Raspberry Pi Forums

Hello everyone, sorry for my English, i'm Andrea from italy.
I'm searching for a way to help communication with a friend that have lost control of muscle movement; he is only able to move his head. I know there is some communication interfaces in commerce but too expensive for us!
I am thinking to use a simple laser pointer vincolated to his head that can send signals to RPI; for example to change TV channels (maybe using LIRC???) and send some alert sound messages (like HELP, GO TO BATHROOM, I'M HUNGRY, and so on...).

I am thinking of using "simple laser communicator" as shown in this video http://youtu.be/HKRPfa66_po?list=PLr7xp ... ZZRKcUM_PO to send audio signal by laser pointer to a series of solar cell (every solar cell send a signal to RPI that is interpreted and execute).

I ask what you think about it and if is possible to realize or not what i'm am thinking.
thanks, bye

What about a display screen to select commands, common words & phrases or spell out words?
This could be operated by head-actuated cursor control, touch pointer, optical pointer or eye tracking.
http://mv.cvc.uab.es/projects/eye-tracker

Can your friend speak? Voice command might be an option.
One of sevral options is Jasper. SOme alternatives use an internet connection to get Google Voice to do the recognition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGgw_AvEWw0

You could use lots of opto-sensors activated by laser pointer, but it does mean installing a receiver device for every control. It also requires being able to turn and point over a wider area.

Once you have a way to command actions that can communicate to other people over WiFi, SMS, voice email or whatever, and control devices.

I think all your objectives can be met.

Have a look at Dasher. The default version
comes with an webcam-powered eyetracking mode AFAIK.

http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/

ghans

Search "head mouse"

thank's for your great Reply!

eye tracking was the first of my ideas but i had not find anything interesting... CVC eye tracker can be a solution and i'm going to try it!
The voice control can't be a solution beacuse he have often an oxygen mask and the voice volume too low...
Also wifi can be a great idea to send warnings etc...

Dasher i think is too complicated for him to use in daylife but can be a great way to write if he request it! thanks
Any other suggestion is accepted. Thanks

Various switches or sensors could detect head movements. If he can move his head a little left, right, up and down that could control a cursor on a screen.

How about using an accelerometer/gyro to detect his head movements to control a pointer or cursor on screen?
eg MPU-6050 Accelerometer + Gyro
They are stupidly cheap ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271734483940 )
I would think of attaching one to an arduino on a headstrap, and also add a bluetooth module to communicate the movements to a Raspberry. Potentially add a microswitch operated by his chin or moving his head backward.
Prompted by your post, I've just ordered one so that I can experiment with these ideas.

mike_p wrote:How about using an accelerometer/gyro to detect his head movements to control a pointer or cursor on screen?

That's a thought. These are available commercially. Search "air mouse"

Cheap and VERY easy to try out. Just plug the receiver into the Pi and strap the controller to the head.

I have used a Mele F10 (handheld) and it works very well.

You could also consider the Wii Remote for head tracking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw

mike_p wrote:How about using an accelerometer/gyro to detect his head movements to control a pointer or cursor on screen?
eg MPU-6050 Accelerometer + Gyro
They are stupidly cheap ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271734483940 )
I would think of attaching one to an arduino on a headstrap, and also add a bluetooth module to communicate the movements to a Raspberry. Potentially add a microswitch operated by his chin or moving his head backward.
Prompted by your post, I've just ordered one so that I can experiment with these ideas.

That is ludicrously cheap - just ordered one!

jamesh wrote:

mike_p wrote:How about using an accelerometer/gyro to detect his head movements to control a pointer or cursor on screen?
eg MPU-6050 Accelerometer + Gyro
They are stupidly cheap ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271734483940 )
I would think of attaching one to an arduino on a headstrap, and also add a bluetooth module to communicate the movements to a Raspberry. Potentially add a microswitch operated by his chin or moving his head backward.
Prompted by your post, I've just ordered one so that I can experiment with these ideas.

That is ludicrously cheap - just ordered one!

I've had one sitting at home for the last six months, I might add it into my Dalek one day (but progress has been slow lately).

I really recommend to try Dasher once. It's easy and fun.

ghans

Tobii EyeX may be of interest. It seems to be Windows only and USB3, but it does seems to track gaze well. Standard operation uses the keybard, but the SDK might allow look & blink control. Failing that perhaps a head operated switch could serve as the action button.

http://www.tobii.com/en/eye-experience/#spec

Here it is in use
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InxJg00Rs_s