CJO - Abstract - Creation of flexible graphical user interfaces through model composition

AI EDAM (2002), 16 : 173-184 Cambridge University Press

Copyright © 2002 Cambridge University Press

doi:10.1017/S0890060402163049

Published online by Cambridge University Press 15 Nov 2002

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AI EDAM (2002), 16:3:173-184 Cambridge University Press
Copyright © 2002 Cambridge University Press
doi:10.1017/S0890060402163049

Creation of flexible graphical user interfaces through model composition

B. RAPHAEL ^a1 ^c1, G. BHATNAGAR ^a2 and I.F.C. SMITH ^a1
^a1 IMAC, Applied Computing and Mechanics Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
^a2 Department of Computer Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016, India

Abstract

Nearly all software products have rigid and predefined interfaces. Users are usually unable to modify or customize features beyond cosmetic aspects. Interface adaptability is important because aspects such as user preferences and task sequences vary widely in engineering, even within specialized domains. A methodology for the creation of adaptable user interfaces using model composition is presented in this paper. User interfaces are generated dynamically through the composition of model fragments that are stored in a fragment library. When fragments are linked to models of physical behavior, interface model composition applications are likely to be easier to extend and maintain than traditional graphical user interfaces. A prototype system within the domain of bridge diagnosis illustrates the potential for practical applications.

(Received September 27 2001)
(Accepted March 28 2002)

Key Words: Graphical User Interfaces; Model Composition; Model-Based User Interfaces.

Correspondence:
^c1 Reprint requests to: B. Raphael, IMAC–Applied Computing and Mechanics Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. E-mail: Benny.Raphael@epfl.ch