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Boston College
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Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................... 1
Recommended Equipment ........................................................................ 2
Setting Up Your Workspace ..................................................................... 3
Software Installation.................................................................................. 4
Supplies ..................................................................................................... 7
Basic Concepts .......................................................................................... 8
Starting the System .................................................................................. 10
EagleEyes Console .................................................................................. 11
EagleEyes Console Settings and Indicators ............................................ 12
Electrode Cables ...................................................................................... 15
Preparing to Connect the User ................................................................ 16
Left and Right .......................................................................................... 17
Placing the Electrodes ............................................................................. 18
Starting the EagleEyes Software ............................................................. 20
EagleEyes Program Settings ................................................................... 21
There is No Such Thing as Cheating (Except) ................................ 31
Disconnecting the User ........................................................................... 31
Using EaglePaint and EagleAliens with EagleEyes ............................... 32
Making the Mouse Pointer (Cursor) Larger and Easier to See ............... 34
Suggested Application Software ............................................................. 37
Changing the Batteries ............................................................................ 38
Tips and Troubleshooting........................................................................ 39
Contact Information ................................................................................ 43
Introduction
Welcome to the Boston College and Opportunity Foundation of Americas computerhuman interface system called EagleEyes. EagleEyes is an innovative mouse substitute
that facilitates communication and instruction. Its purpose is to provide access to the
computer for individuals with limited motor and verbal abilities. Although EagleEyes is
not a substitute for genuine human interaction, its use has the potential to open doors to
entertainment, learning, and communication not previously available to individuals with
severe disabilities.
This manual is designed to aid users in their understanding of EagleEyes and how to
incorporate this technology into a consistent training program. Every effort has been made
to include within this manual the necessary information to run, operate, and maintain
EagleEyes. Should you encounter a problem, have difficulty interpreting any instructions,
or feel something important is missing from the document, please contact Jim Gips at
gips@bc.edu.
The Boston College EagleEyes website is http://www.eagleeyes.org. The website of the
Opportunity Foundation of America is at http://opportunityfoundationofamerica.org
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Recommended Equipment
Below is the list of equipment recommended for EagleEyes.
A color printer for printing eye paintings and other output can be helpful.
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If the persons head is vertical and the person is looking straight ahead the point of gaze
should be in the very center of the screen. EagleEyes measures the angle of the eyes in the
head so it is vital that if the eyes are centered then the person is looking at the center of the
screen. If the persons head is tilted then still the center of gaze should be in the center of
the screen. The person should not need to move the eyes up or down to look at the center
of the screen. For example this configuration of notebook computer and user is a problem:
This is a problem because the user is looking straight
ahead and he is not looking at the center of the screen.
If the user can tilt his head down and hold it that way
then it would be OK. As it is, using EagleEyes the
mouse pointer will naturally move towards the top of the
screen and the person will have a difficult time moving
the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen.
Its usually best if you have a table or stand for the monitor or notebook and the wheelchair
fits under the table or stand. If there is going to be one primary user of the system (for
example in a home) then the system should be configured for that person with the monitor
placed accordingly. If the system is going to be used by several people (for example in a
school or assistive technology center) then it is very useful to invest in an adjustable stand
for the monitor. Stands that can be raised or lowered by hand cranks or by the push of a
button (motorized) are available.
The electrode cables should be loose and out of the users line of sight (and grasp, if motor
control is an issue). Cables should be kept off the floor and away from the speakers to
prevent electrical interference. Also its best not to place your cell phone near the cables.
In a dry environment, static electricity can affect the performance with EagleEyes. Static
electricity can be prevented by the purchase of anti-static floor mats placed near your
system configuration.
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Software Installation
1. Copy the file EagleEyes2013MacintoshInstaller.pkg onto your disk from the USB
flash drive provided by OFOA with your system. Or you can download the file from
the Downloads page at http://eagleeyes.org.
