The document discusses issues with the design of induction cooktop interfaces. It notes that commonly burners are arranged in a 2x2 grid while controls are in a single row, making it difficult to determine which control operates which burner. It suggests designs where the arrangement of controls matches the burner arrangement to make the connection clear. It also notes that touchscreen icons should be large enough to select easily according to Fitts's law and that emergency use requires an intuitive interface.

1. 1
INTERACTION DESIGN
Massimo N. Marrazzo - 2017Induction cooktop
INTERACTION DESIGN
What is wrong?
Bad mapping
Burners are often placed in a two by
two grid while controls are often
placed in a single row.
The problem is that it is difficult to tell
which control goes with which burner.
Rows are in order of preferred arrangements, with 7 being least preferred and 3 most preferred.
Errol R. Hoffmann & Alan H.S. Chan (2011): Alternative approaches to the design of four-burner stoves,
Ergonomics, 54:9, 777-791
Mapping controls arbitrary
(Mapping is a technical term meaning the relationship
between the elements of two sets of things.)
Does the left most knob
control the left front or
left read burner?
?
? ?

2. INTERACTION DESIGN
Massimo N. Marrazzo - 2017Induction cooktop
2
Useful features to consider when
buying an induction hob.
Suggestion
A quick look makes it easy to determine
which knob controls which burner.
The arrangement of knobs controlling your
stove burners should match the
arrangement of the burners themselves.
In this layout, it's clear that the upper-left
knob controls the upper-left burner. The
placement of each knob visually suggests which
burner it will turn on. There's no confusion.

3. INTERACTION DESIGN
Massimo N. Marrazzo - 2017Induction cooktop
INTERACTION DESIGN
3
* Fitts's Law states "...the time to acquire a target is a function of the distance to and size of the target". As the
distance increases, movement takes longer and as the size decreases selection again takes longer.
What can I do?
How? Where?
Place the pot on the cooking zone, switching the hob on, activate the
required cooking zone by pressing the corresponding icon.
With the + e - buttons it is possible to select the required power level,
from min. 0 to max. 9.
- Too small icons (see the Fitts s law*)
- Non-intuitive interface
(in case of emergency you may waste time in choosing the right icon)
Examples of
Control Panel
Using the Touch Controls
The controls respond to touch, so you don t need to apply any pressure.
Use the ball of your finger, not its tip.
You will hear a beep each time a touch is registered.
Make sure the controls are always clean, dry, and that there is no object
(e.g. a utensil or a cloth) covering them. Even a thin film of water may make
the controls difficult to operate.
What is wrong?
Interface