The user interface (or Human Machine Interface) is the aggregate of means by which people—the users—interact with the system—a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tools. Users in a Computing context refers to one who uses a computer system Interaction is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects have an Effect upon one another System (from Latin systēma, in turn from Greek systēma is a set of interacting or interdependent Entities, real or abstract A machine is any device that uses Energy to perform some activity Computer programs (also software programs, or just programs) are instructions for a Computer. A broader definition of a tool is an entity used to interface between two or more domains that facilitates more effective action of one domain upon the other The user interface provides means of:

• Input, allowing the users to manipulate a system
• Output, allowing the system to produce the effects of the users' manipulation. Input is the term denoting either an entrance or changes which are inserted into a System and which activate/modify a Process. Output is the term denoting either an exit or changes which exit a System and which activate/modify a Process.

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Usability 3 User interfaces in computing 3.1 Types 3.2 History 3.3 Modalities and modes 3.4 Standardization 4 References 5 Literature 6 See also 7 External links

Introduction

To work with a system, users have to be able to control the system and assess the state of the system. For example, when driving an automobile, the driver uses the steering wheel to control the direction of the vehicle, and the accelerator pedal, brake pedal and gearstick to control the speed of the vehicle. Vehicles, derived from the Latin word vehiculum, are non-living Means of transport. The driver perceives the position of the vehicle by looking through the windscreen and exact speed of the vehicle by reading the speedometer. A speedometer is a device that measures the instantaneous Speed of a land vehicle The user interface of the automobile is on the whole composed of the instruments the driver can use to accomplish the tasks of driving and maintaining the automobile.

The term user interface is often used in the context of computer systems and electronic devices. Electronics refers to the flow of charge (moving Electrons through Nonmetal conductors (mainly Semiconductors, whereas electrical The user interface of a mechanical system, a vehicle or an industrial installation is sometimes referred to as the Human-Machine Interface (HMI). A machine is any device that uses Energy to perform some activity For other uses of this term see Industry (disambiguation An industry (from Latin industrius, "diligent industrious" HMI is a modification of the original term MMI (Man-Machine Interface). In practice, the abbreviation MMI is still frequently used although some may claim that MMI stands for something different now. Another abbreviation is HCI, but is more commonly used for Human-computer interaction than Human-computer interface. Human–computer interaction or HCI is the study of interaction between people ( users and Computers It is often regarded as the intersection of Human–computer interaction or HCI is the study of interaction between people ( users and Computers It is often regarded as the intersection of Yet another term used is Operator interface console (OIC).

However it is abbreviated, the terms refer to the 'layer' that separates a human that is operating a machine from the machine itself.

In science fiction, HMI is sometimes used to refer to what is better described as direct neural interface. A brain-computer interface (BCI sometimes called a direct neural interface or a brain-machine interface, is a direct communication pathway between a human or animal However, this latter usage is seeing increasing application in the real-life use of (medical) prostheses—the artificial extension that replaces a missing body part (e. In Medicine, a prosthesis (plural prostheses) is an Artificial extension that replaces a missing Body part. g. , cochlear implants). A cochlear implant (CI is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of Sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing

The system may expose several user interfaces to serve different kinds of users. For example, a computerized library database might provide two user interfaces, one for library patrons (limited set of functions, optimized for ease of use) and the other for library personnel (wide set of functions, optimized for efficiency). A computer is a Machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions. A library is a collection of information sources resources and services and the structure in which it is housed it is organized for use and maintained by a public body an institution A Computer Database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system

In some circumstance computers might observe the user, and react according to their actions without specific commands. A means of tracking parts of the body is required, and sensors noting the position of the head, direction of gaze and so on have been used experimentally. This is particularly relevant to immersive interfaces. An Immersive Digital environment is an Artificial, Interactive, computer-created Scene or "world" within which a user can

