Otmar Hilliges: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2014

Name Prof. Dr. Otmar Hilliges
Name variantsOtmar Hilliges
FieldComputer Science
Address
Professur für Informatik
ETH Zürich, STD H 24
Stampfenbachstrasse 48
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 39 56
E-mailotmar.hilliges@inf.ethz.ch
URLhttp://people.inf.ethz.ch/otmarh
DepartmentComputer Science
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
252-3110-00LHuman Computer Interaction Information 4 credits2V + 1UO. Hilliges, M. Norrie, M. Nebeling
AbstractThe course provides an introduction to the field of human-computer interaction, emphasising the central role of the user in system design. Through detailed case studies, students will be introduced to different methods used to analyse the user experience and shown how these can inform the design of new interfaces, systems and technologies.
ObjectiveThe goal of the course is that students should understand the principles of user-centred design and be able to apply these in practice.
ContentThe course will introduce students to various methods of analysing the user experience, showing how these can be used at different stages of system development from requirements analysis through to usability testing. Students will get experience of designing and carrying out user studies as well as analysing results. The course will also cover the basic principles of interaction design. Practical exercises related to touch and gesture-based interaction will be used to reinforce the concepts introduced in the lecture. To get students to further think beyond traditional system design, we will discuss issues related to ambient information and awareness.
263-3700-00LUser Interface Engineering Information
Does not take place this semester.
The course will be offered again in the spring semester 2015.
4 credits2V + 1UO. Hilliges
AbstractAn in-depth introduction to the core concepts of user interface engineering such as input/output devices and algorithms to process human input into computing systems, principles of human perception and cognition. Current topics in UI design, in particular post-desktop interaction, mobile device interaction, augmented and mixed reality, and advanced sensor and output technologies.
ObjectiveStudents will learn about various methods to design, implement and evaluate human-computer interfaces. They will learn about the methodological differences and will learn how to choose appropriate techniques in different contexts. A fundamental understanding of human centered system design will be acquired. A particular focus is put on developing an understanding of underlying, fundamental technologies for input and output of data. Furthermore students will learn algorithms to process and interpret human input into modern computing systems.

Of particular interest will be emerging input technologies to detect touch input and input techniques and devices for mixed and augmented reality systems as well as for gestural interaction. At the end of the course students should be able to understand and apply advanced hardware and software technologies to sense and interpret user input. Students will be able to develop systems that incorporate non-standard and emerging sensor and display technologies.
ContentUser Interface Engineering covers theoretical and practical aspects relating to the design and implementation of graphical user interfaces for the traditional desktop computer and modern non-standard computing devices. This includes a thorough understanding of user interface software tools, such as windowing systems, toolkits, and user interface development environments. A particular area of interest are user interface software and technologies for advanced non-desktop user interfaces, including UIs for mobile devices but also Augmented Reality UIs, gesture and speech based user interfaces.

The course covers methodologies for human centered design of interactive systems, their implementation and evaluation. Furthermore the course introduces students to fundamental aspects of hardware for user input and output as well as important algorithms and techniques to process low-level sensor data, make sense out of noisy data and to interpret human input into computing systems.

Specific topics include:

* Fundamentals of Human-Computer Interaction and brief overview of human perception.
* Introduction to task analysis and functional design of the user interface.
* Basic principles of computer graphics used in UI implementation.
* Interaction techniques, styles and metaphors; overview of the design space.
* Input and output devices, sensing technologies (capacitive, resistive, force sensing etc).
* Practical aspects of camera based user input, including image processing and computer vision algorithms.
* Algorithms to interpret and resolve ambiguities in noisy sensor data and to extract high-level user intent.
* Techniques and algorithms for gesture recognition.
* Tools and techniques for the design, implementation and analysis of interactive systems.
Lecture notesSlides and other materials will be available online. Lecture slides on a particular topic will typically not be made available prior the completion of that lecture.
LiteratureA detailed reading list will be made available online.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: proficiency in a programming language such as C, programming methodology and style, problem analysis, program structure, algorithm analysis, data abstraction, and dynamic data. Normally met through an introductory course in programming in C, C++, Java.

The courses on "Human Computer Interaction" and "Visual Computing" are recommended but not required.

The course will be assessed by a 2 hour written examination in English. No course materials or electronic devices can be used during the examination. Note that the examination will be based on the contents of the lectures, the associated reading materials and the exercises.