基于SVG的自适应用户界面工具开发

为解决不同设备的用户界面难以开发问题,设计一个基于可伸缩矢量图形的自适应用户界面工具——SSUIT。该工具采用分层体系结构,用基于分页思想的自适应布局算法解决显示屏幕尺寸变化大的问题。给出一个集成的自适应用户界面开发工具构建实例,测试结果表明,该工具具有较好的实用性。     

User-centered approach to adaptive interfaces

Both adaptive and adaptable user interfaces are intended to fit the needs of individual users and their tasks better. A problem with these interfaces is that users must have and use additional knowledge, either to understand the automatic, system-driven adaptations or to adapt the interface on their own. Beyond these two extreme approaches, an automatically self-adapting system and a user manually adapting the system, the approach introduced in this paper strives for a third option, in which users are able to tell the system how to adapt itself. Accordingly, methods include adaptive adaptation (i.e. modifying the adaptation strategies) and implicit adaptation (i.e. changing the underlying models). The applicability of these findings is illustrated in the context of an adaptive action prompting environment.     

A visual shell interface to a database

This paper describes a visual command language for a workstation with a bit-mapped display and a mouse that can be used to create different user interfaces. Primitive interface components can be combined into more complex user interfaces. The user specifies interconnections between these components over which data and commands can be sent by pointing with a mouse. Primitive interface components are described for creating several different database user interfaces. The design and implementation of the software architecture is described, including the primitives for database interfaces and the communication protocols used by the system.     

The user interface in a hypertext, multiwindow program browser

The program browsing problem is discussed, with particular emphasis on a multiple-window user interface and its implications for recording acquired knowledge, navigation, and attention-tracking. Hypertext systems are considered as an implementation of browsing techniques for nonprogram text. A classification scheme for text-viewing systems is offered, and then browsing is discussed as a nonintrusive, static technique for program study.

Multiple techniques are synthesised into a coherent plan for a multiwindow program study tool, based on theories of program browsing and the use of hypertext. A test system, HYBROW, emerged from the plan for studying the application of several hypertext multiple-window techniques to program browsing, especially window replacement. HYBROW is a hypertext, multiple-window program browser. This generic tool is applicable to any source language, although certain aspects of the preprocessing and the hierarchical browser presentation are specific to the C language. The tool permits opening an arbitrary number of text windows into an arbitrary number of files, rapid window switching, multiple-window search, placemarking, automatic screen organisation, and services for the creation, maintenance and production of study notes. An informal usability study was conducted.     

Fourier Elimination for Compiling Constraint Hierarchies

Linear equality and inequality constraints arise naturally in specifying many aspects of user interfaces, such as requiring that one window be to the left of another, requiring that a pane occupy the leftmost 1/3 of a window, or preferring that an object be contained within a rectangle if possible. For interactive use, we need to solve similar constraint satisfaction problems repeatedly for each screen refresh, with each successive problem differing from the previous one only in the position of an input device and the previous state of the system. We present an algorithm for solving such systems of constraints using projection. The solution is compiled into very efficient, constraint-free code, which is parameterized by the new inputs. Producing straight-line, constraint-free code of this sort is important in a number of applications: for example, to provide predictable performance in real-time systems, to allow companies to ship products without including a runtime constraint solver, to compile Java applets that can be downloaded and run remotely (again without having to include a runtime solver), or for applications where runtime efficiency is particularly important. Even for less time-critical user interface applications, the smooth performance of the resulting code is more pleasing than that of code produced using other current techniques.     

Graphics interface tool development in a problem solving environment

A Problem Solving Environment (PSE) is an integrated system of application tools that support the solution of a given problem, or a set of related problems. Paramount in the development of such environments is the design, specification and integration of user interface tools that communicate between the application tools of the system and the user. Typically these interactions are object oriented and involve the interaction with tool parameters, which in many applications (CAD/ CAM, Imaging Systems, Image Processing), are represented by graphical data. This paper describes a user-interface tool development system in which both textual and graphical display, and interaction techniques are integrated under a single model. This allows the user to interact with tool parameters in either graphical or textual modes, and to have the parameters displayed in the manner most relevant to the problem set.     

Model-driven reverse engineering of legacy graphical user interfaces

Businesses are increasingly beginning to modernise those of their legacy systems that were originally developed with Rapid Application Development (RAD) or Fourth Generation Language (4GL) environments, in order to benefit from new platforms and technologies. In these systems, the Graphical User Interface (GUI) layout is implicitly provided by the position of the GUI elements (i.e. coordinates). However, taking advantage of current features of GUI technologies often requires an explicit, high-level layout model. We propose a Model-Driven Engineering process with which to perform the automatic reverse engineering of RAD-built GUIs, which is focused on discovering the implicit layout, and produces a GUI model in which the layout is explicit. As an example of the approach, we apply an automatic reengineering process to this model in order to generate a Java Swing user interface.     