Usability

The design of a user interface affects the amount of effort the user must expend to provide input for the system and to interpret the output of the system, and how much effort it takes to learn how to do this. Design is used both as a Noun and a Verb. The term is often tied to the various Applied arts and Engineering (See design disciplines Usability is the degree to which the design of a particular user interface takes into account the human psychology and physiology of the users, and makes the process of using the system effective, efficient and satisfying. Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Physiology (from Greek grc φύσις physis, "nature origin" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the mechanical physical

Usability is mainly a characteristic of the user interface, but is also associated with the functionalities of the product. It describes how well a product can be used for its intended purpose by its target users with efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction, also taking into account the requirements from its context of use. These functionalities or features are not always parts of the user interface (e. g. are you able to reverse with your car or not), yet they are key elements in the usability of a product.

See also mental model, human action cycle, usability testing

User interfaces in computing

In computer science and human-computer interaction, the user interface (of a computer program) refers to the graphical, textual and auditory information the program presents to the user, and the control sequences (such as keystrokes with the computer keyboard, movements of the computer mouse, and selections with the touchscreen) the user employs to control the program. A mental model is an explanation in someone's Thought process for how something works in the real world The human action cycle is a Psychological model which describes the steps Humans take when they interact with Computer systems The model was proposed by Usability testing is a technique used to evaluate a product by testing it on users Computer science (or computing science) is the study and the Science of the theoretical foundations of Information and Computation and their Human–computer interaction or HCI is the study of interaction between people ( users and Computers It is often regarded as the intersection of In Computing, a keyboard is an Input device partially modelled after the typewriter keyboard which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys In Computing, a mouse (plural mice, mouse devices, or mouses) A Touch Screen is a display which can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area

Types

Currently (as of 2005) the following types of user interface are the most common:

• Graphical user interfaces (GUI) accept input via devices such as computer keyboard and mouse and provide articulated graphical output on the computer monitor. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The term graphic design can refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines which focus on visual communication and presentation A visual display unit, often called simply a monitor or display, is a piece of Electrical equipment which displays images generated from the Video There are at least two different principles widely used in GUI design: Object-oriented user interfaces (OOUIs) and application oriented interfaces. An object-oriented user interface (OOUI is a type of User interface. Application software is a subclass of Computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform
• Web-based user interfaces accept input and provide output by generating web pages which are transmitted via the Internet and viewed by the user using a web browser program. A web page or webpage is a resource of information that is suitable for the World Wide Web and can be accessed through a Web browser. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks A web browser is a software application which enables a user to display and interact with text images videos music games and other information typically located on a Newer implementations utilize Java, AJAX, Adobe Flex, Microsoft .NET, or similar technologies to provide realtime control in a separate program, eliminating the need to refresh a traditional HTML based web browser. Adobe Flex is a collection of technologies released by Adobe Systems for the development and deployment of cross platform Rich Internet applications based on the proprietary

User interfaces that are common in various fields outside desktop computing:

• Command line interfaces, where the user provides the input by typing a command string with the computer keyboard and the system provides output by printing text on the computer monitor. A desktop computer is a Personal computer (PC in a form intended for regular use at a single location as opposed to a mobile Laptop or portable computer In Computing, a command is a directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind in order to perform a specific task Used for system administration tasks etc.
• Tactile interfaces supplement or replace other forms of output with haptic feedback methods. Used in computerized simulators etc. Simulation is the imitation of some real thing state of affairs or process
• Touch interfaces are graphical user interfaces using a touchscreen display as a combined input and output device. Used in many types of industrial processes and machines, self-service machines etc.

