Jitterbug Microwave

[QuikSand]

Here's the challenge:

Design a minimalist keypad for a microwave oven that retains at least a reasonable degree of functionality for routine use, while removing as many of the keys as possible.

Thoughts (will add as people predictably attack the logic here):

-We're not trying to cater to a high-end chef, just a common kitchen setup

-Nobody really wants to press keys seven times in a row, so while that might make it possible for a user to accomplish something, it would be too tedious to count here as a real success

-While the range of key functions currently available on microwaves seem like a reasonable start, we don't have to be confined by that -- so, some reasonable and intuitive new key function(s) are on the table

-Simple push buttons, we're not open to swipes, gestures, or other things that would allow buttons to profoundly multi-task. I WILL ALLOW A PUSH-AND-HOLD TO BE DISTINCT FROM A SIMPLE PUSH.

[Bobble]

And these are individual keys, right? Just like they used in olden times, Grampa? No sensor pad with gestures, right?

[QuikSand]

Right. Simple push buttons.

[QuikSand]

Okay, I'll give a bit. Since push-and-hold is a pretty widely adopted standard, you may use buttons that employ this as a distinct input from just pushing. Noted above.

[Fidatelo]

Any button interface still feels like a fail. All a microwave has ever needed is a single dial.

[Butter]

Power Level
Start
Clear / Cancel
Num keys 0-9

That's about all you'd need.

I find the push-and-hold method pretty tedious as opposed to just entering a 2 or 3 digit time.

[lighthousekeeper]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Any button interface still feels like a fail. All a microwave has ever needed is a single dial.

wow. this should be the winner.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Any button interface still feels like a fail. All a microwave has ever needed is a single dial.

This is what I was thinking as well.

[Butter]

A dial? So, then how are you going to defrost stuff or set an exact time? The only experience I've ever had with a dial microwave was frustrating as hell.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Power Level
Start
Clear / Cancel
Num keys 0-9

That's about all you'd need.

I find the push-and-hold method pretty tedious as opposed to just entering a 2 or 3 digit time.

Let's pretend that eliminating keys is a major component of the challenge here.

I'll start with your entry. Do we REALLY need a 9 key?

Getting the idea now?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Here's the challenge:

Design a minimalist keypad for a microwave oven that retains at least a reasonable degree of functionality for routine use, while removing as many of the keys as possible.

Thoughts (will add as people predictably attack the logic here):

-We're not trying to cater to a high-end chef, just a common kitchen setup

-Nobody really wants to press keys seven times in a row, so while that might make it possible for a user to accomplish something, it would be too tedious to count here as a real success

-While the range of key functions currently available on microwaves seem like a reasonable start, we don't have to be confined by that -- so, some reasonable and intuitive new key function(s) are on the table

-Simple push buttons, we're not open to swipes, gestures, or other things that would allow buttons to profoundly multi-task. I WILL ALLOW A PUSH-AND-HOLD TO BE DISTINCT FROM A SIMPLE PUSH.

voice activated.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

A dial? So, then how are you going to defrost stuff or set an exact time? The only experience I've ever had with a dial microwave was frustrating as hell.

I've never used the defrost feature of a microwave, it seems no different to me then just putting it in for less time on a normal setting. And the exact time is set by the dial, you turn it to part way between 5 and 6 minutes for 5 and a half minutes.

I had a microwave as a kid that just had a dial and it was my favorite microwave I've ever used since. So easy, nothing to figure out, and it worked just fine for pizza pops and frozen peas.

[Suicane75]

I use the custom defrost on mine all the time, even for stuff that isn't frozen. I feel like I just get a less rubbery cook out of it. Probably all in my head though.

A Cook/Defrost/ button that would cycle through which one you wanted as you held it down.

A keypad that didn't have a 4,7 or 0.

A start button. So thats 9 buttons, set up like a regular keypad.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Let's pretend that eliminating keys is a major component of the challenge here.

I'll start with your entry. Do we REALLY need a 9 key?

Getting the idea now?

So, I guess you could eliminate 6-9 so you could only do time in increments of 5 seconds. And less than 6 minutes.

As long as we're pretending.

