We have just completed the design of an Anti-Tremor Switch (ATS) and started to test it with a number of students at Blackfriars School.

The ATS works by preventing re-switching caused by an involuntary tremor and, for the user, allows a “single” switch click that can be used to turn something on/off or give input to a PC programme.

It works by plugging any standard switch (3.5mm) into one of the three sockets on the front of the ATS and a lead from the “Output” socket to the device.

In use, the user’s first switch press goes through the ATS and turns the connected device on or off. But, the ATS prevents any unintended switching, caused by the users tremor, until a dwell time of 2, 6, or 10 seconds has passed. Even though the user may unintentionally continue to press the switch before stopping only the first press gets through and, effectively, filters out the tremor.

My next post on this will include our experiences of using it when connected direct to a device, such as a switch adapted Dream-Toy and also as part of a PC set-up with a switch interface such as a Crick Box.

Mike