UML Activity Diagram Semantics and Automated GUI Prototyping

Extended Activity Semantics (XAS) is a notation which can be used with Unified Modeling Language (UML) activity diagrams to specify user interactions with a system and to automatically generate a prototype of the graphical user interface (GUI) that would be used in these interactions. XAS has been incorporated in a CASE tool, Guibot, which has been developed as a plug-in for Rational Rose, a leading UML tool. The notation and tool address a specific gap in UML – the inability to model user interaction

Towards a Human-Centered Approach for VRET Systems: Case Study for Acrophobia

This paper presents a human-centered methodology for designing and developing Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) systems. By following the steps proposed by the methodology – Users analysis, Domain Analysis, Task Analysis and Representational Analysis, we developed a system for acrophobia therapy composed of 9 functional, interrelated modules which are responsible for patients, scenes, audio and graphics management, as well as with physiological monitoring and event triggering. The therapist visualizes in real time the patient’s biophysical signals and adapts the exposure scenario accordingly, as. he can lower or increase the level of exposure. There are 3 scenes in the game, depicting a ride by cable car, one by ski lift and a walk by foot in a mountain landscape. A reward system is implemented and emotion dimension ratings are collected at predefined points in the scenario. They will be stored and later used for constructing an automatic machine learning emotion recognition and exposure adaptation modul

On Implementing Usability Evaluation Activities within Agile Environment: A Plan Based-Process

In fast-paced software development cycles, poor governance may cause a loss of focus on the overarching objectives and implementation of usability work. We propose a conceptual framework that would assist software development teams in understanding and implementing usability evaluations in the described agile environments. The framework provides a common language that conveys the “big picture” of software development, details the roles needed for usability, and facilitates the analysis, discussion and communication of responsibilities and decision structures. The framework is supported by a visual mapping guideline that eases discussion and simplifies the process of incorporating usability work in companies