Chen Hsieh-Ching, Liu Yung-Ping, Chen Chia-Ling, Chen Chih-Yong
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, 168 Jifong E. Road, Wufong Township, Taichung County 41349, Taiwan, ROC.
Appl Ergon. 2007 May;38(3):275-83. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2006.06.003. Epub 2006 Aug 14.
Despite the commercial availability of numerous computer-pointing devices, many severely disabled individuals still rely on customized equipment to operate computers. This study presents a novel Integrated Pointing Device Apparatus (IPDA) that integrates numerous commercial pointing devices. The novel IPDA, which complies with a standard USB 1.1 interface, is compatible with most tested computer-pointing devices and flexibly integrates commercial computer devices, tailoring them to suit individual needs. By using simple integrated circuit design and low-cost electronic components, this low-cost apparatus is easily maintained. The feasibility of the IPDA was evaluated by four subjects with high-level cervical (C4-5) spinal cord injury (SCI). Participants performed normal move-and-click and drag-and-drop tasks typically performed by computer pointing devices. Each participant not able to use a traditional computer mouse or trackball were able to operate a computer adequately with the IPDA and three including one operating a trackball with his chin, operated computers easily and smoothly. This feasibility study showed that the IPDA effectively integrates commercial pointing devices, thereby providing the possibility for some people with SCI to obtain computer operability. This study demonstrated the advantages of flexibility, low cost, and acceptable efficiency of the novel IPDA.
尽管市面上有众多计算机指向设备可供选择，但许多重度残疾人士仍依赖定制设备来操作计算机。本研究提出了一种新型的集成指向设备装置（IPDA），它集成了多种商用指向设备。这种新型IPDA符合标准的USB 1.1接口，与大多数测试过的计算机指向设备兼容，并能灵活集成商用计算机设备，以满足个人需求。通过使用简单的集成电路设计和低成本的电子元件，这种低成本装置易于维护。四名颈髓高位（C4 - 5）脊髓损伤（SCI）患者对IPDA的可行性进行了评估。参与者执行了通常由计算机指向设备执行的正常移动并点击以及拖放任务。每个无法使用传统计算机鼠标或轨迹球的参与者都能够使用IPDA充分操作计算机，其中三名参与者（包括一名用下巴操作轨迹球的参与者）能够轻松、流畅地操作计算机。这项可行性研究表明，IPDA有效地集成了商用指向设备，从而为一些脊髓损伤患者获得计算机操作能力提供了可能性。本研究证明了新型IPDA具有灵活性、低成本和可接受的效率等优点。
