Ergonomic aspects of aircraft keyboard design: the effects of gloves and sensory feedback on keying performance

Increasing requirements for aircraft keyboards have indicated inadequacies in ergonomic standards for airborne environments, in particular for tasks involving unskilled, discontinuous data entry, with emphasis on accuracy rather than speed. Four experiments are reported from a programme of research aimed at the development and application of methodologies for assessing factors relevant to keyboard design. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the effects of various aircrew gloves on a representative aircraft data entry task are highly situation specific. Experiment 2 showed that gloves impaired performance on a high compatibility continuous keying task, with relatively high keying rates, and that this impairment was not reduced by additional auditory feedback. Experiment 3 demonstrated that the high compatibility keying task provided a successful methodology for investigating the effects of key displacement and resistance on speed and accuracy. Experiment 4 indicated the relative contributions of reduced tactility and mobility to the effects on keying and manipulative performance caused by aircrew gloves. Together, these experiments suggest that kinaesthetic and tactile feedback associated with keying are relatively unaffected by aircrew gloves, and that restrictions on mobility caused by gloves may be more important for continuous data entry involving relatively high keying rates     

An Extended Comparison of Telephone Keying and Dialling Performance

Abstract

The results of a 2y extended experiment on keying and dialling are presented. The experiment was designed to investigate the relative error rates on push-button telephones (keyphones) and dial telephones, and the variation in the error rates as users became more experienced.

Seventy office workers, who were due to have 12-button keyphones installed, and a control group of 20 dial telephone users took part. Their performance was assessed on 11 occasions during the 2 y period, ft was found that the time taken to key numbers (all seven digits long) did not vary significantly between tests. The keying error rate exceeded the dialling error rate throughout the experiment. The keying error rate was related to the amount of keying experience, decreasing during the first 20 weeks of the study and then levelling off. An exponential curve was found to be a good fit to the keying error data. The dialling error rate did not vary significantly during the experiment. The distribution of different types of error and the number of self-detected errors did not vary with experience. Subjects aged fifty years or older made more errors than younger subjects.

It is concluded that, even when performance has stabilised after the learning period, keying errors occur more frequently than dialling errors. The impact of this increase in error rate may be reduced by the introduction of new keyphone designs and an increase in the use of repertory diallers.     

A comparative evaluation of the wearable augmented reality-based data presentation interface and traditional methods for data entry tasks

Data entry is a ubiquitous task performed in today's offices. Persistent data entry is linked with high workload and fatigue due to poor ergonomic workplace design and poor posture. This study aims to alleviate data entry operators' workload and improve data entry performance by applying wearable augmented reality (AR) technology to data entry tasks. An AR-based interface was developed and used to present data to the participants, who entered the data in web-based data entry forms. A total of eighteen participants performed data entry tasks to evaluate the AR interface with traditional methods – extra desktop monitor and paper-based data presentation methods. Each method's performance was judged on the task completion time, typing error rate, workload, and usability. The usability and overall perceived workload while using an AR interface for data entry were similar to the traditional way of using paper, despite the additional burden due to the weight of the AR headset. AR interface did not perform better than the extra desktop monitor interface for usability and overall perceived workload. The results from this study can be utilized to design AR devices that are suited for data entry tasks.     

The effects of data entry error: an analysis of partial verification

Modern data entry technology has greatly reduced entry errors by building quality control mechanisms such as cross-field and range edits directly into data entry programs. In many application areas the increased accuracy of modern data entry techniques has made 100% verification unnecessary to assure high standards of data quality. Verification of randomly selected forms combined with 100% verification of critical fields provides a cost efficient alternative to 100% verification of all fields. This paper analyzes the effects of data entry error on study findings and provides a basis for designing a partial verification scheme for achieving quality control goals in a cost efficient manner.     

Suggest a format for intelligence control and structure of holographic data storage system

Data storage related with writing and retrieving requires high storage capacity, fast transfer rate and less access time. Today any data storage system cannot satisfy all of these conditions, however holographic data storage system (HDSS) can perform faster data transfer rate because it is a page oriented memory system using volume hologram in writing and retrieving data. System can be constructed without mechanically actuating part therefore fast data transfer rate and high storage capacity about 1Tb/cm3 can be realized. In this research, to reduce errors of binary data stored in HDSS, a new method for bit error reduction is suggested. Firstly, find fuzzy rule using test bed system for Element of Holographic Digital Data System and make fuzzy rule table using subtractive clustering algorithm and genetic algorithm and Reduce prior error element and recording digital data. Secondly, Reduce prior error element and recording digital data using the particle filter method. Finally, Recording ratio and reconstruction ratio show good performance and we suggest intelligence control method and filter method. Our format table include intelligence control algorithm and filter method.     

