
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 3, 1994                   TAG: 9404010073
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: F-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

A MOUSE FOR THE HEAD, NOT THE HANDS

For computer users who can't use the mouse, using your head might just be the solution.

HeadMouse, from Pointer Systems, consists of a reflective disk the size of half dollar that fits on your forehead. HeadMouse can be secured by a thin flexible cord or attached to a pair of glasses so as not to mess up your hair. You'll forget you're wearing the disk since it requires no batteries and is extremely lightweight.

HeadMouse is cordless. A receiver sits on top of the computer screen and attaches to the serial port. The reflector disk translates natural head motions into corresponding mouse cursor movement. Look to the left, for example, and the pointer moves left. No exaggerated head movement is required. After a small amount of practice, you'll find you can easily control the mouse without having to lift your hands from the keyboard. You can assign keys to act as mouse buttons.

HeadMouse was designed with the physically challenged in mind, but a company spokesman says most sales are to mouse-resistant computer users. It's available for Windows 3.1 at $495. A Macintosh version that hooks to the mouse ADB port should be available shortly. Systems, 802) 658-3260)

by CNB