EN ISO 9241-420:2011
(Main)Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 420: Selection of physical input devices (ISO 9241-420:2011)
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 420: Selection of physical input devices (ISO 9241-420:2011)
ISO 9241-420:2011 provides guidance for the selection of input devices for interactive systems, based on ergonomic factors, considering the limitations and capabilities of users and the specific tasks and context of use. It describes methods for selecting a device or a combination of devices for the task at hand. It can also be used for evaluating the acceptability of trade-offs under the existing conditions.
The target users of ISO 9241-420:2011 are user organizations and systems integrators who tailor systems for a given context of use.
It is applicable to the following input devices: keyboards, mice, pucks, joysticks, trackballs, trackpads, tablets and overlays, touch-sensitive screens, styli and light pens. It does not specify design requirements or give recommendations for those devices.
Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 420: Auswahlverfahren für physikalische Eingabegeräte (ISO 9241-420:2011)
Dieser Teil von ISO 9241 bietet Empfehlungen für die Auswahl von Eingabegeräten für interaktive Systeme
auf der Grundlage ergonomischer Faktoren, so dass die Grenzen und Fähigkeiten von Benutzern sowie die
spezifischen Aufgaben und der spezifische Nutzungskontext berücksichtigt werden. Er beschreibt Methoden
zur Auswahl eines Gerätes oder einer Kombination von Geräten für die zu lösende Aufgabe. Er kann auch für
die Bewertung der Annehmbarkeit von Kompromissen unter bestehenden Bedingungen verwendet werden.
Die Zielbenutzer dieses Teils von ISO 9241 sind Benutzerorganisationen und Systemorganisatoren, die
Systeme auf einen bestimmten Nutzungskontext zuschneiden.
Er ist für die folgenden Eingabegeräte anwendbar: Tastaturen, Mäuse, Pucks, Joysticks, Rollkugeln,
Trackpads, Tabletts und Overlays (Auflegemasken), Berührungsbildschirme, Griffel und Lichtgriffel. Er legt
keine Anforderungen oder Empfehlungen für die Gestaltung dieser Geräte fest.
ANMERKUNG 1 Die Anleitungen zur Auswahl in diesem Dokument wurden für Einfingerbedienung von Touchpads
verfasst. Es existieren auch Touchpads für Mehrfingerbedienung, jedoch bietet dieser Teil von ISO 9241 keine
Empfehlungen für deren Auswahl.
ANMERKUNG 2 Die einzige physikalische Komponente eines Spracherkennungssystems ist ein Mikrofon. Ohne
ausreichende Kenntnis des Nutzungskontexts kann für dieses keine Anleitung zur Auswahl gegeben werden.
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie 420: Sélection des dispositifs d'entrée physiques (ISO 9241-420:2011)
L'ISO 9241-420:2011 donne des indications pour sélectionner des dispositifs d'entrée pour systèmes interactifs, en fonction de facteurs ergonomiques, prenant en compte les capacités et les limites des utilisateurs ainsi que les tâches et le contexte spécifiques d'utilisation. Elle spécifie des méthodes de sélection d'un dispositif ou d'une combinaison de dispositifs axés sur la tâche à accomplir. Elle peut également servir pour évaluer l'acceptabilité de compromis dans les conditions existantes.
Les utilisateurs auxquels l'ISO 9241-420:2011 s'adresse sont les organismes utilisateurs et les intégrateurs de systèmes qui personnalisent ces systèmes en fonction d'un contexte d'utilisation donné.
Elle est applicable aux dispositifs d'entrée suivants: claviers, souris, souris optiques, manettes, boules roulantes, blocs à effleurement, tablettes et barres graphiques, écrans tactiles, stylets et photostyles. Elle ne spécifie aucune exigence ou recommandation de conception pour ces dispositifs.