Speed–accuracy tradeoffs in specialized keyboards

Patients with locked-in syndrome are perceptually and cognitively aware of their environment but are unable to speak and have very limited motor capabilities. These patients frequently use a virtual keyboard with a cursor that moves over different items. The user triggers a selector when the cursor is over the desired item. For text entry such a method is excruciatingly slow, but is critical for patients who otherwise cannot communicate. We show how such keyboards can be optimally designed to maximize text entry speed while simultaneously controlling the entry error rate. The described method quantifies how different factors in keyboard design influence both entry speed and accuracy and demonstrates that different keyboard designs can greatly alter the efficiency of keyboard use. For a given text corpus and allowable average entry error proportion, the method identifies the cursor duration and character layout that minimizes average entry time. The method can easily be adapted to a variety of keyboard designs and selection devices and thereby improve the communication of locked-in syndrome patients.     

A new efficient error control algorithm for wireless sensor networks in smart grid

Error detection and correction is an important issue in the design and maintenance of a smart grid communication network to provide reliable communication between sender and receiver. Various error-control coding techniques are employed to reduce bit error rates (BER) in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The performance of these techniques is also compared and evaluated to find the most suitable technique for WSNs. This is the first study to compare the most efficient coding techniques in the smart grid environment, and it suggests a new error correction algorithm based on this comparison result. Therefore, this article first examines and compares two forward error control (FEC) coding techniques such as Bose-Chaudhuri-Hochquenghem code (BCH) and Reed Solomon code (RS) with various modulation methods including frequency shift keying (FSK), offset quadrature phase-shift keying (OQPSK), and differential phase shift keying (DPSK) in a 500 kV line-of-sight (LoS) substation smart grid environment. Second, as a result of this comparison, a new adaptive error control (AEC) algorithm is proposed. Adaptive error control adaptively changes error correction code (ECC) based on the channel behavior that is observed through the packet error rate (PER) in the recent previous transmissions. The link-quality-aware capacitated minimum hop spanning tree (LQ-CMST) algorithm and the multi-channel scheduling algorithm are used for data transmission over the log-normal channel. Therefore, the performance of compared coding techniques and AEC are also evaluated when multiple channels are used during transmission. Further, AEC is compared with static RS and without-FEC methods based on performance metrics such as the throughput, BER, and delay in different smart grid environments, e.g., 500 kV Substation (LoS), underground network transformer vaults (UTV) (LoS), and main power control room (MPR) (LoS). Our simulation results indicate that the proposed AEC algorithm achieves better performances than all those techniques.     

Investigating touchscreen typing: the effect of keyboard size on typing speed

Two studies investigated the effect keyboard size has on typing speed and error rates for touchscreen keyboards using the lift-off strategy. A cursor appeared when users touched the screen and a key was selected when they lifted their finger from the screen. Four keyboard sizes were investigated ranging from 24.6 cm to 6.8 cm wide. Results indicate that novices can type approximately 10 words per minute (WPM) on the smallest keyboard and 20 WPM on the largest. Experienced users improved to 21 WPM on the smallest keyboard and 32 WPM on the largest. These results indicate that, although slower, small touchscreen keyboards can be used for limited data entry when the presence of a regular keyboard is not practical. Applications include portable pocket-sized or palmtop computers, messaging systems, and personal information resources. Results also suggest the increased importance of experience on these smaller keyboards. Research directions are suggested.     

Evaluation of Text Entry Methods for Interactive Digital Television Applications with Devices Alternative to Conventional Remote Controls

The popularity of Interactive Digital Television (IDTV) applications has grown in recent years, playing a significant role in today’s society. This new type of television allows users to access interactive applications in order to look for information, for communication or educational purposes, or just for fun. Most of these applications require text entry and many users expect a user experience similar to that of computers. Although the most common device to interact with television is the conventional remote control, other devices available on the market may be used in this context. Thus, in this article we aim to evaluate and compare different text input methods for IDTV applications using devices alternative to conventional remote controls. We have carried out an empirical study with 52 participants. We analyze entry speeds, error rates, and subjective impressions for six different entry methods, taking into account the particular characteristics of the users. As devices we have used a full-sized keyboard, a palm-sized keyboard, a gyroscopic remote point-select, and a modified touchpad. The fastest method is the standard keyboard, but in an IDTV context many users report discomfort and problems under low lighting conditions. Also, error rates are considerably higher with both keyboards when modifier keys need to be used. The results obtained with the gyroscopic remote and the touchpad are similar. Nevertheless, while users complain about fatigue problems with the former, their feedback about the latter is very positive. We have also observed that age is a major factor affecting the performance of the users. We expect our results to contribute to the design of new text entry methods for IDTV.     

