An Electronic Voting System for Haptic Touchscreen Interface

Various haptic displays are becoming available for implementing a new kind of human computer interaction (HCI) method. Among many types and models, touch panel displays have been used in wide variety of applications and are proven to be a useful interface infrastructure. In spite of their popularity, there are some weak points. The most serious drawback is their hardness to operate especially for the weak users in information technology such as the elderly and blind users. The tactile feedback function has a potential ability for enabling the weak to make full use of the devices. We propose an approach for effectively designing user-friendly haptic applications especially targeted at supporting the weak users. We exemplify our approach through the design and development of an electronic voting system. The system uses a touch panel haptic display for helping the weak to operate with straightforward touch sensations. It allows them to easily confirm, select, and vote their supporting candidate without any assisters. We also conducted a preliminary evaluation to verify the effectiveness of the system.