Search

While headsets dedicated to mixed reality are increasingly considered to virtualize workspaces in the office, the keyboard remains mostly unchanged and nevertheless is still envisioned as an interface for common professional activities heavily demanding in text entry. However, unlike headsets, a keyboard is intrinsically limited to immobile context during its use, due to the need for physical support. In this article, we investigate a radical change in the structural shape of the keyboard, switching from the plane to a cube, allowing users to fully benefit from their whole environment by entering text in a much wider variety of contexts. We designed a cubic layout based on the QWERTY and results from two user studies to define the best holding position as well as fingers preferences and reachability to the cubic shape. Then, we conducted two subsequent user studies and one longitudinal case study to compare and evaluate typing skill transfer from the keyboard, learning curve, fingers usage, usability, and workload in various contexts. The cubic-shaped text entry device finally showed its versatility with users having similar performances while standing with a mixed-reality headset or sitting in front of a laptop, and an input speed from an expert reaching 55.1 wpm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to be used as a transformative tool in medical education - offering both interactive models and clinical simulations to enhance training. VR presents a space and cost-effective solution for remote education, combined with prospects of higher efficiency and interactivity than traditional training. This study aimed to explore the potential application and perception of VR in a focus group of medical students as an innovative tool for learning anatomy. Sixteen students underwent a structured VR lesson plan exploring concepts in anatomy. Pre- and post-surveys assessed participants' exposure to VR, previous exposure to and preparedness in anatomy training, and attitudes toward VR. Results revealed that despite limited prior exposure to VR, participants found the technology both easy to navigate and comfortable to use. Notably, over 90% of students indicated that VR would enhance their anatomy learning experience and help them learn a topic better than traditional models. Furthermore, 94% of participants agreed that this learning modality should be offered to medical students, and if given access to this technology, most would utilize it for learning anatomy and potentially for other subjects as well. This study emphasizes VR's potential to enhance medical education, particularly in anatomy instruction. VR's adaptability, user-friendly interface, and positive student perceptions highlight its viability as a supplemental tool. Future research should explore specific anatomy applications, long-term impacts on knowledge retention, and the evolving role of VR in medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present research study was to investigate possible differences in nasalance scores between different Nasometer headgears. Frequency response characteristics of microphone pairs in a Nasometer model 6200, a model 6450 and two model 6500 headsets were compared using long-term average spectra of white noise and multi-speaker babble signals. Prerecorded sound files from a male and a female speaker were used to record nasalance scores with the four Nasometer headsets and to calculate cumulative absolute differences within and between the headsets. The main outcome measures were the cumulative absolute differences between the decibel (dB) values in the frequency bins from 300 to 750 Hz for the nasal and oral channels of each microphone pair. Cumulative absolute differences between nasalance scores of repeated stimuli within and across Nasometer headsets were tabulated. Results showed that cumulative absolute differences for the frequency range 300–750 Hz were between 6.58 and 7.68 dB. Within headsets, 95.6% to 100% of measurements of all four Nasometer headsets were within 3 nasalance points, although test–retest differences of up to 6 nasalance points were found. Between headsets, 56.1% to 98.9% of measurements were within 3 nasalance points, with the single largest difference of 8 nasalance points. In conclusion, differences between repeated nasalance scores obtained with the same and different headsets were noted. Clinicians should allow a margin of error of ±6 to 8 nasalance points when interpreting scores from different Nasometer headsets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality head-mounted display (VR-HMD) is increasingly used for balance evaluation and rehabilitation. However, more studies must be conducted on virtual environments (VE) effects. This study aimed to assess the impact of an outdoor VE projected in a high-quality VR-HMD and of the VR-HMD mass on postural stability, postural control and leaning. This study involved ten healthy young men who performed five 30-s stabilometric trials. Four experimental conditions were randomly performed: eyes open (EO) or eyes closed (EC), with (VR) or without (No VR) VR-HMD. Postural stability (antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) ranges of the center of pressure (CoP), 90% confidence ellipse area), postural control (CoP velocity (global, AP and ML)) and standard deviation of the CoP mean position), and postural leaning (AP/ML CoP mean position) were