TC13 WTC13 WTC13 WTC13 WTC13 WorkshoporkshoporkshoporkshoporkshopHuman Computer InterHuman Computer InterHuman Computer InterHuman Computer InterHuman Computer Interactionactionactionactionaction

NamNamNamNamNamur (Belgium),ur (Belgium),ur (Belgium),ur (Belgium),ur (Belgium), 26-28 J 26-28 J 26-28 J 26-28 J 26-28 Janananananuaruaruaruaruary 2005y 2005y 2005y 2005y 2005

Salle académique (4th fSalle académique (4th fSalle académique (4th fSalle académique (4th fSalle académique (4th floor)loor)loor)loor)loor)Institut d'InfInstitut d'InfInstitut d'InfInstitut d'InfInstitut d'Infororororormamamamamatique - FUNDPtique - FUNDPtique - FUNDPtique - FUNDPtique - FUNDP

PROGRAMME

08:45-09:00 : Welcome

DESIGN AND VISUALISATION - Chair : Monique Noirhomme

09:00-09:25 : The Trouble with Visualization, Nahun Gershon, MS W452 The MITRE Corporation, McLean, USA

09:25-09:50 : Ecological Interface Design Principles and Interface Design Maps, Annelise Pejtersen, Centre for HumanMachine Interaction (DANFIP), Roskilde, Denmark

09:50-10:15 : Research at Lucid Group and the Sketch Interface for Design, Pierre Leclercq, Laboratoire d'étudesméthodologiques architecturales (LEMA), Université de Liège, Belgique

10:15-10:30 : Break

10:30-10:50 : Applying Visualisation Techniques in Novel Domains, Janet Wesson, Department of Computer Science& Information Systems, University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa

10:50-11:15 : HCI research in LUC-EDM: Designing Interaction in the Large vs Interaction in the Small, ChrisRaymaekers, Limburgs Universitair Centrum (LUC), Diepenbeek, Belgium

11:15-11:45 : An Interface Development Environment based on UsiXML, Jean Vanderdonckt, IAG, UCL, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

11:45-12:00 : Deriving User Requirements From Human-Computer Interfaces, Ravi Ramdoyal, Institut d'Informatique,FUNDP, Namur, Belgium

12:00-12:15 : Breaking the desk-top metaphor ; new paradigms for interaction, Mark Apperley, Department of ComputerScience, The University of Waikato, NewZealand

12:15-12:40 : Error Safety and Software Development, Philippe Palanque, LIHS, Université Toulouse 1, France

12:40-14:00 : Lunch (Arsenal, rue Bruno)

USABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY - Chair : Philippe Palanque and Jean Vanderdonckt

14:30-14:55 : Inclusive design : How Multisensory user interface might work, Gitte Lindgard, Human OrientedTechnology Laboratory (HOTLab) Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

14:55-15:20 : Automatic web accessibility evaluation tools. Application to usability evaluation, Julio Abascal, InformatikaFakultatea, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Donostia, Spain

15:20-15:45 : A tool for Automatic Web Accessibility Evaluation, Abdo Beirekdar, Institut d'Informatique, FUNDP,Namur, Belgium

15:45-16:00 : Web Accessibility in China: A Comparative Study, Zhengji Liu, School of Computer Science & Technology,Dalian Maritime University, China

16:00-16:15 : Break

16:15-16:40 : The DARe model for Usability Evaluation Effectiveness, Gilbert Cockton, CITP FBCS FRSA, Univer-sity of Sunderland, UK

16:40-16:55 : Reachability - new perspectives on accessibility of public authorities' web services, Jan Gulliksen, Dept.of Human Computer Interaction, Uppsala University, Sweden

16:55-17:20 : Tools for accessibility and usability evaluation : the NAUTICUS and WebREmUSINE experience, FabioPaterno, HIIS Laboratory, ISTI - C.N.R, Pisa, Italy

17:20-17:35 : Speech Interfaces for Natural Speaking Information Retrieval Dialogue Systems, Vaclav Matousek, Dept.of Informatics & Computer Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, TheCzech Republic

ABSTRACTS

The Trouble with Visualization, Nahun Gershon, MS W452 The MITRE Corporation, McLean, USAAbstract : Not communicated

Ecological Interface Design Principles and Interface Design Maps, Annelise Pejtersen, Centre for Human Ma-chine Interaction (DANFIP), Roskilde, Denmark

Abstract : Ecological interfaces are visual interfaces that are based on an analysis of the application domain,the tasks and the user characteristics. The design maps for ecological interfaces are supposed to help theinterface designer to bridge the gap between analysis of the use situation and the design of the interface.

