From: The Proceedings of the First Joint BMES / EMBS Conference October 13 - 16, 1999 Atlanta, GA ORIENTATION AIDS FOR THE BLIND USING ULTRASONIC SIGNPOST SYSTEM K. Koshi, H. Kani, and Y. Tadokoro Department of Information and Computer Sciences Toyohashi University of Technology Hibarigaoka 1-1, Tempaku Toyohashi, 441-8580 Japan kohshi@signal.tutics.tut.ac.jp Abstract - This paper presents an ultrasonic signpost system for the blind, giving precise positional information of landmarks. The proposed system consists of a beacon placed at location of navigational signs and a hand-held receiver carried by the blind. The beacon emits the ultrasonic wave modulated by a suitable speech message. As the blind traveler comes in a transmission range, the message is provided to him by the receiver. Performance of the proposed system for orientation aids is also discussed in this paper. READER INSTRUMENT OF BASIC TEXTS TO THE TEACHING OF BLIND PEOPLE Leija L., Hemdndez P., Santiago S. CINVESTAV-IPN Dep. E1ectrica Sec. Bioelectronica Av. IPN 2508 CO1 San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico D.F., 07300 lleija@mvaxl.red.cinvestav.mx Abstract - It is presented the development of a reader instrument for translating text to speech using commercial components as a multimedia computer, a flat bed scanner unit, a control and recognition of characters program, the instrument is used to read printed text by blind people. The character recognition is based on a block of pre-classification and artificial neuronal backpropagation network, the characters are read, through the scanner text from elemental teaching books, and the program locates the words recognized in a base of recorded words to emit them via voice through the multimedia systems. The pre-classification divide the lower case by its characteristics in the follows four groups: l)acenorsvuxz.2)bdfhklnlit.3) gjpqy.4)mw. The prototype developed has a limitation; it works with books of text used in elemental education. The font of characters is Arial in size of 12 pixels, with a performance of 93%. PORTABLE TRAVELING NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR THE BLIND AND ITS APPLICATION TO TRAVELING TRAINING SYSTEM Y. Tadokoro, S. Takuno, Y. Shinoda Department of Information & Computer Sciences Toyohashi University of Technology Hibariga-oka 1-1, Tempaku Toyohashi, 441-8580 Japan tadokoro@signal.tutics.tut.ac.jp Abstract - We propose a portable traveling navigation system to guide the blind to the desired destination, and apply it to the traveling training system. A microcomputer carried by a traveler calculates a traveling locus using the traveling distance and direction and compares it with the stored traveling route. Based on the compared results, the appropriate guide voices are given to the traveler. NECK MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR COMPUTER HEAD CONTROLS E.F. LoPresti, D.M. Brienza, J. Angelo Department of Bioengineering and Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology 5044 Forbes Tower University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA edlopresti@juno.com Abstract - Head controls are an alternative computer interface for individuals who cannot use a standard mouse. Functional performance was observed while subjects used a head control system. The relationship between movement time and distance was described by a Fitts' Law model with 27.3% error, The data indicate that diagonal movements take longer than horizontal or vertical movements (p=0.07). EOG-BASED GLASSES-TYPE WIRELESS MOUSE FOR THE DISABLED S. H. Kwon and H. C. Kim* Interdisciplinary Program in Medical and Biological Engineering Graduate School and Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Medicine Seoul National University tsailor@snu.ac.kr Abstract - A new EOG (Electrooculogram) -based computer input device was developed for the disabled. The device acquires EOG signals generated by eye movements and blinks and produces output for emulating the PC mouse. For the user's convenience, electrodes are positioned on five specific points on the frame of a glasses having good contact with skin and requiring no electrolyte gel. From the acquired signals we estimate the direction and amplitude of eye movement and detect blinks using a microcontroller. The estimated information is sent to a PC through a wireless Radio Frequency (RF) linkage for the device to be used as a wireless mouse. A new virtual lead positioning (VLP) algorithm was also developed to detect vertical eye motion which is relatively difficult to be measured in this specific electrode positioning. Test results shows sufficient performance of the device in using basic Windows functions and even playing TETRIS, a well known computer game. VARIABLE COMPLIANCE JOYSTICK FOR CONTROL INTERFACE RESEARCH D.M. Spaeth, R.A. Cooper Dept of Rehabilitation Sci and Tech. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Human Engineering Research Laboratories VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Abstract - Conventional joysticks are predominately movement sensing. Individuals with upper extremity impairments may perform better if provided with joysticks that respond to force as well as movement. This paper proposes a variable-compliance design containing both force and displacement instrumentation. In-Shoe Multisensory Data Acquisition E.Richter (ed@earth.wustl.edu)*, R. Morley*, W.Packard*, K.Malui?* J. Klaesner**, M. Mueller**, * Department of Electrical Engineering Washington University St. Louis, MO 63130 ** Department of Physical Therapy Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO 63108 Abstract - Patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy are susceptible to unnoticed trauma on the foot that can cause skin breakdown. We have designed an electronic system in a shoe that monitors temperature, pressure, and humidity, storing the data in a battery-powered device for later uploading to a host computer for data analysis. The pressure sensors are located at the heel, and under three metatarsal heads. Temperature sensors are located under three metatarsal heads and two are under the heel with the humidity sensor. Correlations of data from pressure and temperature sensors with known values were high (r>O.93). Although data currently are being collected for descriptive purposes, the design potentially can be used to provide feedback to patients. AN ULTRA-FLEXIBLE ELECTROTACTILE DISPLAY FOR THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH Hui Tang and David J. Beebe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology 405 N. Mathews Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 {huitang, dbeebe} @uiuc.edu Abstract - In some situations, novel oral tactile interfaces can be advantageous by freeing hands for tactile tasks. If the tongue is dedicated to operating an input device, an oral tactile display may be used on other oral structures. Fabrication of an ultra-flexible electrotactile display that can conform to the complex geometry of the roof of the mouth is described. A polyimide transfer process is used to release an array of electroplated dome-shaped electrodes (700 pm in diameter, 200 um high) from a rigid substrate. CONTROL OF TIME-CRITICAL ROBOTIC REHABILITATION G. Gruener Institute of Robotics Swiss Federal Institute of Technology 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. gruener@ifr.mavt.ethz.ch Abstract - Robotic rehabilitation of time-critical tasks, such as treadmill training, needs a special kind of control that not only moves the limb in question but also allows the patient the liberty to perform his/her own efforts, especially as therapy progresses, while closely monitoring the stability and safety of the patient. We present a Shared Force Control strategy that includes an impedance controller to deal with uncertainties and an adaptive gait pattern band defined by a nominal gait pattern bound by allowed motion tolerances. EVALUATION OF AN ASSISTIVE CONTROLLER FOR REACHING FOLLOWING BRAIN INJURY D. Reinkensmeyer (dreinken@uci.edu), C. Takahashi, W. Timoszyk Department of Mechanical Engineering University of California, Irvine Abstract - We evaluated an assistive control law for reaching along a mechanical guide by three individuals with brain-injury. The controller compensated for passive properties of the arm including its weight and passive tissue stiffness, as a function of arm configuration. We found that such "counterpoise assistance" improved the subject's active range of motion during reaching along the guide, but did not enable subjects to move fully through their available passive range of motion. These results suggest that brain-injured individuals exhibit position-dependent weakness that will constrain future designs of assistive devices for reaching. TACTILE SENSITIVITY OF THE TONGUE ON PHOTOLITHOGRAPHICALLY FABRICATED PATTERNS Hui Tang and David J. Beebe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology 405 N. Mathews Ave. Urban, IL 61801 {huitang, dbeebe}@uiuc.edu Abstract - While the oral cavity is a sensory rich location, its potential as a site for tactile communication remains largely unexplored. The tactile sensitivity of the tongue (tip and anterior dorsal region) is investigated by using patterns fabricated with photolithography. Preliminary results are obtained by performing experiments of two-line separation and grating orientation on eight human subjects. Thresholds are estimated at 0.7 mm for tip and 0.85 mm for the anterior. Sensitivity indices from both experiments indicate the relative spatial resolution also lies between 0.5 - 1 mm. