Optical interface prototype to operate computer for disabled personnel

Abstract

The proposed designed prototype “Optical Interface System (OIS)” provides computer accessibility and a novel solution to control home appliances for disabled personnel. The prototype consists of an optical sensor network interfaced to microcontroller; that detects users intended direction for the movement of the cursor on the computer screen and translates it into 2D motion using stepper motors. The stepper motors helps in tracking ball position using modified ball mouse. The optical sensor is activated on focusing light beam (i.e. Laser) attached to an head strap. Designed Graphical User Interface allows user to control the devices that are interfaced to the controller. The results showed that focusing of light beam on to an optical sensor by head movement was achieved successfully and the precise movement of the cursor was able to control. The function of control of home appliances was made by interfacing LED and buzzer to the controller. The designed prototype is simple in its physical structure and very cost effective, thus serves the motto of providing an affordable solution to HCI (human computer interface) for disabled personnel.