Wireless Need Sharing and Home Appliance Control for Quadriplegic Patients Using Head Motion Detection Via 3-Axis Accelerometer

Abstract

Patients who are quadriplegic are immobile in all four limbs. Quadriplegic patients with low voices struggle to communicate their needs to family members or caregivers, requiring assistance to use household items like fans and lights. This paper presents an electronic system designed to enhance the quality of life of quadriplegic patients by enabling them to share needs, manage household items, and monitor their health. The quadriplegic patient can move their head. In the proposed system, an accelerometer sensor placed on the patient’s forehead to record head movement, which is processed to detect and share needs or operate home appliances. The system consists of two units: one in the patient’s bed and another in a common place at home. Both communicate through Bluetooth. By moving head in the right direction, patients can share needs like water, rice, snacks, sickness or washroom. The common unit notifies caregivers through a matrix display and makes sounds with a buzzer. Patients can also control specific household appliances through left-head movements. The system also features a pulse oximeter sensor for monitoring heart rate and oxygen saturation. A prototype of the system has been developed and tested, and it is functioning smoothly. This system will free the quadriplegic patients from dependence on others and make their lives easier.