Prototyping

Initial Interface Prototype

An initial draft of the user interface was created to help understand how users would interact with the software agent that forms the focal point of the space.


After various design phases a cubicle design enabling four users to use the i-browse simultaneously was decided upon. This was a compromise between having a focal point whilst maintaining the privacy of the individual users.

When users enter the cubicle zone an RFID tag installed in their student cards would identify the user to the software agent and load their personal settings. Users could also specify the level of information disclosed to the software agent and even choose to disable the agents access and just use the default i-browse agent.


When the user steps inside the cubicle the i-browse agent springs to life, ideally a hologram but could also work using conventional screens. In this instance the user is late for his lesson and doesn't know which room his class is in. i-browse utilizing the student profile held on the RFID Tag communicates with an advanced database system and automatically brings up a map displaying the students classroom and the directions on how to get there. Ideally such a system would be able to access a range of composable services on the University Intranet making the above scenario just one of many functions the i-browse could be used for.