Does
Using Both Hands For Input Make Sense?
When we drive,
type on a keyboard, play a musical instrument
or do many other demanding tasks, we typically
use two hands. The PyxlPoint two
handed input device lets users send
computer
mouse comands with two hands,
one hand for pointing and one hand for
clicking or scrolling. Plug the device in
and it acts as your computer mouse.
Allowing both hands
to share in the input may offer some relief
to an overworked mouse hand suffering from
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome or similar symptoms.* This
device may especially be of interest to Web
designers, graphic designers, or any users
sending a
high volume of point and click commands.
To learn further
about the Pyxlpoint, continue reading below.
Please send us
your questions or your comments about this
device idea here. |
|
Pyxlpoint input device shown
here in desktop
position with USB connector
and cords.
A wireless
version is another option.
|
The
Differences Of The Pyxlpoint
Over A Computer
Mouse |
POINTING
When you point with a typical
computer mouse, the arm, hand, wrist and/or
fingers are used. When
pointing
with
the Pyxlpoint, the stick is held with a relaxed
"pencil grip" between the thumb
and finger(s) and the cursor continues
in the direction
the
stick
is pointed
to until
it reaches the end of the screen. The device
allows pixel-precise™ pointing and yet quickly
moves the cursor across the screen. |
Side view of pointing component
shown here. The base is stationary; only the
pointing stick moves.
Pixel-precise pointing makes drawing detailed
paths easy.
|
CLICKING
AND SCROLLING
Clicking with the Pyxlpoint
is done with touch sensitive zones, requiring
little pressure to activate, as opposed
to the mechanical plastic buttons found
in a typical computer mouse. One-touch-cliks™ means
one touch equals a single command, i.e.,
single click, right
click, double click, click-drag, etc. |
Side view
of touch sensitive component shown
here.
One possible configuration
for touch sensitive zones shown here. Other
helpful
configurations could include Space Bar, Ctrl,
Alt, Command and/or Shift commands.
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Learn about
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at www.ctsplace.com.
*For proper
diagnosis of what is healthy for you
and your work habits, consult your
doctor. This information is purely
the opinions of its author and is presented
without warranty, guarantee or contract.
Use of this information is at your
own risk.
back to
top
| Read the
musings on two handed
input devices from input device expert,
Bill Buxton. |
|
PROFESSIONAL
OPINION
"I think the greatest advantage to your 'two handed' input (device) is that
the user does not have to roll the mouse / move the mouse. My research shows
most carpal tunnel syndrome is from the tightness at the front of the shoulder
- movement of the mouse activates all these muscles. Additionally, a mouse that
does not move is not as good as your device because it is one-sided and people
tend to lean to one side, or put weight on one elbow/hand in this situation -
your set up keeps everyone straight."
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| Other
Two Handed Input Devices |
3dconnexion/Logitech
Wacom
in Japan
Tactapad
ErgoClik
Additional
information
3dconnexion has
released some supportive
information on some of the
benefits of using two hands for
input. They have also released
an ergonomics
study on two handed input. |
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LINKS
Web design
by Clovis and Fresno Web Design firm Globi
Designs.
|
One
hand points, one sends commands.