The document discusses human abilities relevant to human-computer interaction (HCI) design. It covers the senses of vision, hearing, and touch and how understanding human capabilities with these senses can inform interface design. For example, it notes that font size and location should depend on the task based on what we know about visual acuity. It also briefly outlines the memory systems and cognitive processes involved in information processing that will be covered in more detail next time. The motor system and how understanding human abilities there can improve design, such as providing feedback and minimizing eye movement, is also introduced.

1. Human Abilities 1
Understanding the user

2. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 2
Agenda
• Human capabilities
− Senses
− Information processing (next time)
− Motor systems
• Project part 1

3. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 3
Human Capabilities
• Why do we care? (better design!)
• Want to improve user performance
• Knowing the user informs the design
− Senses
− Information processing systems
− Physical responding
Time and effort expended
to complete tasks

4. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 4
Overview
I. Senses
A. Vision
B. Hearing
C. Touch
D. Smell?
III. Motor system
II. Information processing
A. Perceptual
B. Cognitive
1. Memory
a. Short term
b. Medium term
c. Long term
2. Processes
a. Selective attention
b. Learning
c. Problem solving
d. Language
C. Motor system
TODAY’S
CLASS
NEXT
CLASS

5. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 5
I. Senses
• Sight, hearing, touch important for current
HCI
− smell, taste ???
• Abilities and limitations
affect design

6. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 6
Vision
• Visual System
− Eye
− Retina
− Neural pathway
~ 80% of brain’s operation

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Visual Abilities
• Sensitivity
− luminance: 10-6
~107
mL (see notes)
• Acuity
− detection, alignment,
recognition (visual angle)
− retinal position: fovea has best acuity
• Movement
− tracking, reading, vibrations
• Note: Vision decreases with age
• Implications (??)
− Font size & location depends on task
− Much done by context & grouping

8. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 8
Color
• Sensory response to electromagnetic
radiation in the spectrum between
wavelengths 0.4 - 0.7 micrometers
0.5
visible
10-1
10-6
105
108
gamma ultraviolet microwave tv

9. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 9
Color Vision

10. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 10
Color Vision
• Color & the retina
− 380 (blue) ~ 770nm (red)
− Problems with cones or ganglion cells causes
problems with color perception
− (Not really “color blindness”)
8% males, 0.5% females
• Implications (??)
− Avoid saturated colors
− Color coding should be redundant when possible

11. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 11
Hearing
• Capabilities (best-case scenario)
− pitch - frequency (20 - 20,000 Hz)
− loudness - amplitude (30 - 100dB)
− location (5° source & stream separation)
− timbre - type of sound (lots of instruments)
• Often take for granted how good it is
(disk whirring)
• Implications (??)

12. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 12
Touch
• Three main sensations handled
by different types of receptors:
− Pressure (normal)
− Intense pressure (heat/pain)
− Temperature (hot/cold)
• Sensitivity, Dexterity,
Flexibility, Speed
• Where important?
− Mouse, Other I/O, VR, surgery

13. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 13
III. Motor System
• Capabilities
− Range of movement, reach, speed,
strength, dexterity, accuracy
• Often cause of errors
− Wrong button
− Double-click vs. single click
• Principles
− Feedback is important
− Minimize eye movement

14. Fall 2002 CS/PSY 6750 14
Contest