Cyclic Input of Characters through a Single Button Manipulation

An alternative text-input method is considered as a model for a menu selection task through manipulation by a single button. A traditional seven-segment display element was used as a layout for symbol input and imaging. Each of the segments was lighted in a temporal sequence and the writer could choose the segment by pressing a button. Instead of the button any switch or similar signal may be used, as well as visual imaging may be substituted by sounds. When all segments have been cycled, the result was interpreted as a character according to a set of rules and depending on the character set used. A physically impaired person to control a computer or other electronic device could use the method. The rationale for the design and the results of a preliminary evaluation are presented.