Applying Perceptual Layers to Colour Code Information in Hand-Held Computing Devices

Although tabular displays are an efficient and effective means to display information there are a number of problems in displaying tables in mobile devices. Small, hand-held mobile devices lack screen space, and this can be a serious handicap in their efficient use (Brewster, Leplatre and Crease, 1998). If the device must be small and the screen must fit the device, text will necessarily be small and graphics will tend to be cramped. As a result, complex tables are often too small to read or much larger than the display size.