Tapio Switch Interface

Tapio is a direct connect, lightning fast, dual switch interface that directly interfaces up to two adaptive switches to an Apple iOS Device or computer.

ITEM#	PRODUCT NAME	AVAILABILITY	PRICE	QTY/ACTIONS
1005299	Tapio Switch Interface w/ iOS Lightning Connector	In Stock		Quantity
1041756	Tapio Switch Interface w/ USB-C Connector	Ships Soon		Quantity

Product Description

Tapio is a compact adaptive switch interface. It is a native USB device that can be connected to an Apple iOS device. It accepts industry standard 3.5 mm stereo or mono plugs and directly interfaces up to two adaptive switches to an Apple iOS Device or computer. Tapio is powered from the device and does not require external power. Tapio uses standard USB Human Interface Device (HID) drivers and works with iOS Devices, Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers, and many Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices.

With Tapio and an adaptive switch, a single switch user can have complete access to an iPad, an iPhone or an iPod touch, using Apple's Switch Control. A single switch scanner really can move the highlight to an app on the home screen, launch it, and scan to controls within the app. All that's left is to plug an appropriate adaptive switch into Tapio, and attach it to an iOS Device using an Apple dock adapter.

The beauty of a robust direct connection is there are no wireless worries with Bluetooth pairing, drop-outs, and sluggish connections. Forget about charging batteries too, Tapio sips power directly from the iPad.

Tapio is a native USB switch interface that can be connected to an Apple iOS Device using an Apple USB adapter. It accepts industry standard 3.5 mm stereo or mono plugs, and directly interfaces up to two adaptive switches to an Apple iOS Device or computer. In addition to Apple iOS Devices, Tapio is a perfect interface for Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers, and many Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices.

Features:

Lightning fast and low latency
Very low power
Host powered — no Batteries to charge or replace
Reliable direct connection — no Bluetooth pairing issues, drop-outs, or sluggish Connections
Multi-Platform — works with Apple iOS devices, and Mac, Windows and Linux computers
Accepts up to two adaptive switches with 1/8” (3.5mm) plug
Apple switch control events (iOS7 and newer)
RJ Cooper switch events
High performance scan modes

Note about Compatibility
Apple iOS Devices have worked with direct connect USB keyboards since the early days of iPhone. However, Apple only officially supports Bluetooth keyboards. For this reason whenever you plug a USB keyboard into an iOS Device, or turn on an iOS Device with USB keyboard connected you will receive a notification or message telling you that it is not supported.

Since Tapio presents itself as a USB keyboard, you will see this message. Simply tap OK directly or scan to and "tap" OK to dismiss the dialog box.

Specifications

Brand	Origin
Manufacturer Name	Origin Instruments
Assembly Required	No

Reviews

Write Your Own Review

Only registered users can write reviews. Please Sign in or create an account

Faq

Faq	How do I plug Tapio into an Apple iOS Device? Tapio is a native USB device. To connect to an iOS Device use a Camera Interface Adapter from Apple, or a third party supplier. Adapters are available for the legacy, 30-pin dock and the new Lightning connector. Will Tapio work with my iPhone? iPad? iPod Touch? Yes, Tapio works with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Does Tapio require iOS Switch Control? No, Tapio will work with legacy apps that use specific keyboard characters such as those popularized by RJ Cooper and Ablenet. Refer to your app documentation and the Tapio manual to see if Tapio supports the characters required by your app. What version of the operating system has Switch Control? Apple introduced Switch Control in iOS7. Can I use Tapio on an iPad and a Macintosh computer? Yes, Tapio is a native USB switch interface that with an Apple Adapter can be plugged into iOS Devices (iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch). When using it with a computer, remove the Apple Adapter and plug Tapio directly into one of the computer's USB ports. Can I use Tapio on a Windows or Linux computer? Yes, just plug Tapio into an available USB port. Can I use Tapio on an Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Device? Yes, as long as it has a USB port. However, most AAC Devices have a built-in switch interface that may meet your needs. What does it mean if I get a message when plugging Tapio into an iOS Device? iOS devices work with USB keyboards, but third party support is unofficial. If you see a message claiming Tapio is not supported tap OK, and dismiss the message. If you are using iOS Switch Control you may use your Tapio to scan to and tap OK to dismiss this message. How do I connect two adaptive switches? Switch combinations such as Sip/Puff or Left/Right can directly connect using a single stereo cable. For connecting two switches with independent cables and connectors, use a dual-mono-to-stereo adapter like the one packaged in the Swifty Cable Kit. Tapio can emulate a keyboard, mouse and joystick. Which mode should I use? When using an Apple iOS Device with Switch Control, we recommend using the Tapio-1 (Default) keyboard Mode. When using a computer, we recommend Joystick Mode. However, you must set Tapio for the events your application is expecting. For example, if the iOS app is looking for RJ Cooper events, then set Tapio for RJ Mode. If a computer application is looking for mouse buttons then use Tapio's Mouse Mode. Will Tapio wakeup my computer or iOS device? Tapio can wake a host that supports USB remote wakeup. Tapio will wake most computers, but not iOS devices. Why does the LED come on when plugging Tapio into a computer or iOS Device? When first plugged in, the host goes through a process called USB enumeration; which means the host is trying to determine what has been plugged into its USB port. In the case of Tapio, the host is determining that it has been configured (using Tapio's mode switch) to emulate a mouse, joystick, or keyboard. Why does the LED come on when I actuate one of my adaptive switches? This is used to help you determine if the host (computer or iOS Device) has properly enumerated Tapio and that Tapio can see the adaptive switch actuations. If you press an adaptive switch and the LED does NOT light, it means one of the following: Tapio is not properly enumerated, the host has removed power, the adaptive switch is defective, or Tapio is defective.

How do I plug Tapio into an Apple iOS Device?

Tapio is a native USB device. To connect to an iOS Device use a Camera Interface Adapter from Apple, or a third party supplier. Adapters are available for the legacy, 30-pin dock and the new Lightning connector.

Will Tapio work with my iPhone? iPad? iPod Touch?

Yes, Tapio works with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Does Tapio require iOS Switch Control?

No, Tapio will work with legacy apps that use specific keyboard characters such as those popularized by RJ Cooper and Ablenet. Refer to your app documentation and the Tapio manual to see if Tapio supports the characters required by your app.

What version of the operating system has Switch Control?

Apple introduced Switch Control in iOS7.

Can I use Tapio on an iPad and a Macintosh computer?

Yes, Tapio is a native USB switch interface that with an Apple Adapter can be plugged into iOS Devices (iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch). When using it with a computer, remove the Apple Adapter and plug Tapio directly into one of the computer's USB ports.

Can I use Tapio on a Windows or Linux computer?

Yes, just plug Tapio into an available USB port.

Can I use Tapio on an Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Device?

Yes, as long as it has a USB port. However, most AAC Devices have a built-in switch interface that may meet your needs.

What does it mean if I get a message when plugging Tapio into an iOS Device?

iOS devices work with USB keyboards, but third party support is unofficial. If you see a message claiming Tapio is not supported tap OK, and dismiss the message. If you are using iOS Switch Control you may use your Tapio to scan to and tap OK to dismiss this message.

How do I connect two adaptive switches?

Switch combinations such as Sip/Puff or Left/Right can directly connect using a single stereo cable. For connecting two switches with independent cables and connectors, use a dual-mono-to-stereo adapter like the one packaged in the Swifty Cable Kit. Tapio can emulate a keyboard, mouse and joystick.

Which mode should I use?

When using an Apple iOS Device with Switch Control, we recommend using the Tapio-1 (Default) keyboard Mode. When using a computer, we recommend Joystick Mode. However, you must set Tapio for the events your application is expecting. For example, if the iOS app is looking for RJ Cooper events, then set Tapio for RJ Mode. If a computer application is looking for mouse buttons then use Tapio's Mouse Mode.

Will Tapio wakeup my computer or iOS device?

Tapio can wake a host that supports USB remote wakeup. Tapio will wake most computers, but not iOS devices.

Why does the LED come on when plugging Tapio into a computer or iOS Device?

When first plugged in, the host goes through a process called USB enumeration; which means the host is trying to determine what has been plugged into its USB port. In the case of Tapio, the host is determining that it has been configured (using Tapio's mode switch) to emulate a mouse, joystick, or keyboard.

Why does the LED come on when I actuate one of my adaptive switches?

This is used to help you determine if the host (computer or iOS Device) has properly enumerated Tapio and that Tapio can see the adaptive switch actuations. If you press an adaptive switch and the LED does NOT light, it means one of the following: Tapio is not properly enumerated, the host has removed power, the adaptive switch is defective, or Tapio is defective.

Warnings

Choking Hazard	No
Sterile	No

Suggestions

Tapio Switch Interface

Company

Support

Helpful Links