The low cost, no-hands, high precision, full function mouth operated mouse.

TetraMouse 5 Manual

IMPORTANT: Regardless of the type of mounting system you use, please be sure the user is positioned comfortably, looking straight ahead at the computer screen with the TetraMouse positioned so that the knobs are just touching the lips (or area to be used). If the user has to look away from straight ahead to view the screen, or has to move to reach the joystick knobs, he or she may very likely experience fatigue and/or muscle soreness after a period of time. As with any mouse, keyboard or other input device, overuse can lead to repetitive stress injury, therefore the user is advised to take periodic breaks.

The Articulated Arm Mounting System

If you purchased the Articulated Arm Mounting System please follow these instructions for mounting the TetraMouse.

THE ARTICULATED ARM

The Articulated Arm has a mounting stud at each end. One of these studs has a larger (3/8") female threaded hole and the other end has a smaller (1/4") female threaded hole. The TetraMouse screws into the end with the smaller (1/4") threaded hole. The other end with the larger threaded hole connects the Articulated Arm to the Super Clamp or to the Flange Mount.

There are three universal clamping joints on the Articulated Arm that allow configuration of the mount in an unlimited number of positions. The Super Clamp or Flange Mount may be positioned directly in front of the user or off to one side depending on preference and the arrangement of other objects in near proximity.

THE SUPER CLAMP MOUNT

Mount the Super Clamp to a desktop or tubular frame of bed, wheelchair, etc., using the CLAMP HANDLE to tighten and hold the clamp securely. When clamping to a desktop or other square object be sure the TRIANGULAR INSERT is snapped into place. When clamping to a tubular object such as a round bed frame remove the TRIANGULAR INSERT.

Loosen the STUD RETAINER KNOB so it isn't protruding into the STUD SOCKET, then, while pushing the STUD RELEASE PIN into the clamp, insert the end of the Articulated Arm that has the larger threaded hole (3/8"-16 thread) into the STUD SOCKET on the Super Clamp. Release the STUD RELEASE PIN and tighten the STUD RETAINER KNOB, making sure the flat side of the stud is facing the STUD RETAINER KNOB screw.

Attach the TetraMouse to the end of the Articulated Arm that has the smaller threaded hole (1/4"-20 thread).

THE FLANGE MOUNT

Flange

The Flange Mount may be attached directly to a desktop or any other flat surface, such as a wall, using three #8 flat head screws. Three #8 x 3/4" flat head phillips wood screws are supplied with the Flange Mount for mounting on wood surfaces that are at least 3/4 thick. For mounting on other surfaces, substitute the appropriate length #8 flat head wood screws if mounting on wood surfaces, or #8-32 flat head machine screws with washers and nuts if mounting to a surface using through-holes.

Use the Flange as a guide to mark the holes for the screws and drill an appropriate size pilot hole for starting the wood screws or a proper clearance hole for #8 machine screw mounting.

The larger threaded end of the Articulated Arm screws onto the Flange Mount and the TetraMouse screws onto the smaller threaded end of the Articulated Arm. The illustration on the right shows the Articulated Arm and Flange without the TetraMouse installed.

Proper positioning is important for comfortable use.

POSITIONING THE TETRAMOUSE

The TetraMouse should ideally be positioned as in this illustration. The user should be in a comfortable position looking straight ahead at the computer screen. The TetraMouse is then brought into position so that the lips are in contact with the knobs on the joysticks. It is important that the TetraMouse be brought into position without the user having to "reach" for it. If the user has to change position or strain to reach the TetraMouse he or she will be more likely to experience fatigue or muscle pain after a period of use. Prolonged usage of the TetraMouse, as with any mouse, can result in muscle pain and fatigue. The user should take periodic breaks as is recommended for all mice and keyboards.

Features and Connection

Features The four indicator lights show the various states and settings of the TetraMouse 5 while it operates in Mouse Mode or Program Mode. The 1/4"-20 male threaded stud protrudes from the center of the back of the unit to provide for mounting the TetraMouse. The left and right joysticks allow the user to move the mouse pointer, perform left clicks, right clicks, double clicks, middle button clicks, left click and hold (left drag and drop), right click and hold (right drag and drop), pointer motion speed selection, and programming of the four speed channels.

A built-in USB cable is standard with the TetraMouse. The TetraMouse connects to your computer using any available USB port or to a standard PS/2 mouse port using the optional USB to PS/2 adapter. The TetraMouse automatically detects which type of port it is connected to and operates accordingly. The TetraMouse works on any computer with any operating system that accepts a standard PS/2 or USB mouse. No additional software is required for the TetraMouse because it uses the mouse driver that is built in to your operating system. You may connect one or more other mice to the computer if desired (recommended if a helper or other person will also be using the same computer).

NOTE: If using the optional PS/2 adapter, turn off the computer before plugging the TetraMouse into the PS/2 mouse port. The computer must be allowed to start up with any PS/2 mouse already connected in order to recognize it. If using a USB port the TetraMouse may be connected with the computer already running.

