HeadControl Plus - ein multimodales Eingabegerät für körperlich beeinträchtigte Computeranwender

For people not capable of using the standard mouse and keyboard operating a computer is still a challenge. Recent approaches in the field of assistive technology handle the requirements of this special man-machine-interaction only in parts and the costs for commercial systems are still considerable. Though the predecessor system HeadControl has documented the reasonability of laser interaction for this purpose for the first time, the results of the related research has lead only to control of the mouse cursor by means of head motion. In conclusion, on basis of this prototype and the analysis of various use cases the concept for an user-centered, extensible and non-expensive multi-modal input system was conceived. Virtual input devices represent the modes of the system; in addition to the head motion controlled mouse cursor it introduces a novel virtual keyboard which also is operated via laser interaction. Additional input device emulations can be installed any time as well as software components intended to suppress the implications of user tremor and many other modules, capable of adapting the man-machine-interface to individual and situation-dependent requirements. The system is realised on basis of a plug-in architecture providing the continuous extensibility of features and functions for the HeadControl Plus framework. The frame is conceived to serve as a platform for 3rd party applications. In addition, a strong focus has been put on the integration of special AT-hardware . The HeadControl Plus USB SensorBox is a result of these efforts. The SensorBox is an interface device connected to the USB port of the computer, comprising the connection of up to eight input sensors to use these sensors for the MMI. Thus HeadControl Plus is an example for a flexible, non-classical user interface which relies for the first time on customizab