The effect of spring stiffness and control gain with an elastic rate control pointing device

Isometric and elastic devices are most compatible with a rate control mapping. However, the effect of elastic stiffness has not been thoroughly investigated nor its interaction with control gain. In a controlled experiment, these factors are investigated along with user feedback regarding ease-of-use and fatigue. The results reveal a U-shaped profile of control gain vs. movement time, with different profiles for different stiffness levels. Using the optimum control gain for each stiffness level, performance across stiffness levels was similar. However, users preferred lower stiffness and lower control gain levels due to increased controller displacement. Based on these results, design guidelines for elastic rate control devices are given. ACM Classification: H5.2 [Information interfaces and presentation]: User Interfaces. - Graphical user interfaces. General terms: Human factors

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: CHI
• Authors: Daniel Vogel, Géry Casiez
• Keywords: CHI 2008, Control Gain Levels, Elastic Stiffness, Human Computer Interaction, Optimum Control Gain