The MouthPad: A tongue-computer interface

Abstract

We have developed a tongue-computer interface that displays the tongue position and movement onto a computer screen, and translates them into mouse cursor movements. The system employs an intraoral electrode array, and an embedded controller that provides communication with the target computer. The position and the movement of the tongue are detected by measuring the contact impedance between the tip of the tongue and the electrode array. The system is implemented such that it can easily be expanded to support the translation of tongue gestures into mouse cursor movements, and clicks, for the purpose of controlling a computer, in a similar fashion to a laptop touchpad.