Mapping sensor activation time for typing tasks performed with a tongue controlled oral interface

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Assistive technologies are crucial for individuals with severe motor impairments, such as tetraplegia.
• Tongue-controlled interfaces offer a potential alternative for computer access when other methods are not feasible.
• Optimizing the design of such interfaces requires understanding user interaction dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility and performance of a tongue-controlled oral interface for text input in tetraplegic subjects.
• To map sensor activation times for a full alphabet using an inductive sensor array.
• To analyze tongue control capabilities for optimizing interface design.

Main Methods:

• Two tetraplegic subjects participated in typing tasks using a tongue-controlled oral interface with 10 inductive sensors.
• An activation unit attached to the tongue (via piercing) controlled sensor activation.
• Subjects typed ordered and random character strings, with and without error correction, during timed trials.

Main Results:

• Average sensor activation times were recorded for each subject (0.82±0.38s and 1.06±0.27s).
• The study successfully mapped sensor activation times for full alphabet input.
• Visual feedback was provided to assist subjects during typing tasks.

Conclusions:

• The tongue-controlled oral interface demonstrates potential for computer access in tetraplegia.
• Analysis of activation times provides valuable data for characterizing tongue control and optimizing sensor layout.
• Further research can refine this assistive technology for improved usability and efficiency.