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Alternative Input Devices for sayit™
Overview of Non-Mechanical Input Devices

This page gives a summary of some of the available input devices that require very little or no movement by the user to operate.
The devices presented here are divided into three broad categories:

  • Mind, Brain and Muscle Impulse Control
  • Eye Tracking
  • Head Tracking

    • All of the products listed here could potentially be used with the sayit™ Scanner and Mouse to create text, produce speech or perform general computing tasks.

    Mind, Brain and Muscle Impulse Control

    Cyberlink MindMouse

    ProductCyberlink MindMouse (Brainfingers)
    CompanyBrain Actuated Technologies, Inc.
    Summary

    Could work well with sayit™ Scanner and Mouse for providing text input, speech output and computer control.

    Uses a headband with 3 sensors to essentially trigger up to 10 discrete commands. These commands could include mouse clicks, mouse movements, opening applications etc. The package includes a number of software applications including games and utilities.

    From the Website:
    Three Sensors in the headband detect your brain and facial activity. The Cyberlink interface unit amplifies and translates this data into separate frequencies and transmits them to the IBM compatible PC serial port. The Cyberlink software processes and displays these frequencies as 10 continuous command signals called Brainfingers and up to 4 discrete command signals generated by specific eye and facial gestures.

    The Brainfingers control the two-axis mouse cursor, affect visual and musical biofeedback displays, and also can be user-formatted to send mouse button and keyboard commands. The eye movements and facial gestures are separately mapped to a repertoire of user-formatted mouse and keyboard functions and software commands.

    Pricing Infoapprox. $2,000 USD
    Product Links http://www.brainfingers.com/
    http://www.brainfingers.com/cyberlink.htm
    http://www.brainfingers.com/pricing_and_ordering.htm
    Supplier Links http://www.brainfingers.com/pricing_and_ordering.htm
    http://www.sforh.com/pointing/mindmouse-head.html
    http://atestore.enablemart.com/productdetail.aspx?store=10&pid=380&dept=12

    EMOS Eye Muscle Switch

    ProductEMOS Eye Muscle Switch
    CompanyTechnos America
    Summary

    Similar to the Cyberlink above but controls a single switch/operation.

    Could work well with sayit™ Scanner and Mouse for providing text input, speech output and computer control.

    From the website:
    EMOS is a simple to operate state of the art switch for people who have limited movement. May work for people who have no detectable movement. It requires no training and is auto-adjusting. Bioelectrical activity from eye movement, eye blink or muscle tension are used to turn the switch ON.

    Pricing InfoNone available
    Product Links http://www.mctos.com/index.html
    http://www.mctos.com/pages/emos.html
    Supplier Links http://www.mctos.com/pages/dist.html

    MCTOS Mind/Eye/Muscle Controlled Switch

    ProductMCTOS Mind/Eye/Muscle Controlled Switch
    CompanyTechnos America
    Summary

    Similar to the Cyberlink above but controls a single switch/operation.

    Could work well with sayit™ Scanner and Mouse for providing text input, speech output and computer control.

    From the website:
    MCTOS is a simple switch that is controlled by bioelectrical activity measured at the forehead.
    Consciously generated signals are detected by the receiver attached to the forehead. These signals are converted to an output of electrical control signal. This allows the operator to control a single switch using eye movement or muscle activity. MCTOS may also be controlled using the mind. This requires no physical movement of any kind.

    Pricing InfoNone available
    Product Links http://www.mctos.com/index.html
    http://www.mctos.com/pages/mctos.html
    Supplier Links http://www.mctos.com/pages/dist.html

    Eye Tracking

    EyeGaze - LC Technologies Inc.

    ProductEyeGaze Products
    CompanyLC Technologies Inc.
    Summary

    Uses a camera mounted below an LCD monitor to focus on and analyse a user's eye movement. The mouse pointer on the screen is then controlled by the system to follow the user's gaze.

    The package includes computer, LCD monitor, camera and othe associated hardware and software. The the company's pricing page for more information.

    Pricing InfoApprox. $15,000. See http://www.lctinc.com/2Products/Disability/DisPricing.htm
    Product Links http://www.lctinc.com/PRODUCTS.htm
    http://www.lctinc.com/2Products/Disability/Disabilitymain.htm
    Supplier Links http://www.lctinc.com/2Products/Disability/DisPricing.htm
    http://www.lctinc.com/2Products/Disability/AssessmentCtrs.htm

    ERICA eye-gaze system

    ProductERICA
    CompanyEye Response Technologies
    Summary

    Similar to the LC EyeGaze product but the website isn't clear about exactly what they sell as a package.

    From the website:
    The ERICA eye-gaze system allows seemless eye-driven control over all Windows™ software including any AAC software that can run on a Windows™ machine. This allows users to speak, write e-mail, surf the internet, create documents, or play games through eye movement alone. No keyboard or mouse is needed.

    Pricing InfoNone available
    Product Links http://www.eyeresponse.com/
    Supplier Links http://www.sforh.com/pointing/eyeresponse-head.html

    Quick Glance 2 Eye-Gaze System

    ProductQuick Glance 2 Eye-Tracking System
    CompanyEyeTech Digital Systems
    Summary

    Could work well with sayit™ Scanner and Mouse for providing text input, speech output and computer control.

    From the website:

  • Place the mouse pointer simply by looking at the desired location.
  • Click with an eye blink, a hardware switch, or by staring (dwell).
  • Combine with an on-screen keyboard for text or speech output.

    		•
    Pricing Info$4,500 -> $6,500 (three models)
    Product Links http://www.eyetechds.com
    Supplier Links http://atestore.enablemart.com/productDetail.aspx?pid=154&dept=23&store=10

    Head Tracking

    This range of products tracks the movement of the head and controls the position of the mouse pointer based on the head position.

    The most common general techniques commonly empoyed by devices in this category are:

  • A camera or similar sensor tracks the location of a small dot or sticker on the users forehead or glasses
  • A camera captures and analyses an image of the user's face and head and detects movement
  • A head mounted equipment senses head movement and tranlates this into signals to control the computer

    • APT Cordless Gyro-Head Mouse

    ProductAPT Cordless Gyro-Head Mouse
    CompanyAdvanced Peripheral
    Summary Uses sensors in a baseball cap to control the mouse cursor.
    This could be used with sayit™ Scanner for text input and speech output.
    Pricing Info$1,495 USD
    Product Links http://www.advancedperipheral.com/
    http://www.advancedperipheral.com/gyro.htm
    Supplier Links https://mmm1913.dulles19-verio.com/adva41/sslsecurity/orderform.html

    CameraMouse

    ProductCameraMouse
    CompanyCameraMouse, Inc.
    Summary Uses a standard USB webcam to track head movement and translate it into the mouse cursor position.
    Can be programmed to activate mouse clicks on a "dwell" over positions on the screen.
    This could be used with sayit™ Scanner for text input and speech output.
    Pricing Info$695.00 USD
    Product Links http://cameramouse.com/
    http://cameramouse.com/product.htm
    Supplier Links http://cameramouse.com/buy.htm
     

     

     

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