HeadMouse 2.5
Grupo de Robotica - Universitat de Lleida
"Mouse absolut movement control by means of a webcam and the head's movements"
Free software , designed specifically for people with mobility impairments.

Download    Requirements    Webcam    Windows XP / Vista    Configure Windows    Manual

1. Objective Inicio
1.1. Move the mouse with the head's movements.

Demo de control del mouse

1.2. Provide diferent options to make the mouse's click with face's movements and/or automatically with a clock.

Click by closing the eyes Click by opening the mouth Autoclick by the clock
Eyes Mouth Autoclick




2. Requirements Inicio
  • Windows 98, XP, Vista.
  • A Webcam.
  • HeadMouse 2.5 program (free).
  • Minimal requirements. Pentium IV 2GHz. Core 2 Duo. Processor > Atom.


3. Webcam Inicio
3.1. A webcam that supports 640x480 resolution is needed.

    3.1.1. Recommended webcams:(located up the monitor):
Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000 Microsoft Live VX-6000
Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000 Microsoft Live VX-6000

    3.1.2. Recommended webcams (located up the monitor):
Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000 Microsoft Live VX-6000 Creative Live Ultra
Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000
(XP y Vista) 		Microsoft Live VX-6000
(XP y Vista) 		Creative Live Ultra
(XP)
    3.1.3. Webcams not recommended: low cost 1.3MPix webcams
3.2. Locate the webcam up the monitor with the user's head centered.
    3.2.1. Webcam capture example with a webcam located up the monitor.
WRONG:User located at the corner OK:User centered at a properly distance WRONG:User located too far from the monitor
    3.2.2. Webcam capture examples with a webcam located in front of the user.
WRONG:User located too far from the camera OK:User centered at a properly distance WRONG:User image too inclined
3.3. Webcam configuration (manual procedure that must be done by the user).
    3.3.1. At webcam properties menu, you must corroborate that the blinking control belongs to your country mains frecuency (generally 50Hz in Europe and 60Hz in North America).
    3.3.2. Select the automatic profit control and the webcam automatic white balance.
    3.3.3. In general, it's not necessary reverse the image. If the horizontal head movement doesn't fit in with the horitzontal mouse movement, you could invert the image by means of webcam drivers or HeadMouse configuration menu.


4. Install / Uninstall Windows XP Inicio
A. Install

    4.A.1. Accept the Freeware licence of use. The use of the application is free for non-commercial use (Licence).
    4.A.3. Execute the install file HeadMouse25Installer.exe and follow the installation steps. Probably the firewall will give a warning when the application attempt to access at the register. You should allow this access to led the aplication works propertly.
    4.A.4. The instalation program creates a directory named HeadMouse that contains:
      • HeadMouse: the aplication.
      • Uninstall: Uninstall program.
      • CamaraControl: Allows a quickly access to the camera properties.
      • Manual (html): Link to the program's web page and user's manual.
B. Uninstall
    There are two ways to uninstall HeadMouse 2.5:

    • Alternative 1:
        1. Push the Start button.
        2. Select the folder of HeadMouse 2.5 and push "Uninstall".
        3. Follow the assistant instructions to uninstall it.

    • Alternative 2:
        1. Push the Start button.
        2. Push the Control Panel icon.
        3. Push the Add or remove programs icon.
        4. Find and select HeadMouse 2.5.
        5. Push Change or remove button.
        6. Follow the assistant instruccions to uninstall.


5. Install / Uninstall Windows Vista Inicio
A. Install

    5.A.1. Accept the Freeware licence of use. The use of the application is free for non-commercial use (Licence).
    5.A.3. Execute the install file HeadMouse25Installer.exe and follow the installation steps. Windows Vista will warn you that "An unknown program tries to access to this pc". Then push "Allow. I trust this program. I known its source or I have been working with it before".
    5.A.4. The instalation program creates a directory named HeadMouse that contains:

      • HeadMouse 2.5: the aplication.
      • Uninstall: Uninstall program.
      • CamaraControl: Allows you to attempt quickly to the camera properties.
      • Manual (html): Link to the program's web page and user's manual.
B. Uninstall
    There are two ways to uninstall HeadMouse 2.5:

    • Alternative 1:
        1. Push the Start button.
        2. Select the folder of HeadMouse 2.5 and push "Uninstall".
        3. You will be notified with a warning message that "An unknown program attempt to access to this pc". Then push "Allow. I trust this program. I know its source or I have been working with it before".
        4. Follow the assistant instruccions to uninstall.

    • Alternative 2:
        1. Push the Start button.
        2. Go to PC.
        3. Push Uninstall or change this program.
        4. Find and select HeadMouse 2.5.
        5. Push Uninstall or change button.
        6. Follow the assistant instruccions to uninstall.


6. Optimum Windows configuration Inicio
A. Windows XP
    6.A.1. It's recommended to enable the following option "Only one click to open an element (select to point at)" To enable it:

      6.A.1.1. Push the Start button.
      6.A.1.2. Push the Control Panel button. Next select "Classic view".
      6.A.1.3. Push the Folder options icon.
      6.A.1.4. In the "general" flap, select "Only one click to open an element (select to point at)".
      6.A.1.5. Push the Apply button.
      6.A.1.6. Push the Accept button.

