Hands-free computing

Hands-free computing

Hands-free computing is a term used to describe a configuration of computers so that they can be used by persons without the use of the hands interfacing with commonly used human interface devices such as the mouse and keyboard. Hands-free computing is important because it is useful to both able and disabled users. Speech recognition systems can be trained to recognize specific commands and upon confirmation of correctness instructions can be given to systems without the use of hands. This may be useful while driving or to an inspector or engineer in a factory environment. Likewise disabled persons may find hands-free computing important in their everyday lives. Just like visually impaired have found computers useful in their lives.

This can range from using the tongue, lips, mouth, movement of the head to voice activated interfaces utilizing speech recognition software and a microphone or bluetooth technology.

Examples of available hands-free computing devices include mouth-operated joystick types such as the TetraMouse, the QuadJoy, the Jouse2 and the IntegraMouse and camera based head tracking systems such as SmartNav, Tracker Pro, FreeTrack, HeadMouse Extreme and HeadMaster. The joystick types require no physical connections to the user and enhances the user's feeling of independence. Camera types require targets mounted on the user, usually with the help of a caregiver, that are sensed by the camera and associated software. Camera types are sensitive to ambient lighting and the mouse pointer may drift and inaccuracies result from head movements not intended to be mouse movements. Other examples of hands-free mice are units that are operated using switches that may be operated by the feet (or other parts of the body), such as the NoHands Mouse and the switch-adapted TetraMouse.

ee also

* Section 508 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
* footmouse


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Computing Technology Industry Association — The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a non profit trade association, was created in 1982 as the Association of Better Computer Dealers, Inc. (ABCD) by representatives of five microcomputer dealerships. Over the course of a… …   Wikipedia

  • Construction Field Computing — is the use of handheld devices that augment the construction superintendent s ability to manage the operations on a construction site. These information appliances (IA) must be portable devices which can be carried or worn by the user, and have… …   Wikipedia

  • Construction field computing — is the use of handheld devices that augment the construction superintendent s ability to manage the operations on a construction site. These information appliances (IA) must be portable devices which can be carried or worn by the user, and have… …   Wikipedia

  • Cloud computing — logical diagram Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the electricity grid) over a… …   Wikipedia

  • Trusted Computing — (TC) is a technology developed and promoted by the Trusted Computing Group. The term is taken from the field of trusted systems and has a specialized meaning. With Trusted Computing the computer will consistently behave in specific ways, and… …   Wikipedia

  • Keyboard (computing) — In computing, a keyboard is an input device partially modelled after the typewriter keyboard which uses an arrangement of buttons, or keys which act as electronic switches. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys, and… …   Wikipedia

  • History of free and open-source software — Not to be confused with freeware. This is a timeline style look at how free and open source software has evolved and existed from its inception. The phrase free software refers to software that is liberally licensed, allowing the end user more… …   Wikipedia

  • Students for Free Culture — Students for Free Culture, formerly known as FreeCulture.org, is an international student organization working to promote free culture ideals, such as cultural participation and access to information. It was inspired by the work of Stanford Law… …   Wikipedia

  • Avatar (computing) — In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user s alter ego or character. It may take either a three dimensional form[1], as in games or virtual worlds, or a two dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and… …   Wikipedia

  • Speech recognition — For the human linguistic concept, see Speech perception. The display of the Speech Recognition screensaver on a PC, in which the character responds to questions, e.g. Where are you? or statements, e.g. Hello. Speech recognition (also known as… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”