Modelling Noise-Resilient Single-Switch Scanning Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mathematical model for single-switch scanning systems that incorporates noise factors, aiming to improve noise resilience and performance in realistic scenarios for users with motor disabilities.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel noise-inclusive mathematical model and an improved fast-scan method for single-switch systems, enhancing their robustness in real-world conditions.

Findings

The noise model accurately simulates real-world noise sources.

Fast-scan improves performance for certain user profiles.

Simulation results demonstrate increased noise resilience.

Abstract

Single-switch scanning systems allow nonspeaking individuals with motor disabilities to communicate by triggering a single switch (e.g., raising an eye brow). A problem with current single-switch scanning systems is that while they result in reasonable performance in noiseless conditions, for instance via simulation or tests with able-bodied users, they fail to accurately model the noise sources that are introduced when a non-speaking individual with motor disabilities is triggering the switch in a realistic use context. To help assist the development of more noise-resilient single-switch scanning systems we have developed a mathematical model of scanning systems which incorporates extensive noise modelling. Our model includes an improvement to the standard scanning method, which we call fast-scan, which we show via simulation can be more suitable for certain users of scanning systems.