Romanian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

5-11

Authors: Sofia Morar, Elena Pelican, Dorin-Mircea Popovici

Filter application on facial features is a rather new field and it has quickly become essential in all the social network applications. Fast and accurate filter application is still a field to be explored. In this paper, an automatic application of filters of different makeup products (lipstick and blush) is developed on the facial features of interest (lips and cheeks). Facial features are recognized and extracted with the help of a Machine Learning API (Application Programming Interface), Google Mobile Vision API. The application of the filters is developed using Bezier curves and the basic principles of graphics for the correct rendering of layers. The application of the filters is developed in an iOS App, with two functionalities, application on a picture, as well as in real-time through the phone’s camera, where we also use a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in order to recognize the user’s face, which introduces us into the field of Augmented Reality (AR) and Deep Learning.

18-23

Authors: Mirela Chitaniuc, Bianca Miron, Adrian Iftene

Augmented reality is used today in many different domains with important benefits for the end users. They are helped to understand the concepts better or to do simple things guided by augmented information presented like texts, images, audios or videos. In this paper we present an augmented reality application created to help the user identify fast the existing ingredients in a fridge and then choose a recipe which can be prepared with these ingredients. The application also provides the necessary steps to prepare this recipe and suggestive images which can help the user during the preparation process.

30-33

Authors: Maria Gheorghe-Moisii, Marilena Ianculescu, Costin Pribeanu

In the last years, software applications for medical care, including the guided self-management of medication, have known a continuous expansion. As such, there is a growing interest in the usability of these applications. A typical category of patients that need support for the self-management of medication and life style are the diabetics. This paper aims to present three case studies of usability evaluation of web-based applications for diabetes care. The evaluation results revealed several important usability problems that are mainly related to the user guidance and user effort.

38-41

Authors: Paul Ștefan Popescu, Marian Cristian Mihaescu, Dragoș Daniel Iordache, Costin Pribeanu

Currently, e-learning platforms are increasingly used tools in universities to easily and efficiently achieve the proposed educational goals. Students and teachers can choose from a variety of learning platforms that differ both in structure, function and facilities they offer. Under these conditions, usable platforms have much greater chances to be integrated into longer-lasting educational activities than less usable ones. This paper presents the evaluation of the usability of the Tesys e-learning platform developed at the University of Craiova. The results of the evaluation revealed several important usability problems that have to be fixed.

46-53

Authors: Tools and resources for Romanian text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications

In this paper we introduce a set of resources and tools aimed at providing support for natural language processing, text-to-speech synthesis and speech recognition for Romanian. While the tools are general purpose and can be used for any language (we successfully trained our system for more than 50 languages), the resources are only relevant for Romanian language processing

63-70

Authors: Andrei Mardale, Gabriel Gutu-Robu, Mihai Dascălu, Ștefan Trăușan-Matu

With the increased need of communication, Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning has gained a broader attention within the last years. Thus, the necessity of using chat applications emerged; however, most solutions lack the integration of Natural Language Processing (NLP) services in order to provide support and guidance, while discussing. Our novel application Talk is integrated within the ReaderBench framework and is defined by three main features: asynchronous messages specific to chats, automated bots for enhancing participants’ involvement and interactions, as well as the usage of advanced NLP functionalities for a posteriori evaluations. ReaderBench Talk communicates with the framework through a dedicated endpoint built within the ReaderBench API. As preliminary validation, two assignments were given to students from our faculty. Overall, students were able to solve the tasks without encountering critical bugs and they also provided valuable feedback. Their feedback revealed the usefulness of the application, its ease of use, the persistency of data, and the quality of the NLP services. The feedback also helped identify issues, which were mainly related to the user interface and to the communication with the server.

76-83

Authors: Constantin Ioan Nandra, Dorian Gorgan

The aim of this paper is to present a workflow editor application meant to facilitate the description of parallelizable Earth Data processing algorithms. The application was developed as part of the BigEarth project, whose overall aim was to improve the execution time of large Earth Observation data sets by spreading the processing effort over a distributed, high-performance computing network. To achieve a simple and flexible manner of partitioning the parallel parts of the algorithms between different processing nodes, we chose to represent them using a simple, workflow-based model. Since one of the main purposes of the project was to provide a simple and intuitive way of creating algorithms descriptions, we chose to implement a Domain Specific Language coupled with a visual workflow representation used for providing feedback. Throughout this paper, we will be demonstrating the use of the workflow editor together with the description language in order to define and execute distributed data processing algorithms. We will be highlighting the effectiveness of the application as a means of providing processing algorithms by analyzing its behavior under various stress tests.

