

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
                               Model Tea Reader
   
          A public domain program which (with a speech synthesiser)
                 can make an IBM PC or suitable clone speak.
   
                                 Version 1.00
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
       Copyright (c) 1987 by dolphin systems for the disabled limited.
   
                        All rights reserved worldwide.
   
   
   
        Produced by dolphin systems for the disabled limited, England.
   
                             Model Tea Reader                        Page 2


   Who can use this product?
   
   The Model Tea Reader is a public domain program.  You may copy it onto
   any disc that you want - so long as it is black.  You may give it to
   anyone that you want to.  We do ask that you copy the whole disc to
   other people as it contains the manual and details of commercially
   available products from dolphin systems for the disabled limited.  A
   more powerful version of this program, called HAL-16, can be obtained
   for $128 from dsd ltd in England.  Details are at the end of this
   manual.
   
                                   ** ** **
   
                                  Disclaimer
   
   dolphin systems for the disabled give no warranties with respect to the
   contents of this package in the case of any bugs or errors.  However, if
   you find any please let us know and we will try to fix them.  We also
   reserve the right to revise and update both this publication and product
   without any having to notify you.  However, we will hope to keep you
   informed of future developments.
   
                                   ** ** **
   
   

































                                 Contents                            Page 3


                              Table of Contents
   
   1.  Overview.
   
   2.  Getting started.
   
   3.  Advanced commands.
   
     (a)  Setting the style of the speech.
       (i)    Punctuation - Control P.
       (ii)   Speed of speech - ALT_S.
       (iii)  Keyboard echo level - Control K.
       (iv)   Output speech level - Control O.
       (v)    Compressing spaces - Control S.
       (vi)   Tones emitted - Control T.
       (vii)  Action for cursor keys - Control U.
       (viii) Delay for cursor keys - Control D.
       (ix)   Speaking capital letters - Control C.
       (x)    Setting delete key action - DELETE.
       (xi)   Function keys 1 to 10.
   
     (b)  Typing PC read ALT Commands to applications programs.
   
     (c)  Miscellaneous commands.
       (i)   Read column - Letter "X".
       (ii)  Read row - Letter "Y".
       (iii) Read row and column - ALT_G.
       (iv)  ASCII values - Letter "A".
       (v)   Keyboard status - Character "@" (at).
       (vi)  Version number - Control V.
       (vii) Another way to enter reading mode - ALT_2.
   
   Appendix 1.  Making your working discs.
   
   Appendix 2.  Summary of commands.
   
   Appendix 3.  Setting the program up for your speech synthesiser.
   
   Appendix 4.  Files on the distribution disc.
   
   Appendix 5.  The MIMIC speech synthesiser user guide.
   
   Appendix 6.  Troubleshooting - your system won't talk!
   
   Ordering HAL-16.
   
   
                                   ** ** **
   









                                 Overview                            Page 4


   1. Overview.
   
   The Model Tea Reader is a public domain screen-reading program for the
   IBM PC.  It is one of a range of products for the disabled which are
   produced by dolphin systems for the disabled.  Details of all of our
   products can be found in the file promo.txt which should be on the Model
   Tea Reader disc.  The Model Tea Reader is a cut down version of HAL-16
   which is available from dolphin systems for the disabled limited in
   England.  Extra facilities which are available in HAL-16 include:
   setting windows and markers on the screen, reading coloured information,
   reading highlighted text, saving configuration to disc, using speech
   from other ports on the computer, extended facilities for use with
   keyboard macro programs, features for databases and spreadsheets, and
   the automatic muting of the speech synthesiser.
   
   This particular package has been produced to enable a user to access the
   information on an IBM or suitable clone using synthetic speech.  The
   package consists of a single floppy disc which contains the mtr.exe
   program.  This is loaded into the computer and then it protects itself
   and stays in memory while you run other programs.  (For those of you who
   like the jargon such programs are called memory-resident.)  The program
   sends appropriate information out of the back (side or wherever) of the
   computer to the speech synthesiser.  Because the program is sitting in
   memory you do need enough RAM to hold both the Model Tea Reader and the
   program that you want to run (but these days RAM is cheap).  As a result
   you may find that some programs will not run with this package.  We
   would appreciate being informed of any difficulties that you may
   encounter with specific programs but can make no promises that we can do
   anything about them.
   
