Single and Multi Touch User Interface

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
How Does It Work?
SMUI Technologies
Advantages and Disadvantages of SMUI
Who Are the Users?
References

Abstract

The innovations in the field of multi-touch devices (3+ simultaneous touches) have become a successful marketing decision. Despite its wide modern popularity, this technology is not new as it is more than 30 years old. The multi-touch technology provides numerous advantages to the end-users. Nonetheless, it has some critical disadvantages that impact its development and application. This report dwells on the pivotal components of single- and multi-touch interfaces and discusses the ideas behind this technology.

Introduction

Currently, multi-touch user interfaces become more and more popular. They are installed on numerous mobile devices and tablets (iOS or Android-powered). The distribution of devices equipped with this technology progresses daily (Cooper, 2014). The term “multi-touch” means that the system can detect at least three touch points concurrently. Regardless, there is a limited number of applications that offer these possibilities to the general public. The current paper discusses multi-touch interfaces and all the notions related to this technology. The report concentrates on the key components of multi-touch interfaces and their principles of functioning. The author also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using multi-touch interfaces and provides relevant examples of target users.

How Does It Work?

The multi-touch interface technology is based on the core idea that the interaction elements inherent in any application should be invisible. In perspective, this allows creating a direct user-app interaction that is based on the removal of the barriers between the virtual and physical worlds. This interface provides the end-users with multiple opportunities when it comes to manipulating different objects (rotation, slide, and many other activities) as if they were real and not virtual (Hamon, Palanque, Silva, Deleris, & Barboni, 2013). The difference is that in the virtual world, the user can zoom in and out and make the best use out of other exciting digital tools. The core purpose of any multi-touch interface is to detect and process the users’ intuitive gestures. The ultimate responsibility of the interface is to respond to those gestures appropriately. For instance, swiping touch allows the user to navigate the elements on the screen. Dial pads have also taken a digital form to help the users dial numbers using the graphic interface. Some of the hardware that uses multi-touch interfaces can detect physical objects (for instance, Microsoft Surface). Therefore, the Surface can access, modify, and share the data located on the device if the latter is placed on the surface of the hardware.

SMUI Technologies

Three technologies are responsible for the detection and processing of touches. First, the device has to be equipped with a resistive surface. Second, there should be electric fields that will certify the correct functioning of capacitive surfaces. Third, the technology should be able to capture the modifications made by the users’ touches and change the information presented on the screen accordingly (Sae-Bae, Memon, & Isbister, 2012). These SMUI technologies only process the touch input, but it is important to notice that there are multi-touch interfaces that also react to the pressure created by the touch. This creates the opportunity to detect the third axis in addition to the vertical and horizontal positions of the touch. Additionally, the existing multi-touch interfaces give the possibility to recognize the angle of the touch by detecting the position of the palm and other fingers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of SMUI

The first and foremost advantage of multi-touch interfaces is that they can be adjusted to virtually every situation where a multi-touch interface may be required. This technology allows the developer to create virtual reproductions of the content that is intended to be used (Kolb, Rudner, & Reichert, 2013). Also, the developer can run different simulations to test the input devices. Another advantage is inextricably linked to the input devices as this technology ensures the utilization of simultaneously processed input activities. This advantage can be best described by the fact that the end-users can use multiple fingers when interacting with the interface. In perspective, this critically impacts the amount of time that is spent on decision-making and problem-solving processes.

One of the key disadvantages of multi-touch systems is the fact that multi-touch gestures cover the biggest part of the touch screen and limit the user’s view (Derboven, Roeck, & Verstraete, 2012). Another disadvantage relates to the issue of fat fingers. This means that there is a certain size of interaction elements that should be perceived as the minimum acceptable size. The majority of multi-touch interfaces are functioning together with touch screens, so it is critical to see the screen clearly and notice all the information (Shteyn & Shtein, 2013). Consequently, multi-touch systems impose certain usability limitations on visually impaired end users. Ultimately, touch screens may be heavily influenced by direct sunlight, and the level of visibility may drop significantly.

Who Are the Users?

It is safe to say that almost everyone can use devices that are equipped with multi-touch interfaces. Particular problems may transpire when an extremely obese person or a visually impaired person tries to interact with the device. Overall, any multi-touch interface may be adjusted to the needs and requirements of any given individual, and this is paramount due to the diverseness of the end-users.

References

Cooper, A. (2014). About face: The essentials of interaction design. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Derboven, J., Roeck, D., & Verstraete, M. (2012). Semiotic analysis of multi-touch interface design: The MuTable case study. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 70(10), 714-728. Web.

Hamon, A., Palanque, P., Silva, J., Deleris, Y., & Barboni, E. (2013). Formal description of multi-touch interactions. Engineering Interactive Computing Systems, 4(2), 144-160. Web.

Kolb, J., Rudner, B., & Reichert, M. (2013). Gesture-based process modeling using multi-touch devices. International Journal of Information System Modeling and Design, 4(4), 48-69. Web.

Sae-Bae, N., Memon, N., & Isbister, K. (2012). Investigating multi-touch gestures as a novel biometric modality. Biometrics: Theory, Applications and Systems (BTAS), 2(11), 34-52. Web.

Shteyn, E., & Shtein, M. (2013). Scalable innovation: A guide for inventors, entrepreneurs, and IP professionals. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis.

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