ABSTRACT
We developed a system composed of a hardware architecture for device control in the home, a server that mediates communication among devices via
We developed a graphical interface based on Microsoft’s Universal Plug’n’Play (UPnP) standard, aimed at consolidating device functions for end users Through a study involving 15 volunteers, we identified our target audience as tech-savvy individuals who are enthusiastic about adopting new technologies Additionally, we evaluated the usability of our interface with a separate group of six volunteers This report details our system's successes and shortcomings, explores alternatives, and presents the methods and findings from our user studies.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our mentor, Don Perlis, whose invaluable advice and support have been instrumental in our journey Special thanks to librarian Jim Miller for his help in finding essential articles on speech- and gesture-based interfaces We also appreciate the researchers at the University of Maryland Human-Computer Interactions Lab for their assistance during our project's development, and we are grateful to our thesis committee for reviewing our rough draft and attending our presentation.
4.2 Necessity of a Home Device Network 8
4.3 Research Questions and Project Scope 10
7.1 User Study 1: Identifying Personas and User Goals 66
7.1.3 Defined Primary and Secondary Personas 72
7.1.5 Applying Results to Product Design 73
7.3 User Study 2: Evaluating Interface Usability 97
8.2 Secure Device Networks in the Home Environment 106
8.2.2 Potential for Malicious Attacks on the System 109
8.4 What Makes Our System Different 113
Appendix A User Study 1 Interview Moderator’s Guide 130
Appendix B User Study 2 Interview Moderator’s Guide 133
Changing Role of the Home 142
Existing paradigms for the Smart Home 143
Modern home appliances and entertainment devices are rapidly increasing in number and complexity, necessitating user interfaces that effectively organize and prioritize their functions for practical daily use Unlike a few decades ago, when home appliances typically featured simple on/off switches and minimal controls, today's devices often come with remote controls filled with numerous buttons or sophisticated on-screen menu systems.
Programming a VCR is often joked about due to its complexity, which stems from two main factors: the intricate controls that many find challenging to master quickly, and the significant differences between various VCR models and other home devices Each time a new appliance is introduced, users face the daunting task of learning its operation, a challenge that most consumers lack the time or patience to tackle As a result, many individuals opt not to utilize their devices to their fullest capabilities.
Our team began with limited knowledge about the home environment and the right questions to ask, driven by a strong desire to enhance it for users Recognizing issues within the home, we at Universal Device Interface committed ourselves to assess both the home environment and existing research in smart home technology This evaluation allowed us to identify key problems and develop an automation framework that empowers users to control their devices more effectively Our goal is to reduce the challenges of current systems while enhancing users' ability to coordinate their smart home devices.
The primary issue identified by our team is the device-centric nature of current technologies and research, which prioritize enhancing functionality while minimizing user interaction This perspective assumes that devices can surpass human intelligence, aiming to automate user involvement entirely Such an egocentric design leads to unique interfaces that require users to relearn tasks for each device, while also lacking coordination among devices, which typically offer only basic buttons and remote controls Consequently, this limitation restricts users' ability to effectively manage and interact with their devices, as the devices themselves dictate their intended use.
Our innovative solution focuses on user-centered design for home devices and interfaces, aiming to enhance accessibility for users We propose a central device server that enables devices to communicate their capabilities and receive commands, creating a self-describing network where all devices can be controlled through a standardized interface This approach ensures a consistent user experience, eliminating the need to relearn controls with each new device addition Furthermore, the centralized communication enhances productivity by allowing simultaneous device interaction A key aspect of our research emphasizes developing an intuitive interface that is as easy to learn as existing devices, exploring various modalities such as text, graphics, speech, and gesture, as well as hybrid interfaces that leverage the strengths of multiple input methods.
4.2 Necessity of a Home Device Network
The core challenge of this project revolves around achieving seamless control of our devices to ensure a consistent user experience in home automation To tackle this issue, we must identify the inadequacies in our current control systems By clearly defining the shortcomings, we can both understand the problems we need to address and validate their existence We have identified three key factors that hinder effective control at home: the diversity of control methods, the isolated functionality of devices, and the growing number of devices within households.
The diversity of control interfaces across consumer appliances significantly complicates user interactions at home Each device requires its own unique procedure for basic functions, like setting the clock, leading to a steep learning curve that is often forgotten This issue originates from the initial focus on functionality over design, resulting in a variety of time-setting methods for different devices, such as VCRs, microwave ovens, stoves, and car stereos As a result, modern users face the unreasonable expectation of mastering numerous distinct interfaces for similar tasks across multiple appliances.
Current device systems operate under the assumption of isolation, which is becoming increasingly impractical Modern technology showcases a growing need for interconnectivity, as seen in how cell phones, computers, and PDAs link with one another By establishing a common protocol, we aim to enhance this interconnectivity, enabling devices to coordinate activities seamlessly For instance, your coffee maker could automatically start brewing when your alarm rings, streamlining daily routines.
The increasing complexity of media control in modern households, where each individual has their own media setup, poses significant challenges Despite advancements in technology since the introduction of the Lazy Bones remote in 1950, control systems remain largely fragmented, with users struggling to manage multiple remotes, complicated mode-switching routines, and intricate device menus Our goal is to simplify this experience by creating a unified, expandable control system that operates on a standardized protocol for all devices.
4.3 Research Questions and Project Scope
Our objective was to identify and rectify the shortcomings in the existing approach to home devices and appliances We initiated exploratory research to understand the specific issues users face with current systems To create a comprehensive overview, our team conducted interviews with potential users, aligning our findings with real-life experiences to pinpoint deficiencies We developed use cases to identify critical breakdown points in the current system and analyzed existing smart home solutions to assess the problems they address As a result, we created two user personas, each with distinct goals, to guide our understanding of user needs.
Building on our insights, our team aimed to create solutions grounded in user-centered design, initiating the second phase of research focused on developing a user-centered automation framework.
To determine if we have resolved the identified issues, we conducted a usability study where sample users performed various common device-network tasks We assessed the time taken to complete each task, the accuracy of the users' solutions, and their overall satisfaction with the system.
Several initiatives have been launched to align with the objectives set by the Universal Device Interface, focusing on creating communication standards between devices and developing networks to facilitate this interaction Many of these efforts are either already being integrated into commercially available products or will be in the near future Additionally, other projects aim to construct comprehensive "smart homes" as research facilities to further explore these technologies.
Smart environments, as defined by Cook and Das, are designed to acquire knowledge and adapt to their inhabitants to enhance their experience These environments incorporate remote control of devices, inter-device communication, sensors, actuators, and decision-making capabilities Despite their shared objectives, smart environment projects encounter challenges, particularly regarding consumer satisfaction with traditional device controls and resistance to learning new interfaces To address these issues, smart environments must move away from conventional computing interfaces and adopt more intuitive interaction methods, including diverse input and output modes and the acceptance of implied commands.