Assistive Technology MiniMerc User Manual

Portable, fully-integrated windows xp-based aac device and computer link plus: a lightweight speaking keyboard with a large display window and scanning

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MiniMerc

User's Guide

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Summary of Contents for Assistive Technology MiniMerc

Page 1 MiniMerc User’s Guide...
Page 2 The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Assistive Technology, Inc. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the written permission of Assistive Technology, Inc.
Page 3: Getting Started
How do I get started with MiniMerc? Use the information in this book to set up your MiniMerc and use it most effectively. Getting Started: Features and setup Learning the basics Mercury Control Panel Turning off and restarting MiniMerc Using the CD-ROM drive Software overview MiniMerc’s remote control features...
Page 4 What built-in features does MiniMerc have?
Page 5 What other features does MiniMerc have?
Page 6 How do I set up and turn on MiniMerc? Attach the power cord to the AC Power Adapter, then plug the power cord into a wall socket or power strip. Plug the AC Power Adapter into the AC Power Adapter/Battery Charger Port on the bottom left side of MiniMerc.
Page 7 How do I use a keyboard and mouse? The keyboard and mouse each plug into a USB port on the left side of the MiniMerc. You can safely plug and unplug these peripherals while MiniMerc is on. They are handy to use when installing new software, editing communication boards, or using the Internet.
Page 8: How Do I Get Started
How do I get started? After you turn on the MiniMerc, you will see the Windows ® Taskbar at the bottom of your desktop. You can access all of your programs, files and settings from the Start menu on the Taskbar.
Page 9 ® Where can I learn about basic Windows skills? If you need help with basic Windows concepts, such as clicking and using files and folders, choose the Tour Windows XP shortcut button from the Start menu (you can also get to this tutorial by choosing All Programs, then Accessories).
Page 10 Where do I go to learn more? Choose Help and Support from the Start menu. The Help and Support Center window appears, with a variety of tools to help you solve a problem or learn more about a Windows feature. Choose a topic from the Pick a Help topic column, or type key words in the Search box.
Page 11 How do I find something on the MiniMerc hard drive? Select My Computer on the Start menu. Double-click on a folder to view its contents. Alternatively, click My Documents on the Start menu. Click the Search button at the top of the window that appears.
Page 12 How do I switch between programs that are open? Speaking Dynamically Pro and Windows Media Player are the open programs in this example. To switch to a different program, click anywhere on the window of that program.
Page 13 What is the Mercury Control Panel? The Mercury Control Panel provides access to a variety of MiniMerc features and controls. continued on the next page...
Page 14 If you click the Setup button on the Mercury Control Panel, you will see the Main Setup screen.
Page 15 How can I customize the Speed Buttons in the Control Panel? This Setup screen allows you to add or remove Speed Buttons to customize your MiniMerc. You can have up to 6 Speed Buttons in a group, and any of the buttons can link to other groups, giving you an unlimited number of possible Speed Buttons.
Page 16 You can create a Speed Button that links to another group of Speed Buttons. Below is an example of a Speed Button group of games. Click the Add button to create a new group. In this example, the group is named Games.
Page 17 Click the new Games group, then add buttons for your Games using the same method described in the Wordpad example on page 13. Click OK and save the changes to your Games and Home button groups. Try out your new Speed Buttons.
Page 18 Stand By mode. Use Shut Down when you plan to leave the MiniMerc for longer periods of time, or you can enable Hibernate in the Power Setup tab (see p. 40). When MiniMerc has been shut down, the screen will be dark, and the status LED will not blink (unless MiniMerc is charging while AC is connected).
Page 19: To Play Dvds
CD drive and the small end into one of the MiniMerc USB ports. To open the CD drive, press the eject button on the front. Place a CD on the tray (label-side up) and then align the hole in the disc directly over the round clip in the center of the drive.
Page 20 Windows Explorer. Drag the files and folders you wish to copy to the CD from your MiniMerc to the CD drive folder. After you have selected the files and folders to copy, they will appear in the CD drive window. Open the CD Writing Wizard by clicking on Write these files to CD .
Page 21 MiniMerc Remote Control boards—a set of six Speaking Dynamically Pro boards located in the SDP Sample Boards folder in the My Boards folder under My Documents. These boards have MiniMerc remote control functions pre-programmed and are designed to be linked to your own SDP communication boards. For help on linking SDP boards, see the User’s Guide for Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro from Mayer-Johnson LLC.
Page 22 How do I set up MiniMerc’s remote controls? Before you use the MiniMerc Remote Control for the first time, you will need to set up the remote control codes for the particular television, VCR, cable system, DVD player, or satellite system you have. You can set up multiple rooms, each with different devices.
Page 23 How do I use MiniMerc’s remote control features? To use MiniMerc’s remote controls, click the Speed Button for Remote on the Mercury Control Panel (see page 11). Click the Change Room button to select the room you are in. From the choices at the top of...
Page 24: Remote Control
How do I program other applications to use MiniMerc’s remote control? All the actions for MiniMerc’s remote control buttons, as well as the actions for the Mercury Control Panel buttons for volume, brightness, stand by, hibernate and shutdown, exist as individual files that can be launched from any program capable of launching applications, such as Speaking Dynamically Pro (SDP)*.
Page 25 2. Depending on the media device you will be using, If you purchased SDP software with your MiniMerc, click one of the following four files (you may not see a pre-made set of boards that perform remote control the .vbs extension):...
Page 26 How do I connect MiniMerc to the Internet? Remember, you need to be physically connected to the Internet in one of the following ways: CardBus modem connected by wire to a telephone jack, CardBus network card (either wireless, shown below, or connected by wire to an Ethernet jack), or USB-Ethernet adapter.
