Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Multisensory stimulation therapy involves the simultaneous stimulation of several senses in a rel... more Multisensory stimulation therapy involves the simultaneous stimulation of several senses in a relaxing environment to achieve a variety of therapeutic outcomes for client with conditions affecting sensory and cognitive processes. We present, StimuHat, a wearable system for therapists to visually stimulate patients. We conducted a pilot study in which a therapist used StimuHat in sessions with three children with profound brain damage. The results showed that StimuHat appears to have stimulated the children and created positive relaxation and engagement in them.
Abstract Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders affecting the development of movement... more Abstract Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders affecting the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation. Access to technology can alleviate some of these limitations. Many studies have used vision-based movement capture systems to overcome problems related to discomfort and fear of wearing devices. In contrast, there has been no research assessing the behavior of vision-based movement capture systems in people with involuntary movements. In this paper, we look at the potential of the Kinect sensor as an assistive technology for people with cerebral palsy. We developed a serious game, called KiSens Numeros, to study the behavior of Kinect in this context and eighteen subjects with cerebral palsy used it to complete a set of sessions. The results of the experiments show that Kinect filters some of peoples involuntary movements, confirming the potential of Kinect as an assistive technology for people with motor disabilities.
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 2017
Abstract A five-layered software architecture translating movements into mouse clicks has been de... more Abstract A five-layered software architecture translating movements into mouse clicks has been developed and tested on an Arduino platform with two different sensors: accelerometer and flex sensor. The architecture comprises low-pass and derivative filters, an unsupervised classifier that adapts continuously to the strength of the user's movements and a finite state machine which sets up a timer to prevent involuntary movements from triggering false positives. Four people without disabilities and four people with cerebral palsy (CP) took part in the experiments. People without disabilities obtained an average of 100% and 99.3% in precision and true positive rate (TPR) respectively and there were no statistically significant differences among type of sensors and placement. In the same experiment, people with disabilities obtained 97.9% and 100% in precision and TPR respectively. However, these results worsened when subjects used the system to access a communication board, 89.6% and 94.8% respectively. With their usual method of access-an adapted switch- they obtained a precision and TPR of 86.7% and 97.8% respectively. For 3-out-of-4 participants with disabilities our system detected the movement faster than the switch. For subjects with CP, the accelerometer was the easiest to use because it is more sensitive to gross motor motion than the flex sensor which requires more complex movements. A final survey showed that 3-out-of-4 participants with disabilities would prefer to use this new technology instead of their traditional method of access.
Text entry is one of the communication alternatives requiring special systems and techniques to e... more Text entry is one of the communication alternatives requiring special systems and techniques to enable disabled people to type. Auto-matic scanning virtual keyboards are an alternative to enable handicap-ped people to input text. This kind of system have a limited text entry rate. In this paper two alternatives are proposed in order to increase this rate. A study of the achieved gain is introduced using a simple mathematical model.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a well-established technique for determining the electrical activi... more The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a well-established technique for determining the electrical activity of the heart and studying its diseases. One of the most common pieces of information that can be read from the ECG is the heart rate (HR) through the detection of its most prominent feature: the QRS complex. This paper describes an offline version and a real-time implementation of a new algorithm to determine QRS localization in the ECG signal based on its envelopment and K-means clustering algorithm. The envelopment is used to obtain a signal with only QRS complexes, deleting P, T, and U waves and baseline wander. Two moving average filters are applied to smooth data. The K-means algorithm classifies data into QRS and non-QRS. The technique is validated using 22 h of ECG data from five Physionet databases. These databases were arbitrarily selected to analyze different morphologies of QRS complexes: three stored data with cardiac pathologies, and two had data with normal heartbeats. The algorithm has a low computational load, with no decision thresholds. Furthermore, it does not require any additional parameter. Sensitivity, positive prediction and accuracy from results are over 99.7%.
