11

COSC 4107: Human Computer InteractionCOSC 4107: Human Computer Interaction

Lecture 2: Understanding and Lecture 2: Understanding and conceptualizing interactionconceptualizing interaction

22

RecapRecap HCI has moved beyond designing interfaces HCI has moved beyond designing interfaces

for desktop machinesfor desktop machines About extending and supporting all manner About extending and supporting all manner

of human activities in all manner of placesof human activities in all manner of places Facilitating user experiences through Facilitating user experiences through

designing interactionsdesigning interactions Make work effective, efficient and saferMake work effective, efficient and safer Improve and enhance learning and trainingImprove and enhance learning and training Provide enjoyable and exciting entertainmentProvide enjoyable and exciting entertainment Enhance communication and understandingEnhance communication and understanding Support new forms of creativity and expressionSupport new forms of creativity and expression

33

Understanding the problem Understanding the problem spacespace

• What do you want to create?What do you want to create?• What are your assumptions?What are your assumptions?• Will it achieve what you hope it will?Will it achieve what you hope it will?

44

A framework for analysing the A framework for analysing the problem spaceproblem space

Are there problems with an existing Are there problems with an existing product?product?

Why do you think there are problems?Why do you think there are problems? Why do you think your proposed ideas Why do you think your proposed ideas

might be useful?might be useful? How would you see people using it with How would you see people using it with

their current way of doing things?their current way of doing things? How will it support people in their How will it support people in their

activities?activities? Will it really help them?Will it really help them?

55

An exampleAn example

What were the assumptions made by What were the assumptions made by cell phone companies when cell phone companies when developing WAP (Wireless developing WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) services?Application Protocol) services?

Was it a solution looking Was it a solution looking for a problem?for a problem?

66

Assumptions: realistic or wish-list?Assumptions: realistic or wish-list?

People want to be kept informed of up-to-date People want to be kept informed of up-to-date news wherever they are news wherever they are - reasonable- reasonable

People want to interact with information on the People want to interact with information on the move move - reasonable- reasonable

People are happy using a very small display and People are happy using a very small display and using an extremely restricted interface using an extremely restricted interface - not - not reasonablereasonable

People will be happy doing things on a cell People will be happy doing things on a cell phone that they normally do on their PCs (e.g. phone that they normally do on their PCs (e.g. surf the web, read email, shop, bet, play video surf the web, read email, shop, bet, play video games) games) - reasonable only for a very select bunch - reasonable only for a very select bunch of usersof users

77

From problem space to design From problem space to design spacespace

Having a good understanding of the Having a good understanding of the problem space can help inform the problem space can help inform the design spacedesign space• e.g. what kind of interface, behavior, e.g. what kind of interface, behavior,

functionality to providefunctionality to provide But before deciding upon these it is But before deciding upon these it is

important to develop a conceptual important to develop a conceptual modelmodel

88

Conceptual modelConceptual model

Need to first think about how the system Need to first think about how the system will appear to users (i.e. how they will will appear to users (i.e. how they will understand it)understand it)

A conceptual model is a high level A conceptual model is a high level description of:description of:• ““the proposed system in terms of a set of the proposed system in terms of a set of

integrated ideas and concepts about what it integrated ideas and concepts about what it should do, behave and look like, that will be should do, behave and look like, that will be understandable by the users in the manner understandable by the users in the manner intended”intended”

99

First steps in formulating a First steps in formulating a conceptual modelconceptual model

What will the users be doing when What will the users be doing when carrying out their tasks?carrying out their tasks?

How will the system support these?How will the system support these? What kind of interface metaphor, if any, What kind of interface metaphor, if any,

will be appropriate?will be appropriate? What kinds of interaction modes and What kinds of interaction modes and

styles to use? styles to use? Always keep in mind when making design Always keep in mind when making design decisions how the user will understand the decisions how the user will understand the underlying conceptual model underlying conceptual model

1010

Conceptual modelsConceptual models

Many kinds and ways of classifying Many kinds and ways of classifying themthem

Here we describe them in terms of Here we describe them in terms of core activities and objectscore activities and objects

Also in terms of interface metaphorsAlso in terms of interface metaphors

1111

ActivityActivity

A company is building a wireless A company is building a wireless information system to help tourist information system to help tourist find their way around an unfamiliar find their way around an unfamiliar city.city.

What would they need to find out to What would they need to find out to develop a conceptual model?develop a conceptual model?

