Design and evaluation of organic user interfaces

该项目的总体目标是开发新的有机用户界面技术(OUI)，用于任何形状或形式的计算机显示。电泳墨(E-Ink)和有机发光二极管(OLED)技术开始提供如此薄和灵活的显示器，它们被称为数字纸。这将允许显示围绕任何材料表面的曲线或弯曲：纺织、塑料、纸板或纸状，以及任何形式，创造出一系列全新的非平面计算设备，如数码纸和其他产品。在这种情况下，当前几代基于图形用户界面(GUI)的用户界面存在本提案旨在解决的三个问题。首先，所有输入和输出都设计为在平面上操作，不适合曲面或柔性屏幕。需要在交互技术上取得重大进展，以允许弯曲或柔性系统的用户应用多手、多指手势来进行形状变形输入。其次，不存在能够提供真实且可触摸的3D图像的显示器。第三，人们对与非平板显示界面交互的心理知之甚少。这三个问题通过五个项目来解决：输入算法、交互技术、硬件和应用、分子展示和实证研究。我们的第一个项目旨在开发非平板显示器的输入技术。我们的第二个项目旨在开发用于任意形式的刚性和灵活性显示的交互技术。第三个项目旨在开发非平板计算机技术的硬件和应用程序。我们的第四个项目旨在开始开发能够使用分子机器人显示3D图像的致动表面。我们的最后一个项目是验证上述所有交互技术的可用性。我们相信，通过这一国际和跨学科研究工作获得的知识的应用将对我们的关键技术--计算机--的商品化、有效性和可持续性至关重要。这项研究计划的一个重要贡献将是培训用户界面设计和评估方面的人员，这些领域对高素质专业人员的需求很高。

The overall goal of this project is the development of new Organic User Interface technologies (OUI) for computer displays of any shape or form. Electrophoretic Ink (E-Ink) and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technologies are starting to deliver displays that are so thin and flexible, they are referred to as digital paper. This will allow for displays that curve or flex around the surface of any material: textile, plastic, cardboard, or paper-like, and any form, creating an entirely new line of non-flat computing devices like digital paper and other products. Given this context, current generations of user interfaces, based on the Graphic User Interface (GUI), suffer from three problems that this proposal aims to address. Firstly, all input and output was designed to operate on a flat surface and is unsuitable for curved or flexible screens. Major advances on interaction techniques are required to allow users of curved or flexible systems to apply multi-handed, multi-finger gestures for shape deformation input. Secondly, no displays exist that are capable of delivering real and touchable 3D imagery. Thirdly, little is known about the psychology of interacting with non-flat display interfaces. These three problems are addressed through five projects: input algorithms, interaction techniques, hardware and applications, molecular displays and empirical studies. Our first project aims to develop input techniques for non-flat displays. Our second project aims to develop interaction techniques for rigid and flexible displays of arbitrary forms. The third project aims to develop hardware and applications for non-flat computer technologies. Our fourth project aims to begin development of actuated surfaces capable of displaying 3D images using molecular robotics. Our final project is to validate the usability all of the above interaction techniques. We believe the application of the knowledge acquired through this international and interdisciplinary research effort will be critical to commoditization, effectiveness and sustainability of our key technology: the computer. A significant contribution of this research program will be the training of personnel in user interface design and evaluation, where there is high demand for highly-qualified professionals.