assessed. The comparisons between EO VR and EO No VR were used to analyze the VE effects and comparisons between EC VR and EC No VR for the VR-HMD mass effects. Spatiotemporal parameters that characterised postural stability and postural control, except ML velocity (p > 0.05), were significantly influenced by the simulated VE with higher values in EO VR than EO No VR (p < 0.05), but not by the VR-HMD mass. The mean position of the CoP showed no significant differences between conditions. Postural stability and postural control modification due to the VE used in this study revealed that this VE could be interesting for VR-HMD rehabilitation and assessment. VR-HMD is not a factor to be considered for stabilometric analysis. • Effect of head-mounted display mass and outdoor virtual environment on balance. • Spatio-temporal parameters of the center of pressures were analysed. • The outdoor virtual environment affects postural control and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a method of capturing the electrophysiological signal of the brain. An EEG headset is a wearable device that records electrophysiological data from the brain. This paper presents the design and fabrication of a customized low-cost Electroencephalogram (EEG) headset based on the open-source OpenBCI Ultracortex Mark IV system. The electrode placement locations are modified under a 10-20 standard system. The fabricated headset is then compared to commercially available headsets based on the following parameters: affordability, accessibility, noise, signal quality, and cost. First, the data is recorded from 20 subjects who used the EEG Headset, and signals were recorded. Secondly, the participants marked the accuracy, set up time, participant comfort, and participant perceived ease of set-up on a scale of 1 to 7 (7 being excellent). Thirdly, the self-designed EEG headband is used by 5 participants for slide changing. The raw EEG signal is decomposed into a series of band signals using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Lastly, these findings have been compared to previously reported studies. We concluded that when used for slide-changing control, our self-designed EEG headband had an accuracy of 82.0 percent. We also concluded from the results that our headset performed well on the cost-effectiveness scale, had a reduced setup time of 2 ± 0.5 min (the shortest among all being compared), and demonstrated greater ease of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To expand the applications of the electroencephalogram (EEG), long-term measurement, a short installation time, and little stress on the participants are needed. In this study, we designed, fabricated, and evaluated an EEG headset with three candle-like microneedle electrodes (CMEs). The user is able to detach and reattach the electrodes, enabling long-term measurement with little stress. The design of the CMEs was experimentally determined by considering the skin-to-electrode impedance and user comfort. An EEG was successfully measured from areas with a high hair density without any preparation. The installation time was shorter than 60 s and the electrodes could be detached and reattached. The headset was designed such that the discomfort caused by its ear pads was higher than that caused by the electrodes. In 1 h experiments, the participants did not feel pain and the detachment of the CMEs was found to improve the comfort level of the participants in most cases. A successful demonstration of the long-term measurement of EEGs while watching a whole movie verified that the developed EEG headset with CMEs is applicable for EEG measurement in a variety of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, manufacturing companies are looking to improve their sustainability to respond to the market and customers' demands for sustainable products. Therefore, companies must improve their production processes to increase sustainability (economic, environmental, social, technological, efficiency, energy, performance management, manufacturing, and quality). This paper presents a case study of a manufacturing company located in Tijuana (Mexico) that produces wired and wireless communication devices. Previously, this company developed four projects to produce Universal Serial Buses (USB) and their duration should have been no more than 2 weeks; however, these lasted from 2.7 to 4.5 weeks. Moreover, different types of defects were also identified and, currently, the company is carrying out a project to develop a headset model. This research aims to demonstrate the application of reliability testing for the sustainability of products and manufacturing processes by reducing project development times and defects. The failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), design of experiments (DOE), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques are applied. The results indicated that the time between the start and completion of the headset project was 1.8 weeks, which is below the company's limit of 2 weeks and, additionally, defects were reduced significantly compared to previous projects. Based on the findings, it is concluded that applying statistical tools improves the sustainability of production processes and products. This implies that manufacturing companies can increase their sustainability indexes by reducing their processes/tasks times and the number of defective parts, increasing quality and customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The holograms in Star Wars have inspired many researchers to capture the whole human body in real-time and present it as an avatar into Virtual Reality (VR). Facial capture is important to achieve this because facial expressions are essential for social interaction. However, facial capture works well only when the face is not occluded. While a VR headset has been widely used as a display device for VR, it occludes half of the face and becomes an obstacle. This paper presents a systematic literature review on facial capture for VR. The survey aims to: review the current state-of-the-art facial capture technologies for VR; identify the types of technologies and context of the use, the methodologies, and theoretical groundings; identify research gaps in facial capture for VR; and identify solutions of facial capture for VR headsets. A realism index is defined to evaluate and compare the collected papers. The results show several technology trends in the facial capture for VR: tracking facial motion with markers, facial capture in headsets using cameras or sensors, facial performance capture, and hologram/volumetric capture. It is shown that the Modular Codec Avatar is the best facial capture method in a VR headset, whereas Metahuman has the best output effects. This paper also proposes that an open-design VR headset is an effective approach to lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

To reduce serious crashes, contemporary research leverages opportunities provided by technology. A potentially higher added value to reduce road trauma may be hidden in utilising emerging technologies, such as headset-delivered virtual reality (VR). However, there is no study to analyse the application of such VR in road safety research systematically. Using the PRISMA protocol, our study identified 39 papers presented at conferences or published in scholarly journals. In those sources, we found evidence of VR's applicability in studies involving different road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and passengers). A number of articles were concerned with providing evidence around the potential adverse effects of VR, such as simulator sickness. Other work compared VR with conventional simulators. VR was also contributing to the emerging field of autonomous vehicles. However, few studies leveraged the opportunities that VR presents to positively influence the involved road users' behaviour. Based on our findings, we identified pathways for future research.

Abstract Background The current sanitary crisis brought on by the COVID-19 recently forced a large proportion of workers to adopt telecommuting with limited time to plan transition. Given that several work-related risk factors are associated with headache and neck pain, it seems important to determine those associated with headache and neck pain in telecommuters. The main objective of this study was to identify which telecommuting and individual associated factors are related with headache and neck pain occurrence in telecommuters over a five days follow-up. The second objective was to evaluate the impact of wearing a headset on headache and neck pain intensity in telecommuters. Methods One hundred and sixty-two participants in telecommuting situation were recruited. Baseline assessment included sociodemographic data, headache and neck pain-related disability (6-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (NBQ)), headache and neck pain frequency and intensity as well as questions about the wearing of a headset (headset wearing, headset type and headset wearing hours). A prospective data collection of headache, neck pain and headset wearing was conducted using daily e-mail over a 5-day follow-up. A stepwise multivariate regression model was performed to determine associated factors of headache or neck pain occurrence during the follow-up. A t-test was conducted to assess the impact of headset wearing on headache and neck pain intensity during the follow-up. Results Regarding headache, the stepwise multivariate regression model showed that the HIT-6 score was associated with future headache occurrence in telecommuters (OR (95% CI) = 1.094 (1.042–1.148); R 2 = 0.094; p

To expand the applications of the electroencephalogram (EEG), long-term measurement, a short installation time, and little stress on the participants are needed. In this study, we designed, fabricated, and evaluated an EEG headset with three candle-like microneedle electrodes (CMEs). The user is able to detach and reattach the electrodes, enabling long-term measurement with little stress. The design of the CMEs was experimentally determined by considering the skin-to-electrode impedance and user comfort. An EEG was successfully measured from areas with a high hair density without any preparation. The installation time was shorter than 60 s and the electrodes could be detached and reattached. The headset was designed such that the discomfort caused by its ear pads was higher than that caused by the electrodes. In 1 h experiments, the participants did not feel pain and the detachment of the CMEs was found to improve the comfort level of the participants in most cases. A successful demonstration of the long-term measurement of EEGs while watching a whole movie verified that the developed EEG headset with CMEs is applicable for EEG measurement in a variety of applications.