Research at Lucid Group and the Sketch Interface for Design, Pierre Leclercq, Laboratoire d'études méthodologi-ques architecturales (LEMA), Université de Liège, Belgique

Abstract : The presentation proposes the concept of the «invisible interface for design» as an user interfacecompatible with the cognitive process involved in architectural sketching. We will present the principles ofsuch an interface, describe the technical challenges and illustrate our answers by a software prototype calledEsQUIsE.The talk will also give an overview of the Lucid current research programmes which are based on the sketchinterface concept.

Applying Visualisation Techniques in Novel Domains, Janet Wesson, Department of Computer Science & Infor-mation Systems, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Abstract : The visualisation of large information systems is a common problem which has been extensivelyresearched in many domains. The information needs to be displayed in a meaningful way in order to facilitateeasy identification and analysis. Several domains still exist, however, where visualisation techniques have notbeen adequately researched or applied. The aim of this paper is to discuss research into visualisation techni-ques for two such areas, namely network performance management and genealogical information systems.Network performance management is concerned with providing facilities to manage the performance of networksand network application services. Genealogical information systems are concerned with providing facilities forstoring and browsing family information. Whilst these two domains are vastly different, the visualisationrequirements are very similar. Users need to be able to view effective representations of large amounts ofrelated information and dynamically manipulate this information. This paper shows how novel visualisationmetaphors can be used to facilitate dynamic exploration and browsing of this information. Examples of currentresearch are used to illustrate these metaphors.

HCI research in LUC-EDM: Designing Interaction in the Large vs Interaction in the Small, Chris Raymaekers, LimburgsUniversitair Centrum (LUC), Diepenbeek, Belgium

Abstract :

1 IntroductionThe Expertise centre for Digital Media (EDM) is a research institute of the Limburgs Universitair Centrum

(LUC) and performs basic, applied and contract research in three computer science domains:• Computer Graphics, Computer animation and Virtual Environments• Multimedia-, Communication- and Internettechnology• Human-Computer Interaction

The three areas of research are complementary w.r.t. each other and originated from former researchthat focused on highly interactive virtual environments.

The EDM research focuses on the design and development aspects of «nextgeneration» interactivesystems. This implies the development of new algorithms, methodologies, technologies and software frameworksto support the creation of interactive systems that go beyond desktop systems. Our researchactivities cover both ends of the existing hardware scale: on the one hand design and development techniquesfor pervasive computing systems (the dissappearing computer) and on the other hand design and developmenttechniques for immersive systems. In all cases these system should provide a more natural way of interactiongiven its context-of-use.

The HCI group is divided into two sections «multimodal , 3D and virtual environments» and «2D multi-device UIs, mobile and embedded systems». One can categorise the research performed in these sections as«interaction in the large» and «interaction in the small». In this paper, we will describe the researchthat is performed within these groups. More information can be found at our website at http://www.edm.luc.ac.be/

2 Interaction in the LargeThe EDM research into interaction for virtual environments mostly has concentrated on the end user. A

number of multimodal interaction paradigms have been developed in order to enrich the interaction possibilities.Special attention has been paid to haptic feedback as an interaction metaphor. But speech and two-handedinput, especially using proprioception, have also been investigated.

One topic of interest has been the visualisation of the virtual environment. As immersive setups arecumbersome to work with, other solutions have been developed. We created the Personal Surround Display

(PSD), a personal work environment which surrounds the user with the virtual environment, which is projectedon three projection screens. This is a good alternative for an immersive setup. Alternatively, we have investigatedhow a second top-view projection of the virtual environment can present the user with extra information aboutthe relative position of the di_erent objects.

Recently, the research also concentrates on software engineering aspects of virtual environments.Based on a VE framework that has been built over the past few years, tool support is added in order to allowfor the generation of VE applications. Together with the model-based UI development, this will lead to a moreeasy development of virtual environments.

3 Interaction in the SmallThe youngest research area at the HCI group originated from research into multi-device UIs. At first

primarily targeted towards interface engineering for embedded system, this gradually evolved towards interfaceengineering for heterogeneous systems. New algorithms, methodologies and techniques are developed tosupport interface engineering for mobile and embedded systems where context plays an important role. Model-based user interface development is one of the methodologies that has been thoroughly exploited and makesup the basis of our current approach.