Ergonomija medsebojnega vpliva človek-sistem - 420. del: Izbira naprav za fizični vnos podatkov (ISO 9241-420:2011)
Ta del ISO 9241 velja za naprave za vnos podatkov za interaktivne sisteme. Zagotavlja smernice za izbor naprav za vnos podatkov, zasnovanih na ergonomskih dejavnikih za naslednje naprave za vnos podatkov: tipkovnice, miške, ploščki, igralne palice, sledilne kroglice, table in prosojnice, na dotik občutljivi zasloni, gramofonske igle in svetlobna pisala.
Ta del ISO 9241 podaja smernice za izbor teh naprav, tako da se upoštevajo omejitve in zmogljivost uporabnikov pri določenih nalogah in v določenem okviru uporabe.
Ciljni uporabniki tega dela standarda so organizacije uporabnikov in sistemskih združevalcev, ki krojijo sistem za naveden okvir uporabe.
Ta del ISO 9241 določa metode za izbor naprave ali kombinacije naprav za podano nalogo. Prav tako se lahko uporabi za ocenjevanje sprejemljivosti kompromisov pod obstoječimi pogoji.
Ta del ISO 9241 ne določa zahtev pri načrtovanju ali priporočil za naprave.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2011
(UJRQRPLMDPHGVHERMQHJDYSOLYDþORYHNVLVWHPGHO ,]ELUDQDSUDY]DIL]LþQL
YQRVSRGDWNRY ,62
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 420: Selection of physical input devices
(ISO 9241-420:2011)
Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 420: Auswahlverfahren für
physikalische Eingabegeräte (ISO 9241-420:2011)
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie 420: Sélection des dispositifs
d'entrée physiques (ISO 9241-420:2011)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 9241-420:2011
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
35.180 Terminalska in druga IT Terminal and other
periferna oprema IT peripheral equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 9241-420
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2011
ICS 13.180
English Version
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 420: Selection of
physical input devices (ISO 9241-420:2011)
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie 420: Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 420:
Sélection des dispositifs d'entrée physiques (ISO 9241- Auswahlverfahren für physikalische Eingabegeräte (ISO
420:2011) 9241-420:2011)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 8 July 2011.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 9241-420:2011: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
Foreword .3
Foreword
This document (EN ISO 9241-420:2011) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159
"Ergonomics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 122 “Ergonomics” the secretariat of which is
held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2012, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by January 2012.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 9241-420:2011 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 9241-420:2011 without any
modification.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 9241-420
First edition
2011-07-15
Ergonomics of human-system
interaction —
Part 420:
Selection of physical input devices
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système —
Partie 420: Sélection des dispositifs d'entrée physiques
Reference number
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
©
ISO 2011
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
© ISO 2011
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .vii
Introduction.ix
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Procedures for selecting equipment — General considerations .11
4.1 Rationale.11
4.2 Objectives for selection procedures .13
5 Performance criterion .13
6 Methods and aids for selection of devices.14
6.1 Task analysis .14
6.2 Selection based on product description.14
6.3 User tests .14
6.4 Selection based on dominant task primitive(s) with overriding importance .15
6.5 Selecting a keyboard.17
7 Field assessment of input devices .18
7.1 Rationale.18
7.2 Methods.19
Annex A (informative) Overview of the ISO 9241 series .23
Annex B (informative) Tracing test .24
Annex C (informative) Dragging test.26
Annex D (informative ) Assessment of comfort.28
Annex E (informative) One-direction tapping test .32
Annex F (informative) Multi-directional tapping test.35
Annex G (informative) Test for mobile text entry (hand-held keyboards).37
Annex H (normative) Tables for selecting devices in consideration of product description .40
