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Writer's pictureTangible Surface Research

Custom Design - Toshiba Microwave ML-EM34P

Custom tactile icons for labeling the Toshiba Microwave ML-EM34P(SS)


Tactile Icon Map


Text Description of HALOS Tactile Icons

Microwave Oven Controls for Toshiba Microwave Model ML-EM34P(SS)

This document is a text-only description of the tactile icons used for your appliance. Each button on the control panel is represented by a tactile icon


The microwave panel has seven rows.


Starting with the top row

Row 1 has three buttons.

1. Popcorn – the shape is curvy and bulbous, like a popped popcorn kernel.

2. Reheat – the shape is a horizontal line with a downward curve on the right, like something coming back around.

3. Potato – the shape is a wide oval with a rough top, like a baked potato.


Row 2 has three buttons, reading from from left to right.

1. Weight Defrost - this button combines two shapes - the top is like a water droplet representing defrost and the bottom shape is a straight line representing something being weighed.

2. Power – the shape is a stairstep increasing from left to right, representing different levels.

3. Defrost – the shape is a water droplet, pointy on the top and wide and curvy on the bottom.


Row 3 has three buttons, reading from left to right,

1, 2, 3. Keypad numbers 1,2,3 – the shapes are small circles.


Row 4 has three buttons, reading from left to right,

1, 2, 3. Keypad numbers 4,5,6 – the shapes are small circles. The 5 button is taller than the other keypad buttons.


Row 5 has three buttons, reading from left to right,

1, 2, 3. Keypad numbers 7,8,9 – the shapes are small circles.


Row 6 has three buttons, reading from left to right,

1. Kitchen Timer – the shape is like an hourglass, wide at the top and bottom and narrow in the middle.

2. Keypad number 0 – the shape is a small circle.

3. Cook Time, Clock – the shape is a circle with a cutout in the upper right, the shape represents a clock face.


Row 7 has three buttons, reading from left to right,

1. Stop/Cancel – the shape is an X.

2. Wifi – the shape is triangular, pointy at the bottom and a wide curve at the top.

3. Start/+30 Sec – the shape is a right pointing triangle.


End of Microwave description.


 

Designer Comments

  • This is an Alexa enabled microwave so why are people requesting tactile icons? Perhaps people still want to control machines by touch!

  • Most shapes are well established except defrost by weight. The addition of the bottom line represents a scale, as in weighing something. This has not been tested yet. Add it to the list.

  • The wifi shape is new. I will write a separate post about it.

  • There are many overloaded buttons. Keypad numbers 1-6, Cook Time/Clock and Start/Add time. It may be helpful to identify these overloaded buttons but then again it may cause confusion. If the buttons were 3d perhaps we could add a nub or other feature. For now, keep it simple.


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