Abstract
A variety of modern devices use multifunction displays to present hierarchically ordered information. Users interact with the devices by pushing buttons to move through the hierarchy and access needed information. Several studies have shown that the mapping of hierarchy labels to buttons effects user performance. This article describes a quantitative methodology that optimizes such mappings, relative to a defined cost function. Methods for defining a model of user search, measuring necessary model parameters, and creating an optimal mapping are described and tested. In an experimental test of the method, the optimized mapping resulted in a 32% reduction in search time.