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED Kazushige Magatani *, Hirohho Iwaya*, Hironori Yamasaki*, Kenj i Yanashima** * Department of Electrical Engineering Tokai University 1117 Kitakaname Hiratukashi Kanagawa Japan ** National Rehabilitation Center 4-1 Namiki Tokorozawashi Saitama Japan magatani@lachesis.ep.u-tokai.ac.jp Abstract - The objective of this study is the development of auto-navigation system, which supports activities of the visually impaired without help of others. This system navigates the visually impaired by using information about three sensors (a gyroscope. a terrestrial magnetism sensor and an acceleration sensor), DGPS, and digital maps. In this paper, we report the outline of the system and assess the developed method. From the experiments, the following characteristics become clear. (1) Using our method. under any condition the position of a user can be estimated accurately (2) The system can calculate the suitable route and navigate a subject correctly. A SYSTEM ASSISTING BLIND CHILDREN TO ACQUIRE SPATIAL AWARENESS THROUGH BODY MOVEMENT Noboru Ohnishi*, Takahiro Yoneda*, Hiroaki Kudo*, Hiroki Minagawa** * Dept. of Information Eng. Nagoya University Nagoya 464-8603, Japan ** Dept. of Information Science Tsukuba College of Technology Tsukuba 305-0821, Japan Abstract - This paper presents a system which helps blind children learn spatial awareness. A blind child searches objects located in a room, and remembers their relative location. After he or she reproduces the objects' arrangement on a table by using blocks, the blocks' position obtained by image processing is compared with the objects' location. If blocks aren't correctly located, the system informs which block to be adjusted toward which direction. Repeating the search and reproduction with the interactive assist of the system, blind children will be able to learn spatial awareness through their body movement; learning space by motion. ADAPTIVE EMG-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION FOR THE DISABILITY Hae-Jeong Park*+, Sung-Hoon Kwon*, Hee-Chan Kim**, Kwang-Suk Park** *Interdisciplinary Program of Medical and Biological Engineering Major, Inst. of Biomedical Engineering Medical Research Center **Dept. of Biomedical Engineering College of Medicine Seoul National Univ., Korea hjpark@snuvh.snu.ac.kr Abstract - In this paper, we suggested a communication method between severely disabled, who lost both mobility and speech, and their family using Morse code derived by Masseter muscle EMG We developed a portable system that comprises EMG amplifier, A/D conversion text-to-speech module, remote control module and serial communication to the host system. After training, the patient can make a speech by composing Morse code with moving his/her chin. Calibration and remote controlling mode is supported, It also supports the adaptive encoding method for the fatigue. VIRTUAL IMAGES AS A PERCEPTUAL ORTHESIS TO ASSIST PARKINSON'S DISEASE GMT DISORDERS E Guti&rez*, RE Mayagoitia*,E Otero-Siliceo** *Universidad Iberoamerican 01210 Mexico City, Mexico eduardo.gutierrez@uia.mx ** Parkinson's Clinic National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery 14269 Mexico City Abstract - The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the effectiveness of non-tangible objects provided as virtual images to evoke the phenomenon called kinesis paradoxa in Parkinson's patients. The virtual objects were projected on the visual field of the subject by means of an augmented reality head mounted display (ARHMD) in order to superimpose real and artificial environments. The results confirm that the temporary improvement of gait in Parkinson's disease (PD) depends on the merging of two factors: the provision a freed visual reference that triggers the initiation of motion, and sustained ambulation by means of a pace-making, dynamic stimulus. Gait parameters were measured in 20 subjects with PD of stages III and IV of the Hoen-Yarh scale before, during and after the visual stimulation in order to demonstrate an immediate effect on gait. A short-term, carry-over effect was also found. NEURO-FUZZY ADVISOR FOR MOUSE SETTING IN MICROSOFT WINDOWS Michael Tracey, MS, Jack Winters, PhD Department of Biomedical Engineering The Catholic University of America Washington, DC 20064 