The Switch Director Assessment Tool, 5 Modes

We have various types of switch director. They all allow the user to operate two (or more) different devices with the one switch. Most switch accessible devices can be controlled via the Switch Director including; environment control units, communication devices, telephones, computers, door openers, buzzers and alarms.

Modes of Operation

The Switch Director Assessment Tool has five different modes of operation, each with slight variations in software and behaviour. The most appropriate mode will depend on the types of equipment being controlled and also the abilities and desires of the client.

Mode 1 - ‘A’type
Suits control of two Scanning Devices
(such as a scanning communicator and a scanning environment control unit)

The user can stay on the same output for as long as desired. You don’t have to go through the “change Outputs” routine unless you want to.

Operation:

• Switch presses of a short duration operate the currently selected output.
• After a  longer sustained switch press the Switch Director will give a series of short beeps then change to the other output. The time delay, before the beeps, can be adjusted by the ‘Time Adjust’ screw – it is typically set to about 10 seconds.

NOTE: The main disadvantage of the ‘A’ Type is that the active output will be operated while you are holding the switch down during the “change Outputs” routine till the output changes. This unintended operation of the output may be problematic. It is often ok when the outputs are plugged into scanning devices, as one switch press should just start the scanning but not activate anything, but you may come across situations where the first press of the switch actually initiates some action. In such cases a ‘B’, ‘C’ Type or ‘D’ Type switch director may be preferable.

Mode 2 - ‘B’ Type (Output on Release)
(Suits control of two or three Non Scanning Devices – output 1 preferential)
Doors, TSPhone, Alarms, etc.

This is the quickest way to select between two devices – Could be used as a remote door selector or as a selector for wheelchair ‘Mode’ and ‘Power’ buttons.

Operation:

Hold switch down – then release:

• After 1, 2 or 3 beeps to select desired output.

The main disadvantage of all the ‘B’ Type Switch Directors is that the user must hold the switch down for an extended period to select the appropriate output – users that find this difficult should perhaps consider the ‘C’ Type Switch Director.

Mode 3 - ‘C’ Type
Suits Alarms and Door Openers –
not suitable for scanning devices
(sends only one output pulse each time an output is selected)

Similar to ‘B’ Type but suits a user who can not maintain long switch presses – Two brief presses of the switch will activate the desired output. Could be used as a remote door selector or as a selector for wheelchair ‘Mode’ and ‘Power’ buttons.

Operation:

• Press switch for ~1sec to wake up
• Release switch then Press again:
  • After 1, 2 or 3 beeps to select desired output
• Scan speed can be adjusted by "Time Adjust" screw.

Mode 4 - ‘D’ Type
Suits control of Wheelchair and a Scanning Device.
(Can change outputs without triggering an output)

The ‘D’ Type allows you to select the output without operating anything. After a switch press to ‘wake up’ the unit, it allows you to select the output you wish to use by pressing the switch again after hearing one, two or three beeps. The output stays selected for multiple switch presses then goes to sleep after an adjustable period of switch inactivity.

Eg. If the user has selected the output for their communicator, this output will stay connected while they type their conversation, then some time after they have stopped ‘clicking’, the Switch Director will time out and go to sleep - ready to wake and choose an output for their next activity.

• Brief switch press to wake up
• Release switch then Press again:
  • After 1, 2 or 3 beeps to select desired output

• Output stays selected while switch used repeatedly.
• Unit goes to sleep after period of switch inactivity
• Delay before sleep can be adjusted
  (from 7sec to 70sec) by the "Time Adjust" screw.

Mode 5 - ‘NCT’ Type – Nurse Call
With 1x ECU output & Nurse Call

The ECU can be used as if the switch were directly connected to it. Then when the user wants to call for help they simply press and don’t let go till the alarm is triggered. This simple operation ensures that little cognitive effort is needed to remember how to call for help.

• Switch presses of a short duration operate the ECU output.
• After a long press, warning beeps will be heard - then the alarm output will be activated and rapid beeps will be heard.
• The delay before alarm can be adjusted by "Time Adjust" screw.