The Effect of Form Factors and Control Types on Unsorted List Search for Full Touch Phone

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this paper is to inquire into the influences form factors and control types affect a search time and comfort at list menu of full touch phone. Background: Various studies have been proceeded that are related to the optimum touch area for enhancing usability of control and legibility in mobile touch device. In the environment of list menu which is widely used to provide various information effectively, however, not only comprehensive consideration for legibility and control is to be seek but also research for control type which is to scroll a list. Method: This study executed form factor experiment to inquire into the influence that font size, height of row and fixed area affect searching time and comfort in the while information processing even if the information on the list is unsorted in alphabetical order. Among the result of form factor experiment, control type experiment was executed by selecting shortest performance time, highest legibility comfort and control comfort. Control type experiment was implemented to figure out the influence which existing flicking type, scrolling bar type, newly established button page type and button raw types affect performance time and subjective comfort depending on location of the information. Results: Font size 12pt, height of row 7mm and fixed area 15mm was shortest performance time and got highest comfort and legibility score in form factor experiment. A Button page which was newly proposed type was shortest performance time and got highest comprehensive comfort in control type experiment. Conclusion: Form factor experiment showed similar results with the study through reading a long passage of character or controlling a grid icon type. However, height of row turned out to affect not only touch area for control but also legibility by ruling space between the lines. Button page type which was newly proposed showed shortest performance time and got highest comprehensive comfort. Because Button page type needs few finger movements than other control types and implements search in the fixed form, unlikely other type which list keeps moving. Application: This study should be applied in deciding form factors and control type for scroll when designing a list menu of full touch phone.