HMI

Mihir Pednekar
Ashish Mohite
Existing products- comparsion
Tata sky Airtel
symbols
symbols

Spacing Simplicity
Spacing Simplicity

Aesthetic Button Hierarchy

Aesthetics Button Hierarchy

Accessibility
Accessibility

Remote Remote
Accessibility- The buttons are clus- Accessibility- The buttons are grouped
tered together which makes it very together suitably
difficult to find the required button. Spacing -There is appropriate space
Spacing -Their is very less space between the buttons with some buttons
between the buttons. placed very close to each other
Symbols-The remote uses text as Symbols-The remote uses a combination
labels hence making the experience of text and symbols as labels hence
time taking providing lack of clarity.
Aesthetics- The cluster of buttons is Aesthetics- The remote has a simple
not very aesthetics .Even the remote shape. The aesthetics are average
is oddly shaped.
 Tata sky Airtel

Interface Interface
Aesthetics -The interface is aesthetic. Aesthetics -The system is simple but lacks aesthetics.
Simplicity -The menu is simple Simplicity -The menu layout is well designed and is easy to
Accessibility - It is well thought and is easily accessible. use
Key insights
The following are the Problem areas that we found throuh our surveys , task flows, Info architecture ans user journey mapping

Rearrange info architecture for better Improve the current methods by using technology
accessility

Improve User interaction with the product with the

Symbols over text as label help of different input methods

Button placement and its heirarchy

Make the interface and the remote simple to use

Simplify various features

Improve the User experience
 Problems identified through various research
methods
These are top 5 problem that needed to be assessed with utmost priority

1. Searching and 2. Changing language 3. Use as universal remote yes

typing
no

pick the remote find and press select hindi Select it 6%

user activity language
blue button
to hold the language result
user goal remote setting change language

94%
touchpoints remote

experience

what suggestions can you offer to

help us tackle this problem?
Voice recognition feature

Most of the users found it difficult to Most of the users were not aware of this
Most the users face the problem while
change language as the button assigned for function or how to go about it
typing and searching the channels for
the shows the task had no appropriate label to indicate
its function
4. Complex layout and labels
5. Complicated info architecture lead-
ing to less accessibility
Do you know the function of each and
every button on the set top box remote?

48.2%

28.6% 23.2%

Most of the user are able to use atleast the basic The infor architecture had to be rearranged inorder to
futnctions on the remote as per thier needs engance user experience
User persona

Harsh shah
Harsh is 24 years old and currently working in a company an engineer. He has to
work 9am - 5pm in the office . He leaves with his parents . He is planning for his
master aboard as he has gained some work experience. He is well versed with
technology and has no difficulty in operating any electronic appliance.

Gains
Qualities has a lED for feedback Need
Gender- Male different colour for specific buttons
Age - 24 Symbols and labels makes it easy to find
Tech savy 1) Find all the english movies being broadcasted
Location- Mumbai buttons
Intereted in sports at this moment
Profession- engineer No lag in the response by the UI and command 2)Set an alert for a news program which is going
Likes traveling
given to be broadcasted at a later point in time
Sincere and hardworking Features provided cover all the requirements 3)Change the language of the interface to hindi
Passionate 4) Change the language of the channel Sony Pix
Ambitious hd to hindi
Socially active 5)Set any channel as your fav, restart the STB
and then go to the fav channel directly
6)Find information about a show which is going
Pain to be broadcasted at a later point in time
complex 7)Find all the information related to your account
no shortcuts for certain tasks 8)Find the rate of the exclusive fitness channel
Too many buttons can be simplified provided by your service provider
The ergonomics can be improved 9)Find information about the channel packs
available for subscription
Aesthetic of the interface can be
10)Find the customer support number
improved
voice command can be
added
 Usha Nair
Usha is a 42 year old who teaches chemistry in a junior college. She is mar-
ried and has 2 kids. She takes care of her family and manages her job quiet
efficiently. They have a maid for specific tasks. She helps her kids it thier
studies and prepares study material for her college students. She is not a
tech savy but has basic knowledge and has no problem interacting with
various tech.

Gains
Need
Gender- Female Qualities
Age- 42 Accessible
All the necssary functions are well
Location-Delhi Loving and caring managed 1) Find all the english movies being broadcasted
Profession- Teacher Hardworking Has a LED to denote feedback at this moment
2)Set an alert for a news program which is going
Likes Cooking and gardening The interface has simplified icons and format
to be broadcasted at a later point in time
good use of coloure buttons
Patience 3)Change the language of the interface to hindi
4) Change the language of the channel Sony Pix
Loves reading hd to hindi
Likes watching movies 5)Set any channel as your fav, restart the STB
and then go to the fav channel directly
6)Find information about a show which is going
Pain to be broadcasted at a later point in time
7)Find all the information related to your account
gets dirty 8)Find the rate of the exclusive fitness channel
The buttns need to have different sizes as per provided by your service provider
priorities 9)Find information about the channel packs
better button hierarchy available for subscription
10)Find the customer support number
better ergonomics
The remotes has to be pointed towards
the Tv for it to work
It gets damaged easily and does’nt
work properly then
 Ideation
To find the importance of the buttons present on the remote . We did usage mapping of the buttons both when used as a normal
stb remote as well as when used as universal remote

