The SmartNAV 3 by NaturalPoint - Detailed Specification Sheet

How it Works

The movement of your head reflects IR light back to the SmartNAV, which uses this information to send instructions to your computer, moving your mouse cursor on the screen.

Naturalpoint also offers alternatives to the dot sticker, which you can read about in the accessories section (bottom of the page).

WHAT DO I WEAR?
Simply put on the SmartNAV Hat, or put a paper thin tiny reflective dot on the part of your body you'd like to control the cursor with (hats, microphone booms and glasses are the current favorites, but anywhere on your body will work).

WHERE DO I PUT THE SMARTNAV?
The SmartNAV usually sits on top of your monitor, facing you. But you can clip it to laptops or place it behind you. It can be placed anywhere as long as it can see whichever reflective accessory you have chosen to wear.

HOW MUCH DO I MOVE?
Less than an inch of head movement is more than enough to move the cursor across your entire screen. This is also adjustable in the software 'speed' settings. SmartNAV has a 30 degree Field Of View (FOV), and usually sits about 2 feet away from your head. This means you have at least a foot and a half of free 'head space' in which to move that minimal inch.

HOW DO I CLICK?
You can click with (redefinable) hotkeys on your keyboard, purchase a clicking accessory (ErgoClick or Savant Elite Footswitch), you can plug a switch into the SmartNAV device, or you can use the Dwell Clicking Software. With the Dwell Clicking software, you can click just by hovering the cursor in one spot for some small (and adjustable) amount of time.

In Technical Terms

Infrared light is emitted from the LEDs and is reflected back to the imager by a corner cube reflector (3M safety material). This reflected light is imaged by a CMOS sensor and the video signal is passed to the preprocessing electronics. The video signal is thresholded against a reference level and all passing data is sent to the USB microcontroller to send to the PC for object tracking. In order to increase the signal to noise ratio an IR filter that passes only 800nm and above is placed between the imager lens and the outside world.

The SmartNAV can image any IR source; typically this is reflective material or an active IR source such as an LED. A user may track many different objects by placing reflective dots or LEDs on the object. The Smart-Nav has a 30 degree field of view and anything being tracked must stay in that field of view.

The Software (Drivers and Controls for the Device)

At right you'll find an actual size picture of NaturalPoint's latest software (technically, the settings control panel for the driver). Key options are presented on this one main screen, though many more are available. For more information on the software's many features, please peruse section 4 of NaturalPoint's manual.

You can always download the latest version of the NaturalPoint driver online, in their support downloads section.

FEATURES OF THIS SOFTWARE/DRIVER:

Cursor Control and Clicking

• Absolute Cursor Positioning Mode for moving the cursor like a digitizer instead of a relative mouse
• Separate X and Y Scaling, for dual screen monitors or users with limited head movement in one direction
  
• Smoothing Control, for dampening unwanted head movements
  
• Key Activated, to have the cursor only move when you hold down a key
  
• Pause, to simply pause the system
  
• Hotkeys for clicking, pausing and centering the cursor

User Adjustability

• Profiles, for different users and for different programs (to fit the needs of many different users sharing the same computer)
• Pause while typing, automatically stops cursor movement while typing, just like taking your hands off a mouse
  
• Gravity, aids in cursor positioning over buttons in Windows, fully customizable
  
• Mouse Cooperative Mode, for having a regular mouse connected at the same time
  
• Camera Display Window, for user feedback on dot location (see what smartNAV sees)
  
• Inverting, for unique camera placement
  
• Precision Mode, for use with HotKeys or Switch Input, for extremely precise cursor movement.

What Do I Get in the Box?

The Shipping Box The SmartNAV is delivered in a tough clear plastic clamshell which measures 10.5" tall by 8" wide and 3" deep. Looks great on the shelf - even after you buy the product, many keep the packaging (it can also be used as a safe way to transport the device). All the items listed below are included inside this box. The SmartNAV device is actually sitting in a pop out window near the top of the box's paper insert. When the SmartNAV is taken out of the box the stand needs to be twisted around 180 degrees to sit on top of a monitor.
The SmartNAV Device The brains behind the whole operation. The SmartNAV comes fully assembled. It is important to note that the SmartNAV connects to your computer via USB cable, and NaturalPoint does not encourage the use of a USB Hub. The hardware of the SmartNAV EG and AT has been modified to allow switch inputs (i.e. switch-enabled), an added bonus over the SmartNAV Standard model.
The Software CD This CD includes the Naturalpoint software (i.e. driver) and an Adobe Acrobat .PDF version of the Manual. Their software presents a multitude of controls for fine tuning your SmartNAV experience. The hardware of each SmartNAV AT has been modified to support the Virtual Keyboard and Dwell Clicking programs, an added bonus over the EG and Standard models. We encourage you to check the NaturalPoint site regularly, as they often offer software improvements for download as new features are developed and refined.
Electronic Manual This 30 page document is included on the software CD in Adobe Acrobat's .PDF format. NaturalPoint has tried to cover most installation situations, review of the software operations, how to set up custom profiles and troubleshooting. Please read it before installing the software.
Dot Sheet of 26 Reflective Dots This clear plastic sheet includes twenty 1/3" (7.5 mm) dots and six 1/2" by 1/2" squares. These dots are made from 3M reflective material, with a reusable sticky backing. Since the paper thin dots can stick to anything, you have the option of attaching one to your glasses, hat, microphone boom or even your forehead. While 26 dots come standard with any order, we sell extra dots in groups of 52. Explore the accessories section to see the alternative accessories we offer.
Y Breakout Cable The SmartNAV EG and AT packages include a Y Breakout Cable for connecting multiple switches to your SmartNAV device. Two switches connected at the same time will provide you with full mouse emulation. The Y Breakout Cable cannot be ordered separately.
2 Rings If you'd like 2 Reflecting Rings with your AT package, for free, let us know at the time of ordering.
Monitor Mount A rigid black plastic mount to secure your SmartNAV to any surface. 1.125" wide by 1" deep by 0.25" tall. 1 Monitor Mount is included in the SmartNAV box, and you can purchase 2 at a time if you would like more.

