Shoutbox

SHOUTBOX was designed in co-operation with OneSwitch, a site dedicated to assistive technology for accessible gaming.

It is a compact, battery operated device which enables control of any game, application or device which can usually be controlled by a standard accessibility switch (a normally-open switch with a 3.5mm mono jack connection).

Any sound of sufficient volume can activate the SHOUTBOX’s output, which operates in one of three modes as selected via a slide switch on the side panel:

• MOMENTARY – The switch is “ON” for as long as the sound is present
• PULSE – The switch does a single short “press and release” each time a sound is detected and waits for the sound to stop before it will recognize a new sound
• TOGGLE – The switch is turned “ON” with a sound then “OFF” with the next sound
• SHOUTBOX requires only a sound of sufficient volume to trigger it – there is no speech recognition technology involved and it does not rely on the ability to form words, just to make sounds – alternatively tapping or blowing on the microphone will trigger it.

SHOUTBOX has a built-in miniature electret microphone and there is also a 3.5mm socket designed to accept a “standard” cheap PC condenser microphone (as would usually be connected to a PC or laptop microphone socket)

A single knob allows you to set the trigger level. The lower the level, the more sensitive SHOUTBOX is.

Three LEDs indicate

• POWER – So you don’t forget to switch it off when you are done!
• TRIGGER – When a sound is present that is over the trigger level
• OUTPUT – Whether the output is switched on or off

The output is via a 3.5mm mono jack, where tip is shorted to sleeve when the switch is activated. The switch itself is via a silent reed relay which is isolated from the SHOUTBOX electronics and battery supply and has a 10W power rating (maximum current capacity 500mA) although the device is really designed to replace a standard accessibility switch for game, application or device control.

Power is by 3 x AAA batteries (not supplied) Size is 70mm x 38mm x 62mm Weight approx 150g