指語(Finger language)與手語(Sign language)不同。手語通常需要用到大幅度的動作，包括雙手的手指、手掌與手臂在三度空間中的位置與移動軌跡，這對僅能作小幅度手指彎曲的肢障者而言是不可行的，指語則只需要病人手指彎曲狀況等小幅度的動作即可表達意思。本論文主要在研發適合僅能作小幅度手指彎曲的肢語障(Handicapped aphasiacs)者之溝通系統，以解決肢語障者與外界溝通和操作電腦的問題。為肢語障者開發適當的溝通系統，必需從硬體的輸入工具以及軟體的信號處理兩方面來考慮：
硬體方面，我們發展了一個低成本的數據手套，讓發光二極體(Light-emitting diode, LED)的光線直接透過空氣到達光檢測器(Photo-detector, PD)，這樣手套所抓取的五指信號比傳統的光纖手套的重複性要高、數值較穩定、手指活動範圍的調整性也好。
軟體方面，我們結合了模糊集合論(Fuzzy set theory)和類神經網路(Neural network)兩個理論的優點，建構了兩個具體的混合模型來作為指語辨識系統。第一個混合模型旨在建造出一個靜態指語識別模型，供重病患者做簡單、迅速的溝通工具。第二個混合模型則配合一個允許使用者以最適合的速度來操作的虛擬鍵盤(Virtual keyboard)，來構建一個可以讓肢語障者作連續指語輸入的系統。
我們的實驗結果顯示：本數據手套的幾何模型的正確性已得到實驗結果的驗證，因為透過改變LED的電流我們可改變本數據手套的飽和範圍與使用範圍，以適應病患的狀態。在靜態指語識別部分，對特定的使用者，我們的系統的指語辨識正確率可達100%。最後在連續指語辨識部份，我們的系統已能正常執行一般的溝通，可作為一自然、可用的工具。
本論文的貢獻如下：首先，我們針對肢語障者開發出一個低成本的數據手套，該手套重複性高、適應性強、靈敏度高，且機構簡單、經濟堅固、維修容易、足可滿足病患的實際需要。其次，我們已成功為重症患者做出靜態指語的辨識工具，讓患者可以使用預先定義的個別指語，將自己的意念表現出來。本系統對弱勢團體在生活品質的改善方面助益甚大。最後，我們已成功為肢語障者開發出智慧型的通用溝通系統，可提供舒適的環境供肢語障者作連續指語的輸入，除可進行一般的溝通外，在數位環境下更可過著與一般人無差異的生活，因此本系統對於弱勢團體生活與生命價值的發展具重大意義。

Sign language usually requires large-scale movements to form a gesture, such as 3D maneuverings of two hands, palms and sometimes even arms, and thus more often than not presents varying degrees of difficulty among disabled people. In contrast, finger language is represented by small-scale hand gestures accessible by a mere change of the bending manner of a patient’s fingers. This thesis aims to develop an intelligent communication system to help the handicapped aphasiacs, who can only perform tiny finger movements, so that they can properly interact with the outside world. To develop such a communication system, we need to deal with both input hardware and recognition software.
For hardware, we have developed a new data glove which allows the light from light-emitting diodes (LED) to reach photo-detectors (PD) on line of sight. This new data glove possesses merits of better sensitivity, repeatability, and adjustability (or programmability).
For software, we have integrated fuzzy set theory and neural network to create two hybrid models for performing finger language recognition. The first model intended to support the basic communication requirement of seriously disabled patients by recognizing static finger gestures. The second model was used as a general communication system for handicapped aphasiacs to conduct continuous finger language input.
Our experiments show that the correctness of the geometric model of the data glove is verified by the experimental outcomes; thus, by adjusting the LED current, we can control the signal range of the data glove to adapt to a specific user. As for static finger language recognition, the user-dependent easily-adjusted static finger language recognition system has achieved 100% correctness for given specific users under unbiased field experiments. Finally, for continuous finger language recognition, our system can work well to perform basic communication tasks. That is, it can serve as a viable tool for natural and affordable communication for handicapped aphasiacs.
The contributions of the work can be summarized below. First, we have developed a programmable data glove aimed to assist the handicapped aphasiacs whose fingers can barely perform even very limited movements, such as bending. The data glove is sensitive, repeatable, and adjustable. In addition, it is mechanically simple, low-cost, and robust and thus can meet practical needs. Second, we have successfully developed a static finger language recognition tool for seriously disabled patients. The disabled can use the system to perform predefined finger gestures to express their intentions and resume their basic communication ability with other people. This is a great help for them to improve the quality of life. Finally, we have successfully developed an intelligent system for general communication of the handicapped aphasiacs. The system provides a suitable environment for them to perform continuous finger language input. Aside from working as a daily communication tool, it can support more advanced applications in the digital world. This can play a very significant role in further improving the life quality as well as the career development of the handicapped aphasiacs.

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