project review of “ ilo” the item locator system

CS 588 Team 40Tuyen Lam: 5600

Tom Myhres: 7338

Pauline Tomison: 9145

Team Location:Tucson, AZ

Project Review of “iLo” the Item Locator System

iLo

Location: Tucson, AZ

Tuyen Lam ([email protected]) Tom Myhres ([email protected]) Pauline Tomison ([email protected]) 2

iLo V1.00CS588Team 40

• Project Description• System Requirements• Navigation Map• User Analysis Discussion• Visual Design• Main Menu Design• Screen Prototypes• Summary Comments• Plans

Project Review Outline




“iLo” –Item Locator Device• Mobile device – envisioned as PDA-like

• Provides new capability of finding items easily,for example, like in a grocery or hardware store

• Provides new capability for item lists,for example, wood deck kit, grocery list

• Provides new inventory management tool

Assumptions: Most users frustrated by locating items in unfamiliar stores Most users have some kind of shopping list Inventory control could be made easier with this device

Project Description




The system shall accept item ID as input barcodes, voice commands, keyboard have an item description for each item in the current database be able to search for an item based on an attribute and display the results. each item in the database shall have the following attributes:

• Item identification code, barcode #, Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) # or other, name, quantity, location, unit price, expiration data

be able to display the current inventory and its current location be able to locate an item based on its current location provide a method of removing Items from Item List once located Using items lists, related items are groups together, e.g. dairy Item Lists shall be managed in the following ways.

• Browse / Display currently available Item Lists • Create a new Item List• Delete an Item List• Save an Item List• Add an item to the Item List• Remove an item from the Item List• Display items on an Item List

Note: For a complete listing, please refer to the System Requirements Document [0]

System Requirements



iLo V1.00CS588Team 40 Navigation Map (1)

Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]




Notes: Login Task

• Not required for typical user• Required for:

• Typical users to retrieve & save shopping lists• Privileged users to access maintenance task

Display Mode provides different controls for viewing information• ex. envisioned display modes include: inventory list, item detail, maps, etc.

Find Mode allows user to find items by several methods, ex. barcodes, item or brand name, etc. Help Mode displays simple help information. List Mode allows:

• Adding, changing and deleting lists. • Import lists from a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device like a “thumb drive” or the Internet

Maintenance Mode allows privileged users to:• Modify system information• View system usage information.

Navigation map (2)




User Characteristics: Users – everyday people 18+ years System Developers, Maintainers & Administrators (privileged users) Managers and stocking clerks (privileged users) Government agencies – regulatory purposes

User Tasks: Physically locate an item or items Use keyboard, touch-screen and/or voice recognition system (VRS) to operate device Search for (find), select and review item information Login/logout Maintain lists – add / upload, change and delete lists

User Workload: Use device while actively locating item(s), managing time, and managing immediate

surroundings (kids, aisles, etc) Ease of use and speed are central to the system Subjective satisfaction is of modest importance; frequent use will facilitate retention Operator fatigue, stress and burnout are considered for users, especially privileged users

User Environmental Considerations: Indoors – system will be used in doors in a variety of stores, e.g. grocery store, home improvement Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) style system – for easy of use, scrolling, size Working alone – one user at a time will be able to login and use the system Scrolling – Will be able to scroll through the list/inventory for specific items Color – use color when appropriate. If color is used, provide other visual cues for color-blind users

User Analysis




Menus: The device will employ menus for typical (novice) user as it the most frequently matched dialog style. Menus require little or no

training, are self explanatory, make both semantics and syntax explicit, does not require the user to remember commands, requires fewer key strokes – less user error and it facilitates easier error handling, and enhancements are visible as soon as the updates are uploaded. For privileged users a command interface will be available. Privileged users are listed in paragraph 1.a above.

Fill-in Forms: Fill-in forms are used sparingly in our project, primarily for login and searching for items. Reasons for this include additional

reading and typing skills. Fill-in forms are self-explanatory and reduce the need for manuals. Fill-in forms require little or no training, and make both semantics and syntax explicit, are efficient in their use of screen – real estate and can accommodate parameters with many values.

Direct Manipulation; The system will employ some direct manipulation. It is intuitive, WYSIWYG – allows our users to focus on task semantics,

rather than on the system semantics and syntax. It is flexible and allows for easily reversible actions, and provides context and instant visual feedback. In addition, direct manipulation exploits human use of visual and spatial cues, and requires low typing skills and visual feedback means less opportunity for user errors, which makes it ideal for our system. It replaces typing with pointing/selecting, and provides the user immediate visibility of the results of an action. Direct manipulation allows control/display compatibility, less syntax reduces errors, and direct manipulation facilitates faster learning and higher retention. It encourages the user to explore other functionality of the system.

