Modality (human–computer interaction): Difference between revisions

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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 Overview2">{{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 Overview2" /> When multiple modalities are available for some tasks or aspects of a task, the system is said to have overlapping modalities. If multiple modalities are available for a task, the system is said to have redundant modalities. Multiple modalities can be used in combination to provide complimentary methods that may be redundant but convey information more effectively.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Interactive Systems. Design, Specification, and Verification|last = Palanque|first = Philippe|publisher = Springer Science & Business Media|year = 2001|isbn = 9783540416630|___location = |pages = 43|last2 = Paterno|first2 = Fabio|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=RddIwyhAvDAC&dq=}}</ref> Modalities can be generally defined in two forms: human-computer and computer-human modalities.

==Computer–Human Modalities==

TheComputers followingutilize area exampleswide range of thetechnologies differentto types modalities,communicate and various implementations, through which a computer could send information to a humanhumans:

* Common modalities

** [[Visual perception|Vision]] - multiplecomputer viewsgraphics ontypically through a screen

** [[Hearing (sense)|Audition]] - usingvarious aaudio beep to signal end of speechoutputs

** [[Haptics|Tactition]] - shakingvibrations aor controllerother at different intensitiesmovement

* Uncommon modalities

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** [[Equilibrioception]] (balance)

Any human sense can be 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 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 to 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 not commonly implemented as computer-human modality, tactition can achieve an average of 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]]. Other more common forms of tactition are smartphone and game controller vibrations.

==Human–Computer Modalities==

The computerComputers can be equipped with various types of [[input devices]] and sensors to allow itthem to receive information from the humanhumans. Common input devices are often interchangeable if they have a standardized method of communication with the computer and [[Affordance|afford]] practical adjustments to the user.

* Simple modalities

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** [[Accelerometer|Motion]]

** [[Orientation (geometry)|Orientation]]

With the increasing popularity of [[smartphones]], the general public are becoming more comfortable with the before mentionedmore complex modalities. Speech recognition was a major selling point of the [[iPhone 4S]] and following [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] products, with the introduction of [[Sirius|Siri]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://bgr.com/2011/11/02/siri-said-to-be-driving-force-behind-huge-iphone-4s-sales/|title = Siri said to be driving force behind huge iPhone 4S sales|last = Epstein|first = Zach|date = Nov 2, 2011|work = |access-date = April 21, 2015|via = }}</ref> This techology gives humans a more natural way to communicate with computers if implemented effectively.

==Using Multiple Modalities==

Having multiple modalities in a system gives more [[affordance]] to users and can contribute to a more robust system. Having more also allows for greater accessibility for users who work more effectively with certain modalities. Multiple modalities can be used as backup when certain forms of communication are not possible. This is especially true in the case of redundant modalities in which two or more modalities are used to communicate the same information. Certain combinations of modalities can add to the expression of a computer-human or human-computer interaction because the modalities each may be more effective at expressing one form or aspect of information than others.

There are six types of relationscooperation between modalities, and they help define how a combination or fusion of modalities cooperatework together to convey information more effectively.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Multimodal Human Computer Interaction and Pervasive Services|last = Grifoni|first = Patrizia|publisher = IGI Global|year = 2009|isbn = 9781605663876|___location = |pages = 37|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=O8CqMtIKSWwC&source=gbs_navlinks_s}}</ref>

* '''Equivalence:''' information is presented in multiple ways and can be interpreted as the same information

* '''Specialization:''' when a specific kind of information is always processed through the same modality

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

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[[Category:Multimodal interaction]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:Multimodal interaction]]