A wireless tongue-computer interface using stereo differential magnetic field measurement.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Developing effective assistive technologies is crucial for individuals with severe disabilities.
• Existing interfaces often have limitations in terms of invasiveness or functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the Tongue Drive system (TDS), a noninvasive wireless tongue-computer interface.
• To improve computer accessibility for people with severe disabilities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a small magnetic tracer on the tongue to track movements.
• Employed 3-axial linear magnetic sensor modules on a headset to detect magnetic field variations.
• Processed sensor data wirelessly transmitted to a portable computer for command translation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a response time of less than 1.0 second for 6 direct commands.
• Demonstrated high accuracy (99.9%) in command recognition.
• Reported an information transfer rate (ITR) of 150 bits/min.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced TDS prototype offers a viable, noninvasive solution for computer access.
• The system shows significant potential for improving the quality of life for users with severe disabilities.
• Further development could expand the range of applications and commands.