   Essentially the program will enable you to access the computer in three
   ways:
   
     (i)  There is an option for the synthesiser to speak what you type
         into the computer either by character or by word (or not at all).
   
     (ii) Some of the keys enable you to access the information on the
         screen when you are in "live" mode.  This is when you are actually
         communicating directly with the computer via the keyboard.  The
         "functions" include the back-space and delete keys telling you the
         character to the left of the cursor, reading the current line or
         portions of the screen, shutting up the synthesiser (very
         important!), and in certain circumstances the cursor keys will
         tell you where you are moving on the screen.
   
     (iii) In some case the output to the screen will also be spoken.
   
     (iv) You can also enter "reading" mode.  This enables you to "freeze"
         the state of the computer and read or "review" any or part of the
         screen.
   
   Restrictions.
   
   This program will only read text which is one the computer screen in the
   standard font for the computer.  Any graphics or fancy text will not be



                                 Overview                            Page 5


   read from the screen.
   
                                   ** ** **
   
   If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this product then may
   we encourage you to write to us and let us know.  This is to be regarded
   as a developing system and we hope to improve it as time goes by.
   
                                   ** ** **
   
















































                             Getting Started.                        Page 6


   Getting Started.
   
   This section is intended to be a tutorial introduction to this system.
   Before you can start though you should make up a working disc which has
   both the operating system (PC-DOS or MS-DOS) on it and the talking code
   as well.  Your dealer may have done this for you but if that is not the
   case then you should do this now. Details of how to do this are in
   Appendix 1.
   
   Connect your speech synthesiser to the serial port (com1) of your
   computer.  Take your working disc and put it into the disc drive.  Turn
   your computer on.  The computer should then "boot up".  To load the
   Model Tea Reader you type: MTR and then press the RETURN key.
   The computer will say "Model Tea Reader installed" and you are ready to
   go.
   Note: if you are using an AMSTRAD 1512 computer or some other PC which
   is not totally IBM compatible then you should use MTRa instead of MTR.
   
   First of all try typing some words on the keyboard.  Each character will
   be spoken back to you and if you type an upper case letter then you will
   hear a beep.  Also if you type ALT_K then the computer will read the
   current line up to your cursor.  You type ALT_K by holding down the ALT
   key and then, while still holding down the ALT key press "K".  This is
   the first way in which the computer will talk to you.  (Note: there are
   other ALT commands which you should find useful, and they are detailed
   in Appendix 2.)
   
   The next thing to do is to put some text on the screen and then practice
   using the screen reading capabilities.  There is a document on the disc
   called WAFFLE.DOC which can be used for this.
   Type:    type waffle.doc
   and then press the return key.
   
   The document should now be displayed on the screen. To enter reading
   mode you press ALT_J, the computer will beep and the synthesiser will
   say "reeding".
   
     Notes:
   
     1. Most of the commands in this mode have been put onto keys so that
         the key function (mostly) corresponds to the key name (eg. "T" for
         top).
   
     2. The computer will make lots of beeps and buzzes to indicate the
         position of the cursor or the character under the cursor.  In time
         you will get used to these.
   
   You are now in reading mode.  One way to think of this is that pressing
   ALT_J freezes the screen.  You can examine what is on the screen and
   when you have finished you press the return key which takes you back to
   precisely where you were when you pressed ALT_J. Press the "T" (for top)
   key.  The computer will beep twice.  The first beep gives an indication
   by its pitch of the line which you entered screenreading from.  The
   second pitch is high and gives you an indication of the current row. On
   most occasions, when you move to a new row in reading mode these two



                             Getting Started.                        Page 7


   beeps will occur.  The cursor is now on the top line of the screen.  To
   read the line press the "L" (for line) key.  This command reads the text
   from the current cursor position to the end of the line. The line will
   be read and the cursor will go to the start of the next line. Other keys
   to learn at this point are "B" (for bottom), "U" (for up), and "D" (for
   down).  Practice moving about the screen and reading the text on it
   using these commands.
   