Annex I (informative) Usability test for keyboards .93
Bibliography.94
Tables Annex H
Table H.1 — Correspondence with generic requirements on compact keyboards —
Appropriateness .47
Table H.2 — Correspondence with generic requirements on compact keyboards — Operability .47
Table H.3 — Correspondence with generic requirements on compact keyboards — Controllability.47
Table H.4 — Correspondence with generic requirements on compact keyboards —
Biomechanical load.48
Table H.5 — Functional properties of compact keyboards — Design of keys of compact
keyboards — Design of keys .48
Table H.6 — Functional properties of compact keyboards — Design of keys — Key legends .48
Table H.7 — Functional properties of compact keyboards — Design of keyboard — Sections and
zones.49
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Table H.8 — Functional properties of compact keyboards — Design of keyboard — Mechanical
design .49
Table H.9 — Other considerations for compact keyboards — Electrical properties.50
Table H.10 — Other considerations for compact keyboards — Maintainability-related properties .50
Table H.11 — Other considerations for compact keyboards — Interdependencies .50
Table H.12 — Other considerations for compact keyboards — Documentation .50
Table H.13 — Correspondence with generic requirements on full-size keyboards —
Appropriateness .51
Table H.14 — Correspondence with generic requirements on full-size keyboards — Operability.51
Table H.15 — Correspondence with generic requirements on full-size keyboards —
Controllability.51
Table H.16 — Correspondence with generic requirements on full-size keyboards —
Biomechanical load .52
Table H.17 — Functional properties of full-size keyboards — Design of keys — Design of keys.52
Table H.18 — Functional properties of full-size keyboards — Design of keys — Key legends .52
Table H.19 — Functional properties of full-size keyboards — Design of keyboard — Sections and
zones.53
Table H.20 — Functional properties of full-size keyboards — Design of keyboard — Mechanical
design .53
Table H.21 — Other considerations for full-size keyboards — Electrical properties .53
Table H.22 — Other considerations for full-size keyboards — Maintainability-related properties.54
Table H.23 — Other considerations for full-size keyboards — Interdependencies.54
Table H.24 — Other considerations for full-size keyboards — Documentation .54
Table H.25 — Correspondence with generic requirements on mice — Appropriateness .55
Table H.26 — Correspondence with generic requirements on mice — Operability .55
Table H.27 — Correspondence with generic requirements on mice — Controllability.55
Table H.28 — Correspondence with generic requirements on mice — Biomechanical load .56
Table H.29 — Functional properties of mice — Functional properties .56
Table H.30 — Functional properties of mice — Button design.56
Table H.31 — Functional properties of mice — Considerations of handedness .57
Table H.32 — Functional properties of mice — Resolution consistency .57
Table H.33 — Other properties of mice — Mechanical properties .57
Table H.34 — Other properties of mice — Electrical properties.57
Table H.35 — Other properties of mice — Maintainability-related properties.57
Table H.36 — Other properties of mice — Health- and safety-related properties.58
Table H.37 — Interdependencies and documentation of mice — Interdependency with software.58
Table H.38 — Interdependencies and documentation of mice — Interdependency with use
environment .58
Table H.39 — Interdependencies and documentation of mice — Documentation .59
Table H.40 — Correspondence with generic requirements on pucks — Appropriateness .59
Table H.41 — Correspondence with generic requirements on pucks — Operability.60
Table H.42 — Correspondence with generic requirements on pucks — Controllability.60
Table H.43 — Correspondence with generic requirements on pucks — Biomechanical load.60
Table H.44 — Functional properties of pucks — Functional properties.61
Table H.45 — Functional properties of pucks — Button design .61
Table H.46 — Functional properties of pucks — Consideration of handedness.61
Table H.47 — Functional properties of pucks — Resolution consistency .62
Table H.48 — Other properties of pucks — Mechanical properties .62
Table H.49 — Other properties of pucks — Electrical properties.62
Table H.50 — Other properties of pucks — Maintainability-related properties .62
Table H.51 — Other properties of pucks — Health- and safety-related properties .63
