Method for categorizing, describing and modeling types of system users

Abstract

A method of designing a user interface based on a list of user qualities and interactions of users. The method includes categorizing the users into groups based on at least one of user characteristics, performance characteristics, behavioral characteristics, and cognitive workload. The method further including designing the interface based upon the categorized groups and on goals for the user interface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to modeling system users, and more specifically to modeling system users to aid in the design of user interfaces. 2. Description of the Related Art A user model is a representation of the set of behaviors that a user actually exhibits while performing a set of tasks. The purpose of user modeling is to build a model of the behaviors used when a user interacts with a system. For example, if the system the user interacts with is a computer system, then the interaction occurs primarily with the computer interface (i.e. keyboard, monitor, mouse, and sound). An interface design team may be assembled to gather information on users in order to design a user interface. If the interface design team is emphasizing performance, the behaviors and characteristics that emerge are items related to the expert user. The expert users usually can effectively articulate their suggestions and are normally interested in achi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method that accurately categorizes, describes, and models a user's behavior while interacting with a system.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for modeling types of system users that allows for the prediction of performance after the new user interface is operational.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for modeling system users that aids in designing an interface more familiar and comfortable to users because particular components of the interface will be better suited for their particular style.

The foregoing objects are achieved by the present invention that preferably comprises a method for modeling types of system users. Behaviors of a variety of types of users are categorized into two or more groups. Descriptions of the behaviors of each user group are created based on behaviors of selected users from each user group. Models are generated for the described behaviors of each user group. A user interface can then be designed using information from these models. The performance of the variety of types of users is improved when the interface is used by these users.

The present invention may also preferably comprise a method for modeling behaviors of interface users where the models are used to provide data for designing a system user interface. A list of user behaviors is created. Important behaviors based on the desired goals for the system user interface are identified. Data related to the important behaviors are obtained from a plurality of users. The data is graphed where the axises of the graph may be related to two or more important behaviors of the plurality of users. Clusters in the graphed data are identified, where the clusters represent groups of users with similar important behaviors. At least one user is selected from each user group. Additional data from the selected users is obtained, the additional data related to the selected users' behaviors. The selected users' behaviors are described based on analyzing the additional data. Models of said selected users' behaviors are created based on the descriptions of the selected users' behaviors. A user interface may be created using information from the models. The plurality of users' performance may be improved when using the user interface.

Problems solved by technology

The problem is, of course, that other types of users do not have the same behaviors and capabilities as these experts and, thus, their needs are not represented in the requirements gathering phase of the interface design.

If the interface is designed for the expert user, this leaves a high percentage of users where the interface is unsuitable or less than optimum.

However, having the novices' needs be dominant in the interface design phase is no better than permitting the experts' needs to be dominant.

Therefore, designing an interface just for the novice user may improve their performance, but may jeopardize overall performance of other users.

That is, the characterization of the users would be so broad, that the designers could not determine what interface options would make a difference in the users' performance.

Also, interface designs to meet these needs are not necessarily optimally beneficial to any one group of users.

This method of designing an interface for the composite or average user thus presents a substantial risk that very few users will be fully accommodated by the interface.

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