Sang W. Hong

Usability of consumer electronic products

Abstract The concept of usability has been applied to the design and evaluation of software user interfaces in which user performance was the major issue for improvement. Recently, it is being applied to consumer electronic products because companies consider it an important key to their success. However, there is a difference in the concept of usability between the two applications. Unlike the software user interfaces, the image/impression felt by the users are as important as the performance for a consumer electronic product to be successful. It is therefore necessary to redefine the concept. Although a variety of new concepts have been suggested, there is no widely acceptable one. This study provides a new definition of usability applicable to the consumer electronic products. It defines the usability as the degree to which the users are satisfied with the product with respect to both the performance and the image/impression. In addition, it classifies dimensions that can explain various and complex aspects of the usability. The results of this study are expected to provide a framework for designing and evaluating the user interface of consumer electronic products. Relevance to industry This study presents the definition of usability of consumer electronic products and its dimensions. They can be used in the design and evaluation stages of a product development process. In addition, they would be helpful in understanding the user requirements systematically.

Incorporating user satisfaction into the look-and-feel of mobile phone design

The look-and-feel of the mobile phone was investigated using a consumer survey. Seventy-eight participants evaluated the design of 50 different mobile telephones on the perceived scale of image/impression characteristics, including: luxuriousness, simplicity, attractiveness, colourfulness, texture, delicacy, harmoniousness, salience, rigidity, and overall satisfaction. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate results. The results showed that the image and impression characteristics of the products were closely related to the human-product interface specifications as well as overall shape of the product. Design variables such as texture, use of surface curvature, surface treatment, operating sound, and control response ratio were perceived as important by customers. This study also suggested a series of statistical processes for selecting and screening the critical design variables closely related to the customers impression of a product. The product evaluation and analysis methods could be generalized to other consumer products.

Development of a systematic checklist for the human factors evaluation of the operator aiding system in a nuclear power plant

Abstract In the safety systems review of the Korean nuclear power plants, the Human Factors Program Plan for the OAS (Operator Aiding System) has been executed mainly by an expert review. The reviewers had to integrate all the relevant sources of information and make judgement based on their own criteria. Consistency and thoroughness of this process was always in question and a systematic approach to correct these problems was in need. The purpose of this work was to design a methodology for supporting an effective and efficient ergonomic evaluation of the user interface of the OAS. By collecting and systematically structuring all the critical considerations in the human factors review process, an ergonomic evaluation checklist for the CFMS (Critical Function Monitoring System) in an MCR (Main Control Room) was designed and implemented in this study. Application of the developed checklist was used during the licensing review process for the CFMS of the Ulchin unit 3&4. Efficiency and effectiveness of the human factors review process was enhanced significantly with the aid of the integrated checklist and the standardized evaluation format developed in this study. Relevance to industry Human factors review process is an integral component of the safety of a nuclear power plant. The methods and procedures developed in this study will provide valuable support for the enhancement of the safety and usability of the human interface of the nuclear power plant.

Selection and Classification of the Usability Attributes for Evaluating Consumer Electronic Products

Although the concept of usability has been well defined in the software usability engineering area, it is not appropriate to apply the same concept directly to the consumer electronic products. A new concept of usability appropriate for evaluating consumer electronic products was suggested in this study. It is characterized by integrating both the performance and impression factors. Based on the concept developed, specific usability attributes were defined and classified. In addition, the usability measures along with appropriate measurement techniques were also developed and classified to evaluate the usability attributes in an efficient and systematic manner. The results of this study can be used to evaluate the usability of consumer electronic products.

Optimal Balancing of Product Design Features: A Case Study on Mobile Phones

The design process to make a product that appeals to consumers should consider their various preferences (e.g. user satisfaction dimensions) simultaneously. That is, a key problem in product design is to select a set of optimal design values that would result in a product satisfying the various user satisfaction dimensions. This is one of the optimal balancing problems. However, it is very difficult for product designers to solve this optimal balancing problem in a quantitative manner. This study suggests a systematic method for solving these problems based on the multiple response surface (MRS) methodology and demonstrates the applicability of the proposed method through a case study on mobile phones. Three different optimal design settings for a total of 31 mobile phone design variables were analyzed and validated based on an optimization performance test and similarity test.

Developing character input methods for driver information systems

This study proposes a framework for developing an input method to enter characters into a driver information system (DIS). The framework consists of two phases. The first phase is a conceptual design phase that helps to create and design conceptual input methods and to conduct formative evaluation. The second phase is a detail design phase that helps to design detailed interfaces and interaction, and to select the most usable character input method. A case study is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the developed methodology and to find appropriate input methods for knob control. As a result, character input methods appropriate for knob control were developed, which were proved to work more effectively than an existing method.