Designing emotional, metaphoric, natural and intuitive interfaces for interactive art, edutainment and mobile communications

We are artists working since 1991 on the creation of interactive computer installations for which we design metaphoric, emotional, natural, intuitive and multi-modal interfaces. The interactive experiences we create are situated between art, design, entertainment and edutainment. When creating our interactive systems we often develop novel interface technologies that match conceptual and metaphoric content with technically novel interface solutions. While our main focus is to design interactive systems for the art context, our interactive or immersive systems also often find use in edutainment and in mobile communications areas. The following article summarizes some of our key concepts for our interface designs and presents some of our interactive technologies in more detail.     

Relations between diagonalization,proof systems,and complexity gaps

In this paper we study diagonal processes over time bounded computations of one-tape Turing machines by diagonalizing only over those machines for which there exist formal proofs that they operate in the given time bound. This replaces the traditional “clock” in resource bounded diagonalization by formal proofs about running times and establishes close relations between properties of proof systems and existence of sharp time bounds for one-tape Turing machine complexity classes. These diagonalization methods also show that the Gap Theorem for resource bounded computations can hold only for those complexity classes which differ from the corresponding provable complexity classes. Furthermore, we show that there exist recursive time bounds T(n) such that the class of languages for which we can formally prove the existence of Turing machines which accept them in time T(n) differs from the class of languages accepted by Turing machines for which we can prove formally that they run in time T(n). We also investigate the corresponding problems for tape bound computations and discuss the difference time and tapebounded computations.     

The complexity of the max word problem and the power of one-way interactive proof systems

We study the complexity of the max word problem for matrices, a variation of the well-known word problem for matrices. We show that the problem is NP-complete, and cannot be approximated within any constant factor, unless P=NP. We describe applications of this result to probabilistic finite state automata, rational series andk-regular sequences. Our proof is novel in that it employs the theory of interactive proof systems, rather than a standard reduction argument. As another consequence of our results, we characterize NP exactly in terms ofone-way interactive proof systems.     

Designing for flexible interaction between humans and automation: delegation interfaces for supervisory control

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method enabling human-like, flexible supervisory control via delegation to automation. BACKGROUND: Real-time supervisory relationships with automation are rarely as flexible as human task delegation to other humans. Flexibility in human-adaptable automation can provide important benefits, including improved situation awareness, more accurate automation usage, more balanced mental workload, increased user acceptance, and improved overall performance. METHOD: We review problems with static and adaptive (as opposed to "adaptable") automation; contrast these approaches with human-human task delegation, which can mitigate many of the problems; and revise the concept of a "level of automation" as a pattern of task-based roles and authorizations. We argue that delegation requires a shared hierarchical task model between supervisor and subordinates, used to delegate tasks at various levels, and offer instruction on performing them. A prototype implementation called Playbook is described. RESULTS: On the basis of these analyses, we propose methods for supporting human-machine delegation interactions that parallel human-human delegation in important respects. We develop an architecture for machine-based delegation systems based on the metaphor of a sports team's "playbook." Finally, we describe a prototype implementation of this architecture, with an accompanying user interface and usage scenario, for mission planning for uninhabited air vehicles. CONCLUSION: Delegation offers a viable method for flexible, multilevel human-automation interaction to enhance system performance while maintaining user workload at a manageable level. APPLICATION: Most applications of adaptive automation (aviation, air traffic control, robotics, process control, etc.) are potential avenues for the adaptable, delegation approach we advocate. We present an extended example for uninhabited air vehicle mission planning.     

Software accessibility standards and guidelines: progress, current status, and future developments

This article reviews progress in the development of standards and guidelines for software accessibility, including those developed within international and US standards bodies. Key factors driving efforts to identify and define effective design guidelines for software accessibility include demographic trends and the graying population, new legislation and the increasing pervasiveness of information technology and devices. An overview of the US Software Accessibility draft standard, including accessibility-focused design guidance for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, is provided. A variety of resources providing design guidance for improved accessibility are identified, and expected developments in formal standards for software accessibility are discussed.     

