HeadMouse Extreme User Guide
Origin Instruments Corporation
Page 16
General Use
Place a target d
ot on the user’s forehead or glasses. The
HeadMouse Extreme will immediately locate the dot and the
pointer will move with the user’s head movements. The
HeadMouse Extreme offers very precise pointer placement.
Optimally the user should be 18- to 24-inches (45- to 60-
centimeters) from the HeadMouse Extreme, but can be as far as
5-feet (1.5-meters). The greater the distance from the
HeadMouse, the more head movement is required to move the
pointer from one edge of the screen to the other. Clicking
functions can be made by using an adaptive switch, or dwell
software. Please see Dual and Multiple Switch section for details
regarding using multiple switches.
Origin Instruments offers a variety of adaptive switches, on-screen
keyboards with built-in dwell, and dwell selection software for both
Windows and Mac OS X.
Pointer Position
It is best to take a few minutes to practice pointing. Just like the
desktop mouse will at times need to be repositioned to maintain
comfort, the pointer on the screen will also need to be
repositioned periodically when using the HeadMouse Extreme.
This is often referred to as centering the pointer, or re-calibrating.
When the pointer is in the center of the user’s work area, the user
is most comfortable. The pointer will need to be re-centered as the
location of the work area changes. Keep in mind that you are not
necessarily centering the pointer in the center of the computer
screen but in the center of your work area. This is done by
“pushing” the pointer against the screen edge opposite the side of
your desired work area. It is best understood by walking through
an example.