Towards model-based design support for distributed user interfaces

Abstract

User Interface design has been evolving for years to keep pace with different emerging technologies that effect human-computer interaction. Formal techniques for command-line interfaces, Drag-and-drop User Interface creation for Graphical User Interfaces and Model-Based Interface Design for Multi-Device User Interfaces are a few examples of this evolution. Nowadays communication channels between devices are getting faster, more reliable and will be omnipresent in a matter of time. Human interaction will no longer be about interaction with one device, but involves interacting with a network of devices cooperating as a set of interaction resources. Based on well-known concepts from distributed systems and model-based User Interface Design we develop a model for distributed user interfaces. One missing piece is support for distributed interfaces in the models used during the design of user interfaces. We will discuss how Dygimes, a testbed for model-based user interface development, provides support for distributed user interfaces. User mobility is a key issue, since mostly ubiquitous environments will benefit of distributed User Interfaces. In every respect location transparency plays an important role for human-device and device-device interaction.