This thesis is concerned with the development and the evaluation of the eye-controlled human/computer interface using the line-of-sight and the intentional blink. Several studies of eye-slaved nonverbal communicator have been performed recently. However, they have poor accuracy and do not or only partially allow head movement. By integrating the eye and the head- position monitoring devices, we developed an eye-controlled human/computer interface based on the line-of-sight and an intentional blink to invoke commands. Also modified was an existing calibration method to reduce the visual angle between the target center and the intersection point of the derived line-of-sight.
Experimental comparison between the previous and the modified calibration method was performed. The system employing the modified calibration method showed better accuracy of line-of sight. Based on the level of accuracy, we determined the target size such that the required level of target acquisition probability(e.g., 98%) was guaranteed. The increased accuracy makes it possible to display 108 or more command blocks while previous studies allow, at most, 9 command blocks on the 14 inch monitor. One hundred and eight command blocks are sufficient to represent all keys of the standard keyboard. An active triggering method using an intentional blink was a feasible and efficient alternative to invoke commands with the triggering time of 0.8 sec or less.
The system could be used by normal people as well as disabled individuals as a new kind of human /computer interface because of its fast and direct interface. The applications may extend to several domains such as training, data entry, control, and virtual reality for the normal people and the disabled.
