The Mouse
The Hoverstop mouse detects if your hand is on the mouse. It then monitors if you are actually using it (clicking, scrolling). If you are not using it for more than 10 seconds, it will vibrate softly to remind you to take your hand away and relax. This will give you many (micro)breaks per hour. Meanwhile you continue to work normally (thinking, reading), without being disturbed. If you need the mouse again, just pick it up to resume work.
The system helps you to relax up to 25 times an hour. On average you will have 10 minutes of 'free' breaks each hour. That is a lot of relaxation time. Most people find it not only helps them relax, but also improves concentration on the task at hand, they get less tired and feel more comfortable.
The Hoverstop mouse has a built-in sensor that detects if there is a hand close to or on the mouse. It then starts a timer-counter. Mouse action (clicking, scrolling) is monitored. If there is no mouse action for more than 10 seconds, the built-in vibration unit is triggered. The vibration will continue until you click the mouse or remove your hand. Every time you click or scroll the timer-counter is reset to zero, so during ordinary, active use of the mouse a signal is never generated. However, our research results show that there are always longer periods of inactive time, with you still holding the mouse.
The Hoverstop mouse is operating system independent. All necessary functions are performed by the mouse itself, not using processsor time from the PC or slowing it down. Just plug it into the USB port and start using it.
The Hoverstop mouse does not require a special driver or software to operate. The default driver of your operating system will allow to adjust settings like mouse speed and double-click sensitivity.
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Erwin Welbergen
The idea behind Hoverstop came to life when Erwin Welbergen, the founder and inventor of Hoverstop, started experiencing problems with RSI himself. With a background as a human motion scientist and having managed his own company for fifteen years intensive computer use was a daily activity. The problems with RSI and the threat to the continuity of his company led to the development of Hoverstop
Together with ex-colleagues of the VU University in Amsterdam the concept was developed into a functional product. In March 2002 Hoverstop applied for the patent for the mouse and other devices where passive use may lead to health problems.
The management team consists of Erwin and Richard Wolfe. Richard has extensive experience in marketing and sales in international business services.
The Benefits
Hoverstop will:
- Avoid unnecessary stress in hand, wrist, arm and shoulder
- Increase the level of comfort whilst working on the computer
- Help to relax and concentrate on the task
- Improve productivity
- Reduce the risk for injuries like RSI
...do all of the above without interrupting your work.
By using the Hoverstop ergonomic mouse system you will introduce a serie of additional micro breaks while performing your normal work procedures. The additional micro-breaks can add over 10 minutes of rest per hour to your hand and arm.
You will experience these micro-breaks as comfortable, reducing the amount of tension in your body and allowing your mind to focus on the task at hand. The short relaxations will help delay the onset of fatigue and will help you feel better throughout the day.
The reaction to the vibration, taking your hand away from the mouse, will soon become second nature. Because of this you will not mind using this mouse, it will not be annoying to you, simply because you will not even notice you are using it. And perhaps equally important, the gentle vibration and your response will not be heard or noticed by your colleagues, allowing them to also concentrate on their task.
More about RSI
The term Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is not, in itself, a medical diagnosis. It is used to describe a number of named musculoskeletal conditions (such as Tenosynovitis, Cramp of the Hand, Tendinitis, etc.) as well as 'diffuse RSI' which is more difficult to define but which recent research attributes to nerve damage. These are almost always occupational in origin. 'Repetitive Strain Injury' is a term similar to that of 'sports injury' in that it tells more about how the injury was sustained, rather than what the injury actually is.
RSI conditions occur in both upper and lower limbs as well affecting the spine in various areas, which in turn can cause referred pain into the limbs, making diagnosis difficult. Symptoms of numbness, tingling, sharp pain, dull ache, weakness, loss of grip and restricted movement of limbs can render people incapable of carrying out the simplest of tasks, at home or at work. Lack of accurate diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment further exacerbates the condition, frequently resulting in job loss and economic deprivation.
FAQ
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