A Head-Tracker Based on the Lucas-Kanade Optical Flow Algorithm

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, automating many everyday chores in the process, changing the way we perform work and providing various forms of entertainment. Makers of technology, however, often do not consider the needs of the disabled in their design of products by, for example, providing some alternative means of interaction with their devices. The use of computers presents a challenge to many disabled users who are not able to see graphical user interfaces, use a mouse or keyboard or otherwise interact with standard computers. This paper introduces a head-tracker based on the use of a modified Lucas-Kanade optical-flow algorithm for tracking head movements, eliminating the need to locate and track specific facial features. The implementation presents an alternative to the traditional mouse input device.