물리적 인터랙션 확장을 위한 정보기기의 플랫폼 디자인

Analog-based user activities have changed to digital-based user activities owing to the evolution of information appliances. The number of applications with screen-based interfaces, in particular, has rapidly increased. However, the limitation of the touch screen GUI, which is the main interface type, is that it offers only efficient visual interaction. In this research, a new hardware platform concept developed to enhance the interface mechanism of traditional information appliances is presented. Improvement in physical interactivity and usability are focused on in this research.
The final design proposed in this paper employs screen-based interfaces. Visual depth and tactile factors are obtained by controlling the height of individual small screen modules. The usability test for the new interface design was executed using a prototype. A qualitative analysis of the usability test indicated that the interface was not improved; however, a quantitative analysis suggested that testers (who were interviewed after the test) were more satisfied with the task execution process of the interface than with that of the traditional model.
In conclusion, it was found that the addition of new features in terms of physical interactivity did not increase the usability of the screen-based interface; however, it can affect the emotional factors involved in interaction with the device by Chunking and grouping related interface factors.