1212

Conceptual models based on Conceptual models based on activities activities

Giving instructionsGiving instructions• issuing commands using keyboard and function issuing commands using keyboard and function

keys and selecting options via menuskeys and selecting options via menus ConversingConversing

• interacting with the system as if having a interacting with the system as if having a conversationconversation

Manipulating and navigatingManipulating and navigating• acting on objects and interacting with virtual acting on objects and interacting with virtual

objectsobjects Exploring and browsingExploring and browsing

• finding out and learning thingsfinding out and learning things

1313

1. Giving instructions1. Giving instructions Where users instruct the system and tell it Where users instruct the system and tell it

what to dowhat to do• e.g. tell the time, print a file, save a filee.g. tell the time, print a file, save a file

Very common conceptual model, underlying Very common conceptual model, underlying a diversity of devices and systemsa diversity of devices and systems• e.g. CAD, word processors, VCRs, vending e.g. CAD, word processors, VCRs, vending

machinesmachines Main benefit is that instructing supports Main benefit is that instructing supports

quick and efficient interactionquick and efficient interaction• good for repetitive kinds of actions performed good for repetitive kinds of actions performed

on multiple objectson multiple objects

1414

2. Conversing2. Conversing Underlying model of having a conversation Underlying model of having a conversation

with another humanwith another human

Range from simple voice recognition menu-Range from simple voice recognition menu-driven systems to more complex ‘natural driven systems to more complex ‘natural language’ dialogueslanguage’ dialogues

Examples include timetables, search engines, Examples include timetables, search engines, advice-giving systems, help systemsadvice-giving systems, help systems

Recently, much interest in having virtual Recently, much interest in having virtual agents at the interface, who converse with agents at the interface, who converse with you, e.g. Microsoft’s Clippyyou, e.g. Microsoft’s Clippy

1515

Pros and cons of conversational Pros and cons of conversational modelmodel

Allows users, especially novices and Allows users, especially novices and technophobes, to interact with the system in a technophobes, to interact with the system in a way that is familiarway that is familiar• makes them feel comfortable, at ease and less scaredmakes them feel comfortable, at ease and less scared

Misunderstandings can arise when the system Misunderstandings can arise when the system does not know how to parse what the user saysdoes not know how to parse what the user says• A child types into a search engine “Ask Jeeves for A child types into a search engine “Ask Jeeves for

Kids”, Kids”, http://www.ajkids.com/http://www.ajkids.com/, uses natural language , uses natural language question:question:

““How many legs does a centipede have?”How many legs does a centipede have?” and the and the system responds:system responds:

1616

Y o u a s k e d : H o w m a n y l e g s d o e s a c e n t i p e d e h a v e ? J e e v e s k n o w s t h e s e a n s w e r s : W h e r e c a n I fi n d a d e fi n i t i o n f o r t h e m a t h t e r m l e g ? W h e r e c a n I fi n d a c o n c i s e e n c y c l o p e d i a a r t i c l e o n ? c e n t i p e d e s ? W h e r e c a n I s e e a n i m a g e o f t h e h u m a n a p p e n d i x ? W h y d o e s m y l e g o r o t h e r l i m b f a l l a s l e e p ? W h e r e c a n I fi n d a d v i c e o n c o n t r o l l i n g t h e g a r d e n p e s t ? m i l l i p e d e s a n d c e n t i p e d e s ? W h e r e c a n I fi n d r e s o u r c e s f r o m B r i t a n n i c a . c o m o n l e g ?

1717

3. Manipulating and navigating3. Manipulating and navigating Involves dragging, selecting, opening, closing Involves dragging, selecting, opening, closing

and zooming actions on virtual objects and zooming actions on virtual objects

Exploit’s users’ knowledge of how they move Exploit’s users’ knowledge of how they move and manipulate in the physical worldand manipulate in the physical world

Exemplified by (i) what you see is what you Exemplified by (i) what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) and (ii) the direct get (WYSIWYG) and (ii) the direct manipulation approach (DM)manipulation approach (DM)

Shneiderman (1983) coined the term DM, Shneiderman (1983) coined the term DM, came from his fascination with computer came from his fascination with computer games at the timegames at the time

1818

Core principles of DMCore principles of DM

Continuous representation of objects and Continuous representation of objects and actions of interestactions of interest

Physical actions and button pressing Physical actions and button pressing instead of issuing commands with complex instead of issuing commands with complex syntaxsyntax

Rapid reversible actions with immediate Rapid reversible actions with immediate feedback on object of interestfeedback on object of interest

1919

Why are DM interfaces so Why are DM interfaces so enjoyable?enjoyable?

Novices can learn the basic functionality quicklyNovices can learn the basic functionality quickly Experienced users can work extremely rapidly to Experienced users can work extremely rapidly to

carry out a wide range of tasks, even defining new carry out a wide range of tasks, even defining new functions functions

Intermittent users can retain operational concepts Intermittent users can retain operational concepts over timeover time

Error messages rarely neededError messages rarely needed Users can immediately see if their actions are Users can immediately see if their actions are

furthering their goals and if not do something elsefurthering their goals and if not do something else Users experience less anxietyUsers experience less anxiety Users gain confidence and mastery and feel in controlUsers gain confidence and mastery and feel in control

2020

What are the disadvantages What are the disadvantages with DM?with DM?

