Feedback and Key Discrimination on Membrane Keypads

This study investigated the effects of visual and tactile key discrimination and kinesthetic and auditory feedback on membrane keypads. More specifically, metal domes, embossed key edges and tone were examined. Fortyeight subjects were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design with two levels of key discrimination (with and without embossed key edges), two levels of kinesthetic feedback (with and without metal domes), and two levels of auditory feedback (with and without a 1000 Hz tone). Several types of preference scales along with keying time and error rate were used as comparative measures. Results indicated that key discrimination provided by embossed key edges and feedback provided by metal domes and auditory tones had significant effect on keying performance and operator ratings of membrane keypads. Auditory feedback paired with tactile and/or kinesthetic feedback yielded the best performance and preference scores.