User Interfaces for a Complex Robotic Task: A Comparison of Tiled vs.
Overlapped Windows
User Interfaces for a Complex Robotic Task: A Comparison of Tiled vs.
Overlapped Windows
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Date
1998-11-20
Authors
Lane, J.Corde
Kuester, Steven P.
Shneiderman, Ben
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Abstract
High complexity tasks, such as remote teleoperation of robotic vehicles,
often require multiple windows. For these complex tasks, the windows necessary
for task completion, may occupy more area than available on a single visual
display unit (VDU). Since the focus of the robotic task constantly changes,
modular control panels that can be opened, closed, and moved on the screen are
invaluable to the operator. This study describes a specific robotic task and
the need for a multi-window interface that can be easily manipulated. This
paper examines two multi-window management strategies: tiled (fixed size) and
arbitrary overlap. Multi-window searches were performed using the two
management styles and they were compared on the basis of search completion
time and error rates. Results with 35 novice users showed faster completion
times for the tiled management strategy than for the arbitrary overlap
strategy. Other factors such as the number of windows available, the number
of displayed windows, workload of opening or closing windows, and effect of
learning are discussed.