Other types of user interfaces:

• Attentive user interfaces manage the user attention deciding when to interrupt the user, the kind of warnings, and the level of detail of the messages presented to the user. The Attentive User Interfaces (AUI are User Interfaces that manage the user attention deciding when to interrupt the user the kind of warnings and the level of detail of the Attention is the Cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things
• Batch interfaces are non-interactive user interfaces, where the user specifies all the details of the batch job in advance to batch processing, and receives the output when all the processing is done. Batch processing is execution of a series of programs (" jobs quot on a Computer without human interaction The computer does not prompt for further input after the processing has started.
• Conversational Interface Agents attempt to personify the computer interface in the form of an animated person, robot, or other character (such as Microsoft's Clippy the paperclip), and present interactions in a conversational form.
• Crossing-based interfaces are graphical user interfaces in which the primary task consists in crossing boundaries instead of pointing.
• Gesture interfaces are graphical user interfaces which accept input in a form of hand gestures, or mouse gestures sketched with a computer mouse or a stylus. A gesture is a form of Non-verbal communication made with a part of the body used instead of or in combination with verbal communication. In Computing, a mouse gesture is a way of combining Computer mouse movements and Clicks which the Software recognizes as a specific A stylus (plural styli or styluses) is a Writing utensil. The word is also used for a computer accessory ( PDAs)
• Intelligent user interfaces are human-machine interfaces that aim to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and naturalness of human-machine interaction by representing, reasoning, and acting on models of the user, domain, task, discourse, and media (e. g. , graphics, natural language, gesture).
• Live user interfaces (LUI) utilize the power of human interaction to leverage the user interface. Social interaction is a dynamic changing sequence of Social actions between individuals (or groups who modify their actions and reactions according to the actions by their With a LUI, a computer representation of a live customer service representative could navigate with the user through the interface, and present images, maps and video clips from within the website. The computer representation can also help the user perform on-line purchases and complete complex forms.
• Multi-screen interfaces, employ multiple displays to provide a more flexible interaction. This is often employed in computer game interaction in both the commercial arcades and more recently the handheld markets.
• Noncommand user interfaces, which observe the user to infer his / her needs and intentions, without requiring that he / she formulate explicit commands.
• Object-oriented User Interface (OOUI)
• Reflexive user interfaces where the users control and redefine the entire system via the user interface alone, for instance to change its command verbs. In Human-computer interaction, a command verb is a Verb that appears in a User interface and which is used for the user to tell the computer to do something Typically this is only possible with very rich graphic user interfaces.
• Tangible user interfaces, which place a greater emphasis on touch and physical environment or its element. A tangible user interface (TUI is a User interface in which a person interacts with digital information through the physical environment.
• Text user interfaces are user interfaces which output text, but accept other form of input in addition to or in place of typed command strings. TUI short for Text User Interface or Textual User Interface (and sometimes Terminal User Interface) is a Retronym that was coined sometime
• Voice user interfaces, which accept input and provide output by generating voice prompts which are transmitted via a telephone network and heard by the user using a telephone. A Voice User Interface (VUI makes human interaction with computers possible through a voice/speech platform in order to initiate an automated service or process The public switched telephone network ( PSTN) is the network of the world's public circuit-switched Telephone networks in much the same way that the Basic principle A traditional landline telephone system also known as "plain old telephone service" (POTS, commonly handles both signaling and audio information The user input is made by pressing telephone keys.
• Natural-Language interfaces - Used for search engines and on webpages such as IKEA. User types in a question and waits for a response.
• Zero-Input interfaces get inputs from a set of sensors instead of querying the user with input dialogs.
• Zooming user interfaces are graphical user interfaces in which information objects are represented at different levels of scale and detail, and where the user can change the scale of the viewed area in order to show more detail. In Computing, a zooming user interface or zoomable user unterface ( ZUI, pronounced zoo-ee is a graphical environment where users can change the

See also:

• Archy, a keyboard-driven user interface by Jef Raskin, arguably more efficient than mouse-driven user interfaces for document editing and programming. Archy is a Software system whose User interface poses a radically different approach for interacting with computers with respect to traditional Jef Raskin ( March 9, 1943 &ndash February 26, 2005) was an American Human-computer interface expert best-known for starting

