視線による重度肢体不自由者向けコンピュータ操作支援システム(<小特集>ヒューマンインフォメーション)  [in Japanese] Eye-gaze Input System for Physically Disabled Computer Users(<Special Section>Human Information)  [in Japanese]

We present an eye-gaze input system for people with severe physical disabilities, such as those caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This system uses a personal computer and a home video camera to detect eye-gaze under natural light. The system detects both vertical and horizontal eye-gaze using simple image analysis, and does not require special image processing units or sensors. We propose an operation support system for physically disabled computer users as an application of the eye-gaze input system. Our new computer operation support system uses a direct selection method by switching indicator groups. This system enables the input of Japanese text (both kana and kanji), alphabets, and symbols at a faster pace. In addition, users can access all Windows operations using the system, thereby enabling many commercially produced software applications to be operated by eye-gaze.