Editing User interface (section)

== Terminology ==

[[File:Linux kernel INPUT OUPUT evdev gem USB framebuffer.svg|thumb|300px|A human–machine interface usually involves [[peripheral|peripheral hardware]] for the INPUT and for the OUTPUT. Often, there is an additional component implemented in software, like e.g. a [[graphical user interface]].]]

There is a difference between a user interface and an operator interface or a human–machine interface (HMI).

* The term "user interface" is often used in the context of (personal) computer systems and [[electronics|electronic devices]].
** Where a network of equipment or computers are interlinked through an MES (Manufacturing Execution System)-or Host to display information.
** A human–machine interface (HMI) is typically local to one machine or piece of equipment, and is the interface method between the human and the equipment/machine. An operator interface, on the other hand, is the interface method by which multiple pieces of equipment, linked by a host control system, are accessed or controlled.
** The system may expose several user interfaces to serve different kinds of users. For example, a [[digital library|computerized library database]] might provide two user interfaces, one for library patrons (limited set of functions, optimized for ease of use) and the other for library personnel (wide set of functions, optimized for efficiency).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The User Experience of Libraries: Serving The Common Good User Experience Magazine |url=https://uxpamagazine.org/the-user-experience-of-libraries/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=uxpamagazine.org|date=7 May 2017 }}</ref>
* The user interface of a [[Machine|mechanical]] system, a vehicle or an [[Industry (manufacturing)|industrial]] installation is sometimes referred to as the human–machine interface (HMI).<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Griffin, Ben|author2=Baston, Laurel|title=Interfaces|page=5|url=http://peace.saumag.edu/faculty/kardas/Courses/CS/Interfaces2007_files/Interfaces2007.ppt|access-date=7 June 2014|format=Presentation|quote=The user interface of a mechanical system, a vehicle or an industrial installation is sometimes referred to as the human–machine interface (HMI).|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714160915/http://peace.saumag.edu/faculty/kardas/Courses/CS/Interfaces2007_files/Interfaces2007.ppt|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> HMI is a modification of the original term MMI (man–machine interface).<ref name="Nigeria">{{cite journal|title=User Interface Design and Ergonomics|journal=Course Cit 811|page=19|url=http://www.nou.edu.ng/NOUN_OCL/pdf/SST/CIT%20811.pdf|access-date=7 June 2014|publisher=SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY|location=NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA|quote=In practice, the abbreviation MMI is still frequently used although some may claim that MMI stands for something different now.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234100/http://www.nou.edu.ng/NOUN_OCL/pdf/SST/CIT%20811.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> In practice, the abbreviation MMI is still frequently used<ref name="Nigeria"/> although some may claim that MMI stands for something different now.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}} Another abbreviation is HCI, but is more commonly used for [[human–computer interaction]].<ref name="Nigeria"/> Other terms used are operator interface console (OIC) and operator interface terminal (OIT).<ref>{{cite book|title=Recent advances in business administration|date=2010|publisher=Wseas|location=[S.l.]|isbn=978-960-474-161-8|page=190|chapter=Introduction Section|quote=Other terms used are operator interface console (OIC) and operator interface terminal (OIT)}}</ref> However it is abbreviated, the terms refer to the 'layer' that separates a human that is operating a machine from the machine itself.<ref name="Nigeria"/> Without a clean and usable interface, humans would not be able to interact with information systems.

In [[science fiction]], HMI is sometimes used to refer to what is better described as a [[direct neural interface]]. However, this latter usage is seeing increasing application in the real-life use of (medical) [[prostheses]]—the artificial extension that replaces a missing body part (e.g., [[cochlear implants]]).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cipriani|first1=Christian|last2=Segil|first2=Jacob|last3=Birdwell|first3=Jay|last4=Weir|first4=Richard|title=Dexterous control of a prosthetic hand using fine-wire intramuscular electrodes in targeted extrinsic muscles|journal=IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering|volume=22|issue=4|pages=828–36|doi=10.1109/TNSRE.2014.2301234|issn=1534-4320|quote=Neural co-activations are present that in turn generate significant EMG levels and hence unintended movements in the case of the present human machine interface (HMI).|year=2014|pmc=4501393|pmid=24760929}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Citi|first1=Luca|title=Development of a neural interface for the control of a robotic hand|date=2009|page=5|url=https://7c4745ab-a-cdf32725-s-sites.googlegroups.com/a/neurostat.mit.edu/lciti/publications_files/LCitiPhD.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7cpwRib4-7KUnST5NrulgpbLiT3r10hOeyap9QXEgv64E1VioXR7n1pQYsNBNMZggwnI2V4KbZLgxVeKLcOgxz4XfJFAkqvddyQUnGqn4Mm5iLq9vDR02cHmYi6ULrK8IxWK150SirIt9acjMFcDon0dbnRwgYicc-2GeKZZCqtflZc4ZhEBORg8AzWE31XDAgoFFAfNtUxTcNR8IcJlsM7NYCGxY4M3Vn8WY6bsO1MEuyYIjmU%3D&attredirects=0<!-- |chapter=Chapter 2 -->|access-date=7 June 2014|publisher=IMT Institute for Advanced Studies Lucca|location=Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy}}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In some circumstances, computers might observe the user and react according to their actions without specific commands. A means of [[positional tracking|tracking parts of the body]] is required, and sensors noting the position of the head, [[eye tracking|direction of gaze]] and so on have been used experimentally. This is particularly relevant to [[Immersive digital environment|immersive interfaces]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jordan|first1=Joel|title=Gaze Direction Analysis for the Investigation of Presence in Immersive Virtual Environments|page=5|url=http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/j.jordan/thesis-jj-2011.pdf|access-date=7 June 2014|publisher=Department of Computer Science|location=University of London|format=Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy|quote=The aim of this thesis is to investigate the idea that the direction of gaze may be used as a device to detect a sense-of-presence in Immersive Virtual Environments (IVE) in some contexts.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235740/http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/j.jordan/thesis-jj-2011.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Ravi|title=Introduction of HMI|url=http://ravi-softwares.blogspot.com/2009/08/introduction-of-hmi.html|access-date=7 June 2014|date=August 2009|quote=In some circumstance computers might observe the user, and react according to their actions without specific commands. A means of tracking parts of the body is required, and sensors noting the position of the head, direction of gaze and so on have been used experimentally. This is particularly relevant to immersive interfaces.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233957/http://ravi-softwares.blogspot.com/2009/08/introduction-of-hmi.html|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>