One-press control: a tactile input method for pressure-sensitive computer keyboards

TL;DR

This paper introduces One-press control, a tactile input method for pressure-sensitive keyboards that simplifies interactions by replacing modifier keys with single presses, enabling intuitive navigation and decision-making in a single key cycle.

Contribution

It presents a novel tactile input technique for pressure-sensitive keyboards, redefining virtual modifier keys and demonstrating new interaction scenarios based on WYTIWYG principles.

Findings

Users can learn the technique within 15 minutes.

The method enables simplified interaction scenarios.

Some implementation issues remain to be addressed.

Abstract

This work presents One-press control, a tactile input method for pressure-sensitive keyboards based on the detection and classification of pressing movements on the already held-down key. To seamlessly integrate the added control input with existing practices for ordinary computer keyboards, the redefined notion of virtual modifier keys is introduced. A number of application examples are given, especially to point out a potential for simplifying existing interactions by replacing modifier key combinations with single key presses. Also, a new class of interaction scenarios employing the technique is proposed, based on an interaction model named "What You Touch Is What You Get (WYTIWYG)". Here, the proposed tactile input method is used to navigate interaction options, get full previews of potential outcomes, and then either commit to one or abort altogether - all in the space of one key depress / release cycle. The results of user testing indicate some remaining implementation issues, as well as that the technique can be learned within about a quarter of an hour of hands-on operating practice time.