How many ways can you use one button? Timing data for button presses

Modern small devices such as phones and watches inevitably rely to a great extent on the input that can be achieved using a small number of simple buttons. To maximize the range of input it is necessary to use the buttons in as many ways as possible: single-clicks, double-clicks and so on. In designing for a mass market, it is really necessary to know the timing parameters that should be applied to such types of button press. That was the objective of this study. Data was collected from a number of people with a wide range of ages and levels of computer experience. Detailed results are presented for ‘average’ users. This might be used in interaction designs or as the basis of further, more detailed research. A major conclusion, though, is that there is a wide range of performance in the population at large and that systems should adapt to individuals.