    6.A.2. It's very recommended to increase the size of the folders and icons. To enable this option follow the steps:

      6.A.2.1. Push the right mouse button when you are at the Descktop, select Properties from de list.
      6.A.2.2. In the Appearance flap push the Efects button.
      6.A.2.3. Mark Use big icons options from the emerged window.
      6.A.2.4. Push the Apply button.
      6.A.2.5. Push the Accept button.
B. Windows Vista

    6.B.1. It's also recommended enable the following option "Only one click to open an element (select to point at)". To enable it:

      6.B.1.1. Push the Start button.
      6.B.1.2. Push the Control Panel button. Next select "Classic view".
      6.B.1.3. Push the Folder options icon.
      6.B.1.4. In the "general" flap, select "Only one click to open an element (select to point at)".
      6.B.1.5. Push the Apply button.
      6.B.1.6. Push the Accept button.


7. HeadMouse 2.5 user manual Inicio
7.1. Inicial user detection.
    In this initial step no mobile objects or people are allowed behind the user.
    Example Image inicial tracking
    		Turn your head soft horizontally (small turns) and quickly until appears a face drawing in the middle of the monitor.
    Localized head (green square)
    		The white face means user detected. Then, close the eyes several times for initial location. If the selection is not correct, repite the procedure.
      Once the calibration has been finished, it will appear a square in the right-down corner of the monitor showing the user's image with a cross between the eyes. Now the program is running.
7.2. Mouse movement.
    Turn your head to move the pointer in the screen.
Example Image, mouse control

7.3. Making a click / sweep out.
    The sweep out methods are equals as the click ones (eyes, mouth and clock). They can be disabled or be more than one enabled simultaneously but they can't coincide with the click methods. To sweep out an object you have to click it and move it to the desired place, to release it you have to make anothe click, both of them with the sweep out method option.

    • Method 1 (default sweep out)
Closing and opening eyes movement Close the eyes (longer than an involuntary blinking).
    • Method 2 (default click)
Opening and closing the mouth Open the mouth.
    • Method 3
Autoclick Keep the mouse stopped for 1.5 seconds.
7.4. Options menu.
    To open the menu.
Move the pointer over HeadMouse The menu appears Select the desired option.
Place the pointer over HeadMouse. The new menu appears. Click in the desired option.
Configuration Opens the configuration menu.
Manual Pause Pauses HeadMouse and the pointer is controlled with the physical mouse.
Exit Program Exit
To hide the window of HeadMouse Hides the window of HeadMouse 10 seconds.
Start again. Reactivates HeadMouse from a pause state.
7.5. New dialog windows.
    To cancel or confirm the previous order.

Exit dialog Reset dialog Pause dialog
Exit window (confirmation) Reset window (confirmation) Pause window (confirmation)

OK Confirms the selection.
Cancel Cancels the reset (the reset forces a new initial detection of the user).
Cancel Cancels the selection.
7.6. Visual indications in the window of HeadMouse.

HeadMouse controls the pointer The user has the control of the pointer with the movements of the head. The mouse controls the pointer Manual control: The physical mouse has gained the control of the pointer.
HeadMouse MANUAL CONTROL
Pause automatic Automatic pause state: the physical mouse has gained the control of the pointer. Pause manual Manual pause state: the physical mouse has gained the control of the pointer.
PAUSE AUTOMATIC PAUSE MANUAL
7.7. Pause states.
    HeadMouse is running but the pointer is controlled by the physical mouse.
    There are two modes:
    • MODE 1. Automatic
Place the cursor in the middle of the screen. Move the head (left-right). Pause state.
Place the cursor in the center of the screen. Turn the head (left-righ) several times. Pause state (from automatic selection).
    • Restoring HeadMouse control (1):
Place the cursor in the window of HeadMouse Move the head (left-right) HeadMouse controls the cursor.
Place the cursor in the center of the screen. Turn the head from left to right several times. HeadMouse controls the cursor.
    • Restoring HeadMouse control (2):
Situar el cursor sobre la ventana de HeadMouse. Pulsar el botón de Start. HeadMouse controla el cursor.
Place the cursor in the center of the screen. Press the start button. HeadMouse controls the cursor.
    • MODE 2. Manual
Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse Press the Pause button Confirm the action. Pause state.
Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse. Press the pause button. Confirm the action. Pause state: Manual.
    • Restoring HeadMouse control
Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse Press the start button HeadMouse controls the cursor.
Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse. Press the start button. HeadMouse controls the cursor.
7.8. Restart the aplication. Forces a new initial detection.
    There are two restart methodes:
    • Automatic Reset
Keep the pointer static. Time to the restart.
Keep the pointer static during 10 seconds. PopUp window with the remaining time until restart.
      • Manual Reset
    Place the pointer in the center of the screen. Move the head (up-down). Time remaining for the restart.
    Move the pointer to the center of the screen. Move the head (up and down). An informative window shows the remaining time until restart.
    7.9. Problemas detecting the user.
      The initial detection of the head is very important. If it is not correct use some method to repeat this detection.
    7.10. Configuration menu.
      To open configuration menu.
    Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse Press the configuration button. Configuration menu.
    Move the cursor over the window of HeadMouse. Press the configuration button of the menu. The configuration window appears in the center of the screen.
      Move the cursor and click.
    Configuration window
    Configuration window
    Webcam Allows to mirror the webcam image (needed if you move your head to the left and the mouse goes to the right and vice versa.)
    Speed Selects the incial speed of the pointer.
    Sensitivity Selects the sensitivity of the pointer.
    Click Selects the click method.
    sweep out Selection the sweep out method.
    botones: OK CANCEL EXIT OK: Accept the changes and return.
    CANCEL: Discard changes and return.
    EXIT: Close HeadMouse.
    7.11. Closing HeadMouse.
      There are two alternatives:
      • With the main menu
    Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse. Press the Exit button. Confirm.
    Place the cursor over the window of HeadMouse. Press the Exit button. Confirm.
        • With the configuration menu.
        Pressing Ratón click in the configuration menu.



      Technical sponsors
      Indra Universitat de Lleida Fundación Adecco