     (Note that the cursor up and cursor down keys can be used to move by
     line.  However they speak the line that the cursor moves to. Also the
     ALT_L key can be used to read the current line.  All of these extra
     commands will work in live mode as well.)
   
   The next set of commands to learn are those which let you move and read
   text by word.  The "R" (for read word) key will read to the end of the
   current word.  It will skip over spaces to the next word or to the end
   of the line.   The "Q" (for back a word?) key will take the cursor back
   a word on the current line. Practice using these together with the line
   commands to read the screen again.  The beeps given by these commands
   indicate how far along the current line the cursor is.
   
     (Note that Control left cursor and Control right cursor will move left
     and right by word.  The difference with them is that they speak the
     word that the cursor moves to.  The ALT_O key can be used to read the
     current word without moving the cursor.  All of these extra commands
     work in live mode as well.)
   
   The last set of commands to learn move and read by character.  ","
   (comma) and "." (period) move left and right by character on the current
   line without reading the character.  "C" is like "." (period) except
   that it also reads the current character.  The beeps given by these
   commands indicate the type of the character under the cursor.  A low
   beep is a space, punctuation and numbers are higher, then come lower
   case letters, uppercase letters and highest of all are control and
   graphics characters.
   
     (Note that cursor left and cursor right will move left and right by
     character.  The difference with them is that they speak the character
     that the cursor moves to.  The ALT_I key can also be used to read the
     current character without moving the cursor. Pressing ALT_I a second
     time will give the phonetic alphabet version of the character (eg
     ALPHA, BRAVO, etc.).  All of these commands work in live mode as
     well.)
   
   There are other commands available and they are detailed in Appendix 2.
   
   
   To summarise.
   
   The commands which will only work in Reading mode are:
   
     "T" for top.
   
     "B" for bottom.
   



                             Getting Started.                        Page 8


     "U" for up.
   
     "D" for down
   
     "Q" for word back.
   
     "," (comma) for character back.
   
     "." (period) for character forward.
   
     "L" to read line.
   
     "R" to read word.
   
     "C" to read character.
   
   
   Commands which will work in reading mode and in live mode:
   
     ALT_I read character.
   
     ALT_O read word.
   
     ALT_K read to cursor.
   
     ALT_L read line.
   
     ALT_M mute.  This is a new one but very useful - it should shut the
           synthesiser up.
   
     The cursor keys.  (These work in both modes but in "live" mode the
           program that you are running must recognise the keys.)
   
     To exit from reading mode and go back to live mode press the RETURN
           key.
   
   
   The rest of this manual deals with extra facilities which you may find
   useful when you are more fully conversant with the computer system.
   
                                   ** ** **
   
















                             Advanced Commands                       Page 9


                             2. Advanced commands
   
   The commands detailed in this section should make the continued use of
   your talking IBM PC somewhat easier.  Once familiar with them you should
   note that all of the commands are summarised in Appendix 2.
   
   (a)  Setting the style of the speech.
   
   There are several options which you can set which will change the way in
   which the computer will speak.  These features are all (but one) set by
   typing control characters when in reading mode.  (To type a control
   character you hold down control and then whilst still holding down
   control press the appropriate key.)
   
     (i)  Punctuation - Control P.
         The default setting is that all punctuation is spoken either as it
         is typed or as it is read from the screen.  In reading mode
         Control P toggles this option between on and off.
   
     (ii)  Speed of speech - ALT_S.
         This option will step between the different speeds for the
         synthesiser every time that ALT_S is typed.  This command will
         work both in and out of reading mode. (Note that the pitch control
         on the MIMIC synthesiser needs to be turned up if you are to use
         the higher speeds on the MIMIC.) This command does not necessarily
         speak the new speed - this is so that the MIMIC can be instructed
         to change the speed of it's speaking mid-stream.
   
