Note that for brevity the name NumPad is used instead of 'numerical keypad'.
The NumPad lock must be On.
4. Keys and their actions for the 'Alphanumeric input' mode
5. Long press actions for the 'Alphanumeric input' mode
6. Keys and their actions for the SpellCheck mode
7. Long press actions for the SpellCheck mode
8. Keys and their actions for the AutoComplete mode
9. Long press actions for the AutoComplete mode
10. Key swipe gestures for the Help input mode
11. Action swipe gestures for the Help input mode
12. Comparison of user interaction with the Default input
The 'Alphanumeric input' feature allows the user to enter text without using the Standard keyboard. Although one might argue that entering text using 'Alphanumeric input' is not strictly typing as experienced using a Standard keyboard, the result is the same; namely, text is entered into the desired control so the words 'entering' and 'typing' are used interchangeably.
More specifically 'Alphanumeric input' allows the user to enter letters, numbers, punctuation and symbols using Key tables and Segment Braille in grade 1 and grade 2. The use of these methods is explained as part of the tutorial
Learning to type with Alphanumeric input using the Numerical keypad
The use of the NumPad for 'Alphanumeric input' in SpeakOn is implemented using modes of operation or in short modes. Each mode has a name which reflects its role. The actions of the NumPad's keys in each mode perform operations to fulfil their roles. While as far as possible keys perform similar actions across all 'Alphanumeric input' modes, a few keys perform different actions in different modes.
The user switches to a mode, performs some actions and switches back to a previous mode.
This page describes the general keys layout and lists their actions for each mode.
To use the NumPad with SpeakOn, the NumLock key must be On.
SpeakOn uses only the numerical keys on the NumPad; other keys are ignored. Unlike a telephone keypad, the numerical keys are numbered from bottom left to top right with the (0) key at the bottom left of the first row, the (1) (2) (3) keys on the second row from the bottom, (4) (5) (6) keys on the third row from the bottom and (7) (8) and (9) keys on the fourth row from the bottom.
Each key is given a name which relates to its functionality and the key numbers are enclosed in round brackets ( ).
The four arrow keys conveniently form the imaginary sides of a square; the 'Up' (8) key, the 'Down' (2) key, the 'Left' (4) key and the 'Right' (6) key. The 'Select' (5) key is in the centre of this imaginary square. The Home, End and Escape key actions are performed using long press actions - see further below.
Other keys include:
The (0) key provides the cancel action.
The (1) key provides the modifier action.
The modifiers that can be set are None (No modifier), Shift, Ctrl and Shift + Ctrl.
One of these modifiers is set first using the Modifier key followed by the input key itself.
The Function key (7) scrolls through a list of available functions.
The Backspace (9) and Space (3) keys provide similar functionality to their use on a Standard keyboard as well as additional features.
The specific actions available for these keys depend on the mode of operation as shown further down the page.
A long press action is performed by holding a key down for more than one second. Long press actions provide additional functionality.
A long press action is specified by its name followed by the key number followed by the word 'long' enclosed in round brackets for example: Escape (0 long)
This means that to perform the Escape action the 0 key needs to be pressed for more than one second.
The specific long press actions available depend on the mode of operation as shown further down the list.
Function (8) - Cycles between available key tables and Braille.
Up (8) - In key tables, navigates to the previous row. In Braille, inserts a segment with both dots.
Backspace (9) - In 'Key entry', submits Backspace to the SpeakOn control in focus. In 'Word entry', submits Backspace to the Word control.
Left (4) - In key tables, navigates to the previous column. In Braille, inserts a segment with a left dot.
Select (5) - In key tables, submits the key in focus to the SpeakOn control in focus. In Braille, action depends on the number of segments entered already.
Right (6) - In key tables, navigates to the next column. In Braille, inserts a segment with a right dot.
Modifier (1) - Cycles between available modifiers.
Down (2) - In key tables, navigates to the next row. In Braille, inserts a segment with no dots.
Space (3) - In 'Key Entry', submits a space to the SpeakOn control in focus. In 'Word entry', submits the text in the Word control followed by a space to the SpeakOn control in focus.
Cancel (0) - Cancels key table and Braille operations, sets modifier to none and cancels speech.