Using Distributable User Interfaces in CSCL In-Situ Classrooms

Distributable user interfaces enable users to distribute user interface interaction objects (i.e. panels, buttons, input fields, checkboxes, etc.) across different displays using a set of distribution primitives to manipulate them in real time. This work presents how this kind of user interfaces facilitates the computer supported collaborative learning in modern classrooms. These classrooms provide teachers and students with display ecosystems consisting of stationary displays, such as smart projectors and smart TVs as well as mobile displays owned by teachers and students, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The distribution of user interface interaction objects enables teachers to modify the user interface interaction objects that are available to students in real time to control and promote the collaboration and participation among them during learning activities. We propose the development of this type of applications using an extension of the CAMELEON reference framework that supports the definition of UI distribution models. The Essay exercise is presented as a case of study where teachers control the collaboration among students by distributing user interface interaction objects.     

Elastic windows: design,implementation, and evaluation of multi-window operations

Most windowing systems follow the independent overlapping windows approach, which emerged as an answer to the needs of early computer users. Due to advances in computers, display technology, and increased information needs, modern users demand more functionality from window management systems. We propose Elastic Windows with improved spatial layout and rapid multi-window operations as an alternative to current window management strategies. In this approach, multi-window operations are achieved by issuing operations on window groups hierarchically organized in a space-filling tiled layout similar to TreeMaps.¹ Sophisticated multi-window operations have been developed to handle fast task-switching and to structure the work environment of users to their rapidly changing needs. We claim that these multi-window operations and the tiled spatial layout dynamics decrease the cognitive load on users by decreasing the number of window operations. This paper describes the Elastic Windows interface in detail and then presents a user study conducted to compare the performance of 12 users with Elastic Windows and traditional Independent Overlapping Windows. User performance was measured in terms of task environment setup, switching, and task execution for 2, 6, and 12 window situations. Elastic Windows users had statistically significantly faster performance for all tasks in 6 and 12 window situations. These results suggest promising possibilities for multiple window operations and hierarchical nesting, which can be applied to the next generation of tiled as well as overlapped window managers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A sketching interface for feature curve recovery of free-form surfaces

In this paper, we present a semi-automatic approach to efficiently and robustly recover the characteristic feature curves of a given free-form surface where we do not have to assume that the input is a proper manifold. The technique supports a sketch-based interface where the user just has to roughly sketch the location of a feature by drawing a stroke directly on the input mesh. The system then snaps this initial curve to the correct position based on a graph-cut optimization scheme that takes various surface properties into account. Additional position constraints can be placed and modified manually which allows for an interactive feature curve editing functionality. We demonstrate the usefulness of our technique by applying it to two practical scenarios. At first, feature curves can be used as handles for surface deformation, since they describe the main characteristics of an object. Our system allows the user to manipulate a curve while the underlying non-manifold surface adopts itself to the deformed feature. Secondly, we apply our technique to a practical problem scenario in reverse engineering. Here, we consider the problem of generating a statistical (PCA) shape model for car bodies. The crucial step is to establish proper feature correspondences between a large number of input models. Due to the significant shape variation, fully automatic techniques are doomed to failure. With our simple and effective feature curve recovery tool, we can quickly sketch a set of characteristic features on each input model which establishes the correspondence to a pre-defined template mesh and thus allows us to generate the shape model. Finally, we can use the feature curves and the shape model to implement an intuitive modeling metaphor to explore the shape space spanned by the input models.     

On labeling in graph visualization

When visualizing graphs, it is essential to communicate the meaning of each graph object via text or graphical labels. Automatic placement of labels in a graph is an NP-Hard problem, for which efficient heuristic solutions have been recently developed. In this paper, we describe a general framework for modeling, drawing, editing, and automatic placement of labels respecting user constraints. In addition, we present the interface and the basic engine of the Graph Editor Toolkit - a family of portable graph visualization libraries designed for integration into graphical user interface application programs. This toolkit produces a high quality automated placement of labels in a graph using our framework. A brief survey of automatic label placement algorithms is also presented. Finally we describe extensions to certain existing automatic label placement algorithms, allowing their integration into this visualization tool.     

Correlation-Based Web Document Clustering for Adaptive Web Interface Design

A great challenge for web site designers is how to ensure users' easy access to important web pages efficiently. In this paper we present a clustering-based approach to address this problem. Our approach to this challenge is to perform efficient and effective correlation analysis based on web logs and construct clusters of web pages to reflect the co-visit behavior of web site users. We present a novel approach for adapting previous clustering algorithms that are designed for databases in the problem domain of web page clustering, and show that our new methods can generate high-quality clusters for very large web logs when previous methods fail. Based on the high-quality clustering results, we then apply the data-mined clustering knowledge to the problem of adapting web interfaces to improve users' performance. We develop an automatic method for web interface adaptation: by introducing index pages that minimize overall user browsing costs. The index pages are aimed at providing short cuts for users to ensure that users get to their objective web pages fast, and we solve a previously open problem of how to determine an optimal number of index pages. We empirically show that our approach performs better than many of the previous algorithms based on experiments on several realistic web log files. Received 25 November 2000 / Revised 15 March 2001 / Accepted in revised form 14 May 2001     

Application integration: Constructing composite applications from interactive components

Creating new applications by integrating user interface and application components is a relatively new idea which is currently of wide interest. A significant part of this problem is clearly defining the separation between user interface and application components. This paper proposes a new design methodology based on the concept of an abstract data view (ADV), a structuring method which cleanly defines this separation. A number of examples of composite interactive documents, ones which could contain several different user interfaces with entities such as text, calculations, drawings and possibly even multi-media presentations, illustrate the ADV concept. These examples lead naturally to the introduction of the concept of hole, a user interface area in a composite interactive document which is managed by an external program, and uses ADVs. Prototypes of a number of systems supporting ADVs and holes are currently running in our laboratory.     

