Image processing used to harness blinking as a channel of communication and control for physically disabled people

Sophisticated mathematical algorithms (such as differencing, thresholding, aggregation and statistical analysis of skin colours) are used to compare s uccessive frames of computer-captured images of the face. From these, chang es in state of the eyes are determined and are used to detect blinks. A rec ognition performance of 83.74 +/-0.03% is achieved over five subjects with a low rate of false positives 2.71 +/-0.01%, A logical decision rule identi fies purposeful blinks and applies them to control either a custom-designed communication package or an external device.