Design of controls and display

Question 1

For a control that is activated by a small actuation force and has a small range of continuous settings, what type of controls should used?

Answer 1

knob, joystick lever

Question 2

For a control that is activated by a large actuation and has 2 discrete settings, what type of controls should be used?

Answer 2

hand push button, foot pedal

Question 3

over the years, many controls have become standardized. Provide 3 examples of this.

Answer 3

• steering wheel for steering
• joystick for airplanes
• foot pedals for braking and acceleration

Question 4

What is “control movement stereotypes”? Provide 3 examples. What are the consequences of designing controls that contradicts such stereotypes?

Answer 4

It is the expectations about what to do with controls.

• on : up right, forward, clockwise
• off : down, left, backwards

Designing controls that contradict can cause many accidents, slip in shower bc temperature was wrong and startled old peeps

Question 5

What is a “one to one” correspondence? Provide an example of a “one to one” correspondence and a non “one to one” correspondence.

Answer 5

one to one correspondence b/w movements of control and the controlled element = good design.
Ex. to raise overhead crane in manufacturing plant, we expect to move control vertically upwards.

Non one to one correspondence is like an aircraft joystick, pull joystick backward to raise airplane vertically

Question 6

What is a negative transfer of training?

Answer 6

operator box with multiple controls v confusing

go back to normal behavior during an emergency and cause accidents

Question 7

What is control response compatibility? What are the 5 levels of compatibility? Give a sentence or example to describe/explain each.

Answer 7

compatibility refers to the relationship of stimuli and responses that are consistent with human expectations, resulting in decreased errors and faster response time.

1. conceptual - how meaningful the codes are to workers
2. affordance - perceived property results in the desired action
3. movement - relationship b/w the movement of controls and resulting motion/display
4. spatial mapping - physical arrangement of controls and displays
5. modality - using same stimulus modality for both signal and response. verbal tasks: best with auditory. Spatial tasks: performed best with visual

Question 8

which of the compatibility level does the typical stove top we have in our kitchen violate? How would you redesign the stove top to avoid the incompatibility?

Answer 8

modality
spatial mapping
conceptual

Question 9

What is coding by location, color, size, shape, labeling, and mode of operation? Provide an example of each.

Answer 9

Location: locations of controls in car. blindfold someone they can still use a car.

Color: color of different functions. red =danger green =safe

Size: buttons can be distinguished based on size

Shape: the control replicates the action that is needed

Labeling: describe the control

Mode of operation: each control has a different feel or that has unique method of activation

Question 10

Why is it important to consider illumination level and color stereotypes when coding by color

Answer 10

create a design for a majority of user population

Question 11

Why is it important to consider illumination level and color stereotypes when coding by color

Answer 11

create a design for a majority of user population. not all the colors are universal.

Question 12

what is redundant coding? why/when should redundant coding be used?

Answer 12

redundancy is critical for situations when several dimensions are combined in a redundant manner,
stop sign examples; labeled stop + universal color red 6 unique octagonal shape sign

Question 13

What are the 4 recommendations for designing emergency controls?

Answer 13

• position emergency controls away from other frequently used controls, thereby lessening the risk of inadvertent activation
• make emergency controls easy to reach
• make emergency controls large and easy to activate
• color emergency controls red

Question 14

It is said the one “should locate all control devices for best operator accessibility and strength capability”, Provide some examples of this.

Answer 14

• hand wheels, cranks, and levers should be of such a size and placed in such a position that operators can manipulate them with maximum proficiency and minimum fatigue
• frequently used controls should be at elbow height level

Question 15

What are the 3 factors that affect the performance of control? give a sentence to explain how each of these affects performance.

Answer 15

1. control size
2. control-response ratio
3. control resistance - good for providing feedback to operator when machine is engaged

Question 16

What is control response ratio? what is optimum C/R ratio? What does a high C/R ratio imply? give and example of a control that has a high C/R ratio.

Answer 16

• the amount of movement in a control divided by the amount of movement in the response
• optimum C/R ration is to target the shortest time
• high C/R ratio means low sensitivity, fine adjustments

Question 17

What is the purpose of using symbols in manufacturing or product design? Why are symbols preferred over labels?

Answer 17

symbols are used to identify controls, functions..etc

symbols are better than labels since they have to be translated

Question 18

Provide 3 advantages and disadvantages of using either touch screen or light pens as computer input devices

Answer 18

Adv
- ability to attend to a display 
- training requirements 
- hand eye coordination 
Dis 
- continuous tracking 
- tracing
comfort in extended use

Question 19

What are the 3 ways labels can be expressed? Give and example for each. Which is the preferred way and why?

Answer 19

1. affirmative:
2. Passive:
3. Negative:

Question 20

What are the 4 stages in users processing warning signs? Provide an ergonomics design consideration for each.

Answer 20

1. exposure to warning sign -making sign more visible, bigger, better place
2. attention and active processing - need to perceive sign as relevant or will not pay attention
3. comprehension and agreement - be descriptive
4. selection of response - understand warning but will not act on it. safety glasses, steel toed boots

Question 21

according to wogalter, what are the 4 fundamentals in a warning sign? give an example to illustrate

Answer 21

Signal word: danger

hazard: the nature of the hazard
consequences: what is likely to happen if not following warning
instructions: appropriate behvaior

Danger
high voltage wire
can kill
stay away