Context-Aware Lighting as an Immersive User Interface for Mediating Social Interactions

Evolving generations of user interfaces are inadvertently seeking for revolution in the way people interact with computers and computer-based systems. We witness the birth of a potpourri of shape-shifting, translucent user interface forms or wearable gadgetry that is not likely to be adopted any time soon. Instead of proposing a next generation of the user interface, we argue that new means of interfacing should be sought for usability problems of marginal size, but immense impact to work and living. In this paper we propose an approach that addresses subtle usability issues of software applications and systems with regard to social interactions. Our approach introduces a context-aware platform that uses lighting effects programmed specifically for each state of context. We exercise the use of this platform in several important social interaction situations, such as to prevent interruptions or attract attention. Key-Words: context-aware, light, availability, interruption, attract, user interface