Plasticity of user interfaces: towards an evolution model based on conceptual graphs

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with Plasticity of User Interfaces (UI). Plasticity refers to the ability of UIs to withstand variations of context of use while preserving usability. By context of use, we mean a <user, platform, environment< triplet. Adaptation is a three-step process involving recognition of the situation, computation of a reaction to cope with the situation, and execution of the reaction. This paper covers both computation and execution of the reaction. It proposes a graph of descriptions and an evolution model for respectively capitalizing UIs and specifying the adaptation to perform in case of change of context of use. These notions are based on conceptual graphs.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology

Additional Classification:
  G. Mathematics of Computing
  G.2 DISCRETE MATHEMATICS
      G.2.2 Graph Theory
          Subjects: Graph algorithms

  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Theory and methods

General Terms:
Algorithms, Human Factors

Keywords:
conceptual graphs, evolution model, graph of descriptions, plasticity of user interfaces