Getting Started

Commands

Activating

Voice

Short Cut Key

Multiple

Categories

Suggestions

Ideas for Using the MTC

Type for you

Play a Game

Access the Internet

Speak for You

Proof Read

Magic Talking Computer           View a movie demo

Purpose

 The Magic Talking Computer (MTC) is a multi purpose application which can be used by a range of people including those with severe disabilities.

 The features within the MTC are designed to help those with a disability (they are also useful for people without a disability as well) to utilise their computer in a more effective way by helping them to communicate and use software which would not be possible normally.

 By using the MTC people are able to use their computer in ways that may have not been possible before, such as :

·          starting other software applications e.g. Internet Explorer, Word

·          go to predefined web sites

·          play games

·          using other software applications

·          communicate with other such as over the phone to strangers[1]

·          key in text without touching a keyboard

 In situations where the MTC is going to be used by a person with a disability another person may need to configure the MTC prior to use.

Overview

From it’s inception, the MTC has been enhanced significantly to provide : 

• voice command control through your computer’s microphone
• short cut key command control (hot key)
• mouse movement and control
• mouse movement and button press recording
• mouse positioning
• automatic typing through voice and short cut key control
• copy and paste facility via voice and short cut key control
• word typing prediction through the Look Ahead word database
• means of communicating via automatic reading of predefined sentences and phrases
• automatic reading of text in most software applications
• expanded on-line help

Getting Started

Reader Box

Once the MTC is installed and started, it displays the Reader Box Window.

The Reader Box Window is the hub of the MTC. It is where you activate and control the features of the MTC.

 Once you’re ready to go, you’ll need to determine how and what features you want to take advantage of. For example the MTC allows command activation via either voice or short cut (hot key) control. Therefore you need to determine which types of commands you require and how they should be run.

Activating Commands

The design of the MTC is such that it can help people with a range of disabilities. It can do this by enabling access and control via : 

• Spoken word commands, whereby a person speaks a word into a microphone
• Short Cut keys or hot keys, whereby a person types a specific sequence of keys
• Reassigning keyboard keys (e.g. remapping keys), so as to provide easier access to a specific keyboard which might otherwise be harder to reach/press down

 Commands exist to run specific tasks which you configure into the MTC. These tasks are the “things” you’d like the MTC to perform on your behalf.

Voice Commands

 Voice commands are provided to enable a person to activate commands through speech. To use voice commands, a microphone needs to be attached to the computer. Depending on a person’s level of disability you may need to get a microphone which can be worn on the head.

 Once the MTC is setup and a microphone is attached, you simply speak the chosen voice command word into the microphone. The MTC detects the word, then performs the required task associated with the word.

 Note : Even if you have a speech disability, it may still be possible to activate and run voice commands. Through the MTC’s Test Voice command option you can experiment and try out your chosen voice commands.

Short Cut Key Commands

 Short Cut key commands or hot keys are similar to Voice Commands in that they provide a means for controlling the MTC. They enable a person to activate commands simply by typing a set of keys (normally 2 keys although it can be a single key).

 Once the MTC is setup to use a set of Short Cut keys, whenever you press those keys (you can be in any application), the MTC will translate them and perform the required task assigned.

Multiple Commands

The MTC will activate and perform multiple commands if a word or short cut key has been assigned to more than 1 command. By assigning words or short cut keys to more than 1 command you can then process many tasks with a single word or key press. For example, you could open Internet Explorer, go to a web site then press a link on a page.

Note : multiple commands are run in alphabetical order.

Command Categories

 The MTC commands are grouped into “Categories”. Within each category you can allocate many different commands. Each category has a specific role to play and will perform a different type of task on your computer. You can therefore create many commands to perform the type of tasks and actions you require.

 By understanding what types of command categories are available, you can then determine a strategy in applying them.

 Therefore we’ll start by looking at each of the MTC Command Categories in turn.

Mouse Pad

The Mouse Pad Actions enable you to use Voice or short cut keys to control the mouse movement in a number of ways. For example you can issue commands to move the mouse to all parts of the screen simply by getting it to move left, right, up or down as you please or alternatively via our grid system which moves the mouse for you..

With the screen split into 6 grids (see image below) you can issue a command to get the mouse to move anywhere within the grid. The mouse moves automatically within the grid and when it reaches a point where you'd like it to stop, just issue the "stop" command either via voice or short cut key (in fact any word or key press on the keyboard stops the mouse from moving).

To move the mouse left, right, up or down via a command simply say the word or enter the short cut key and the mouse will move a short distance for each command.

Once the mouse is in the correct position simply say or enter the command to issue a mouse click.

Great for opening files, clicking on links, buttons etc.

Look Ahead

The Look Ahead word processor when activated enables the MTC to predict words as you type them into the Reader Box. Word prediction helps to speed up typing by saving having to type all the characters in, for a word.

The Look Ahead Word processor uses a database of approximately 3000 words.

Word Pad

The Word Pad runs via voice commands which enable you to type into the Reader Box through a voice command spoken into a microphone.

The MTC detects what was spoken, determines what key the command relates to and then types it into the Reader Box. With the Look Ahead word processor activated, you can save time typing as it attempts to predict words as you type them.

The design of the Word Pad requires only 8 word commands to access all the Word Pad keys and Look Ahead word processor options.

Copy and Paste 

These are actually 2 different commands. The Copy command category enables you to copy everything in the Reader Box. For example if you did some typing in the Reader Box you can then action the Copy Command followed by the Paste command to paste the contents somewhere else.

