Clustering User Data for User Modelling in the GUIDE Multi-Modal Set-Top Box

Abstract

The EU GUIDE project is aimed at developing a research-based prototype of an inclusive and accessible set-top box running on conventional hardware. It utilises advanced user modelling and simulation in conjunction with a single layer interface that permits a wide range of input devices and modalities and output formats and modes. This paper addresses part of the research behind the development of an advanced user model in order to develop the software framework, namely the user profile clustering. A range of user centred design techniques, including focus group, survey and several iterative stages of design trials have been used overall to create the requirements specification for the technology framework under development. However, a key module is the inbuilt user model that allows the system to classify users on the basis of their impairment level, user interface (UI) behaviour, preferences and context. These profiles are pre-generated using an advanced cognitive, perceptual and movement simulation, using parameters clustered from the actual user data. This chapter examines the contextual background literature, briefly describes the inclusive user centred design process and shows how this process generated the data necessary for clustering for cognitive, perceptual and motor-impaired user modelling