Note that for brevity the name NumPad is used instead of 'numerical keypad'.
The NumPad lock must be On.
5. Alphanumeric input practice
The 'Alphanumeric input' feature's goal is primarily to enable efficient typing in SpeakOn with TouchScreen devices that do not contain a Standard keyboard. This is achieved using a novel approach by combining Key tables, Braille, SpellCheck and AutoComplete, all operated with a limited number of keys.
Note that for brevity, the term 'Entering text' in this manual implies entering characters such as letters, numbers, punctuation or symbols.
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.
The use of the 'Alphanumeric input' feature with NumPad keys is very similar in operation to its use with touch gestures with a TouchScreen.
As the NumPad is usually adjacent to a Standard keyboard where typing text is very efficient, the use of the 'Alphanumeric input' feature with the NumPad is merely as a training tool; you learn how to use it with the NumPad keys and once mastered move to learning how to type text using a TouchScreen.
The NumPad is also an excellent way for the curious to learn this unique approach of typing text efficiently with a limited number of keys.
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 the previous mode.
When the user starts SpeakOn, it is always in the 'Default input' mode where input from the NumPad keys is submitted to the SpeakOn tasks and controls.
This mode of interaction is described in
Getting started with SpeakOn using the Numerical keypad
If the user wishes to enter text using the NumPad it is necessary to switch to the 'Alphanumeric input' mode.
In the 'Alphanumeric input' mode the NumPad keys share as much as possible the layout and functionality used in the 'Default mode' mentioned above.
Text can be entered in a variety of ways as explained in the remainder of this tutorial.
Depending on the configuration, the user can switch to the 'Spell check' mode to check a word which has been entered and then switch back to the 'Alphanumeric input' mode. Similarly, the user can switch to the 'Auto complete' mode to complete a partially entered word and then switch back to the 'Alphanumeric input' mode.
From any of these modes, the user can switch to the 'Help list' mode which contains a list of available keys and their action description. Alternatively, the user can switch to the 'Help input' mode where any key may be pressed and a description of its action will be given.
From any of these Help modes, the user can switch back to the previous mode.
Similarly when in the 'Alphanumeric input' mode, the user can at any time switch back to the 'Default input' mode to resume normal SpeakOn operations.
Characters, numbers and symbols can be entered using the following methods:
Alphanumeric input can be entered exclusively by one of the methods above or using a combination of these to suit the user's skill and preference. The use of these methods is explained in the remainder of this tutorial.
Alphanumeric input can be configured using the 'Alphanumeric input settings' task which can be started from the menu:
Global settings > Alphanumeric input settings
The operation of this task is explained in:
Alphanumeric input settings
The 'Alphanumeric input practice' task enables the user to practise entering Alphanumeric input in a simple, non-confusing environment without having to worry about entering the wrong data into SpeakOn itself.
The 'Alphanumeric input practice' task can be started from the menu:
Tools > Alphanumeric input practice
The operation of this task is described in:
Alphanumeric input practice
It is also described where applicable in the remainder of this tutorial.
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