CMPT 481/811 Assignment 3:
Augmented Interactions
Date due: Friday, November 1, 5:00pm
Overview
In this assignment you will design and develop three augmented input schemes for a simple system. The
assignment will build on the two current course readings (Hinkley on input devices, and Cechanowicz on
augmented interactions). Your task is to design three input schemes that adequately match the requirements
of the input scenario, and carry out a basic evaluation that tests memorability and usability.
This assignment is to be done individually; each student will hand in an assignment.
Requirements
Part 1. The interactive system
Using the Processing environment, build a system that displays two squares in a window. These shapes will be
the objects on which your input schemes operate, to allow a user to carry out the following six manipulations:
1. Translation of a square in X and Y (continuous)
2. Rotation (continuous)
3. Simultaneous rotation and translation (i.e., placing the square on top of a dock object located
elsewhere in the window and rotated arbitrarily, in one smooth motion)
4. Transparency (continuous)
5. Colour (one of a discrete set of twelve colours)
6. Mark state (on or off; when on, the square has a thicker outline)
There are NO tools (e.g., toolbars or menus) in the system; all six functions must be implemented through
your input scheme.
Part 2. Analysing the characteristics of the tasks
Analyse the six manipulations that are required, and identify the characteristics of the tasks that will constrain
your input scheme. (One main characteristic is the number of degrees of freedom required by the
manipulation.)
Part 3. The input scheme
Design three different input schemes to allow the user to carry out the six manipulations. Your input devices
are limited to:
1. Standard keyboard
2. Standard three-button scroll wheel mouse
In addition, you may use other dimensions discussed in the readings (e.g., time and space) to augment the
degrees of freedom available in the physical input devices.
Your three schemes should not include any repeated input techniques if at all possible. You should attempt to
maintain a sense of consistency across the different manipulations within a scheme.
Develop prototypes that implement each of your three input schemes.
Part 4. The evaluation
Show your three schemes to another member of the class, and ask them to try out the manipulations with
some practice tasks. Based on these informal results and your own experience, analyse the three input
schemes on the following criteria:
1. Speed: how fast is the scheme?
2. Effort: how much work does the scheme require of the user?
3. Differentiability: can a user differentiate between the techniques within a scheme (i.e., can they
remember what technique does what manipulation)?
4. Memorability: can a user remember the scheme after learning it?
5. Naturalness and satisfaction: do users find the scheme intuitive and pleasant to use?
Part 5: The Report
Write a report on your investigation with the following sections:
1. Introduction (1/2 page max)
 Provide a short introduction to the problem you were solving.
2. Input scheme designs (2 pages max, plus figures)
 Describe each of your schemes and the techniques in each scheme; use terminology and diagram
notation from the readings to describe specific techniques.
 State why you designed the schemes in the way you did
3. Evaluation Results (1 page max)
 Report on your analysis, describing your findings for each scheme
 Compare the different schemes and indicate which parts are better or worse (and why)
4. Conclusions (1 page max)
 Discuss whether augmented input schemes can be successful, and in what situations.
 Consider the strengths and limitations of augmentation, and state the limits on successful use.
Format of the report:
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1-inch margins, single spaced text
All paragraph text in 12-point Times Roman
Headings in 12-point bold Arial or Helvetica
What to hand in
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A zipped project archive of your Processing-based system, including all instructions on how to run the
system
A PDF version of your report
Assessment
Marks will be given for producing a system that implements the capabilities listed above, for designing input
schemes that successfully carry out the manipulations and that provide appropriate and consistent access to
the needed capabilities, for carrying out a critical and careful evaluation of the system, and for writing a
careful, thorough, and insightful report on your investigation.