Research Focus
Technical advances allow us to use computers in an increasing number of usage contexts. Not only is the device variety increasing, but User Interfaces must adhere to the situation the device is used in, as well. For example, working with a cellular phone while riding the train is different to using it while walking through a crowded inner city. How should such a variety of user interfaces be developed - cost efficiently, consistent and adapted to the usage context at hand? We are convinced that this challenge for software engineering will become more urgent in the upcoming years.
Our group puts forward the use of model driven engineering techniques to address this challenge. Models - in contrast to traditional programming languages - allow a tighter interweaving of the various user interfaces created for different usage contexts. Therefore, the research area model driven interaction follows a holistic approach that considers user interface descriptions both in terms of layout and behavior. This tight integration is, in our eyes, necessary and able to address the upcoming diversity of user interfaces in Ubiquitous Computing scenarios. Our research focuses on the development of relevant models and necessary tools, to support this approach.
News
- 16.02.2010: The new website for our Mapache research platform is launched. Access it under: http://www.mapache-project.eu.
- 10.01.2010: A SoKNOS-related conference paper on our Domain Specific Language (DSL) to support Multi-UI development by Alexander Behring got accepted at Modellierung 2010
- 05.11.2009: A SoKNOS-related conference paper regarding multilateral data protection mechanisms was presented by Stefan Weber at INCoS 2009 (Paper-Database)
- 16.09.2009: We have a new group member (or interaction device ;): Andreas became dad of Valentin - congratulations!
- 26.08.2009: A SoKNOS-related conference paper regarding techniques for secure data sharing was presented by Stefan Weber at CONGRESS 2009 (Paper-Database)
- 28.01.2009: Two of the four demos visisted by chancelor Merkel at the IT Gipfel with TK-participation - one of them is SoKNOS (News Item)
Projects
An overview of the projects, the model driven interaction group participates in.
SoKNOS: Service-Orientierte ArchiteKturen zur Untersützung von Netzwerken im Rahmen Oeffentlicher Sicherheit
The SoKNOS project develops and evaluates concepts to support govermental agencies, organizations and companies to provide public security by enabling ad-hoc information sharing and process integration among all relevant actors in case of emergencies. Special emphasis is put on the human-computer-interaction in emergency scenarios and the use of novel interaction modalities.
emode - Enabling Model Transformation-Based Cost Efficient Adaptive Multi-modal User Interfaces
Emode aims at providing a more efficient software development process for multimodal applications. A model-driven approach is used to generate user interfaces semi-automatically for a variety of different devices and to integrate context information.
Mapache - Framework for Model Driven Development of User Interfaces
The Mapache framework developed in our group is a research platform for model driven development of user interfaces. Modeling concepts, such as dialogue refinement, as well as tool concepts, such as the Solverational transformation engine and the adaptation tools are building upon it. Mapache follows our vision of conjoint refinement of UI layout and behavior.
People
Group Leader
- Alexander Behring - Doctoral Researcher
Research Staff
- Andreas Petter - Doctoral Researcher
- Stefan Weber - Doctoral Researcher
Students
- Jannik Jochem - Semester project and Research Assistant
- Maryam Zadmajid - Diploma Thesis
- Mirsolav Zlatkov - Research Assistant
- Patrick Hock - Research Assistant
- Stefan Krepp - Research Assistant
Selected Publications
Behring, A.; Heinrich, M.; Winkler, M. & Dargie, W. (2007), 'Werkzeugunterstützte Modellierung multimodaler, adaptiver Benutzerschnittstellen', i-com - Zeitschrift für interaktive und kooperative Medien 6(3), 31-36.
... describes eMode and its results.
Behring, A.; Petter, A. & Mühlhäuser, M. (2009), Rapidly Modifying Multiple User Interfaces of one Application, in 'ICSOFT 2009', INSTICC Press, pp. 344 - 347.
... describes Mapache tools for dialogue refinement.
Petter, A.; Behring, A. & Mühlhäuser, M. (2009), Constraint Solving in Model Transformations, in Richard F. Paige, ed.,'International Conference on Model Transformation, ICMT 2009', Springer.
... describes the Solverational concept for model transformations.
Full list of our publications is available in our publication database.