Non-Invasive, Wireless and Universal Interface for the Control of Peripheral Devices by Means of Head Movements

Technology has big presence in our lives and we are surrounded by lot of peripheral devices supposed to make our daily life easier; TV, computer, cellular phone and internet for example. The way we interact with these devices is critical for making them accessible and useful. This article presents an alternative, universal, non invasive and wireless interface to control peripheral devices by means of head movements, which is patent pending. The interface is expected to be a communication alternative for many users with mobility impairments in upper-extremities, enabling interaction with most of external devices needed for developing a normal life activity, gaining autonomy and independence. The interface is non-invasive, light weight and wireless, avoiding uncomfortable use, allowing a long term use and minimizing visual and ergonomic impact.

[1]  Hung T. Nguyen,et al.  Neural network control of wheelchairs using telemetric head movement , 1998, Proceedings of the 20th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Vol.20 Biomedical Engineering Towards the Year 2000 and Beyond (Cat. No.98CH36286).

[2]  Walter H. Chang,et al.  The new design of an infrared-controlled human-computer interface for the disabled. , 1999, IEEE transactions on rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[3]  Yangsheng Xu,et al.  A cap as interface for wheelchair control , 2002, IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems.

[4]  Alfredo Gardel Vicente,et al.  Commands generation by face movements applied to the guidance of a wheelchair for handicapped people , 2000, Proceedings 15th International Conference on Pattern Recognition. ICPR-2000.

[5]  M. Mazo,et al.  System for assisted mobility using eye movements based on electrooculography , 2002, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering.

[6]  Yu-Luen Chen,et al.  Application of tilt sensors in human-computer mouse interface for people with disabilities. , 2001, IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.