1. Designing the Inputs and User Interface
Chapter 12
Designing the Inputs and User Interface

2. Learning Objectives
To become familiar with the various common methods by which end users interact with IS
To review the common computer input devices and to explore the newer, more sophisticated input technologies
To understand the three basic metaphors for designing human–computer interaction mechanisms

3. Learning Objectives
To understand and be able to apply the basic design guidelines for high quality and usable data entry screens
To understand the two categories of input controls, as well as their strengths and limitations

4. User Interface Methods
Command Dialogue
Menus
Icons and Buttons
Input Screens and Forms
Natural Language Recognition

5. Command Dialogue
End users initiate all dialogue by issuing instructions to the computer via a structured syntax of command
Requires a significant learning curve on the part of the end user

6. Menus Present the end user with a list of available alternatives
Types of menus
Single menu approach
Hierarchical menu approach
Menu bar approach
Pop-up menu

7. Icons and Buttons
End user selects and executes commands by pointing and clicking at graphical buttons or icons
Easy recognition by end users

8. Figure 12-2. Iconic Menu Toolbar

9. Input Screens and Forms
Use a screen-based form to get input from users
The navigation method should allow the user to move from field to field in a logical, intuitive sequence

10. Proper navigation
Poor navigation
Figure Examples of Logical and Counterintuitive Navigation Sequences

11. Voice Recognition Uses voice synthesis technology
Allows the user to interface with the computer device by using natural language and voice commands
Error rate is decreasing in recent years

12. Voice Recognition Future development
Computer scientists looking for pauses in our voice
Speaker independence
Understanding of gesture

13. Voice Recognition Natural Computing
Adapt to natural human interaction skills
To interpret vocal command
To track movement and gestures

14. Common Input Device Punch Card Biometric Input Devices
Automatic identification of a person based on his or her physiological or behavioral characteristics
Pattern recognition system

15. Figure 12-4. Examples of Biometric Input Devices

16. Common Input Device Optical Input Devices Barcode
Provide a simple and easy method of encoding text and numerical information to be read by inexpensive devices
A series of parallel, adjacent bars and spaces

17. Figure 12-5. Barcode Scanner and Barcode Structure

18. Common Input Device Optical Input Devices OMR Optical Mark Reading
Uses an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to scan for marks in certain position
Used for questionnaires, tests, voter registration, market research

19. Figure 12-6. Optical Mark Reader Scan Sheet and Auto-Scanner
Skunk Marks
Data Scanning
Figure Optical Mark Reader Scan Sheet and Auto-Scanner

20. Common Input Device Optical Input Devices OCR
Optical Character Recognition
Scan virtually any form or document containing numbers, letters, or marks

21. Figure 12-7. Smart Card Technology

22. Common Input Device Smart Card
A plastic card embedded with an integrated circuit chip
Used for payment processing, identification, network computing, health care management

23. Guidelines for Input and Interface Design
HCI Metaphors
Desktop or direct manipulation
Document
Dialogue

24. The Desktop Metaphor
Build on the common set of activities and organizational schemes associated with a common desktop
Create an electronic desktop that provides all of the flexibility and advantages of a physical desktop

25. Figure 12-8. Example of Electronic Desktop Metaphor

26. The Document Metaphor
The end user interacts with the computer by browsing through, or entering data in electronic documents and forms

27. The Document Metaphor Hypermedia
Links graphics, video, and audio together in a manner that allows the users to easily navigate between the documents
Hyperlinks bear a strong resemblance to reference in paper documents
Filling in forms on web pages is reminiscent of filling in paper forms

28. The Document Metaphor Disadvantages of desktops Reading machines
Do not provide mobility
Are not spatial
Vary in software
Reading machines
Encapsulate the physical aspects we are accustomed to when reading from a hard copy

29. The Dialogue Metaphor
Attempt to create an electronic version of a conversation using natural language
Electronic Personal Assistant

30. Data Entry Issue Consistency
The methods and functions available on one data entry screen should be consistently applied to all entry screens

31. Data Entry Issue Standardized Interface
Learning curve for an end user is significantly reduced
The probability of data entry error across screens is reduced

32. Table 12-1. Common Data Entry Screen Functions

33. Table 12-2. Guidelines for Effective Input Screen Design

34. Data Entry Screen Characteristics
Determine default value when appropriate
Include context-sensitive help
Pop-up help, hotspots, tool tips, etc.

35. Figure 12-10. Examples of Context-Sensitive Help Mechanisms
Tooltip
Hotspot
Popup
Figure Examples of Context-Sensitive Help Mechanisms

36. Providing User Feedback
System Status Feedback
Users needs to be reassured that the intended process is successfully executing
Users need some indication of the estimated length of time for the process to execute or complete
System status indicator

37. Figure 12-11. End User Feedback Using Both Text and Graphics

38. Providing User Feedback
User prompts
The designer needs to communicate information to the user in the form of a statement or a selection that is related to either a process in progress or a possible error condition in effect

39. Figure 12-12. Dialog Box Examples

40. Dialogue Design Usability Assessment
Used to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the various interface structures and components of the application
Surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, field observation

41. Table 12-3. Guidelines for the Design of Effective HCI Dialogues

42. Designing the Input Controls
Intended to ensure that the data input to the system are both accurate and valid to the highest degree possible
Access Control
Data Control

43. Designing the Input Controls
Data Control
Appending error
Truncation error
Transcription error
Transposition error
Design Control Mechanism
Table 12-4

44. Table 12-4. Input Validation Control Mechanisms

45. Table 12-5. Check Digit Calculation Method

46. Designing the Input Controls
Access Control
Authentic Mechanism
Authorization Schema
Encryption Mechanism

47. Chapter Summary
This and the previous chapter provided a detailed overview of the design and control issues on system input and output. With these two tasks complete, the system is well on its way to completion and implementation.

48. Chapter 12
End of Chapter