Effects of key size and key layout on numeric data entry performance with touch screens

Abstract

With advances in technology, the use of touch screen displays has become increasingly prevalent for mobile and kiosk devices to replace the use of separately built display and control designs. The advantages of using touch screens over traditional display monitors and keyboard controls can be attributed to their intuitive interface, saving of space and programmable nature. The feature of intuitive interfaces suggests that little prior training and teaching are required with enhancement of the overall system usability. Also, as the control device is always embedded in the touch screen display, it eliminates the requirement for a keyboard input. This can save space and as well improve the flexibility for system design. In fact, most touch screen interfaces are programmable with appropriate modification of application programs, underlying the feasibility of altering display parameters of touch screen displays, such as key size, spacing and layout in a rather simple manner. However, due to the confined and limited screen size, and resolution restrictions of touch screen displays, it is of utmost importance to optimize the aforementioned display parameters so as to improve the overall usability of touch screen devices.