     (iii)  Keyboard echo level - Control K.
         This option enables you to set the way in which the computer talks
         to you as you type in characters.  The default level is that it
         speaks every character as you type it in.  By typing Control K in
         reading mode you can step between the three levels of echo ie.
         OFF, CHARACTERS, and WORDS.
   
     (iv)  Output speech level - Control O.
         This option enables you to set whether text which is sent to the
         screen is spoken, not spoken or is dealt with automatically.  The
         auto function which is the default is to be preferred in most
         instances as it prevents characters which are typed being spoken
         twice.
   
     (v)  Compressing spaces - Control S.
         This option enables you to set whether the length of a pause
         between words depends on how many blank spaces there are between
         the words.  This will normally be on.
   
     (vi)  Tones emitted - Control T.
         As you will have noticed there are quite a lot of musical (?)
         sound effects used in this program.  In reading mode Control T
         lets you step between the three levels of sound.  These are:
   
           No sound at all.
   
           Only the bell will be sounded if you press the wrong key etc. as



                             Advanced Commands                      Page 10


             a warning.
   
           All of the music will be played for distance along line, column
             position, character type etc..
   
     (vii) Action for cursor keys - Control U.
         This option enables you to set what happens when you press the
         cursor up and down keys.  These can be:
   
           Off.  Nothing happens.
   
           Character.  This option sets them to read the character that is
             moved to.
   
           Word.  This option sets them to read the word that is moved to.
   
           Line.  This option sets them to read the line that is moved to.
   
           Highlighted.  This option makes all the cursor keys read any
             highlighted text that is in the highlighted window.  See
             "Reading highlighted text" below.
   
     (viii)  Delay for cursor keys - Control D.
         This option enables you to set one of two options for the delay on
         speaking when a cursor key is pressed.  If the cursor keys do not
         work properly with one setting then try the other.
   
     (ix)  Speaking capital letter - Control C.
         This option enables you to set whether the computer says "CAP"
         before each capital letter.  The default is off.
   
     (x) Setting delete key action - DELETE.
         Different programs on the PC use the DELETE key differently.  Some
         use it to delete the character before the cursor, and some use it
         to delete the character which the cursor is on.  This option
         enables you to tell the Model Tea Reader which of the two is used
         so that it can tell you which character you have deleted.  The
         default is to delete the character under the cursor.
   
     (xi) Function keys 1 to 10.
         The function keys 1 to 10 are paired into five groups of two, 1 &
         2, 2 & 3, etc..  They can be set to decrease (the odd numbered
         keys) or increase (the even numbered keys) some of the parameters
         for your speech synthesiser.  Function keys 1 & 2 should set the
         speed of the synthesiser. It is suggested that you try these for
         your synthesiser and see what they do. See Appendix 3 for more
         technical information on this subject.
   
   
   (b)  Typing the Model Tea Reader live ALT commands to applications
   programs.
   
   In some cases you will find an application program which uses one or
   more of ALT_I, ALT_O etc..  To enter any of these commands into the
   machine you can use the ALT_N live command.  This allows whatever



                             Advanced Commands                      Page 11


   character is typed next to pass straight through MTR and go to the
   application program.
   
     Notes:
   
     (i)  To type ALT_N to an application program you will type ALT_N
         twice.
   
     (ii)  The alternative command for entering reading mode ALT_2
         (detailed below) will not be passed to the application program.
   
   
   (c)  Miscellaneous commands.
   
   This section deals with commands which don't really fit into any of the
   other categories.
   
     (i)  Read column - Letter "X".
         Pressing "X" in reading mode will give the current column of the
         cursor on the screen.
   
     (ii)  Read row - Letter "Y".
         Pressing "Y" in reading mode will give the current row of the
         cursor on the screen.
   
     (iii) Read row and column - ALT_G.
         This command will read the row and column both in live and in
         reading modes.
   
