Nomadic Speech-Based Text Entry: A Decision Model Strategy for Improved Speech to Text Processing

Speech text entry can be problematic during ideal dictation conditions, but difficulties are magnified when external conditions deteriorate. Motion during speech is an extraordinary condition that might have detrimental effects on automatic speech recognition. This research examined speech text entry while mobile. Speech enrollment profiles were created by participants in both a seated and walking environment. Dictation tasks were also completed in both the seated and walking conditions. Although results from an earlier study suggested that completing the enrollment process under more challenging conditions may lead to improved recognition accuracy under both challenging and less challenging conditions, the current study provided contradictory results. A detailed review of error rates confirmed that some participants minimized errors by enrolling under more challenging conditions while others benefited by enrolling under less challenging conditions. Still others minimized errors when different enrollment models were used under the opposing condition. Leveraging these insights, we developed a decision model to minimize recognition error rates regardless of the conditions experienced while completing dictation tasks. When applying the model to existing data, error rates were reduced significantly but additional research is necessary to effectively validate the proposed solution.     

An investigation of handheld device use by older adults with age-related macular degeneration

This study investigates factors affecting handheld human - computer interaction (HCI) for older adults with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This is largely an uncharted territory, as empirical investigations of HCI concerning users with visual dysfunction and/or older adults have focused primarily on desktop computers. For this study, participants with AMD and visually healthy controls used a handheld computer to search, select and manipulate familiar playing card icons under varied icon set sizes, inter-icon spacing and auditory feedback conditions. While all participants demonstrated a high rate of task completion, linear regression revealed several relationships between task efficiency and the interface, user characteristics and ocular factors. Two ocular measures, severity of AMD and contrast sensitivity, were found to be highly predictive of efficiency. The outcomes of this work reveal that users with visual impairments can effectively interact with graphical user interfaces on small displays in the presence of low-cost, easily implemented design interventions. Furthermore, results demonstrate that the detrimental influence of AMD and contrast sensitivity on handheld technology interaction can be offset by such interventions. This study presents a rich data set and is intended to inspire future work characterizing and modeling the interactions of individuals with visual impairments with non-traditional information technology platforms and contexts.     

探讨网络互联对嵌入式微控制器结构的影响

嵌入式控制系统正在迅速向基于CAN、802.14.5、以太网和其它网络协议的嵌入式控制网络转变。这些嵌入式网络常常通过企业内联网、外联网或互联网等与其它网络连接。随着连接性的增加,嵌入式微处理器(MCU)的结构将面临安全和带宽的问题。嵌入式系统朝着嵌入式网络的趋势发展从根     

Erratum zu: Subjektive Sicherheit zur Steigerung der Akzeptanz des automatisierten und vernetzten Fahrens

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen -     

Toughenability of Nylon-6 with CaCO3 filler particles: new findings and general principles

The mechanical behavior of Nylon-6 blends modified by two types of CaCO₃ particles of 0.7 and 3.5 μm diameter with particle volume fractions ranging from 0.05 to 0.28 was studied between −30 and 60°C in slow tension, and at 20°C in bending impact. Additional experiments were also carried out at 20°C to determine the plane stress fracture toughness of the blends in Single-Edge-Cracked-Plate configurations; all fracture behavior was followed extensively by SEM fractography.

Experiments demonstrated that the particles are attached to the matrix only through a differential thermal–contraction–pressure and particle separation preceded plastic response in all instances. As a consequence of the above ease in debonding, the yield strengths of the blends drop systematically with increasing particle concentration.

In slow tension all blends showed a well defined plastic stretching response following necking, but the stable post-necking stretch was severely limited by an overabundance of large particle clusters which acted as super-critical flaws to initiate premature termination of stretching. The present findings show that in these blends with their high plastic resistances, critical flaw sizes that trigger brittle response are in the range of 8–12 μm, well under the sizes of many of the particle clusters encountered in the blends.

In contrast with the attractively tough response of the rubber modified Nylon-6 blends of Murato lu et al. [Polymer 36 (1995) 921; Polymer 36 (1995) 4771] all present blends showed only disappointing brittle behavior under Izod impact conditions. This was traced to the development of substantial levels of triaxial tensile stresses arising from only partial separation of rigid particles from the matrix in the early phases of impact response.

Based on the new findings a number of general principles on toughenability with both compliant and rigid particle modification are presented and supported by simple micro mechanical models.     

A review and reappraisal of information technologies within a conceptual framework for individuals with disabilities

With over thirty million individuals with disabilities being reported in the United States, and with information systems permeating nearly every aspect of society, there is a growing urgency to ensure that everyone has equal access to technology. To render information technologies universally accessible, researchers must have at their disposal an accurate and reliable user model. Through the use of the conceptual framework presented here, accurate assumptions can be generated from knowledge of an individual’s impairments, and functional abilities to influence the creation of a user profile. Ultimately, user profiles serve as a vital attribute of user models applied to the design of technology in an effort to achieve universal access. Published online: 18 May 2001     

把直观式智能化消费设备用户体验引入工业控制应用设备中

如何把直观式智能化消费设备体验引入到各种工业控制应用中，以及控制面板（用户与工业硬件之间的界面）如何加入智能化用户界面是此文探讨的重点。此外，文中还介绍了如何利用嵌入式微处理器、外设和存储器，来对成本敏感的工业应用设备带来更加易于使用的良好体验。     

Near-simultaneous dual energy range EELS spectrum imaging

A system that allows the collection of the low loss spectrum and the core loss spectrum, covering different energy regions, at each pixel in a spectrum image is described. It makes use of a fast electrostatic shutter with control signals provided by the spectrum imaging software and synchronisation provided by the CCD camera controller. The system also allows simultaneous collection of the X-ray spectrum and the signals from the imaging detectors while allowing the use of the existing features of the spectrum imaging software including drift correction and sub-pixel scanning. The system allows acquisition of high-quality spectra from both the core and the low loss regions, allowing full processing of the EELS data. Examples are given to show the benefits, including deconvolution, absolute thickness mapping and determination of numbers of atoms per unit area and per unit volume. Possible further developments are considered.     

The effects of multimodal feedback on older adults' task performance given varying levels of computer experience

This experiment examines the effect that computer experience and various combinations of feedback (auditory, haptic, and/or visual) have on the performance of older adults completing a drag-and-drop task on a computer. Participants were divided into three computer experience groups, based on their frequency of use and breadth of computer knowledge. Each participant completed a series of drag-and-drop tasks under each of seven feedback conditions (three unimodal, three bimodal, one trimodal). Performance was assessed using measures of efficiency and accuracy. Experienced users responded well to all multimodal feedback while users without experience responded well to auditory-haptic bimodal, but poorly to haptic-visual bimodal feedback. Based on performance benefits for older adults seen in this experiment, future research should extend investigations to effectively integrate multimodal feedback into GUI interfaces in order to improve usability for this growing and diverse user group.     

Effect of varying the response format of the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test.

Administered the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test to 312 undergraduates using the original version (multiple-choice) and 2 revisions of the test (one using a horizontal continuum for responses and eliminating the 19 buffer items, the other using a Likert-type response format). An analysis of covariance showed significant differences between the 3 forms on all 3 scales. The 3 versions of the test differed in terms of intraform correlation between the Facilitative and Debilitative scales and internal consistency reliability estimates. Within each of the 3 forms, the negative correlation between the Facilitative and Debilitative scales caused the Facilitative minus the Debilitative scale to yield a higher reliability coefficient than either the Facilitative or Debilitative scale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)