[tarcone]

1 button. The cook in increments of 30 seconds button. Would work for everything. You can stop it by opening the door. or start it by hitting it again.

[stevew]

Cook 5min, cook 1 min, cook 10 seconds

Potato(hit1-4 times for amt of potatoes)
pocorn(we'll put in some idiot proof wiz bang noise detector so it'll auto shutoff when pops are spaced far apart)

Cancel
Power 50%

[Butter]

I thought that as well, but we have this constraint:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

-Nobody really wants to press keys seven times in a row, so while that might make it possible for a user to accomplish something, it would be too tedious to count here as a real success

[Buccaneer]

I've used microwaves since the early 1980s and never used defrost. For example, I stick frozen bagels in there all the time and let it run for 45 seconds or so. Same thing with power setting, rarely have ever used anything but high.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I've used microwaves since the early 1980s and never used defrost. For example, I stick frozen bagels in there all the time and let it run for 45 seconds or so. Same thing with power setting, rarely have ever used anything but high.

Me too.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by tarcone

1 button. The cook in increments of 30 seconds button. Would work for everything. You can stop it by opening the door. or start it by hitting it again.

You CAN NOT EVER open a microwave door while it is running, you will get radiation poisoning.

[lighthousekeeper]

Originally Posted by Lathum

You CAN NOT EVER open a microwave door while it is running, you will get radiation poisoning.

there are ways to stop a microwave other than pulling the door open?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by lighthousekeeper

there are ways to stop a microwave other than pulling the door open?

my God man, go see a doctor, stat!

[cartman]

I think I heard of something where they would put a QR code (or something similar) on the packaging, and you'd scan it on the microwave, which would automatically set the time and temp.

[lighthousekeeper]

This is as good a time as any to share my microwave story from when I was about 12 yrs old:

Left home alone (as usual) sitting at my Commodore 64, playing Gunship. I knew I had to microwave dinner for myself. So between missions I quickly run to the kitchen, grab the microwavable TV dinner. Quickly scan the instructions: 40 minutes. Set the microwave to 40 minutes. Run back to my game. ~15 minutes later I notice a faint smoke smell. Gunship trance is now broken and I realize what I've done. Run into kitchen turn off microwave in a panic. Realize 40 minutes was for oven instructions of course. Spend next couple hours in panic mode trying in vain to remove any traces of smoke from house. Impossible task: every surface had a slight film of smoke on it.

[digamma]

I'm thinking a very basic set up would be:

+1 minute, +2 minutes and +5 minutes and then +15 seconds and +30 seconds.

And a start key. If you want to have a high/low button, sure.

[korme]

Originally Posted by Lathum

You CAN NOT EVER open a microwave door while it is running, you will get radiation poisoning.

you're kidding right?

The only button I ever use is my 30 second start button, so im always flying the door open

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by korme

you're kidding right?

The only button I ever use is my 30 second start button, so im always flying the door open

no I'm not kidding, you release all that radiation right into your face.

[Bobble]

3 buttons: MINUTES/POWER, +, - . The MINUTES/POWER button is a toggle. It toggles between controlling the time or power. Each press of + or - in "minute mode" is +/-15 seconds. Each double-click of + or - in "minute mode" is +/-1 minute. Each press of + or - in "power mode" is +/-10% power. Each double-click of + or - in "power mode" is +/- 50% power.

No start or stop. Increasing the time automatically starts the microwave. Microwave is automatically stopped when opened or when both + and - are pressed (and time zeroed).

[cartman]

Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Microwave Ovens

FTFA:

How long does microwave energy hang around?

You have probably been warned by your mother: "Wait a few seconds (or minutes) after the beep for all the microwaves to disappear". There is no scientific basis for such a recommendation. Once the beep has sounded (or the door has opened), it is safe. This is because:
There is no such thing as residual microwave radiation from a microwave oven - it is either being produced or is non-existent.
There is little energy storage in the microwave generator compared to the amount being used. The typical high voltage capacitor - the only component that can store energy - has a capacity of less than 15 W-s (Watt-seconds) even for the largest ovens. Power consumption is typically 800 to 1,500 W depending on oven size. Therefore, the capacitor will be fully drained in much less than .1 second - long before the beep has ended or the door has cleared the front panel. (Based on the numbers, above, for a 1,500 W oven with a capacitor storing 15 W-s, it is more like .01 seconds!)

