Development of gaze interface for disabled people and its extension to low-cost communication tool

凝视界面使用户能够通过凝视屏幕来使用计算机，已被认为是最有前途的输入方式之一，适合身体残疾的人。本研究旨在通过解决与基于凝视的系统相关的技术挑战、实现实用的基于凝视的界面原型并评估其可行性，为此类残疾人开发一种低成本的凝视界面。本研究取得了以下主要成果：（1）开发了一个用于日语句子输入的凝视界面原型：基于Gazetalk系统开发了一个可以输入平假名的凝视界面。所开发的原型进行了评估，其可行性，可用性，其功能。此外，还对用户在注视打字中的打字行为（打字速度和错误）进行了详细的分析。(2)研究了用户在使用注视界面过程中的注视行为特征：跟踪并收集了用户的错误注视行为，如误激活和过早注视。基于收集的数据，学习对错误凝视行为频率的影响被确定。(3)通过扩展（1）中开发的凝视界面原型，实现了两种应用凝视界面的打字系统：S-和C-gazetalk系统，它们使用户能够产生完整的日语句子。这些系统具有复杂的布局，与原型相比提高了可用性。

Gaze interface, which enables users to use computers by just gazing at a screen, has been recognized as one of the most promising input means for physically challenged people. This study aimed at the developing a low-cost gaze interface for such disabled people by solving technical challenges relating to gaze-based systems, implementing a prototype of practical gaze based interface, and evaluating its feasibility. In this study, we could obtain the followings as principal results :(1) A gaze interface prototype for typing Japanese sentences was developed : A gaze interface which allowed us to type "Hiragana" characters was developed based on gazetalk system. The developed prototype was evaluated in terms of its feasibility, usability, and its features. In addition, users' behavior (typing speed and errors) in gaze-typing were analyzed in detail.(2) Characteristics of human gaze behavior during using gaze interface were identified : Users' erroneous gaze behavior such as miss-activations and premature fixations were traced and collected. Based on the collected data, the effects of learning on the frequencies of erroneous gaze behavior were identified.(3) Two kinds of typing system applying gaze interface was implemented by extending the gaze interface prototype developed in (1) : S-, and C-gazetalk systems which enabled users to produce complete Japanese sentences were developed. These systems have sophisticated layouts that improve their usability compared to the prototype.