Presentation at the W4A conference, 2013-05-13, Rio de Janeiro. Gottfried Zimmermann, Stuttgart Media University Co-authors: Bern Jordan, Parikshit Thakur & Yuvarajsinh Gohil

1. Cloud platforms Lead to Open and Universal access
for people with Disabilities and for All
www.cloud4all.info
GenURC
Generation Platform for Personal and
Context‐Driven User Interfaces
Presentation at the W4A conference, 2013‐05‐13, Rio de Janeiro
Gottfried Zimmermann, Stuttgart Media University
Co‐authors: Bern Jordan, Parikshit Thakur & Yuvarajsinh Gohil
Note: Textual descriptions for the figures in
these slides are available as PDF comments at
the beginning (top left corner) of the slide.

2. SLIDE 2 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
What is URC?
What are GPII and Cloud4all?
GenURC
GenURC sample user interfaces
Conclusion & Outlook
Overview

3. Universal Remote Console (URC)
A device or software application, such as
– a tablet
– a smart phone
– TV + IR remote
– car head unit
– smart clothes
– etc.

4. Universal Remote Console (URC)
… through which a user accesses and controls
… any electronic & IT product or service, such as
– a TV, a DVR
– a washing machine, a thermostat, an alarm clock
– a telephone, a cell phone
– a calendar or alarm management system
– a copy machine, an elevator, a ticket vending machine
– etc.

5. Resources
(Labels,
help, etc.)
Target Application
Target
User Interface
Implementation
Description
Networking
Platform
Networking
Platform
Client (URC)
Resource Server
Company A
Internet
Resource Server
Company B
User Interface
Socket Mirror
User Interface
Socket
Socket
Elements

6. SLIDE 7 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
Global
▫ Worldwide initiative
Inclusive
▫ For everyone, no barriers
Public
▫ Results will be available publicly, no‐royalty
Infrastructure
▫ Assistive technologies for all, open‐source implementations as basis
▫ Support for developers and service providers
▫ Store user settings (preferences) locally or in the cloud
"We build streets, not cars"
What is GPII?

7. Raising the Floor International
GPII & Cloud4all
GPII
Cloud4all
Trace Center
IT RERC
IDRC Fluid
project
IDRC FLOE
project

8. Cloud4All Partners

9. SLIDE 11 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
Extend the Universal Remote Console (URC) platform* by
automatic user interface generation
* The URC platform supports pluggable user interfaces for the control of appliances and services (targets)
Pragmatic approach for personal user interfaces
Personal user interfaces
▫ Tailored to a person's preferences and needs
Context‐driven user interfaces
▫ Adapted to a specific device (controller)
▫ Adapted to a specific situation of use
GenURC Goals

10. www.cloud4all.info
Natural language(s)
Output modalities
Input modalities
Audio
description
Text size,
zoom factor
Keyboard settings
Line spacing
Speech volume
Contrast settings
Grouping
structure
Captions
Widget set
Use of color
& color coding
Level of
assistance
Level of
simplification
Key shortcuts
TTS
parameters
Braille
parameters
CONTENT
& SEMANTICS
STRUCTURE
& GRAMMAR
PRESENTATION
& INPUT EVENTS
Gesture alphabet
Button size
& distance
URC
Cloud4all

11. SLIDE 14 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
GenURC Adaptation Process
Resource
Server
UCH
Web
Browser
GenURC
Server
Rich Grouping
Target Description,
Socket Description,
Grouping Sheet,
Resource Sheet
Proprietary
Protocol
Target
URC‐HTTP
HTML Container for
Rich Grouping
HTML Container for
Rich Grouping
Corrections
at Runtime
Static user
preferences
Dynamic user
preferences,
device & situational
parameters

12. SLIDE 17 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
GenURC Sample User Interface (1)

13. SLIDE 19 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
GenURC Sample User Interface (3)

14. SLIDE 20 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
URC + Automatic user interface generation = GenURC
GenURC + Cloud4all = User interface adaptations on all layers
▫ Server‐side adaptation: content + rough structure
− Based on static user preferences
▫ Client‐side adaptation: fine structure + presentation
− Based on dynamic user preferences, device & situational parameters
Next steps
▫ Empirical study on suitable grouping mechanisms & widgets
− Focus on users with visual and physical disabilities
▫ Integration of Cloud4all user preference set & context parameters
▫ Integration of Cloud4all Personal Control Panel
Conclusions & Outlook

15. SLIDE 21 ZIMMERMANN – GENURC PLATFORM
Thank You
Gottfried Zimmermann
Prof. Mobile User Interaction
Media University Stuttgart, Germany
gzimmermann@acm.org
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: THIS WORK WAS FUNDED BY THE US DEPT OF EDUCATION, NIDRR,
UNDER GRANT H133E080022 (RERC ON IT ACCESS), AND BY THE EU 7TH FRAMEWORK
PROGRAM UNDER GRANT FP7‐289016 (CLOUD4ALL). THE OPINIONS HEREIN ARE THOSE OF
THE AUTHORS AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE FUNDING AGENCIES.