Fundamentals of Interaction Design

Analyzing Switching Inputs on your Television

Lauren Cascio
Mike Johnson
Nate Landes
Calder Thami

October 7, 2009
Problem

Current relationship between remote, television and external devices is

difficult to navigate. An excess of visibility and minimal feedback make
even simple tasks such as switching from cable to DVD controls difficult
and frustrating.
Remote Controls

Small buttons

Small type

Excess of visibilty

No hierarchy

Mapping issues

Repetitive functions (too many remotes)

No feedback

Accidentally hitting of buttons can create

unwanted surprises
TV Input Interface

Vague display that doesn’t provide user with

information or interact with devices or remote.

Cannot tell if a device is plugged in or turned

on based on the information on the screen.
Ideas for a Solution

Eliminate accidental button pushing

Remove less-used features from physical remote

Make interface user friendly

Create a more consistant pattern of usability - most used functions

exist in the same area of the device.
Idea 1:
Touch Screen Remote
Problems with Touch Screen Remote

How does remote know what devises are plugged into the TV?
Touch screen eliminates commonly used hard buttons such
as channel up/down
Very little physical feedback between user and device
Requires constantly looking at remote... irritating
A Better Solution

Remote with as few hard buttons as possible,

only including “universal” and most used functions

Move specific functions for each device onto tv screen interface

Organize buttons on remote in a better hierarchy of functionality

Create “input home” screen to make the input selection process easier
New Remote

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx

0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx

0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx
TV DVD 0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx
TV DVD 0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx
TV DVD 0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx

0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx

0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select
x
X
Guide Menu Favorites Surf Channels Settings exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx

0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select
x
X
Guide Menu Favorites Surf Channels Settings exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx
TV DVD 0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
ghi jkl mno

7 8 9
pqr stu vwx

0
yz

el • Togg
ann le
Ch
input

menu
x select

Settings X
Play
y exit prev

volume mute
Remote & TV Interface

1 2 3
abc def

4 5 6
What would you like
ghi jkl mno
to turn off?
7 8 9
TV pqr stu vwx

0
DVD yz

All Devices Ch
ann
el • Togg
le

input

Cancel menu
select

X
exit prev

volume mute
Conclusion

Based on our research of the relationship between remotes,

televisions and external devices, we believe that the solution we
have arrived at addresses many of the most pressing problems
with the device relationships. By elimating accidental programming
issues and organizing buttons into a more user friendly hierarchy,
the interface is now much easier to use and navigate.