Improving Touchscreen Keyboards:
Design issues and a comparison with other devices
Improving Touchscreen Keyboards:
Design issues and a comparison with other devices
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Date
1998-10-15
Authors
Sears, Andrew
Advisor
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Abstract
This study explored touchscreen keyboards using high
precision touchscreen strategies. Phase one evaluated
three possible monitor positions: 30, 45, and 75 degrees
from horizontal. Results indicate that the 75 degree
angle, approximately the standard monitor position,
resulted in more fatigue and lower preference ratings.
Phase two collected touch bias and key size data for the
30 degree angle. Subjects consistently touched below
targets, and touched to the left of targets on either side of
the screen. Using these data, a touchscreen keyboard
was designed. Phase three compared this keyboard with
a mouse activated keyboard, and the standard QWERTY
keyboard for typing relatively short strings of 6, 19, and
44 characters. Results indicate that users can type
approximately 25 words per minute with the touchscreen
keyboard, compared to 17 WPM using the mouse, and
58 WPM when using the keyboard. Possible
improvements to touchscreen keyboards are suggested.
(Also cross-referenced as CAR-TR-515)