Rich Picking

A Gesture Controlled User Interface for Inclusive Design and Evaluative Study of Its Usability

To meet the challenges of ubiquitous computing, ambient technologies and an increasingly older population, researchers have been trying to break away from traditional modes of interaction. A history of studies over the past 30 years reported in this paper suggests that Gesture Controlled User Interfaces (GCUI) now provide realistic and affordable opportunities, which may be appropriate for older and disabled people. We have developed a GCUI prototype application, called Open Gesture, to help users carry out everyday activities such as making phone calls, controlling their television and performing mathematical calculations. Open Gesture uses simple hand gestures to perform a diverse range of tasks via a television interface. This paper describes Open Gesture and reports its usability evaluation. We conclude that this inclusive technology offers some potential to improve the independence and quality of life of older and disabled users along with general users, although there remain significant challenges to be overcome.

A Case Study Using a Methodological Approach to Developing User Interfaces for Elderly and Disabled People

In this paper, we present a case study on the development of interfaces for elderly and disabled users. The domain of the case study was situated in the home environment, where we focused on producing affordable technologies to enable users to interact with and to control home appliances. We have developed ambient user interfaces that are integrated in familiar home artefacts, such as televisions and digital picture frames. These interfaces are connected remotely to a home network and are adaptive to users’ expected increasing physical and cognitive needs. To support the development of the project, we created a novel methodology that is grounded in the ethical issues associated with a project of this nature. Our success with it has led to us presenting it here as a practical approach to developing user interfaces for a range of interactive applications, especially where there may be diverse user populations. This paper describes our journey through this project, how the methodology has been used throughout and the development of our user interfaces and their evaluation.

A review on Internet of Things (IoT), Internet of Everything (IoE) and Internet of Nano Things (IoNT)

The current prominence and future promises of the Internet of Things (IoT), Internet of Everything (IoE) and Internet of Nano Things (IoNT) are extensively reviewed and a summary survey report is presented. The analysis clearly distinguishes between IoT and IoE which are wrongly considered to be the same by many people. Upon examining the current advancement in the fields of IoT, IoE and IoNT, the paper presents scenarios for the possible future expansion of their applications.

The Easyline+ project: evaluation of a user interface developed to enhance independent living of elderly and disabled people

This paper reports the usability evaluation of interfaces developed to enable elderly and disabled people interact remotely with kitchen appliances in the home to enhance their independent living. A number of evaluation exercises were undertaken throughout the project’s development, including user-participative workshops and focus groups. This paper focuses on the summative usability evaluation exercise, which comprised a laboratory-based study in a simulated home environment, with a view to determining the appropriateness of employing this approach with potentially vulnerable participants. The study involved 27 participants interacting with the user interface. Their behaviour was observed and recorded, and their interaction with the system was analysed. They were also given a post-session questionnaire, where their opinions of the usability of the interface were solicited. The results of the usability testing were positive, and insight has been gained into how products of this nature can be further improved. The experience of conducting laboratory-based studies with vulnerable users was positive and led to propose in this paper a set of guidelines for future work in evaluating usability for work in this domain.

A Comparison of Audio Models for Virtual Reality Video

This paper investigates the relationship between audio models for Virtual Reality (VR) video with respect to the senses of immersion and realism that each model delivers. Mono, Stereo, 5.1 Surround Sound, and a Virtual Spatialised Position configuration was developed for testing in a VR music video and evaluated with a user study. Participants experienced the VR video with these differing audio models as accompaniment a total of four times. Qualitative and quantitative data were recorded to evaluate user experience. The results indicate that no statistical significance was present between the four models in relation to immersion or realism, suggesting that complex audio renderings are not always necessary for effective user experience.

Sounds Relaxing-Looks Cool: Audio and Visual Selections for Computer Systems that Support Wellness

This paper considers the design of audio and visual user interface elements for pervasive computer systems that aim to support wellness, specifically for promoting calm, relaxation and for the relief of emotional stress. The methodology included conducting a survey of peoples favourite everyday sounds, as well as those they found the most annoying. The authors then took the most popular of these and correlated them with colours that people associated with those sounds. An adapted repertory grid approach was used for this exercise. The results suggest there is potential for a classification of sound and emotion on a shared scale based on the colour spectrum.

The use of interactive visual metaphors to enhance group discussions using mobile devices

In this paper, we consider the problems of group discussions and collaborative decision-making, where one or more of the participants are using restrictive interfaces such as mobile phones or PDAs. We suggest possible solutions to some of these problems and present MAVis (Mobile Argumentation Visualizer), a web-based interface built upon upon a balance-beam visual metaphor. We report on user experiences of interacting with the visual metaphor, and on the challenges of transferring this to a multi-user environment supporting mobile devices.