Chronic noise exposure due to the use of a headset for listening to music can reduce hearing function. This thesis aims to determine the effect of the use of a headset to function hearing in terms of duration of use, frequency of use, and the volume when listening to music. Some people listen to music using the headset is not only for relaxation but also to increase their concentration on work. Using a headset can avoid interference, thereby increasing the concentration of the individual. It is essential to realize the influence of music and the use of a headset on the performance and safety of workers while doing their job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, manufacturing companies are looking to improve their sustainability to respond to the market and customers’ demands for sustainable products. Therefore, companies must improve their production processes to increase sustainability (economic, environmental, social, technological, efficiency, energy, performance management, manufacturing, and quality). This paper presents a case study of a manufacturing company located in Tijuana (Mexico) that produces wired and wireless communication devices. Previously, this company developed four projects to produce Universal Serial Buses (USB) and their duration should have been no more than 2 weeks; however, these lasted from 2.7 to 4.5 weeks. Moreover, different types of defects were also identified and, currently, the company is carrying out a project to develop a headset model. This research aims to demonstrate the application of reliability testing for the sustainability of products and manufacturing processes by reducing project development times and defects. The failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), design of experiments (DOE), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques are applied. The results indicated that the time between the start and completion of the headset project was 1.8 weeks, which is below the company’s limit of 2 weeks and, additionally, defects were reduced significantly compared to previous projects. Based on the findings, it is concluded that applying statistical tools improves the sustainability of production processes and products. This implies that manufacturing companies can increase their sustainability indexes by reducing their processes/tasks times and the number of defective parts, increasing quality and customer satisfaction.

Background: The current sanitary crisis brought on by the COVID-19 recently forced a large proportion of workers to adopt telecommuting with limited time to plan transition. Given that several work-related risk factors are associated with headache and neck pain, it seems important to determine those associated with headache and neck pain in telecommuters. The main objective of this study was to identify which telecommuting and individual associated factors are related with headache and neck pain occurrence in telecommuters over a five days follow-up. The second objective was to evaluate the impact of wearing a headset on headache and neck pain intensity in telecommuters. Methods: One hundred and sixty-two participants in telecommuting situation were recruited. Baseline assessment included sociodemographic data, headache and neck pain-related disability (6-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (NBQ)), headache and neck pain frequency and intensity as well as questions about the wearing of a headset (headset wearing, headset type and headset wearing hours). A prospective data collection of headache, neck pain and headset wearing was conducted using daily e-mail over a 5-day follow-up. A stepwise multivariate regression model was performed to determine associated factors of headache or neck pain occurrence during the follow-up. A t-test was conducted to assess the impact of headset wearing on headache and neck pain intensity during the follow-up. Results: Regarding headache, the stepwise multivariate regression model showed that the HIT-6 score was associated with future headache occurrence in telecommuters (OR (95% CI) = 1.094 (1.042–1.148); R2 = 0.094; p < 0.001). For neck pain, the stepwise multivariate regression showed that the NBQ score was related to future neck pain occurrence in telecommuters (OR (95% CI) = 1.182 (1.102–1.269); R2 = 0.182; p < 0.001). T-test showed no difference between participants that wore a headset and participant that did not wore a headset on mean headache (p = 0.94) and neck pain (p = 0.56) intensity during the five days follow-up. Conclusion: Although several work-related risk factors are associated with headache and neck pain in workers, telecommuting did not present the same risks. Working set-up did not have a significant impact on headache and neck pain as headache-related disability was the only associated factor of future headache episodes and neck-pain related disability was the only associated factor of future neck pain episodes. Also, wearing a headset had no impact on headache and neck pain in telecommuters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether call center