RF-CePal: A universal remote control based on MEMS accelerometer

`RF-CePal´ is networked sensor device to assist people with restricted finger movements. Many electrical/electronic equipment can be operated using IR based remote control. As these remote controls take user input using push buttons, persons with restricted finger movement (e.g those with cerebral palsy) cannot operate such equipment. Taking advantage of MEMS accelerometer, we recognize gross movements of hand and map them to important functions of the equipment to be operated. We had earlier developed a device in which IR transmitter was integrated in the device along with sensor. However many users have problem pointing it towards the equipment to operate it reliably. In this paper, we report our work on developing a two part networked system communicating via zigbee based wireless link to overcome this difficulty. First part of the device(body device) containing sensor is placed on the body part (e.g hand/wrist) and the other part (base device) is pointing in direction of IR receiver of equipment. Tilt angle of hand is used as input to device (e.g left tilt changes the channel on TV). Based on preliminary trials, we have made design modifications to make the system more suitable and cheaper. This system is now being made available to users.