Touchscreen Interfaces for flexible alphanumeric data entry
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Abstract
Touchscreens have been demonstrated as useful for many applications.
Although a traditional mechanical keyboard is the device of choice
when entering alphanumeric data, it may not be optimal when only
limited data must be entered, or when the keyboard layout, character
set, or size may be changed. A series of experiments has demonstrated
the usability of touchscreen keyboards. The first study indicated
that users who type 58 wpm on a traditional keyboard can type 25 wpm
using a touchscreen and that the traditional monitor position is suboptimal
for touchscreen use. A second study reported on typing rates for
keyboards of various sizes (from 6.8 to 24.6 cm wide). Novices typed
approximately 10 wpm on the smallest and 20 wpm on the largest of the
keyboards. Users experienced with touchscreen keyboards typed 21wpm on the
smallest and 32 wpm on the largest. We then report on a recent study
done with more representative users and more difficult tasks.
Thirteen cashiers were recruited for this study and were required to
complete ten trials in which they typed names and addresses with punctuation.
Results indicate that the users improved rapidly from 9.5 wpm on the
first trial to 13.8 wpm on the last trial, reaching their fastest
performance after only 25 minutes. Although custom interfaces will
be preferred for special types of data (e.g. telephone numbers, times,
dates, colors) there will always be situations when limited quantities
of text must be entered. In these situations a touchscreen keyboard
can be used.
(Also cross-referenced as CAR-TR-585)