The migratory cursor: accurate speech-based cursor movement by moving multiple ghost cursors using non-verbal vocalizations

We present the migratory cursor, which is an interactive interface that enables users to move a cursor to any desired position quickly and accurately using voice alone. The migratory cursor combines discrete specification that allows a user to specify a location quickly, but approximately, with continuous specification that allows the user to specify a location more precisely, but slowly. The migratory cursor displays multiple ghost cursors that are aligned vertically or horizontally with the actual cursor. The user quickly specifies an approximate position by referring to the ghost cursor nearest the desired position, and then uses non-verbal vocalizations to move the ghost cursors continuously until one is on the desired position. The time spent using the continuous specification which is slow to use is short, since it is used just for fine refinement. In addition, the migratory cursor employs only two directional movements: vertical and horizontal, so that the user can move it quickly to any desired position. Moreover, the user can easily and accurately stop cursor movements by becoming silent when the cursor reaches the desired position. We tested the usefulness of the migratory cursor, and showed that users could move the cursor to a desired position quickly and accurately.