In extending our research to support next-generation interactive systems, we focus on the followingtopics:• Software Engineering methodologies that take context changes into account• Context in model-based user interface development• Distributed interfaces• Development tools for context-sensitive user interfaces• XML-based user interface description languages

Based on this research, prototypes were developed that serve as a basis for dissemination of ourresults towards industry. For example: a mobile guide has been developed that makes use of environmentalinformation (e.g. GPS coordinates, reachability of a wireless network, nearby bus stops, . . . ) to support theuser in visiting a particular area.

4 UsabilityThe research into multimodal interaction paradigms has been validated through formal and informal

usability studies. Also, a usability study of an adaptive user interface for mobile services has been performed.The combination of our technical background with our experience with usability will be exploited in a

recently granted Interreg project: a virtual lab for ICT experience prototyping. This project aims to achieve aeuregionial virtual laboratory for «experience prototyping», in which a multidisciplinary R&D approach is usedby involving computer scientists, technologists and social scientists. An important aspect of the project is thesensibilisation for this approach of ICT developing and ICT using companies.

5 AcknowledgementsThe HCI research at EDM is subsidised through the following organisations:

• The Flemish subsidy organisation IWT: SBO projects VR-DeMo (IWT 030284) and CoDAMoS (IWT 030320)• The European Union: Network of Excellence Enactive Interfaces (FP6- IST 002114) and Integrated Project

MyCarEvent (FP6-IST 004402)• Interreg BMG: ICT Experience Prototyping (4-BMG-II-2=37), cofinanced by Provincie Limburg (B), Provincie

Limburg (Nl), Ministerie van Economische Zaken (Nl) and probably Vlaamse Regering / Ministerie vanEconomie en Innovatie (B)

• The Belgian subsidy organisation FWO: Study of the concept of context in relation to distributed applicationspossibly with distributed user interfaces in an Ambient Intelligence situation (FWO G.0461.05)

• Flemish Interdisciplinary research institute for Broadband Technology (IBBT)• Transnationale Universiteit Limburg• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), together with the Flemish Government

An Interface Development Environment based on UsiXML, Jean Vanderdonckt, IAG, UCL, Louvain-la-Neuve,Belgium

Abstract : A development environment will be presented that supports the designer and the developer duringphases of the development life cycle of the user interface of information systems. This environment supportsdefining a methodological path for forward, reverse, and lateral engineering in accordance with Model-DrivenArchitecture (MDA). Al lmodels involved in the methodology are respectively computing-independent, platform-independent, and platfor-specific before reaching code. All models are uniformay stored in a model repositoryin UsiXML (USer Interface eXtensible markup Language), a User Interface Description Language that is XML-compliant.

Deriving User Requirements From Human-Computer Interfaces, Julien Vilz, Ravi Ramdoyal, Institut d'Informati-que, FUNDP, Namur, Belgium

Abstract : In this paper we explore the possibility of designing components of information systems by optimallyexploiting the information explicitly or implicitly in human-computer interfaces. In this process it is assumedthat the end-user, with minimal training, is able to sketch a prototype interface of the future application, fromwhich the conceptual model of the application domain can be derived semi-automatically. In particular, theinformation contents of the electronic forms can be extracted and conceptualised through reverse engineeringand integration techniques to significantly contribute to the conceptual schema of the future database.

Breaking the desk-top metaphor ; new paradigms for interaction, Mark Apperley, Department of Computer Science,The University of Waikato, NewZealand

Abstract : The so-called desk-top metaphor has become so much a standard that we no longer even think ofit as a metaphor. This is simply the way that we use a computer, and the way we expect it to behave. Thispresentation will examine some of the limitations associated with this metaphor, and explore the implicationsof dealing with new styles of interaction. In particular, it is suggested that with the interaction styles associatedwith pen-based interfaces, be they on large whiteboard screens, or on tablet PCs, our now common-placedesk-top metaphor may no longer be appropriate. A paradigm more in keeping with the informality of pen inputis proposed. Examples from research in progress will be used to illustrate these points.

