Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
We therefore suggest placing
multimodality
at the center of our system: the
devices will be able to use different output modalities. Furthermore, a given device
will provide information to a user only if the output modalities of the first are
compatible with the input modalities of the second. This way we will, for example,
avoid information destined to a blind person being transmitted by a video monitor.
Let us note that we are only concerned with
output
interaction, and not with input:
for us it is solely a matter of
providing
information to users.
10.2. Related work
Several systems have already been put forward to provide contextual
information to mobile users during their journeys. For example, CoolTown
[KIN 01] shows web pages to users depending on their location. The main
application of this type of system consists of providing information to users
regarding their environment, for example, “where is the closest pizzeria?”
[HUL 97]. Generally, information is broadcast by small portable devices: for
example the Cyberguide [LON 96], a tourist guide for museums, uses the Newton
PDA from Apple.
We therefore join the vision of ubiquitous computing [WEI 93], in which
computerized devices are capable of talking to each other without technological
constraint. However, transporting and handling a portable device is always a
constraint. The concept of
ambient intelligence
[DUC 01], [RAM 07] picks up on
ubiquitous computing, and adds to it a desire to interact in a
natural
,
calm
and
intelligent
way with the user.
This idea is well adapted to the world of transport, as a passenger is often
preoccupied by his journey and hampered by luggage, which makes the use of a
handheld device difficult and unpleasant. An interaction that is as
natural
as
possible with the environment would therefore be preferable. In view of this, we can
decide to use devices
present in the places visited
.
This choice was in made in the Hello.Wall [STR 05] system, which consists of a
wall capable of displaying information that is of general interest when no one is in
proximity, and to provide more personal information when a user makes an explicit
interaction. A
public
device is therefore used to transmit
personal
information,
which can raise issues regarding privacy [VOG 04]. Hello.Wall resolved this
problem by not displaying
clear
information, but abstract motifs made up of around
100 cells that were either lit up or turned off. There are public motifs, which are
meant to be known to everyone, and private motifs, the significance of which is
known only to the recipient.