Command Language: System will provide command language only to privileged users (previously identified). Command language requires a positive

attitude towards the system. Privileged users are much more likely to have this than typical users. Privileged users will gain thorough knowledge of the system through training and use.

Function Keys: The system will utilize soft function keys (labels onscreen). Physical function keys will be considered for very frequent actions.

Function keys are self-explanatory, easy to use and flexible; require little human memory, little or no onscreen real estate needed, and they limit the typing the user has to do. The soft functions keys may change depending on the mode.

Question and Answer User Interface (Q &A UI) Question and Answer interface will be employed in the voice mode. User can identify and item or pose a single question to the

system and the system will respond. The response will go to the screen and optionally by voice since device users are typically in a public environment and may not want to call too much attention to themselves. The Q & A interface is easy to use and is applicable for our system since typically low-motivated and less experienced users will use the system. In addition, Q & A requires little training and it provides history mechanism or other techniques for flexibility.

Natural language Natural language will sparingly or possibly not at all in our system. See voice responses in Q&A above.

Dialog Styles (1)




1) User Dialog Styles

The table below show the user characteristics identified in the “User Profile Checklists” above. Here we identify the common user-system interaction styles for this system. The “User Profile Paragraph” column refers to the explanations & clarifications previously presented.

Dialog Style User Profile Para.

Menu Fill-in Forms

Question & Answer

Command Language

Function Keys

Direct Manipulation

Natural Language

Cognitive Style

2.a.(1) Verbal / Spatial

Verbal Verbal Verbal / Spatial

Spatial Spatial Verbal

Attitude 2.a.(2) Negative Negative Neutral

Negative Positive Negative Negative Negative

User Psychology

Motivation 2.a.(3) Low Low Moderate

High Low High

Low Low Low

Reading Level

2.b.(1) 5th – 12th grade

>= 12th grade >= 12th grade >= 12th grade 5th – 12th grade

5th – 12th grade

>= 12th grade

Typing Skill

2.b.(2) Low Moderate High

Moderate High

Moderate High

Low Low High

Education

2.b.(3) 5th – 12th grade

5th – 12th grade

>= 12th grade >= 12th grade 5th – 12th grade

>= 12th grade >= 12th grade

System Experience

2.b.(4) Low Low Moderate

Low Moderate

High Low Low Low

Task Experience


Low

High Moderate High

Low High

Application Experience

2.b.(6) Low Low Moderate

Moderate High Moderate Low Low

Native Language

2.b.(7) English English English English Any Any English

Use of Other Systems

2.b.(8) Frequent Moderate Frequent

Moderate Frequent

Infrequent Infrequent Frequent

Frequent Frequent

Knowledge & Experience

Computer Literacy


Low High Moderate High

Low Low

Dialog Styles (2)




Dialog Style User Profile Para.

Menu Fill-in Forms

Question & Answer

Command Language

Function Keys

Direct Manipulation

Natural Language

Frequency of Use

2.c.(1) Low Moderate High

Low High Low Low Low

Primary Training

2.c.(2) Little or none Little or none Little or none Formal Little or none Little or none Little or none

System Use

2.c.(3) Discretionary Discretionary Discretionary Mandatory Discretionary Discretionary Discretionary

Job Categories

2.c.(4) Any Any Any Any Any Any Any

Turnover Rate

2.c.(5) High Low Moderate

High Low Moderate High High

Other Tools / Systems

2.c.(6) Paper forms

Task Importance

2.c.(7) Low Moderate Low High Moderate Low Low

Task Characteristics

Task Structure

2.c.(8) High High High Low Low Moderate

Low Low

Color-Blind

2.d.(1) No No No No No No No

Handedness

2.d.(2) Ambidextrous Ambidextrous Ambidextrous Ambidextrous Ambidextrous Ambidextrous N/A

Physical Characteristics

Gender

2.d.(3) Male or Female

Male or Female

Male or Female

Male or Female

Male or Female

Male or Female

Male or Female

Key:

Does not apply to this system

Applies to this system

Dialog Styles (3)




Tasks Analysis

iLo System

KEY:

3.DISPLAY CNTRL

4.FIND

5.HELP

6.LISTS

7.MAINT

2.SELECT

TASK

1.LOGINVERIF.

NOTES:(0) I/O devices not shown. Purpose of diagram is focus

on user tasks & data flows(1) Users not required to login to use system(2) Only privileged users can perform maintenance task

TASK or PROCESS

USER or DEVICE DATA STORE

TASK or DATA FLOW

[ CONDITION ]

[ verified user (1) ]

User ID

Prompts & MSG’s

Display CMDs Item ID Help SelectionCMDs & Item ID

CMDs & Item Data

Desired Display Item(s) Found Help Text Updated ListSystem

Prompts & Status

Display Main Menu

[ anonymous user (1) ]

USER

Inventory DB

User Lists

Login/Users DB

Help DB Usage

[ privileged user (2) ]

System S/W




Select A Task From the Main MenuThe user can select tasks from the following main menu/tasks items.

