Muscular load and performance compared between a pen and a computer mouse as input devices

This study evaluates and compares the suitability for child–computer interaction (CCI, the branch within human–computer interaction focused on interactive computer systems for children) of two devices: a standard computer mouse and the ENLAZA interface, a head mouse that measures the user’s head posture using an inertial sensor. A multidirectional pointing task was used to assess the motor performance and the users’ ability to learn such a task. The evaluation was based on the interpretation of the metrics derived from Fitts’ law. Ten children aged between 6 and 8 participated in this study. Participants performed a series of pre- and post-training tests for both input devices. After the experiments, data were analyzed and statistically compared. The results show that Fitts’ law can be used to detect changes in the learning process and assess the level of psychomotor development (by comparing the performance of adults and children). In addition, meaningful differences between the fine motor control (hand) and the gross motor control (head) were found by comparing the results of the interaction using the two devices. These findings suggest that Fitts’ law metrics offer a reliable and objective way of measuring the progress of physical training or therapy.

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Assessment of functional parameters and comfort of a new computer mouse as compared with other types of input devices

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics ◽

10.1080/10803548.2015.1096060 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 493-497 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Naser Dehghan ◽

Alireza Choobineh ◽

Mohsen Razeghi ◽

Jafar Hasanzadeh ◽

Moslem Irandoost ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Input Devices ◽

Functional Parameters ◽

Computer Mouse

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Promoting Successful Computer use by Older Adults: Input Devices and Experienced Users

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193120204600205 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 193-196

Author(s):

Patricia Holley ◽

Neil Charness

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Age Differences ◽

Computer Use ◽

Work Load ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Input Devices ◽

Pointing Task ◽

And Performance ◽

Light Pen

This experiment looked at the use of two input devices (mouse and light pen) for younger, middle-aged, and older adults who were experienced mouse users. We asked participants to use both their preferred and non-preferred hand to perform a pure pointing task and then to rate the ease of use and acceptability of the device they were using in the hand they were using it as well as their perceived work load across trials. We found that using a light pen minimized age differences, that differences between the preferred and non-preferred hand became more apparent with age so that older adults were less efficient using their non-preferred hand than were younger adults, and that older adults gained more from practice. Overall, the mouse was rated as more acceptable than the light pen across trials even though the light pen was more efficient. Finally, recommendations are made for ease of use, acceptability, and performance.

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Design Criteria of an Ergonomic Mouse Computer Input Device

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129503900516 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 369-373 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Richard Pekelney ◽

Robin Chu

Keyword(s):

User Interfaces ◽

Rapid Growth ◽

Graphical User Interfaces ◽

Computer Applications ◽

Personal Computers ◽

Design Criteria ◽

Input Device ◽

Input Devices ◽

Computer Mouse ◽

Computer Input

The rapid growth of graphical user interfaces on personal computers has led to the mouse input device playing a prominent and central role in the control of computer applications. As their use increases, mouse design and comfort issues are becoming more and more critical. This report describes the ergonomic design criteria and resulting product attributes of a commercially successful mouse computer input device. Although well-founded ergonomic principles were incorporated into the design criteria, very little ergonomic research has been published on the design of mice. There is a need for additional research on the ergonomics computer mouse input devices.

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Using Gesture, Gaze, and Combination Input Schemes as Alternatives to the Computer Mouse

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1541931218621068 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 297-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dominic Canare ◽

Barbara Chaparro ◽

Alex Chaparro

Keyword(s):

Sorting Task ◽

Gaze Tracking ◽

Input Devices ◽

Similar Performance ◽

Computer Mouse ◽

Gesture Control ◽

Desktop Computing ◽

Free Gesture

Novel input devices can increase the bandwidth between users and their devices. Traditional desktop computing uses windows, icons, menus, and pointers – an interface built for the computer mouse and very effective for pointing-and-clicking. Alternative devices provide a variety of interactions including touch-free, gesture-based input and gaze-tracking to determine the user’s on-screen gaze location, but these input channels are not well-suited to a point-and-click interface. This study evaluates five new schemes, some multi-modal. These experimental schemes perform worse than mouse-based input for a picture sorting task, and motion-based gesture control creates more errors. Some gaze-based input has similar performance to the mouse while not creating additional workload.

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An Analysis of Muscular Load and Performance in Using a Pen-tablet System

Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY and Applied Human Science ◽

10.2114/jpa.22.89 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 89-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Kentaro Kotani ◽

Ken Horii

Keyword(s):

Pen Tablet ◽

Muscular Load ◽

And Performance

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Design of an Immersive Peripheral for Object Grasping

Volume 3: 30th Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/detc2010-28416 ◽

2010 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jean-Re´my Chardonnet ◽

Jean-Claude Le´on

Keyword(s):

Degrees Of Freedom ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Device Structure ◽

Virtual Hand ◽

Simultaneous Control ◽

Computer Mouse ◽

Force Reduction ◽

And Performance ◽

User Friendly ◽

Physical Phenomena

During product development processes, simulations involving user’s grasping operations are of increasing interest to incorporate more quantitative information in DFA (Design For Assembly) or immersive simulations. We present several prototypes of an immersive peripheral device for controlling a virtual hand with fine dexterity. These prototypes are derived from the analysis of a grasping action to define the structure and main features of this device. The prototypes, as easy to manipulate as a computer mouse, enable the simultaneous control of a large number of degrees of freedom (dofs). The design issues, where physical phenomena, physiological behavior and device structure are all tightly combined and significantly influence the overall interaction, are reviewed. These issues include the generation of dofs, monitoring kinematics, force reduction during virtual hand and finger movements, and the influence of device design, sensor types and their placement on the interaction and on the range of configurations that can be achieved for grasping tasks, dexterity, and performance. Examples of grasping tasks show the effect of these immersive devices to reach user-friendly and efficient interactions with objects bringing new insight to the interaction with virtual products.

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Effects of a Vibrating Mouse on Computer Users' Work Behaviors and Performance

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193120705101714 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 51 (17) ◽

pp. 991-995

Author(s):

C.R. Moe ◽

A. Hedge

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Experiment ◽

Task Performance ◽

Task Type ◽

Computer Users ◽

Work Behaviors ◽

Conventional Mouse ◽

Computer Mouse ◽

And Performance ◽

Resting Behavior

This study investigated the effects of a computer mouse that vibrates after 10 seconds of inactivity to remind the user to release their grip and rest their hand. A laboratory experiment tested the reactions of 11 female and 7 male participants to this vibrating mouse against a conventional mouse to see how it affected Ps performance of 5 tasks, their resting behavior and their mouse preference. No effects on task performance were found between the two conditions. The vibrating mouse induced significantly more resting behavior (p=0.02) and marginally more hand removals (p=0.06). However, it also induced significantly more unsupported hand hovering (p=0.00). Some Ps found that the vibrating mouse was disruptive to their performance. Further investigation of the effects of task type and user technique on the use of the vibrating mouse is needed.

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