Some people take the metaphor of direct Some people take the metaphor of direct manipulation too literallymanipulation too literally

Not all tasks can be described by objects and not Not all tasks can be described by objects and not all actions can be done directlyall actions can be done directly

Some tasks are better achieved through Some tasks are better achieved through delegatingdelegating• e.g. spell checkinge.g. spell checking

Can become screen space ‘gobblers’Can become screen space ‘gobblers’ Moving a mouse around the screen can be slower Moving a mouse around the screen can be slower

than pressing function keys to do same actionsthan pressing function keys to do same actions

2121

ActivityActivity

http://www.vendweb.com/For-Sale-Cohttp://www.vendweb.com/For-Sale-Cold-Drink-Vending-Machines.htmld-Drink-Vending-Machines.htm

What instructions must be issued to What instructions must be issued to obtain a can of soft drink or a bar of obtain a can of soft drink or a bar of chocolate?chocolate?

Which one do you like? Why?Which one do you like? Why? What problems can arise with using What problems can arise with using

them?them?

2222

4. Exploring and browsing4. Exploring and browsing

Similar to how people browse Similar to how people browse information with existing media (e.g. information with existing media (e.g. newspapers, magazines, libraries, newspapers, magazines, libraries, pamphlets)pamphlets)

Information is structured to allow Information is structured to allow flexibility in a way user is able to flexibility in a way user is able to search for informationsearch for information• e.g. multimedia, web e.g. multimedia, web

2323

ActivityActivity

What conceptual models are the What conceptual models are the following applications based on?following applications based on?• A 3-D video gameA 3-D video game• The Windows environmentThe Windows environment• A web serverA web server

1. Direct manipulation/Virtual environment2. DM + Conversing +Exploring3. Instructing + Exploring + browsing

2424

Conceptual models based on Conceptual models based on objectsobjects

Usually based on an analogy with Usually based on an analogy with something in the physical worldsomething in the physical world

Examples include books, tools, Examples include books, tools, vehiclesvehicles

Classic: Star InterfaceClassic: Star Interfacebased on officebased on officeobjectsobjects

Johnson et al (1989)

2525

Another classic: the spreadsheet Another classic: the spreadsheet (Bricklin)(Bricklin)

Analogous to ledger Analogous to ledger sheetsheet

Interactive and Interactive and computationalcomputational

Easy to understandEasy to understand Greatly extending Greatly extending

what accountants what accountants and others could do and others could do

www.bricklin.com/history/refcards.htm

2626

Which conceptual model is Which conceptual model is best?best?

Direct manipulation is good for ‘doing’ types of Direct manipulation is good for ‘doing’ types of tasks, e.g. designing, drawing, flying, driving, tasks, e.g. designing, drawing, flying, driving, sizing windowssizing windows

Issuing instructions is good for repetitive tasks, Issuing instructions is good for repetitive tasks, e.g. spell-checking, file management e.g. spell-checking, file management

Having a conversation is good for children, Having a conversation is good for children, computer-phobic, disabled users and specialised computer-phobic, disabled users and specialised applications (e.g. phone services)applications (e.g. phone services)

Hybrid conceptual models are often employed, Hybrid conceptual models are often employed, where different ways of carrying out the same where different ways of carrying out the same actions is supported at the interface - but can actions is supported at the interface - but can take longer to learntake longer to learn

2727

Interface metaphorsInterface metaphors Interface designed to be similar to a physical Interface designed to be similar to a physical

entity but also has own propertiesentity but also has own properties• e.g. desktop metaphor, web portalse.g. desktop metaphor, web portals

Can be based on activity, object or a combination Can be based on activity, object or a combination of bothof both

Exploit user’s familiar knowledge, helping them to Exploit user’s familiar knowledge, helping them to understand ‘the unfamiliar’ understand ‘the unfamiliar’

Conjures up the essence of the unfamiliar Conjures up the essence of the unfamiliar activity, enabling users to leverage of this to activity, enabling users to leverage of this to understand more aspects of the unfamiliar understand more aspects of the unfamiliar functionalityfunctionality

2828

Benefits of interface metaphorsBenefits of interface metaphors

Makes learning new systems easierMakes learning new systems easier Helps users understand the Helps users understand the

underlying conceptual modelunderlying conceptual model Can be very innovative and enable Can be very innovative and enable

the realm of computers and their the realm of computers and their applications to be made more applications to be made more accessible to a greater diversity of accessible to a greater diversity of usersusers

2929

Problems with interface Problems with interface metaphors metaphors

Break conventional and cultural rulesBreak conventional and cultural rules• e.g. recycle bin placed on desktope.g. recycle bin placed on desktop