Exploring MARS: developing indoor and outdoor user interfaces to a mobile augmented reality system

We describe an experimental mobile augmented reality system (MARS) testbed that employs different user interfaces to allow outdoor and indoor users to access and manage information that is spatially registered with the real world. Outdoor users can experience spatialized multimedia presentations that are presented on a head-tracked, see-through, head-worn display used in conjunction with a hand-held pen-based computer. Indoor users can get an overview of the outdoor scene and communicate with outdoor users through a desktop user interface or a head- and hand-tracked immersive augmented reality user interface.     

Tele-Graffiti: A Camera-Projector Based Remote Sketching System with Hand-Based User Interface and Automatic Session Summarization

One way to build a remote sketching system is to use a video camera to image what each user draws at their site, transmit the video to the other sites, and display it there using an LCD projector. Such camera-projector based remote sketching systems date back to Paul Wellner's (largely unimplemented) Xerox Double DigitalDesk. To make such a system usable, however, the users have to be able to move the paper on which they are drawing, they have to be able to interact with the system using a convenient interface, and sketching sessions must be stored in a compact format so that they can be replayed later. We have recently developed Tele-Graffiti, a remote sketching system with the following three features: (1) real-time paper tracking to allow the users to move their paper during system operation, (2) a hand based user interface, and (3) automatic session summarization and playback. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and performance of Tele-Graffiti.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1023084706295     

Effects of design features of train electronic guidance interface on visual search,behavior, and usability

In urban rail trains, traditional printed guide information interfaces are being replaced by digital interfaces. An electronic guide screen is an important device for passengers to obtain information about the ride because the train is running underground. In particular, when the train is crowded, passengers must obtain information in advance and make appropriate decisions. Therefore, it is important to efficiently search for guidance interfaces. In this study, use scenarios of the guidance interface were simulated. The typical information layout and display mode in the current electronic guidance interface were the experimental variables. Through eye tracking and subjective evaluation, the effects of design features on user search performance, visual behavior, and usability satisfaction were discussed. The experimental results showed that the information layout and display mode of the guidance interface had an interactive effect on the task completion time, fixation counts, and usability score; they also had a significant effect on the recall accuracy and saccade ratio. Task completion time had a strong positive correlation with usability satisfaction and was correlated with visual behavior. The study confirmed that the split-screen display mode combined with interlaced layout could improve search performance and subjective satisfaction.Relevance to industryPrinted guide signs in subway cars are being replaced by electronic guide screens of different styles. Passengers must search for the required information within a limited period. In this study, the effects of different interface layouts and display modes on search performance, visual behavior, and usability were studied. This had a positive significance in improving user experience.     

An adaptive web page layout structure for small devices

The limited display size of current small Internet devices is becoming a serious obstacle to information access. In this paper, we introduce a Document REpresentation for Scalable Structures (DRESS) to help information providers make composite documents, typically web pages, scalable in both logic and layout structure to support effective information acquisition in heterogeneous environments. Through this novel document representation structure based on binary slicing trees, the document can dynamically adapt its presentation according to display sizes by maximizing the information throughput to users. We discuss the details of this structure with its key attributes. An automatic approach for generating this structure for existing web pages is also presented. A branch-and-bound algorithm and a capacity ratio-based slicing method are proposed to select proper content representation and aesthetic document layouts respectively. A set of user study experiments have been carried out and the results show that compared with the thumbnail-based approach, the DRESS-based interface can reduce browsing time by 23.5%. This work was performed when the second and the third authors were visiting students at Microsoft Research Asia.     

基于扩展对象模型的界面自动生成

根据界面工程设计和自动化的需要，本文提出了基于FMP模型中的扩展对象模型的自动生成方法。界面自动生成是根据扩展对象模型中的对象描述信息，通过指定不同的布局策略在界面的特定区域中实现的不同界面布局。实验结果表明本文提出的方法具有相当的应用价值。     

Android 应用中一种Activity 窗口管理系统

Android应用程序是由多个组件组成的,Activity作为Android程序的重要组件之一,用于显示可视化的用户界面,接收与用户交互所产生的界面事件。本文提出了AWMS(Activity Window Management System)机制,用于在多Activity窗口的应用中存储已开启的Activity窗口,以方便程序调用Activity句柄,对其数据及状态进行操作。实现了对Activity实例的获取以及对任务中每一个Activity的获取。