History

The history of user interfaces can be divided into the following phases according to the dominant type of user interface:

• Batch interface, 1945-1968
• Command-line user interface, 1969-1980
• Graphical user interface, 1981 to present — see History of the GUI for a detailed look
• Tangible interfaces / Ubicomp
• Touch User Interface (TUI), e. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 The Graphical user interface, understood as the use of graphic icons and a pointing device to control a computer has over the last four decades a steady history of incremental Ubiquitous computing ( ubicomp) is a post-desktop model of Human-computer interaction in which information processing has been thoroughly integrated into g. iPhone

Modalities and modes

A modality is a path of communication employed by the user interface to carry input and output. In Human-computer interaction, a Modality is the general class of a Sense through which the human can receive the Output of Examples of modalities:

• Input — computer keyboard allows the user to enter typed text, digitizing tablet allows the user to create free-form drawing
• Output — computer monitor allows the system to display text and graphics (vision modality), loudspeaker allows the system to produce sound (auditory modality)

The user interface may employ several redundant input modalities and output modalities, allowing the user to choose which ones to use for interaction. A graphics tablet (or digitizing tablet, graphics pad, drawing tablet) is a computer Input device that allows one to hand-draw images and graphics For the Marty Friedman album see Loudspeaker (album A loudspeaker, speaker, or speaker system is an electroacoustical

A mode is a distinct method of operation within a computer program, in which the same input can produce different perceived results depending of the state of the computer program. In User interface design a mode is a distinct setting within a computer program or any physical machine interface in which the same user input will produce perceived different Heavy use of modes often reduces the usability of a user interface, as the user must expend effort to remember current mode states, and switch between mode states as necessary.

Standardization

This year ISO has published its standard of ISO/IEC 24752 to specify the technical requirement of IT system.

References

Literature

• Torsten Stapelkamp: Screen- und Interfacedesign. Springer Science Business+Media, Berlin 2007, ISBN 3-540-32949-8

See also

• Accessibility and computer accessibility — user interface's suitability for people with special needs
• Brain-computer interface
• Ergonomics and human factors — the study of designing objects to be better adapted to the shape of the human body
• Framebuffer
• Human-computer interaction links
• Information visualization — the use of sensory representations of abstract data to reinforce cognition
• Interface (computer science)
• Knowledge visualization — the use of visual representations to transfer knowledge
• List of user interface literature
• Ncurses, a semigraphical user interface. Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product (e In Human-computer interaction, computer accessibility (also known as Accessible computing) refers to the Accessibility of a Computer system to A brain-computer interface (BCI sometimes called a direct neural interface or a brain-machine interface, is a direct communication pathway between a human or animal Ergonomics is the Scientific discipline concerned with Designing according to the human needs and the profession that applies theory principles data and methods See also The Human Factor (disambiguation. Human factors is a term that covers The science of understanding the properties A framebuffer is a video output device that drives a video display from a memory buffer containing a complete frame of data Human–computer interaction or HCI is the study of interaction between people ( users and Computers It is often regarded as the intersection of Information graphics or infographics are visual representations of Information, Data or Knowledge. Interface generally refers to an abstraction that an entity provides of itself to the outside Information graphics or infographics are visual representations of Information, Data or Knowledge. Incomplete list of literature about the design of User interfaces: Soren Lauesen: User Interface Design A Software Engineering Perspective ncurses is a programming library providing an API, allowing the programmer to write Text user interfaces in a terminal-independent manner
• Usability links
• User experience
• User interface design
• Virtual artifact

External links

• Its bibliography covers a wide area of User Interface publications
• Chapter 2. History: A Brief History of User Interfaces

User experience design is a subset of the field of Experience design which pertains to the creation of the architecture and interaction models which impact a user's perception User interface design or user interface engineering is the design of Computers Appliances machines mobile communication devices, Software A virtual artifact ( VA) is an immaterial object that exists in the human Mind or in a digital environment for example the Internet, Intranet

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