InterSpace –
Novel Group Interaction in Ubiquitous Computing Environments

InterSpace is a cooperation project funded by Microsoft Research to investigate novel group interaction techniques for collaboration with multiple and heterogeneous devices.

Interaction with Multiple & Heterogeneous Devices

Current user interface and interaction styles have been developed with the standard desktop PC in mind, a singleuser device with display, keyboard, and mouse. This assumption does no longer hold. Computers are embedded in rooms, tables, walls, and clothing, and new (e.g. mobile) devices with new form-factors are being developed. Many of these com-puters will not be used as generalpurpose machines; rather they will be information appliances serving primarily a dedicated purpose only. Ubiquitous computing environments will be equipped with a wide range of such appliances.
The requirements imposed by the heterogeneity of devices, lead to the development of new user interface concepts. In order to give users in such an environment a coherent usage experience, it is necessary to define a set of device-independent "interactors".

Supporting Collaborating Users

Ubiquitous computing environments will be used by multiple people for collaboration. Due to device heterogeneity, software must be designed in a way that enables collaboration even when people use different devices.
Some devices such as interactive tables or walls offer another challenge for the software: several people can share one device and interact simultaneously with a single device, which poses new challenges to the software. It is important that the user interface is designed to allow the in-teraction of multiple users, without interference.

Personal and Public Devices

Some devices, e.g., small personal digital assistants (PDAs), are designed for personal use. In contrast, a large interactive display fits well for groupwork situations, but is also suited for personal information access. In addition, the context of a device (such as its location or the presence of other people) might influence the kind of activities it can be used for. An interactive whiteboard that, e.g., resides in a personal office might be viewed as more appropriate to display personal information than the same device placed in a crowded foyer.
When information is created and accessed within meetings, it must be defined who keeps which access rights after the meeting. There should be a smooth transition from personal to public.

Integrated Environments:
Users, Devices, and Context

An environment can only be of benefit for its inhabitants, if it is designed in a usercentred and integrated way. Context has a significant influence on the design. Software can provide better support if it considers the current context in which it is used. Here, “context” describes everything that influences the current task. Examples are location, task, people present, or available devices and their properties.
For a coherent usage experience, it is important that users can rely on a consistent user interface that incorporates all available devices. This is somewhat in conflict with the requirement of adapted and tailored user interfaces for different devices. Interaction styles and user interface concepts have to be developed that are, on the one hand, abstracted and independent of actually used devices, and – on the other hand – can be tailored for different devices (implying different interaction modalities) while maintaining the overall consistent look and feel.

Contact Person:

Peter Tandler (tandler@ipsi.fhg.de)