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Input Device for Disabled - Sense Mouth Open

Former Member

I am interested in building an input device that will provide a computer input for my daughter Liz who has Cerebral Palsy.

Liz has a great deal of involuntary head movement but she can reliably open and close her mouth to actuate a switch.

I would like to provide her with a wireless device that senses her mouth opening and closing to provide input to a single switch scanning communication system.  Years ago I combined a chin strap, a bennie cap and a micro switch to provide that function.  I am looking for ideas!

I have searched many sites looking for devices but all require her head to be held fixed which is impossible for Liz.

Parents
  • 0

    I'm sorry for the late reply.

     

    If you have already accepted accessories (chin strap, cap), would a pair of accelerometers work? The differential signal would indicate an opening or closing of the mouth. A nod of the head would be ignored without a difference. Some filtering would be required.

     

    Both signals could be fed into a low power microcontroller and a low power radio, running from a coin battery or some small rechargeable.

     

    The reason I mention this option is to allow you a choice of avoiding a long-term (even if only used sometimes) contact with any kind of electrode. There are not many materials, particularly conductive ones, that you can leave in long term contact with the skin without some kind of adverse affect.

     

    Tim

Reply
  • 0

    I'm sorry for the late reply.

     

    If you have already accepted accessories (chin strap, cap), would a pair of accelerometers work? The differential signal would indicate an opening or closing of the mouth. A nod of the head would be ignored without a difference. Some filtering would be required.

     

    Both signals could be fed into a low power microcontroller and a low power radio, running from a coin battery or some small rechargeable.

     

    The reason I mention this option is to allow you a choice of avoiding a long-term (even if only used sometimes) contact with any kind of electrode. There are not many materials, particularly conductive ones, that you can leave in long term contact with the skin without some kind of adverse affect.

     

    Tim

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