dispatchers wearing headsets are subject to auditory fatigue at the end of a work shift. Material and Methods Data was gathered at times when call centers were busiest. All call operators wore a headset for up to 12 h. Acoustic environment and noise exposure under the headset were continuously recorded during the entire work shift. Variations in auditory parameters were assessed using pure-tone air-conduction audiometry and an objective test based on distortion product otoacoustic emissions – contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes (EchoScan test). Thirty-nine operators and 16 controls, all volunteers, were selected from 3 call centers (sales, assistance, and emergency) where all cognitive tasks were accomplished by phone and on computers. Results No acoustic shock was detected during the investigation. The highest normalized noise exposure (daily noise exposure level – L EX,8 h ) measured was 75.5 dBA. No significant variation in auditory performances was detected with either pure-tone air-conduction audiometry or the EchoScan test. Nevertheless, dispatchers expressed a feeling of tiredness. Conclusions For an equivalent diffuse field noise exposure, the use of a headset does not seem to worsen auditory fatigue for call center operators. The dispatcher’s fatigue was probably due to the duration of the work shift or to the tasks they performed rather than to the noise exposure under a headset. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):217–226

Objective: To determine viability of drowsiness detection, researchers study the feasibility of photoplethysmogram (PPG) data collection from the geography of the aviation headset, correlating to electrocardiogram (ECG) reference.Background: Fatigue has been a probable cause, contributing factor, or a finding in 20% of transportation incidents and accidents studied between January 2001 and December 2012. This operational hazard is particularly troublesome within aviation and airline operations.Method: PPG and ECG data were collected synchronously from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercially rated pilots during flight simulation in the window of circadian low (WOCL). Valid PPG and ECG data from 14 participants were analyzed, which yielded approximately 2 hr of data per participant for fatigue-related analysis.Results: The results of the study demonstrate clear trends toward decreased heart rate for both ECG and PPG and suggest progression of drowsiness between four separate periods (T1, T2, T3, and T4) selected during the study; however, the mean heart rate change from T1 to T4 was statistically significant.Conclusion: The results suggest that ECG and PPG data can be an important tool to observe conditions where drowsiness or fatigue may add risk to the operation. In addition, the data show high correlation between ECG and PPG data, further suggesting that a simpler PPG sensor, mounted within the geography of the aviation headset, may streamline the operationalization of important physiological data.Application: Incorporation of PPG sensors and associated signal processing methods into facilitating equipment, such as the aviation headset, may add a layer to operational safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: MRI is a popular method in modern diagnostic medicine. However, MRI equipment produces 65 to 130 kHz noise when operated, which can cause patients to feel anxious or fear enclosed spaces. To lower the level of noise, method such as earplugs and headsets have been used. Method/Statistical Analysis: In this study, the researchers tried to find out the effective sound insulation method by measuring the degree of noise heard by the patients and evaluating the difference of noise by sound insulation material. A sound meter was placed in a water phantom made outside the magnetic field of the MRI to measure the noise using four sequences (EPI, T1, T2, GRE) and compared it to the sound felt by the patient. Findings: As a result, the average noise felt by the patient was measured to be 92.5 dB at EPI, 73.1 dB at T1, 87.4 dB at T2, and finally 74.4 dB at GRE. The average noise when the earplug was worn was measured to be 84.4 dB at EPI, 66.3 dB at T1, 79.4 dB at T2, and 67.7 dB at GRE. The average noise value when the headset was worn was measured to be 78.2 dB at EPI, 61.3 dB at T1, 74.4 dB at T2, and 65.3 dB at GRE. Finally, the average noise when both earplug and headset were simultaneously worn was measured to be 77.4 dB at EPI, 60.5 dB at T1, 73.3 dB at T2, and 63.4 dB at GRE respectively. Based on the above result, the most effective sound insulation was made when both earplug and headset were worn at the same time, the next effective sound insulation method was headset wearing, and the least sound insulation method was earplug wearing. Improvements/Applications: If it is not possible to apply a fundamental management method to eliminate the causes of noise, which is difficult to practice in actual clinical practice, it is suggested that hearing protection gear should be actively used to reduce the degree of noise-exposed