Operationality evaluation of a versatile single switch using a photo-reflective sensor array

摘要

For communication of persons with motor disabilities, single switches for computer operation have been developed. For patients with progressive motor disabilities like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, however, conventional switches are not necessarily satisfactory, primarily due to the difficulty in positioning. To eliminate such difficulty, we are developing a photo-reflective sensor-based versatile single switch, which is sensitive to small body motions in all directions. To validate its reliability and efficiency for computer operation, we carried out experiments using a popular interface software Operate-NAVI. Results demonstrated that the switch has high reliability and efficiency in operating computer, suggesting its high operationality.