Tata sky remote

Regular use Used as universal
remote
 Airtel remote

Regular use Used as universal

remote
 Frequency vs duration of use chart

We studied people while they were watching TV and interfacing with their remote controls, the aim being to identify
the most frequently used buttons and those which are used for the most prolonged periods of time. The resultant
analysis came up with the following usage map:

vol cha

6
back

5 mute info
F
r
e 1 2 3
4
q 4 5 6

u 7 8 9

e menu
0
3
n setting
c
y
2

1 help

tv

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Duration of use
 Mapping the natural movement of the fingers
on the remote

The following patterns have been plotted after mapping the natu-
OPTIONAL KEY
ral movement of the user. We studied various different users and
inferred that an user often decides his grip as per the position of
the volume keys

natural

have to stretch

difficult to reach
 Differentiating between the generic and brand specific keys

After studying both the remotes carefully we found out that certain buttons were commonly present on the
stb remotes of different brands and their were few buttons that remained specific to the brand

Essential keys Brand specific keys

Conclusion
We performed all the above methods to understand the various tasks that the user needs to perform. We studied
each and every aspect of the remote so that we dont miss out on any essential functionality. The procedure
helped us isolate all the functions and work on simplify them for the user .

All these methods gave us a good idea about the importance of the buttons present on the remote further
clarifying the direction of work

Points inferred from the above charts:

Positional coding: The navigation arrows are located around the central select button. Fast forward and
rewind are used to confirm user expectation.

Colour Coding: There is a good contrast among the buttons to improve visibility

Shape coding: The arrows are well curved and the channel and volume buttons are conveniently shaped with
the + and – sign protruding towards the center.

Textual coding: Labeling are based on conventional norms.The text appears to be well placed and easy to
comprehend.
Low fidelity
We studied and compared all the remotes that we had included in the process and divided the
buttons on the basis of their function they performed
1. Typing - all the keys on the num pad [0-9]
2. Navigation- the arrow keys along with back and select
3. Recording- All buttons associated with recording like pause , play, stop, etc
4. Colour buttons- red, green , blue and yellow keys
5.Power- STB and Tv
6. Special function- Menu , setting, Epg, exit,etc

We studied the info architecture and found certains keys unneccessary or combined them to
reduce the number yet keeping the efficency inorder to make the system more accessible and
simple
Layout

Layout 1 Layout 2
A/V
tv stb
A/V
tv stb Home
Varaition in button shapes has been used to help the
Home setting Guide Setting
user to differenciate between buttons
Guide back The normal buttons have been replaced by a
single button which functions like a joystick
similar to the joystick that we see in controllers
Ok

vol cha
vol cha spaces between the buttons have been merged
rec spaces between the buttons have been merged to make it easy to clean
to make it easy to clean
1 2 3
4 5 6 1 2 3
7 8 9 4 5 6
help 0 info Pause and play have been combined Only 3 colour buttons have been provided as
7 8 9
help
only 3/4 buttons were required to form a task
0 info
red green blue
red green blue
Only 3 colour buttons have been provided as
only 3/4 buttons were required to form a task
rec
Pause and play have been combined
remote buttons

power button interface symbols

a/v
audio visual

category
Account Radio
home search section Categories
Favourite
status special

setting
Recording Fitness Lifestyle Cooking Games Helpline
mute

record
help
?

back

voice command
final layout

a/v

Joystick stb
Slider
It enhances user interaction
It enables you to
and helps you to navigate
switch between tv
without lifting your fingers
tv
i
and stb mode

Voice command
You can now say the name
of your channel or search
via voice command
The entire system is divided into 4 parts
1. Home
2. Guide
3. Settings
4. Help

We have Rearranged the info - architecture to improve the user experience and make it easy for the user to access the
information. [ please refer the info architecture in from the presentation] We have tried the new info architecture on the
existing layout and an alternative layout

Home Guide
Every facility provided by the provider Every functions related to channels eg
eg apps, game, extra channels for search and category.
fitness , hobbies and for kids.