Function Reset' (7 long) - Resets the Function to the Edit key table.
'Entry Type' (8 long) - Toggles between 'Key entry' and 'Word entry'.
Content (9 long) - Announces the content of the control in focus.
AutoComplete (4 long) - Switches to AutoComplete mode.
'Add word to dictionary' (5 long) - In 'Word entry', adds text in the Word control to the personal dictionary. In 'Key entry', key unused.
SpellCheck (6 long) - Switches to SpellCheck mode.
'Help / Modifier lock' (1 long) - If the Modifier is set to none, toggles between Help input and Help list modes, otherwise lock / unlock the Modifier set.
'Braille help' (2 long) - When a function is set to key table, the Braille sign for the key in focus is announced (only available when Braille is enabled).
'Where am I?' (3 long) - Announces the current Mode, Entry type and Function set.
Escape (0 long) -Switches back from Alphanumeric input mode to Default input mode, resets Braille
Function (7) - Cycles between available dictionaries
Up (8) - Scrolls up the suggested words
Select (5) - Replaces the text in the Word control with the suggested word. Switches back to Alphanumeric input mode
Down (2) - Scrolls down the suggested words
Space (3) - Replaces the text in the Word control with the suggested word. Submits this word followed by a space to the SpeakOn control in focus. Switches back to the 'Alphanumeric input' mode.
Cancel (0) - Cancels speech
Content (9 long) - Announces and spells (if not longer than 20 characters) the content of the suggested word in focus
Home (4 long) - Scrolls to the first suggested word in the list
End (6 long) - Scrolls to the last suggested word in the list
Help (1 long) - Toggles between Help input and Help list modes
'Where am I?' (3 long) - Announces the current Mode, Entry type, Function set and suggested word in list
Escape (0 long) - Switches back from SpellCheck mode to Alphanumeric input mode, resets Braille
Function (7) - Cycles between available dictionaries
Up (8) - Scrolls up the suggested words
Left (4) - Reduces the maximum suggested word length
Select (5) - Replaces the text in the Word control with the suggested word. Switches back to Alphanumeric input mode
Right (6) - Increases the maximum suggested word length
Down (2) - Scrolls down the suggested words
Space (3) - Replaces the text in the Word control with the suggested word. Submits this word followed by a space to the SpeakOn control in focus. Switches back to the 'Alphanumeric input' mode
Cancel (0) - Cancels speech
Content (9 long) - Announces and spells (if not longer than 20 characters) the content of the suggested word in focus
Home (4 long) - Scrolls to the first suggested word in the list
End (6 long) - Scrolls to the last suggested word in the list
Help (1 long) - Toggles between Help input and Help list modes
'Where am I?' (3 long) - Announces the current Mode, Entry type, Function set and suggested word in the list
Escape (0 long) - Switches back from SpellCheck mode to Alphanumeric input mode, resets Braille
Press or long press any key; its action is announced.
But for the couple of long press actions listed below, press or long press any key; its action is announced.
Help (1 long) - Toggles between Help input and Help list modes.
Escape (0 long) - Action is announced. Switches back to previous mode.
Most key and long press actions are the same or similar in both the 'Alphanumeric input' and 'Default input' modes. The following are the major differences:
In 'Alphanumeric input' the (3) key is the Space key. In 'Default input' it is the Focus key.
In 'Alphanumeric input' the (9) key is the Backspace key. In 'Default input' it is the Menu key.
In 'Alphanumeric input' the long press (4 long) performs the action of switching to the AutoComplete mode. In 'Default input' it performs the Home action.
In 'Alphanumeric input' the long press (6 long) performs the action of switching to the SpellCheck mode. In 'Default input' it performs the End action.
In 'Alphanumeric input' the long press (2 long) performs the 'Braille help' action. In 'Default input' it performs the action of switching to the 'Alphanumeric input' mode.
In 'Alphanumeric input' the long press (8 long) performs the 'Entry type' action. In 'Default input' it performs the Favourites action.
In 'Alphanumeric input' switching back to a previous mode is performed using the Escape long press (0 long). In 'Default mode' a task is ended either from the Menu or using the Escape long press.
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