smartNAV Accessories

ClickSwitch

One button ability switch
(2" diameter x 0.75" tall)

Our petite ClickSwitch accessory plugs into the EG and AT SmartNAV devices to provide remote clicking capability. Merely 2 inches wide with a 5 foot cord, the circular switch can be placed on any flat surface and is easy to hit. Enjoy full mouse emulation by pairing a second switch (for right clicking) with your first (for left clicking) via a Y Breakout Cable.

NOTE: A Click Switch is not included as part of this SmartNAV package. "External switch input" just refers to the capability to plug an external switch into the Smart-Nav AT.

Only available for use with EG and AT packages.

Single Action Foot Switch

This is a front hinged pedal of high quality design and a tactile textured surface. When combined with the SmartNAV EG and AT packages you have a winning combination.

This single action pedal provides more comfort and control than any other foot pedal on the market. Using SmartNAV control software this pedal can be re-programmed to perform a variety of functions including; normal left, right and middle mouse clicks, or use NaturalPoint's custom functions such as pausing the cursor, centering, or activating scrolling mode.

This single action foot switch can only be plugged into the EG and AT SmartNAV devices. A self-adhesive, hook and loop tab is provided to anchor the pedal to the floor if desired.

Dimensions: 3.5" wide x 2.5" long x 1" high
Cable: 9.6' cord

This product is available from Kinesis as the Single Action Footswitch Accessory, FS005MP.

The ErgoClick USB Palm Switch, in combination with the SmartNAV hands free mouse, allows you to have complete computer control without the need to ever lift a finger. Use your palm to click, while using the SmartNAV for cursor control - it's that simple.

The ErgoClick uses your palm to perform left, right and double mouse click actions. Slight movements of your palm in different areas will generate the clicks - no strain at all! The ErgoClick also has a unique feature which is not available in any other keyboard or traditional mouse currently on the market: an adjustable clicking force.

Get relief from the pain of repetitive strain today with the SmartNAV and ErgoClick!

Y Breakout Cable

NOTE: Only works with EG and AT models.
Not sold separately.

Dots

Each sheet includes twenty 1/3 inch (7.5 mm) diameter dots and six 1/2 by 1/2 inch squares. When you order a SmartNAV system, one sheet is included in the box. When you order this accessory separately, two sheets are included.

Extra dots are useful for attaching to other items like glasses, hats, microphone booms or even your forehead. Our dots use a cloth backing (instead of a flimsy sticker backing) so they should last 6-12 months depending on use. Heavy users may want to stock up!

You can create custom hats or headbands to use (instead of a dot) by simply cutting out the proper shape and sticking it to a headset or other objects. Wrapping the material around a small ball works well in many situations.

SmartNAV Hat

This stylish and functional flight-style hat removes the need for reflective targets. With built-in tracking surfaces on the brim and back, the SmartNAV Hat improves the ease-of-use and accuracy of your SmartNAV. Most people prefer to use this high quality hat instead of having to carry their reflective material around with them. Hats put the reflective material a couple of inches in front of your forehead, which accentuates the movements of your head.

The hat comes in black with light grey trim and tracking surfaces on both the front and the back. One size fits all, adjustable.

Monitor Mount

A rigid black plastic mount to secure your SmartNAV to any surface. (sold in pairs)

To Apply: place a Monitor Mount on your SmartNAV's metal base, remove cover from sticky area on bottom side of the mount, position SmartNAV where you want it to stay, and press down firmly on the mount. SmartNAV can be removed from the mount, and reinserted, but the mount will stay in the exact same place until removed.

1 Monitor Mount is included in the SmartNAV box, and you can purchase 2 at a time if you would like more.

Dimensions: 1.125" wide x 1" deep x 0.25" tall.

SmartNAV Voice Clicking

The SmartNAV software can now be ordered with built-in voice clicking. This is a revolutionary new feature that delivers, in one package, the best of both speech recognition and head pointing technology. Voice activated clicking allows you to issue mouse clicks and commands by speaking to your computer. Simply say ‘left click’ and a left click will be performed. This powerful feature makes the SmartNAV more intuitive to use than ever. This feature does not come with any other hands free mouse, or virtually hands free mouse package and we hope you enjoy using it!

Available Commands:

Note: These speech commands can be easily modified to be whatever word you would like to speak (i.e. 'Left Click' can be made to be just 'Left').

*Note: Voice Clicking will only work with SmartNAV3 hardware.