diff --git a/07-26_v1.tar.gz b/07-26_v1.tar.gz new file mode 100644 index 0000000..872c015 Binary files /dev/null and b/07-26_v1.tar.gz differ diff --git a/abstractDE.tex b/abstractDE.tex index 1e31ab5..e7d1b0f 100644 --- a/abstractDE.tex +++ b/abstractDE.tex @@ -1,4 +1,42 @@ %----------Kurzfassung DEUTSCH---------------------------------------------------------------- \addsec{Kurzfassung} -Deutschsprachige Kurzfassung... \ No newline at end of file + +Tastaturen sind in der modernen Gesellschaft allgegenwärtig. Ob in +Krankenhäusern, Einzelhandelsgeschäften, Büros oder zu Hause - die Tastatur ist +nach wie vor das meistgenutzte Eingabegerät für fast alle, die mit einem +Computer arbeiten. Einige Benutzer:innen empfinden jedoch irgendwann Unbehagen +oder sogar Schmerzen bei der Verwendung einer Tastatur, da die Finger viele +kleine und sich wiederholende Bewegungen ausführen müssen, um die Tasten zu +bedienen. Daher versuchen wir in dieser Bachelorarbeit, ein alternatives, nicht +uniformes Tastaturdesign zu evaluieren, bei dem jede einzelne mechanische Taste +mit einer Feder ausgestattet ist, die einen Widerstand aufweist, der dem +spezifischen Finger entspricht, der sie normalerweise bedient. Die Idee hinter +diesem angepassten Design ist, insbesondere die schwächeren Finger zu entlasten +und trotzdem die Produktivität beizubehalten oder sogar zu verbessern. Deshalb +versuchen wir die Frage zu beantworten, ob eine Tastatur mit einer für jeden +Finger angepassten Betätigungskraft einen positiven Einfluss auf die Effizienz +und die allgemeine Zufriedenheit während der Benutzung hat. Darum haben wir die +aktuelle Verfügbarkeit von Widerständen für mechanische Tastenschalter evaluiert +und eine erste telefonische Befragung (n = 17) durchgeführt, um Präferenzen, +Anwendungsfälle und bisherige Erfahrungen mit Tastaturen zu ermitteln. Darüber +hinaus führten wir ein weiteres Experiment durch, bei dem wir die maximal +ausübbare Kraft für jeden Finger in verschiedenen, mit dem Drücken einer Taste +verbundenen Positionen maßen und im Anschluss als Grundlage für unser +angepasstes Tastaturdesign verwendeten. Schließlich wurden in einer dreiwöchigen +Laborstudie mit 24 Teilnehmern das angepasste Tastaturdesign und drei +herkömmliche Tastaturen mit 35 g, 50 g und 80 g Betätigungskraft in Bezug auf +Leistung und allgemeine Zufriedenheit miteinander verglichen. Die statistische +Auswertung ergab, dass vor allem die Fehlerquote durch höhere Betätigungskräfte +positiv beeinflusst wird und dass Tastaturen mit weder zu hohem noch zu geringem +Widerstand generell am besten in Bezug auf die Schreibgeschwindigkeit +abschneiden. Darüber hinaus waren die Ergebnisse für die angepasste Tastatur und +die 50-g-Tastatur in allen Tests nahezu identisch, so dass wir keine +signifikanten Verbesserungen in Bezug auf Leistung oder Zufriedenheit im +Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Designs, welche Tastenschalter mit moderatem +Widerstand verwenden, ableiten konnten. Wir kamen jedoch zu dem Schluss, dass +das angepasste Design aufgrund der gleich guten Ergebnisse immer noch eine +brauchbare Alternative ist und mit weiteren Verbesserungen, z. B. einer +vollständigen Personalisierung des Federwiderstands für jede Taste, +möglicherweise das Erlebnis bei der Verwendung und die Leistung für +anspruchsvolle Benutzer:innen verbessern könnte. diff --git a/abstractEN.tex b/abstractEN.tex index 0dc7d03..e1a4f5c 100644 --- a/abstractEN.tex +++ b/abstractEN.tex @@ -1,4 +1,51 @@ %----------Zusammenfassung Englisch/Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------- \addsec{Abstract} -Here goes the abstract (English language)... \ No newline at end of file +Keyboards are omnipresent in modern society. Hospitals, retail stores, offices +or at home, the keyboard is still, the main input device for almost anyone that +interacts with a computer. However, at some point, many people experience +discomfort or even pain while using a keyboard because of the many small and +repetitive movements the fingers have to do to operate it. Therefore, in this +thesis we try to evaluate an alternative, non-uniform keyboard design, where +each individual \textit{mechanical} keyswitch is equipped with a spring, that +features a resistance, appropriate for the specific finger usually operating +it. The idea behind this adjusted design is to particularly reduce the load on +weaker fingers and still pertain or even enhance typing +performance. Additionally, we try to answer the question, whether or not a +keyboard with, per finger, adjusted actuation force has a positive impact on +efficiency and overall satisfaction. Thus, we evaluated the current availability +of resistances for mechanical keyswitches and conducted a preliminary telephone +interview (n = 17) to assess preferences, use-cases