Page 27 How do I find something on the Internet? Click on the Start menu, then click on the Internet Explorer shortcut. Click the Search button, and type what you want to find. A list of Web sites will appear. Click on the link to go to that Web site.
Page 28 Boardmaker ® MiniMerc comes with two features that are specially designed for use with Speaking Dynamically Pro and Boardmaker software from Mayer-Johnson LLC. This software is pre-installed on your MiniMerc if you ordered a Communication Software Set or purchased it separately when you ordered your device.
Page 29 The switch inputs on MiniMerc can be mouse. Some users can physically access a mouse, set to send any keystroke or mouse click. Switch-...
Page 30 For best results when accessing the keyboard directly from the touchscreen, use the stylus included with your MiniMerc. Click on the Keyboard button on the Mercury Control Panel (see page 11).
Page 31 ( Click to select is for direct mouse or touchscreen selection.) To use the On-Screen Keyboard in scanning mode with a keyboard or MiniMerc switch input, select Joystick or key to select . Choose a number from the Scan interval list to set the scanning speed.
Page 32: How Do I Calibrate The Touchscreen
How do I calibrate the touchscreen? The touchscreen interprets your touch and moves the cursor where you move your finger. You can adjust or “calibrate” your touchscreen for your individual touch from the Mercury Control Panel. Note: use your finger or a stylus on the touchscreen; do not use sharp objects that can scratch or puncture it. Click the Setup button on the Mercury Control Panel (see page 11), then in the Main Setup tab under Touchscreen click...
Page 33 Additional Touchscreen Features If you need to access right mouse button functions from the touchscreen, click the Click Settings tab, and then the Enable right click emulation button. If you need to change the way the touchscreen responds, click the Touch Settings tab, and then choose either Normal , Touch-Down or Touch-Up .
Page 34 To use a single switch (for automatic scanning): Insert the plug from the switch into the Switch 1-2 jack on the side of the MiniMerc. Click the Setup button in the Mercury Control Panel, then click the Switches tab and set Switch 1 to the function required by the program you are using.
Page 35 How do I adjust MiniMerc to work with a switch? A switch connected to the MiniMerc normally acts like a mouse button. It translates switch 1 presses into left mouse button clicks. Many switch-accessible programs will require this setting. Some programs require a different setting.
Page 36 If you want to add a switch to click the mouse button, connect a single switch to the Switch 1-2 jack on the MiniMerc or to the auxiliary switch input on the wheelchair ECU.
Page 37 (Select Ignore for unused directions.) How do I use an alternative pointer with MiniMerc? If you want to use an alternative pointer with MiniMerc, you will need a Windows-compatible USB mouse emulator such as the Tracker ®...
Page 38 The MiniMerc’s USB ports let you plug in a range of devices without having to shut down and restart the MiniMerc. As you learned earlier in this User Guide, you plug your mouse into one of the USB ports on the side of MiniMerc.
Page 39 MiniMerc speakers. To hear the previews, button clicks and button scan sounds on headphones only, under Right Volume set Preview Sounds, Button Click Sounds and Button Scan Sounds to Mute. Only Normal Sounds will then be heard from the MiniMerc speakers.
Page 40: Display Control Panel
How do I set up MiniMerc for accessibility? Modifying features in the Windows Control Panel and other options can make MiniMerc easier to access for some users. Display Control Panel To enlarge the size of the text that appears on windows and menus, choose Control Panel from the Start menu.
Page 41 Options Control Panel icon at the next screen. At this window you can choose to open items with a single click. Other Accessibility Options Other accessibility programs included with your MiniMerc are the Magnifier and Narrator. To access Magnifier, a feature that enlarges the mouse or pointer’s current location to make boxes and buttons easier to see, choose All Programs from the Start menu, then Accessories, then Accessibility, then Magnifier.
Page 42 How do I adjust MiniMerc’s power settings? MiniMerc has several power settings that you can adjust. To view or change the settings, click the Setup button on the Mercury Control Panel, then click the Power tab.
Page 43: To Remove The Battery
To preserve the life of your battery, charge and discharge it frequently (daily, if possible). Leaving it in the MiniMerc with it always plugged in will shorten the battery’s life. If the battery will not be used for a long period of time, store it below room temperature at less than a 50% charge.
Page 44 If the problem occurs frequently, contact Technical Support at Assistive Technology, Inc. at 1-800-793-9227. Note: before calling ATI, find the MiniMerc’s serial number, located on the sticker on the rear of the device. You will need to give the ATI...
Page 45: Other Devices
Make sure the Mercury Control Panel is running and is loaded at startup. Check that the touchscreen is not cracked, If that doesn’t work, restart MiniMerc. scratched or damaged, and that nothing is pressing on the touchscreen. If you have a problem with a...
Page 46: To Clean The Case
Do not allow children your MiniMerc is exposed to rain or any other access to the interior of any electrical excess moisture product and do not permit them to handle your MiniMerc has been dropped or the case any cables.
Page 47 Keep MiniMerc away from sources of liquids, such as drinks, bathtubs, or shower stalls. If you MiniMerc. spill any food or liquid onto the MiniMerc, shut it Always leave space around your MiniMerc down immediately, unplug it and remove the battery before cleaning it.
Page 48 If you have a problem with your MiniMerc and If your MiniMerc has been in a cold place for nothing in the manual helps, call Assistive several hours, let it warm up to room Technology, Inc. at 800-793-9227. Attempting to temperature before using it.
Page 49: Technical Information
Technical Information Communications regulation information Plug the MiniMerc into an outlet that is on a different circuit from the television or radio. (That is, make certain the FCC declaration of conformity MiniMerc and the television or radio are on circuits controlled by different circuit breakers or fuses.)