Development of the assist system to operate a computer for the disabled

The purpose of this study is development of the assist system to easily operate a computer for the disabled such as amputees. Using a mouse to operate the computer is key of this assist system. Our system assist a mouse operation. To operate a computer using mouse, at least we need following five information. These are the horizontally movement (left or right) information, vertically movement (up or down) information and select movement (click) information. Our system requires three electromyography (EMG) signals of the arm instead of the mouse operation by the hand, and those EMG signals are used to become a control source for the mouse operation. Three EMG signals which are acquired from supinators, pronatortercs and Flexor carpi ulnaris by surface electrodes are used for the mouse operation in our system. The EMG signals which are generated by the movement of Wrist Flexion, Wrist extension, pronation, supination and grasp are used to detect five movement of the mouse. In order to distinguish those five movements, we used frequency characteristics of EMG signals. Three EMG signals of three subjects were measured, A/D converted and frequency analyzed. In every case, from measured data, we can discriminate those five movement of the hand. So, our system will be a powerful device to support activities of the disabled.