Head Pointing Systems

Optical Head Pointing systems are useful for students who are unable to use their hands to control the cursor on the screen or to use the keyboard. For the user to control the movement of the cursor with his head movements, he must be able to 1) watch and follow the pointer, 2) control the movement of his/her head in small increments, and 3) understand basic computer navigation.

A small interface box on top of the monitor reads and interprets the head movements as mouse movements. Using this capability with an onscreen keyboard, the system can completely replace a regular keyboard.

A student can "click" by activating a single switch or by using dwell selection software. However, a "dwell selection" is available that allows you to leave the pointer on a key for a certain period to automatically select it. Some systems offer full head/mouse movement as well as directional (joystick-like) movement of the pointer.

Examples

Head Master Plus (Prentke Romich Co. )
HeadMaster Plus is a head pointing system that provides full mouse control for students who cannot use their hands but have good head control. Moving your head moves the cursor on the screen. Activating the puff switch or other external switch makes selections. On-screen keyboards allow for word processing and other text entry. (Mac, Windows)

Head Master 2000 (Prentke Romich Co. )
HeadMaster 2000 is the smallest, lightest, most accurate mouse emulator offered by Prentke Romich Co. Move your head and the cursor moves on the screen. Use the sip-puff switch or an external switch to make right and left mouse button clicks on an onscreen keyboard such as WIVIK. (Windows)

Head Mouse (Origin Instruments Corporation)
This system includes a wireless optical sensor device that translates head movements into directly proportional movements of the computer mouse pointer. Combined with onscreen keyboards, it tracks a tiny and disposable target placed on the forehead or glasses. One version is for desktop computers, the other for laptops. (Mac, Windows)

Tracker 2000 (Madentec)
This head-pointing device sits on top of the computer. It controls the cursor on the screen by tracking a tiny 'dot' worn on the forehead. (Windows)

Magic Cursor™ (Madentec)
For people who can't click the mouse button, Magic Cursor 2000 performs all mouse button functions. The student needs to be able to point and wait: Magic Cursor automatically takes care of the rest. Instead of clicking the mouse button, simply dwell over the item you want to select. After a preset amount of time, Magic Cursor will automatically perform the click for you.

The Point (Alphalab)
This device has two parts: a small camera, placed on the top of your computer monitor or a laptop computer, and a processor unit, placed anywhere you like. It offers both dot and dot-less control.

NaturalPoint TrackIR (Natural Point)
This product provides precise cursor control through simple head movement, allowing hands to remain on the keyboard, or at the side.Natural Point also provides the TrackIR GX hands-free game controller for videogames.