Jinhae Choi

Designing Smartphone Keyboard for Elderly Users

This study aims to explore the cognitive perception by elderly users when using smartphone keyboard, and to discover the suitable design that achieves higher satisfaction and perceived usability performance.

Study on Behavioral Characteristics of 3D Touch in Smartphone

Objective:The objective of this study is to identify the difference in the press behavior characteristics of 3D Touch, which is a new touch interaction of smart phones, and the existing ‘Tap and Long Press’ touch interaction, and to examine behavior changes upon feedbacks. Background: Since 3D Touch is similar to the existing ‘Tap and Long Press’ touch interactions in terms of press behavior, which is likely to cause interference, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary study on behavior characteristics of touch interactions. Method: In utilization of smart phones with the 3D Touch function to measure press behavior characteristics of touch interaction, an experiment was conducted where 30 subjects were given a task to press 30 buttons of touch interactions on the screen. During the experiment, two press behavior characteristics―maximum touch pressure and press duration―were analyzed. To grasp changes in behaviors upon feedbacks, the task was carried out in a condition where there was no feedback and in a condition where there were feedbacks of specific critical values. Results: While there was no feedback given, subjects tended to press with much strength (318.98gf, 0.60sec) in the case of 3D Touch, and press the Long Press button for a while (157.12gf, 1.10sec) and press the Tap button with little strength only for a short moment (37.92gf, 0.10sec). 3D Touch and Long Press had an area of intersection in time, but when feedbacks of specific critical values were given, there were behavior calibration effects to adjust the press behavior characteristics of 3D Touch and Long Press. Conclusion: Although interferences are expected between 3D Touch and Long Press due to the similarity of press behaviors, feedbacks induce behavior calibration. Hence, once feedbacks were provided with 3D Touch operated in an appropriate condition of critical pressure, interference between two motions can be minimized. Application: The findings of this study are expected to be utilized as a basis for the values of optimal critical pressure, at which users can easily distinguish 3D Touch from Long Press which is the existing touch interaction.

Usability Evaluation of Touch Keyboard in Smart Watch Environment

Objective: This study aims to identify the most effective keyboard layout in the area of performance for securing usability in a smart watch-using environment and to verify the usability of touch keyboard calibrated by hand. Background: It is necessary to understand the environmental characteristics in using the smart watch and to secure the usability of touch keyboard based on this understanding in order to take account of the users who use the touch screen in the extreme input conditions caused by the small screen of a smart watch. Method: 30 participants in this study were required to input characters using the QWERTY keyboard and 3x4 keypad (Naratgul, Chunjiin), which were familiar with them, in order to grasp the keyboard layout suitable in the smart watch- using environment; the performance (error rate, performance time) of this case was measured. In addition, 30 participants in this study were required to input the characters setting the QWERTY keyboard with calibrated touch area and the one with uncalibrated touch area, based on the characteristics of touch behavior, by finger typing the keyboard, with the performance (error rate and performance time) of this case measured. Results: QWERTY keyboard (93.3sec) is found to be 31.2% faster than Naratgul keyboard, a kind of 3x4 keypad, and 43.6% faster than Chunjiin keyboard, in the area of efficiency, in the results of the usability evaluation regarding the keyboard layout. QWERTY keyboard with calibrated touch area (7.5%) is found to be 23.5% improved compared to the QWERTY keyboard with uncalibrated touch area (9.8%) in the area of accuracy (error rate). The results of the usability evaluation regarding the QWERTY keyboard with touch area calibrated by finger typing the keyboard and QWERTY keyboard with calibrated touch area (80.7sec) is found to be 5.7% improved compared to QWERTY keyboard with uncalibrated touch area (85.6sec) in the area of efficiency (performance time). Conclusion: QWERTY keyboard is found to have an effective layout in the area of efficiency in the smart watch-using environment, and its improved usability is verified in the areas of accuracy and efficiency in the QWERTY keyboard with a touch area calibrated by finger typing the keyboard. Application: The results of this study may be used to set up the basic touch keyboard of the smart watch. The input usability is expected to secure the smart watch-using environment, which is an extreme input condition by applying QWERTY keyboard with touch area calibrated by finger typing the keyboard.