2012 Technologies Applied to Electronics Teaching (TAEE), 2012
In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electr... more In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electronic Circuits and Computer Structure, of the first course of Computer Engineering at the University of Seville. Different tools for screenshot and video recording have been used for the preparation of audiovisual material, integrated in the learning platform currently used at the University of Seville. Feedback on the prepared material was collected in a survey, showing the interest and utility found by students in the preparation of theoretical and experimental classes with the videos. Successful results have been obtained in the evaluation of students. Suggestions of improvement and further work to be carried out are also described in the paper.
In this paper, a learning project is explained which is being carried out at the school of comput... more In this paper, a learning project is explained which is being carried out at the school of computer science at the University of Seville. The aim is that students receive knowledge of assistive technologies when in fact there is no this discipline in our curricula. So the best way, it is programming final studies projects in this field. We want to make the projects have a real application and can solve difficulties that children with Cerebral Palsy have in their daily activities in the school.
2012 Technologies Applied to Electronics Teaching (TAEE), 2012
In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electr... more In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electronic Circuits and Computer Structure, of the first course of Computer Engineering at the University of Seville. Different tools for screenshot and video recording have been used for the preparation of audiovisual material, integrated in the learning platform currently used at the University of Seville.
This paper presents an exhaustive study on the different topologies of ambiguous soft keyboards, ... more This paper presents an exhaustive study on the different topologies of ambiguous soft keyboards, analyzing the text entry average time per character and the average number of user inputs necessary for its creation. Various topologies and design criteria are investigated. In addition, an analytical model is also proposed. This model allows one to compare among different topologies and estimate the sensitivity that different keyboards offer when compared with dictionary hit rates. It has been found that ambiguous keyboards, with six keys, are better to use.
This paper presents an exhaustive study into the different topologies of virtual ambiguous keyboa... more This paper presents an exhaustive study into the different topologies of virtual ambiguous keyboards that operate by scanning techniques, analyzing the text entry average time (tc) and the average number of user inputs (UIc) per character. An mathematical model shows that in comparison with unambiguous one, text entry, in multi-tap mode, doesn't offers better performance, because both tc and UIc are greater in them. Another method of text entry, called Tnk (Text in n keys), offers improvement with respect to unambiguous keyboards. But solely highly ambiguous key-board (4-keys keyboards) shows a jointly reduction in tc and UIc. Results obtained with the model do to focus on highly ambiguous keyboard. This paper demonstrate, using simulation with extensive text, that character prediction with TnK mode only have better performance than unambiguous keyboard with character prediction in UIc parameter. Another techniques of text entry are also studied.
ABSTRACT This paper uses an experimental method to estimate the variance of flowmeter errors (ran... more ABSTRACT This paper uses an experimental method to estimate the variance of flowmeter errors (random errors or Type A errors), focusing on problems of detecting defects existing in sensors even with very small magnitudes. An inexpensive and simple but accurate test bed is shown, based on the detailed experimental estimation method submitted. Some of the difficulties and shortcomings of this estimation are highlighted and a simulation and a real estimation is given.
International Conference on Computers for Handicapped Persons, 2010
This paper describes a system composed by predictive text input software called “Dasher” and a ha... more This paper describes a system composed by predictive text input software called “Dasher” and a hardware used to connect an accelerometer to the computer. The main goal of this work is to allow people with motor disabilities to have a flexible and cheap way to communicate. The accelerometer can be placed on any body part depending on user preferences. For
This In this paper, a system architecture that can be adapted to an individual’s motor capacity a... more This In this paper, a system architecture that can be adapted to an individual’s motor capacity and preferences, to control a computer is presented. The system uses two different transducers based on the emission and the reflection of infrared light. These let to detect of voluntary blinks, winks, saccadic or head movements and/or sequences of them. Transducer selection and operational mode can be configured. The signal provided by the transducer is adapted, processed and sent to a computer by external hardware. The computer runs a row-column scanned switch-controlled Virtual Keyboard (VK). This sends commands to the operating system to control the computer, making possible to run any application such as a web browser, etc. The main system characteristics are flexibility and relatively low-cost hardware.
Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Multisensory stimulation therapy involves the simultaneous stimulation of several senses in a rel... more Multisensory stimulation therapy involves the simultaneous stimulation of several senses in a relaxing environment to achieve a variety of therapeutic outcomes for client with conditions affecting sensory and cognitive processes. We present, StimuHat, a wearable system for therapists to visually stimulate patients. We conducted a pilot study in which a therapist used StimuHat in sessions with three children with profound brain damage. The results showed that StimuHat appears to have stimulated the children and created positive relaxation and engagement in them.
Abstract Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders affecting the development of movement... more Abstract Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders affecting the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation. Access to technology can alleviate some of these limitations. Many studies have used vision-based movement capture systems to overcome problems related to discomfort and fear of wearing devices. In contrast, there has been no research assessing the behavior of vision-based movement capture systems in people with involuntary movements. In this paper, we look at the potential of the Kinect sensor as an assistive technology for people with cerebral palsy. We developed a serious game, called KiSens Numeros, to study the behavior of Kinect in this context and eighteen subjects with cerebral palsy used it to complete a set of sessions. The results of the experiments show that Kinect filters some of peoples involuntary movements, confirming the potential of Kinect as an assistive technology for people with motor disabilities.
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 2017
Abstract A five-layered software architecture translating movements into mouse clicks has been de... more Abstract A five-layered software architecture translating movements into mouse clicks has been developed and tested on an Arduino platform with two different sensors: accelerometer and flex sensor. The architecture comprises low-pass and derivative filters, an unsupervised classifier that adapts continuously to the strength of the user's movements and a finite state machine which sets up a timer to prevent involuntary movements from triggering false positives. Four people without disabilities and four people with cerebral palsy (CP) took part in the experiments. People without disabilities obtained an average of 100% and 99.3% in precision and true positive rate (TPR) respectively and there were no statistically significant differences among type of sensors and placement. In the same experiment, people with disabilities obtained 97.9% and 100% in precision and TPR respectively. However, these results worsened when subjects used the system to access a communication board, 89.6% and 94.8% respectively. With their usual method of access-an adapted switch- they obtained a precision and TPR of 86.7% and 97.8% respectively. For 3-out-of-4 participants with disabilities our system detected the movement faster than the switch. For subjects with CP, the accelerometer was the easiest to use because it is more sensitive to gross motor motion than the flex sensor which requires more complex movements. A final survey showed that 3-out-of-4 participants with disabilities would prefer to use this new technology instead of their traditional method of access.
Text entry is one of the communication alternatives requiring special systems and techniques to e... more Text entry is one of the communication alternatives requiring special systems and techniques to enable disabled people to type. Auto-matic scanning virtual keyboards are an alternative to enable handicap-ped people to input text. This kind of system have a limited text entry rate. In this paper two alternatives are proposed in order to increase this rate. A study of the achieved gain is introduced using a simple mathematical model.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a well-established technique for determining the electrical activi... more The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a well-established technique for determining the electrical activity of the heart and studying its diseases. One of the most common pieces of information that can be read from the ECG is the heart rate (HR) through the detection of its most prominent feature: the QRS complex. This paper describes an offline version and a real-time implementation of a new algorithm to determine QRS localization in the ECG signal based on its envelopment and K-means clustering algorithm. The envelopment is used to obtain a signal with only QRS complexes, deleting P, T, and U waves and baseline wander. Two moving average filters are applied to smooth data. The K-means algorithm classifies data into QRS and non-QRS. The technique is validated using 22 h of ECG data from five Physionet databases. These databases were arbitrarily selected to analyze different morphologies of QRS complexes: three stored data with cardiac pathologies, and two had data with normal heartbeats. The algorithm has a low computational load, with no decision thresholds. Furthermore, it does not require any additional parameter. Sensitivity, positive prediction and accuracy from results are over 99.7%.
