THE TECHNOLOGY
Control from your ear
One of the smallest muscles in your body gives you the power to control.
The tensor tympani (4) connects to the malleus bone behind your ear-drum (1).
When you hear a “rumbling”, or your hearing “muffles” when you yawn or tightly close your eyes, you are noticing the tensor tympani muscle moving the ear drum.
(Image: Didier Descouens/ available under CC BY-SA 3.0)
THE CONTROL
“Earclick” by tensing your ear muscle
The ear muscle (tensor tympani) can be controlled voluntarily; like most muscles in the body.
So intentionally causing your ear to “rumble” or muffle is seen by a tiny camera (the Earswitch sensor) positioned at the end of an earphone.
This movement of the eardrum causes an “Earclick” or switch — like an invisible mouse-click.
THE FUNCTION
“Earclick” to control and communicate
Earclick for hands free control of your smartphone to:
Answer a call
Read your text
Skip Tracks
Change volume
Trigger your virtual assistant
....or whatever you want...with smart audible menus
THE LOCATION
Silent and Handsfree Control
Silent control in your ear:
In lectures or meetings
On your mountain bike or skis
Whilst running
Typing
Driving
Motorbiking
Working machinery
In protective equipment
COMMUNICATION
Giving a voice to those without......the Earswitch provides an extra possibility for people with severe disabilities to communicate and control their environment; worn conveniently and comfortably in a normal earphone.
THE HEARING
Improving Hearing Aids; Control and Potential
Earswitch in hearing aids provides control of your hearing aid as well as your smartphone.
But more importantly ..... “Earclick” to amplify the voice that is speaking, and click to rapidly change to focus between voices during conversations.
And...... we’re opening the potential for tensor tympani to direct your hearing aids to focus on the side & voice your are listening to.
THE FUTURE
The last undeveloped Human Computer Interface
Earswitch can be the preferred “click to select” to work with eyetracking for control of your screen. This rapid selection making eyetracking a general human computer interface for all screen based technology.
Future developments may allow heads-up displays in visors to control complex computer interfaces for pilots/ commercial divers and astronauts.
The Earswitch is here ... the potential is waiting.