Login Display Control Find (Selecting find) Help List Maintenance System Maintenance (for privileged users only)

FindThe user can find items in a variety of ways by selecting from the following options. Barcode entry - user scans in barcode using a barcode reader.

After the users scans the bar code the item’s information is displayed For a visual description see the Prototype screen shoot

Keyboard entry – user manually enters a search key via a “QWERTY” keyboard ; soft-keys or “Graffiti”™

Item Lists – user selects from the available Item Lists; items on the Item List are displayed to the user. Voice recognition system (VRS) - user manually speaks the search key to the system. A list of possible

matches or a response message is displayed to the user. Use the Main menu Icon to return to the Main Menu

Tasks Analysis (2)




Tasks Analysis (3)

ClearlySpeak

Name ofitem

Bar code

Pick an itemFrom the

list

Use Fill in form to enter

item information

Item Informationis displayed

Keyboard

Item List

Voice

Item info displayed

Select Bar code

Scan Bar code

Find

Return toMain Menu




I/O Device Considerations: Web – used to upload a list of items using e-mail, which then can be

downloaded to the device in the store (requires login). Easy interface, most users are familiar with e-mail, uploading and

downloading information from the web USB port – lists of items can be uploaded through a USB port. Voice recognition – for users that have disabilities. Pen – to select items from the menu

This is a device similar to a PDA. Using a Pen makes it easy to interface with the device.

I/O Devices




• No externally imposed standards, rules or models– Ex. Department of Defense (DoD) Standards

• Dialog styles– Preferred: menus, function keys, fill-in forms

& direct manipulation (ex. tab format)– Not preferred: command & natural language

• Navigation– Current level in upper-left screen– Main menu icon in upper-right screen– Each level has a color similar to icon on main menu

• Icons / symbols– Text subtitle identifies function– Familiar & international symbols used when possible, ex:

• ? for help; + and – (plus and minus) signs• Wrench for “maintenance task”

– Unique (by task) colors to avoid confusion– Icon selection box

• Visual cue for thumb-wheel operation

Visual Design - Style Guides (1)




• Colors– White screen background

• Paper shopping list metaphor• Doesn’t overload user with color• Clean & professional look

– Common conventions• Red for error or strong warning• Yellow for caution

– Contrasting colors for readable text & icon recognition• Text

– Font style either Verdana, Arial or Courier (very common fonts)– Product name always in same style:

• iLo (lower-upper-lower Italics) – suggests “forward motion”• Encourages proper pronunciation

• Terminology– Use consistently, ex. find not search; help not info; lists not

shopping cart

Visual Design – Style Guides (2)




• Product logo / icon– iLo is short for item locator– Magnifying glass symbolizes find – “Find iLo & find what you need” ™

• Main menu icons– Main menu - house– Login - person profile – Display - 2 terminals with different displays– Find - magnifying glass (reinforces logo)– ? - help (common MS Windows icon)– List - paper list metaphor– Wrench - widely used for maintenance tasks

Visual Design – Icons




• iLo - Basic concepts– Mobile device– PDA type (Personal Digital Assistant )

• Main Menu – Only one part of overall user-system interface (USI)

Main Menu Design

Home List Folder

Battery7:13 am

Home

List

Search

Help

Home List Folder

Battery7:13 am

Home

List

Search

Help

iLo

HelpFindDisplay

MaintenanceList

Login



iLo V1.00CS588Team 40 Main Menu Design

Design Decisions RationaleIcons:• Common & international icons, ex.

– Microsoft “help” icon– Wrench for maintenance

• Familiarity – similar to Microsoft Windows desktop icons [1] [2] [3]• Wrench is a widely used icon [1][2][3]• Device “near ready” for international market.

Task ready for selection “box” Provides easy identification of task or item currently when using scroll button [1][2]

Default background color is white • Paper shopping list metaphor• Icons provide color• Doesn’t overwhelm user with colors• Aid for color blind people• Avoid color that makes text hard to read

[2] [3]• Separate area for text input:

– Graffiti ™– Soft keys

Facilitates use of the system [2] [3]




Prototype Screen ShotNavigation Map

Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]




LoginMainMenu

User ID

Password

Login required for Privileged Users to access the Maintenance menu.

Login also enables the Save option for the Item List menu.

Login to access the Maintenance Menu (for priviledge users only)and enable Save of Item Lists.




Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]





Inventory

DisplayMainMenu

Item Item List Map

Name Qty Loc Unit Price

Exp

Date

Item List

Description

Mode

?

Prototype Screen ShotDisplay

List of all the items in the database




DisplayMainMenu

Item Name

Quantity

Location

Unit Price

Expiration Date

Description

Items

Inventory Item Item List Map Mode

Picture of item goes here

?

