Empower Computer Control provides those who use eye tracking or head tracking the ability to easily access the Windows desktop, browsers, and software applications on their device. Stay connected with family and friends, do work, or take care of personal matters right from your device.
Computer Control functions on non-dedicated devices running Empower software version 1.35 or higher.
Note: Your device must be connected to the internet to install and use Computer Control.
Connecting the Device to Wi-Fi
Go to Menu > Toolbox > System Settings > Devices & Connections. The Devices & Connections window will open to the Wi-Fi tab.
Select Choose.
Read and Accept the Non-PRC-Saltillo Software Warning to continue.
The Windows Wi-Fi Manager lists available wireless networks.
Connect to the network you want to use.
Installing Computer Control
Computer Control is available when the device is set to eye tracking or head tracking. To set the Access Method:
Select Menu > Toolbox > User Settings.
Select Access Method.
Select Change Access Method. Then select either Head Tracking & USB Input or Eye Tracking. Adjust the settings for the user.
Select Finished and Exit Toolbox.
When the access method is selected and adjusted for the user, select Menu > Desktop.
You will see a message that computer control is installing. Wait until it is installed.
You may see the Non-PRC-Saltillo Software Warning. Read and Accept the warning to continue.
When Computer Control is installed, Empower will minimize and you will see the desktop with a Computer Control toolbar.
Computer Control Toolbar
Use the Computer Control toolbar to zoom, scroll, perform mouse clicks and type on the computer.
More Button
Go back to Empower or Move the toolbar from left to right.
Zoom Button
Zoom in on an area when it is hard to select an item on the screen.
Select the area you want to zoom in on.
View the zoomed in area in the center of the screen.
Make your selection.
Scroll Button
Scroll up, down, left, or right in a browser window or application. These buttons provide two types of scrolling.
Advanced: Up, down, left, right, and multi-pane scrolling.
Simple: Up or down.
Mouse Button
The Mouse button displays what the mouse is set to do. In addition, select it to turn mouse clicks on or off. The blue bar indicates that clicks are turned on.
Click Menu
Use the Click Menu when you need a different mouse function, such as a right-click or double-click. Four types of mouse clicks and the ability to lock these functions are available.
Left: perform a left click.
Double: perform a double click.
Right: perform a right-click.
Drag: Drag and drop.
Locked: When turned on, mouse clicks will remain on until you turn them off. When turned off, any type of mouse click will only be performed once and then automatically turned off.
Keyboard
Use the Keyboard when you need to type in a text box. Selecting this button opens an Empower vocabulary keyboard for typing.
Using Zoom
If you are struggling to select an item on the screen, use the Zoom feature to make the item larger and center it.
Select Zoom. The cursor will turn into a box. Put the box on the area you want to zoom in on and click.
The zoomed in area will appear in the middle of the screen. Click on the item you want.
If you need to zoom in on a different area, select X.
If you need to turn zoom off, select Zoom.
Scrolling Options
Simple Scroll
If you are using a software application or webpage that only has a simple up/down scroll bar, use Simple Scroll to move up and down the page with ease and at a set speed.
Select Scroll, then Simple Scroll. Wide scroll areas will appear at the top and bottom of the screen.
Look at the scroll areas and the application or page will begin to scroll up or down. Look away from these areas to stop scrolling.
If you need to turn scroll off, select Scroll.
Tip: Turn your clicks off if you want to read and scroll at the same time.
Advanced Scroll
If you are using a software application or webpage that has horizontal and vertical scroll bars or multiple scrolling panes, use Advanced Scroll to scroll up, down, left, or right on the page with ease and at a set speed.
Select Scroll and then Advanced Scroll. The cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click on the pane you want to scroll.
Look at the arrows to scroll up, down, left, or right on the page.
If you need to scroll on a different area, select X.If you need to turn advanced scroll off, select Scroll.
Tip: Turn your clicks off if you want to read and scroll at the same time.
Using the Mouse Click Menu
When using head or eye tracking there are times when you will need something other than a left click. Use the Click Menu to change to right-click, double-click, or drag and drop. In addition, use the lock function to keep that type of click on until you turn it off or switch to a different type of click.
Select Click Menu and then the type of mouse click you want: Left, Double, Right, or Drag (drag and drop).
When you select the type of click, the menu will close and the mouse button will reflect your current type of mouse click.
Tip: Select Locked to keep that type of click on until you turn it off or switch to a different type of click. Unselect Locked for a single use of any type of click, such as right click, and then the click will automatically revert back to left click. For example, you can right-click on an item, then automatically left-click.
Using the Keyboard
Do the following when you need to type:
Click in a text field. Make sure the cursor is blinking in the text field.
Select Keyboard and type.
Tips:
Use Cancel to close the keyboard without making any changes.
Use Insert to place what you have typed in the selected text field.
Use Insert and Go to place what you have typed in the selected text field and then automatically send an Enter command. For example, rather than having to select a search button after your text has been inserted, you can type a search term, then select Insert and Go to automatically search for that term.
You can set what your keyboard will look like for typing using the Write with My Vocabulary in Apps setting in Empower.
Select Menu > Toolbox > Vocabulary > Keyboards & Word Prediction > Keyboard Settings.
Turn ON Write with My Vocabulary in Apps if you want to type with your symbol-based vocabulary. Turn it OFF if you prefer to use a traditional keyboard.
Creating a Shortcut
For some routine things you do on your computer, you may want to create a button in your vocabulary to automatically launch that software application or website.
Step 1: Place a shortcut for that application or website onto the desktop of your device:
Right-click an empty space on your desktop.
Select New > Shortcut.
Paste the website URL into the location box and click Next.
Type a name for your shortcut and click Finish.
You will now see the shortcut on your desktop. Double-click on it to make sure it is working.
Step 2: Return to Empower and do the following:
Select Menu > Editor.
Navigate to the button where you want to place the shortcut and then select Edit and Select the button.
Enter a Label and Symbol for the button.
Select the Navigation tab on the left.
Select Go To App.
Select Windows Application.
Use the up arrow to navigate to the desktop if you are not already there. Select your shortcut.
Select Finished and Save.
Select the button you just created. It will minimize Empower and open Computer Control to the application or website.