Basic Functions

Right and Left Joysticks

The right joystick controls the mouse pointer position on the computer monitor.

When operating in normal Mouse Mode, pushing this joystick causes the pointer to move in one of eight directions as shown.

When operating in Program Mode the right joystick is used to select any of four factory preset configurations or for storing and recalling user configurations.

Right joystick

The left joystick allows the user to perform the equivalent of left, right and middle mouse button clicks. A double-click is done by simply pushing the joystick twice. Left click and hold or right click and hold functions for performing drag and drop, or drag and select, or window drag and/or resize operations are simply done by moving the left joystick first to the left (or right) and then pushing down. The left (or right) click is then held until a normal left (or right) click is performed to release the hold.

Note that when a right click and hold is performed, a right click must be used to release the hold. A left click is then used to operate on the context window that appears after the release.

When any click and hold operation is detected (left or right) the TetraMouse 5 flashes all four indicator lights twice to confirm to the user that the hold condition has been initiated.

In Windows, clicking the "middle" or "third" mouse button (equivalent to pushing the left joystick down on the TetraMouse) will bring up a scroll mouse cursor if the pointer is in a window or on a page having scrollbars. You can scroll vertically and/or horzontally depending on which scrollbars are present by moving the right joystick in the desired scroll direction. Click the middle button again (down push on the left joystick) to restore the normal mouse cursor and function. If you are using the TetraMouse on a Mac the middle mouse button does nothing unless you install special software. To achive the scroll function as in Windows the recommended software is a program called USB Overdrive. It is a shareware program that will present only mild "nags" after the trial period until it is paid for, but will continue to function fully forever without buying the license. It is very low-priced and allows you to do other mouse customizations if desired.

The left joystick also controls the pointer movement speed as described immediately below and is also used to enter and exit Program Mode and change the pointer movement speed settings as described later on this page.

Left joystick

Pointer Motion Speed Control

The speed of the mouse pointer movement is changed by pushing the left joystick upward. There are three different functions that can be performed by pushing the left joystick UP for varying lengths of time:

1. SHORT PUSH: A quick (less than 1/2 second) upward push changes the speed setting to the next Speed Channel to the right as indicated by the speed indicator lights. When the rightmost Channel is reached another quick upward push changes the setting to the leftmost Channel and the sequence starts over.
2. LONG PUSH: A slightly longer upward push (more than 1/2 second and less than 1 second) changes the speed setting to the next Speed Channel to the left as indicated by the speed indicator lights. When the leftmost setting is reached another long upward push changes the setting to the rightmost Channel and the sequence starts over.

3. EXTRA LONG PUSH: Holding the left joystick up for more than 1 second puts the TetraMouse 5 into "Program Mode". All four indicator lights blink three times when Program Mode is entered. In this mode, the preset speed settings may be altered by the user to customize all four of the Speed Channel settings, save and recall setting configurations, and reset all settings to the factory defaults.

Program Mode Functions

PROGRAM MODE

When Program Mode is entered there are three function choices:
Table

1. VIEW CURRENT CHANNEL SPEED SETTING AND EXIT WITHOUT CHANGES

Select the desired Speed Channel by using short or long UP pushes on the left joystick as described above. When the desired Speed Channel is selected, push the left joystick UP for more than one second (Extra Long UP Push) to enter Program Mode. All four indicators will flash three times and then display a pattern of ON and OFF indicator lights. The pattern of lights indicates the Speed Number for the current Speed Channel. To determine the Speed Number, use the chart to the right to find the light pattern for the corresponding Speed Number. To exit Program Mode without making any changes, push the left joystick DOWN immediately (without making any other moves). The indicator lights will blink three times again indicating that the TetraMouse is back in normal Mouse Mode.

2. CHANGE SPEED OF CURRENT SPEED CHANNEL

Before entering Program Mode select one of the four Speed Channels that you want to change by using short or long UP pushes on the left joystick (as described previously). When you have selected the desired Speed Channel, hold the left joystick UP for more than 1 second to enter Program Mode. All four indicators will flash three times and then the current speed setting will be indicated by a pattern of ON and OFF indicator lights. Refer to the Speed Indicator Table to determine which speed is set for the currently selected Speed Channel.

To increase the speed setting by one step (or one Speed Number), push the left joystick to the RIGHT. To decrease the speed setting by one step, push the left joystick to the LEFT. If desired, you may push RIGHT or LEFT more than once to increase or decrease the speed setting by more than one step. Note that when the fastest speed setting (Speed No. 15) is reached the next step "wraps around" to the slowest setting (Speed No. 0). Similarly, when the slowest speed setting is reached the next step "wraps around" to the fastest setting.

When the desired new Speed Number setting has been selected, push the left joystick DOWN to program the Speed Channel with the new setting. All four indicators will flash three times and the TetraMouse 5 is returned to Mouse Mode.