Real-time spatial processing of sounds for music, multimedia and interactive human-computer interfaces

This paper gives an overview of the principles and methods for synthesizing complex 3D sound scenes by processing multiple individual source signals. Signal-processing techniques for directional sound encoding and rendering over loudspeakers or headphones are reviewed, as well as algorithms and interface models for synthesizing and dynamically controling room reverberation and distance effects. A real-time modular spatial-sound-processing software system, called Spat, is presented. It allows reproducing and controling the localization of sound sources in three dimensions and the reverberation of sounds in an existing or virtual space. A particular aim of the Spatialisateur project is to provide direct and computationally efficient control over perceptually relevant parameters describing the interaction of each sound source with the virtual space, irrespective of the chosen reproduction format over loudspeakers or headphones. The advantages of this approach are illustrated in practical contexts, including professional audio, computer music, multimodal immersive simulation systems, and architectural acoustics.     

Weighted argument systems: Basic definitions, algorithms, and complexity results

We introduce and investigate a natural extension of Dung's well-known model of argument systems in which attacks are associated with a weight, indicating the relative strength of the attack. A key concept in our framework is the notion of an inconsistency budget, which characterises how much inconsistency we are prepared to tolerate: given an inconsistency budget β, we would be prepared to disregard attacks up to a total weight of β. The key advantage of this approach is that it permits a much finer grained level of analysis of argument systems than unweighted systems, and gives useful solutions when conventional (unweighted) argument systems have none. We begin by reviewing Dung's abstract argument systems, and motivating weights on attacks (as opposed to the alternative possibility, which is to attach weights to arguments). We then present the framework of weighted argument systems. We investigate solutions for weighted argument systems and the complexity of computing such solutions, focussing in particular on weighted variations of grounded extensions. Finally, we relate our work to the most relevant examples of argumentation frameworks that incorporate strengths.     

On the relation between entropy and the average complexity of trajectories in dynamical systems

If (X,T) is a measure-preserving system, a nontrivial partition of X into two sets and f a positive increasing function defined on the positive real numbers, then the limit inferior of the sequence is greater than or equal to the limit inferior of the sequence of quotients of the average complexity of trajectories of length n generated by and nf(log₂(n))/log₂(n). A similar statement also holds for the limit superior. Received: August 20, 1999.     

The evolving factory of the future: Integrating manufacturing and information systems

In recent years there have been rapid developments in both manufacturing and information technologies and their systems. Advances have occured so rapidly that often the results has been “islands” of automation and information subsystems, such as CAD/CAM, robotics, group technology, and office automation. Some recent developments, however, provide capabilities for integrating these “islands” into systems which both improve manufacturing productivity and produce more meaningful management information. Integrated systems seem imminent. Suggestions that could help ensure a smooth evolution toward these systems are made and some conclusions are drawn.     

Editorial: the evolving partnership between cognitive science and HCI

The theme of this special issue is “The Role of Cognitive Science in Human-Computer Interaction” (HCI). A generally accepted definition states that the main goal of HCI is to advance the design, implementation, and use of interactive computing systems by human beings (ACM, SIGCHI, 1992). Since the current primary use of computers is as tools for acting on and for observing the (information) world, the role of cognitive science-interpreted broadly as an endeavour to understand intelligent behaviour-is, consequently, tied to the questions:• how do our interactions with computing systems affect our representations of the objects that we manipulate?• how does interactions design influence our senses and our actions?• how does using computers to perform tasks transforms our notions of the relationships that exist in the world around us?     

Layered evaluation of interactive adaptive systems: framework and formative methods

The evaluation of interactive adaptive systems has long been acknowledged to be a complicated and demanding endeavour. Some promising approaches in the recent past have attempted tackling the problem of evaluating adaptivity by “decomposing” and evaluating it in a “piece-wise” manner. Separating the evaluation of different aspects can help to identify problems in the adaptation process. This paper presents a framework that can be used to guide the “layered” evaluation of adaptive systems, and a set of formative methods that have been tailored or specially developed for the evaluation of adaptivity. The proposed framework unifies previous approaches in the literature and has already been used, in various guises, in recent research work. The presented methods are related to the layers in the framework and the stages in the development lifecycle of interactive systems. The paper also discusses practical issues surrounding the employment of the above, and provides a brief overview of complementary and alternative approaches in the literature.     

