A user interface device for domestic hypermedia

Abstract

Traditional ways of interacting with hypermedia fail in a domestic setting because the user interaction devices typical of a desktop hypermedia system (mouse, keyboard, joystick, high resolution screen) are currently unavailable or are impractical in a domestic setting. We have investigated and prototyped an alternate interaction device based on a hand-held touchpad that we believe is practical in a domestic environment where people interact with hypermedia content for education and entertainment in a lounge room like setting. We have evaluated the usability level of the device in human trials and found that it performs better than keyboard-mouse combination, which is one of the most widely used interaction device today.