Geometrical shapes rendering on a dot-matrix display

Abstract

Using a dot-matrix display, it is possible to present geometrical shapes with different rendering methods: solid shapes, empty shapes, vibrating shapes, etc. An open question is then: which rendering method allows the fastest and most reliable recognition performances using touch? This paper presents results of a user study that we have conducted to address this question. Using a 60 * 60 dot-matrix display, we asked 40 participants to recognize 6 different geometrical shapes (square, circle, simple triangle, right triangle, diamond and cross) within the shortest possible time. Six different methods to render the shapes were tested depending on the rendering of shape’s outline and inside: static outline combined with static or vibrant or empty inside, and vibrating outline combined with static or vibrant or empty inside. The results show that squares, right triangles, and crosses are more quickly recognized than circles, diamonds, and simple triangles. Furthermore, the best rendering method is the one that combines static outline with empty inside.