Error Safety and Software Development, Philippe Palanque, LIHS, Université Toulouse 1, FranceAbstract : Not communicated

Inclusive design : How multi-sensory user interfaces might work, Gitte Lindgaard, Leo Ferres, Avi Parush,Bruce Tsuji, Maria Rasouli, Human Oriented Technology Laboratory (HOTLab) Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract : Research into user interface design has predominantly concentrated on the presentation of visualinformation. The integration of PDAs with cell phone- and GPS technologies offers new and exciting opportunitiesto explore how multi-sensory, multimodal, multimedia interfaces should be designed to suit a variety of humansituations. Two projects from our universal, inclusive design program are presented that both involve vision.One uses cell phone cameras and Optical Character Reading (OCR) technology to «read» signs to visuallyimpaired people. The user simply points the camera at a street sign, a shop sign, or a product sign in asupermarket, and takes a snapshot, which the OCR technology then translates into speech, which is sent tothe user via the cell phone. In the second project we are investigating how to «read» graphical informationusing either speech or printed text or both. Preliminary experimental results from both projects will be presented.

Automatic web accessibility evaluation tools. Application to usability evaluation, Julio Abascal, InformatikaFakultatea, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Donostia, Spain

Abstract : Since experience shows that designers apply accessible design methodologies only if they are wellintegrated and supported by tools, a considerable effort is being done to develop tools to help designersapplying these methods. Accessibility tools are currently able to automatically review the compliance of thecode with a number of accessibility guidelines. Their main weakness comes from the fact that they are notable to detect some human related issues such as «use simple language» or use «meaningful names forlinks», a common problem with usability automatic evaluation. Probably, this problem will be overcome throughthe design of more intelligent tools.It is well known that accessibility and usability are deeply related. It is accepted that accessible systems areusually more usable than non accessible ones. On the other hand, usability oriented methodologies enhancevery much the accessibility (mainly in the cognitive aspects). Some human groups, such as blind people,have, in addition to accessibility restrictions, special usability requirements that should be also checked. Whenthese particular usability requirements can be specified as a set of guidelines, they can be automaticallytested using adaptable accessibility evaluation tools.Applying these ideas, the Laboratory of HCI for Special needs is developing some tools (such as EvalAccess,etc.) to automatically evaluate the accessibility, and eventually the usability, of web sites. Metrics for a moreaccurate quantitative measurement are defined and used in tools that evaluate the historical record ofaccessibility of web sites (such as EvalBot, a tool useful to monitor the incorporation of accessibility featuresinto [public administration] websites).

A tool for Automatic Web Accessibility Evaluation, Abdo Beirekdar, Institut d'Informatique, FUNDP, Namur, BelgiumAbstract : DESTINE is a system for Web evaluation based on a novel approach for automatically evaluatingthe usability and accessibility (U&A) of web sites by performing a static analysis of their HTML code againstU&A guidelines. The system has the following characteristics : a Guideline Definition Language (GDL) is usedto provide formal structures of guidelines stored outside an evaluation tool; this separation enables the mana-gement of guidelines (deletion, addition, modification) without modifying the code of the tool. The system alsoenables the configuration of the generated evaluation report and facilitates interpretation of evaluation resultsby generating page/guideline-based globalization of results. Finally, a repair tool assists the user in repairingsome accessibility errors.

Web Accessibility in China: A Comparative Study, Zhengji Liu, School of Computer Science & Technology, DalianMaritime University, China

Abstract : In order to better understand the disparity between China and developed countries in the area ofweb accessibility, a comparative study was conducted. The presentation will introduce the objectives, methodand results of the study. Some implications of it will be drawn to guide the endeavour for improving webaccessibility in this country.

The DARe model for Usability Evaluation Effectiveness, Gilbert Cockton, CITP FBCS FRSA, University of Sun-derland, UK

Abstract : Not communicated

Reachability - new perspectives on accessibility of public authorities' web services, Jan Gulliksen, Dept. ofHuman Computer Interaction, Uppsala University, Sweden

Abstract : Not communicated

Tools for accessibility and usability evaluation : the NAUTICUS experience, Barbara Leporini, Fabio Paterno,HIIS Laboratory, ISTI - C.N.R, Pisa, Italy

Abstract : We present a work aiming at providing designers and developers of Web applications with supportto obtain systems that are usable for vision-impaired users. To this end, we have defined a number of designcriteria to improve Web site navigation through screen readers or other similar devices. A user test by blindand vision-impaired subjects showed that our criteria improved Web site usability both qualitatively andquantitatively. An inspection-based tool has been developed to ease application of such criteria. Its mainfeatures are presented along with some example applications and related discussion.

