Issues and benefits of using 3D Interfaces: visual and verbal tasks

Spatial memory is important for locating objects in hierarchical data structures, such as desktop folders. There are, however, some contradictions in literature concerning the effectiveness of 3D user interfaces when compared to their 2D counterparts. This paper uses a task-based approach in order to investigate the effectiveness of adding a third dimension to specific user tasks, i.e. the impact of depth on navigation in a 3D file manager. Results highlight issues and benefits of using 3D interfaces for visual and verbal tasks, and introduces the possible existence of a correlation between aptitude scores achieved on the Guilford- Zimmerman Orientation Survey and Electroencephalography- measured brainwave activity as participants search for targets of variable perceptual salience in 2D and 3D environments.

Investigating familiar interfaces to help older adults learn computer applications more easily

Many older adults wish to gain competence in using a computer, but many application interfaces are perceived as complex and difficult to use, deterring potential users from investing the time to learn them. Hence, this study looks at the potential of ‘familiar’ interface design which builds upon users’ knowledge of real world interactions, and applies existing skills to a new domain. Tools are provided in the form of familiar visual objects, and manipulated like real-world counterparts, rather than with buttons, icons and menus found in classic WIMP interfaces. This paper describes the formative evaluation of computer interactions that are based upon familiar real world tasks, which supports multitouch interaction, involves few buttons and icons, no menus, no right-clicks or double-clicks and no dialogs. Using an example of an email client to test the principles of using “familiarity”, the initial feedback was very encouraging, with 3 of the 4 participants being able to undertake some of the basic email tasks with no prior training and little or no help. The feedback has informed a number of refinements of the design principles, such as providing clearer affordance for visual objects. A full study is currently underway.

Gravity well visibility in haptic interfaces for motion-impaired

Haptic computer interfaces provide users with feedback through the sense of touch, thereby allowing users to feel a graphical user interface. Force feedback gravity wells, i.e. attractive basins that can pull the cursor toward a target, are one type of haptic effect that have been shown to provide improvements in "point and click" tasks. For motion-impaired users, gravity wells could improve times by as much as 50%. It has been reported that the presentation of information to multiple sensory modalities, e.g. haptics and vision, can provide performance benefits. However, previous studies investigating the use of force feedback gravity wells have generally not provided visual representations of the haptic effect. Where force fields extend beyond clickable targets, the addition of visual cues may affect performance. This paper investigates how the performance of motion-impaired computer users is affected by having visual representations of force feedback gravity wells presented on-screen. Results indicate that the visual representation does not affect times and errors in a "point and click" task involving multiple targets.

Effect of instructive visual stimuli on neurofeedback training for motor imagery-based braincomputer interface

Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of the electroencephalogram (EEG) from the motor cortex is associated with execution, observation, and mental imagery of motor tasks. Generation of ERD by motor imagery (MI) has been widely used for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) linked to neuroprosthetics and other motor assistance devices. Control of MI-based BCIs can be acquired by neurofeedback training to reliably induce MI-associated ERD. To develop more effective training conditions, we investigated the effect of static and dynamic visual representations of target movements (a picture of forearms or a video clip of hand grasping movements) during the BCI training. After 4 consecutive training days, the group that performed MI while viewing the video showed significant improvement in generating MI-associated ERD compared with the group that viewed the static image. This result suggests that passively observing the target movement during MI would improve the associated mental imagery and enhance MI-based BCIs skills.

Non-visual and multisensory BCI systems: present and future

During the past decade, brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) have rapidly developed, both in technological and application domains. However, most of these interfaces rely on the visual modality. Only some research groups have been studying non-visual BCIs, primarily based on auditory and, sometimes, on somatosensory signals. These non-visual BCI approaches are especially useful for severely disabled patients with poor vision. From a broader perspective, multisensory BCIs may offer more versatile and user-friendly paradigms for control and feedback. This chapter describes current systems that are used within auditory and somatosensory BCI research. Four categories of noninvasive BCI paradigms are employed: (1) P300 evoked potentials, (2) steady-state evoked potentials, (3) slow cortical potentials, and (4) mental tasks. Comparing visual and non-visual BCIs, we propose and discuss different possible multisensory combinations, as well as their pros and cons. We conclude by discussing potential future research directions of multisensory BCIs and related research questions