Handicap Assistance Device for Appliance Control Using User-Defined Gestures

Traditional input systems for interaction with machines include keyboards, joystick or the mouse. Those suffering from physical handicaps such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Quadriplegia may be unable to use such forms of input . In this paper, we propose a “Human Machine Interfacing Device” utilizing hand gestures to communicate with computers and other embedded systems acting as an intermediary to an appliance. Developments in field of communication have enabled computer commands being executed using hand gestures. Inertial navigation sensor like an accelerometer is utilized to get dynamic/static profile of movement to navigate the mouse on the computer or provide commands to appliances, thus accelerometer profiles are converted into wireless interactivity. The device involves non-tactile interaction with machines to manipulate or control them in accordance with hand gestures. The applications envisioned: interaction using gesture technology for effective communication empowering physically challenged to interact with machines and computing devices including 3-D graphic interactions and simulations.