Perception of delay in computer input devices establishing a baseline for signal processing of motion sensor systems

Abstract

New computer input devices in healthcare applications using small embedded sensors need firmware filters to run smoothly and to provide a better user experience. Therefore, it has to be investigated how much delay can be tolerated for signal processing before the users perceive a delay when using a computer input device. This paper is aimed to find out a threshold of unperceived delay by performing user tests with 25 participants. A communication retarder was used to create delays from 0 to 100 ms between a receiving computer and three different USB-connected computer input devices. A wired mouse, a wifi mouse and a head-mounted mouse were used as input devices. The results of the user tests show that delays up to 50 ms could be tolerated and are not perceived as delay, or depending on the used device still perceived as acceptable.