Abstract
We propose a normative approach to collaborative support system design in distributed tangible environments. Based on activity theory, our goal is to mediate rather than drive human activity and to integrate components from the physical, numerical and social environments. We propose an original architecture coupling a physical space (tools supporting human activity), a processing space (agent performing activity, be it human or artificial), an informational space (traces reflecting activity), and a normative space (filters regulating activity). We further consider collaboration as a conversational process grounded in the objects of the working space. To this end, tangible objects of various kinds are designed to support multi-threaded activity. Heterogeneous trace properties may then be fused to situate activity and ground the filtering process. Interface agents are designed to provide appropriate visual feedback and support mutual awareness. Beyond the mere sharing of individual or group activity, we approach awareness as involving mutual knowledge of the activity constraints. We show through simple examples from the RISK game the potential richness of the proposed approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Boella, G., van der Torre, L.V.N., Verhagen, H.: Introduction to normative multiagent systems. Comput. Math. Org. Theory. 12, 71–79 (2006)
Boissier, O., Balbo, F., Badeig, F.: Controlling multi-party interaction within normative multiagent organisations. In: Coordination, Organization, Institutions and Norms in Agent Systems VI (LNAI 6541). Springer, Heidelberg (2011)
Bourguin, G., Derycke, A., Tarby, J.: Beyond the interface: co-evolution inside interactive systems a proposal founded on activity theory. In: IHM-HCI 2001 Conference, People and Computer XV—Interactions Without Frontiers, pp. 297–310. Springer, Berlin (2001)
Clauzel, D., Sehaba, K., Prié, Y.: Enhancing synchronous collaboration by using interactive visualisation of modelled traces. Simul. Model. Pract. Theory. 19, 84–97 (2011)
Cole, M.: Cultural Psychology: A Once and Future Discipline. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (1996)
Dumazeau, C., Karsenty, L.: Communications distantes en situation de travail: favoriser l’établissement d’un contexte mutuellement partagé. Le travail humain 71, 225–252 (2008)
Engestrom, Y.: Developmental work research: reconstructing expertise through expansive learning. In: Nurminen M., Weir G., (eds.) Human Jobs and Computer Interfaces, pp. 265–290. Cambridge University Press, New York (1991)
Erickson, T., Kellogg, W.: Social translucence: using minimalist visualizations of social activity to support collective interaction. In: Höök, K., Benyon, D., Munroe A. (eds.) Designing Information Spaces: The Social Navigation Approach, pp. 17–41. Springer, London (2003)
Gâteau, B., Boissier, O., Khadraoui, D., Dubois, E.: Controlling an interactive game with a multi-agent based normative organizational model. In: Coordination, Organization, Institutions and Norms in Agent Systems Workshop (COIN) at the 17th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI), Italy (2006)
Greenberg, S.: Context as a dynamic construct. Hum. Comput. Interact. 16, 257–268 (2001)
Kraut, R.E., Fussell, R., Siegel, J.: Visual information as a conversational resource in collaborative physical tasks. Hum. Comput. Interact. 18, 13–49 (2003)
Kuutti, K.: Activity theory as a potential framework for human-computer interaction research. In: Nardi B. (eds.) Context and Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human Computer Interaction, pp. 17–44. MIT Press, Cambridge (1995)
Lepreux, S., Kubicki, S., Kolski, C., Caelen, J.: Distributed interactive surfaces using tangible and virtual objects. In: Workshop DUI 2011 Distributed User Interfaces, at CHI 2011, pp. 65–68, Canada (2011)
Lewandowski, A.: Vers de meilleurs supports aux activités coopératives en accord avec la co-évolution: application au développement logiciel coopératif. Ph.D. thesis, Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale (2006)
Nardi, B.: Activity theory and human-computer interaction. In: Nardi B. (eds.) Context and Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human-computer Interaction, pp. 69–103. MIT Press, Cambridge (1996)
Okuyama, F., Bordini, R., da Rocha Costa, A.: A distributed normative infrastructure for situated multi-agent organisations. In: 6th International Workshop on Declarative Agent Languages and Technologies (DALT) to held as part of AAMAS-2008 (2008)
Pape, J.A., Graham, T.C.: Coordination policies for tabletop gaming. In: Proceedings of the graphics interface poster, pp. 24–25 (2010)
Salembier, P., Zouinar, M.: Intelligibilité mutuelle et contexte partagé, Inspirations conceptuelles et réductions technologiques. Activités. 1, 64–85 (2004)
Shaer, O., Hornecker, E.: Tangible user interfaces: past, present and future directions. Hum. Comput. Interact. 3, 1–138 (2010)
Sire, S., Chatty, S.: Vers des interfaces à collaboration directe pour le travail de groupe. In: Proceedings of the GRESICO communication, société et internet, pp. 259–275 (1998)
Acknowledgments
Work supported by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) under grant IMAGIT—project ANR 2010 CORD 01701.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag London
About this paper
Cite this paper
Garbay, C., Badeig, F., Caelen, J. (2012). Supporting Collaborative Work in Socio-Physical Environments: A Normative Approach. In: Dugdale, J., Masclet, C., Grasso, M., Boujut, JF., Hassanaly, P. (eds) From Research to Practice in the Design of Cooperative Systems: Results and Open Challenges. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4093-1_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4093-1_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4092-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4093-1
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)