Chapter 55

Unified User Interface Development

Constantine Stephanidis and Anthony Savidis
Institute of Computer Science

Foundation for Research and Techonology-Hellas

 

Outline

Introduction

HCI for Universal Access

Automatic Interface Adaptation

The Concept of Unified User Interfaces

Unified User Interface Design

Polymorphic Task Hierarchies

Recording Design Rationale for Alternative Styles

Unified Interface Engineering

Context Information Server

User Information Server

Decision-Making Component

Dialogue Patterns Component

Adaptability and Adaptivity Cycles

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

 

Figures

Figure 55.1: Adapting to the user and the context of use. (a) Conventional, simplified instance of the interface. (b) Adapted instance for an experienced user.

Figure 55.2: Instances for users with motor impairments. (a) Scanning for switch-based interaction. (b) Window manipulation toolbar. (c) Onscreen, “virtual" keyboard.

Figure 55.3: Awareness prompting.

Figure 55.4: Complementary roles of adaptability and adaptivity.

Figure 55.5: From diverse user requirements and usage contexts, to the unified user interface engineering paradigm.

Figure 55.6: Example of polymorphic task hierarchy.

Figure 55.7: Polymorphic task decomposition: process overview.

Figure 55.8: Recording design rationale for alternative styles.

Figure 55.9: Relationships among alternative styles.

Figure 55.10: The unified user interface architecture.

Figure 55.11: User information server.

Figure 55.12: Dialogue patterns component.

Figure 55.13: Communication requirements among the components of the unified user interface architecture to perform interface adaptation cycles. UIS = user information server; DPC = dialogue patterns component; DMC = decision-making component; CPS = context parameters server.