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Basic Usage

Hand on table surface

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Hand in front of camera

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Settings dialog

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Installation instructions:

1. Download NPointer (also please read the licensing agreement).
2. Extract the contents of the zip file.
3. Launch NPointer.exe.

Hand position options:

• On table surface – suitable for users with regular webcams (the separate devices connected to a USB port). The camera should be placed on top of the computer screen (or other rather high object) and tilted to look down to the table. You have to move your hand on the table surface in the camera's field of view to control the pointer.
• In front of camera – suitable for all users, and highly recommended for users with built-in webcams (mostly found in laptops). You just have to show the open palm in front of yourself (like waving your hand) and move the hand to control the pointer. Also, disabled people may use head movements to control the computer.

Settings dialog is shown after launching the NPointer executable:

• Default settings are usually suitable for most users, so they can just click the OK button. The settings dialog can be re-opened later to fine-tune the parameters.
• Laptop users should check the "Head/frontal control" option to use NPointer with built-in cameras.
• The four sliders allow to control these settings:
  • Motion speed – how fast the pointer will move compared to the hand movement.
  • Acceleration – how fast the pointer accelerates when hand motion speed changes.
  • Menu timeout – how long the pointer should stay idle before action menu appears.
  • Movement cut-off – how fast the hand should move to ignore the movement. This setting is useful when the hand needs to be removed from camera's field of view to keep the pointer still.

An action menu is popped out on the screen when the hand stays still for a while:

• Move the action selection pointer onto the desired function button and stay still for a moment to select the action. For example, move the pointer to the "L" button and stay still to perform the left click.
• The "LD" and "Scroll" are toggle buttons – select these actions once to enable drag or scroll functionality respectively. Select the same action again to disable it.
• Use the "Off" button to disable pointer movement when you need to remove your hand from the camera's field of view or move the hand to a different position. Re-enable pointer movement by showing the hand again, keeping it still for a moment and then selecting the "Off" button again with the action selection pointer.

The NPointer documentation (NPointer.pdf) contains more information about usage and settings.

System Requirements

• 1.6 GHz or better processor;
• Microsoft Windows XP or newer operating system;
• a web camera.