Pinch Gloves Research Articles

Text Network-Based Method for Measuring Hand Functions in Degenerative Brain Disease Patients

In this study, we collected various past study results on tools and analytical methods for measuring hand functions of patients with degenerative brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke, and selected and proposed appropriate hand function measurement tools, methods, and analysis software based on text network analysis. We searched the literatures using keywords related to degenerative brain disease and stroke patients for participant types, use of devices and sensors for the intervention types, and hand function assessment for measurement types. Among the 2484 literatures collected, 19 were eventually selected based on certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. As a result of text network analysis, the degree-centrality and the betweenness centrality were the highest in the keyword of Parkinson’s disease for the participant type, force sensor for the intervention type, and finger tapping for the measurement type. Based on these results, pinch gloves comprising an FSR sensor were manufactured, and software and contents were implemented to measure and analyze various quantitative parameter values during finger tapping. The software can evaluate endurance and agility by measuring the finger-tapping intensity and operation time using the index finger and thumb. The contents can evaluate the stability of hand functions by analyzing the coefficient of variation of the tapping interval, the average contact time, and the accuracy of hand functions by analyzing the reaction rate to the presented visual stimulus. As a result of comparing hand functions through 10 types of analysis parameters with a sample of 12 ordinary subjects (8 men and 4 women) using the manufactured pinch gloves, there was a difference between the two genders in the items evaluating muscle strength and agility, and a significant difference in the analysis parameters evaluating stability and accuracy. The results indicate that using the text network analysis-based hand function measurement tool and the method proposed in this study should help derive the objective research results as well as a quantitative comparison of research results of various researchers.

Evaluating the effect of positional head-tracking on task performance in 3D modeling user interfaces

With the ongoing introduction of wide-FOV VR head-worn displays into the consumer market, the application of VR 3D UIs to professional work environments is attracting increasing attention. One of the most conspicuous concepts is immersive 3D modeling and content creation. In spite of the long research history and multitude of proposed systems, there have been very few analyses of the effect of 3D UIs on productivity in 3D design.In this work, we explore the effect of positional head-tracking and its accompanying parallax depth cues on task performance in 3D object selection and transformation in a setting modeled after 3D design work. Previous studies have come to different conclusions on the importance of positional head-tracking and did not investigate professional 3D modeling tools. In contrast, we performed a user study with design students using professional software on a task that closely emulates their work. Surprisingly, we did not find a significant effect of positional head-tracking on task-completion time, neither when using a traditional 2D mouse nor when using a pinch glove as a 3D input device. Furthermore, we found that the users worked significantly faster with the mouse. We discuss possible explanations and implications for the design of 3D UIs.

Multimodal augmented reality tangible gaming

This paper presents tangible augmented reality gaming environment that can be used to enhance entertainment using a multimodal tracking interface. Players can interact using different combinations between a pinch glove, a Wiimote, a six-degrees-of-freedom tracker, through tangible ways as well as through I/O controls. Two tabletop augmented reality games have been designed and implemented including a racing game and a pile game. The goal of the augmented reality racing game is to start the car and move around the track without colliding with either the wall or the objects that exist in the gaming arena. Initial evaluation results showed that multimodal-based interaction games can be beneficial in gaming. Based on these results, an augmented reality pile game was implemented with goal of completing a circuit of pipes (from a starting point to an end point on a grid). Initial evaluation showed that tangible interaction is preferred to keyboard interaction and that tangible games are much more enjoyable.

Text Input Techniques for Immersive Virtual Environments: An Empirical Comparison

Symbolic input, including text and numeric input, can be an important user task in applications of virtual environments (VEs). However, very little research has been performed to support this task in immersive VEs. This paper presents the results of an empirical evaluation of four text input techniques for immersive VEs. The techniques include the Pinch Keyboard (a typing emulation technique using pinch gloves), a one-hand chord keyboard, a soft keyboard using a pen & tablet, and speech. The experiment measured both task performance and usability characteristics of the four techniques. Results indicate that the speech technique is the fastest, while the pen & tablet keyboard produces the fewest errors. However, no single technique exhibited high levels of performance, usability and user satisfaction.

Virtual Environments with Four or More Spatial Dimensions

We describe methods for displaying complex, texturemapped environments with four or more spatial dimensions that allow for real-time interaction. At any one moment in time, a three-dimensional cross section of the high-dimensional environment is rendered using techniques that have been implemented in OpenGL. The position and orientation of the user within the environment determine the 3-D cross section. A variety of interfaces can be used to control position and orientation in 4-D, including a mouse “freelook” interface for use with a computer monitor display, and an interface that uses a head-tracking system with three degrees of freedom and PINCH gloves in combination with a head-mounted display. The methods avoid the use of projections that require depth buffering in greater than three dimensions and can be used in conjunction with either 2-D or 3-D texture mapping. A computer graphic engine that displays 4-D virtual environments interactively uses these methods, as does a level editor and modeling program that can be used to create 4-D environments.

2D human-computer interaction techniques in immersive virtual environments

Menus and dialog boxes are useful enhancements for the direct manipulation based interaction style of Virtual Environments. In this paper an implementation of 2D HCI techniques in immersive Virtual Environments is discussed. The applicability of 2D techniques for interaction with the environment is illustrated in the case of a BOOM for immersive viewing. A Pinch Glove is used as the input device to interact with the menus and dialog boxes. A programming approach to make Motif based interfacing widgets suitable for stereoscopic display is discussed. Some examples demonstrate the use of 2D HCI techniques in immersive Virtual Environments.