Speech Interfaces for Natural Speaking Information Retrieval Dialogue Systems, Vaclav Matousek, Dept. ofInformatics & Computer Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of West Bohemia, The Czech Republic

Abstract : Speech recognition technology has made spoken interaction with machines feasible. Speech is anatural means of interaction, yet recording, retrieving, and navigating among spoken information is a challengingproblem. The results presented here address the issue of how voice input and voice output can be used torecord, retrieve, and navigate among segments of data using voice technology, i.e. using a hand-held devicethat has no visual display or small one. Shrinking form factors point to speech as a crucial component ofmobile computing and communication devices. However, no universal interface has yet been proposed forhumans to communicate effectively, efficiently and effortlessly with machines via speech.

On one hand, natural language interfaces (NLI) have been demonstrated in narrow domains. However,such systems require lengthy development, which is data and labor intensive, and heavy involvement byexperts who meticulously craft the vocabulary, grammar and semantics for the specific domain. This hampersthe widespread adoption of NLI. Furthermore, unconstrained NLI severely challenges recognition accuracy,overburdens the computational resources and/or available bandwidth, and fails to communicate to the userthe limitations of the application.

On the other hand, telephone- or VoiceIP-based interactive voice response (IVR) systems use carefullycrafted hierarchical menus which are navigated using DTMF tones or short, spoken phrases. These systemsare commercially viable for some applications, but are typically loathed by users due to their inefficiency,rigidity, incompleteness and high cognitive demands. These shortcomings prevent them from being deployedmore widely.

In general, hardware devices may include telephones or cell phones, hand-held computers, palm-sized computers, laptop PCs, and desktop PCs. Hardware processors may be embedded into appliancessuch as TVs, radios, VCRs, remote controls, ovens, refrigerators, coffeepots, doorbells, and practically anyother electronic or electrical device.Possible software applications include :- Accessing business information, including the corporate «front desk» asking callers who or what they

want, automated telephone ordering services, support desks, order tracking, airline arrival and departureinformation, cinema and theater booking services, and home banking services.

- Accessing public information, including community information such as weather, traffic conditions, schoolclosures, directions and events; local, national and international news; national and international stockmarket information; and business and e-commerce transactions.

- Accessing personal information, including calendars, address and telephone lists, to-do lists, shoppinglists, and calorie counters.

- Assisting the user to communicate with other people sending and receiving voice-mail messages.A universal, application independent natural speaking interface will be introduced. After spending 5 –

10 minutes learning the interface, a typical user should be able to communicate with applications as diverseas information servers, schedulers, contact managers, message services, cars and home appliances. Severaltypes of human communication with a variety of devices and applications have been analyzed to design,implement and test universal speech interfaces. The concept of the use of a cellular phone or a hand-heldcomputer that has no visual display or a small one and uses a speech interface as a main communicationmeans will be introduced as well. In this case, information can be stored in an audio format, as opposed totext, and accessed by issuing spoken commands instead of typing. Feedback is also provided aurally insteadof visually. There are two important research challenges for this work: (1) taking advantage of the utility ofstored voice as a data type for a cellular phone or a hand-held computer while overcoming its liabilities (speechis slow, serial, and difficult to manage); (2) determining the role of voice in the user interface for a hand-heldand/or portable computer given the limitations in current speech recognition technology.

The speech interface based on speaker independent continuous speech recognition marks out by thehighest level of accuracy provided by technology, it works reliably in both quiet and noisy environments, andit is usable with accents or different languages, because the system could be trained for several individualvoice patterns and languages. Experience using voice in user interfaces has revealed its many advantages aswell as its liabilities. Voice allows the interface to be scaled down in size. In the extreme case, the physicalinterface may be negligible, requiring only a speaker and microphone. Speech provides a direct and naturalmeans of input for capturing spontaneous thoughts and ideas. In comparison to writing, speech can providefaster output rates, and allows momentary thoughts to be recorded before they are forgotten. In addition, voice

can be more ‘expressive’ than text, placing less cognitive demands on the communicator and allowing moreattention to be devoted to the content of the message. Voice as an access mechanism is also direct (the userthinks of an action and speaks it), and allows additional tasks to be performed while the hands or eyes arebusy.