3. READ OR WRITE CHANNEL CONFIGURATIONS MEMORY

The TetraMouse has built-in memory that stores four different Speed Number configurations. The four Memory Locations are designated "A", "B", "C", and "D". The TetraMouse comes from the factory with the four Speed Number configurations pre-programmed according to this table:

	BLUE Channel	GREEN Channel	YELLOW Channel	RED Channel
MEMORY A	2	9	12	14
MEMORY B	3	10	13	15
MEMORY C	9	14	9	14
MEMORY D	10	10	10	10

The TetraMouse is shipped with the four Current Speed Channels programmed with the same Speed Numbers as those that are stored in Memory Location A, that is, the Speed Channels are set to these Speed Numbers:

Blue Channel = 2
Green Channel = 9
Yellow Channel = 12
Red Channel = 14

Therefore, when the TetraMouse is powered up for the first time, these are the current working speed settings for each Channel.

The default settings in the table are meant to be starting points for the user to define their own custom settings which can then be saved in place of the defaults (see details about saving configurations further in this document). Notice that the settings in Memory Location C are set as an example of a two-speed configuration. A two-speed configuration can be used if the user finds that having just two speeds is acceptable. The advantage of a two speed set up is that any speed change alternates between the two settings and it would save time to only have to do short up pushes to change speed. Notice also that Memory Location D is an example of a single speed configuration where speed channel changes have no effect and the pointer always moves at the same rate regardless of the channel selected.

READING MEMORY CONFIGURATIONS INTO THE CURRENT SPEED CHANNELS

The Current Speed Channels can be set from any of the four Memory Locations (A, B, C, D) as follows:

Enter Program Mode by holding the left joystick up for at least 1 second. All four indicator lights will flash three times. Push the right joystick in the direction that selects the desired Memory Location:

Push UP to select Memory Location A
Push RIGHT to select Memory Location B
Push DOWN to select Memory Location C
Push LEFT to select Memory Location D

The selected Memory Location configuration is loaded into the Current Speed Channels and the indicator lights display a scanning pattern and the TetraMouse restarts in Mouse Mode with the new settings and the Green Channel is selected.

WRITING (SAVING) CUSTOM SPEED CHANNEL CONFIGURATIONS INTO MEMORY

After the user gains some experience with the TetraMouse he/she may have programmed the Speed Channels with customized speed settings. Such a customized speed configuration can be saved in any of the four Memory Locations, A, B, C or D. Saved custom configurations can then be recalled by the user as desired. The user may find that doing different tasks or running different programs is easier with certain speed settings. The ability to store and recall different speed configurations makes it easy to switch configurations depending on the task at hand or the program in use.

The Current Speed Channel settings can be saved to any of the four Memory Locations (A, B, C, D) as follows:

Enter Program Mode by holding the left joystick up for at least 1 second. All four indicator lights will flash three times. Next, push the left joystick up again. All four indicator lights will flash four times. The Current Speed Channels settings can then be saved to any of the four Memory Locations by pushing the right joystick in the direction that selects the desired Memory Location:

Push UP to select Memory Location A
Push RIGHT to select Memory Location B
Push DOWN to select Memory Location C
Push LEFT to select Memory Location D

The user can set more than one Memory Location to the Current Speed Channel settings at this point, for example, push the right joystick up to save the Current Speed Channel settings to Memory Location A, then push the right joystick to the right to also save the Current Speed Channel settings to Memory Location B. Each time the right joystick is used to save the current settings all four indicator lights will flash one time. When you are done setting the desired Memory Location(s), push the left joystick down. The indicator lights display a scanning pattern and the TetraMouse restarts in Mouse Mode with the Green Channel selected.

RESTORING ALL FACTORY DEFAULT SPEED CONFIGURATIONS AND SETTINGS

All the factory default settings (Memory Locations and Current Speed Channel settings) may be reset to the settings as originally shipped with the TetraMouse as follows:

Enter Program Mode by holding the left joystick up for at least 1 second. All four indicator lights will flash three times. Next, push the left joystick up again. All four indicator lights will flash four times. Finally, push the left joystick up again. The indicator lights display a scanning pattern and the TetraMouse restarts with all the factory defaults set and running in Mouse Mode with the Green Channel selected.

More Options and Information

TYPING WITH THE TETRAMOUSE

The Click-N-Type onscreen virtual keyboard is highly recommended for use with all models of the TetraMouse. It is included on the TetraMouse CD-ROM and available for free download at the author's website at http://www.lakefolks.org/cnt/ .

Also available on the TetraMouse CD-ROM and the Click-N-Type website is the Click-N-Type Designer that allows you to design your own custom virtual keyboard layout.

The features of the Click-N-Type virtual keyboard are too numerous to list here. See all details on the website.

CUSTOM TETRAMOUSE OPTIONS

Custom options include, but are not limited to, features such as external switch connections, internal programming modifications, and customer-specific modifications.

Please feel free to contact TetraLite Products to discuss any custom options or if you have questions or comments or need help with your TetraMouse. Contact information may be found at http://tetramouse.com/contact.html