HaWCoS: the "hands-free" wheelchair control system
Proceedings of the fifth international ACM conference on Assistive technologies
Gaze typing compared with input by head and hand
Proceedings of the 2004 symposium on Eye tracking research & applications
Indirect text entry using one or two keys
Proceedings of the 8th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers and accessibility
Consolidating computer operation and wheelchair control
Proceedings of the 9th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers and accessibility
Evaluating the Hands-Free Mouse Control System: An Initial Case Study
ICCHP '08 Proceedings of the 11th international conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs
Automatic and self-paced scanning for alternative text entry
Telehealth/AT '08 Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Telehealth/Assistive Technologies
Leveraging retained physical capabilities to support persons with severe motor impairments
Proceedings of the 3rd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology
Proceedings of the 15th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility
| Hi-index | 0.01 |
This paper deals with an alternative input method based on tiny muscle contractions for the use with a variety of target applications. The previously introduced HAnds-free Mouse COntrol System (HaMCoS) is one example of a tool resulting from this input strategy. The system allows its user to completely operate a Windows® PC without the need to use the hands. Therefore, it can be very helpful for a person with a severe physical disability who is able to willfully contract one single muscle (since that is all it takes). The same idea has been applied to a control system for an electrically powered wheelchair. Both systems focus on a similar target population. The paper briefly describes how the muscle-based input signals are detected and how they are processed in the two control applications. As a third application, an environment control system -- again primarily targeting people with special needs -- is finally proposed. The graphical user interface (GUI) and the basic structure of the proposed tool are presented in thorough detail. Possible implications considering this input method for non-disabled users are also addressed.