Smart user assistance based on dynamic model composition

Abstract

Ubiquitous computing environments are complex systems since they support a variety of different input modalities such as voice, touch and keyboard/mouse input. Especially inexperienced users (e.g., elderly or novel) might be confused with the abundance of interaction opportunities. This paper presents an approach to specify smart user assistance for mobile devices. The mobile application shows performable tasks, explains modalities and commands, and provides interactive exercises in order to get the user familiar with the system interaction. The complexity of the interactive exercises and the selection of most suitable modalities are adapted based on user characteristics. The advantage is that users become acquainted with the use of different modalities step by step. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.