Recently, usability assessment of user interfaces (UIs) in the early design stage has become indispensable for the human-centered design of information appliances. Several digital prototyping tools of the UI software, in which the UI behavior can be simulated, have been developed so far. However, some problems can arise when using them for the usability assessment, such as: a lack of simulation fidelity, time-consuming modeling work, and lack of systematic usability assessment functions. To solve these problems, we developed a tool for virtual 3D prototyping and usability assessment of information appliances. First, we extended the specification of UsiXML (which is the XML-compliant UI description language) so that the static structure both of the logical elements displayed on the UI and of the physical elements placed on the housings can be modeled. Secondly, we developed 3D prototyping and simulation functions so that the extended UsiXML is combined with the 3D CAD models of the housings and where the interaction can be simulated based on the dynamic-behavior model of the UsiXML. Finally, we developed the automated user test and usability assessment functions which are connected to the models of the extended UsiXML. An example of the efficient usability assessment and the UI redesign using a 3D digital prototype of a digital camera is shown.
One of the critical issues of realizing human centered design (HCD) for information appliances is how to efficiently find the weakness of usability of the user interfaces (UI). At present, user test is the most reliable method of evaluating usability of UI. But executing user-test costs much due to fabrication of physical prototypes, securing of test subjects and facilities and the manual-based analysis of the test results. To solve the problems, we propose a computer-supported environment for testing and usability assessment for human centered-design of information appliances in the paper. In the environment, UI-operable 3D digital prototypes can be designed and used for user tests instead of physical prototypes, and the test results can be automatically analyzed to clarify the weak points of the UI design. UI-operable 3D digital prototypes can be modeled by integrating the state-transition-based UI behavior model with 3D CAD models of the housings. A function of graphically displaying user’s operational history helps the designers identify which portions in the UI specification induce wrong operations of users. A function of indicating digital questionnaire based on cognitive walkthrough method also enables them to reveal causes of the wrong operations and to clarify point of redesign. Comparison of the test results using different types of digital prototypes showed that the proposed UI-operable 3D digital prototype could fully replace the physical prototype in early design stage.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.