NPointer Uses Hand Arm Gestures to Control Computer

Author: Neurotechnology
Published: 2012/08/21 - Updated: 2022/02/17
Category Topic: Electronics and Software - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Free NPointer software works with a webcam and hand or arm gestures for people with disabilities head gestures can be used to scroll click double-click and other navigation functions for Windows programs. NPointer is the first end-user computer control and navigation product from Neurotechnology, which also offers SentiSight SDK for the development of object recognition, computer vision and robotics applications.

Introduction

Neurotechnology has released an entirely new gestural computer navigation product that is now available as freeware.

Main Content

NPointer software works with a simple webcam to enable computer control and navigation without a mouse or trackpad. Hand or arm gestures can be used or, for people with disabilities, head gestures can also be used to scroll, click, double-click and do most other navigation functions for Windows programs.

Neurotechnology, a provider of high-precision biometric identification, object recognition and computer vision technologies, announced the availability of NPointer, a new tool for computer control and navigation that uses simple hand gestures instead of a mouse or touch pad. The new program, which is available as a free download, requires no special hardware, just a standard webcam and the NPointer software.

• NPointer allows the user to control standard Windows programs by enabling the user to scroll, click, double-click, drag and navigate around the computer screen using hand movements.
• NPointer is based on computer vision technology that turns the webcam into a controller when it is pointed at the hand.
• Easy-to-learn gestural controls map to the natural placement of the hand and fingers palm-down on a desk or hovering just above it, and the visual interface shows semi-transparent "buttons" and controls that temporarily layer over the computer screen.
• NPointer also enables disabled people to use head movements to control the computer.

"The release of NPointer is the first step toward gesture recognition that does not require special hardware," said Vaidas Didvalis, NPointer project leader. "We expect this technology will find many new fields of application and, based on user feedback, we will continue to improve it."

NPointer works with any standard, movable webcam and a PC or laptop computer with 1.6 GHz or better processor running Windows XP or newer operating system.

NPointer is the first end-user computer control and navigation product from Neurotechnology, which also offers SentiSight SDK for the development of object recognition, computer vision and robotics applications.

The entire line of Neurotechnology SDK products for object recognition and biometric identification are available with highly competitive licensing options through Neurotechnology or from distributors worldwide.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Neurotechnology and published on 2012/08/21, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.