Table H.52 — Interdependencies and documentation of pucks — Interdependency with software .63
Table H.53 — Interdependencies and documentation of pucks — Interdependency with use
environment .63
Table H.54 — Interdependencies and documentation of pucks — Documentation .64
Table H.55 — Correspondence with generic requirements on joysticks — Appropriateness .64
Table H.56 — Correspondence with generic requirements on joysticks — Operability.65
Table H.57 — Correspondence with generic requirements on joysticks — Controllability.65
Table H.58 — Correspondence with generic requirements on joysticks — Biomechanical load.65
Table H.59 — Functional properties of joysticks — Functional properties.66
iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Table H.60 — Functional properties of joysticks — Button design .66
Table H.61 — Functional properties of joysticks — Consideration of handedness.66
Table H.62 — Functional properties of joysticks — Resolution consistency.67
Table H.63 — Other properties of joysticks — Mechanical properties.67
Table H.64 — Other properties of joysticks — Electrical properties .67
Table H.65 — Other properties of joysticks — Maintainability-related properties .67
Table H.66 — Other properties of joysticks — Health- and safety-related properties .68
Table H.67 — Interdependencies and documentation of joysticks — Interdependency with
software.68
Table H.68 — Interdependencies and documentation of joysticks — Interdependency with use
environment .68
Table H.69 — Interdependencies and documentation of joysticks — Documentation.68
Table H.70 — Correspondence with generic requirements on trackballs — Appropriateness .69
Table H.71 — Correspondence with generic requirements on trackballs — Operability .69
Table H.72 — Correspondence with generic requirements on trackballs — Controllability.70
Table H.73 — Correspondence with generic requirements on trackballs — Biomechanical load .70
Table H.74 — Functional properties of trackballs — Functional properties .70
Table H.75 — Functional properties of trackballs — Button design.71
Table H.76 — Functional properties of trackballs — Consideration of handedness .71
Table H.77 — Functional properties of trackballs — Resolution consistency .71
Table H.78 — Other properties of trackballs — Mechanical properties .72
Table H.79 — Other properties of trackballs — Electrical properties.72
Table H.80 — Other properties of trackballs — Maintainability-related properties.72
Table H.81 — Other properties of trackballs — Health- and safety-related properties.72
Table H.82 — Interdependencies and documentation of trackballs — Interdependency with
software.73
Table H.83 — Interdependencies and documentation of trackballs — Interdependency with use
environment .73
Table H.84 — Interdependencies and documentation of trackballs — Documentation .73
Table H.85 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touchpads — Appropriateness.74
Table H.86 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touchpads — Operability.74
Table H.87 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touchpads — Controllability .75
Table H.88 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touchpads — Biomechanical load.75
Table H.89 — Functional properties of touchpads — Functional properties.75
Table H.90 — Functional properties of touchpads — Button design .76
Table H.91 — Functional properties of touchpads — Consideration of handedness.76
Table H.92 — Functional properties of touchpads — Resolution consistency.76
Table H.93 — Other properties of touchpads — Mechanical properties .77
Table H.94 — Other properties of touchpads — Electrical properties.77
Table H.95 — Other properties of touchpads — Maintainability-related properties .77
Table H.96 — Other properties of touchpads — Health- and safety-related properties .77
Table H.97 — Interdependencies and documentation of touchpads — Interdependency with
software.78
Table H.98 — Interdependencies and documentation of touchpads — Interdependency with use
environment .78
Table H.99 — Interdependencies and documentation of touchpads — Documentation.78
Table H.100 — Correspondence with generic requirements on tablets/overlays —
Appropriateness .79
Table H.101 — Correspondence with generic requirements on tablets/overlays — Operability.79
Table H.102 — Correspondence with generic requirements on tablets/overlays — Controllability .80
Table H.103 — Correspondence with generic requirements on tablets/overlays — Biomechanical
