Assistive Technology - Digital Switch Timer

Digital Switch Timer
(for switch-adapted devices!)

(Click any pic for larger image)

Here's one possible setup:

Gumball Switch, plugged into Digital Switch Timer, controlling play/pause of my Switch-Adapted CD Player
(2nd switch input on right is for Next Song function for more cognitively able persons)

What is it and why is it needed?

The problem:

You have a switch (or are purchasing one from us).
You have a reinforcer (MP3 song, TV program, DVD video, CD song, or anything *electronic* playing through a device that is switch-adapted, OR you are purchasing one from us)
You want to create a cause/effect activity where your learner 'hits' their switch to start the song/program/video, it will play for a time (that you can set), and then pause for his/her next switch hit.
And you might have *tried* a "switch timer" for toys/appliances but it didn't work!

The cause of the problem:

Electronic reinforcers, that is, devices that are controlled by an *electronic* switch (versus a *mechanical push button, like on an older cassette player), or controlled by a remote, require my Digital Switch Timer to function as a cause/effect device.
If you've tried a timer, like the PowerLink from Ablenet or a "switch/latch timer" from several sources, that timer 'holds down' your button for a period of time. That is, when the learner hits his/her switch, the timer behaves so that your toy/appliance (the thing you are trying to control) thinks you are holding the switch down for the period of time that you have set.
This works fine for devices that have a mechanical (pushbutton, slide switch, etc.) activator, like a fan, toy with off/on switch, etc.
But for newer devices, like those I reference above, they are *electronically* activated. They don't have a mechanical button. The buttons in a TV remote, for example, are 'electronic' buttons. They only close a connection to a computer chip.
When the computer chip senses the press & hold of a regular timer, it doesn't do anything at all. It is looking for a press/release in order to perform the button's function.
Further, when the timing cycle is finished, say after 30 seconds, the regular timer 'releases' the hold-down.
But the computer chip sees this as completing the press/release cycle that you started 30 seconds ago.
So it simply performs the *first* activation of the button function. In other words, if the music was paused, it will *just now* begin, 30 seconds after the actual switch hit!

The Probable Solution

My Digital Switch Timer performs a press/release of the button so that the computer chip knows to perform the button function *now*.
After the number of seconds that you set, the Digital Switch Timer sends a *second* press/release to the chip, telling it to *pause*.
And now my Timer simply waits for the *learner's* next switch hit to begin its cycle again.

Please read the above several times so you fully understand it :)

iamge of digital switch timer with tv remote

Switch Poser, holding Gumball Switch, plugged into Digital Switch Timer, controlling on/off of TV.
(other switch input shown is for Next Channel function for more cognitively able persons)

image of digital switch timer with dvd player

Digital Switch Timer (off screen to right) plugged into DVD Remote's play/pause.
(other switch inputs shown are for Rewind and FF, for more cognitively able persons)

image of digital switch timer with mp3 player

Switch Poser, holding Gumball Switch, plugged into Digital Switch Timer, controlling play/pause of MP3 Player.
(other switch input shown is for Next Song function for more cognitively able persons)

So, in conclusion, you pair my Digital Switch Timer with a switch (almost any switch) and a reinforcing device, such as one above (or switch-adapted anything!). You set the time duration for your cycle, and away you go.

Because I like everything I make to be as full-featured as possible, I have also included:

Mode for Momentary Digital - In this mode, the learner presses, and *holds* his/her switch and your reinforcing device plays for that period of time. No time cycle is employed. My Timer sends a press/release at the learner's initial switch *press* and another press/release when the learner releases his/her switch.

Mode for Hold-down Timed - In this mode, my Digital Switch Timer behaves like a regular timer. That is, the learner hits his/her switch, and my Timer 'holds the attached switch-input down' for a length of time. This mode is for toys and other reinforcers that have *mechanical* buttons that have been switch-adapted.

This means you can *still* use it with any toy/device that requires the 'hold-down' function, like previous timers! It's the best of *both* worlds :)

Purchase

H-70 - Digital Switch Timer.....$99 (Note: The Timer, by itself, does not include anything below)	Order
H-74 - Switch-Adapted CD Player.....$89 (Note: if desired, this player always begins right where it left off, even if you turn it off. Perfect for audiobooks)	Order
H-46-2GB - Switch-Adapted MP3 Player Drive.....$79 (Note: if desired, this player always begins right where it left off, even if you turn it off. Perfect for audiobooks)	Order
H-35 - Switch-Adapted DVD Player.....$249	Order
H-75 - Switch-Adapted Universal TV Remote.....$79	Order