Objectives

 To have an understanding of both computer and human in the

interaction.
 To identify the computer and associated input–output devices and

 To investigates how the technology influences the nature of the

interaction and style of the interface.

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 Computer in HCI

 Activity 4:
 Discuss the computer and associated devices and investigate how the
technology influences the nature of the interaction and style of the
interface.

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 Computer in HCI

 Introduction
 In order to understand how humans interact with computers, we need to
have an understanding of both parties(human & computer ) in the
interaction.
 The previous chapter explored aspects of human capabilities and behavior
of which we need to be aware in the context of human–computer
interaction;
 This chapter considers the computer and associated devices and
investigates how the technology influences the nature of the interaction
and style of the interface.
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 Computer in HCI

 Introduction
 To understand human–computer interaction… need to understand
computers!

what goes in and out

devices, paper,
sensors, etc.

what can it do?

memory, processing,
networks

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 Computer in HCI

 A ‘typical’ computer system

 screen, or monitor, on which there are windows

 keyboard
window 1

 mouse/trackpad
window 2
 System unit

 variations
 Desktop 12-37pm

 Laptop

 PDA(Personal Digital Assistants)

 The devices dictate the styles of interaction that the system supports

 If we use different devices, then the interface will support a different style of
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interaction.
 Computer in HCI

 How many …
 Computers in your house?
 hands up, …
… none, 1, 2 , 3, more!!

 computers in your pockets?

 are you thinking …

 … PC, laptop, PDA

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 Computer in HCI

 How many computers …

 In your house?  In your pockets?
 PC  PDA

 TV, VCR, DVD, WiFi, cable/satellite TV  phone, camera

 Microwave, cooker, washing machine  smart card, card with

 Central heating magnetic strip?

 electronic car key
 Security system
 USB memory
 can you think of more?
 try your pockets and bags

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 Computer in HCI

 Interactivity
 Long ago in a galaxy far away … batch processing

 Punched card stacks or large data files prepared

 long wait ….

 Line printer output

 Now most computing is interactive

 Rapid feedback

 The user in control (most of the time)

 Doing rather than thinking …

 Is faster always better? 11

 Computer in HCI

 Input Devices
 A computer system comprises various elements, each of which
affects the user of the system.
 Input devices for interactive use, allowing text entry, drawing
and selection from the screen:
 Text entry: traditional keyboard, phone text entry, speech and
handwriting
 Pointing: principally the mouse, but also touchpad, stylus and others
 3D interaction devices.

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 Computer in HCI

 Introduction
 Output display devices for interactive use:
 Different types of screen mostly using some form of bitmap display
 Large displays and situated displays for shared and public use
 Digital paper may be usable in the near future.
 Virtual reality systems and 3D visualization which have special
interaction and display devices. Various devices in the physical world:
 Physical controls and dedicated displays
 Sound, smell and haptic feedback
 Sensors for nearly everything including movement, temperature,
bio-signs. 13
 Computer in HCI

 Introduction
 Paper output and input: the paperless office and the less-paper
office:
 Different types of printers and their characteristics, character styles
and fonts scanners and optical character recognition.
 Memory:
 Short-term memory: RAM
 Long-term memory: magnetic and optical disks, Flash disks….
 Capacity and limitations related to document and video storage
 Access methods as they limit or help the user.
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 Computer in HCI

 Introduction
 Processing:
 The effects when systems run too slow or too fast, the myth of the
infinitely fast machine
 Limitations on processing speed
 Networks and their impact on system performance.

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 Computer in HCI

 Assignment
I. Describe the following computer devices
1. Text entry devices (keyboards , chord keyboards, phone pads,
handwriting and speech)
2. Positioning, pointing and drawing (mouse, touchpad, trackballs,
joysticks etc.
touch screens, tablets, eyegaze, cursors)
3. Display devices (bitmap screens (CRT & LCD), large & situated
displays, digital paper)
4. Virtual reality and 3D interaction (positioning in 3D space, moving
and grasping seeing 3D (helmets and caves))

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 Computer in HCI

 Assignment
5. Paper: printing and scanning(print technology, fonts, page
description, WYSIWYG scanning, OCR)
6. Memory(short term and long term, speed, capacity, compression
formats, access)
7. Processing and networks (finite speed (but also Moore’s law), limits
of interaction, networked computing)

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