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49 lines
2.9 KiB
49 lines
2.9 KiB
\subsection{Motivation}
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In recent years, computers are used to some extend in almost every industry in
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Europe \cite{eurostat_ent_w_comp} and China \cite{iresearch_ent_w_comp}. This
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leads to the conclusion, that also other countries must have a high usage of
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computers in corporations. Furthermore, according to a statistic published by
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\citeauthor{itu_hh_w_comp} in 2019, nearly half of the worldwide households have
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access to at least one computer \cite{itu_hh_w_comp}. One of the most used
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devices for data input while operating a computer is the keyboard
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\parencite[22]{handbook_chi}. Therefore, people who use a computer, either at
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home or to fulfill certain tasks at work, are also likely to use a keyboard. An
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important part of a keyboard is the keyswitch also called keyboard key or
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key. Those keyswitches use, depending on the manufacturer or keyboard type,
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different mechanisms to actuate a keypress. More commonly used mechanism to date
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are scissor switches, mostly used in laptop keyboards, rubber dome and membrane switches,
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often used in low- to mid-priced keyboards, and mechanical switches which are
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the main switch type for high-end and gaming keyboards
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\cite{ergopedia_keyswitch}. Depending on the mechanism and type of key used, it
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is possible that different force has to be applied to the key to activate
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it. Normally, the force required to activate a key is identical for each key
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across the keyboard. However, previous research has shown, that there is a
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disparity in force generated by different fingers
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\cite{bretz_finger_force}. This raises the question, why there are no keyboards
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for personal or work related use cases with adjusted actuation forces per finger
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or even customizable keyboards, where an individual can select the actuation
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force for each keyswitch individually.
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In recent decades, computers and other electronic devices have become an
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indispensable part of everyday life. Computers are used in almost every industry
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\cite{iresearch_ent_w_comp, eurostat_ent_w_comp} and almost half of the
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worldwide households have access to at least one computer \cite{itu_hh_w_comp}.
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Even 153 years after the first typewriter was patented \cite{noyes_qwerty, }
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people still use keyboards as their main way to input data into a computer
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\parencite[22]{handbook_chi}, \cite{broel_dektop_or_smartphone}. A potential
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problem while interacting with a computer through the usage of a keyboard are
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rapid movements of the fingers over a prolonged time.
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Input tasks are not only restricted to pure data entry but also include complex
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inputs required by games.
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Prolonged usage of computers can lead to serious diseases
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With the rising popularity of smartphones and other touchscreen devices
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\cite{gs_statcounter_dmt_2020} which utilize virtual keyboards to fulfill a
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variety of tasks that also include data entry, e.g., writing text messages,
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short emails, communicating on social media or web browsing
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