Mobile Interaction with the Real World: An Evaluation and Comparison of Physical Mobile Interaction Techniques

Abstract. Mobile devices are more and more used for mobile interactions with things, places and people in the real world. However, so far no studies have discussed which interaction techniques are preferred by users in different contexts. This paper presents an experimental comparison of four different physical mobile interaction techniques: touching, pointing, scanning and usermediated object interaction. To evaluate these techniques across different scenarios and to collect real usage data, four prototypes were implemented: a system for mobile interaction in smart environments, a mobile tourist guide, a mobile museum guide and a prototype for mobile interaction with advertisement posters. In each setting an experimental comparison was performed. Based on the results of these studies, which involved over 60 participants in total, advantages and disadvantages of these interaction techniques are described. Context-specific user preferences are presented for the interaction techniques, to help application designers and developers decide which interaction technique(s) to integrate into their application and which consequences this decision has

uni-augsburg.de

uni-augsburg.de Whenever a pervasive game has to be developed for a group of children an appropriate multi-user setting has to be found. If the pervasive game does not support the children with an adequate multi-user setting, unintended situations can emerge, such as a single user can dominate the game while the other users are bored and disinterested. In our research we approach that problem by investigating various multiuser settings that are characterized by a different distribution of interaction devices. We describe three multi-user settings, a pervasive game which we used as a test bed, and a user study with 18 children to find out how the multiuser settings influence the children’s social behaviour as expressed by the level of activity for all group members, the offtask behaviour and the level of task-related conversations

Social mobile interaction using tangible user interfaces and mobile phones

Abstract: This ‘work in progress ’ paper presents an investigation of mobile input devices and interaction techniques on their effects on social engagement for children when interacting with virtual characters. We call interactions social mobile interactions if they increase social involvements. Social mobile interactions are collaborative interactions to create social experiences between children in a group as well as social engagement with the virtual characters. We describe our first findings of adequate input devices and interaction techniques which might support social and emotional learning for children. The tangible user interface (TUI) called Display Cube and a mobile phone interaction technique called touching are discussed on their efficiency creating social interactions and engagement. Finally, we describe our future work including planned user tests.