Handheld User Interface Design

Bresslergroup has extensive experience in handheld user interface design across consumer, financial and industrial applications. One such example is the field-based contextual research workstation, or FieldCREW, which is primarily targeted at improving data collection efficiency, particularly when studying complex, multi-dimensional work situations such as surgery in an operating room or a construction crew. We began conceptual development with detailed mobile user interface guidelines.

FieldCREW brings together a number of "near-future" technologies to support user research using a mobile device in two contexts:

1. When a researcher is working by him/herself and needs to play the role of both note-taker and videographer
2. When a team of observers is working together and need a way to synchronize their observations around multiple events

The Workstation consists of the tablet and several wireless data gathering components (see illustrations in the slideshow below). The components include:

1. Wireless, remotely controlled tracking video cameras for mobile audio and video recording
2. Handheld wireless taggers that allow each observer to tag key events of their choosing for later review - tagging is synched to a common timeline on the mobile tablet
3. Subvocalization sensor allows the researcher to silently dictate notes that are automatically transcribed to text and stored on the tablet

The tablet manages and receives data from these wireless components and provides features including:

1. Video notation (i.e. telestrator) for annotation of events as they happen
2. Speech-to-text translation of recorded audio (and subvocalizations)
3. Access to stored and online project and research reference materials
4. Built-in storage and recharging for wireless components
5. Synchronization of all input sources (video, tagging, notes) for streamlined analysis

In a research scenario the lead researcher (or an associate) can manage the data from multiple mobile observers and utilize tagging and annotation features to prioritize key observations, speeding up the analysis process. Similarly, a single researcher, working alone, can do the work of a team by coordinating input from multiple sources.

And while FieldCREW has the capabilities to support complex field research situations, it can also be used by a single researcher conducting a one-on-one interview, much like a clipboard is used.