mtraceyl3@email.msn.com Abstract - The use of computer interface technology by persons with disabilities often requires the advice of an expert. This guidance is difficult to acquire because it is highly dependent upon human knowledge, and on measures of task performance. An advisor or "software wizard" which captures this expert knowledge and tunes Windows accessibility parameters would provide a very useful assistive technology. Using MATLAB, an interactive neuro-fuzzy system was developed and trained to recommend mouse settings when using Windows. Automatic Morse Code Recognition with Adaptive Variable-Ratio Threshold Prediction for Physically Impaired Persons Ching-Hsing Luo, Ming-Che Hsieh, Member, IEEE Department of Electrical Engineering National Cheng Kung University Tainan, Taiwan 70101, R.O.C. chluo@eembox.ncku.edu.tw Abstract - With one or two switches, Morse code could provide an effective alternative communication channel for individuals with physical limitations. However, most of the physically disabled persons have difficulties in maintaining a stable typing of Morse code, and hence the automated recognition of unstable Morse code is becoming more on demand. In this study, an Adaptive Variable-Ratio Threshold Prediction (AVRTP) algorithm is proposed to analyze the Morse code time series with variable unit time period and ratio. Two least-mean-square (LMS) predictors are applied to trace the dot interval and the dot-dash difference concurrently, and then a predicted threshold based on a variable-ratio decision rule is used to distinguish between dots and dashes. The same method is also applied to identify the character-space. EVALUATION OF JOYSTICKS IN CURSOR POSITIONING TASK BY INDIVIDUALS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY Raghavendra S. Rae, Rami Seliktar', Tariq Rahman ** Pulmonary Function Laboratory Temple University Hospital 3401 Broad Street, PA 19140 rrao@astro.temple.edu * School of Biomedical Eng., Science, and Health Systems Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 19104 ** Extended Manipulation Laboratory A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Wilmington, DE 19899 Abstract - Individuals with cerebral patsy with upper limb disability have difficulty operating standard computer input devices such as, a mouse and a keyboard. The present study evaluated the performance of non-disabled individuals and those with cerebral palsy in the use of a zero-order spring-centered position joystick and a zero-order isometric joystick when interacting with the computer. The subjects acquired differently sized targets at different distances by positioning a cursor on the target. The time to acquire the target was directly proportional to the cursor-target distance, and indirectly proportional to the target size. Subjects chose to move more slowly towards the smaller and closer targets and they increased speed for larger and more distant targets. Performance with the position joystick was superior to that of the isometric joystick. Fitts' paradigm was shown to be a good predictor of the movement time for the non-disabled individuals as well as those with disability. AN EEG-BASED CURSOR CONTROL SYSTEM Cheng Ming, Gao Shangkai, Senior Member, IEEE Department of Electrical Engineering Tsinghua University Beijing 100084, China gsk-dea@tsinghua.edu.cn Abstract - This paper describes an experimental brain-computer interface which allows severely disabled persons to move the cursor on the screen. The system is based on the detecting of steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP). Four rectangular blocks around the cursor indicate four directions and flash at different frequencies on the screen. Once the subject fixates on one of the blocks, the specific SSVEP is obtained. SSVEP signal is processed online to determine which block the eyes are focusing. As a feedback the cursor can be moved in corresponding directions. Preliminary results are presented and evaluated in the paper. ARTIFICIAL SPEAKING DEVICE FOR APHASIC CHILDREN M Abraham, J. Ormrod maryvonne.abraham@enst-bretagne,fr, janet.ormrod@enst-bretagne.fr Ecole Nationale Superieure de Tel@communications de Bretagne BP.832, F 29285 Brest, France Abstract - We propose to help children with cerebral palsy compensate for certain neuro-physical deficiencies in vocalization by building a speaking machine, based on a three-step cognitive model. The first version of the machine developed speaks French but, faced with translation into English, we show the limitations of using icons as an intermediate language. Finally, a test with aphasic children shows their interest in the machine.