Effects of an episode of intensive keying on data process operators

In 1983, as part of a larger study, a group of data process operators (DPOs) were observed before and after a period of intensive keying activity. At the initial visit, each DPO completed a questionnaire, measurements were made of posture and relationship with the furniture, and a medical interview and examination were carried out. The 6‐day period of intense keying occurred 1 week before the second visit, when the interview and examination were repeated. There was a marked increase in the frequency of occurrence of symptoms of pain and signs of tenderness and hardening in the muscles of the forearm. This effect persisted at a third visit 6 weeks later, when only 9 of the original 14 DPOs were still employed. Symptoms in the shoulder‐neck region were relatively constant during this period. This episode demonstrated that increased job demand leading to increased or constant keying rates appears to result in almost universal occurrence of symptoms. Prevention of repetition injury must include attention to workflow as well as ergonomic factors.     

Data Entry for Mobile Devices Using Soft Keyboards: Understanding the Effects of Keyboard Size and User Tasks

As mobile, handheld computing devices become more common and are used for an ever-increasing variety of tasks, new mechanisms for data entry must be investigated. Personal digital assistants often provide a small stylus-activated soft keyboard, as do some mobile phones that include touch screens. However, there is little data regarding the importance of keyboard size or the users' tasks, the effectiveness of these keyboards, or user reactions to these keyboards. In this article, an experiment designed to investigate these issues in the context of a palm-style QWERTY keyboard is described. In this study, 30 novices completed 6 realistic tasks using either a small, medium, or large soft keyboard. The results not only confirm that keyboard size does not affect data entry rates but that making the keyboard smaller does not increase error rates or negatively impact preference ratings. However, tasks that required users to switch between the alphabetic keyboard and the numeric keyboard do result in significantly slower data entry rates. A model that accurately predicts the time required to enter predefined text is presented, and directions for future research are discussed.     

VB实现数据批量导入

随着《管理系统》的普及运用,数据录入是每个《管理系统》必须的功能之一,但是现在《管理系统》大多是采用的单一数据录入方式,这种录入方式的缺点是录入速度慢、操作麻烦、容易出错;但是如果先按规定的格式采取用Excel数据录入(Excel数据编辑对用过OFFICE办公软件的人并不陌生),然后批量导入数据库,这种方法不但导入速度快,错误容易事先检查。目前比较流行的面向对象的开发语言VB,不但在开发上可以做到简单快捷,在与数据库的连接上更做到了游刃有余!Access在所有数据库中,是比较简单的,无论是在建立和维护上都是开发小型系统的首选。     

Nomadic Speech-Based Text Entry: A Decision Model Strategy for Improved Speech to Text Processing

Speech text entry can be problematic during ideal dictation conditions, but difficulties are magnified when external conditions deteriorate. Motion during speech is an extraordinary condition that might have detrimental effects on automatic speech recognition. This research examined speech text entry while mobile. Speech enrollment profiles were created by participants in both a seated and walking environment. Dictation tasks were also completed in both the seated and walking conditions. Although results from an earlier study suggested that completing the enrollment process under more challenging conditions may lead to improved recognition accuracy under both challenging and less challenging conditions, the current study provided contradictory results. A detailed review of error rates confirmed that some participants minimized errors by enrolling under more challenging conditions while others benefited by enrolling under less challenging conditions. Still others minimized errors when different enrollment models were used under the opposing condition. Leveraging these insights, we developed a decision model to minimize recognition error rates regardless of the conditions experienced while completing dictation tasks. When applying the model to existing data, error rates were reduced significantly but additional research is necessary to effectively validate the proposed solution.     

Errors and error correction in automatic speech recognition systems

Abstract

Errors, whether created by the user, the recognizer, or inadequate systems design, are an important consideration in the more widespread and successful use of automatic speech recognition (ASR). An experiment is described in which recognition errors are studied under different types of feedback. Subjects entered data verbally to a microcomputer according to four experimental conditions: namely, orthogonal combinations of spoken and visual feedback presented concurrently or terminally after six items. Although no significant differences in terms of error rates or speed of data entry were shown across the conditions, analysis of the time penalty for error correction indicated that as a general rule, there is a small timing advantage for terminal feedback, when the error rate is low. It was found that subjects do not monitor visual feedback with the same degree of accuracy as spoken, as a larger number of incorrect data entry strings was being confirmed as correct. Further evidence for the use of ‘second best’ recognition data is given, since correct recognition on re-entry could be increased from 83·0% to 92·4% when the first choice recognition was deleted from the second attempt. Finally, the implications for error correction protocols in system design are discussed.     

