An evaluation of one-handed techniques for multiple-target selection

ABSTRACT

Recent research has revealed that a large population of mobile users usually use one hand when interacting with mobile devices. However, very few techniques have been developed to support multiple-target selection. In this paper, we introduce Burst and ZoomTap, two techniques that aim to facilitate accurate and fast multiple-target acquisition with one-handed thumb operation on touch-based mobile devices. We compare our two techniques to Shift in a controlled experiment. The results show that for multiple-target selection, Burst and ZoomTap can outperform Shift; also according to the questionnaire, participants prefer Burst and ZoomTap to Shift.

REFERENCES

• 1: Patrick Baudisch , Alexander Zotov , Edward Cutrell , Ken Hinckley, Starburst: a target expansion algorithm for non-uniform target distributions, Proceedings of the working conference on Advanced visual interfaces, May 28-30, 2008, Napoli, Italy [doi>10.1145/1385569.1385592]
• 2: Karlson, A. K., Bederson, B. B. and Contreras-Vidal, J. L. 2006. Understanding Single-Handed Mobile Device Interaction. Tech report HCIL-2006-02, Computer Science Dept, University of Maryland.
• 3: Sachi Mizobuchi , Michiaki Yasumura, Tapping vs. circling selections on pen-based devices: evidence for different performance-shaping factors, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, p.607-614, April 24-29, 2004, Vienna, Austria [doi>10.1145/985692.985769]
• 4: Keith B. Perry , Juan Pablo Hourcade, Evaluating one handed thumb tapping on mobile touchscreen devices, Proceedings of graphics interface 2008, May 28-30, 2008, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
• 5: Anne Roudaut , Stéphane Huot , Eric Lecolinet, TapTap and MagStick: improving one-handed target acquisition on small touch-screens, Proceedings of the working conference on Advanced visual interfaces, May 28-30, 2008, Napoli, Italy [doi>10.1145/1385569.1385594]
• 6: Daniel Vogel , Patrick Baudisch, Shift: a technique for operating pen-based interfaces using touch, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, April 28-May 03, 2007, San Jose, California, USA [doi>10.1145/1240624.1240727]
• 7: Koji Yatani , Kurt Partridge , Marshall Bern , Mark W. Newman, Escape: a target selection technique using visually-cued gestures, Proceeding of the twenty-sixth annual SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, April 05-10, 2008, Florence, Italy [doi>10.1145/1357054.1357104]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Input devices and strategies (e.g., mouse, touchscreen)

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
input technique, mobile devices, multiple target selection, one-handed interaction, touchscreens