Delegation theory in the design of cross-platform user interfaces

Abstract

The amalgamation of various technologies to support the needs of new computing models has become prevalent in computing environments like ubiquitous computing. Amalgamation means here heterogeneity caused by not only the coexistence of various devices in the same computing environment, but also the diversity between software, users as well as interaction modalities. The platform heterogeneity together with additional needs of interaction modalities and the proliferation of new technologies pose unique challenges for user interface (UI) designers and developers. We consider the problem of heterogeneity as a demand of collaboration between platforms (device and system) that are owned or controlled by a human user. Hence, we drive the concept of delegation to be implemented in a peer-to-peer model, where one peer (known as delegator) delegates another peer (known as delegatee) to run a UI (or a single interaction-modality) on its behalf. Thus, the delegatee uses its own capabilities to present the required UI or interaction-modality.