Introduction to HCI

Lecture #1

Agenda
Genesis
What is HCI?
Definition
Characterization
Notions

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Human
Computer
Interface
Interaction

EIT 4307-Human Computer

Interaction

Genesis
Shift of focus from
System-centered computing
Almost no interaction
Computer = hardware + machine-level code

to
People-centered computing
Very high-level interaction
Computer = hardware + software + algorithm

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Interaction

Genesis
H ig h
5 th g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

Interaction

4 th g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u tin g

3 r d g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u tin g

2 n d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

Low

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Is t g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

L a d d e r o f c o m p u tin g

EIT 4307-Human Computer

Interaction

Genesis
H ig h
5 th g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u ti n g

Interaction

L a d d e r o f c o m p u tin g

3 r d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

2 n d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

Low

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4 th g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

Is t g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

1960

V e r y la r g e g a p b e t w e e n m a n a n d m a c h i n e
M a n c o m m u n i c a t e t o m a c h i n e a t t h e m a c h i n e - le v e l
m a c h i n e - le v e l p r o g r a m m i n g

EIT 4307-Human Computer

Interaction

Genesis
H ig h
5 th g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

Interaction

L a d d e r o f c o m p u t in g

3 r d g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u ti n g

2 n d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

Low

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4 th g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u tin g

Is t g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u tin g

1975

L a rg e g a p b e tw e e n m a n a n d m a c h in e
M a n c o m m u n i c a t e t o m a c h i n e a t m n e m o n i c c o d e - le v e l
A s s e m b ly - le v e l p r o g r a m m i n g
M ic ro p ro c e s s o r e ra

EIT 4307-Human Computer

Interaction

Genesis
H ig h
5 th g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

Interaction

L a d d e r o f c o m p u tin g

4 th g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

3 r d g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u ti n g

2 n d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

Low

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Is t g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u tin g

1985

G
M
H
S

a p b e tw e e n m a n a n d m a c h in e
a n c o m m u n i c a t e t o m a c h i n e a t a lg o r i t h m i c - le v e l
i g h - le v e l p r o g r a m m i n g
o ftw a r e e ra

EIT 4307-Human Computer

Interaction

Genesis
H ig h
5 th g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u ti n g

Interaction

L a d d e r o f c o m p u tin g

3 r d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

2 n d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

Low

4 th g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u ti n g

Is t g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

1990

S m a ll- g a p b e t w e e n m a n a n d m a c h i n e
M a n a n d m a c h in e b o th c o m m u n ic a te s to e a c h o th e r a t
i n t e lli g e n c e - le v e l
A u t o m a t i c p r o g r a m m i n g ( n a t u r a l la n g u a g e p r o c e s s i n g )
E m b e e d e d e ra

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Interaction

Genesis
H ig h
5 th g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u ti n g

Interaction

L a d d e r o f c o m p u tin g

3 r d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

2 n d g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u ti n g

Low

4 th g e n e r a ti o n
c o m p u tin g

Is t g e n e r a tio n
c o m p u tin g

2 0 0 0 .....

N a rr o w - g a p b e tw e e n m a n a n d m a c h in e
M a c h i n e c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e m a n a t h u m a n - le v e l
C o g n i t i o n , p e r c e p t i o n , p s y c h o lo g y , h u m a n f a c t o r s
b a s e d c o m p u ta tio n
H C I e ra

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Feasibility of HCI
Moores law
David Moore, an Intel researcher, 1967

Human abilities
Past, present and future human

Compuman
Towards a reality, Mark Minasi

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Moores Law
C o m p u tin g a b ilitie s

S iz e
Speed
C ost

1950

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1990

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2020

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Human Abilities
C o m p u tin g a b ilitie s

H u m a n a b ilitie s

0 A .D .

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1950

1990

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2020

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Reality: Compuman
H u m a n p e r c e iv a b le s ig n a ls
CPU
M e m o ry

C o m m u n ic a b le s ig n a ls ( E M W )

S ensor
H u m a n s e n s ib le
o u tp u t

AI
and
IT
m a k e s m e g re a t!
M e c a h n ic a lly m o v a b le
p a r t s u n d e r p r e c is e
c o n tro l

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Reality: Compuman
Processing speed Computer
Memory Computer
Human factors Human
mind, mood, emotion, perception, cognition, psychology etc.
Breakthrough: Computer can behave very close to Human
Simon, Minasi etc.

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Towards the Reality.

So far computing speed is concerned enough has been
achieved
More researches are in pipeline to achieve more
Quantum computing
Molecular electronics
DNA Computer
etc.
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Towards the Reality.

