A non-invasive approach for measuring input device latency

Research in latency measurement is conducted since decades, but has ongoing relevance to users of input devices. Therefore we investigate a new approach to this topic. Bockes, Schmid and Wimmer [1] describe an invasive way to measure input latency for different types of devices. We pick up their idea and conduct experiments with the same devices but using a non-invasive approach. This means, that we focus on pressing a button of an input-device that is connected to a Raspberry Pi 2 via USB to trigger an input-event and measure the time it takes to arrive at the system. The button-press is achieved by a robot that physically triggers said button through the movement of a measuring head.

Members: Paul Winderl, Johannes Dengler, Thomas Oswald

Keywords: WIP, measuring, user study, input device, latency

A non-invasive approach for measuring input device latency: Method for input device latency measurement without irreversibly damaging the device.

This research project examines a way of non-invasive measurement of input device latency. To achieve this, we try to measure the pressure point of a input button and repeat a clicking mechanism to get latency data. After collecting those, we compare the result with an invasive approach that was used in a previous study. Experimental Design

Goals

The goal of this project is to examine the possibility of non-invasive latency measurement. We use an existing prototype that is to be enhanced by us. A last approach used an invasive method to measure latency. This was done with the LagBox and a wired connection to the hardware of input devices [1]. However, invasive techniques are always connected with expense, time exposure and possibly an unrepairable hardware. Our approach tries to address these issues. We are starting with an pressure sensor connected to a motor and a Raspberry Pi. The measurement works as follows: The sensor will be moved onto a button of a input device until it hits the pressure point which indicates a button press. We try to find this point and measure its latency from press to incoming signal at the usb driver.

Further Resources

Literature

[1] Bockes, F., Wimmer, R., & Schmid, A. (2018). LagBox – Measuring the Latency of USB-Connected Input Devices. In Extended Abstracts of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (S. LBW115:1–LBW115:6). New York, NY, USA: ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3170427.3188632

[2] Manfrotto 035 Superclamp Universal Befestigungs-Mechanismus (Aluminium) schwarz. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2019, from https://www.amazon.de/Manfrotto-Superclamp-Universal-Befestigungs-Mechanismus-Aluminium/dp/B000JLM4XG/ref=sr_1_6?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1547708046&sr=1-6&keywords=fotoklemme

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A non-invasive approach for measuring input device latency