傳統的QWERTY標準鍵盤普遍因為不當的操作姿勢與反覆的敲打按鍵而對人體造成傷害。然而，現今越來越流行在小型行動裝置上進行文字輸入作業，許多人對小鍵盤做了各種的研究，本文從姿勢、速率二面向探討小鍵盤做為長時間輸入的介面，提出一種適合行動輸入、快速長期打字的小鍵盤，並評估此一小鍵盤在長期輸入作業中的績效。

　　首先，本文以數位攝影機觀察使用者手持小型輸入裝置時打字的姿勢。第二，整合文獻原理與觀察結果，提出新式打字的設計雛型。第三，進行各項設計參數的評估與修正。第四、創作出適合長期打字的小鍵盤。最後，比較小鍵盤與現有智慧型手機鍵盤的速率與滿意度。

　　在研究初期，得知使用者喜歡用雙手握持小型輸入裝置，喜歡使用大拇指按壓按鍵，多數採取特定手指支撐小型輸入裝置以維持手機的穩定性。這些輸入裝置的按鍵又小又擠，導致使用者採取單指按壓按鍵，又變成過度使用某一手指。由於朝向小型化的趨勢已蔚為主流，只能藉由改變按鍵的設計型態以及使用者輸入的操作方式，來避免使用者在生理上過度的負擔。在設計時應避免使大拇指過度使用，設計師可以透過按鍵配置設計，改變輸入的使用方式，避免使用者只運用大拇指按壓按鍵，由改變行動裝置的手持外型，使按壓的過程中達到穩定性。

　　因此，本研究首先修改自QWERTY鍵盤的配置和佈局，發展出四個微型鍵盤設計。我們徵募了16位打字快的打字員和16位打字慢的打字員，請他們使用4個微型鍵盤，即:線性鍵盤、斷線型鍵盤、邊緣鍵盤、角落鍵盤。並且評估四種微型鍵盤的輸入速率、正確率、舒適度、喜好度和學習性。結果顯示斷線型鍵盤獲得最好的速率效率、最高的舒適度，和最佳的使用者喜好度。

　　此外，多數的智慧型手機鍵盤都設置在設備的前方，實體和虛擬鍵盤二者都佔據了太多可用空間。然而，小鍵盤的用法常常降低績效。本研究建議將鍵盤設置在智慧型手機的背面，它採用特殊的鍵帽，以便增加螢幕空間和提升輸入速率。先前觀察結果顯示使用者喜歡用雙手握持，並採取部份手指支撐行動設備，因此，結合這些特點修正微型鍵盤的設計雛型。由於三個字母、數字分離的長方形鍵帽獲得了最好的績效，將它應用在智慧型手機上。我們發展二個手機鍵盤適用在長期打字作業，用一個在手機背面的隱藏式的鍵盤。以此方法形成二種形式，”撥倫鍵盤”、”按鍵式鍵盤”，它們用多手指操作。徵求十位參與者在當前的研究上。評估二個推薦隱藏式鍵盤的打字速率與使用者滿意度，並與二種商用鍵盤比較。隱藏式鍵盤的最初打字速率比商用鍵盤的最初打字速率低。 然而，經過1.5小時的練習，在隱藏式鍵盤上有更好的績效。隱藏式鍵盤比商用鍵盤是更適合於長期打字作業。這些發現可以幫助智慧型手機和其他小型裝置有更好的鍵盤設計。

　　Inappropriate operating posture and repeatedly hitting the keys when using a traditional standard QWERTY keyboard can harm the human body. However, using small mobile devices, such as smartphones, to input data is now increasingly common, and various studies have been carried out on the use of small keyboards. This thesis explores the use of a small keyboard as an interface for long duration inputting tasks from two aspects: posture and speed. It proposes a type of small keyboard that is suitable for mobile data inputting and long-term typing at a fast speed, as well as evaluates the performance of this small keyboard when it is used for long-term inputting tasks.

　　At the start of this study it was found that users liked to hold the small input device with both of their hands and use their thumbs to press keys. Most of them used specific fingers to support the device, so as to maintain its stability. The keys on this input device are small and the spaces between them are narrow, resulting in overuse of specific digits to press the keys. Since small devices are becoming more popular, it is important to consider changing the design pattern of the keys and the operating methods that users apply to input data, in order to avoid overburdening users on a physiological level. More specifically, the design of the keys should prevent users from overusing their thumbs. To achieve this, a designer can change the input method by arranging the keys in a way that discourages users from pressing the keys with only their thumbs. IN addition, by changing the appearance of a handheld mobile device, stability can be achieved when pressing the keys.

　　This study thus first revised the arrangement and layout of the keys on a QWERTY keyboard to develop the designs of four miniature keyboards. We recruited 16 faster typists and 16 slower ones, asking them to use the four miniature keyboards, called the linear, separated linear, edge and corner keyboards. We evaluated the related typing speed, accuracy, comfort, likability and learnability when they used the four keyboards. The results showed that the separated linear keyboard achieved the best outcomes in terms of speed, highest level of comfort and likability among users.

　　Furthermore, most keyboards on smartphones are set on the front of the device, with both physical and virtual keyboards occupying much of the available space. However, the use of a small keyboard often leads to reduced performance. This study thus suggests the use of a keyboard set on the back of the smartphone, and applies special keycaps to increase screen space and improve typing speed. Previous observations indicated that users like to hold mobile equipment with both of their hands and support it with some of their fingers. We integrated these characteristics to revise the prototypes of the miniature keyboards. Since the rectangular keycaps that control three characters achieved the best performance, we applied them to a smartphone. We developed two smartphone keyboards suitable for long duration typing, with a hidden keyboard that is on the back of the devices. There were two designs based on the ways in which they are operated by the fingers, a “push & lever keyboard” and “tight keyboard.” Ten participants were then recruited to work with these designs. The typing speeds and user satisfaction were assessed with regard to the two proposed hidden keyboards and to two commercially-available keyboards. The initial typing speeds with the rear smartphone keyboards were slower than those with the commercially-available smartphone keyboards. However, after 1.5 hours of practice, the users had better performance with the hidden keyboards. The hidden smartphone keyboards are thus more suitable than the present smartphone keyboards with regard to carrying out long duration typing tasks. It is anticipated that the findings of this work can aid in the design of better keyboards on smartphones and other small devices.

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