Authors:
Ana Londral
1
;
Luis Azevedo
2
and
Pedro Encarnação
3
Affiliations:
1
ANDITEC, Portugal
;
2
Centro de Análise e Processamento de Sinal, Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
;
3
Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Electrophysiological control signals, Assistive Technologies, User Interface, selection methods, progressive conditions.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Biomedical Engineering
;
Health Information Systems
;
Human-Machine Interfaces for Disabled Persons
Abstract:
Severe neurological conditions may considerably affect one’s functional capabilities. Special computer interfaces and access methods have been developed in attempt to provide a mean to overcome the functional disabilities experienced by persons in these conditions. In this paper, a case study on the usage of a brain-body interface by a young man with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is presented. From the study different ways of interacting with the computer, beyond the traditional direct selection and scanning methods, emerge. These resort to control signals that combine binary and continuous features, blended control signals. Such control signals may provide more flexible and efficient ways of interacting with Assistive Technology systems, especially for those individuals with neurodegenerative conditions.