Monday, April 13, 2009

Head-Trackers and Dwell-and-Click software

Mouse and keyboard replacement alternatives

Question: How do disabled people who don't have the use of their hands operate a computer?

There are many solutions. I will write about some solutions that I have personally used and make some recommendations.

The first main solution is voice recognition software.

The computer responds to voice commands to either control the computer or to generate text by simply speaking into a microphone. The main product in this category is the excellent Dragon Naturally Speaking 8. N.B. I have not used the latest version 10. Nevertheless version 8 is simply brilliant, reliable, accurate and easy to use. However for me it does have a few limitations. Dragon V8 works best when it is completely quiet in my house. With teenagers, TV, dog, music it is seldom quiet around here. I also didn't like using a head-set for extended periods. No matter how ergonomic, the head-set tends to get uncomfortable after a while. Plus a head-set cuts you off from your environment (family, entertainment etc.). I haven't used Dragon for months, in fact I haven't even installed it on my new laptop yet (later I will for sure).

For some users the main barrier to using voice recognition software is voice issues. Strong accents, weak voice, breath or lung issues or the inability to speak all make voice recognition software a challenge that sometimes cannot be overcome.

Personally I would definitely use Voice Recognition if I were writing a book, large essay etc.(in a quiet environment). As an experiment I decided to write this particular blog not with Dragonspeak but with the following alternative 3 tools:

1) a head-tracker
2) dwell-and-click software
3) the free on-screen keyboard found on every Microsoft Windows system under Accessories/Accessibility

The head-tracker works in noisy environments and no head-set is required so you can interact with your family, watch TV or listen to music while working on the PC. In fact my stereo is blasting my tunes at full volume right now and Dragon V8 just wouldn't work properly in this environment. Let's break down an alternative set of solutions starting with the mouse.

Mouse Functionality

A mouse performs primarily 2 major functions a) to move the cursor around the screen and b) to perform various clicks.

The cursor movement functionality is performed by head-trackers (which move the mouse cursor around the screen). I will review 3 head-tracker solutions in this article. The click button functionality is provided by dwell-and-click software which allows you to do all the mouse button functions (left, right, double left, click and drag, scroll etc.) by simply holding the cursor over a desired area on the screen for a predetermined (configurable) amount of time. I'm so used to the head-tracker/dwell-and-click functionality that I'm typing this entire article with just a Madentec TrackerPro head tracker ( www.madentec.com ) and FREE dwell-and-click software called point-n-click www.polital.com/pnc/ and the free virtual keyboard on your Windows computer. Go to Start/All programs/Accessories/Accessibility/On-screen keyboard. Here are the details.

Head-Trackers

The Madentec Trackerpro costs around $995USD. The Madentec head-tracker has been flawless for me. It works in all light conditions and even complete darkness! You just plug it into a USB jack and it works instantly. No software drivers required. It follows a small reflective dot which you can stick on your glasses, hat, visors etc. The moving dot moves the cursor. If you have good head control you would put the dot somewhere on your head (glasses, hat, visors etc.). If you have good arm movement you would put the dot somewhere on the arm. The head-tracker can be pointed anywhere, even your feet.

There are many other head-trackers. One of the most popular and affordable ($399USD) head-trackers is called Smartnav by Naturalpoint www.naturalpoint.com/smartnav/

This device was originally developed for gamers and was later adapted as an assistive device by the addition of dwell-and-click software (cost around $100USD). Like the Madentec the Smartnav also tracks a reflective dot. I have not tried this tracker but it seems to be a good one according to the testimonials on their web site.

There is also a completely free head-tracker if you already own a Web-cam. It is called a camera mouse www.cameramouse.org/index.html . It tracks a unique feature on your face such as the bridge of your nose etc. I've tried this and it works quite well. It's not as precise as the Madentec and it doesn't work in the dark or poor lighting conditions but it is well worth a try. It might just work for you.

Dwell-and-click software (Mouse button functionality)

Madentec sells a solution called Magicursor ($195USD). I have used this solution and have been very happy with it. The only downside is the cost.

I have never used the Naturalpoint Smartnav dwell and click software ($100USD) so I can't endorse it. However the numerous testimonials on their web-site are quite positive.

A 3'rd very compelling alternative is completely free! This is a dwell-and-click software called point-n-click www.polital.com/pnc/ . This software is extremely feature rich and stable. In fact I love it so much that I use it rather than the Madentec Magicursor software that I already paid for with my TrackerPro head-tracker package. I've also tried point-n-click on both Windows XP and Vista and it works on both.

What can you do with this technology?

I operate my laptop completely handsfree. In fact in over 4 years of use I haven't found anything that I cannot do, period.

With the help of a head tracker/dwell-and-click software I have implemented full unconstrained Internet surfing. I also use Skype for PC to telephone calling with the Skypeout feature www.skype.com , a must for emergencies when I'm alone. Also I can use my laptop computer as a television remote control: volume, channel up/down, guide etc. This remote also controls my entire music collection, pictures, FM radio and PVR. I use the standard Microsoft Vista Media-center hardware and software to do this. The Media center PC is connected to my flat screen TV. I use the free Webguide software www.asciiexpress.com/webguide to control my Mediacentre PC from my laptop. It essentially turns my laptop into a hands-free remote control. It is a very functional setup and quite reliable. The head-tracker and dwell-and-click software is an essential and integral part of my setup. I plan to blog more about this Mediacentre setup later.

Conclusion and recommendation

The most expensive total solution is Madentec for around $1,200USD for the tracker and clicking software package. But it is rock solid and easy to use.

The Smartnav is more reasonably priced but I haven't tried it.

The free camera mouse is not as precise and doesn't work in poor light situations. But if you combine this with the free dwell-and-click software you have a compelling total solution that costs absolutely nothing.

You can also mix and match. For instance the Madentec TrackerPro also works with the free dwell-and-click software for $995USD total solution. This is what I'm using.

I don't see why the $399USD Smartnav gamer version shouldn't work just as well with the free dwell-and-click software.

A footnote: after writing this article totally with a head-tracker I'll probably seriously consider writing the next article (due to my stiff neck) with Dragon voice recognition (in a quiet place) and then doing the revisions/corrections with the head-tracker. Overall this might have been a faster process.

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