to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐to‐eye optical systems today place an unnecessary burden on display makers by challenging them to solve problems caused by poor optical design choices. Starting from human vision fundamentals, this paper will cover key display performance characteristics and requirements when coupled with proper optic design. This will demonstrate why display makers need to advocate for a more balanced, systemic, relationship with optical designers to define legitimate display criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new hat-type electroencephalogram (EEG) device with candle-like microneedle electrodes (CMEs), called an EEG-Hat, was designed and fabricated. CMEs are dry EEG electrodes that can measure high-quality EEG signals without skin treatment or conductive gels. One of the challenges in the measurement of high-quality EEG signals is the fixation of electrodes to the skin, i.e., the design of a good EEG headset. The CMEs were able to achieve good contact with the scalp for heads of different sizes and shapes, and the EEG-Hat has a shutter mechanism to separate the hair and ensure good contact between the CMEs and the scalp. Simultaneous measurement of EEG signals from five measurement points on the scalp was successfully conducted after a simple and brief setup process. The EEG-Hat is expected to contribute to the advancement of EEG research.

In this paper, we analysed and tested the possibilities for the use of low-cost VR (Virtual Reality) headsets, with a focus on cartographic visualization. Low-cost devices were compared and classified into three categories (low-end, mid-range and high-end). We also created a pilot virtual environment, called "Carthoreality", and conducted simple pilot user testing using this virtual environment and the three low-end headsets. Our pilot test shows a few drawbacks to these devices, including weight of the headset and penetrating light. Some problems in terms of user aspects were also identified, such as nausea while wearing headsets or disorientation after removing them, which occurred for all users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video relay interpreting (VRI) enables communication between a signed language user, remotely connected to an interpreter by videophone, and an interlocutor in spoken contact with the interpreter by telephone. Both users of the service are physically separated from each other and from the interpreter, who is in a studio. Essential technical components of the system include such items as videophones, telephones, computers, software, and a headset. This article explores how the interpreter orients towards the headset, turning it into an interactional resource. Examples of how this is done are identified in extracts from a corpus of VRI conversations between users of Swedish Sign Language (SSL) and spoken Swedish. Ethical approval and all participants' consent were obtained. Three practices were identified: pointing towards the headset, orienting towards it in other ways (positioning, gesturing, direction of gaze), and holding it. All these practices have concrete pragmatic implications for the various steps in communication, such as establishing reference, repairs, and turn allocation. Enhancing VRI interpreters' awareness of how equipment like a headset helps to organize the interaction is important, with a view to ensuring that the available technology is used to best effect for purposes of communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether call center dispatchers wearing headsets are subject to auditory fatigue at the end of a work shift.Material and Methods: Data was gathered at times when call centers were busiest. All call operators wore a headset for up to 12 h. Acoustic environment and noise exposure under the headset were continuously recorded during the entire work shift. Variations in auditory parameters were assessed using pure-tone air-conduction audiometry and an objective test based on distortion product otoacoustic emissions - contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes (EchoScan test). Thirty-nine operators and 16 controls, all volunteers, were selected from 3 call centers (sales, assistance, and emergency) where all cognitive tasks were accomplished by phone and on computers.Results: No acoustic shock was detected during the investigation. The highest normalized noise exposure (daily noise exposure level - LEX,8 h) measured was 75.5 dBA. No significant variation in auditory performances was detected with either pure-tone air-conduction audiometry or the EchoScan test. Nevertheless, dispatchers expressed a feeling of tiredness.Conclusions: For an equivalent diffuse field noise exposure, the use of a headset does not seem to worsen auditory fatigue for call center operators. The dispatcher's fatigue was probably due to the duration of the work shift or to the tasks they performed rather than to the noise exposure under a headset. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):217-226. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]