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

凝视界面使用户只需凝视屏幕即可使用计算机，已被公认为是最有前途的残障人士输入手段之一。本研究旨在通过解决基于凝视系统的相关技术难题，实现一个实用的基于凝视的界面原型，并评估其可行性，从而为这类残疾人开发一个低成本的凝视界面。在本研究中，我们取得了以下主要成果：(1)开发了一个日语句子打字凝视界面原型：基于地名录系统开发了一个可以打字平假名字符的凝视界面原型。对所开发的原型进行了可行性、可用性和特点的评估。此外，还对用户的凝视打字行为(打字速度和错误率)进行了详细的分析。(2)识别了用户在使用凝视界面时的凝视行为特征：跟踪和收集了用户错误的凝视行为，如误激活和过早注视。通过对(1)中开发的凝视界面原型进行扩展，实现了两种应用凝视界面的打字系统：S打字系统和C-gazetalk打字系统，使用户能够产生完整的日语句子。这些系统拥有复杂的布局，与原型相比，它们的可用性得到了提高。

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.