     (iv)  ASCII values - Letter "A".
         Each character which is displayed on the screen has a unique
         number called its ASCII value associated with it.  Pressing "A" in
         reading mode will give the ASCII value of the character under the
         cursor.  It will also tell you the foreground and background
         colours for that character.
   
     (v)  Keyboard status - Character "@".
         Pressing "@" in reading mode will give the current status of the
         caps lock, num lock, scroll lock and insert keys (ie. whether they
         are on or off).  It only announces those that are on.
   
     (vi) Version number of MTR - Control N.
         Typing Control N in reading mode will give the current version
         number of MTR.
   
     (vii)  Another way to enter reading mode - ALT_2.
         In some cases you may find that you cannot enter reading mode with
         ALT_J.  If this occurs then you can try ALT_2 to go into reading
         mode.  This operates at a lower level in the machine and should
         work in more instances.  However, for general use ALT_J is to be
         preferred.
   
                                   ** ** **
   




                                Appendix 1.                         Page 12


                            Making a working disc.
   
   This section assumes that you are familiar with formatting discs and
   copying programs using PC/MS-DOS.  If not then you are referred to your
   PC/MS-DOS manual.
   
   Firstly take a blank unformatted disc and FORMAT with the /S option
   which will put the system files onto the disc (eg. FORMAT /S).
   
   Next copy the files mtr.exe (or mtra.exe - see note 1 below),
   default.mtr, and waffle.doc to this new disc.  This is now your working
   disc.  You are recommended to make a couple of backup copies of this
   disc, as well as of the distribution disc which also contains the MTR
   manual.
   
   When you turn the computer on, with the working disc in it the MTR code
   can be loaded by typing: mtr [RETURN]
   
   Notes:
   
     1.  If you are using MTR with an AMSTRAD 1512 computer or some other
       computer which is not totally IBM compatible then you must use
       MTRa.EXE to make the computer talk.
   
     2.  You may wish to create an autoexec.BAT file on your working disc
       with just the command to run the appropriate version of MTR in it.
       When you "boot" up the system with this disc then MTR will be
       automatically loaded.
       If you are using a speech synthesiser other than the mimic you
       should read Appendix 3.
   
                                   ** ** **
   

























                       Appendix 2.  Command Summary.                Page 13


                      Commands available in "Live Mode".
   
   Users should note that the commands available in live mode all use the
   ALT key in combination with other alphanumeric keys.
   
   On the top letter of the keyboard.
   
     ALT_I.  Read the character at the cursor position.  Pressing this
           character a second time will read the phonetic equivalent of the
           character.
   
     ALT_O.  Read the word at the cursor position.
   
   
   On the home row of the keyboard.
   
     ALT_S.  Set the speed of the speech.
   
     ALT_G.  Read row and column.
   
     ALT_J.  Enter "Reading" mode.
   
     ALT_K.  Read text up to the current cursor location.
   
     ALT_L.  Read the current line of text.
   
   
   On the bottom row.
   
     ALT_N.  Allow the Next character through.
   
     ALT_M.  Mute the synthesiser.
   
   
   Also note ALT_2 which can also be used to enter Reading mode if ALT_J
   does not work.
   
   
   
                     Commands available in Reading mode.
   
   These commands are ordered functionally.
   
   Commands for moving around the screen.
   
     Letter "T".  Top of screen.
   
     Letter "B".  Bottom of the screen.
   
     Letter "U".  Up a line.
   
     Letter "D".  Down a line.
   
     Letter "S".  Start of line.
   



                       Appendix 2.  Command Summary.                Page 14


     Letter "E".  End of line.
   
     Letter "H".  Home position ie. where you entered reading from.
   
     Letter "L".  Read the rest of the line.
   
     Letter "R".  Read word.
   
     Letter "Q".  Back a word.
   
     Letter "C".  Read character at cursor position, and move right by a
           character.
   
     Character "," (comma).  Left a character (no speech).
   