Still a new paradigm shift is highly in demand
From todays human-centered computing
to tomorrows human-centered computing

How more accurately and efficiently the behavior of

human can be simulated in a computer

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Definition of HCI
A discipline concerned with the study,
design, construction and implementation and
evaluation of human-centric interactive
computer systems.
A user interface, such as a GUI, is how a
human interacts with a computer, and HCI
goes beyond designing screens and menus
that are easier to use and studies the
reasoning behind building specific
functionality into computers and the longterm effects that systems will have on
humans.
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Target: HCI
An emerging discipline in IT
More usefulness of computer
User-friendly use
Low user error rate
Subjective user satisfaction
User retention over time

Expected projection by 2010: average computer time per user is 8

hours day

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Focus: HCI
Human-computer interface focuses on
Interaction design
Interface environment development
Hardware
Software
Methodologies
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HCI: A Multi-Disciplinary Area

HCI draws attention from several fields
Apart from Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, IT
Cognitive and behavioral science
Human factors
Some empirical studies
Interface device development
Graphical design

and many more.

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HCI: A Multi-Disciplinary Area

E r g o n o m ic s a n d
H u m a n fa c to rs
E n g in e e r in g

S o c ia l a n d
o r g a n iz a t io n a l
p h ilo s o p h y

D e s ig n
C o g n it iv e p s y c h o lo g y

H CI

C o m p u t e r S c ie n c e

A n t h r o p o lo g y

A r t if ic ia l I n t e llig e n c e

S o c io lo g y

L in g u is t ic s

P h ilo s o p h y
M a n y m o re

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Definition of HCI
HCI is an abbreviation for
Human Computer Interaction
Human Computer Interface

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Context of HCI
Scenario 1
A person using an interactive graphics program on a workstation

Scenario 2
A browser searching for information in the Net

Scenario 3
A committee engaged in a video conference meeting

Note: The context between one or more humans and one or

more computational machines
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Notion of Computer in HCI

So far the notion of machine is concerned:
Computers in the form of desktop PCs or workstations
Computers in the form of embedded computational
machines, such as parts of spacecraft cockpits or
microwave oven
Computers in the form of network of computers
(Internet)

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Notion of Human in HCI

So far the notion of human is concerned:
Human is a classical user (having a general knowledge
on usage of computer)
e.g. students, manager

Human is a specialized user (little or no background of

computer)
e.g. public in street, station, shopping complex, children
and disabled persons

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Notion of Human in HCI

Notion of human (continued):
Human is a group of persons (interfaces in a distributed
systems)
e.g. two or more online users in a network

Human is an organization (computer aided

communication among humans, or the nature of the work
being cooperatively performed by means of the system)
e.g. corporate office

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Notion of Interaction in HCI

So far notion of interaction is concerned:
Each interaction has its own context
Interaction leads to a rich space of possible topics
In fact, the study of HCI means we wish to identify
interaction as more central to its focus

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HCI actually..
A discipline concerned with
Design
Implementation
Evaluation
of interactive computing system for human use
D e s ig n

E v a lu a tio n

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Im p le m e n ta tio n

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Working Definition of HCI

Human-computer interaction is a discipline
concerned with the design, implementation and
evaluation of interactive computing systems for
human use and with the study of major phenomenon
surrounding them.

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A Precise Characterization of HCI

Human-computer interaction is concerned with the
joint performance by human and machine
The structure of communication between human
and machine
Human capabilities to use machines (including the
ability to learn an interface)

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A Precise Characterization of HCI

Algorithms and programming of the interface itself
Engineering concerns that arise in designing and building
interfaces
The process of specification of design and implementation of
interface
Design trade-off

Human-computer interaction thus has Science, Engineering

and Design aspects
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HCI: Which Discipline it Belongs?

HCI in the large is an interdisciplinary area
It is emerging as a specially concern within several
disciplines, each with different emphasis
Computer Science (application design and engineering of
human interfaces)
Psychology (application of theories of cognitive
processes and the empirical analysis of user behavior)
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HCI: Which Discipline it Belongs?

Sociology and anthropology (interaction between
technology, work and organization)
Industrial design (interactive products such as Cell
phone, Washing machine, Microwave oven etc.)
According to ACM SIGCHI, Computer Science is the basic discipline
and other discipline serves as supporting discipline
M e c h a n ic a l E n g i n e e r i n g
R o b o tic s
C o m p u te r S c ie n c e

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Summary
Human-computer interaction studies a human and a
machine in communication
HCI draws supporting knowledge on both the
machine side and the human side
On machine side
Techniques in computer graphics, operating systems,
programming languages, algorithms and development
environments are relevant
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Summary
On human side
Communication theory, graphics and industrial design
discipline, linguistic, social sciences, cognitive,
psychology and human performance (AI) are relevant

On interaction side
Engineering and design methods are relevant

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