load .80
Table H.104 — Functional properties of tablets/overlays — Functional properties.80
Table H.105 — Functional properties of tablets/overlays — Button design .81
Table H.106 — Functional properties of tablets/overlays — Consideration of handedness.81
Table H.107 — Functional properties of tablets/overlays — Resolution consistency.81
Table H.108 — Other properties of tablets/overlays — Mechanical properties .82
Table H.109 — Other properties of tablets/overlays — Legibility and visibility of legends and
graphical symbols .82
Table H.110 — Other properties of tablets/overlays — Electrical properties .83
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Table H.111 — Other properties of tablets/overlays — Maintainability-related properties.83
Table H.112 — Other properties of tablets/overlays — Health- and safety-related properties.83
Table H.113 — Interdependencies and documentation of tablets/overlays — Interdependency
with software.84
Table H.114 — Interdependencies and documentation of tablets/overlays — Interdependency
with use environment.84
Table H.115 — Interdependencies and documentation of tablets/overlays — Documentation .84
Table H.116 — Correspondence with generic requirements on styli and light pens —
Appropriateness .85
Table H.117 — Correspondence with generic requirements on styli and light pens — Operability.85
Table H.118 — Correspondence with generic requirements on styli and light pens —
Controllability.85
Table H.119 — Correspondence with generic requirements on styli and light pens —
Biomechanical load .86
Table H.120 — Functional properties of styli and light pens — Functional properties .86
Table H.121 — Functional properties of styli and light pens — Button design .87
Table H.122 — Functional properties of styli and light pens — Consideration of handedness.87
Table H.123 — Functional properties of styli and light pens — Mechanical properties .88
Table H.124 — Other properties of styli and light pens — Electrical properties .88
Table H.125 — Other properties of styli and light pens — Maintainability-related properties .88
Table H.126 — Other properties of styli and light pens — Health- and safety-related properties .88
Table H.127 — Interdependencies and documentation of styli and light pens — Interdependency
with software.88
Table H.128 — Interdependencies and documentation of styli and light pens — Interdependency
with use environment.89
Table H.129 — Interdependencies and documentation of styli and light pens — Documentation.89
Table H.130 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touch-sensitive screens —
Appropriateness .89
Table H.131 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touch-sensitive screens —
Operability .89
Table H.132 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touch-sensitive screens —
Controllability.90
Table H.133 — Correspondence with generic requirements on touch-sensitive screens —
Biomechanical load .90
Table H.134 — Functional properties of touch-sensitive screens — Functional properties.91
Table H.135 — Functional properties of touch-sensitive screens — Mechanical properties.91
Table H.136 — Other properties of touch-sensitive screens — Electrical properties.91
Table H.137 — Other properties of touch-sensitive screens — Maintainability-related properties.92
Table H.138 — Other properties of touch-sensitive screen — Health- and safety-related properties.92
Table H.139 — Other properties of touch-sensitive screens — Interdependency with software.92
Table H.140 — Other properties of touch-sensitive screens — Interdependency with use
environment .92
Table H.141 — Other properties of touch-sensitive screen — Mechanical properties .92
vi © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 9241-420 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 4,
Ergonomics of human-system interaction.
This first edition of ISO 9241-420, together with ISO 9241-400, ISO 9241-410 and ISO/TS 9241-411, partially
replaces ISO 9241-4 and ISO 9241-9, technically revised as follows:
⎯ terms and definitions from ISO 9241-4 and ISO 9241-9 have been transferred to ISO 9241-400;
⎯ guiding principles, collected in ISO 9241-400, have been incorporated and unified so that they correspond
to the scope of the new ISO 9241 series;
⎯ test methods taken from ISO 9241-4 and ISO 9241-9 have been reviewed and amended and new test
methods introduced and collected in annexes for greater convenience.
