The IMU and Bend Sensor as a Pointing Device and Click Method

Abstract

A pointing device is one of the important interfaces between human and computer. A mouse is usually used as a pointing device; however, people with physical impairments who can not use a mouse due to its operation should use a table. One candidate for solving this problem is using an upper-arm movement combined with an inertial measurement unit sensor. The upper-arm gestures would be mapped and used to manipulate the mouse cursor on the monitor display. The ‘clicking’ action will be accomplished using a bending sensor attached on the opposite upper-arm. This study evaluates the combination of the IMU and bend sensor (IMU+Bend) as a substitute for the mouse. The evaluation is based on ISO/TS 9241-411: Ergonomics of human-system standard. The results mentioned that the use of IMU is a promising way to emulate the movement of cursor. However, the usage of bend sensor is uncomfortable when it is used as a clicking method. The throughput of the proposed is 1.75 bps, and qualitative results show that the mean of comfort is 4.85 on a Likert scale ranged from 1 to 7.