OPTIMIZATION OF KEYBOARD LAYOUT FOR ONE-HANDED TYPING ON THE EXAMPLE OF TRADER PROFESSION

Goryachkin Boris Sergeevich, Korotkov Nikita Kirillovich

Problem Statement. With the development of information technology, working on a computer has become part of the routine of many specialists in different fields. For example, professional traders, people who trade securities, constantly use a mouse for navigation and sometimes a keyboard to search for necessary financial instruments. Thus, in the process of work these specialists use only one hand for typing on the keyboard. Optimization of keyboard layout for one-handed typing will increase the efficiency of work of these specialists. Objective. Develop an optimal keyboard layout for one-handed text input in English letters. Develop an algorithm that generates and evaluates layouts according to specified criteria. Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of existing well-known English layouts QWERTY, DVORAC and COLEMAK. Explore the possibilities of constructing criteria for evaluating a layout. Results. An algorithm for generating the optimal layout was developed. An algorithm for calculating the criteria was developed. The criteria such as “repetition”, “vertical interleaving” and “remoteness” were selected as evaluation criteria. As a result of the algorithm, the derived layout is obtained. The evaluations of the derived layout and its favorability with respect to QWERTY, DVORAC and COLEMAK are justified. Practical significance. Customization of keyboard layout for specific professional tasks allows to increase the efficiency of work of a number of specialists. The proposed algorithm for creating optimal keyboard layouts can be used for various professions that require typing with one hand.

Keywords:keyboard; layout; QWERTY; DVORAC; COLEMAK; one-handed typing; ergonomic analysis