George Bush

The Man-machine interface or interaction human-machine (IHM) studies the way in which the human ones interact with the computers or between them using computers, as well as the way of conceiving computing systems which are ergonomic, i.e. effective, easy to use or more generally adapted to their context of use.

Technologies

Although it can be wide with any method of control of a mechanism, it is a term which is mainly used in data processing. One made there the distinction between the graphic environments which are whole of drawings posted on a screen which make it possible to visualize what the made computer and IHM in Ligne of order.

There exists however much of other types of user interfaces. Thus, the first computers were used in the form of Batch processing: they were fed in entry by instructions encodées on perforated cards and provided the output data on printers. In Industrial data processing, the automats still are very often controlled by bays equipped with pushbuttons and indicators.

Paradigms of interfaces

One can observe that the IHM are disconnected more and more from the real implementation of the controlled mechanisms. In its article The myth off metaphor , Alan Cooper distinguishes three large Paradigme S from interface:

  • the technological paradigm : the interface reflects the way in which the controlled mechanism is built. Like shows it the electronic bay photograph, that led below to tools very powerful but intended for specialists who know how functions the machine to control.

  • the paradigm of the metaphor which allows mimer the behavior of the interface on that of an object of the everyday life and thus already controlled by the user. Example: concept of document.
  • the idiomatic paradigm which uses elements of interface to the stereotyped behavior, coherent and thus simple to learn but necessarily not copied on objects from the real life.

From an organic point of view, one can distinguish three type of IHM:

  • interfaces of acquisition: buttons, serrated rollers, joysticks…
  • interfaces of restitution: screens, LED' S witnesses, visible state of the system…
  • combined interfaces: touchscreens, orders with return of effort…

A link of a vaster situation

“It would be stupid to deny the importance of the effective communication between the man and the machine, as well as the reverse. My forecast is however that the true revolution of the next decades will come more still from what the men have to say via the machines ” (James Cannavino)

Plays like the Second World , Everquest or Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory , where several players evolve/move in total immersion in a common landscape, give an idea of the new relations which can set up realistic interfaces.

See too

References

  • Kolski, C. (2001), Analysis and design of the IHM: man-machine interaction for IF 1 , Paris: Hermes Science Publisher (Lavoisier). * Kolski, C. (2001), advanced Environments and evaluation of the IHM: man-machine interaction for IF 2 , Paris: Hermes Science Publisher (Lavoisier). * Baccino, T., et al. (2005), Measurement of the utilisability of the Interfaces , Paris: Hermes Science Publisher (Lavoisier).

Internal bonds

Gate of ergonomics

External bonds

  • Beaudouin-Lafon, Mr. 40 years of man-machine interaction: benchmarks and prospects. * The AFIHM (French-speaking Association of Man-machine Interaction)

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