Modality (human–computer interaction): Difference between revisions

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{{distinguish|Mode (computer interface)}}

{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}

In the context of [[human–computer interaction]], a '''modality''' is the classification of a single independent channel of sensory [[input/output]] between a computer and a human.<ref name="HCI Overview">{{cite journal|last1=Karray|first1=Fakhreddine|last2=Alemzadeh|first2=Milad|last3=Saleh|first3=Jamil Abou|last4=Arab|first4=Mo Nours|title=Human-Computer Interaction: Overview on State of the Art|journal=International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems|date=March 2008|volume=1|issue=1|url=http://www.s2is.org/issues/v1/n1/papers/paper9.pdf|accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref>

A system is designated unimodel if it has only one modality implemented, and multimodel if it has more than one.<ref name ="HCI Overview" /> When multiple modalities are available for some tasks or parts of tasks, the system is said to have overlapping modalities. When multiple modalities are available for all tasks, the system is said to have redundant modalities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2014}}

Modalities arecan be generally defined in two forms: human-computer and computer-human modalities.

In [[human–computer interaction]], a ''modality'' is the general class of:

* A [[sense]] through which a human can receive [[output (computing)|output]] from a computer

* A [[sensor]] or [[Peripheral device|device]] through which a computer can receive input from a human

In less formal terms, a modality is a path of communication between the human and the computer.

When multiple modalities are available for some tasks or parts of tasks, the system is said to have overlapping modalities. When multiple modalities are available for all tasks, the system is said to have redundant modalities.

Having too many modalities for a particular task is not a smart idea, however if you do not have enough modalities that will not be good as well.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}}

==Computer–Human Modalities==

Any human sense can used as a computer to human modality. However, the modalities of [[visual perception|seeing]] and [[hearing (sense)|hearing]] are the most commonly employed since they provide information at a higher speed than other modalities{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}}. The following are examples of modalities and their implementations through which a computer could send information to a human:

* Common modalities

** [[Visual perception|Vision]]

** [[Hearing (sense)|Audition]]

** [[Haptics|Tactition]]

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** [[Equilibrioception]] (balance)

The modalities of [[visual perception|seeing]] and [[hearing (sense)|hearing]] are the most commonly employed since they are capable of transmitting more information at a higher speed than other modalities, 250 to 300<ref name=Ziefle98>{{cite journal|last1=Ziefle|first1=M|title=Effects of display resolution on visual performance.|journal=Human factors|date=December 1998|volume=40|issue=4|pages=554–68|pmid=9974229}}</ref> and 150–160<ref>Williams, J. R. (1998). Guidelines for the use of multimedia in instruction, Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 42nd Annual Meeting, 1447–1451</ref> [[words per minute]], respectively. Though uncommonly implemented as computer-human modality, tactition can achieve average 125 wpm <ref>{{cite web|title=Braille|url=http://www.acb.org/node/67|website=ACB|publisher=American Council of the Blind|accessdate=21 April 2015}}</ref> through the use of a [[refreshable Braille display]].

==Examples==

===Vision===

The most commonly encountered visual modality is the [[electronic visual display]] found in televisions, computers, clocks, etc.

===Audition===

===Haptics===

==Human–Computer Modalities==

The computer can be equipped with various types of [[input devices]] and sensors to allow it to receive information from the human.

==See also==

* [[Multimodal interaction]]

* [[User interface#Modalities and modes|User-interface: Modalities and Modes]]

* [[Interactive Multimodal Information Management (IM)2|NCCR IM2: Swiss project on Multimodal interaction]]