Main system

Help
Setting
Contact and troubleshooting options
account , display , sound , etc setting
are provided here.
 Home Panel

Home

Tv Account status
[Takes you to the [basic info abount the
channels you were account, update
watching] number and other]

Special channel Games and app

[All the special channels [games and
provided by the entertainment features]
provider]

Guide panel

Guide

Search Favourite
[Search your All channel categories [Set favourites ]
channel or show ] [All channel categories eg- All
channel, sports, regional, etc ]
 Setting Panel

setting

Account detail Display Sound Language

All account details all visual settings all sound settings language change

System Parental control Other help

system settings lock chanels Banner setting screen
help ino architecture
saer and view remainder

Help

Help

how to manage Recharge & Troubleshooting Contact What’s new

account biling
Proposed layout for proposed
info architecture

Guide screen
Categories

TV 1] All channel
2] HD
[The ongoing channel 3] Specials
or 4] Entertainment
Screen saver] 5] Movies
6} Sports
7} News
8] Kids
9}Knowledge
10] Life style
11] Music & Audio
12] Shopping
search section Categories
13] Spiritual
Favourite
14] Regional
 Home screen
special

TV
[The ongoing channel Fitness
or
Screen saver]

Lifestyle

Channels
Account Cooking
special Radio Helpline Recording
status

Games
services provided by the provider
 Setting Screen

TV
[The ongoing channel
or
Screen saver]

Parental Other
Account setting
Display Sound Language System control Help

All the available settings displayed

 Help Screen

How to manage account

Recharge Troublesh What’s

& biling oot Contact new
 Improvement

Appropriate
Rearranged info Symbols and titles
architecture for have been used for
better accessility sub catrgories

The panel doesn’t overlaps Titles of the sub

the channel which enables categories in settings ,
you to change settings or home, guide and help
check schedules while not have been reformed to
missing out on the program improve the accessibility
Mood board
Renders
colour options
 STB Remote
The new stb remote is a simplified version of
the existing remote. It is enabled with voice
command for fat typing and efficient use of
the interface giving you greater accessibility

1. Voice command for searching and typing.

2. Joystick for navigation.
3. Slider for switching between Tv and stb
mode.
4. Minimal symbols and layout
5.All the necessary keys are placed inside
the natural flow of the thumb.
6. Volume and channel keys have been made
more interactive .
7.
Remote buttons power on/ off

av / language
lan
category Slider

home
setting
help
joystick
back
record
mute info

volume channel

voice command
Buttons type
Joystick volume and channel

The joystick is similar to the the new minimal keys

one we see on a gaming improve the interaction
controller. While in recording of the user while
mode the LED’s light up . changing the channel or
increaseing volume

Slider
Voice command
It enables the user to switch
It helps you to search your between TV and STB mode
desired channel with ease and makes the entire process
of syncing your stb remote
with your tv remote easy for
non tech savvy people
Prospects of the new design
Problem 1 - Typing and search channels shows etc

Most the users face the problem while typing and searching the channels for the shows

Solution- With the newly added voice command feature typing and searching the names of the channels and
shows becomes quite easy. Even the process of typing the channel numbers gets simlified by just saying the
number instead of typing it on the numpad.

Problem 2 - Changing the language

Many user great amount of inconvienence while changing the language as the language changing option
lacked label

Solution- With the new function specific label provided to the button . It becomes really easy to change the lan-
guage moreover the newly added voice command comes in real handy the language being changed by saying the
function aloud
 Problem 3 - Universal remote
To understand this problem better we first need to know how the process of syncing the stb remote with
the tv remote

To use stb remote as universal remote one needs to sync the stb remote with the tv remote .This process involves put-
ting the stb remote in learning mode and then long pressing a combination of buttons now this is a very complicated
process where one needs to press different combination inorder to sync with the Tv remote . Users have to deal with a
great amount of inconvienence while getting this process done also their is no way that the user is made aware about
the required combination of buttons without the user himself searching for it on the manual or on the interface.

Solution- Slider enables you to switch between tv and stb mode with just one simple switch.
You just have to sync the tv remote with stb remote once when doing this process for the first
time, putting the stb remote in tv mode by using the slider automatically puts the remote into
learning mode here in presence of voice command helps avoiding the process of long pressing
a combination of buttons

Problem 4 - Complex layout and labels

complex labels and layout

Solution- The number of buttons have been reduced to 15 from an average of 45 buttons
 Joystick

apple ipod 4th

apple ipod 3rd
generation
generation
Taking inspiration from the evolution of apple ipod 3rd
generation to its 4th generation . We decided to club the
navigatio keys with the pause play buttons as both the
type of buttons use jointly we were able to reduce the
number of buttons to half facilitating simplicity

The following symbols lighten up in perticular mode. The

av buttons lightens up after you put the remote it tv
mode. While the language button lightens up when you
switch the remote back into stb mode. This is a special
kind of button where in both the labels appear alterna-
tively without interfering into each others function. This
is possible due to a 2 way led button technology
High fidelity
interface
 Volume Interface

Normal screen Volume up and down

Muted
 Recording feature

rec

6:00

Normal Screen Recording the current program

rec My recording Recording 1 Recording 2 Recording 3 Recording 4 Recording 5

Pressing record button My recording

 Voice command

Normal screen Voice command

While speaking
 Home Screen

Home
Normal screen

Account
status Specials Games Radio Helpline

Home Screen
 Search Panel

search categories favourite

Press category on the remote

Normal screen

Search

Search

Search Keyboard if required

 TV and stb mode

normal screen

tv
stb

Tv mode stb mode

Please refer to the video attached for an in - sync version of
the stb remote interface and the screen interface
Thank you