Chord keyboards

Unlike the standard typewriter keyboard, keying on a chord keyboard is carried out by simultaneous patterned pressing of one or more keys. This results in fewer keys being needed on a chord keyboard when compared with a sequential keyboard, where keys are pressed one at a time. For example, five keys allow a total of 31 (2(5) - 1) different chord combinations to be generated. The feasibility of using a chord keyboard as a data entry input device was first seriously investigated in the mid-1950s by the Canadian Post Office. The trend towards research into chord keying reached a peak around 1960 when International Business Machines (IBM) studied two chord keyboards to rival the typewriter. It was not until the 1970s that chord keyboards became commercially available and within the last decade three chord keying devices have been marketed. The emphasis on the development of these recent keyboards has moved from task specific to more general purpose applications. This paper (based upon Martin (1980) the author's maiden name) reviews the chord keyboards which have been developed since the 1940s with special emphasis on the mail sorting application, and draws some conclusions concerning future developments.     

User feedback requirements with automatic speech recognition

The optimal type and amount of secondary feedback for data entry with automatic speech recognition were investigated. Six feedback conditions, varying the information channel for feedback (visual or auditory), the delay prior to feedback, and the amount of feedback history, were compared to a no-feedback control. In addition, the presence of a dialogue requiring users to confirm a word choice when the speech recognizer could not distinguish between two words was studied. The word confirmation dialogue increased recognition accuracy by about 5% with no significant increase in the time to enter data. Type of feedback affected both accuracy and time to enter data. When no feedback was available, data entry time was minimal but there were many errors. Any type of feedback/error correction vastly unproved accuracy, but auditory feedback provided after a string of data was spoken increased the time to enter data by a factor of three. Depending on task conditions, visual or auditory feedback following each word spoken is recommended.     

Effect of key size and activation area on the performance of a regional error correction method in a touch-screen QWERTY keyboard

Manual text entry, which is one of the main features of mobile communications devices, decreases the competitive advantages of full touch-screen interfaces over physical interfaces. Especially for small full QWERTY keyboards, text entry becomes more problematic because of the small size of the virtual keys, absence of tactile feedback, and occlusion of virtual keys by fingers. One solution to this problem is the regional error correction, which is a predictive text entry method that activates the key corresponding to the actual activation point and also other keys within an activation area. This study investigates how the size of keys and of the activation area affect the accuracy of the regional error correction and compares the regional error correction method with the conventional finger touch method, for a touch-screen QWERTY keyboard. The regional error correction reduced both the time and the number of touches required to complete text entry when keys were small, but no difference was observed when keys were large. Users’ subjective assessments of ease of use and preference indicated greater satisfaction with the regional error correction method than without it, regardless of key size.Relevance to industry: The result of this study can be used to speed and simplify text entry in mobile devices with full-QWERTY virtual keyboards.     

User performance and attitude towards schemes for alphanumeric data entry using restricted input devices

Abstract

Results are reported from two usability trials in which a total of 14 schemes for alphanumeric data entry on television screens were evaluated. The seven schemes in the first trial used only the navigation and select keys on the TV remote control unit. The second trial used the best scheme from the first trial (slightly modified), a further six schemes using different combinations of the navigation and alphanumeric keys and a portable, infra-red keyboard. In both trials task completion rates and times were measured together with the number of keystrokes. User preferences were measured using attitude questionnaires and explicit ranking of the schemes. As expected, the keyboard was, overall, the best scheme-though not the most accurate. Where only a limited range of input keys were available, grid display schemes were preferred over menus and dynamic displays. Where an alphanumeric keypad was available on the remote control unit, a multiple press scheme was marginally preferred.     

User performance and attitude towards schemes for alphanumeric data entry using restricted input devices

. Results are reported from two usability trials in which a total of 14 schemes for alphanumeric data entry on television screens were evaluated. The seven schemes in the first trial used only the navigation and select keys on the TV remote control unit. The second trial used the best scheme from the first trial (slightly modified), a further six schemes using different combinations of the navigation and alphanumeric keys and a portable, infra-red keyboard. In both trials task completion rates and times were measured together with the number of keystrokes. User preferences were measured using attitude questionnaires and explicit ranking of the schemes. As expected, the keyboard was, overall, the best scheme-though not the most accurate. Where only a limited range of input keys were available, grid display schemes were preferred over menus and dynamic displays. Where an alphanumeric keypad was available on the remote control unit, a multiple press scheme was marginally preferred.     

面向XML数据库的智能数据清洗策略

针对XML数据质量问题,通过引入贝叶斯学习方法与马尔可夫链概率转移策略建立XML数据清洗过程的元数据模型,根据综合清洗结构化数据中相似重复记录的思想,提出一种智能清洗XML数据的新方法。实验表明,与其他方法比较,该方法不仅自动化程度较高,降低人工参与的程度,而且精确率和查全率提升了2%~5%。