Module G: Terminal Devices and User Interfaces

Subject description

  1. Man-machine communication: overview and historical background.
  2. Human perception and information processing: the senses, memory, thinking, emotions and ergonomics.
  3. Properties of terminal equipment: input-output devices, connectivity, architecture, functionality.
  4. Operation of terminal equipment: input technologies and related techniques, sensors and biometrics, visual interfaces, audio interfaces, haptic interfaces, multimedia interfaces, embedded systems, mobile devices.
  5. The design of human-machine interaction:  visual interaction, verbal interaction, multi-modal and mobile interaction, interaction and the Web, virtual environments.
  6. Design, development and evaluation of user interfaces by taking into account the specific limitations of different terminals and providing the best user experience.
  7. Specific user interfaces and interaction styles: medical, vehicles and aircrafts, games, older users, blind and visually impaired.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with technological differences and specifics of modern terminal devices. Student will gain the ability to design, develop and evaluate an efficient and user centered user interface. 

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures with practical demonstrations, lab work and the implementation of individual project under the mentorship of laboratory assistant.

Expected study results

After successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • differentiate properties and limitations of terminal equipment,
  • analyse and resolve issues related to user interface design,
  • analyse and resolve problems in human-machine interaction,
  • use basic procedures and requirements for terminal equipment design,
  • use basic procedures for design of user interfaces and user-centred applications,
  • conduct an evaluation study of the proposed solution.

Basic sources and literature

  1. Russell Beale, Alan J. Dix, Janet E. Finlay, Gregory D. Abowd: Human-computer Interaction, Prentice Hall, (February 1997), 1997, ASIN 0134372115
  2. Serengul Smith-Atakan: Human-Computer Interaction, Middlesex University Press, 2006, ISBN-13: 978-184480454-2
  3. Human Computer Interaction Handbook: Fundamentals, Evolving Technologies, and Emerging Applications, Edited by Julie A.Jacko, CRC Press, Taylor&Francis Group, 2012, ISBN 978-1-4398-2943-1.

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