Organic user interface
Encyclopedia
In human–computer interaction
, an organic user interface (OUI) is a user interface
with interaction technique
s that use the physical shape and position of a device to control it. Organic interfaces may have displays in forms other than a flat sheet, may actively or passively change shape via analog physical inputs, and are characterized by their ability to use the display as an input device. OUIs are intended to be operated through direct manipulation of the device with natural gestures
, rather than through a point-and-click
interaction.
Organic User Interfaces were first introduced in a special issue of the Communications of the ACM in 2008. The first International Workshop on Organic User Interfaces took place at CHI 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The second workshop took place at TEI 2011 in Madeira, Portugal.
Holman and Vertegaal present three design principles for OUIs:
Input Equals Output: In the GUI there is a clear division of input and output. The mouse and keyboard input actions from the user. Based on those actions, output is generated graphically on the screen. A key feature of OUI is that a piece of Organic light-emitting diode
paper, or any potentially non-planar object for that matter, is meant to input actions from the user and also output them onto the same object.
Function Equals Form: The form of an object clearly determines its ability to be used as an input. The statement Function Equals Form emphasizes this dependency on one another. Holman and Vertegaal argue that these two are in fact inseparable and that it is a mistake to try to deny this in any way.
Form Follows Flow: This principle states that it is of utmost necessity for OUIs to negotiate user actions based on context. e.g. the ubiquitous 'clamshell' phone, where incoming calls alter the phone's function when opening the phone during an incoming call.
PaperPhone is an example of an OUI. It features a flexible e-ink electrophoretic display and an array of 5 bend sensors that allow for user input. Other examples of OUIs include Microsoft Surface
, Sphere, DisplayObjects, and Gummi.
Human–computer interaction
Human–computer Interaction is the study, planning, and design of the interaction between people and computers. It is often regarded as the intersection of computer science, behavioral sciences, design and several other fields of study...
, an organic user interface (OUI) is a user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
with interaction technique
Interaction technique
An interaction technique, user interface technique or input technique is a combination of hardware and software elements that provides a way for computer users to accomplish a single task. For example, one can go back to the previously visited page on a Web browser by either clicking a button,...
s that use the physical shape and position of a device to control it. Organic interfaces may have displays in forms other than a flat sheet, may actively or passively change shape via analog physical inputs, and are characterized by their ability to use the display as an input device. OUIs are intended to be operated through direct manipulation of the device with natural gestures
Gesture recognition
Gesture recognition is a topic in computer science and language technology with the goal of interpreting human gestures via mathematical algorithms. Gestures can originate from any bodily motion or state but commonly originate from the face or hand. Current focuses in the field include emotion...
, rather than through a point-and-click
Point-and-click
Point-and-click is the action of a computer user moving a cursor to a certain location on a screen and then pressing a mouse button, usually the left button , or other pointing device...
interaction.
Organic User Interfaces were first introduced in a special issue of the Communications of the ACM in 2008. The first International Workshop on Organic User Interfaces took place at CHI 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The second workshop took place at TEI 2011 in Madeira, Portugal.
Holman and Vertegaal present three design principles for OUIs:
Input Equals Output: In the GUI there is a clear division of input and output. The mouse and keyboard input actions from the user. Based on those actions, output is generated graphically on the screen. A key feature of OUI is that a piece of Organic light-emitting diode
Organic light-emitting diode
An OLED is a light-emitting diode in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compounds which emit light in response to an electric current. This layer of organic semiconductor material is situated between two electrodes...
paper, or any potentially non-planar object for that matter, is meant to input actions from the user and also output them onto the same object.
Function Equals Form: The form of an object clearly determines its ability to be used as an input. The statement Function Equals Form emphasizes this dependency on one another. Holman and Vertegaal argue that these two are in fact inseparable and that it is a mistake to try to deny this in any way.
Form Follows Flow: This principle states that it is of utmost necessity for OUIs to negotiate user actions based on context. e.g. the ubiquitous 'clamshell' phone, where incoming calls alter the phone's function when opening the phone during an incoming call.
PaperPhone is an example of an OUI. It features a flexible e-ink electrophoretic display and an array of 5 bend sensors that allow for user input. Other examples of OUIs include Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface is a multi-touch product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of gesture recognition. This could involve the motion of hands or physical objects. It was...
, Sphere, DisplayObjects, and Gummi.
See also
- Graphical user interfaceGraphical user interfaceIn computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
- Human-computer interaction
- Haptic technology
- Tangible User InterfaceTangible User InterfaceA tangible user interface is a user interface in which a person interacts with digital information through the physical environment. The initial name was Graspable User Interface, which no longer is used....
Related Technological Developments
- Microsoft develops shape-shifting touchscreen
- Sony develops flexible electronic paper.
- Prototype flexible display from Samsung and LG.
- LED Concrete Display by Innovation Lab.
- HP flexible Display.