Facial Electromyogram Activation as Silent Speech Method

A wide variety of alternative speech-free input methods have been developed, including speech recognition, gestural commands, and eye typing. These methods are beneficial not only for the disabled, but for situations where the hands are preoccupied. However, many of these methods are sensitive to noise, tolerate little movement, and require it to be the primary focus of the environment. Morse code offers an alternative when background noise cannot be managed. A Morse code-inspired application was developed employing electromyograms. Several muscles were explored to determine potential electrode sites that possessed good sensitivity and were robust to normal movement. The masseter jaw muscle was selected for later testing. The prototype application demonstrated that the jaw muscle can be used as a Morse "key" while being robust to normal speech.