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By looking at control keys displayed on a computer monitor, the Eyegaze System allows people who lack the use of their hands or voice to use a telephone, to operate a personal computer, and to access the Internet. All a person needs to operate Eyegaze are control of at least one eye with good vision and the ability to keep your head fairly still. Eyegaze user Brian Dickinson of Providence, R.I., was diagnosed with amyotropic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, seven years ago. The disease has worsened and robbed Dickinson of most of his strength -- until recently, he was a columnist for the Providence Journal-Bulletin. He explains how he used the Eyegaze system at work and continues to use it: "A color monitor is mounted on a moveable bracket above my desk, positioned at eye level. A small TV camera, of the sort used in store security systems, is mounted under the monitor and aimed squarely at my right eye." LOOK HERE. This camera, no larger than a tennis ball, is the heart of the Eyegaze system. It tracks the movements of Dickinson's eye as he gazes over a simulated keyboard on the screen. When his eye gazes for more than half a second at a letter or other character, the camera feeds this information to the computer. "Thereupon the computer says to itself, 'Aha, Dickinson wants an H here' (or whatever the character happens to be) and it obligingly drops it into place on the screen," he says. Dickinson can edit and retrieve documents, and perform other word processing functions. An array of menu keys and exit keys allow him to navigate around the Eyegaze program independently. There are no attachments to his body. Joe Martin of Charlotte, N.C., is a special counsel to BankAmerica CEO Hugh McColl. In October, 1994, his life changed when he was diagnosed as having Lou Gehrig's disease. Before his ALS became difficult to manage, he was the bank's principal corporate affairs exec, handling government relations, communications, and public relations. Gradually, he lost the physical ability to care for himself. So in September, 1997, the bank purchased the Eyegaze System so he could continue working. Martin uses Eyegaze primarily for word processing on a laptop for writing letters and speeches, editing company materials, e-mailing associates (including McColl), and for handling interviews like this one! NET ACCESS. Like Dickinson, ALS has taken Martin's ability to speak, so a talking computer speaks for him. Martin also uses Eyegaze to manipulate the cursor on his laptop so he can access the Internet -- to read Business Week Online, for example. For his speeches, he downloads what he has written from Eyegaze to a portable voice synthesizer (DynaMyte from Sentient Systems) so he can operate it with a simple click-switch with his one finger that still works. He always jokes with audiences that they shouldn't ask him which finger that is. Martin also dispenses corporate advice, producing from 30 to 40 company-related e-mails a week, ranging from simple questions to complicated strategies sought out by his co-workers. "I was able to use it immdiately with maybe a couple of weeks to develop reasonable speed," he says. "I am still mastering it. My top speed is 35 words per minute -- however I am not consistent or satisfied." Eyegaze and the other assistive technology products that Martin and Dicksinson use empower both men so they can be useful even while coping with a horrible disease. While some disabling diseases may rob people of their physical abilities, in many cases they don't rob them of their mental abilities. Assistive technology can compensate for their lost phyiscal abilities. Amputees and people with cerebral palsy, speech impediments, carpel-tunnel syndrome, and other disabilities can also benefit from the Eyegaze system. PACKAGE DEAL. The basic system costs $15,900. Initially, it sold for $68,000 when it was rolled out a decade ago. Prices can be reduced further if the system is mass produced, which is the goal of Joe Lahoud, LC Technologies' president. The Eyegaze System includes an Intel Pentium-based computer with special software, a video-frame grabber board, CD-ROM drive, monitor support arm with camera bracket, high-speed infrared sensitive camera and lens, an infrared LED, an eye-image video monitor, and assorted cables. In most cases, wearing glasses or contact lenses helps to reduce eye fatigue, headaches, and drying of the eyes -- a particular problem for people who must use Eyegaze for an extended period. Remember, you must keep your head still and your eye focused. But the versatile Eyegaze System has a spell-checker and a program for correcting grammar, as well as a voice synthesizer that can read anything that is typed. For more information, you can send an e-mail to: requests@eyegaze.com. The telephone number is 800 EyeGaze or (703) 385-7133. Share your opinion of Bowe's new book on BW Online's Assistive Tech Forum. Or, if you have a question about assistive technology, write to John at JMMAW@aol.com EDITED BY DOUGLAS HARBRECHT |
