Affordable head pointing device for computer access

Citation

(1999), "Affordable head pointing device for computer access", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926dad.007

Affordable head pointing device for computer access

Affordable head pointing device for computer access

Keywords Sensors, Transmitters

Headway is a new head pointing device from Penny + Giles Computer Products, the special needs computer access experts, that provides computer access via a small head-transmitter. Light and easy to use, Headway allows simple head movements in two axes to result in on-screen mouse emulation (see Plate 7).

Plate 7 Affordable head pointing device for computer access.

The new Headway head pointing device incorporates an innovative design to make it very easy to use. A "dead band" is provided in the central position, so that the cursor remains static on the computer screen, despite some involuntary head movement. The new Headway system is less that half the price of other products on the market.

Sensitivity is adjustable and the transmitter automatically sets and readjusts the datum position as required. It is connected to a small infrared trackerball with a mode switch that enables a third party to take control if required. The concept is both portable and simple to set up and use.

Select functions associated with mouse operations can be achieved by connecting any suitable switch to the trackerball module or by using the pause function on any appropriate software.

The trackerball can also be used as a standalone unit. If several Headway systems are in use, the frequency of each unit can be changed, to avoid cross-interference. In addition to the integral trackerball "mouse function" select buttons, the transmitter module has two external switch inputs which duplicate the mouse left and right buttons. These can be utilised for any remote switch requirement such as mouth operated switches.

The complete Headway system consists of a small head-mounted sensor, a portable infrared trackerball control module and an infrared receiver module. The system has been devised so that by use of a mode switch and the infrared trackerball an assistant can configure the system after booting up the host computer and arranging the appropriate screens. Control can then be handed over to the operator as the head sensor becomes the preferred choice of control by pressing the mode switch.

The tilt sensor measures the angle of the head and relays this to the transmitter. The transmitter works out what (if any) movement of the pointer is required and sends this information into a form the computer believes is a mouse and moves the pointer on the screen accordingly.

The units are mouse compatible, and no additional software is required. The head sensor is light and compact and is placed in a sports-type head-band for comfortable and easy use. The setting of the datum position is completely automatic and the system will reset itself should the users attitude change during use.

P+G Computer Products contact: Jack Randall, 1 Airfield Way, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3TE. Tel: +44 (0) 1202 481751; Fax: +44 (0) 1202 499279.