The purpose of this thesis is to propose an alternative type of interface for mobile software being used while walking or running. Our work addresses the problem of visual user interfaces for mobile software be- ing potentially unsafe for pedestrians, and not being very immersive when used for location-based games. In addition, location-based games and applications can be dif- ficult to develop when directly interfacing with the sensors used to track the user’s location. These problems need to be addressed because portable computing devices are be- coming a popular tool for navigation, playing games, and accessing the internet while walking. This poses a safety problem for mobile users, who may be paying too much attention to their device to notice and react to hazards in their environment. The difficulty of developing location-based games and other location-aware applications may significantly hinder the prevalence of applications that explore new interaction techniques for ubiquitous computing. We created the TREC toolkit to address the issues with tracking sensors while developing location-based games and applications. We have developed functional location-based applications with TREC to demonstrate the amount of work that can be saved by using this toolkit.In order to have a safer and more immersive alternative to visual interfaces, we have developed ambient audio interfaces for use with mobile applications. Ambient audio uses continuous streams of sound over headphones to present information to mobile users without distracting them from walking safely. In order to test the effectiveness of ambient audio, we ran a study to compare ambient audio with handheld visual interfaces in a location-based game. We compared players’ ability to safely navigate the environment, their sense of immersion in the game, and their performance at the in-game tasks. We found that ambient audio was able to significantly increase players’ safety and sense of immersion compared to a visual interface, while players performed signifi- cantly better at the game tasks when using the visual interface. This makes ambient audio a legitimate alternative to visual interfaces for mobile users when safety and immersion are a priority. / Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2012-01-31 23:35:28.946

<p>This paper, the corresponding wireframe documentation including the functional prototype and flowchart document the evaluation and redesign of the beta version of the social networking platform ModernFamilies.net. In order to reveal possible usability flaws for people of different generations, in particular the elderly, a user-centered design approach including an expert review, diary studies and interviews were conducted. The findings reflected the need for consistency and feedback in general. For young children, the concept of the site appeared to behard to grasp. Experienced users found the access and management of relatives cumbersome. Most importantly, the elderly, novice computer users had a hard time getting started with the site on their own because they did not have access to a PC nor internet at their home. The latter and the fact, that some issues might never be solved by traditional usability testing because the user just feels overwhelmed by the vast amount of communication features he is faced with today calls for alternative, more intelligent, ambient interfaces. However, we came to the conclusion that although evaluation of such new technologies with elderly people is not alwayseasy, it is best to be conducted in the participants home or a similar environment.</p> / AGNES

This paper, the corresponding wireframe documentation including the functional prototype and flowchart document the evaluation and redesign of the beta version of the social networking platform ModernFamilies.net. In order to reveal possible usability flaws for people of different generations, in particular the elderly, a user-centered design approach including an expert review, diary studies and interviews were conducted. The findings reflected the need for consistency and feedback in general. For young children, the concept of the site appeared to behard to grasp. Experienced users found the access and management of relatives cumbersome. Most importantly, the elderly, novice computer users had a hard time getting started with the site on their own because they did not have access to a PC nor internet at their home. The latter and the fact, that some issues might never be solved by traditional usability testing because the user just feels overwhelmed by the vast amount of communication features he is faced with today calls for alternative, more intelligent, ambient interfaces. However, we came to the conclusion that although evaluation of such new technologies with elderly people is not alwayseasy, it is best to be conducted in the participants home or a similar environment. / AGNES

Smart Grid research is growing around the world due to the need to replace the ageing old electricity grid with an intelligent, reliable electricity network. The smart grid aims at creating a reliable power distribution and efficient power usage in homes. One of the key issues focused in this project is providing real time energy feedback to users, which is minimal or non-existent in the current grid system. This thesis investigates about using smart TVs to provide real time energy feedback in homes. Since its introduction in 2009 smart TVs are growing in popularity in European market. To provide real time energy feedback on smart TVs three features are identified Smart TV application, ambilighting and push notification. The Human-centered design process is used for designing the Smart TV interface system using the identified features. A literature study is conducted to gather the user requirements for the smart TV interface. The information gathered during the study is used for the design and implementation of the interface prototype. As an example platform the Philips smart TV 2013 is chosen to demonstrate the various features that can be used to provide energy feedback. The usability of the Smart TV interface is evaluated with users and the results are recorded. The smart TV application, ambient lighting and push notification system in Smart TVs is demonstrated for providing real-time energy feedback. The interface is evaluated with users and results are discussed. The result suggests that Smart TVs can serve as an informational display in homes. The Smart TV interface should be interlinked with Smart Phone and Tablet applications to be effective, further the users prefer the Smart Phone over the Smart TV application to control the household devices. / The thesis work evaluates the potential of using smart TVs to provide real time energy feedback in homes. The results of the thesis showed that smart phone are the primary interaction medium suitable for home environment while smart TVs can serve as an informative medium to provide ambient feedback in homes. / praveenjelish@ymail.com +46727700788