (MV) aspects. To achieve this aim, with the possibility to show nonlinear relationships, a MFMV exploration of the experimental database is performed using the pair (fuzzy space windowing, Multiple Correspondence Analysis). Then may come an inference analysis. This long (due to multiple large graphical views) but rich procedure is illustrated and discussed using a car driving study example.

Integral - Methodische Integration multimedialer und interaktiver Lernwerkzeuge zur Optimierung der Gestaltungskompetenz in der arbeitswissenschaftlichen Lehre

In dem vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein Lernwerkzeug zur Unterstutzung der Hochschullehre im Bereich Arbeitswissenschaft/Ergonomie vorgestellt. Bei dem beschriebenen Integral-System handelt es sich um eine interaktive, multimediale, plattform- und standortubergreifende Lernumgebung im Internet zur Unterstutzung von Vorlesungen und Ubungen. Die interdisziplinare und hochschulubergreifende Zusammenarbeit von Studierenden bspw. in Projektgruppen ist ein wichtiger Aspekt des Integral-Systems. In dem Lernsystem Integral werden diverse Angebote gesammelt (z.B. multimedial aufbereitete Lehrmaterialien, Fallbeispiele, Studienprojekte, Kommunikationsforen). Durch gezielte Auswahl der Angebote konnen Lehrende das Integral-System an das jeweils eigene didaktische Konzept anpassen. Das Layout berucksichtigt sowohl ergonomische, als auch spezielle Kriterien des Interface- und Screen-Designs. Voruntersuchungen zeigten den Bedarf fur ein solches Lernsystem auf. Nach der Fertigstellung eines Prototyps wurde die Akzeptanz des Systems insbesondere unter dem Gesichtspunkt der hochschulubergreifenden Zusammenarbeit mit Studierenden in Aachen und Essen untersucht. Dabei zeigte sich, dass die Studierenden durch das Integral-System gut motiviert werden, sich mit arbeitswissenschaftlichen Inhalten zu beschaftigen. Allerdings zeigte sich auch, dass die klassische Kommunikation (z.B. begleitende Angebot durch Seminare) sichergestellt sein sollte, sowie die Teamarbeit und Teambildung im Internet gezielt unterstutzt und gefordert werden muss.

Preventing Erroneous Operator Behavior and Supporting Optimal Operating Procedures within Industrial Product-Service Systems

The performance of Industrial Product-Service Systems (IPS²) relies – in addition to many technical factors – on the optimal performance of the human operators. This can be supported through the detection of erroneous behavior and user-centered warnings before injury or damage occurs.

International Comparison of Osh Research

The comparison of occupational safety and health (OSH) systems can be done with many different focuses. First, a definition of “occupational safety and health” is needed. Such a definition is by no means universal, in different cultures, countries and times OSH had different meaning. Based on a broad definition of OSH, a corresponding criteria system will be presented that can guide further analysis. An analysis of OSH research will be given with respect to the methods used, the focuses of research, the legal regulations and the industrial relations in different cultures and countries and different times.

Multimodale Nutzerinterfaces in hybriden Leistungsbündeln

Bei der Gestaltung der Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle fur hybride Leistungsbundel (HLB) sind deren spezifische Eigenheiten und Anforderungen, die sich u. a. auch aus den verschiedenen moglichen Geschaftsmodellen ergeben, zu berucksichtigen. Unter Anwendung des Usability Engineering Lifecycle wurden die Anforderungen an die Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle fur HLB ermittelt. Dies sind z. B. Nutzbarkeit fur Benutzer mit unterschiedlicher Erfahrung und Qualifikation oder die Integration von Kommunikationsmoglichkeiten und -geraten in die Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle. Diese Anforderungen adressiert das entwickelte Shared-Vision-System. Es ermoglicht die multimodale Interaktion eines Nutzers eines HLB und eines entfernten Experten, um kollaborativ Probleme zu losen.