ETH Zurich : Computer Science : Pervasive Computing : Distributed Systems : Education : DS FS2013

Distributed Systems Seminar FS2013

Interaction in Intelligent Environments: Non-Traditional Displays, Sensors, and Interaction Technologies
Tuesdays, 11:15 - 12:45, Room CAB H 52

Topic: Interaction in Intelligent Environments

Recent progress in sensor and wireless communication technologies as well as advancements in distributed and embedded systems have made intelligent environments more of a reality than a distant vision. We see more and more objects that are enhanced with sensing, computing and sometimes also display capabilities. These range from small appliances such as smart TVs, fridges or medical devices to larger, more complex structures such as cars, entire buildings, and transport infrastructure. As smart objects, mobile devices, and network infrastructure are getting integrated more and more seamlessly, a vast amount of information is available to and about users of intelligent environments. Traditional forms of interaction with digital information such as mouse and keyboard are unsuited in this context given the mobile, unstructured and varied nature of everyday interactions of humans in and with these environments. Furthermore, different types of data and hence data representations become important in this setting including 3D graphics and in particular information that is linked to the physical environment.

This seminar will provide an overview on the state of the art and the open research questions around interaction in intelligent environments. Of particular interest are technologies that allow interaction to expand from the screen, keyboard and mouse into our everyday life. Ultimately, all aspects of everyday life (e.g., explicit interactions such as gestures or implicit interactions such as temporal activities or location) can become the media of interaction. New kinds of user interfaces, whereby the user can interact with the computer in various ways (multi-modal interaction), will be discussed.

The first part of the seminar introduces the vision of intelligent environments and discusses specific topics such as pervasive displays and multi-user interactive systems. In the second part we will discuss mobile and projector-based augmented reality systems that directly embed visual information in our everyday environment. In the third part we will discuss technologies, algorithms and systems that enable sensing of human activities in such environments in novel ways. The next and biggest part is on emerging display technologies (such as stereoscopic, volumetric, transparent and flexible displays) that go beyond the flat, 2D desktop display. Topics in this block will also include interactive systems that make use of these emerging display technologies and allow for more direct and natural interaction with virtual information. The final block of topics will cover wearable computing platforms for interaction while the user is on the move.

Goal

Organization

The seminar consists of talks given by students on selected topics and discussions led by the instructors. A tentative schedule (still subject to changes) is provided below. A maximum of 10 students will be admitted to the seminar. Priority will be given to Master students who have sufficient background knowledge in the topic but the seminar is generally open to Bachelor and Doctoral students as well.

Seminar attendees select a specific topic within the broader context of current interaction research and prepare an oral presentation. As a starting point, the students are assigned 3-4 important papers in their topic but they have to collect complementary materials and compile them together. Oral presentations must be planned for 45 minutes. Each presentation will be followed by a technical discussion as well as a short feedback session on the quality/style of the presentation.

Each student also has to write a short essay on the selected topic. Essays must be composed using a given template and must be of length 5-8 pages (including figures, tables, and references). The essay is due in 3 weeks after the presentation. The quality of this essay will be evaluated and considered for the final grade. Essays should summarize and elaborate on the assigned topic while presentations should focus on one specific paper among those provided, as indicated by the instructor.

Each student will have a tutor (typically a research assistant of the Distributed Systems Group) assigned with whom they can discuss their papers in detail and receive preliminary feedback on their presentation and their essay.

The seminar will be held in English. Presentations and reports must be in English. Attendees are required to participate in all sessions.

A list of possible reading assigments is provided below.

Templates

Grading

• the quality of the presentation;
• the quality of the essay;
• participation in discussions and feedback sessions after each presentation.

Contact

For further information please contact Gabor Soros or Marian George.

Schedule

Reading list