Map-based interaction for inputting in Mobile phones

The paper is about unique Map-based input mechanism for source and destination while booking Indian Railways ticket. This mechanism came as one of the strong alternative solution, in design project on “Ticketing for Indian Railways on Mobile Phone”. Targeted to users in small towns, the aim project was to come up with solution which could bridge the commuting gap between the user and existing mobile internet application, which are difficult to use. Considering the mid-range phone which they possess, semi-literacy levels and difficulty in typing text using number pad; the proposed solution requires minimum textual input. Proposed Map-based solution uses number pad navigation method. The number pad on mobile phones is mapped with the Map of India plotted with rail stations and rail routes. Users have to select the position of their station and navigate to the required station for booking ticket. Learnability of this Map-based inputting method was found to be easy and fast compared to text inputting method.