Gesture Recognition - Control of a Computer with Natural Head Movements

The topic of this article is a basic research considering a humancomputer interaction. The system is still under construction, however its basis – facial features tracking and head pose estimation – is ready to use, thus it could bring a head gesture controlled system into reality. We present an approach to control applications with head movements. We construct an Active Appearance Model (AAM) for facial feature extraction. Based on the landmarks of AAM shape, the head pose is modelled in the three-dimensional space by three Euler angles of rotation around the three axes orthogonal to each other, and three orthogonal translation directions. Regarding all the above mentioned facts, we are capable of recognizing gestures like head pointing, nodding, and shaking, blinking, opening and closing mouth.