2012 Technologies Applied to Electronics Teaching (TAEE), 2012
In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electr... more In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electronic Circuits and Computer Structure, of the first course of Computer Engineering at the University of Seville. Different tools for screenshot and video recording have been used for the preparation of audiovisual material, integrated in the learning platform currently used at the University of Seville. Feedback on the prepared material was collected in a survey, showing the interest and utility found by students in the preparation of theoretical and experimental classes with the videos. Successful results have been obtained in the evaluation of students. Suggestions of improvement and further work to be carried out are also described in the paper.
In this paper, a learning project is explained which is being carried out at the school of comput... more In this paper, a learning project is explained which is being carried out at the school of computer science at the University of Seville. The aim is that students receive knowledge of assistive technologies when in fact there is no this discipline in our curricula. So the best way, it is programming final studies projects in this field. We want to make the projects have a real application and can solve difficulties that children with Cerebral Palsy have in their daily activities in the school.
2012 Technologies Applied to Electronics Teaching (TAEE), 2012
In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electr... more In this paper we present the integration of multimedia contents in the teaching of Digital Electronic Circuits and Computer Structure, of the first course of Computer Engineering at the University of Seville. Different tools for screenshot and video recording have been used for the preparation of audiovisual material, integrated in the learning platform currently used at the University of Seville.
This paper presents an exhaustive study on the different topologies of ambiguous soft keyboards, ... more This paper presents an exhaustive study on the different topologies of ambiguous soft keyboards, analyzing the text entry average time per character and the average number of user inputs necessary for its creation. Various topologies and design criteria are investigated. In addition, an analytical model is also proposed. This model allows one to compare among different topologies and estimate the sensitivity that different keyboards offer when compared with dictionary hit rates. It has been found that ambiguous keyboards, with six keys, are better to use.
This paper presents an exhaustive study into the different topologies of virtual ambiguous keyboa... more This paper presents an exhaustive study into the different topologies of virtual ambiguous keyboards that operate by scanning techniques, analyzing the text entry average time (tc) and the average number of user inputs (UIc) per character. An mathematical model shows that in comparison with unambiguous one, text entry, in multi-tap mode, doesn't offers better performance, because both tc and UIc are greater in them. Another method of text entry, called Tnk (Text in n keys), offers improvement with respect to unambiguous keyboards. But solely highly ambiguous key-board (4-keys keyboards) shows a jointly reduction in tc and UIc. Results obtained with the model do to focus on highly ambiguous keyboard. This paper demonstrate, using simulation with extensive text, that character prediction with TnK mode only have better performance than unambiguous keyboard with character prediction in UIc parameter. Another techniques of text entry are also studied.
ABSTRACT This paper uses an experimental method to estimate the variance of flowmeter errors (ran... more ABSTRACT This paper uses an experimental method to estimate the variance of flowmeter errors (random errors or Type A errors), focusing on problems of detecting defects existing in sensors even with very small magnitudes. An inexpensive and simple but accurate test bed is shown, based on the detailed experimental estimation method submitted. Some of the difficulties and shortcomings of this estimation are highlighted and a simulation and a real estimation is given.
International Conference on Computers for Handicapped Persons, 2010
This paper describes a system composed by predictive text input software called “Dasher” and a ha... more This paper describes a system composed by predictive text input software called “Dasher” and a hardware used to connect an accelerometer to the computer. The main goal of this work is to allow people with motor disabilities to have a flexible and cheap way to communicate. The accelerometer can be placed on any body part depending on user preferences. For
This In this paper, a system architecture that can be adapted to an individual’s motor capacity a... more This In this paper, a system architecture that can be adapted to an individual’s motor capacity and preferences, to control a computer is presented. The system uses two different transducers based on the emission and the reflection of infrared light. These let to detect of voluntary blinks, winks, saccadic or head movements and/or sequences of them. Transducer selection and operational mode can be configured. The signal provided by the transducer is adapted, processed and sent to a computer by external hardware. The computer runs a row-column scanned switch-controlled Virtual Keyboard (VK). This sends commands to the operating system to control the computer, making possible to run any application such as a web browser, etc. The main system characteristics are flexibility and relatively low-cost hardware.
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Papers by Alberto Molina