ISO 9241 consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomic requirements for office work with
visual display terminals (VDTs):
⎯ Part 1: General introduction
⎯ Part 2: Guidance on task requirements
⎯ Part 4: Keyboard requirements
⎯ Part 5: Workstation layout and postural requirements
⎯ Part 6: Guidance on the work environment
⎯ Part 9: Requirements for non-keyboard input devices
⎯ Part 11: Guidance on usability
⎯ Part 12: Presentation of information
⎯ Part 13: User guidance
⎯ Part 14: Menu dialogues
⎯ Part 15: Command dialogues
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
⎯ Part 16: Direct manipulation dialogues
⎯ Part 17: Form filling dialogues
ISO 9241 also consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomics of human-system interaction:
⎯ Part 20: Accessibility guidelines for information/communication technology (ICT) equipment and services
⎯ Part 100: Introduction to standards related to software ergonomics [Technical Report]
⎯ Part 110: Dialogue principles
⎯ Part 129: Guidance on software individualization
⎯ Part 143: Forms
⎯ Part 151: Guidance on World Wide Web user interfaces
⎯ Part 171: Guidance on software accessibility
⎯ Part 210: Human-centred design for interactive systems
⎯ Part 300: Introduction to electronic visual display requirements
⎯ Part 302: Terminology for electronic visual displays
⎯ Part 303: Requirements for electronic visual displays
⎯ Part 304: User performance test methods for electronic visual displays
⎯ Part 305: Optical laboratory test methods for electronic visual displays
⎯ Part 306: Field assessment methods for electronic visual displays
⎯ Part 307: Analysis and compliance test methods for electronic visual displays
⎯ Part 308: Surface-conduction electron-emitter displays (SED) [Technical Report]
⎯ Part 309: Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays [Technical Report]
⎯ Part 310: Visibility, aesthetics and ergonomics of pixel defects [Technical Report]
⎯ Part 400: Principles and requirements for physical input devices
⎯ Part 410: Design criteria for physical input devices
⎯ Part 411: Evaluation methods for the design of physical input devices [Technical Specification]
⎯ Part 420: Selection of physical input devices
⎯ Part 910: Framework for tactile and haptic interaction
⎯ Part 920: Guidance on tactile and haptic interactions
The following parts are under preparation:
⎯ Part 143: Form-based dialogues
⎯ Part 154: Interactive voice response (IVR) applications
Human-centred design and evaluation methods, optical characteristics of autostereoscopic displays, and
requirements, analysis and compliance test methods for the reduction of photosensitive seizures are to form
the subjects of future parts 230, 330 and 391.
viii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Introduction
Input devices provide the means for users to enter data into interactive systems. Generally speaking, an input
device is a sensor that can detect changes in user behaviour (gestures, moving fingers, etc.) and transform
them into signals to be interpreted by the interactive system.
This part of ISO 9241 gives guidance for selecting products on the basis of the relevant properties of the input
devices, as outlined in ISO 9241-400, and the design criteria for products, as given in ISO 9241-410. It also
includes test and evaluation methods for use at the workplace level. To accelerate the future development of
test and evaluation methods, these are treated in separate annexes according to the maturity of the test
procedure.
This part of ISO 9241 includes test and evaluation methods for application by user organizations. These
methods can also be applied by test houses.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Ergonomics of human-system interaction —
Part 420:
Selection of physical input devices
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9241 provides guidance for the selection of input devices for interactive systems, based on
ergonomic factors, considering the limitations and capabilities of users and the specific tasks and context of
use. It describes methods for selecting a device or a combination of devices for the task at hand. It can also
be used for evaluating the acceptability of trade-offs under the existing conditions.
The target users of this part of ISO 9241 are user organizations and systems integrators who tailor systems
for a given context of use.
It is applicable to the following input devices: keyboards, mice, pucks, joysticks, trackballs, trackpads, tablets
and overlays, touch-sensitive screens, styli and light pens. It does not specify design requirements or give
recommendations for those devices.
NOTE 1 The selection guidance has been developed for the single-finger use of touchpads. Touchpads that allow the
use of more fingers do exist; however, this part of ISO 9241 does not offer any guidance on their selection.
NOTE 2 The only physical component of a speech-recognition system is a microphone. Without proper knowledge of
the context of use it is not possible to give guidance for selection.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9241-11, Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs) — Part 11:
Guidance on usability
ISO 9241-400, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 400: Principles and requirements for physical
input devices
ISO 9241-410, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 410: Design criteria for physical input devices
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 9241-400 and ISO 9241-410 and
the following apply.
3.1
appropriateness
application of the concept of usability on entities that are combined for a specific purpose
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
EXAMPLE 1 Achieving a certain level of usability for users with special needs or for uses where no single device can
achieve the level of usability required for a certain task.
EXAMPLE 2 Achieving a certain level of usability for text input and dragging by a combination of a keyboard and a
tablet.
NOTE See also ISO 9241-400 and ISO 9241-410.
