How do I Set up my Selection Technique for Internal Headpointer with the SpringBoard?
Here is some basic information that will explain the toptions in our Selection Technique menu:
Note: Not all SpringBoards are equipped with Internal Tracker. This is an option that can be purchased in new SpringBoard 2/Plus units or can later be added as a modification.
Below you see the default settings for the Selection Technique menu. The Selection Technique option is set to Headpointing Mode using the Internal Tracker.
Acceptance Time:
Amount of time you must point to a key before the key is activated.
Horizontal and Vertical Adjustment
If you have trouble selecting keys on the edges of the keyboard, or positioning the pointer in the corners of the keyboard, making these adjustments will help. Once you are positioned and ready to use your headpointer, move your head and try to place the cursor in each corner of the screen—top right, top left, bottom right and bottom left. Move your head from left to right across the screen and from the top to the bottom of the screen. Did all the keys on the screen become highlighted?
If you had trouble reaching the right or left edges, increase the Horizontal adjustment number.
If you had trouble reaching the top or bottom edges increase the Vertical adjustment number.
If just the slightest head movement to the left or right moved you off the edges of the screen, decrease the Horizontal number.
If the slightest head movement up or down moved you off the top and bottom edges, decrease the Vertical number.
If you had trouble positioning the cursor in the corners of the screen, increase both the Horizontal and Vertical adjustment numbers.
If you make large head movements you may lose the cursor easily. Try decreasing the Horizontal and/or Vertical adjustment numbers.
If you make small head movements, try increasing the Horizontal and Vertical adjustment numbers.
Headpointing adjustments you set when you are fresh and alert may not work as well for you as the day moves on and you become tired. If this happens, you can make new vertical and horizontal adjustments.
Auto Repeat Rate:
Lets you choose how fast a key will repeat itself if you dwell on it. If you select "1.0", the key repeats itself once a second.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The default for Auto Repeat Rate is OFF. If you set it to less than 1.0 second, keys will repeate very quickly over and over making additional communication impossible until the device stops repeating.
Selection Technique:
This will be set to Headpointing when using the Internal Tracker, an external headpointing device, or a mouse.
Predictive Selection:
When Icon Prediction (in the FEEDBACK MENU) is ON along with Predictive Selection, your device highlights only those icons where messages are stored. Keys that are gray will not work at all.
Averaging:
Averaging is a way of helping you to cut down on accidental key activations caused by involuntary head movements. The number you select tells your device how far you must move out of one key location before a second key is activated. If you select an averaging number higher than "1" you are telling the headpointer signal to "lag behind" any head movements you make. Numbers between 2 and 5 are recommended. The default is 2. To avoid accidental key activations: The higher the number you select the further into a key's area you must move before the key will be become highlighted. (The higher the number, the longer it takes for a key to highlight and be accepted.
Pointer Color:
When you use Headpointing, you will see a pointer in the shape of a hand. The default color for the hand is gray. If this is hard for you to see, or if you would just like a different color, select the "Pointer Color" option. Press the arrows to see the different colors you can choose. When you see the color you want to use, press the OK key.
Highlight Keys:
Tells your device to place a red border around the key that you point to. This may help to make the selected key easier to see.
Selection Type:
Auto: your device automatically selects a location after the acceptance time has passed (dwell time).
Manual: you must activate your switch to select a location. Use this when you have an external switch plugged into the device..
Internal Tracker:
Internal Tracker option is set to ON when using the built in Tracker.
If you are using an External Tracker or Mouse, set this to OFF.
Field of View:
This allows the Tracker to adjust to the way your device is positioned—whether mounted on a wheelchair, placed flat on a surface or propped up on its table-stand.
If the communication device is positioned up and down on your mount or a table, select High. If it is lying flat, or nearly flat, select Low. For positions in between these extremes, select Medium.