and previous experiences +with keyboards. Further, we ran another preliminary experiment, where we +measured the maximum applicable force for each finger in different positions +related to keyboarding as a basis for our adjusted keyboard design. Lastly, +during a three week laboratory user study with twenty-four participants, the +adjusted keyboard design and three traditional keyboards with 35 g, 50 g and 80 +g actuation force where compared to each other in terms of performance and user +satisfaction. The statistical analysis revealed, that especially error rates are +positively influenced by higher actuation forces and that keyboards with neither +to heavy nor to light resistance generally perform the best in terms of typing +speed. Further, the adjusted keyboard and the 50 g keyboard performed almost +identically in all tests and therefore we could not derive any significant +improvements in performance or satisfaction over traditional designs that +utilize keyswitches with moderate resistance. However, we concluded, that with +the equally good results, the adjusted design is still a viable alternative and +with further improvements, e.g., complete personalization of spring resistance +for each key, could possibly enhance the user experience and performance for +sophisticated typists. + + + + + + + + + + +% Even though experts recommend to regularly take a break from +% keyboard work to prevent such symptoms, these recommendations can rarely be +% implemented in working environments, where productivity and tight schedules are +% very common. If the pain or discomfort persists, people have to either reduce or +% a completely stop working with a keyboard, which in some cases might even force +% them to change their profession. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/appendices.tex b/appendices.tex index b74cf30..3a4520b 100644 --- a/appendices.tex +++ b/appendices.tex @@ -3,62 +3,43 @@ \appendix \section{Appendices} -\subsection{Statista charts} -\label{sec:a1} +\subsection{Go Typing Test - Self Programmed Typing Test Platform} +\label{app:gott} + \begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/GER_households_w_computer.png} + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/gott_demo} \end{figure} + \begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/ITU_households_w_computer.png} + \includegraphics[width=0.67\textwidth]{images/gott_crowdsource} \end{figure} + \begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/erostat_ent_w_comp.png} + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/gott_kcq} \end{figure} -\subsection{Collection of available actuation forces for different keyswitch manufacturers} -\label{app:keyswitch} - -To gather information about available actuation forces, the product lines of -keyswitches for all well known manufacturers, namely Cherry, Kailh, Gateron, -Matias, Razer and Logitech were collected. Since some of the key actuation -forces listed on the manufacturers or resellers websites were given in \gls{cN} -and most of them in \gls{g} or \gls{gf}, the values were adjusted to gram to -reflect a trend that is within a margin of ± 2 g of accuracy. The results shown -in \textit{Figure \ref{fig:iter}} are used to determine the minimum, maximum and most common -actuation force for broadly available keyswitches. - -\begin{figure}[h] +\begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/keyswitches_brands.png} - \caption{Available actuation forces for keyswitches of major keyswitch manufacturers} - \label{keys:actuation_force} + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/gott_ueq} \end{figure} -\clearpage +\pagebreak -\subsection{Go Typing Test - Self programmed typing test platform for this thesis} -\label{app:gott} +\subsection{UX-Curves for All Participants and All Groups} +\label{app:uxc} -\begin{figure}[h] +\begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/gott_typing_test.png} - \caption{Go TyingTest (GoTT) - Typing test} - \label{gott:typing_test} + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/ux_curve_results} \end{figure} -\begin{figure}[h] - \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/gott_contribute_text.png} - \caption{Go TyingTest (GoTT) - Text contribution section} - \label{gott:contribute_text} -\end{figure} +\subsection{EMG Electrode Placement for All Participants} +\label{app:emg} -\begin{figure}[h] +\begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.64\textwidth]{images/gott_demographics_survey.png} - \caption{Go TyingTest (GoTT) - Demographics survey} - \label{gott:demographics_survey} + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/collage} \end{figure} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/chap1/introduction.tex b/chap1/introduction.tex index 231bc15..fee6abd 100644 --- a/chap1/introduction.tex +++ b/chap1/introduction.tex @@ -27,25 +27,72 @@ % or even customizable keyboards, where an individual can select the actuation % force for each keyswitch individually. -% In recent decades, computers and other electronic devices have become an -% indispensable part of everyday life. Computers are used in almost every industry -% \cite{iresearch_ent_w_comp, eurostat_ent_w_comp} and almost half of the -% worldwide households have access to at least one computer \cite{itu_hh_w_comp}. -% Even 153 years after the first typewriter was patented \cite{noyes_qwerty, } -% people still use keyboards as their main way to input data into a computer -% \parencite[22]{handbook_chi}, \cite{broel_dektop_or_smartphone}. A potential -% problem while interacting with a computer through the usage of a keyboard are -% rapid movements of the fingers over a prolonged time. +In recent decades, computers and other electronic devices have become an +indispensable part of everyday life. Computers are used in almost every industry +\cite{iresearch_ent_w_comp, eurostat_ent_w_comp} and 84\% of European households +as well as nearly half of the worldwide households have access to at least one +computer \cite{eurostat_hous_w_comp, itu_hh_w_comp}. Even 153 years after the +first typewriter was patented \cite{noyes_qwerty} people still mostly use +identical looking keyboards as their main way to input data into a computer +\parencite[22]{handbook_chi} \& \cite{broel_dektop_or_smartphone}. A potential +problem while interacting with a computer through the usage of a keyboard are +rapid movements of the fingers over a prolonged time, which can cause discomfort +and increase the risk for \gls{WRUED} \cite{pascarelli_wrued, + ccfohas_wrued}. Previous research has shown, that the actuation force, which +is the force required to generate a keypress, is directly related to the actual +force an individual generates to press a specific key +\cite{gerard_keyswitch}. Also, the individual fingers are not capable of +exerting identical force and therefore fatigue must be higher for weaker fingers +\cite{bretz_finger, martin_force, baker_kinematics, dickson_finger}. There are +various designs for alternative keyboards by e.g., +Maltron\footnote{\url{https://www.maltron.com/store/c47/Dual_Hand_Keyboards.html}}, +Ergodox\footnote{\url{https://www.ergodox.io/}}, Kenesis +\footnote{\url{https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/advantage2-keyboard/}}, +etc. which, because of the often unusual layouts and extra keys for the thumbs, +all require the typist to adjust to a completely new way of typing and therefore +could reduce productivity during this adjustment phase. Additionally, a study by +Baker et al. (n = 77) revealed, that even after several months of using a +keyboard with an alternative design, in terms of usability, participants still +preferred the traditional design because of its superb usability +\cite{baker_ergo2}. With these insights, the uniformity of actuation force +across conventional keyboards may be a potential characteristic that could be +improved on, to reduce the strain on weaker fingers and thus reduce fatigue and +increase comfort. Therefore, a keyboard with, per key, adjusted actuation force, +depending on the finger usually operating the key, might be a feasible solution +without the requirement for typists to invest in higher priced alternative +keyboards, which also require additional familiarization. To become a successful +alternative, the adjusted keyboard design has to perform equally good or even +better than existing conventional keyboard designs, while also enhancing the user +experience during usage. These requirements led to the research question of +this thesis: -% Input tasks are not only restricted to pure data entry but also include complex -% inputs required by games. +\vspace{1em} +\begin{tabular}{p{0.3cm} p{0.5cm} p{13cm} p{0.5cm}} + & \textbf{\large RQ} & {Does an adjusted actuation force per key have a positive impact on efficiency and overall satisfaction while using a mechanical keyboard?} & \\ +\end{tabular} +\vspace{1em} +If this question could be positively answered, companies producing keyboards +could implement the proposed adjustments in actuation force into existing +manufacturing processes and thereby make adjusted keyboard designs broadly +available and potentially keep the retail prices acceptably low. -% Prolonged usage of computers can lead to serious diseases +% This raises the question, if keyboards for +% personal or work related use cases with adjusted actuation forces per finger or +% even customizable keyboards, where an individual can select the actuation force +% for each keyswitch individually. -% With the rising popularity of smartphones and other touchscreen devices -% \cite{gs_statcounter_dmt_2020} which