Performance analysis of an integrated eye gaze tracking / electromyogram cursor control system

ABSTRACT

Eye Gaze Tracking (EGT) systems allow individuals with motor disabilities to quickly move a screen cursor on a PC. However, there are limitations in the steadiness and the accuracy of cursor control and clicking capabilities they provide. On the other hand, a cursor control system to step the cursor up, down, left or right in response to voluntary contractions of specific facial muscles, developed by our group, provides steady and precise, albeit slow, cursor control, along with a reliable clicking mechanism. This system identifies muscle contractions by performing digital processing of the Electromyogram (EMG) signals generated by the facial muscles. Based on the complementary nature of the strengths of these two cursor control modalities we have developed an integrated EGT/EMG system in an attempt to consolidate the advantages of both input modalities. We have compared the selection accuracy and speed of an EGT-only cursor control implementation, our integrated EGT/EMG cursor control system and a standard handheld mouse in point-and click trials.

References

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Index Terms

• Human-centered computing

  • Human computer interaction (HCI)

    • Interaction devices

      • Touch screens