[korme]

Originally Posted by Lathum

no I'm not kidding, you release all that radiation right into your face.

hmm, then im getting super lucky all these times

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by cartman

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/micfaq.htm#michldmeh

FTFA:

yeah, the beep, not while its running.

Originally Posted by korme

hmm, then im getting super lucky all these times

The effects are long term, you won't see them right away since it is such a small amount of exposure. I'll pray for your children.

[cartman]

Unless you've modified the microwave, it isn't running when you open the door.

[Subby]

Science is hard!

[nol]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Let's pretend that eliminating keys is a major component of the challenge here.

I'll start with your entry. Do we REALLY need a 9 key?

Getting the idea now?

/puts Hot Pocket in efficient microwave
/"01011010"

[Peregrine]

Can we use a dial? I've only ever used one of those but it seemed to be the most efficient and easy to use microwave I've ever personally used.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by korme

my 30 second start button

Mine has one of these too -- it's a combo of +30 seconds and start. To me, this is a reasonable key to the whole thing.

I'm thinking:

+10 sec start
+30 sec start
+1 min start
+5 min start
power/settings cycle-through

Nobody actually needs to cook something for 46 seconds.

The 30 seconds button is on the bubble for me... I might be game to drop that even if it did mean some extra +10 pushes.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by digamma

I'm thinking a very basic set up would be:

+1 minute, +2 minutes and +5 minutes and then +15 seconds and +30 seconds.

And a start key. If you want to have a high/low button, sure.

OK, I pretty much endorse this, but think you can skip the +2m

[AENeuman]

Open door 30sec pops up, starts when door closes

Otherwise, number pad:
1 (1 min) Hold for 90 seconds
2 (2 min) Hold for popcorn
5 (5 min) Hold for defrost or 10 min (i never use defrost either)

Touching numbers consecutively can increase time: 1+2=3 min
So, can't do 4, 8, 9, 11+.. but think of all the buttons you save!

[cartman]

Here's a concept that uses a dial for the intensity, and a slide for the time.

[cartman]

Dola,

There is a movement to join: Micah Wittman - Microwave Oven UI Standard Project

[stevew]

I think the true answer is a bunch of internal sensors and one button. Press once for start, twice for defrost.

[Lathum]

the internet needs a sarcasm font

[Butter]

I think you need a cancel button, because you are certainly going to mess up entering the time at some point and would need an easy way to reset the time number to zero to start again.

[NobodyHere]

Binary input(0 and 1) in seconds and a start button.

Wants 60 seconds? Then it's 111100 Start.

[albionmoonlight]

Information about how defrost actually works: Microwaves

[albionmoonlight]

Dola: xkcd: Nine

[Julio Riddols]

I'm with anyone who thinks a microwave should be able to do the damn job by itself by now with a single press of the button along with the option to defrost or cook. Is it not possible to measure the heat of a food item via some form of thermal detector? For added functionality, maybe it determines if the surface of the food is hotter than it needs to be compared to the core, for things like mashed potatoes. Something that prompts you to stir the food and restart the heating process.

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Let's pretend that eliminating keys is a major component of the challenge here.

I'll start with your entry. Do we REALLY need a 9 key?

Getting the idea now?

In my lazy efforts to get more efficient, I definitely use my 9 key. I will input 90 seconds instead of 1:30 or 99 seconds if I'm aiming for 1:45 just to speed things up.

[QuikSand]

I do 77 seconds all the time for kids' oatmeal, and 99 seconds sometimes for a suitably-sized reheat. But you don't *need* those keys, clearly.

Anyway - fun conversation, I guess. Very hard to argue against the one dial, one start button option, I confess.

[albionmoonlight]

What about

15 sec
30 sec
1 min
5 min
start

5 keys total

Pressing keys adds to the time. Let's you hit most reasonable times that people tend to use. Does require some multiple pushing, but not too much IMHO.

I was tempted to take away the five minute key. But I think that people bake potatoes in the microwave enough to make that worth keeping.