ROCC -- A Webcam-Mouse for People with Disabilities

This paper introduces ROCC, a webcam-based system that emulates common functionalities of a computer mouse device. ROCC is designed to provide physically disabled people with an alternative solution to interact with personal computers. A novel technique for detecting the nose region between the eyes is proposed as a way to control the cursor’s movements. Moreover, a scheme that distinguishes between two mouth status: with closed or open lips, is introduced as a means to trigger the click function. The image signal processing techniques used in the system are described, illustrative examples are offered, and considerations on the system performance are discussed.