You may find it useful to type in a web address, copy the web address then paste it into Internet Explorers address bar.

Note : you may need to use the Mouse Recorder, Mouse Position or Mouse Pad to position the cursor on the address bar within Internet Explorer.

 

Message Prompt

The message prompt displays a simple pop up on detecting the Voice Command or Short Cut key. This is useful for testing the MTC for suitability of chosen word or short cut key command or if you have a speech disability and need to communicate with another individual who is beside your computer. You can setup many predefined phrases or sentences.

Run Program

Run any program loaded on your computer.

The MTC on detecting the Voice Command or Short Cut key will run the program.

Microsoft Word

Startup and run Microsoft Word.

The MTC on detecting the Voice Command or Short Cut key will run the program.

Media Player

Run Microsoft's Media Player.

The MTC on detecting the Voice Command or Short Cut key will run the program.

Activate reader

The MTC will read out loud any text you have highlighted within the Reader Box.

Phrase

This command category is specifically designed for people with a speech disability. If you predefine as many phrases or sentences to describe situations, you can get the MTC to speak on your behalf, for example in a conversation, at school or on the phone.

For example it enables someone to use the phone[1] by getting the MTC to speak for them. Great if you need to speak to a stranger who may not be aware of your disability.

For example, you might want to say " hello I have a speech disability and I am using the computer to talk for me ....”).  You can then respond with other predefined Phrase commands depending on the reply and situation.

Mouse Position

This command allows you to automatically position the mouse at specific points on the screen.

Very useful if you find it difficult to position a mouse exactly at a location, such as if a button or link is very small and hard to manoeuvre to.

The Mouse Position can be used in conjunction with other commands, such as in a game or other software application. In these scenarios you could get the MTC to position the mouse, press the <enter> key or perform a separate mouse action such as button press (this can be done via the Mouse Recorder function).

Note : You can assign a single word or short cut key command to run multiple commands such as activating a Mouse Position command then a Mouse Recorder command.

Mouse Recorder

Through the Mouse Recorder command you record and save a series of mouse movement and mouse clicks. These recordings can then be replayed whenever the MTC detects the word or short cut key command associated with the recording.

Being able to repeat a sequence of mouse movements and mouse clicks through the MTC, you can operate and perform many tasks which may otherwise not be possible.

For example you could :

• open an application such as Internet Explorer, click on the favorites, go to a web site and click on subsequent links. To create such a command, activate the Mouse Recorder to record and save your specified mouse actions. Once the recorder is running, use your mouse to perform the task required. For example move to the desktop Internet Explorer icon, double click on the icon to start Internet Explorer, then click on favorites etc
• access a game by positioning the mouse at certain points and pressing mouse clicks (could be used in conjunction with other commands)

Note : You can assign a single word or short cut key command to run multiple commands such as activating a Mouse Position command then a Mouse Recorder command.

Send Key

The Send Key unlike the Word Pad command category can be activated either by voice or short cut key command. The Send Key command category enables you to determine and assign a command to a keyboard key of your choice[2].

You can even re-assign the <enter> key to another key, such as the <space> bar (for example, in some instances it may be easier for a person with a disability to use their hand/fingers to press the <space bar>).

You can assign Short Cut or Voice commands to the following keys :

• letters a to z
• numbers 0 to 9
• <delete> key
• <backspace> key
• <end> key
• <capslock> key
• <enter> key

Ideas for Using

 The following lists some situations where you could use the MTC, use your imagination and expand the power of the computer by creating your own ideas.

Type for you

 Use the Word Pad along with the Look Ahead word processor to type for you. Using word voice commands, the MTC will type out your text without you having to touch anything, simply speak to your computer.

 Used with the Look Ahead word processor, speed up the typing process with the word prediction database.

Play a computer game

 If you have a game which requires repetitive mouse clicks such as a card game, board game or even if you need to restart parts of the game by clicking certain buttons, use the MTC to perform these tasks.

 Use the Run Program or Mouse Recording to start the game or go to the Internet site with the game.

 Once the game is running, if you have previously defined a series of Mouse Recordings and/or Mouse Position commands, these could be activated to move the mouse and issue the mouse clicks.

 Another option might be to use the Send Keys command to utilise the key mappings to assign another easier to access key such as use the <space bar> as an <enter> key.

 By defining a suite of commands with known mouse actions you can enable a disabled person to participate and play.

Access the Internet

Use the Run Program or Mouse Recorder to start Internet Explorer.

 Once your browser is active, you can run specific Mouse Recordings to perform actions on known positions such as : 

• Open favourites and select an address
• Page forward
• Page Backward
• Refresh
• Click on buttons
• Click on links
• Position the mouse on the address bar

Speak for you

 Using predefined phrases and sentences you can command the MTC to speak on your behalf. Load the MTC with as many phrases and sentences as you require. Activate them by a command.

 With the Phrase commands you could enable a person who has a speech disability to have the MTC speak out loud predefined phrases/sentences for them. The Phrase commands when used in conjunction with the Send Keys command category can help those people communicate to others via a spoken voice.

Proof Read

 Highlight any text on your computer, press the keys <CTRL><C><F8> and the MTC will begin to read whatever’s highlighted.

 Listen to the MTC talk, you may find it easier than reading what’s been written.

Get files to read

Load the Reader Box with almost any file type. Once loaded into the Reader Box, the MTC can read out loud what has been written.

Load Web Pages 

Load web pages directly into the MTC’s reader Box. Once within the Reader Box you can get the MTC reader to read out loud what is written.