{sidebar id=3}{sidebar id=1}Facial mouse is a piece of software that gets the human-computer interaction without the use of hands, cables, sensors or other device. The interaction is done by using a camera and software that recognizes the movement and gestures of the face.

HeadDev is a free facial mouse developed by Vodafone Spain Foundation and the Spanish Foundation for the Integration of Disabled that works with any standard webcam. HeadDev is specially designed for people with severe motor disabilities Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, etc., because the system only uses the nose or facial movements as the mouse pointer to simulate a standard mouse.

Although this software has been developed to handle desktop applications, it can also be used to play games that meet certain requirements:

- No time limit to complete the levels

- Can be controlled with mouse only

- Has no need for quick repeating of mouse clicks or very precise movements

Some examples of free games that meet these characteristics:

• Max Damage
  • No time limit per level and easy control with mouse and left click.

• Coign of Vantage
  • Has a time limit per level, but it does not require the push of a button; you can just move the cursor.

• Little Wheel
  • No time limit and easy mouse control.

• Awale
  • Although this one requires the keyboard to enter your name before playing, the game has the advantages of having no time limit and simple to control with the mouse.

HeadDev operation

The user should be in front of the monitor in a comfortable and natural position. When you start the application, the user must remain still for a few seconds for it to detect the user's face automatically. A yellow square marks your face and then the program will find the most suitable point for monitoring your movements.

The square must be focused on your nose because it is the exact middle of the face. If the point is not placed well, the user should withdraw his face from the image and repeat the process. When the software detects the track point, the cursor will be controlled by your nose.

To indicate the action you want to click, you will use the so-called "Click and hold", meaning for some time you must hover the cursor on the button of your choice to select an action to perform.

The action will be performed if you keep your mouse on that particular area of the screen for a certain amount of time. The selected action will remain marked until you select another option or disable all the buttons.

The option you use to play will always be "Click".

If you click on "Mouse" HeadDev will be deactivated. To regain control of the facial mouse, you have to remove your face from the image and start all over again. To play these games is recommended to increase the timeout on an area to click. To do this in the options increase the value of "T. Click" up to 35.

You can make the mouse movements smooth by setting the "Desp X" and "Desp Y" to nine.

How to install HeadDev

1. Download the software, currently only available for Windows, from the web:

www.integraciondiscapacidades.org

Direct link to the software:

http://www.integraciondiscapacidades.org/index.php?m=Descargas&op=descargar&did=3

2. Install the program following the very simple instructions.

3. Once installed, it can be run from a shortcut created in the Windows Start menu.

Please note that by default it also creates a shortcut in the "Startup" folder of the Windows Start menu. Whatever is in this folder is run when Windows starts up, which will be HeadDev.  You may want to delete this shortcut if you do not need HeadDev for everyday use of your computer.

Recommendation to use the browser for flash games

Most browsers have the option to extend the size of the page and all content: text, images and even flash movies. To play these games in a more comfortable environment, it is recommended that you expand the website to take over the entire screen, which makes it easier to move the cursor in the game.

The default setting is usually to hold down the Control key and press + to increase the size as big as your screen can handle.  Firefox and Google Chrome do this task better than Internet Explorer. Enjoy your new way to play video games!