Introduction video
about
The G-Click is a special switch that uses a minature solid state gyroscope. It offers zero-force switch operation by detecting tiny amounts of tilt, and auto compensates for any accidental position changes from the user.
It is designed to work all day without adjustments !
The gyro is housed in a small plastic capsule that is mounted actually on the user on any convenient part of the body.
Outputs
The G-Click will send a character or mouse click to a PC/tablet/phone*. This can be used by assistive technology software of your choice.
* If an Apple product must have USB-C
The G-Click also has a relay output. This allows the G-Click to be used like any other 3.5mm mechanical switch.
Limitations: As the G-Click is based on a gyroscope it is unsuitable for use whilst you are moving in a vehicle or moving in a wheelchair
Tutorial video 1
basics
Tutorial video 2
Practical use
G-Click Home: Using a G-Click | Buying
What are the Advantages of Using a Gyroscope as a Switch?
1 Auto Positioning
The first advantage is that a gyro does not need to use any fixed reference ie a regular switch on a table is really using the table as its reference point to detect a finger pressing down towards the table.
If that switch was mounted say on the ceiling the switch detects you pressing from below again towards the reference of the ceiling. This is so fundamental you would not even think about it but with the G-Click when the device is activated it takes its references not from a fixed physical ‘thing’ but from where it finds itself in free space. That position is its reference and it detects movement away from that point in space.
When the G-Click sensor is attached to the person – say the back of their hand and the user's hand is repositioned accidentally by a carer. The G-Click will sense that abnormal repositioning, it will then alarm that it is recalibrating. This takes about three seconds (after it has stopped being moved) and it is now good to go again in its newfound position.
With a conventional switch, the user's hand or switch would need to be carefully repositioned by the carer.
2 The Return to Off Challenge
A typical challenge with severely compromised movement is the ability to press a lightweight switch but the occasional inability to release that switch again and it remains pressed. This is often due to the lack of strength to overcome the natural friction or weight of the body part.
With a finger it may be the user can move from the start position A to the new position B that works the switch but cannot reliably get back to position A to turn that switch back off. With the G-Click it does not care. After activation, the off position is where the activation actually occurred. Any movement at all back from that position towards the ideal position A is ignored. As long as the next movement is in the same direction then the G-Click can continue to operate normally.
3 Spasm detection
(Rev 2 firmware)
Spasm (Dystonia) detection can be used with users that have episodes of spasmodic movements between longer periods of stable but limited movement. The G-Click with this feature enabled will disable all outputs for a few seconds indicating that a spasm has occurred by five bright white leds. After such a spasm subsides the G-Click will automatically recalibrate to its new position and then continue as normal.