Table of Contents:

Cursor Control on the MouthPad^

Corten gives an overview of the MouthPad^s two main operating modes.

Corten gives an overview of the MouthPad^s two main operating modes.

The MouthPad^ has two modalities for cursor control: tongue-tracking and head-tracking. In either mode, you can use the MouthPad^ like a mouse or trackpad, with the tongue-operated trackpad available for gestures such as left and right clicks, drag-and-drop, scroll, and more.

• Tongue Cursor Control: In this mode, your tongue's movements on the MouthPad^ control the cursor and activate click gestures on the device.
• Head Cursor Control + Tongue Gestures: In this mode, you can use gentle head movements to move the cursor around the screen, keeping the tongue free for clicks and other gestures.

Tongue Cursor Control

The MouthPad^ offers tongue-based cursor control via the touchpad in the center of the device. Simply move your tongue freely on the trackpad in the direction you would like the mouse to move — just like moving a finger on the trackpad of a laptop. When using tongue-tracking on the MouthPad^, note that you do not need to apply force or pressure when moving the tongue — only light contact is needed.

D-Pad control (older tongue-tracking mode):

Some operating systems support our older tongue-tracking system (known as “Discrete”), in which the trackpad functions as an 8-way directional pad instead. In this mode, position your tongue in the desired section of the touchpad to move your cursor in that direction.

A map of the MouthPad^s 8-way D-Pad in Discrete mode.

Corten demo’s tongue-tracking in our original Discrete mode, moving his finger on the touchpad.

Corten demo’s tongue-tracking in our original Discrete mode, moving his finger on the touchpad.

Head Cursor Control

Corten shows head-based motion sensing on the MouthPad^, controlling the cursor by waving the device.

Corten shows head-based motion sensing on the MouthPad^, controlling the cursor by waving the device.

The MouthPad^ supports head-tracking in any orientation — even while the user is horizontal. Simply tilt your head in the direction you want to point, and use your tongue for click gestures.

“Ratcheting” in head-tracking mode

Moving across a big screen? Use the MouthPad^s ratcheting feature to easily cover greater distances by resetting your range of motion — much like the “ratchet” mechanism of a socket wrench. To ratchet while in head-tracking mode:

1. Lightly touch the trackpad with your tongue to pause head-tracking. (Avoid applying much pressure, which may trigger a Left-Click).
2. Move your head to reset the cursor’s reference point.
3. Release the tongue to continue moving from the new position.

Trackpad controls + gestures

In both head-tracking and tongue-tracking modes, the tongue is used for gestural inputs such as clicks. Most gestures are the same in both modes, with just a few variations, noted below.

Left Click

Press your tongue against the trackpad on the roof of your mouth. With the MouthPad^ app open, you will see the blue line go up as you apply pressure. (A click will happen once the blue line crosses the green line.)

Right Click