Ontology-Based User Modeling in an Augmented Audio Reality System for Museums

Abstract

Abstract. Ubiquitous computing is a challenging area that allows us to further our under-7 standing and techniques of context-aware and adaptive systems. Among the challenges is 8 the general problem of capturing the larger context in interaction from the perspective 9 of user modeling and human-computer interaction (HCI). The imperative to address this 10 issue is great considering the emergence of ubiquitous and mobile computing environments. 11This paper provides an account of our addressing the specific problem of supporting func-12 tionality as well as the experience design issues related to museum visits through user mod-13 eling in combination with an audio augmented reality and tangible user interface system. 14 This paper details our deployment and evaluation of ec (h) Introduction 25Fundamental to human-computer interaction (HCI) is the design of interactive 26 systems that support people's goals and respond to individual backgrounds. In 27 ubiquitous computing it is equally important to consider the influence of context 28 on people's interactions and experiences. The intent is, as Fischer argues "to say 29 the 'right' thing at the 'right' time in the 'right' way" (Fischer, 2001). A critical 30 factor in ubiquitous computing is that what is perceived as "right" is largely med-31 iated by the context within which the users find themselves. 32In the area of user-adapted interaction, user modeling has attempted to address 33 many issues related to HCI. Fischer provides a clear account of the successes and 34 * This paper has not been submitted elsewhere in identical or similar form, nor will it be during the first three months after its submission to UMUAI. is the general problem of capturing the larger context in interaction (see Fischer, 36 2001, pp. 80-81). The imperative to address this issue is great considering the 37 emergence of ubiquitous and mobile computing environments. This paper provides 38 an account of addressing the specific problem of supporting functionality as well 39 as the experience design issues related to museum visits through user modeling in 40 combination with an audio augmented reality and tangible user interface system. 41We developed and tested a museum guide prototype, known as ec(h)o in order 42 to research interaction design, user modeling, and adaptive information retrieval 43 approaches that respond to the richness of a museum visit and the museum con-44 text. 45Our aim is to support the limited input common to tangible user interfaces 46 while maintaining rich and adaptive information output via a three-dimensional 47 audio display. We believe an integrated modeling technique that is weighted toward 48 modeling of implicit communication works well with a tangible user interface in 49 creating a playful and discovery-rich experience. We believe this approach com-50 bined with ontologies and a rule-based system for information retrieval provides 51 a richness of information that is responsive to the context and unique aspects of 52 the museum visitor's interaction. 5...

Personalization in cultural heritage: the road travelled and the one ahead

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Experience Structuring Factors Affecting Learning in Family Visits to Museums

“…The Kurio system extends our own prior research on the use of adaptivity and tangible user interfaces within a museum environment in a project known as ec(h)o [1,2]. Museums and cultural heritage spaces have provided fertile ground for a number of projects investigating how to engage people with electronic guides or audio tours aimed at augmented information retrieval, novel museum visit interactions, and new approaches to learning in museums.…”

Non-intrusive Personalisation of the Museum Experience

“…For example, HyperAudio [3] dynamically adapted the presented content and hyperlinks to stereotypical assumptions about a user, and to what a user has already accessed and seems interested in. The augmented audio reality system for museums ec(h)o [4] treated user interests in a dynamic manner, and adapted its user model on the basis of a user's interactions with the system. The collected user modelling data were used to deliver personalised information associated with exhibits via audio display.…”