Abstract
A formal framework for synthesizing interactive systems is outlined. A distinction is made between the functional ‘behaviour’ of a system, which is a description of everything that the user is permitted to do, and the ‘use’ of a system, which is what the user is likely to do. A way for capturing the use requirements of a system in terms of how ‘good’ is a given use is proposed and discussed as well as a way of describing interface specifications and terms of what user interfaces do rather than how they do it. The two aspects are related so that an analyst can judge whether changes in the interface model cause required improvements in the use of the system. Some of the implications of this approach are discussed and a comparison is made to other formal approaches in HCI.
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
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
G. D. Abowd and A. J. Dix. Integrating status and event phenomena in formal specifications of interactive systems. Softwate Engineering Notices, 19 (5): 44 – 52, 1994.
P. Barnard and J. May. Cognitive modelling for user requirements. In P. F. Byerley, Barnard P. J., and J. May, editors, Computers, Communications and Usability: Design issues, research and methods for integrated service, pages 101–145. Elsevier, 1993.
R. J. Butterworth and D. J. Cooke. Using temporal logic in the specification of reactive and interactive systems. In Formal Aspects of the Human Computer Interface. BCS-FACS, Springer Verlag, 1996.
S. Card, T. Moran, and A. Newell. The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc, 1983.
A. J. Dix. Formal Methods for Interactive Systems. Computers and People Series. Academic Press, 1991.
M. D. Harrison and D. J. Duke. A review of formalisms for describing interactive behaviour. In R. N. Taylor and C. Coutaz, editors, Software engineering and human-computer interaction (Lecture notes in computer science vol. 896), pages 49–75. Springer Verlag, 1995.
L. Lamport. The temporal logic of actions. ACM Transactions on Programming Languages and Systems, 16 (3): 872 - 923, 1994.
B. Sufrin and J. He. Specification, analysis and refinement of interactive processes. In Formal Methods in Human-Computer Interaction, Cambridge series on HCI, pages 153–199. Cambridge Uni. Press, 1990.
R. M. Young, T. R. G. Green, and T. Simon. Programmable user models for predictive evaluation of interface design. In K. Bice and C. H. Lewis, editors, Proceedings of CHI ’89: Human Factors in Computing Systems, pages 15–19. Accociation of computing machinery, 1989.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Springer-Verlag/Wien
About this paper
Cite this paper
Butterworth, R.J., Cooke, D.J. (1997). On biasing behaviour to the optimal. In: Harrison, M.D., Torres, J.C. (eds) Design, Specification and Verification of Interactive Systems ’97. Eurographics. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6878-3_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6878-3_19
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-83055-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-6878-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive