AbstractsComputer Science

With the rise of pervasive computing, technology becomes increasingly embedded into our environments. As an effect, the number of available computing devices in our surroundings is increasing substantially. That is, a growing number of different device classes is at the user’s disposal. All these device classes potentially serve as pervasive displays that support users to perform all kinds of tasks. Possibilities based on direct interaction, such as touch, are limited regarding a number of aspects including user identification, accessing and sharing personal data. A versatile option to address these challenges is using mediated interaction techniques. Mediation in this context means the application of a device that negotiates and augments communication between a user and an interaction target (i.e. a pervasive display). For instance, handheld pointing devices allow users to bridge spatial distance in order to interact with a remote display. In the context of this thesis, a structured analysis of prior art was conducted. Based on this review of prior art, two general research goals were identified: (1) how to interact in pervasive interaction spaces using mobile mediated interaction, (2) what implication result from using mobile mediated techniques for co-located collaboration and data sharing and privacy management. Based on this work this thesis offers the following three contributions: This thesis contributes an anthropomorphic classification scheme for mobile mediated interaction, in order to allow a structured investigation of these techniques; as mobile mediated interaction techniques can be used in a great variety of spatial combinations in space. Furthermore, this thesis contributes novel mobile mediated techniques that extend interaction expressiveness for all spatial categories throughout the pervasive space. Finally, this thesis contributes a set of design patterns that are based on the findings and experiences gained throughout the work.