Evaluating the Hands-Free Mouse Control System: An Initial Case Study

  • Authors:
  • Torsten Felzer;Rainer Nordmann

  • Affiliations:
  • Department of Mechatronics in Mechanical Engineering, Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany D-64287;Department of Mechatronics in Mechanical Engineering, Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany D-64287

  • Venue:
  • ICCHP '08 Proceedings of the 11th international conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs
  • Year:
  • 2008

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

An initial user study evaluating the HAnds-free Mouse COntrol System (HaMCoS) will be presented. The system allows its user to fully operate a Windows® PC without using the hands. It requires a special piezo-based input sensor in order to pick up the muscular activity of a single dedicated muscle of the user. The idea is to detect intentional contractions of the monitored muscle, and to use this information for emulating a two-button mouse device. In addition, the software framework renders any keyboard input unnecessary, so HaMCoS represents a comprehensiveinput method for persons who are unable to reliably employ the hands (e.g., tetraplegics). The paper will take a closer look at the specifics of the system followed by a discussion of the experiences gained by potential end users in a first case study.