The role of interface configuration on performance accuracy in eyes-free touchscreen interaction

This paper describes the exploration of a new category of a touchscreen interface. An eyes-free interface harnesses innate human abilities and product affordances to allow reduced levels of visual attention. Interface design for eyes-free interaction with a featureless screen is highly challenging; however, it can be achieved by simplifying and optimizing menu layout patterns to take advantage of innate human abilities including proprioception and spatial memory. This opens up a range of possibilities for peripheral device control under one-handed thumb mobile interaction. To this end, two experiments with different modes of presentation were conducted to understand the effect of interface configurations on performance accuracy caused by spatial memory and proprioception. Spatial performance results from the interaction effect of both cognitive abilities on an eyes-free interface. Vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and curved layouts with different spacing patterns have been tested in both tap and draw input modes. The results revealed that evenly spaced button alignment close to the reference frame with symmetrical patterns within a square interface area and a comfortable thumb range positively affect accuracy. The conclusions describe how alignment patterns and the mode of presentation affect visual perception and spatial integration, and a framework for the development of an eyes-free interface is set out.