Usability Analysis

1. Task: Find contact Lynda in cell phone contacts book

2. Buttons: (▼), (2ABC), (3DEF), (4GHI), (5JKL), (6MNO), (7PQRS), (8TUV), (9WXYZ), (0)

3. Notation: ↓ -press ↑ -release * -repeat task s -seconds to complete

CASE #1 - Motorola RAZR V3

[(5JKL)↓↑ *3]3s [(▼)↓↑ *12]8s = 15 operations over 11 seconds

CASE #2 - Nokia N80

[(5JKL)↓↑ *3]3s [(9WXYZ)↓↑ *3]3s [(6MNO)↓↑ *2]1s = 8 operations over 7 seconds

4. Analysis:

In case #1, people use name initial to find the the first contact with the same name initial as the one looking for, and then press down key to find the right one. The number and time of operations depends on the length of contacts list. If a contact is at the end of a long sub-list, it will take many repetitive press operation and consequently long time. And it's very annoying that one have to go through many unwanted contacts to find the wanted one.

In Case #2, people filter the contacts by spelling out the name, which is a very natural and direct way. Also, numbers and time of operations are independent with the length of contacts list.

5. Suggested Improvement

With the above comparison, the way of Case #2 is superior. Further, the longer the contacts list is, the more obvious that Case #2 outperforms Case #1. But still there is improvement space.

In Case #2, say one wants to find the contac "Lynda", he will press "2JKL" button 3 times to get letter "L", and "9WXYZ" button 3 times to get letter "Y", and "6MNO" 2 times to get letter "n", and so on. The numbers of operations can be reduced a lot by bringing in auto-match feature. For example, if on my cell phone, I only need to press "2JKL" button once and "9WXYZ" once and will get "Lynda" and "Kydi", which are two possible matches of these two buttons.

prototype

Today i finished my prototype for time telling device for the blind, it was going pretty well.



I chosed paper to do this prototype rather than card board is that I found card board is too thick for this small device that will fit in people's palm, but paper also have problem, it's a little soft and unstable, so I tried to use some hard paper.

Another a little problem is the distance between hour panel and minute panel is too close, this causes not easy to touch the sectors so as to tell the time. So at last I add a little piece of foam between two panels, this keeps apart two panels from a small distance. I think in the real project model, its material will be plastic, and this problem will be solved.

Time-telling Device for the Blind

The biggest contraint for designing a time-telling device for the blind is that it can't tell time visually like normal clock or watch we use everyday. Meanwhile, there should be some other constraints or restriction should be noticed, such as easy to carry, easy to use, obvious to tell difference, etc.

The first idea i thought about is a voice device. Sound is very easy to think about when designing some device for the blind. It could be a digital clock or watch without screen. Many digital watch or clock has the speaking feature. When pushing a button on it, it speaks the current time. However, such kind of voice device is not appropriate to use in a meeting environment or a noisy public space.

My second idea is to use sense of touching.

This device is made of two panels, bigger one is Minute, smaller one is Hour (like on normal clock, longer hand is Minute, shorter hand is Hour), a case and a cover. Each panel has 12 sectors, each sector meaning 1 hour or 5 minutes.

This device is about a palm big, so it's very easy to hold and carry. When holding it in palm, people can easily use fingers to feel how many sectors outside case, thus tell the time.

There is also a half-round cover for protection. People should open the cover to tell time.

#1 meeting

This is the first class i had this semester. As expected, there were many people in the room, good sign, i made a good choice and got a good luck!

Design for constraints, well, i've been feeling a lot of constraints, everyday, most of time.
One big constraint for me is computer. I have to face it and stare at it for hours and days. I feel really tired of this, I feel this is really an unhealthy way of life(but what can I do?). Hope i could get rid of this big constraint and make a good design! That's what this class all about. Another big constraint for me is language. No better solutions but listen it, say it.

OK, no much time to waste this semester! Assignment this week:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2a) Design a prototype of a clock that can be used by people with sever visual impairments. Next week your device will be tested by all other students while blindfolded. At least half of the class should be able to tell the time in order for your assignment to pass the usability test. It is not necessary for the clock to be operational and tell the actual time.

(2b) Describe in your journal (and illustrate if needed) at least one other prototype idea that is of equal quality to the one you've decided to persue. In a short paragraph, explain the factors that lead to your choice of one over the others.

Recommended books/articles:
(1) Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas (Paperback) by James L. Adams.
(2) The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheers