Optimizing Interoperability Between Video-Oculographic and Electromyographic Systems
By Navallas, Javier; Ariz, Mikel; Villanueva, Arantxa; San Augustin, Javier; Cabeza, Rafael ; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 253-266Publication Date: 2011
Paper presents a new system that enhances the interoperability between a video-oculographic (VOG) system for computer mouse movement control and an electromyographic (EMG) system for mouse click detection. The VOG system is composed of a monitor, camera, and two groups of infrared light emitting diodes located on both sides of the computer screen. The EMG system consists of two recording electrodes attached to the user’s forehead over the frontalis muscle, a third electrode attached to the wrist, a signal amplifier, a data acquisition unit, and postprocessing software. The proposed VOG-EMG system combines gaze and muscle information to minimize the number of undesired clicks due to involuntary activations and environmental noise. The system was tested with 24 participants without disabilities, comparing 3 different configurations: one in which the VOG and EMG systems worked independently and two in which VOG gaze information was used to improve the EMG click detection. Results showed that the number of false-positive click detections can be reduced when VOG and EMG information is combined. In addition, the third configuration, including extra processing, can reduce the activation delay produced because of the combined use of the VOG and EMG systems. The new VOG-EMG system is meant to be used in noisy environments, such as when the user is driving a wheelchair, in which the number of false clicks may compromise a reliable human-computer interaction.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
Link to text: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/11/483/navallas.html