utilize virtual keyboards to fulfill a -% variety of tasks that also include data entry, e.g., writing text messages, -% short emails, communicating on social media or web browsing +% Depending on the mechanism and type of key used, it +% is possible that different force has to be applied to the key to activate +% it. Normally, the force required to activate a key is identical for each key +% across the keyboard. However, previous research has shown, that there is a +% disparity in force generated by different fingers +% \cite{bretz_finger_force}. This raises the question, why there are no keyboards +% for personal or work related use cases with adjusted actuation forces per finger +% or even customizable keyboards, where an individual can select the actuation +% force for each keyswitch individually. + +% Input tasks are not only restricted to pure data entry but also include complex +% inputs required by games. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/chap2/literature_review.tex b/chap2/literature_review.tex index 9cdf102..1e20960 100644 --- a/chap2/literature_review.tex +++ b/chap2/literature_review.tex @@ -554,10 +554,11 @@ been measured in different studies \cite{bretz_finger, martin_force, baker_kinematics, dickson_finger}, to our best knowledge, there are no measurements concerning the maximum force each individual finger can apply in different positions related to a key on the keyboard. Further, during our -research we only found one manufacturer of keyboards (Realforce), that already -offers models with variable actuation force. These keyboards feature two types -of keys and require less force towards the edges and more force towards the -middle \cite{realforce_topre}. We therefore try to provide a sensible +research we only found one manufacturer of keyboards +(Realforce\footnote{\url{https://www.realforce.co.jp/en/products/}}), that +already offers models with variable actuation force. These keyboards feature two +types of keys and require less force towards the edges and more force towards +the middle \cite{realforce_topre}. We therefore try to provide a sensible distribution of actuation forces across a non-uniformly equipped keyboard and evaluate the possible advantages and disadvantages of such a design to encourage other manufacturers to produce similar alternative keyboard designs. diff --git a/chap3/implementation.tex b/chap3/implementation.tex index 8b19162..9803310 100644 --- a/chap3/implementation.tex +++ b/chap3/implementation.tex @@ -20,7 +20,16 @@ prototype a device that is able to simulate the position of different keyswitche and measure the applied force by the finger usually responsible to actuate a specific key. -Both implementations are explained in more detail in the following two sections. +Both implementations are explained in more detail in the following two sections +as shown in Figure \ref{fig:s3_flow} + +\begin{figure}[H] + \centering + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/section_3_flow} + \caption{Overview of the topics covered in the following sections} + \label{fig:s3_flow} +\end{figure} + \subsection{Typing Test Platform} \label{sec:gott} The platform we created is called \gls{GoTT} because the backend, which is the @@ -88,7 +97,7 @@ The platform offers three major functionalities that are important for this thes \begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/gott_text_area.jpg} + \includegraphics[width=0.80\textwidth]{images/gott_text_area.jpg} \caption{\gls{GoTT}'s typing test. The \textit{START} button reveals the text selected with the dropdown menu labeled \textit{Text to transcribe}. The \textit{RESET} button interrupts the currently active diff --git a/chap4/methodology.tex b/chap4/methodology.tex index ba0da1a..e57708e 100644 --- a/chap4/methodology.tex +++ b/chap4/methodology.tex @@ -20,7 +20,17 @@ hand was able to apply to distinct keys in different locations. We then created the design for the adjusted keyboard based on those measurements. Lastly, an experiment with twenty-four participants was conducted, where we compared the performance and user satisfaction while using four different keyboards, -including our adjusted keyboard. +including our adjusted keyboard. Figure \ref{fig:s4_flow} presents a brief +overview of the consecutive sections. + +\begin{figure}[H] + \centering + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/section_4_flow} + \caption{Overview of the topics covered in the following sections} + \label{fig:s4_flow} +\end{figure} + +\pagebreak \subsection{Preliminary Telephone Interview} \label{sec:telephone_interview} @@ -31,37 +41,44 @@ years and especially the capabilities modern smartphones offer, keyboard usage has changed. Further, we wanted to gather information about the preference of key resistance, keyswitch type and experiences with \gls{WRUED}. Therefore, we conducted a structured interview with seventeen volunteers (59\% females) via -telephone. The age of the subjects ranged between 22 and 52 with a mean age of -29 years. The professions of subjects were distributed among medical workers, -students, office employees, computer engineers and community workers. The first -question we asked was \textit{``Which keyboard in terms of actuation force would - be the most satisfying for you to use in the long run?''