2. Double click on EagleEyes2013MacintoshInstaller.pkg icon to run it. If the computer
asks for permission to continue, click on Allow to allow the EagleEyes 2013 Installer
program to proceed.
3. When the following window appears, click Continue.
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4. Keep clicking Continue until you reach the following screen. You may need to enter
your password during the process.
5. The Installer should put three icons for EagleEyes, EaglePaint, and EagleAliens in
the Dock (and it should put icons for the manuals for these programs on the desktop).
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7. After installing the software, turn on the EagleEyes console and plug the USB cable
from the EagleEyes console into the computer. The green USB light should turn on
under the face on the EagleEyes console. The green USB light indicates that the
EagleEyes console is communicating with the computer. Also the green vertical and
horizontal positional LEDs should come on next to the sliders. If not, you need new
batteries.
8. Click on the EagleEyes icon in the dock. The EagleEyes 2013 Control Panel program
window should appear:
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Supplies
Alcohol Pads
(available at any pharmacy)
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Basic Concepts
EagleEyes is based on measurement of the user's EOG or electro-oculographic potential.
The EOG results because the front of the eye (the cornea) is positively charged relative to
the back of the eye (the retina). The EOG also is known as the cornea-retinal potential.
The EOG is an electrical potential that is proportional to the angle of the eye in the head.
With EagleEyes we place electrodes above and below a person's eye. The difference in
the signals sensed by these electrodes gives the vertical EOG, which is proportional to the
vertical position of the eye in the head.
We also place electrodes to the left and right of the eyes. The difference in the signals
sensed by these electrodes is the horizontal EOG, which is proportional to the horizontal
position of the eye in the head.
A fifth electrode is placed either high on the person's forehead away from the vertical
electrodes or, using a clip electrode, on the person's ear. This fifth electrode is used as a
reference ground for the system.
The electrodes are connected to psychophysiological differential amplifiers in the
EagleEyes console, one for the horizontal EOG and one for the vertical EOG. The EOG
signals are quite small. Typically the signal is 20 microvolts for each degree of angle of
the eye. So if the eyes are 5 degrees to the right of center, the difference in the horizontal
electrodes will be about 100 microvolts. This is a small but noticeable signal. The
amplifiers multiply the signal typically by a factor of 10,000, so the 100 microvolt signal
would become 1 volt.
The amplifiers are connected to an analog-to-digital converter inside the console which
converts the analog electrical signals into digital values that the computer can understand.
These digital values are passed to the computer through the USB cable.
The EagleEyes software reads the horizontal and vertical values from the USB cable and
converts them into screen coordinates for the mouse pointer.
Thus, EagleEyes is a mouse substitution device. EagleEyes enables a person to control the
mouse pointer by changing the angle of the eyes in the head. Basically if you move your
eyes to the right the pointer will move to the right on the screen, and so on.
Mouse clicks can be generated in the EagleEyes system using "dwell time." This is a
setting in the software. If the mouse pointer is held within a certain area of the screen for
a certain period of time (typically one second) then a mouse click can be generated.
The EagleEyes system is designed to be a general mouse substitution device that conforms
with the standards set by Apple. The EagleEyes system is designed to work with any
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EagleEyes Console
This is the second generation EagleEyes console. (The first was white; the second is black.)
Each important setting is explained in the following section.
Figure 22
Note that there is an ID tag with the exact console number on the bottom of the console.
EagleEyes 2013 Macintosh User Manual
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1) Power
Power is controlled by the On/Off switch in the bottom middle of the console. Two 9
volt batteries are needed for use.
2) Low Battery
The Low Battery light indicates that the 9 volt batteries need to be changed. The Low
Battery light should come on 20 - 30 minutes before the voltage is too low from the
batteries and the unit no longer functions. Note that if the battery is very run down
then the EagleEyes unit as a whole will no longer function, including the Low Battery
light. If the batteries are too low then the green LEDS indicating the vertical and
horizontal values will no longer be lit when the unit is turned on.
