Professional Documents
Culture Documents
UNIT5
UNIT5
UNIT-5
Software tools : Specification methods, interface – Building Tools. 8
Interaction Devices –Keyboard and function keys – pointing devices – speech
recognition digitization and generation –image and video displays – drivers.
Software tools used in HCI are applications or programs that help designers and
developers create user interfaces, test their usability, and evaluate their
performance. Some of the commonly used software tools in HCI are
Specification methods - These are methods used to specify the GUI, such as
grammars, state transition diagrams, or task models. They provide a way to describe
the structure, behavior, and functionality of the interface.
Interface building tools - These are tools that allow designers to create and modify
the interface using graphical or textual elements, such as widgets, menus, buttons,
etc. They can be either low-fidelity (such as paper sketches or mockups) or high-
fidelity (such as interactive prototypes or final products).
Interaction devices - These are devices that enable users to interact with the
interface, such as keyboards, mice, touch screens, speech recognition, etc. They can
affect the usability and accessibility of the interface, depending on the user’s
preferences and needs.
Evaluation tools - These are tools that help measure and improve the quality of the
interface, such as usability testing, user feedback, analytics, etc. They can provide
quantitative or qualitative data on the user’s satisfaction, efficiency, effectiveness,
and errors.
What is Software Tool?
• A software tool is a system program that interfaces a program with the entity
generating its input data or interfaces the results of a program with the entity
consuming them.
• There are some factors that need to be considered before selecting a software tool
like the usefulness of the tool, company criteria, integration of one tool with another,
etc.
• Software tools assist in all the activities of the software lifecycle.
• These are used to accomplish and investigate the business processes, document the
development process, and optimize all the processes.
• mouse
– the hand rests in a comfortable position, buttons on the mouse are easily
pressed, even long motions can be rapid, and positioning can be precise
• trackball
– usually implemented as a rotating ball 1 to 6 inches in diameter that moves
cursor
• joystick
– are appealing for tracking purposes
• Graphics tablet
– A touch-sensitive surface separate from the screen
• Touchpad
– built-in near the keyboard offers the convenience and precision of a touch
screen while keeping the user's hand off the display surface
Function Keys on Keyboard
• F1 Key
• F1 key is used to open help center. If you are using keyboard of your computer, then only
pressing F1 will work, but if you are using your laptop keyboard then pressing Function key
(FN) with F1 will open help center. With this help center, if you want to know about any
software or application or anything you can get help from there.
• F2 Key
• F2 key is used to rename folder or file. If you want to change name of folder, then you don’t
have to right-click on it, and then find rename option. You can simply click F2, and it will
work properly. This function key will save time of use.
• Alt + Ctrl + F2 command opens document window in Microsoft Office. In Microsoft office
Ctrl + F2 displays print preview window. In Microsoft excel Alt + F2 opens ‘Save As’ window.
Shift + F2 add comment box in Microsoft Excel.
• F3 Key
• F3 key is used to search application on computer or laptop. If you are doing it on your
laptop, then pressing function key (FN) and F3 together will work. It will take you to search
box where you can search application.
• Another use of F3 is that if you want to search text while using web browser, then also this
key is used to search text. In Microsoft Word, Shift + F3 transform text from upper case to
lower case or all capital letters.
• F4 Key
• F4 key does not work alone. Pressing only F4 will not work whether it is on computer or
laptop. Pressing Alt + F4 together works to close current application which is open on
screen. Also, pressing both keys together while on desktop screen, then there shut
down, restart option appears.
• Alt + F4 used to close current window. If no program is open, it shutdown dialog box.
Ctrl + F4 used to close active window.
• F5 Key
• F5 key is used to refresh screen. When you want to refresh screen, you have to go to
desktop screen and then click refresh button, but F5 will simply do this work. Going to
web browser, you want to refresh that website or that screen, F5 will refresh that. This
will save time of user.
• F6 Key
• F6 key is used to decrease volume if you are using this on laptop. If you are searching on
web browser, and want to jump to any URL, then F6 will work. In Microsoft word, Ctrl +
F6 toggles between various documents
• F7 Key
• F7 key is used basically in MS Office apps like PowerPoint, excel to find grammar
mistakes in it. In Microsoft Office, Shift + F7 opens Research window.
