The ergonomics of computer pointing devices / Sarah A. Douglas and Anant Kartik Mithal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Douglas, Sarah A., 1949-

Contributor:

Mithal, Anant Kartik, 1960-

Series:

Advanced perspectives in applied computing

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Computer input-output equipment--Design and construction.

Computer input-output equipment.

Human engineering.

Mice (Computers)--Design and construction.

Mice (Computers).

Physical Description:

ix, 233 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Springer, [1997]

Summary:

This book provides an in-depth coverage of the ergonomics of computer pointing devices. It uses a human-centered design perspective, emphasizing the importance of human performance experimental research as a basis for both the evaluation of existing pointing devices and the design of new devices.

The book includes 1) a comprehensive background on psychomotor research of human pointing performance; 2) a summary of the results of twenty years of ergonomic research on individual devices and inter-device comparisons; and 3) extensive explanation of how computer pointing device performance is integrated into task analysis.

Two case studies provide detailed descriptions of experimental methodologies for comparison of one pointing device against a baseline device and for detailed analysis of the factors limiting human performance of a single device. These chapters are useful both for the experimental results they describe and as detailed examples of experimental designs for pointing device evaluation and research. The final chapter addresses standards (including ISO 9247), and looks at future developments in pointing devices including pointing and speech, distributed environments and virtual reality.

Contents:

1.1 Approach 3

1.3 Importance and Future of Pointing Device Ergonomics 10

2. Human Motor Performance 11

2.1 Fitts' Law 11

2.2 Psychomotor Models 21

2.3 Other Aspects of Motor Behavior 28

3. Factors in Applying Psychomotor Studies to Pointing Devices 37

3.1 Devices: Operation, Features and Types 38

3.2 Limb Control 47

3.3 Tasks 51

4. A Survey of Ergonomic Studies 63

4.1 Studies by Device 63

4.2 Comparison Between Devices 77

5. Evaluating New Devices: A Case Study 85

5.3 Previous Research 87

5.4 Method 89

5.5 Results 99

5.6 Discussion 106

6. Using the Microstructure of Movement to Understand Device Performance 117

6.2 Research Questions 120

6.3 Method 121

6.4 Results 126

6.5 Discussion 135

7. Performance Models 153

7.1 Historical Background 154

7.2 GOMS 157

7.3 Keystroke Level Model 163

7.4 Stochastic Network Models 172

7.5 Extensions to the GOMS Model Research 174

8. Challenges of the Present and Future 189

8.1 Review of Pointing Device Research Findings 189

8.2 Integrating Ergonomics Research into Design 192

8.3 Innovations in Pointing Device Technology and Interfaces 209

8.4 Future Research Directions 214.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-229) and index.

ISBN:

3540199861

OCLC:

36011596