3) USB light
The green USB light turns on when the EagleEyes console successfully is connected
to the computer with a USB cable. This is not a power light. The USB light can be on
even if the EagleEyes console is turned off. The power for the USB light comes from
the computer through the USB cable rather than from the batteries in the EagleEyes
console. This light indicates a successful connection with the computer.
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The Gain is the main setting to make for people using EagleEyes. The horizontal and
vertical amplifiers can be set to different gains. People often have a more difficult time
moving the vertical, so a larger vertical gain often is appropriate.
It also has been shown that the illumination level in the room affects the size of the
EOG signal. Thus turning the lights on or off will affect the size of the signals. It is a
mistake to set the Gain with the lights on and then turn off the lights for the rest of the
session, as the signal will become smaller with the lower illumination.
8) Control
This setting changes control of the mouse pointer to either the EagleEyes user or the
computer operator. This will only have an effect if the EagleEyes Driver Software is
set to External Switch under the Method to toggle cursor control between mouse and
electrodes setting at the bottom of the window (explained later). Assuming this
software selection is made, EagleEyes will give the user control through the electrodes,
and Mouse will give the operator control through the mouse. During an EagleEyes
session, the operator will use this switch to turn control over to the user and then to
take it back, for example to launch a new applications program.
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Electrode Cables
We use a specially designed cable assembly. This cable assembly is shielded to prevent
interference with the small electrical signals received through the electrodes. The cable
assembly is all one piece.
When connecting the cable assembly, simply connect the colors as indicated by the color
circles on the EagleEyes console.
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Left in the diagram means the Users left, not your left. The Upper and Lower electrodes
should be placed above and below the Users Right eye.
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5. If there is an issue with an electrode not staying firmly on the face, use an additional
piece of cloth tape to ensure the electrode is firmly in place.
6. Remember to place the electrodes and allow them to sit for five minutes before using
EagleEyes. This allows the electrodes and the skin to come into chemical balance. If you
rush to use EagleEyes immediately after putting on the electrodes the person probably will
have difficulty controlling the signal for the first five minutes, while the electrodes settle
in.
7. After each EagleEyes session clean each electrode with an alcohol swab.
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Click on the EagleEyes icon. The driver may take a moment to load. After a few moments,
you should see this window
EagleEyes 2013 is the software that reads the signals from the amplifiers and uses the
signals to replace the mouse coordinates. The program always will be running in the
background when you are using EagleEyes. You will start the program up and then can
minimize it and then run whatever educational or communication or recreational software
you would like. You can switch back and forth between mouse control and EagleEyes
control.
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Often we simply want to use EagleEyes to move the mouse pointer around without any
mouse clicks. Then the Mouse Click box should be empty or unchecked as above.
EagleEyes also has the capability of causing a mouse click to be sent to the active program
by using dwell time. That is, if the mouse pointer is kept within a certain small area of
the screen for a certain length of time then a mouse click will be sent automatically. If you
would like the person using EagleEyes to be able to click the mouse by keeping the pointer
in a location then click on the box labeled Mouse Click.
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Turning on Mouse Click enables other settings to be changed. A mouse click will be
generated by the EagleEyes program if the mouse pointer is kept within a certain area for
a certain period of time.
The size of the area is determined by the Radius setting. The Radius setting is measured
in pixels. Each pixel (short for picture element) is a spot of color on the screen. The
screen might have 800 by 600 pixels or 1024 by 768 pixels, depending on the screen size
setting. The Radius determines the size of the area in which the pointer must be kept to
generate a mouse click. The usual setting for radius is 30 (or 30 pixels). If the person is
having a difficult time controlling the pointer and keeping it steady to make a selection
then the radius could be changed to 50 or 75.
The period of time required to hold the pointer in the area is determined by the Dwell Time
setting. This is the number of seconds required for the pointer to stay in the area in order
for a mouse click to be generated. When a person is just starting out with EagleEyes 0.1
seconds is a good choice. If the person using EagleEyes unintentionally is clicking too
frequently then the Dwell Time setting should be increased, for example to 0.5 or 1.0.
