A wireless optical sensor which tracks a tiny and disposable target, is placed on the user’s forehead, cap or glasses. The user moves their head and controls the movement of the mouse cursor. When this capability is combined with on-screen keyboard software, the HeadMouse can completely replace the functions of a conventional keyboard.

Headmouse

Source: (Sensory Software)

A headmouse can be operated through the use of a reflective dot being placed on the user's forehead/glasses. When the user moves his/her head, the movement of the headmouse is recognised by an infrared receiver which in turn translates the head movements into cursor movements on screen. Mouse selections are made either using a dwell facility whereby the user pauses on the on-screen target for an agreed period, at the end of which, a selection is made, or alternatively, using an external switch (link to switches).


Examples of head tracking systems

• Tracker Pro tracks the movement of a user’s head, and converts it to mouse signals. The user wears a small reflective sticker on the forehead or glasses frame (or hat or baseball cap!). It is positioned on top the computer screen or AAC device and emits infrared signals to the reflective dot that in turn reflect the signals back to. The user’s head movement is measured and converted to mouse movement.

• Smart Nav is similar to Tracker Pro. A wireless optical sensor tracks a tiny and disposable target that is placed on the user’s forehead or glasses. The user simply moves their head to position the cursor. When this is combined with on-screen keyboard software, the functions of a conventional keyboard can be replaced. It enables hands free control of a computer.

• Dream Mouse is a new development that enables two individuals to share equal access to a PC at the same time. Plug Dream-Mouse directly into a USB port and Windows will automatically recognise it and install it on your computer. Dream-Mouse works with Windows 98, 2000, ME and XP. Dream-Mouse uses head movements (or other body movements) to give the user full control over games, e-mail, documents or access to the internet. Dream Racer Blog

• Cap-Mouse uses motion sensors activated by head movements to position a PC cursor. Cap-Mouse is based on similar technology we designed for the Dream-Racer and Dream-Gamer products. Anyone driving a Dream-Racer car or playing a game on the Sony PlayStation with Dream-Gamer will be able to use Cap-Mouse to send e-mail, access the internet, play games on a PC.

• Webcam head controlled pointer

The interface of a Webcam Head Controlled Pointer System

Webcam Head Controlled Pointers are the latest and most innovative devices available to the person unable to use the traditional mouse. The user sits in front of the Web Cam and looks at the screen. When the user moves their head the cursor follows in real time. The software automatically transforms detected movements into cursor movements or even into commands. The software includes motion detection systems that are able to detect and analyse any small movements.
Typically all the software packages have basic pointer and dwell selection controls and some include spelling gesture control (a nod of the head to the left for a mouse click, for example).

One of their big advantages is that no headgear is required. On the negative side they do require top of the range computers to run on see technical requirements below.

Technical Requirements:

• MS Windows® 2000, XP or later (Microsoft® XP Professional recommended).
• Processor Pentium® III, 600MHz or greater.
• 256 MB RAM Memory or more.
• 10 MB Hard Disk available.
• High quality USB 2.0 Camera (min. 30 frames per second).

Cost:

Software Package with WebCam included approximately €400.

Head Pointers

Head Pointers now come in quite a variety of designs. Unlike forehead protrusion pointers, an 'out from the chin' device allows closer proximity to the item being accessed and reduces the head movement needed to activate such a device. It eliminates the barrier imposed by the forehead pointers because it doesn't interrupt either the wearer's field of vision or the full view of the wearer's face.

The Ace-Centre have started to put together a list of currently known head pointer designs, in an attempt to inform the buyer of the capabilities and pitfalls of each particular product. More information . . .