Human-computer interfaces

Human-computer interfaces

What is human-computer interfaces otherwise known as HCI? Human-computer interfaces is the study of how people interact with there computers and to what extent are or are not developed for successful interaction with human beings. A huge number of companies and institutions now study HCI. Usability is considered to be a huge buying point but some buyers will still say that the computer system developers don't take this into consideration a lot of the time. How ever computer system developers might argue that computers are extremely complex products to design and make and that the demand for the services that computers can provide has always out driven the demand for ease-of-use. Taking this into consideration HCI is becoming more noticed by the computer design developers and the HCI research is being used more often.

Two devices that are often studied are the mouse and keyboard used mainly for the PC.
People are always studying these devices and looking for new alternatives to use. One of the main alternative being used now a days is touch screen. The main reason for people choosing touch screen over a mouse and keyboard is once again use ability and looks which is one of the reasons for why HCI is so important.

Another topic under going a lot of research are video game controllers. For example there was a huge debate on whether the PS3 or Xbox360 controller was better and which was better for FPS (First person shooter) games. But in the end it really just came down to preference and what your used too.

Now a days you can buy or make your own modified controllers to suit you.
One of the most popular choices for a modded controller and seen all the time in competitive tournaments because of the advantages it gives you is the SCUF controller.
There are many things that make the SCUF controller a favourite when it comes to picking a controller. Here is a list of modifications and add-ons added to the SCUF that you don't get on an ordinary controller.

•      Back Paddles – Available ONLY at Scuf Gaming, these are 2 paddles on the back of the           controller that can mimic any 2 of the face buttons! This enables you to utilise 50% more of your hand in an ergonomic and natural way.

 Get the advantage - Master Claw Technique without breaking your fingers

•      Adjustable Hair Triggers – Another ONLY at Scuf Gaming design feature, weapon fire becomes far more responsive, with each shot requiring just a tap. Every weapon becomes more deadly and the triggers can be fully adjusted to suit every type of player and game.

Trigger Stops (XBOX) – Designed to prevent any unnecessary trigger movement after the shot/ aim has been initiated. Trigger stops save those precious split seconds and are another must have feature for hard-core shooter gamers.

• Hyper Sensitive Triggers (PS3) – Almost every Game requires you to depress the triggers a considerable amount before you actually initiate that movement. The SCUF PS allows you to initiate a reaction immediately which reduces your reaction time considerably. Even if you have quicker reactions than your opponents, you will be hindered by hardware limitations. Our system means that your quickness becomes your ally. Your skill will win or lose you battles, and not your controller.

• The Domed Sticks – Custom select either concave or domed shaped right and left sticks to add precision to your game play.

SCUF Grip – Optional military grade anti-slip Grip Paint applied to the underside of the SCUF controller. The Grip is particularly useful if your hands get hot in game play!

• Rotating D-PAD – Available with some SCUF Controllers, we offer the option of the Microsoft Rotating D-Pad. This Dpad rotated when you turn it so you can have 2 different setting. We offer this option on The Radioactive Zombie (Wired and Wireless 

As you can see there are a lot of things that would make you want to choose a SCUF over a normal controller. Below shows two pictures of a modified SCUF controller

Another great example of human-computer interface's are what you can do with the LED's.
You can connect LED's up to each other to create objects and even create images if the lights are the right colour and shape. Here are two examples of whats capable with LED's and a creative mind.

Some people have been known to create or buy these LED works of art in there house's to use them as lights, ornaments and other house hold objects. As you can see above if done well they can be very effect and unlike the normal house hold ornaments.

Another example of how human-computer interface's are used is speech recognition. Speech recognition is used in a lot of devices now a days. You can use speech recognition to open apps on your mobile, turn on and off lights, write the text on google, emails and even word documents. You can even program your games so you can control your characters through speech. Ie. If you told your character to jump they would jump, move left they would move left and so on.

Some people might not always be able to use surton types of human-computer interface so its important to have alternatives. For example if someones blind they might need to use speech recognition to turn there music or write there work for them on word. Saying that you are now able to buy keyboards with braille on them so that blind people can type and write work without using speech recognition. Dr M Robinson says: "Speech recognition allows to use computer more quickly and effectively then before."
I don't agree with Dr M Robinson when she says it allows you to work "more quickly and effectively"  for surten factors like clicking the mouse. As shown in the youtube video above it takes her 3 or 4 commands to click on an application where as I can just double click my mouse. Its much quicker for me but I can see how it would be quicker for people that are unable to function a mouse or keyboard.
One thing that I think could be quicker for everyone and not just disabled people is the speech to text function where you simply speak and it types it for you. This could be good for slow typers. Another brilliant thing is now "The program's are already built into Windows7". So no downloading and no hassle in order to get the program, you don't even need the Internet in order to get and use the program. All you have to do in learn to speech commands and that's normally down to common sense apart from the more obscure commands but that's only a matter of time

Along side speech recognition used to control things there is also motion detection. The way something is controlled by the users motion. The most popular motion detection product is the Kinect. The Kinect was created by Microsoft for the Xbox360. The reason for why the Kinect is so popular compared to offer motion detection products like the Wii is because the motion detection is so accurate. Even the smallest of movements can be picked up. But.. Not only does the Kinect have motion detection it also has speech recognition making it the ultimate HCI product. If your looking for a good example of how important HCI is when making a product there is no need to look any fervor. By the Kinect combining these to features its able to create the ultimate gaming experience for the players. Some players even clame they have lost weight after playing the sport's and more athletic games and others have said ''It feels like im actually there''.

One of the most common examples of HCI is in a mouse. A mouse has so many short cuts within it that are used to make using your computer quicker and more easily. The mouse is most commonly controlled used a mouse-ball or a laser. These will pick up the movement of your mouse and send it to your computer  which will then make your cursor move on screen. This allows you to navigate around your computer quickly and easily. Another great feature on the mouse. Is the mouse wheel. Most mouses now a days have a mouse wheel. This is most commonly used for scrolling up and down quickly. You can also use it with in video games for changing weapons and throwing grenades ( scroll up, next weapon, scroll down, previous weapon and press in to throw a grenade). Some of the more advanced mouses come with side buttons. These are commonly used to get back and forward through webpages. But you can very often set these buttons to do anything. If your mouse comes with a mouse editor or mouse drivers you can install them and change the function of these side button's to do almost anything. The most commonly pressed button on your computer is the Close program or window button (X in the corner of the screen) So why not just change the side buttons to close the program or window. These are all features that the mouse designer has to thing about when deciding HCI.