Sometimes a person using EagleEyes will send a click and then too quickly send another
click and then another click. You might want there to be a delay period of 10 seconds or
120 seconds between clicks so, for example, a music or video selected can play through to
completion without being interrupted by another click. The Recovery Time setting allows
you to set a time period in seconds. If the Recovery Time is set at 10 seconds, a new click
cannot be generated for at least 10 seconds after a previous click. Normally the Recovery
Time is 0.0 (Off), which allows clicks at any point in time.
Damping
Sometimes the EagleEyes signal seems jerky, like it
has too much detail in it. Damping allows you to smooth
out the signal in the driver program. Damping acts as a
shock absorber to the signal; the higher the damping
value a user chooses, the smaller the fluctuations in the
pointer movement.
The default damping setting is 1, which is no damping.
Some people like damping settings of 3 or 4 or 5 to give
them a smoother signal.
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However, a high damping value may cause the pointer to seem sluggish and less
responsive. Controlling EagleEyes with a damping setting of 10 is like trying to drive a
car on ice. The pull-down selector controls the amount of damping applied.
Eyes / Head
This is the place to switch between eye control and head control. If you select Eyes (as
usual) then the mouse pointer will move in the direction of the persons eyes. If the user
has voluntary control of his head then you may want to try Head.
Head Angle
The Head Angle setting was added in EagleEyes 2012. This feature was suggested by the
uncle of a young man with Cerebral Palsy who noticed that his nephew always sat in his
wheelchair with his head rotated to the side. The young man cannot hold his head up
straight. The uncle wondered if we could add a feature to EagleEyes to take the head
rotation into account.
(Incidentally another approach to this problem is to investigate the Headpod
(http://headpod.com), a piece of equipment for supporting the head of a person in a
wheelchair. Headpod has worked for several EagleEyes users.)
If you click on the new Head Angle button the following window appears
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This represents the view from behind the users head looking at the computer screen. Drag
the vertical line to correspond to the users head rotation.
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Click OK. This value will show in the EagleEyes control panel.
Sometimes the area of interest for the person using the system is in the top right part of the
screen. Through the excluded zone settings, certain areas of the screen become
inaccessible. For example, setting the Bottom and Left settings to 50% would restrict the
user to the top-right corner of the screen. This can prevent accidental clicking and help
the user focus on a certain area. Usually, these settings are kept at 1% and changed for
specific applications.
The EagleEyes program allows you to switch back and forth between controlling the
computer the traditional way with the mouse and controlling the computer with EagleEyes.
Normally you, the operator of the system, would want to use the mouse to start up, say,
Living Books Grandma and Me, but then you would want to turn control over to the person
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using EagleEyes. There are three ways to switch back and forth between the mouse and
EagleEyes. Which way is active is determined by the setting at the bottom of the
EagleEyes Control Panel window.
If External Switch is checked, then you change back and forth between the EagleEyes and
the mouse using the Control switch in the middle of the EagleEyes Console.
If the control key setting is checked in the EagleEyes Control Panel window then you
would switch back and forth by pressing the control key on the computers keyboard once.
If the command key setting is checked in the EagleEyes Control Panel window then you
would switch back and forth by pressing the command key on the computers keyboard
once.
EagleEyes pull-down menu
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and then type in a name like John Paint for the Configuration file name.
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All EagleEyes 2013 config files automatically are given an extension of .egt. The current
name of the configuration file often is given at the top of the EagleEyes Control Panel
window. Usually it is default.egt.
The next time John is on the system and wants to play Aliens select Open Config and
restore the exact configuration.
If the majority of the users are using a specific configuration, set up that configuration and
then choose Save as Default Config from the File pull-down menu. This will load that
configuration every time the program is started.
If you are having problems with the configuration, the factory configuration that the
program first started with can be loaded by selecting Factory Config.
