Analysis of tremor in handicapped people for the design of computer interfaces

Article type: Research Article

Authors: del Río, F. Díaz | Rodríguez, M.A. | Jiménez, G. | Sevillano, J.L. | Amaya, C. | Civit, A.

Affiliations: Robotics and Computer Technology for Rehabilitation Laboratory, Facultad de Informática, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes, s/n., Sevilla 41012, Spain. E-mail: fdiaz@atc.us.es

Abstract: In this paper we present a set of tools that help in building interfaces for users who exhibit uncontrolled tremor in their upper limbs. These tools, which use a standard sketch board as sensing and final interface device, permit the logging of movement information while the user performs some simple tasks. Several movement analysis tests are proposed and applied to a small group of users. These preliminary experiments were conducted as a phenomenological study of these users. Although the sample size is small, test results are studied in detail and several important conclusions are obtained. Furthermore, useful data and procedures for building usable interfaces are also presented.

Keywords: human-machine interfaces, computer accessing, tremor suppression, tremor modelling, signal filters

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2000-13204

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 117-131, 2000