Prototype Screen ShotDisplay (2)

User selects an item from the dropdown menu to see the item details




DisplayMainMenu

Item Name

Quantity

Location

Unit Price

Expiration Date

Description

Item List

Items



?


User selects an Item List and the items on that list will be selectable from the Items menu




DisplayMainMenu

You are here

Itemlocation

Select an item to locate


?


User selects the item to locate. Item location will appear on the map




DisplayMainMenu


Textual Output Audio Output

?


User selects from 2 output modes





Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]




Barcode

FindMainMenu

Keyboard Item List Voice

Item Name

Quantity

Location

Unit Price

Expiration Date

DescriptionPicture of item goes here

Prototype Screen ShotFind

User scans in the barcode and it appears on this line. User selects OK to confirm or rescan.




FindMainMenu

Barcode Keyboard Item List Voice

Prototype Screen ShotFind (2)

User can search on any of the fields available. Only fields that were modified by the user will be used in the search criteria.




Item List

FindMainMenu



List of current items in the selected Item List. Check marks can be used to flag an item has been found.




FindMainMenu

Item Name

Quantity

Location

Unit Price

Expiration Date

Description

Please clearly speak the name of the item to locate.




User speaks the item’s name to find the details of that item





Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]




HelpMainMenu

Prototype Screen ShotHelp

User selects from the help topics and the text will appear below





Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]




Item List

Items

ListMainMenu

Add Del Import Save

Prototype Screen ShotList

User is able to add a new Item List and/or add new items to the Item List




Item List

ListMainMenu

Add Del Import Save

Prototype Screen ShotList (2)

User is able to delete the selected Item List, clear the list, or remove items from the Item List




ListMainMenu

iLo RemovableDevice

iLoOnline

iLo

Add Del Import Save


User selects from the available places to upload the list of items from a file on the iLo device, from a removable device (ex. USB drive), or from iLo Online.

Will prompt user to login if not already logged in.




ListMainMenu

iLo RemovableDevice

iLoOnline

iLo

Add Del Import Save


User can select where to save the modified Item List.

Only available to users that are logged in. Will prompt for login if user tries to save and is not logged in.





Display Menu

Find Menu

Help Menu

Maintenance Menu

Inventory

Item

Item List

Map

Barcode

Keyboard

Voice

Item List

Reprogram

Update Item DB

Settings

Start

List Menu

Add

Delete

[ Privileged User ]

Import

Save

Login

Main Menu

[ no login ]

Usage Statistics

Mode

[ user login ]




Reprogram

MaintenanceMainMenu

Settings Update Statistics

Update latest iLo program files

Version #

Version date

Prototype Screen ShotMaintenance

The version # and the version date of the currently loaded iLo software is listed. A Privileged User can update to the latest iLo release via wireless connection to the iLo server.

For Privileged Users only. Login required.




MaintenanceMainMenu

Reprogram Settings Update Statistics

Prototype Screen ShotMaintenance (2)

User selectable settings.




MaintenanceMainMenu


Download latest database files


Updates the local database with new items and item information

Allows the user to update fields in an item details. Also updates the database on the iLo server.




MaintenanceMainMenu


Chart of current statistics


User selects from the available charts




• Comments / Issues / Complaints– None

• Assumptions– Focus group needed prior to serious product development – Web-based prototypes would provide cheap, valuable feedback– Device can be produced cheaply

• Lessons learned– Teamwork

• Good inputs come from different experiences & views • It takes time to coordinate efforts

– Baselines• Develop & use document templates• Use file version numbers for coordinating work• Have one person assemble & give consistent look & feel

Summary Comments



iLo V1.00CS588Team 40 Plans

• Tools

• Web-based prototype– Develop static prototype to show navigability– If time allows, add dynamic content:

• Fill-in forms, tab-style menus, maps, etc.• Partially-populated inventory DB

Tool Vendor Purpose

Power Point Microsoft Presentations & simple drawings

Visio Microsoft Icons, screens & detailed drawings

Photoshop Adobe Graphics design for web pages

Word Microsoft Project documentation

Frontpage Microsoft WYSIWYG web page editor

HTML n/a Web-based prototype

CGI / PERL n/a Interactive functionality if time allows




[0] Project Team Website: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~myhres/cs588

[1] The icon crisis's: Tiny pictures cause confusion[2] The Non-Designer’s Web Book[3] CSCI 588 Module 2 pg 101-107[4] The Non-Designers Web Book[5] Techniques & Tools for Using Color in Computer

Interface Design[6] Web Usability by Shneiderman[7] Recommended Main Menu Design[8] Top-10 Mistakes by Jacob Nielsen

References

project review of “ ilo” the item locator system

Documents