Mouse Redesign

To design a zero button mouse without the clicking function, I had to take into consideration two factors. First, the mouse must be easy to use and the "click" function must be easy to perform. Second, it should be difficult for the user to select unintended targets.

In my interface, target selection can be done by circling the cursor using a trackpad on the intended target at least 1.5 times, in a circle of a diameter between .25 to .75 inches, after the pointer cursor appears to indicate that something is selectable. This action should be done in less than 1 second for the system to register it as a "click" (a default time limit that can be changed in the settings to fit the user's needs). In the case that the user selects two or more selectable targets, nothing is selected and a modeless notification will inform the user of what occurred.

In addition, while target selection is occurring (while the user is in the process of circling their cursor), the cursor will change from a pointer finger to a ring. Thus, the cursor appears as an arrow when not hovering over something selectable, a pointer finger when hovering over something selectable, and a ring when the computer has registered that target selection is ongoing. The ring will fill from white to black when target selection has been successful.

Fig. 2: Cursor not in contact with link	Fig. 3: Cursor hovering over link, selection not in progress. Red arrow indicates necessary action to select an object
Fig 4: Selection in progress	Fig 5: Selection finished (registered)

This method of target selection is easy to perform. Small circles of a diameter less than an inch are precise enough to select an intended target. And since the circles made are small and few in number, performing the action should not be a hassle. Because the action is easy and not time-consuming, the efficiency of this design is good. The ring also helps notify users that their target selection is being registered. And since the act of circling your trackpad one or twice in a small radius is unique but simple, users can easily remember how to select targets in this interface, which makes for good memorability.

Since moving your cursor in circles of such small diameter is not a common action, selecting a target without meaning to shouldn't occur easily. Accidentally selecting a target shouldn't occur either since moving the cursor across the screen to point at something takes broad sweeping motions, not small circles. Selecting an unintended target shouldn't occur easily either since the small size of the circles should be able to select the intended target and avoid overlap with other selectable items.