• F8 Key
• F8 key is used to go in safe mode. For example, if you are starting your laptop, then
pressing F8 there will help you to go in safe mode. If you are using this key on word, then
• F9 Key
• F9 key alone has no work in Windows. It is basically used in MS Word with Alt
and Shift. In Microsoft Word, Ctrl + F9 and Alt + F9 build mail merge
document.
• F10 Key
• F10 key also does not have any use in Windows. It is used in MS Word with
Shift. Pressing these both keys together, shortcut menu appears on screen.
Shift + F10 used to open up the menu window, similar to right-click on mouse.
• F11 Key
• F11 key is used for full screen. If you want to use your browser then open that
browser and press F11, for full-screen mode and can be get back to original
screen by pressing ESC.
• Shift + F11 adds a new sheet in Microsoft Excel, Ctrl + F11 used to add new
macro to the workbook. In MS Office program Alt + F11 invokes Microsoft
Visual Basic window.
• F12 Key
• When pressed, without FN key on laptop, then laptop will go in flight mode.
F12 key basically does not have any use on computers. It is used in MS Word.
When pressed, it automatically shows dialog box to save file.
• In MS Office, Shift + Ctrl + F12 open Print window. Ctrl + F12 used to open a
• How the keys are organized
• The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:
• Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same letter, number,
punctuation, and symbol keys found on a traditional typewriter.
• Control keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to
perform certain actions. The most frequently used control keys are Ctrl, Alt, the
Windows logo key , and Esc.
• Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are
labeled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs
from program to program.
• Navigation keys. These keys are used for moving around in documents or webpages
and editing text. They include the arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down,
Delete, and Insert.
• Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The
keys are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding
machine.
Pointing Devices
• In the early days of computers, commands and data were input via a keyboard. On early
computer monitor screens, the text entry position was denoted by a blinking underscore or
vertical bar, called a cursor. At first, users had no control over the location of this cursor;
later, directional arrow keys and key commands allowed users to select text entry points. In
more recent operating systems that utilize a graphical user interface (GUI) , the cursor still
indicates the point where text may be entered, but it is also a visible and moving on-screen
pointer controlled with an input device, such as a mouse. The computer operator uses
the pointing cursor to establish where the position indicator cursor should be placed, or to
select a program to run or file to view. Typically, the pointing cursor appears on the screen
as an arrow.
• Since early computer use keyboard commands were difficult to learn and cryptic to non-
computer specialists, computer manufacturers and software developers quickly embraced
the point-and-click interfaces first popularized by the Apple Macintosh. However, keyboard
arrows were no longer adequate as a way to move a cursor around the screen. The point-
and-click concept required the user to move something that would cause a corresponding
movement on the screen. This led to the development of input devices such as the mouse,
the joystick, and other tools for controlling on-screen movement of the cursor. Although
the mouse and its descendants are not replacements for the keyboard, they do
supplement the keyboard in tasks for which it is ill suited.
• Common Pointing Devices
Common pointing devices used to control on-screen movement include computer
mice, touch pads, touch screens, joysticks, graphics tablets, and trackballs. Some of
these devices, including the mouse and the joystick, can be added to a computer
system according to the needs of a user. Other devices, such as touch screens, are
integrated into specialized computer systems designed for particular purposes.
• Computer Mouse.
A computer mouse is a small, hand-held, interactive input pointing device that,
when rolled over a flat surface, controls placement of the cursor on a computer
display. A computer mouse is analogous to a live mouse in that it is palm-size and
mouse-shaped, with rounded corners. Originally, all mice were connected to
computers with a wire suggestive of a tail; however, cordless mice are also
available now.
• A mouse can be a one-, two-, or three-button device. After a user positions the
cursor on the computer display by moving the mouse, screen action can be
controlled by single or multiple clicks of the mouse buttons. Screen icons can be
activated with one click, or dragged across the computer display by a single click
that is held as the mouse is moved from one location to another.
• Touchpads.