     Character "." (period).  Right a character (no speech).
   
   
     Character "@" (at).  This will tell you the state of your lockable
           keys ie. caps lock, num lock, insert, and scoll lock.
   
     Letter "X". This will tell you the current column of the cursor.
   
     Letter "Y". This will tell you the current row of the cursor.
   
     Letter "A". This will tell you the ASCII value of the character under
           the cursor, and the attributes of the character.
   
     Control P.  Toggle whether punctuation is spoken or not.
   
     Control K.  This will set the level of keyboard echo.
   
     Control T.  This will set which tones are emitted.
   
     Control N.  Give the version number.
   
     Control C.  Toggle whether capitals are spoken or not.
   
     Control O.  Set speech output.
   
     Control D.  Set delay for cursor keys.
   
     Control U.  Set the action of the cursor keys.
   
     Control S.  Set whether spaces are compressed or not.
   
   
     Home key.   This takes the cursor to the start of the current line.
   
     End key.  This takes the cursor to the end of the current line.
   
     PgUp key.  This takes the cursor to the top left hand corner of the
           screen.
   
     PgDn key.  This takes the cursor to the bottom left hand corner of the



                       Appendix 2.  Command Summary.                Page 15


           screen.
   
     Cursor Left.  This takes the cursor left by a character, and speaks
           the character.
   
     Cursor Right.  This take the cursor right by a character, and speaks
           the character.
   
     Cursor Up.  This takes the cursor up by a line, and speaks the new
           line.
   
     Cursor Down.  This takes the cursor down by a line, and speaks the new
           line.
   
     Control Cursor Left.  This takes the cursor left by a word and speaks
           the word.
   
     Control Cursor Right.  This takes the cursor right by a word and reads
           the word moved to.
   
   
     ALT_I.  Read the character at the cursor position.  Pressing this
           character a second time will read the phonetic equivalent of the
           character eg. alpha, bravo etc.
   
     ALT_O.  Read the word at the cursor position.
   
     ALT_S.  Set speed of speech.
   
     ALT_G.  Read row and column.
   
     ALT_K.  Read text up to the current cursor location.
   
     ALT_L.  Read the current line of text.
   
   
     RETURN (enter key).  Leave Reading mode and return to Live mode.
   
                                   ** ** **
   


















                                Appendix 3                          Page 16


              Setting the program up for your speech synthesiser
   
   When MTR is first run it reads in the file DEFAULT.MTR from the disc.
   This file tells MTR how to make the speech synthesiser perform certain
   functions such as change speed and shut up.  Some .MTR files are
   provided with the MTR disc and the appropriate one for your speech
   synthesiser should be copied to the file DEFAULT.MTR.  This is initially
   set up for the MIMIC.  If your synthesiser has not been included on the
   list then the following details the format for the DEFAULT.MTR file.
   
   DEFAULT.MTR contains eight lines of text.  Each line is terminated by a
   carriage return.  The first five lines determine what the function keys
   F1 to F10 do.  The keys are groups into five pairs (F1 & F2, etc.)  with
   the odd numbered keys decreasing the option, and the even numbered keys
   increasing it.  The program will step through the options on each line
   every time that you press the appropriate function key.  Each option on
   the line is separated from the next by a comma ",".  If you need to put
   a comma or any control characters into this line of text then you can do
   it by using \xxx where xxx is a 3 digit number and corresponds to the
   ASCII character required (eg.  \001 for ASCII 1 - Control A).
   
   The sixth line of text describes what is to be sent to the synthesiser
   to shut it up.
   
   The seventh line of text describes what can be sent to the synthesiser
   to make it pause.
   
   The eight line of text describes what is to be sent to the synthesiser
   to make it speak what has been sent to it.  This is normally a space, or
   one or more carriage returns.  Again \xxx can be used eg.  \013 for
   return.
   
   It is recommended that you look at some of the existing .MTR files
   before creating your own.
   
   Warning: when you save your parameters to disc with ALT_F then these
   will include some pointers into the function key definitions.  If you
   change to another synthesiser then the function keys may have some
   strange effects the first time that you use them, then they should tidy
   themselves up.
   
   The baud rate is assumed to be 9600 baud and is set by the program.
   
                                   ** ** **
   













                                Appendix 4                          Page 17


                        Files on the distribution disc
   
   1. MTRs.TXT
     This is the document that you are reading.
   
   2. MTRs.BRL
     This is a formatted braille version of the file that you are reading,
     and can be sent to a suitable braille embosser.
   
   3. MTR.EXE
     This is the program which drives the speech synthesiser. (IBM and true
     compatibles only - see next entry.)
   
   4. MTRa.EXE
     This is a version of HAL-16 which should be used with the AMSTRAD
     1512, and some other computers which are not totally IBM compatible.
   
   5. waffle.DOC
     This is the test file which can be TYPEd to the screen for the initial
     practice.
   
   6. *.MTR
     These are the speech synthesiser overlays which can be used to enable
     the program to work with a range of synthesisers.  Rename the
     appropriate one to be default.HAL.
   
   7. PROMO.TXT
     This is a text file which contains details of other products from dsd.
   
   8. HALs.DOC
     This is a copy of the manual for HAL-16 which is the upgraded version
     of the Model Tea Reader, and is included so that you can see the
     facilities in HAL-16.
   
   9. READ.ME
     Basic instructions to tell you what is on the disc.
   
                                   ** ** **
   



















                                Appendix 5                          Page 18


                                  User Guide
   
                                   for the
   
                       Dolphin Mimic Speech Synthesiser
   
        When using this guide, place the synthesiser on its feet with
            the speaker facing you ie. to the rear of the machine.
   
   Controls.
     There are two controls on the front panel.
     The left most rotary control functions as both the on/off switch and
     the volume control. On turning this control fully clockwise you will
     hear "9600" spoken which informs you that the default baud rate is
     9600 baud. If you have changed the internal speed setting to 1200 baud
     then you will hear "1200" spoken.
     The right rotary control varies the pitch of speech, rising if turned
     clockwise and decreasing if turned anti-clockwise.
   
   Speed Setting.
     The speed of the RS-232 port may be set to either 1200 baud or 9600
     baud. The default setting is 9600 although synths supplied for use
     with Microwriters are set to 1200. The setting switch will be found at
     the top left hand corner of the circuit board directly behind the
     RS-232 DIN socket. When the switch is to the left (closest to the DIN
     socket) the speed is 1200 baud. When to the right it is 9600 baud.
     This can be verified by just turning the synth on to hear the speed
     currently set.
   
   Headphone Socket.
     You will find the headphone socket towards the front on the left hand
     side. This accepts a standard stereo headset of the Walkman variety.
     This socket can also be used for cassette recording purposes or to
     link the output to another device.
   
   Mains Adaptor.
     The mains adaptor socket will be found on the right hand side towards
     the rear. It will accept 6 to 9 volts DC with a negative tip supply
     and will charge the internal Ni-cad battery whenever connected.
   
   The Battery.
     At the bottom rear you will find the battery compartment cover. This
     slides off from the rear and will reveal a connector for a PP3
     battery. It is recommended that only alkaline batteries are used to
     give a good life between changes.
   
   Connecting The Synthesiser.
     There are two input ports on this synthesiser. There is a standard
     36-way Centronix parallel port on the rear and a 3 pin DIN socket at
     the rear on the left hand side. Please see below for details.
   
                                   ** ** **
   





                                Appendix 5                          Page 19


                Dolphin Mimic Speech Synthesiser Specification
   
   Size.      W 4" x L 7.5" x front H 1.25" x rear H 2.25".
   
   Weight.    1 lb including battery.
   
   Serial DIN Socket.
     Pin 1          NC.
     Pin 2          Signal in.
     Pin 3          Ground.
   