3.2
cursor
visual indication of where the user interaction via keyboard (or equivalent input device) will occur
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 5.3.2]
3.3
dragging
dragging and dropping
moving one (or more) objects on a display by translating it along a path determined by a pointer
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.9.1]
3.4
accessibility
〈interactive system〉 usability of a product, service, environment or facility by people with the widest range of
capabilities
NOTE 1 The concept of accessibility addresses the full range of user capabilities and is not limited to users who are
formally recognized as having a disability.
NOTE 2 The usability-orientated concept of accessibility aims to achieve levels of effectiveness, efficiency and
satisfaction that are as high as possible considering the specified context of use, while paying particular attention to the full
range of capabilities within the user population.
[ISO 9241-20:2008, 3.1]
3.5
effectiveness
accuracy and completeness with which users achieve specified goals
[ISO 9241-11:1998, 3.2]
3.6
efficiency
resources expended in relation to the accuracy and completeness with which users achieve goals
[ISO 9241-11:1998, 3.3]
3.7
home row
row of the keyboard to which the fingers typically return between keystrokes
See Figure 1.
NOTE On the typical keyboard, the home row is row C as defined by ISO/IEC 9995-1:1994 in the alphanumeric
section as well as in the numeric section.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.1]
2 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Figure 1 — Typical keyboard — Home row
3.8
home row height
h
height from the centre of the strike surface of an unactuated key in the home row to the support surface
See Figure 2.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.2]
Figure 2 — Typical keyboard — Home row height
3.9
index of difficulty
I
D
measure of the user precision required in a task
NOTE The index of difficulty, I , is measured in bits, and is calculated for selection, pointing, or dragging tasks by
D
dw+
I = log (1)
D
w
and for tracing tasks by
d
I = (2)
D
w
where
d is the distance of movement to the target;
w is the target width of the displayed target along the approach axis for selection, pointing or dragging tasks, and
perpendicular for tracing tasks.
[ISO 9241-410:2008, 3.12]
3.10
input device
user-controlled device that transmits information to a system
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.3]
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
3.11
intended user population
group of human beings for which a product or a workstation is designed
EXAMPLE Male and female workers of Southeast Asian origin aged between 45 and 65 years.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.7.7]
3.12
joystick
lever mounted in a fixed base used to control the movement of objects displayed on a screen
NOTE See Figure 3.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.4]
Figure 3 — Side view of example joystick
3.12.1
displacement joystick
joystick with a lever that tilts in the direction of applied force from a home position moving the display pointer
in proportion to the displacement distance
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.4.1]
3.12.2
isometric joystick
joystick where the input depends on the force exerted rather than the position of the control
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.4.2]
3.13
keyboard layout
spatial allocation of keys on a keyboard
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.9]
3.14
keyboard profile
geometric (i.e. flat, stepped, sloped, dished or sculptured) configuration of the top of the keys
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.5]
3.14.1
dished profile keyboard
keyboard in which the side profile of the keys resembles a continuous concave curve
NOTE See Figure 4.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.5.1]
4 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
Figure 4 — Example of dished profile keyboard
3.14.2
flat profile keyboard
keyboard that has a zero slope with the front at the same height as the back when placed on a flat work
surface
NOTE See Figure 5.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.5.2]
Figure 5 — Example of flat profile keyboard
3.14.3
keyboard slope
α
angle between the plane of the key top surfaces (P-P) and the horizontal surface (H-H) as measured across
row A-E using the notation of ISO 9995-1
See Figure 6.
NOTE For keyboards without an E row, rows B to D are used.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.5.3]
Figure 6 — Keyboard slope
3.14.4
sculptured profile keyboard
keyboard in which the side view of the keytops is shaped in other than a straight line
NOTE See Figure 7.
[ISO 9241-400:2007, 3.6.5.4]
Figure 7 — Example of sculptured profile keyboard
ISO 9241-420:2011(E)
3.14.5
stepped profile keyboard
keyboard in which the top of each row of keys is parallel to the work surface but at a different height from the
work surface
NOTE 1 See Figure 8.
NOTE 2 Adapted from ISO 9241-400:2007, definition 3.6.5.5.
Figure 8 — Example of stepped profi
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