Information Technology Reference
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[STA 06], [VAN 05]; numerous research projects are currently ongoing. In the rest
of this chapter, we will not present a new modeling method but focus on our method
for modeling interactive applications based on business processes [BRO 07] to show
how it is possible to integrate the notion of the travel time experience of travelers
during their journeys in the context of the conceptual modeling of an interactive
application [BRO 09], [UST 09].
9.2.2.
Modeling of the user in interactive applications
To provide information and services that are relevant to the user, it is necessary
to be able to identify and characterize him. This knowledge of the user implies
resolving two issues [ANL 06], [RAZ 03]:
- That of the storing of information gathered for each user. This is generally
done via user profiles that contain, for each user, all the information which is
specific to him [AMA 99].
- That of tools and methods to be implemented in order to gather this
information. This gathering can be done explicitly via the use of questions the user
is asked [SHA 95]. It can also be done implicitly (automatically) by the system, i.e.
with no intervention from the user [GOE 00] via an analysis of the user's behavior
and the history of interactions with the user. Finally, it can be done in a mixed
manner, the user confirming the information suggested by the system.
However, if we want to be capable of adapting applications to the user, the
storing of information about the user and its direct use in applications is not enough.
It is in fact necessary to change the way in which applications are designed by
adopting an approach to interactions centered on the user and first of all on the goals
that he has when using each application [COO 07]. It is also necessary to find other
ways of interacting with him in order to enable a more rapid adaptation of
applications. In order to do this, one of the possible solutions is to recognize the
emotions of the user [COW 01], i.e. to recognize the emotional context when the
application is used.
9.2.3.
Definition and limitations of the consideration of context
Before defining the notion of context in the field of transport, it is essential to
start by specifying the notion of context in a global manner. In order to do this, we
will use the definition in [DEY 00], [DEY 01]: “
Context represents all the
information which can be used to characterize a situation or an entity. An entity is a
person, a place or an object that is considered as significant in the interaction
between the user and the application, including the user and the application itself. A
