Intelligent human-computer interface for improving pointing device usability and performance

Nowadays there is an increasing demand for the design of assistive devices able to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. In this work, an intelligent human-machine multi-interface framework was developed, implemented and tested, to allow the replacement of the mouse by new human-computer interfaces. Non-intrusive facial tracking presents obvious advantages for human users that cannot be able to use traditional computer input devices, such as keyboard, mouse and pen tablet. The developed hardware/software has a built-in embedded Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller, which takes into account the user's target visual intention. The developed wireless embedded interface, and the proposed control architecture, based on a cascade control scheme, are new contributions to this research theme. The adopted methodology proved to improve the hands free human-computer usability and performance.