Can constrain designers in the way they Can constrain designers in the way they conceptualize a problem spaceconceptualize a problem space

Conflict with design principlesConflict with design principles Forces users to only understand the system in Forces users to only understand the system in

terms of the metaphorterms of the metaphor Designers can inadvertently use bad existing Designers can inadvertently use bad existing

designs and transfer the bad parts overdesigns and transfer the bad parts over Limits designers’ imagination in coming up with Limits designers’ imagination in coming up with

new conceptual modelsnew conceptual models

3030

Conceptual models: from Conceptual models: from interaction mode to styleinteraction mode to style

Interaction mode:Interaction mode: • what the user is doing when interacting with a what the user is doing when interacting with a

system, e.g. instructing, talking, browsing or system, e.g. instructing, talking, browsing or otherother

Interaction style:Interaction style:• the kind of interface used to support the mode, the kind of interface used to support the mode,

e.g. speech, menu-based, gesturee.g. speech, menu-based, gesture

3131

Many kinds of interaction Many kinds of interaction styles available…styles available…

CommandCommand SpeechSpeech Data-entryData-entry Form fill-inForm fill-in QueryQuery GraphicalGraphical WebWeb PenPen Augmented realityAugmented reality Gesture and even...Gesture and even...

3232

Interacting via GPRS enabled Interacting via GPRS enabled cell phone…cell phone…

Drawing an elephant by walking round the streets of a city Drawing an elephant by walking round the streets of a city (or other mode of transport) and entering data points along (or other mode of transport) and entering data points along the way via the cell phone the way via the cell phone

Example:Example: Brighton and Hove(UK) by J. Wood by foot, track Brighton and Hove(UK) by J. Wood by foot, track length 11.2km (see www.gpsdrawing.com for more length 11.2km (see www.gpsdrawing.com for more examples)examples)

GPRS(General Packet Radio Service)GPRS(General Packet Radio Service) http://www.cellular-news.com/gprs/ http://www.cellular-news.com/gprs/

3333

Making art by recording where Making art by recording where walking in a citywalking in a city

3434

Which interaction style to Which interaction style to choose?choose?

Need to determine requirements and user Need to determine requirements and user needsneeds

Take the budget and other constraints into Take the budget and other constraints into accountaccount

Also will depend on suitability of Also will depend on suitability of technology for activity being supported technology for activity being supported

This topic will be covered more later when This topic will be covered more later when discuss how to actually design conceptual discuss how to actually design conceptual modelsmodels

3535

ActivityActivity

Examine the IE Explorer and describe Examine the IE Explorer and describe the various forms of analogy and the various forms of analogy and composite interface metaphors that composite interface metaphors that have been used in its design. have been used in its design.

3636

Interaction paradigmsInteraction paradigms

Another form of inspiration for Another form of inspiration for conceptual modelsconceptual models

From the desktop to ubiquitous From the desktop to ubiquitous computing computing (embedded in the (embedded in the environment)environment)

3737

Examples of new paradigmsExamples of new paradigms Ubiquitous computing (mother of them all)Ubiquitous computing (mother of them all) Pervasive computingPervasive computing Wearable computingWearable computing Tangible bitsTangible bits Augmented realityAugmented reality

• http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/

Attentive environmentsAttentive environments• http://www.almaden.ibm.com/software/user/http://www.almaden.ibm.com/software/user/

Attentive_Environments/index.shtmlAttentive_Environments/index.shtml

Transparent computingTransparent computing http://domino.research.ibm.com/comm/http://domino.research.ibm.com/comm/

wwwr_thinkresearch.nsf/pages/coverstory100.htmlwwwr_thinkresearch.nsf/pages/coverstory100.html

and many more….and many more….

3838

Two examples: BlueEyes (IBM) Two examples: BlueEyes (IBM) and Cooltown (HP)and Cooltown (HP)

Visionary approaches for Visionary approaches for developing novel conceptual developing novel conceptual paradigmsparadigms

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/BlueEyes/index.htmlhttp://www.cooltown.com/cooltown/index.asp

3939

Summary pointsSummary points Important to have a good understanding of the Important to have a good understanding of the

problem spaceproblem space Fundamental aspect of interaction design is to Fundamental aspect of interaction design is to

develop a conceptual modeldevelop a conceptual model Interaction modes and interface metaphors Interaction modes and interface metaphors

provide a structure for thinking about which kind provide a structure for thinking about which kind of conceptual model to developof conceptual model to develop

Interaction styles are specific kinds of interfaces Interaction styles are specific kinds of interfaces that are instantiated as part of the conceptual that are instantiated as part of the conceptual modelmodel

Interaction paradigms can also be used to inform Interaction paradigms can also be used to inform the design of the conceptual modelthe design of the conceptual model