Ahmed Farooq
� Introductions � Haptics, an Emerging Science � Research In Public Kiosks � Commercial Product � Some Other Kiosks � Summary
� Most public machines like ATMs and Kiosks are designed to accommodate the maximum usability features for the largest user groups, but unfortunately the disabled and Senior Citizens are often minimized due to lesser use & lower numbers. The completed and unnatural designs not only cause usability concerns but in some cases, accessibility is also compromised. Blind and disabled users may have serious accessibility issues which may hinder or restrict use of such public machines. � Haptics resolves such issues and provides a bridging effect for disabled and blind users. It adds another somatosensory channel for Human Computer Interaction (HCI) that can prove to be critical. In this presentation I would try to highlight some of the research that is being carried out to facilitate these user groups and to enhance the usability for existing users of Public Computing Machines.
� The study of Haptics has grown dramatically with the advent of touch in computing, as many researchers are involved in the development, testing, and refinement of tactile and force feedback devices (simulating object hardness, weight, and inertia), along with supporting software, that allow users to sense and manipulate three-dimensional virtual objects and more and more such Interfaces are being designed for common Public Computing Machines. Video � Nokia, Samsung LG, Blackberry and Apple are all moving closer to developing truly localized Haptic computing devices which will enhance a more realistic experience for mobile users and provide an impetus to other Haptic Interface developer [24] . Immersion besides closely working with Samsung and LG [2] is now also working on Public Computing Machines to create a more haptic culture that didn’t exist a few years ago.
� Even small cellular phones today are gaining new functions. To address the interface needs of these systems, designers have increased their reliance on touchscreen technologies. These technologies allow the designer to break up the functions of the phone into discrete subsections which can be presented hierarchically on simple screens. � This type of display, however, presents particular access problems for people with visual impairments, blindness, or literacy problems or is disabled, in some way or form.
� The magnitude and significance of this problem is growing rapidly, as such systems are being increasingly used in automated transaction machines, government service kiosks, personal electronic telecommunication devices, and even home appliances. � Such systems now a days appear on car phones, pocket cellular phones, personal digital assistants ATMS, Public Kiosks and other devices which may be used by people with disabilities or within such environments which restrict vision, and hence restrict accessibility.
� Created by Researchers Karon E. MacLean at “Interval Research Corporation”. Haptic Interfaces today have primarily been optimized and converted from regular Interfaces [3] � The design allows an arbitrary relation between user and environment, whether direct or abstract, whereas prior emphasis has dwelt on creating just the outer hardware layer, where as this model shows that there is much to be done by creatively disposing the interaction model into abstract forms [4] .
� Direct Manipulation � Discrete and Continuous Control � Mediating Dynamic System � Annotations � Container Manipulation � Displaying Interaction Potential � Embedding Haptic Interfaces � Container Manipulation
� The company is working on contracts with Nokia, Samsung, LG, Medtronic, VW, BMW, Microsoft, Sony & 3M’s touch screen division. The convergence of MP3 and Digital Video players, Digital Cameras, Navigation Devices, Televisions and Mobile Internet with Instant Messaging, Text Messaging and Cellular Telephones fuels the need for increased screen geography. The pull of increased screen geography for these pocket sized mobility devices drives the need for Haptics [2] . � 3M touch screen division (applications includes casino gaming, ATM’s, Kiosks and waiter and waitress stations). The company is working with the leading ATMs Giant NCR on a project to come out in 2010 [2] . The company has already received acclaims from Casino Journal for adding Haptics to improve the user video experience.
� Currently the group has developed an information Kiosk icon of the museums in Tampere, Finland [5] . The kiosk includes an interactive agent that helps and entertains users. The behavior of the agent can be altered using the computer vision component designed for it
Haptic input through touchscreens has been used with kiosks for a long time. However, haptic feedback has been limited just to the pressure produced against the finger when it is pressed on screen. Here, the researchers have had two approaches to improve haptic feedback. 1. Placing a transparent foil on top of the screen containing thin metal guides to help the user to follow the navigation interface with their fingers 2. Using vibration through a vibrating pen that is used to inspect contents of the display (as shown in earlier seminar sessions.) Similar techniques have been employed in smaller screens to good effect especially in Mobile Devices [6]
� TAUCHI was also involved in designing and testing multimodal gaming and learning environments for visually impaired and blind children. This research started in 2001 funded by Nordic Development Centre for Rehabilitation Technology (NUH) [6] . � The Group designed and implemented multimodal games for visually impaired and blind children primarily for children aged 3.5 to 7.5 an later 6 to 10 years or age.
� A research group in the US is conducting research on selection apparatus schemes, providing user friendly interface for visually impaired people [7] � The touch points are designed such that a different sensations are felt when a user slides the finger along the selection structure. � An exit is designed to help lead the object from each touch point to corresponding touch button using the T-Bar. � Thus, a visually impaired person may slide a finger along the guide structure, feel a touch points and use the associated exit to locate a corresponding touch button.
Commercial Products
� This technique uses hybrid haptic and auditory techniques to allow individuals non visual access to touchscreen systems, even if they have a wide variety of forms and formats [8]
� Verbal names � Screen description � Empty space sound � Auditory ridge around objects � Verbal announcement � Edge hysteresis � Text Fields
� Separate activation button � Last current choice � Hot lists � Speedlists � Incorporation of hot lists in the speedlist � Hierarchical access
� Another alternative EZ access technique “Talking Touch and Confirm”, a user explores the screen with his/her fingertip. Touching items on a screen generates haptic feedback and causes the corresponding option to be read out [9] . � Acoustic cues are given to guide the individual in exploring the screen. To actually activate the item, the user merely needs to press a pre-specified button. � This system also offer a list form of selection menus which make the process simpler
But there are multiple problems with audio feedback in public kiosks ! Video
� The haptic software application is developed in a combination VRML- based scene and the Python scripting language. Using the VRML nodes, the developers have created the virtual environment, the Python scripting language provides the procedural method to handle programmed events [10] . � The grid is placed on an elastic membrane providing force feedback resistance and friction when the pen’s end-effecter of the Phantom Desktop makes contact with the virtual grid object [10,11].
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� The kiosk, which uses video and multilingual audio prompts and vibrations, is a new systems designed to make the ballot accessible to most people with disabilities [18] . � kiosk would serve the visually and audibly disabled, and those lacking fine motor control. Using yellow "up" and "down" triangle buttons (which vibrate when enabled), voters scan an on-screen and audible ballot. When the preferred candidate's name is highlighted or spoken, users cast their vote by pressing a large, diamond-shaped, green button [17]
� In August this year the Australian Government in corporation with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) started trials on a project for electronic voting for the vision impaired and military personnel [19] . � The system is similar to the web interface for kiosks for the Beijing Olympics earlier this year. The system is a combination electronic server display unite along with a haptic key pad that produces vibrations on active key selections.
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