Abstract

One of the main goals of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is to improve the interface between users and computers: interfacing should be effortless and easy to learn. In this thesis, we pursue this goal, aiming to reduce the stress of users and increase their wellbeing. We work on two different but complementary approaches: (i) Automatic assessment of user’s inner psychological state, so as to enhance computer-human interaction; and (ii) Information presentation in a comprehensive manner, with no stress added by devices and applications when delivering information. Not only computers should understand their users, but also users should easily understand the information given by computers. For the first approach we collected physiological and psychological data from people exposed to emotional stimuli. We created a database, and made it freely available to the community, for further use in research on automated detection of the differences in the inner states of users. We employed the data for predicting both the emotional state of users and their personality traits. For the second approach, we investigated two devices that intend to provide comprehensible feedback easily. First we discuss how to utilize a breathing sensor that informs its users on their current physiological state and on how to decrease the stress in daily life by adapting their breathing patterns. Here we investigated general criteria on how to develop systems that are easily understandable. The second device was a tactile belt. We analyze the belt as a solution that provides comprehensive guidance information in navigation contexts, and that does not require cognitive effort. The belt uses localized tactile stimulation to transmit directional information. By employing the tactile sense it can augment or even replace the information normally received through eyes and ears. Finally, we discuss opportunities for future applications of our research, and conclude with a summary of our contributions to HCI: transmitting information from humans to machines and vice versa.