• Where using a mouse would be awkward, such as in a laptop computer configuration,
or cursor movement is more important than characters, touchpads have become
popular. These are generally built into a computer unit, and they often include clickable
buttons that correspond to the buttons of a mouse. Beneath the top layer of the
touchpad are two or more layers separated by a non-conducting dielectric ; each layer
contains a grid of electrode rows and columns. The different layers create a capacitance
(electric field) between them that may be drastically changed by the electric field of a
human finger either touching or moving near the touchpad. Changes in capacitance are
measured 100 times a second and translated into cursor movement.
• Touch Screens.
• A touch screen is a computer display screen that is sensitive to human touch, allowing
the screen to function as an input pointing device. The user touches the screen itself to
cause some action to take place.
• There are three types of touch screen technology. A resistive touch
screen panel is coated with a thin, metallic, electrically conductive
and resistive layer that causes a change in the electrical current
that is registered as a touch event and sent to the controller for
processing. A surface wave touch screen uses ultrasonic waves that
pass over the touch screen panel. When the panel is touched, a
portion of the wave is absorbed and this change in the ultrasonic
waves registers the position of the touch event and sends this
information to the controller for processing. A capacitive touch
screen panel is coated with a material that stores electrical charges.
When the panel is touched, a small amount of charge is drawn to
the point of contact. Circuits located at each corner of the panel
measure the charge and send the information to the controller for
Speech recognition
• • Portability
• • Privacy
• • Saliency
• • Ubiquity
• • Simultaneity Display technology
• • Monochrome displays
• – are adequate, and are attractive because of their
lower cost
• • RGB shadow-mask displays
Display Devices in Computer Graphics
• The display device is an output device used to represent the information
in the form of images (visual form). Display systems are mostly called
a video monitor or Video display unit (VDU).
• Display devices are designed to model, display, view, or display informatio
n. The purpose of display technology is to simplify information sharing.
• Today, the demand for high-quality displays is increasing.
• There are some display devices given below:
• Cathode-Ray Tube(CRT)
• Color CRT Monitor
• Liquid crystal display(LCD)
• Light Emitting Diode(LED)
• Direct View Storage Tubes(DVST)
• Plasma Display
• 3D Display
Cathode-ray Tube (CRT): Here, CRT stands for Cathode ray tube. It is a technology which is used in traditional
computer monitor and television.
Cathode ray tube is a particular type of vacuum tube that displays images when an electron beam collides on
the radiant surface.
Component of CRT
Electron Gun: The electron gun is made up of several elements, mainly a heating filament (heater) and a
cathode. The electron gun is a source of electrons focused on a narrow beam facing the CRT.
Focusing & Accelerating Anodes: These anodes are used to produce a narrow and sharply focused beam of
electrons.
Horizontal & Vertical Deflection Plates: These plates are used to guide the path of the electron the beam. The
plates produce an electromagnetic field that bends the electron beam through the area as it travels.
Phosphorus-coated Screen: The phosphorus coated screen is used to produce bright spots when the high-
velocity electron beam hits it.
There are two ways to represent an object on the screen:
Raster Scan: It is a scanning technique in which the electron beam moves along the screen. It moves from top
to bottom, covering one line at a time.
A raster scan is based on pixel intensity control display as a rectangular box on the screen called a raster.
Picture description is stored in the memory area called as Refresh buffer, or Frame Buffer.
Frame buffer is also known as Raster or Bitmap. Raster scan provides the refresh rate of 60 to 80 frames per
second.
For Example: Television
The beam refreshing has two types:
Horizontal Retracing
Vertical Retracing
When the beam starts from the top left corner and reaches bottom right, and again
return to the top left, it is called the vertical retrace.
It will call back from top to bottom more horizontally as a horizontal reversal.
Advantages:
Real image
Many colors to be produced
Dark scenes can be pictured
Disadvantages:
Less resolution
Display picture line by line
More costly
2. Random Scan (Vector scan): It is also known as stroke-writing display or calligraphic
display.In this, the electron beam points only to the area in which the picture is to be
drawn.
It uses an electron beam like a pencil to make a line image on the screen. The image is
constructed from a sequence of straight-line segments. On the screen, each line
segment is drawn by the beam to pass from one point on the screen to the other,
where its x & y coordinates define each point.
After compilation of picture drawing, the system cycle back to the first line and create
What are Display Drivers?