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EagleAliens is a simple shoot the alien game. The mouse pointer becomes a red gun sight.
Moving the gun sight on top of the alien makes him explode. (If this is too violent for you
of course you can skip it.) No clicking is required.
Keep in mind that one of the greatest difficulties for new users with severe disabilities is
the notion of computer control. Lack of feedback from users puts the burden of
recognizing technical problems or users expectations on the shoulders of the operator.
Once the user has begun to recognize the relationship between cause and effect, he can
begin to succeed using the EagleEyes system. In the dual role of instructor and operator,
keep in mind the frustration level of the user and use appropriate software for his comfort
and learning level. Programs like EaglePaint and EagleAliens can help the user learn about
cause and effect, as can many of the programs listed in the program section below.
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+
+
EagleEyes 2013 Macintosh User Manual
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Troubleshooting
I turn the EagleEyes console on but no lights come on.
The batteries need to be changed. Use only new 9 volt batteries.
The following error message shows up.
You started up the EagleEyes program but the EagleEyes console is not yet connected
to the computer. Please be sure the console is connected to the computer using the
USB cable and that the USB connections are tight. The error message will show until
the console is connected to the computer or until you decide to exit EagleEyes for now.
The following error message shows up.
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Make sure the USB cable connections are tight. Make sure that the EagleEyes Console
is powered on and that the batteries are good. If this error continues to occur you
should replace the batteries and then the USB cable.
The pointer is stuck around the edges of the monitor.
Center the offset sliders. Check the Gain knobs; they might be too high. Push the
Auto Center buttons a couple of times. Try waiting for a few minutes while the user
looks at the center of the screen. Have the user take some deep breaths and relax. You
take some deep breaths and relax.
I cant see the pointer on the screen when Im using EagleEyes.
The pointer is probably hiding in a corner and the gain is up too high. Follow the
directions in the previous example. Also you should consider making the mouse
pointer larger through the Macintosh OS X System Preferences as explained above.
The pointer moves in the opposite direction than I want it to.
Something somewhere is reversed. Usually, two or more of the electrodes are reversed
on the head. Also, check the Eyes / Head setting in the EagleEyes software window.
The pointer moves too fast and is jumpy.
Check that all the electrodes are tight against the skin. The gain might be up too high.
Check the gain knobs on the EagleEyes console. Try turning the Gain knobs counterclockwise a bit. Also, movement can be smoothed out with the damping setting on the
software.
The pointer is very difficult to move.
Check that all the electrodes are tight against the skin. The gain might be down too
low. Check the gain knobs on the EagleEyes console. Try turning them clockwise a
bit.
I move the switch to EagleEyes but nothing happens.
Make sure the EagleEyes program is running. Look at the EagleEyes Control Panel
window and be sure the correct Control option is checked (External Switch, control
key, command key). Also check to make sure all the cables are securely attached.
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When in doubt, detach the electrode cables from the console. Check to make sure
the electrodes are tight on the skin and that the red electrode is on the users left, etc. as in
the diagram on the front of the console. Turn off everything. Shut down the computer.
Fiddle with the cables. Check the batteries to see if they need to be replaced with new
ones. Turn on the EagleEyes console. Start up the computer. Wait a couple of minutes.
Connect the electrodes cables back to the console being sure to match the colors. Start up
the EagleEyes program and try again.
Very often disconnecting the user, turning equipment off and then turning it back on solves
the problem. The other most common solution to problems is to check to make sure that
each of the electrodes is tightly pressed against the skin.
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Contact Information
Debbie Inkley
Executive Director
Opportunity Foundation of America
7166 Villandrie Lane
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
801-231-6691
debbieinkley@ofoa.net
http://www.ofoa.net
Ron Williams
Director of Training and Education
Opportunity Foundation of America
801-759-4500
ronwilliams@ofoa.net
http://www.ofoa.net
Jim Gips
Fulton Hall 460
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3808
617-552-3981
gips@bc.edu
http://www.cs.bc.edu/~gips
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