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Research draft

user interface

vr.tr.user-interface · INF.MED

Let an agent handle user interfaces by type, design principles, accessibility, usability testing and safety.

Thing Registry Information and virtual systems

Research draft, second pass

A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.

written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify

Researched by: Claude

Purpose and description

Let an agent handle user interfaces by type, design principles, accessibility, usability testing and safety.

The means by which people interact with a machine, device or system, including software screens, voice and gesture interfaces, and physical controls such as buttons, handles and game controllers.

What it is for: Letting people operate systems effectively, safely and inclusively.

It can be design usable interfaces; check accessibility; test with users; avoid deceptive design.

Distinguishing features

Point of human-machine interaction

Digital or physical

Usability and accessibility matter

Design shapes behaviour

What it looks like

Screens, menus, buttons, knobs, touch surfaces and voice prompts.

How it is recognised

Graphical, voice and physical interfaces

Controls such as buttons and sliders

Handrails and barres in the registry are physical aids, loosely related

Related models

is a kind of - category

interface

is designed by - practice

interaction design

is evaluated by - method

usability testing

must meet - requirements

accessibility standards

In practice

Families and kinds

graphical user interfaces

command-line interfaces

voice and conversational interfaces

physical controls

game controllers

Standards and regulation

WCAG 2.2

ISO 9241 ergonomics of human-system interaction

EU Accessibility Act

Rules on dark patterns (e.g. EU Digital Services Act)

Failure modes and hazards

Inaccessible interfaces

Confusing controls causing errors

Deceptive dark patterns

Also called

bridge railingshandrailbarrepush-buttonPlayStation-style game controller buttondirectional buttonstrigger buttonsvolume buttonspedestrian crossing buttonturbo buttonface buttonanalog triggerclickable analog stickrequest stop push buttonpower buttonWPS buttondoor openerpressure-sensitive buttondigital buttonback buttonsSteam Controller buttonmacro buttontype of controller buttonNintendo-style game controller buttonXbox-style game controller buttondedicated streaming service buttoncapacitive touch analog stickreset buttonHook flashsoft keycomputer keytypewriter keyrotary dialmouse buttonshoulder buttonshutter buttonplacebo buttoneject buttonmute buttonpedal drive

+240

Where this came from

wikidata · CC0 1.0

Source repository Registry entry point

Drafted structure

Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.

Type Which interface.

Type shapes design.

Kind

Graphical, voice, physical.

Kind

Interface type.

  1. What kind of interface is it? definition
  2. Who are its users? definition

Controls

Elements.

Controls

Controls.

  1. Which controls does it use? definition
  2. Are they consistent with conventions? boundary
Usability Ease of use.

Usability must be tested.

Testing

With users.

Testing

Usability testing.

  1. Has the interface been tested with representative users? provenance
  2. What did testing find? provenance

Errors

Prevention.

Errors

Error prevention.

  1. How does the interface prevent and recover from errors? definition
  2. Are critical actions confirmed? boundary
Accessibility Inclusion.

Interfaces must be accessible.

Conformance

WCAG.

Conformance

Accessibility conformance.

  1. Does it meet WCAG or equivalent requirements? boundary
  2. Which level? measurement

Assistive tech

Compatibility.

Assistive

Assistive technology.

  1. Does it work with screen readers, switches and voice control? boundary
  2. Was it tested? provenance
Ethics Honest design.

Design should not deceive.

Dark patterns

Deception.

Dark patterns

Deceptive design.

  1. Does the interface use deceptive patterns? boundary
  2. Which rules prohibit them? provenance

Safety

Critical systems.

Safety

Safety-critical interfaces.

  1. Is the interface safety-critical, such as in medical or vehicle systems? boundary
  2. Which standards apply? provenance

What the second pass must settle

  • Should interface types be separate entries?
  • How should accessibility conformance be recorded?
  • How should physical aids be split off?
Draft as JSON