}. Thirteen (76\%) out -of the seventeen subjects mentioned, that they would prefer a keyboard with -light actuation force over a keyboard with higher resistance. The next question -\textit{``Have you ever had pain when using a keyboard and if so, where did you - have pain?''} yielded, that 41\% of those polled experienced pain at least -once while using a keyboard. The areas affected described by the seven who -already experienced pain were the wrist \underline{and} forearm (3 out of 7), -wrist only (2 out of 7), fingers (1 out of 7) and forearm only (1 out of 7). The -results for the third question \textit{``Which keyboard are you currently using - and for how many hours a day on average?''} were in line with the statements -we found during our literature review \cite{ergopedia_keyswitch, - peery_3d_keyswitch}. Nine answered that they use a notebook (scissor-switches, -membrane), six stated that they use an external keyboard with rubber dome -switches and only two responded that they use a keyboard featuring mechanical -keyswitches. The average, self-reported, usage ranged between half an hour and -10 hours with a mean of 4.71 hours. It is important to note, that a study by -Mikkelsen et al. found, that self-reported durations related to computer work -can be inaccurate \cite{mikkelsen_duration}. The last question \textit{``Which - tasks do you still prefer to perform with a keyboard rather than your mobile - phone?''} revealed, that all of the subjects preferred to use a keyboard when -entering greater amounts of data (emails, applications, presentations, -calculations, research), but also surprisingly 41\% preferred to use a keyboard -to write instant messages (chatting via Whatsapp -Web\footnote{\url{https://web.whatsapp.com/}}, Signal +telephone, from which the most important results are presented in Figure +\ref{fig:res_tel}. The age of the subjects ranged between 22 and 52 with a mean +age of 29 years. The professions of subjects were distributed among medical +workers, students, office employees, computer engineers and community +workers. The first question we asked was \textit{``Which keyboard in terms of + actuation force would be the most satisfying for you to use in the long + run?''}. Thirteen (76\%) out of the seventeen subjects mentioned, that they +would prefer a keyboard with light actuation force over a keyboard with higher +resistance. The next question \textit{``Have you ever had pain when using a + keyboard and if so, where did you have pain?''} yielded, that 41\% of those +polled experienced pain at least once while using a keyboard. The areas affected +described by the seven who already experienced pain were the wrist +\underline{and} forearm (3 out of 7), wrist only (2 out of 7), fingers (1 out of +7) and forearm only (1 out of 7). The results for the third question +\textit{``Which keyboard are you currently using and for how many hours a day on + average?''} were in line with the statements we found during our literature +review \cite{ergopedia_keyswitch, peery_3d_keyswitch}. Nine answered that they +use a notebook (scissor-switches, membrane), six stated that they use an +external keyboard with rubber dome switches and only two responded that they use +a keyboard featuring mechanical keyswitches. The average, self-reported, usage +ranged between half an hour and 10 hours with a mean of 4.71 hours. It is +important to note, that a study by Mikkelsen et al. found, that self-reported +durations related to computer work can be inaccurate +\cite{mikkelsen_duration}. The last question \textit{``Which tasks do you still + prefer to perform with a keyboard rather than your mobile phone?''