91-98

Authors: Irina Popovici, Radu-Daniel Vatavu

We explore in this work users’ perceived workload, desirability, and usability of selecting mid-air targets representing TV menu options anchored to physical loci in 3-D space. Toward this end, we introduce a gesture-based selection technique and a spatial user interface for Smart TVs that consists of shortcuts to TV channels located in mid-air in front of the user’s body. Target selection is implemented with pointing and hand gestures recognized with the Myo armband. Ten participants evaluated our prototype and were elicited for feedback. We report empirical results about perceived usability (SUS=77.8), desirability (high frequency of positive connotation words),and workload (TLX=43.9) of our gesture-based selection technique and spatial user interface and discuss future work directions.

107-110

Authors: Catalin Diaconescu, Dragos-Florin Sburlan, Dorin-Mircea Popovici

Our paper proposes an in-vehicle interactive environment that facilitates driver to interact with a computer-based (multimedia) system through intentional gestures. To this end we used two complementary gesture detection technologies, Leap motion responsible for user gesture detection, and Myo as a second interaction device that gives the driver the possibility to switch between launched applications and supplementary controls. Based on preliminary results of the usability test we conducted for our solution, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using two different gesture recognition technologies for in-vehicle interactive environments. We conclude by the main issues we identify until now and some future directions of our efforts.

119-126

Authors: Al-Doori Rami, Bianca-Cerasela-Zelia Blaga, Dorian Gorgan

This paper proposes an implementation of a multiplayer war game using Unity Game Engine and explores all the basic steps of development, starting from planning until getting a product, and evaluating by usability heuristics. The development steps contain a method to build a functional avatar of tank module with a synchronized movement of the turret and the gun.

135-140

Authors: Daniel Ciugurean, Bogdan Maxim, Dorian Gorgan

In this paper, we explore the impact of the most common building blocks of game AI systems on player experience. We conduct an extensive survey of the most common techniques applied in practice, and then analyze their individual and combined impact on player experience. Next, we argue that a systemic AI that guides the player adversary on a macro level, raises the replay value that keeps the users engaged and enhances the overall player experience. We observe player behavior through a series of playtesting sessions on an AI-based game prototype, with variations on each AI subsystem. Finally, we provide an analysis of our results.

147-154

Authors: Adriana-Mihaela Guran, Grigoreta-Sofia Cojocar, Anamaria Moldovan

The children of today are born and grow up in a landscape immersed by technology. The research on the jobs of the future shows that 90% of them will need digital skills. Romania, in the context of European Union, ranks on the 28th position out of 28 countries based on the digital skills of its population, even though the IT industry is very well developed. Interventions must be done to improve the level of digital skills of Romanian children. The schools have already included in their curricula ICT (Information and Communication Technology) classes, but we consider that we should also focus on helping preschool children acquire the basic digital skills. It should be done using an integrated approach that refers to interaction with technology and the corresponding content. In this paper we present our initiative on developing interactive products that can be used in kindergarten, a formal education environment, as part of Human-Computer Interaction undergraduate course.

159-166

Authors: Bianca-Cerasela-Zelia Blaga, Selma Evelyn Cătălina Goga, Al-Doori Rami, Dorian Gorga

The evaluation of the interface of a video game is essential for its development. In this paper, a heuristic evaluation is proposed, from the perspective of an interactive application. The goal is to estimate the level of usability. The game is tested by evaluators who follow a series of scenarios and relevant actions, with the purpose of answering questions that can determine if it respects the usability requirements. Specific evaluation criteria are established, and solutions are proposed for the found problems.

175-180

Authors: Corina Bianca Alb, Dorian Gorgan

In this sample paper you can find information regarding the study of human interaction with a computer application that manipulates massive amount of information in real-time. Here are discussed the matters of assuring high performance and responsiveness of the system when interacting with a human user. It is also presents a way to establish efficient communication between entities that form crowds and the user input: how to apply external forces to dynamic entities.