Strategic information systems planning: myths,reality and guidelines for successful implementation

There have been a number of claims made in recent years with respect to the utilisation of information technology as a source of competitive advantage and as a means of enabling and directing strategic moves. This paper presents evidence to suggest that, so far, identification and successful implementation of strategic information systems has arisen as often as not from happy circumstance rather than as a result of a process of strategy formulation. Because of this, many companies run the risk of missing out on an opportunity to compete on an equal footing with their international rivals in increasingly competitive and global markets. In addition, the paper warns that the process of identifying and implementing strategically significant information systems is a complex task, the result of which represents considerable risk to companies should there be inadequate preparedness on their part. In view of this, it presents guidelines which may help in improving management understanding of the process; deciding on an appropriate information systems strategy for a particular company/context, and successfully implementing strategic information systems. A contingent, socio-technical approach to strategic information systems planning is proposed.     

Designing interactive consumer products: utility of paper prototypes and effectiveness of enhanced control labelling

The studies reported here examined differences in user behaviour when presented with a low-fidelity paper prototype compared to fully operational product, and evaluated the effectiveness of different types of enhanced labelling of controls. In the first study with a paper prototype, 30 users of high-pressure washers were asked to choose the settings of the temperature control for different cleaning objects, comparing standard with information-enriched control labelling. In the second study, 34 users operated a real high-pressure washer with different forms of control labelling. The results of both studies provided evidence for some benefits of an information-enriched control labelling over traditional temperature-centred controls labelling. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the data of the two studies suggested that low-fidelity paper prototypes may have to be used with caution. Therefore, designers need to be aware that the behavioural effects induced by different design modifications may be overestimated when using paper prototypes. The implications of the findings are discussed within the framework of an enlarged concept of fidelity.     

IR-drying of photoresists: experimental and theoretical consideration of drying kinetics of mono- and multi-layered coatings

Based on a suitable infrared drying system, experimental considerations of photoresist drying during soft bake have been carried out. A simple mono-parametric model for describing drying kinetics of photo resists, derived from Second Fick′s Law, is presented in this paper. The presented model has been used for curve-fitting on the measurements. The resulting plots showing a good correlation to measurements, especially in the diffusion-dominated drying phases at long drying times. The diffusion coefficients (resulting from curve fits) clearly showing a thermal activated process. Subsequently, experimental considerations of drying of multi-layer systems has been carried out.     

The technical framework of interactive functions for course-management systems: Students’ perceptions,uses, and evaluations

This study explores the interactivity of course-management systems (CMSs). First, this study reviews the concepts of interactivity, interactivity dimension, and interaction type on the basis of related theories and studies. Second, this study analyzes the interactive functions attributable to the six major CMSs in Taiwan colleges and universities, and re-constructs a technical framework containing five interaction types, nine interactivity dimensions, and 83 possible interactive functions. This study has found that a total of 21 interactive functions were featured in the six CMSs, while six functions identified from theories and research were not. In terms of interaction type, the results indicate that these six CMSs possessed the highest percentage of possible interactive functions for facilitating human interactions (e.g., learner–learner interaction and learner–instructor interaction), followed by learner–interface interaction and learner–self interaction, with the lowest percentage corresponding to learner–content interaction. In terms of interactivity dimension, these six CMSs seemed more likely to feature a learner-centered design approach than a system-centered one. Also, this study conducted user surveys on students’ perceptions, use, and evaluation of these interactive functions. A total of 491 valid sets of data were collected from six CMS user groups. The results indicate that, for their online learning, students considered the function of “Assignment handling” to be the most known, frequently used, and useful function. In addition, students were well familiar with, and made use of, any functions that would help them monitor or track their learning process. Students required more content-related interactive functions than were currently available in CMSs. Last, the regression results indicate that the more positively the students perceived the CMS interactivity, the usefulness of CMS for learning, and the interactive functions, the more positively these students perceived their CMSs.