   Parallel Interface.
     Pin 1          Strobe.
     Pin 2          Data bit 0.
     Pin 3          Data bit 1.
     Pin 4          Data bit 2.
     Pin 5          Data bit 3.
     Pin 6          Data bit 4.
     Pin 7          Data bit 5.
     Pin 8          Data bit 6.
     Pin 9          Data bit 7.
     Pin 10         Acknowledge.
     Pin 11         Busy.
     Pins 19 -> 30  Ground.
     Pins 16,33     Ground .
     Pin 32         Pulled up.
     Pins 12,13,14,15,17,31,34,35,35  NC.
   
   DC Socket.
     Voltage.        6 - 9 volts DC.
     Polarity.       Negative Tip, Positive Barrel.
   
   
   Notes:
   
     (a) There is no hardware or software handshake but there is an 8k
         buffer.
   
     (b) When set to 1200 baud, a quick on/off/on will set the speed to
         9600 baud until switch off.
   
     (c) The power supply will use the mains supply first (if connected),
         then the PP3 (if fitted), and lastly the internal Ni-cad battery.
   
     (d) The low buzzer will sound when there is not enough power in either
         the PP3 or the internal Ni-cad battery. Replace the PP3 or use a
         mains adaptor.
   
                                   ** ** **
   








                                Appendix 5                          Page 20


                              Control Functions
   
   The following functions will be performed by the synthesiser when sent
   the appropiate control code.
   
   Hex code  Keypress  Description
   =================================================================
   
   01        ^A        Software reset. (Shut up!)
   02        ^B        Speech speed slow.
   03        ^C        Speech speed medium (default).
   04        ^D        Speech speed fast.
   05        ^E        Speak 'RETURN' and 'LINEFEED' on.
   06        ^F        Speak 'SPACE' on.
   0E        ^N        Speak 'RETURN' and 'LINEFEED' off (default).
   0F        ^O        Speak 'SPACE' off (default).
   19        ^Y        Normal speed selections.
   1A        ^Z        Speed selections are x2 faster.
   1C        ^\        Speak words, no punctuation (default).
   1D        ^]        Speak words with punctuation.
   1E        ^^        Spell words with punctuation.
   1F        ^_        Spell words phonetically with punctuation.
   
   Notes:
   
     (a) With the faster speeds of the synthesiser it is recommended that
         the pitch of the synthesiser is turned right up.  This should make
         the speech easier to hear.
   
     (b) The above commands all operate as soon as the synthesiser receives
         them.  To make the commands go through the buffer and become
         "in-line", use escape first. An example would be ...
   
            ESCAPE B  (two chars)    in-line,
   
            CONTROL B (one char)     instant.
   
         The escape alternative has no effect with 'A'.
   
                                   ** ** **
   

















                                Appendix 6                          Page 21


         
                   Troubleshooting - your system won't talk
   
     Some hints if you find that your system will not talk.
   
     Are both the computer and the synthesiser switched on?
   
     Are the batteries flat on your MIMIC.
   
     Are you using the correct cable from the computer to the synthesiser?
         Is it plugged in?  To the correct ports?
   
     Is the volume on the synthesiser low?
   
     Have you run the Model Tea Reader?
   
     Have you done an ALT_V which turns the speech off?
   
     Have you restricted the reading to a particular colour with ALT_R?
   
                                   ** ** **
   




































                              Ordering HAL-16                       Page 22


   
   If you wish to order HAL-16 and live outside of the UK then you should
   send a money order for $128 payable to dolphin systems for the disabled
   limited.  If you live in the UK then you should contact us directly.
   Details of HAL-16 can be found in the HAL-16 manual which should be on
   the MTR disc under the name HALs.DOC.  Basic details of HAL-16 and other
   products from dolphin systems for the disabled limited can be found in
   the file promo.txt on the MTR disc.
   
   dolphin systems for the disabled will be moving soon.  For now can you
   please send your money order to:
   
     Paul Blenkhorn
     17 Fordhouse Road,
     Bromsgrove,
     Worcestershire, B60 2LU,
     England.
     Tel: (0527) 73382.
   
                                   ** ** **
   





































