A Study for Wheelchair Control Method with Eye-Glance Input Using a Glass-Mounted Real Image Camera
摘要
This study proposes a novel method of wheelchair motion control by Eye-glance input using a glass-mounted real image camera. The conventional gaze input method using a near-infrared camera has been widely used, but it suffers from the problem that the accuracy of gaze detection is degraded by infrared interference in strong sunlight, and the cost increases due to the introduction of additional infrared light sources and filters. In contrast, this method uses a common real-image camera mounted on eyeglasses to realize stable image acquisition even under natural light, providing a lightweight and versatile Eye-glance input environment both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, conventional gaze input requires the user to keep looking at a specific point for a long time, which is problematic in terms of operability and user burden. Therefore, this study employs “eye-glance input” and utilizes short periods of eye movement and blinking as input to reflect user intentions more naturally and efficiently and to reduce malfunctions. The proposed method acquires Eye-glance features in real time and converts them into wheelchair operation commands using a proprietary algorithm, enabling intuitive and less burdensome operation by adding intentional eye movements only when necessary, while the user freely gazes at the object he or she wants to see.