Origin Instruments - Sip and Puff Switch Solutions, Single and Multi-User Offerings

By Marc Hagen • November 23, 2022

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Sip and Puff Switch Solutions – Single and Multi-User Offerings

A gentle sip or puff on a tube may be easier and more suitable for some than a more traditional adaptive switch. Like a traditional switch, our sip puff switches can be used to access all manner of switch activated devices – speech generating devices, computers, tablets, mobile phones, environmental control systems, and other devices designed for switch scanning.

If you can use a drinking straw you can use their Sip/Puff Switch.

There are several things to consider for a sip and puff switch solution. First is the user interface. They provide two standard options for positioning the mouthpiece, a headset and a flexible shaft with universal clamp. However, you may wish to attach the mouth tube to some other apparatus already positioned next to the user. In that case they have extra tubing available for a custom interface. Their multi-user headset features a disposable mouthpiece and filter assembly that is easily replaced. This sanitary solution is perfect for evaluation centers and situations where multiple people will be using the same Sip/Puff Switch. Their flexible shaft interface also features twist-on and disposable, filtered mouthpieces.

Use the second generation Sip/Puff Breeze™ to access iPad, iPhone and the iPod touch with Apple’s Switch Control feature.

The second consideration is connectivity. The device that turns the sips and puffs into electrical signals (often referred to as a “switch interface”) for a computer or AAC device is available in two forms. If a simple switch closure over a standard 3.5-mm connector is desired then the passive Sip/Puff Switch is the proper choice. If a USB output is desired then Sip/Puff Breeze™ is the proper choice.

Sip/Puff Breeze™

Breeze 400

The second generation Breeze builds on the original’s comprehensive sip and puff switch, and computer interface solution by adding the capability to generate Apple iOS Switch Control events. It is a first class Sip/Puff sensor with an integrated USB computer interface. Use Breeze’s integrated DIP switch to tell it what events your application needs, plug it in, attach a pneumatic tube, and your application is ready for access.

Sip/Puff Breeze now supports iOS Switch Control. With an Apple USB Camera Adapter, Breeze can now provide complete access to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.

Attach the head mounted or gooseneck user interface to the Breeze sensor using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. Using available tubing, you can even fashion your own custom interface. The sensitive electronic pressure sensor in Breeze will sense a sip or puff and convert these events into mouse button clicks, joystick button presses, or keyboard characters, and pass these to the connected USB host device.

Mouse Button Emulation
Joystick Button Emulation
Keyboard Emulation
Apple iOS Switch Control Events
Low Latency
Low Power
Works with Standard Windows, Mac and Linux USB Human Interface Device (HID) drivers
USB Powered
High Speed USB Device
Standard Sip and puff pressure is approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
High sensitivity setting is approximately 2-inches water column with increased hysteresis
Joystick Plus mode with real time gauge pressure reported as joystick X- and Y-values (± 4 kPa)
2- by 0.8- by 0.5-inches (51- by 20- by 13-mm)
Weighs ½-ounce (14-grams)

Follow this link for more Breeze information and an explanation of Joystick Plus mode.

Sip/Puff Switch™

Dualview Switchbox 300

All user interface solutions can be attached to the separate, dual pressure switch using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. The two pressure switches have normally open contacts that close when the user sips or puffs on an attached mouthpiece. These low voltage and low current signaling switches are designed for connection to an electronic device – they are not designed to switch power loads.

Sip and puff pressure thresholds are approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
Switches carry 40-milliamps at AC/DC–30 volts or less with a resistive load, for millions of cycles
Dual pressure switch has two 3.5-mm (1/8-inch headphone) connectors. One connector provides both sip and puff events with a stereo cable
Simple slide switch can be used to change the sense of Sip and Puff signals on the stereo connector
Passive pressure switches do not require batteries or external power
Enclosure has integrated “sip” and “puff” test switches

Sip/Puff Product Offerings

The Sip/Puff solutions are sold separately and in the following bundles: