Optimal Entry Size of Handwritten Chinese Characters in Touch-Based Mobile Phones
Huawei Tu, Xiangshi Ren · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · 2012
This study quantitatively investigated optimal finger-based entry size in touch-based mobile phones for two commonly used Chinese handwriting input styles: two-handed entry with the nondominant hand holding the device and the index finger of the dominant hand entering characters, and one-handed entry with the dominant hand holding the device and the thumb of the dominant hand being used for character entry. Results were assessed in terms of the number and length of protruding strokes, writing time, stroke writing speed, size ratio, number of writing attempts, and subjective preference. For both one-handed entry and two-handed entry, the optimal entry box size was found to be 2.5 × 2.5 cm. This size entry box is large enough for fast and accurate handwriting with high-entry-area utilization rate and few, short protruding strokes. The experimental results and methodology of this study can be employed in user interface design for handwriting in touch-based mobile phones.