IBM Alphaworks Head-Tracking Pointer

IBM AlphaWorks has developed a head-tracking pointer that does not require any special-purpose hardware, head gear, or tracking aids. It employs computer vision technology to convert user’s head movements into the movement of the mouse pointer.

To use the system, users have to connect a webcam to their computer and train the system by tipping their head left and right. The pointer can be brought to any place by aiming the users face, as if they had a very long nose. If the user wants to click, the pointer is held still for a short time and then a click is generated.
 
The Head-Tracking Pointer isolates the users face from other objects in the camera’s field of view by the motion of the head tipping and then selects and memorizes a feature-rich region. With this region being tracked in video images the system accurately follows the motion of the user’s head. The target on the screen, where the user’s nose is aimed, is combined with the pointer motion history to determine the new pointer motion at each moment. This is known as “transfer function,” giving high accuracy during short, fine-positioning movements, and fast response during large, long-distance movements. The pointer movement can be adjusted according to needs and abilities of the users by adjusting the parameters of the transfer function.