} revealed, +that all of the subjects preferred to use a keyboard when entering greater +amounts of data (emails, applications, presentations, calculations, research), +but also surprisingly 41\% preferred to use a keyboard to write instant messages +(chatting via Whatsapp Web\footnote{\url{https://web.whatsapp.com/}}, Signal Desktop\footnote{\url{https://signal.org/download/}}, Telegram Desktop\footnote{\url{https://desktop.telegram.org/}}). - +\begin{figure}[H] + \centering + \includegraphics[width=1.0\textwidth]{images/res_telephone_interview} + \caption{Most important results from the preliminary telephone interview} + \label{fig:res_tel} +\end{figure} +\pagebreak \subsection{Market Analysis of Available Mechanical Keyswitches} \label{sec:market_forces} To gather information about available actuation forces, we collected the product @@ -451,8 +468,8 @@ with their fingers (dorsal) to the bottom of the table while resting their forearms on their thighs (\gls{MVC} - extension). We decided to also measure 0\%\gls{MVC} before and after each typing test and used these values to normalize the final data instead of the 0\%\gls{MVC} we retrieved from the -initial \gls{MVC} measurements. - +initial \gls{MVC} measurements. A picture of all participants with the attached +electrodes can be observed in Appendix \ref{app:emg}. \textbf{Familiarization with \glsfirst{GoTT} and the Keyboards} diff --git a/chap6/discussion.tex b/chap6/discussion.tex index ecf0d6a..077edd8 100644 --- a/chap6/discussion.tex +++ b/chap6/discussion.tex @@ -36,10 +36,13 @@ that subjects typed a bit slower (< 3\%) on \textit{Athena (80 g)} compared to \textit{Aphrodite (50 g)} and \textit{Hera (35 - 60 g)}. With the differences in metrics that are commonly used to measure typing speed more closely related to productivity (\gls{WPM}, \gls{AdjWPM}) and the trends that indicate a slight -difference in operating speed, we can accept our hypothesis that a difference in -actuation force, at least indirectly, has an impact on typing speed. +difference in operating speed we could have accepted our hypothesis. However, +with the relation between error rate and typing speed described in the next +section and the thereby rather indirect effect of the actuation force, we can +only partially accept our hypothesis that a difference solely in actuation +force, has an impact on typing speed. -\begin{phga_hyp*}[1 $\rightarrow$ \cmark] +\begin{phga_hyp*}[1 $\rightarrow$ \cmark\kern-1.1ex\raisebox{.7ex}{\rotatebox[origin=c]{125}{--}}] Actuation force has an impact on typing speed (efficiency - speed). \end{phga_hyp*} @@ -200,7 +203,7 @@ those two keyboards \cite{baumeister_bad}. \begin{figure}[H] \centering - \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{images/ratio_interview} + \includegraphics[width=0.80\textwidth]{images/ratio_interview} \caption{The ration of $\frac{Positive Responses}{Negative Responses}$ during the semi-structured interview for all test keyboards} \label{fig:ratio_interview} diff --git a/chap7/conclusion.tex b/chap7/conclusion.tex index e1a72fc..6baa6c8 100644 --- a/chap7/conclusion.tex +++ b/chap7/conclusion.tex @@ -1,16 +1,78 @@ \section{Conclusion} -\label{sec:label} +\label{sec:conclusion} Since keyboards are still the main data input device while using a computer and are also found to be related to discomfort or even \glsfirst{WRUED} \cite{pascarelli_wrued}, we tried to evaluate a possible modification to the existing keyboard design, that does not require the consumers to extensively adapt their typing behaviour, nor the producers to massively deviate from -existing manufacturing processes. Therefore, we created a keyboard that used -keyswitches with actuation forces, related to the specific finger the keyswitch -is operated with. +existing manufacturing processes. To reduce the load on weaker fingers, we +created a keyboard that used keyswitches with actuation forces, related to the +specific finger the keyswitch is operated with and hoped to thereby decrease the +risk for \gls{WRUED}. The evaluation of the impact of different actuation forces +on typing speed, error rate and satisfaction revealed, that higher actuation +forces reduce error rates compared to lower actuation forces and that the typing +speed is also influenced, \textbf{at least indirectly}, by differences in +actuation force. Especially the keyboard with very low actuation force, +\textit{Nyx (35 g)}, which also had the highest average error rate was +significantly slower than all other keyboards. Therefore, we investigated, if +there is a connection between high error rates and stagnating typing speed and +found, that in general, the error rate was a factor for lower input +rates. Neither the satisfaction nor the muscle activity was significantly +influenced solely by the actuation. -\subsection{Future work} -\label{sec:label} +In conclusion, our study showed, that the keyboard with non-uniform actuation +forces―\textit{Hera (35 - 60 g)}―was not able to improve the overall typing +experience significantly enough to supersede existing designs, but was still a +viable alternative to all traditional keyboards we tested. It could be possible, +that due to the unconventional force distribution, that similar to keyboards +with very light actuation force, the muscle activity while using \textit{Hera} +could decrease when users are given more time to adapt to this keyboard +\cite{gerard_keyswitch}. Additionally, we found that keyboards with either very +high (80 g) or very low (35 g) actuation forces had the most influence on typing +related metrics, when compared to the more commonly sold keyboards with around +50 g to 60 g actuation force. In the next sections we identify possible +limitations and propose some ideas on how to reevaluate custom keyboard designs +in future studies. \subsection{Limitations} -\label{sec:label} \ No newline at end of file +\label{sec:limitations} +The first limitation of our study design was the rather short time period of in +total 10 minutes, for every participant to adjust to each keyboard. With +prolonged typing session, familiarization, especially for keyboards with lighter +actuation force, would have been more realistic to a real life scenario where a +person bought a new keyboard. Furthermore, the laboratory test environment where +the researcher was in the same room, the limited time for the individual typing +tests and the rather short breaks in between typing tests, could have influenced +some subjects by inducing unnecessary stress. Another limitation related to the +preliminary finger strength study, was the very small number of participants (n += 6). Although we measured the finger strengths in different positions for 50\% +female and male participants, the age distribution was not diverse (M = 24) and +with a higher number of subjects, the results would have been much more +reliable. Similarly, the number and diversity in occupation of participants +could have been higher for our main study (n = 24) to yield even more meaningful +results. The low number of participants in general was partly due to the ongoing +COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, we could have used more linear mixed models during +our statistical analysis, to be able to make statements about the influence of +other factors e.g., age, gender, average daily keyboard usage, etc., on speed, +error rate and satisfaction. + +\subsection{Future work} +\label{sec:fw} +We propose, that in further research related to keyboards with non-uniform +actuation force (adjusted keyboards), participants should test several different +adjusted keyboards and the results should be compared to one identical looking +keyboard that utilizes a uniform layout of keyswitches with an actuation force +of 50 g to 65 g. Further, different adjusted layouts, with e.g. higher or lower +base actuation force than 50 g could be used to calculate the individual spring +resistances used for each key or a similar layout to the one used in +Realforce\footnote{\url{https://www.realforce.co.jp/en/products/}} keyboards, +could be compared to each other. Furthermore, long term studies with adjusted +keyboards, where participants use the adjusted keyboard for 3 to 4 months and +then use a uniform keyboard they prefer for another 3 to 4 months as their daily +driver, could yield more accurate results, due to the chance to fully adapt to +the individual keyboards. During those months \gls{EMG} and typing related +metrics should be measured on a regular basis. Lastly, it would be interesting +to investigate if an adjusted keyboard can reduce pain or at least enhance +comfort for typists with pre-existing diseases influenced by typing activities +(disorders of the upper extremity), since one of our participants with a similar +disease reported a great reduction in pain while using \textit{Hera}. diff --git a/images/collage.jpg b/images/collage.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4958cab Binary files /dev/null and b/images/collage.jpg differ diff --git a/images/finger_force_measurement_station.jpg b/images/finger_force_measurement_station.jpg deleted file mode 100644 index 6e8569a..0000000 Binary files a/images/finger_force_measurement_station.jpg and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/force_master.jpg b/images/force_master.jpg deleted file mode 100644 index 77d5dde..0000000 Binary files a/images/force_master.jpg and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/gott_contribute_text.png b/images/gott_contribute_text.png deleted file mode 100644 index cb09618..0000000 Binary files a/images/gott_contribute_text.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/gott_crowdsource.jpg b/images/gott_crowdsource.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..047babd Binary files /dev/null and b/images/gott_crowdsource.jpg differ diff --git a/images/gott_demo.jpg b/images/gott_demo.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ccc7b0 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/gott_demo.jpg differ diff --git a/images/gott_demographics_survey.png b/images/gott_demographics_survey.png deleted file mode 100644 index 8551faf..0000000 Binary files a/images/gott_demographics_survey.