A Study and Design of Alphabet Coding for the Chord Keyboard

• Main Authors: Tai-Yi Chou, 周太一
• Other Authors: Cherng-Yee Leung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/77708767960482323737

碩士 === 大同大學 === 工業設計學系(所) === 93 === The keyboard is the most common input tool of the computer. People have been complaining about the traditional QWERTY keyboard, and as a result new products like the chord keyboard were introduced. These newcomers have not been popular because users are required to learn to use them. Past literatures indicated that enhancement of input efficiency lies in users’ memorization of positions of the keys. This study, therefore, explores how to attain breakthroughs in memorization speed. The purpose of this study is to discuss how better coding approaches and the use small screen keyboards help operators in order to shorten the required learning time and operating time and reduce memory load. Following the pretest, as well as exploration of the impact of small screen keyboards and keyboard input approaches on memorization of the keyboard layout, the outcome indicates: Small screen keyboards can reduce users’ vision line movement and speed up memorization. In the area of coding, three types of approaches (English-alphabetical-order-based memory mode and finger dexterity; frequency of English alphabets and finger dexterity; QWERTY keyboard layout and finger dexterity) are tested in conjunction with switching between the right hand and the left hand. Experiment result indicate: In the area of memorization, the English-alphabetical-order-based memory mode entails the shortest time. In other words, it is the fastest way for users to memorize. In the area of key-in, frequency of English alphabets and finger dexterity entails the shortest time. When it comes to typing, input speed is the key. English-alphabet-appearance-frequency-based coding requires only 29% more (66.34 seconds) to reach the memory level of English-alphabetical-order-based coding. So the English-alphabet-appearance-frequency-based coding proposed in this study is a recommendable approach for chord coding. It is the objective of this study that outcomes of this study would serve as reference for future designers and make users more willing to use chord keyboards in order to reducing ergonomic injury.