Multidimensional tactons for non-visual information presentation in mobile devices

Brown, L.M., Brewster, S.A. and Purchase, H.C. (2006) Multidimensional tactons for non-visual information presentation in mobile devices. In: 8th conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services, Helsinki, Finland, 12-15 September 2006, pp. 231-238. ISBN 1595933905 (doi: 10.1145/1152215.1152265)

Abstract

Tactons are structured vibrotactile messages which can be used for non-visual information presentation when visual displays are limited, unavailable or inappropriate, such as in mobile phones and other mobile devices. Little is yet known about how to design them effectively. Previous studies have investigated the perception of Tactons which encode two dimensions of information using two different vibrotactile parameters (rhythm and roughness) and found recognition rates of around 70. When more dimensions of information are required it may be necessary to extend the parameter-space of these Tactons. Therefore this study investigates recognition rates for Tactons which encode a third dimension of information using spatial location. The results show that identification rate for three-parameter Tactons is just 48, but that this can be increased to 81 by reducing the number of values of one of the parameters. These results will aid designers to select suitable Tactons for use when designing mobile displays.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of ACM for your personal use. Not for redistribution.
• Keywords: non-visual interaction, tactile displays, tactile icons, tactons
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Purchase, Dr Helen and Brewster, Professor Stephen
• Authors: Brown, L.M., Brewster, S.A., and Purchase, H.C.
• Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science; Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Publisher: ACM Press
• ISBN: 1595933905
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 ACM Press
• First Published: First published in proceedings of 8th Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher