4. Standard keyboard - use and notations
6. TouchScreen - use and notation
7. TouchPad - use and notation
8. How to use this manual with the TouchScreen or TouchPad
The following describes important considerations when operating SpeakOn. It explains the interaction types available and keys' notation which are essential to the understanding of the rest of this manual.
SpeakOn is a program running under Microsoft Windows and as such appears in its own window. The SpeakOn window is plain and there are no visible widgets or menus to navigate. If you want SpeakOn to operate correctly, you need to keep the SpeakOn window in focus. This may only become a problem if you decide to switch to some other Windows programs when the SpeakOn program is running. SpeakOn will tell you when it gains and loses the Windows focus.
SpeakOn can be used with the Standard keyboard, the Numerical keypad (NumPad), TouchScreen or TouchPad.
The Standard keyboard provides all the functionality for operating SpeakOn and is recommended for new users. Other methods of interacting with SpeakOn such as the NumPad, TouchScreen and TouchPad have their advantages but the Standard keyboard is the most comprehensive form of interaction providing access to some less common operations not available with the other types of interactions. You are therefore highly recommended to make yourself familiar with operating SpeakOn with the Standard keyboard regardless of whether you are going to use the Standard keyboard as your main method of interaction with SpeakOn.
A NumPad is present on all desktop keyboards on the right hand side (but not on all laptop keyboards). Slimline NumPads are available as a separate item from many computer retailers and are relatively cheap. Such a NumPad with a USB connector or wireless is particularly suitable as the user can sit comfortably away from the computer and operate SpeakOn with one hand.
TouchScreen is supported from Windows 8 and is available with some laptops and tablets. You can perform all common operations in SpeakOn using the TouchScreen.
If you already use a device with a TouchScreen, whether based on IOS, Android or Windows, you will be aware that interaction often involves gestures such as a swipe, flick and rotate using one or more fingers. Some form of locating elements by touch on the screen such as controls, items or keys is also sometimes required. These elements are normally selected using a tap gesture with one finger or more usually double taps by default.
In contrast, in SpeakOn, all operations can be performed with a single finger using swipe and single tap gestures.
A TouchPad (sometimes called a TrackPad) is usually integrated into a laptop or sometimes with an external keyboard. Although operating SpeakOn with a TouchPad works well, operating SpeakOn using either the Standard keyboard or the NumPad is probably faster. However, operating SpeakOn with the TouchPad can still be useful especially if you might want to evaluate interacting with SpeakOn with touch before investing in a tablet or a laptop with a TouchScreen.
There is introductory information comparing these types of interactions further below followed by specific information for each type of interaction so you can concentrate on the interaction you want to use.
Keys are used in all interaction types.
The keys required to operate SpeakOn can be divided into two groups: Main keys which are keys with the same functionality regardless of where the user is in the system, and Context keys which are used by controls and menus and the function of which may differ between control types. You will come across these keys in this Tutorial where their operation is described.
Every key is given a name which is easy to remember and relates to its action. Context key names and actions are the same and therefore shared across all interactions. Every context key name is translated to physical keys on the Standard keyboard, NumPad and the on-screen keyboard known as KeyGrid used in TouchScreen and TouchPad interactions.
Function and modifier actions are the same across all interactions. Invoking functions and modifiers is handled in a similar way on the NumPad, TouchScreen and TouchPad but differs from invoking functions and modifiers on the Standard keyboard.
On the Standard keyboard all operations are performed using keys in the usual Windows way.
As only 10 keys are used in NumPad interaction, additional functionality is achieved by using long press actions.
As only 9 keys are used in TouchScreen and TouchPad interaction, additional functionality is achieved by using touch gestures.
In the Standard keyboard notation, a key is specified by its name followed by square brackets [] which include the physical key indicator and any modifiers which you press together in the usual way.
NumPad notation is enclosed in round brackets () and is explained further below.
TouchScreen and TouchPad notation is enclosed in curly brackets {} and is explained further below.
In this manual, where relevant, Standard keyboard and NumPad notation is specified. TouchScreen and TouchPad notation is only specified if operation is significantly different from the NumPad; see the 'How to use this manual with the TouchScreen or TouchPad interactions' at the foot of this page
Usually in this manual a combined notation is used for both the Standard keyboard and the NumPad. For example, the following notation:
'Menu' [Alt] (9)
means that you need to press the Menu key which is the Alt key on the Standard keyboard or the 9 key on the NumPad.
Occasionally for clarity, operation of each interaction is specified on separate lines.
With the Standard keyboard all operations are performed using keys in the usual way.
On the Standard keyboard, the Main keys mentioned above include the function keys, [Alt] and [Tab] keys, and the Context keys which include the four arrow keys, the [Enter], [Home], [End] keys and a few other less commonly used keys.
Keys may have additional functionalities which are represented by the symbols '#' and / or '*' before the key name; these relate to their use in combination with a modifier.
With the Standard keyboard, referring to the symbols above, three modifiers are supported:
'#' - Shift
'*' - Ctrl
'#*' - Shift + Ctrl
The use of these with the Standard keyboard is as usual; press down the modifier together with the required key. So for example the notation:
# Select [Shift + Enter]
means that you need to hold down the Shift key together with the Enter key.
Note that modifiers are used frequently in SpeakOn with the Standard keyboard especially together with the function keys. The use of the function keys with the Standard keyboard is as in any standard Windows program; function keys are either pressed on their own or together with a modifier as with any other key.
To start to learn how to use the Standard keyboard if you have not done this already read the
'Getting started using the Standard keyboard'
For a complete reference read
'Standard keyboard interaction - features and use'
To use the NumPad with SpeakOn, the NumLock key must be On. SpeakOn uses only the ten numerical keys on the NumPad; other keys are ignored. 8 out of 10 of the keys used have direct equivalents on the Standard keyboard. Modifiers and Functions are handled differently by dedicated keys. Other keys and operations are handled by 'long press actions' which means that a key needs to be pressed for more than one second.
To start to learn how to use the NumPad if you have not done this already read the
'Getting started using the Numerical keypad'
For a complete reference including comparison with the Standard keyboard read
'Numerical keypad interaction - features and use'
To summarize NumPad use and notation:
A single key action is specified by its name followed by round brackets () which includes the key number.
A key with a modifier is applied by first setting the modifier (Shift, Ctrl or Shift + Ctrl) by pressing the Modifier key. This is then followed by pressing the key required.
This is specified in round brackets. Note that the capital letter 'M' followed by a colon precedes the modifier to indicate the use of the Modifier key.
The character '>' is used to indicate that invoking a key is performed after setting the modifier.
A function action is applied by first setting the function group (Info, Clock, Speech or Audio) by pressing the Function key. This is then followed by pressing the key required.
This is specified in round brackets. Note that the capital letter 'F' followed by a colon precedes the function group to indicate the use of the Function key.
The character '>' is used to indicate that invoking a key is performed after setting the function group.
A long press actions is specified by its name followed by round brackets () which includes the word 'long' followed by the key number.
Touch gestures are predefined motions used to interact with touch devices such as a TouchScreen.
With a TouchScreen, all SpeakOn's common operations can be performed using one finger with a combination of on-screen KeyGrid interaction, swipe and tap gestures.
More specifically, there are nine keys used in TouchScreen interaction known as KeyGrid. These keys are drawn on the computer screen and are invoked using the TouchScreen with a combination of on-screen KeyGrid interactions, key swipe gestures and tap gestures. Features which are not available using these keys can be performed using action swipe gestures. On-screen KeyGrid interaction is optional; all operations can be performed using only swipe gestures and tap gestures.
By default, touch support is disabled in SpeakOn. To enable it, use the menu in the Manager:
Global settings > Touch Settings
To start to learn how to use the TouchScreen if you have not done this already read the
'Getting started using the TouchScreen'
For a complete reference including comparison with the Standard keyboard and the NumPad read
'TouchScreen interaction - features and use'
To summarize TouchScreen use and notation:
A single key action is specified by its name.
A key with a modifier is applied by first setting the modifier (Shift, Ctrl or Shift + Ctrl) by pressing the Modifier key. This is then followed by pressing the key required.
This is specified in curly brackets. Note that the capital letter 'M' followed by a colon precedes the modifier to indicate the use of the Modifier key.
The character '>' is used to indicate that invoking a key is performed after setting the modifier.
A function action is applied by first setting the function group (Info, Clock, Speech or Audio) by pressing the Function key. This is then followed by pressing the key required.
This is specified in curly brackets. Note that the capital letter 'F' followed by a colon precedes the function group to indicate the use of the Function key.
The character '>' is used to indicate that invoking a key is performed after setting the function group.
Gesture interaction comprises swiping the finger in one straight line or more without lifting it until the end of the gesture. The swiping action must be a fairly swift gesture and is specified by its name followed by curly brackets {} which includes the word 'swipe' followed by the straight line swiping sequence required namely up, down, left or right.
The character '>' is used to indicate that each straight line movement segment is followed by another.
Touch gestures are predefined motions used to interact with touch devices such as a TouchPad.
With a TouchPad, all SpeakOn's common operations can be performed using one finger with a combination of swipe and tap gestures.
More specifically, there are nine keys used in TouchPad interaction. These keys are drawn on the computer screen and are invoked using the TouchPad with a combination of key swipe gesture and tap gestures. Features which are not available using these keys can be performed using action swipe gestures.
By default, touch support is disabled in SpeakOn. To enable it, use the menu in the Manager:
Global settings > Touch Settings
To start to learn how to use the TouchPad if you have not done this already read the
'Getting started using the TouchPad'
For a complete reference including comparison with the Standard keyboard and the NumPad read
'TouchPad interaction - features and use'
To summarize TouchPad use and notation:
A single key action is specified by its name.
A key with a modifier is applied by first setting the modifier (Shift, Ctrl or Shift + Ctrl) by pressing the Modifier key. This is then followed by pressing the key required.
This is specified in curly brackets. Note that the capital letter 'M' followed by a colon precedes the modifier to indicate the use of the Modifier key.
The character '>' is used to indicate that invoking a key is performed after setting the modifier.
A function action is applied by first setting the function group (Info, Clock, Speech or Audio) by pressing the Function key. This is then followed by pressing the key required.
This is specified in curly brackets. Note that the capital letter 'F' followed by a colon precedes the function group to indicate the use of the Function key.
The character '>' is used to indicate that invoking a key is performed after setting the function group.
Gesture interaction comprises swiping the finger in one straight line or more without lifting it until the end of the gesture. The swiping action must be a fairly swift gesture and is specified by its name followed by curly brackets {} which includes the word 'swipe' followed by the straight line swiping sequence required namely up, down, left or right.
The character '>' is used to indicate that each straight line movement segment is followed by another.
It is assumed that by now you know how to operate SpeakOn using the Standard keyboard. You do not need to know how to use the NumPad interaction although you might find it useful. It is also assumed that you read the 'Getting started' page for the TouchScreen or TouchPad - see links above.
To avoid clutter, only the notation for the Standard keyboard enclosed in square brackets []and the NumPad enclosed in round brackets () are specified in the instructions' body in this manual.
Gestures used with the TouchScreen and TouchPad interaction are exactly the same.
The operation principles of the NumPad are the same as the TouchScreen and TouchPad.
The keys names and layout as used on the NumPad (1) through to (9) are the same keys as used with the on-screen KeyGrid with the TouchScreen and TouchPad.
The operation of the functions and modifiers on the NumPad are the same as with the on-screen KeyGrid with the TouchScreen and TouchPad.
Based on the above you can simply deduce the TouchScreen and TouchPad operation from the NumPad notation for single keys, functions and modifiers.
For example, the Menu key would be referred to as Menu (9) on the NumPad and simply Menu with TouchScreen and TouchPad.
For example, The function notation to increase the speech volume is:
NumPad (F: Speech > Up 8)
TouchScreen and TouchPad {F: Speech > Up }
Note that the only difference is the omission of the Up key number with the TouchScreen and TouchPad notation as these keys are just specified by their names.
There are of course differences:
To invoke a key on the NumPad you simply press it and with the TouchScreen and TouchPad you use gestures. You need to learn the gestures for these nine keys.
The Cancel (0) key on the NumPad is replaced by a gesture on the TouchScreen and TouchPad.
The long press action on the NumPad (where you press a key for more than one second to invoke an action) is replaced in the TouchScreen and TouchPad with gestures. In the introductory sections of this tutorial, at the foot of the relevant pages there is a section called 'TouchScreen and TouchPad operations' which details the relevant gesture equivalents to long press actions in these pages.
In summary, TouchScreen and TouchPad interaction is about gestures which hopefully you should find intuitive and easy to learn.
Note that with a TouchScreen you have the option to use on-screen KeyGrid interaction as an alternative to Key swipe gestures which you might find useful. The author finds it convenient to use gestures for all operations.
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