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/gott_demographics_survey.png~ b/images/gott_demographics_survey.png~ deleted file mode 100644 index 85a6c7c..0000000 Binary files a/images/gott_demographics_survey.png~ and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/gott_kcq.jpg b/images/gott_kcq.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a67fa96 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/gott_kcq.jpg differ diff --git a/images/gott_text_area.png b/images/gott_text_area.png deleted file mode 100644 index b7e6ff7..0000000 Binary files a/images/gott_text_area.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/gott_ueq.jpg b/images/gott_ueq.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9facc62 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/gott_ueq.jpg differ diff --git a/images/ks_fd_curves.jpg~ b/images/ks_fd_curves.jpg~ deleted file mode 100644 index 0d0f102..0000000 Binary files a/images/ks_fd_curves.jpg~ and /dev/null differ diff --git a/images/res_telephone_interview.jpg b/images/res_telephone_interview.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b1c87cd Binary files /dev/null and b/images/res_telephone_interview.jpg differ diff --git a/images/section_3_flow.jpg b/images/section_3_flow.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..035e927 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/section_3_flow.jpg differ diff --git a/images/section_4_flow.jpg b/images/section_4_flow.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5454c25 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/section_4_flow.jpg differ diff --git a/images/ux_curve_results.jpg b/images/ux_curve_results.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2deb13b Binary files /dev/null and b/images/ux_curve_results.jpg differ diff --git a/ref_shelf.bib b/ref_shelf.bib index af4a1ad..d5ba2cf 100644 --- a/ref_shelf.bib +++ b/ref_shelf.bib @@ -7,10 +7,21 @@ author = {Eurostat}, booktitle = {Statista}, url = - {https://www-statista-com.thi.idm.oclc.org/statistics/275306/share-of-enterprises-who-used-computers-in-the-uk-and-eu-since-2010/}, + {https://www.statista.com/statistics/275306/share-of-enterprises-who-used-computers-in-the-uk-and-eu-since-2010/}, year = 2016, month = {may}, - urldate = {2020-10-12} + urldate = {2021-07-01} +} + + +@incollection{eurostat_hous_w_comp, + title = {Households - Availability of Computers}, + author = {Eurostat}, + url = + {https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=isoc_ci_cm_h&lang=en}, + year = 2021, + month = {may}, + urldate = {2021-07-01} } @incollection{iresearch_ent_w_comp, @@ -19,22 +30,19 @@ author = {iResearch}, booktitle = {Statista}, url = - {https://www-statista-com.thi.idm.oclc.org/statistics/885270/enterprise-computer-usage-rate-in-china/}, + {https://www.statista.com/statistics/885270/enterprise-computer-usage-rate-in-china/}, year = 2018, month = {jul}, - urldate = {2020-10-12} + urldate = {2021-07-01} } @incollection{itu_hh_w_comp, - title = {Share of households with a computer at home worldwide from - 2005 to 2019 [Graph]}, + title = {Key ICT indicators for developed and developing countries, the world and special regions}, author = {ITU}, - booktitle = {Statista}, url = - {https://www-statista-com.thi.idm.oclc.org/statistics/748551/worldwide-households-with-computer/}, - year = 2019, - month = {nov}, - urldate = {2020-10-12} + {https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/facts/ITU_regional_global_Key_ICT_indicator_aggregates_Nov_2020.xlsx}, + year = 2020, + urldate = {2021-07-01} } @article{bretz_finger_force, @@ -88,7 +96,7 @@ urldate = {2021-07-01} author = {Stephanie Glen}, title = {Counterbalancing in Research}, url = {https://www.statisticshowto.com/counterbalancing-2/}, -urldate = {2020-10-12} +urldate = {2021-06-12} } @incollection{handbook_chi, @@ -332,6 +340,17 @@ urldate = {2021-06-28} publisher = {American Occupational Therapy Association} } +@article{baker_ergo2, + title={The effect of an alternative keyboard on musculoskeletal discomfort: A randomized cross-over trial}, + author={Baker, Nancy A and Moehling, Krissy K and Park, Seo Young}, + journal={Work}, + volume={50}, + number={4}, + pages={677--686}, + year={2015}, + publisher={IOS Press} +} + @article{tittiranonda_ergo, title={Effect of four computer keyboards in computer users with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders}, author={Tittiranonda, Pat and Rempel, David and Armstrong, Thomas and Burastero, Stephen}, diff --git a/thesis.tex b/thesis.tex index a392c71..76cd904 100644 --- a/thesis.tex +++ b/thesis.tex @@ -329,8 +329,8 @@ citecolor=red, \cleardoublepage % Anhänge/Appendices -% \include{appendices} -% \cleardoublepage +\include{appendices} +\cleardoublepage % ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ % ----------------DOKUMENTENENDE - 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