MiniMerc User’s Guide Assistive Technology, Inc.
Assistive Technology, Inc. has made every effort to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate; it is not responsible for printing errors. 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.
How do I get started with MiniMerc? Use the information in this book to set up your MiniMerc and use it most effectively.
What built-in features does MiniMerc have? Power Button Turn MiniMerc on or reset it. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Touchscreen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Status LED ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Blinks when MiniMerc is charging or in Stand By mode.
What other features does MiniMerc have? ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○○ ○ ○ ○ CardBus Slot For networking or wireless accessories. ○ ○ ○ Removable Battery Built-in Microphone Record sounds and speech.
How do I set up and turn on MiniMerc? 1 2 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. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Power Button ○ ○ ○ 3 Press the Power Button on the side of MiniMerc to turn it on. ○ Be sure that nothing is touching the screen while the MiniMerc is starting up.
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. An on-screen keyboard is also available. Refer to page 28 for more information.
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. After you click on the Start button, the Start menu will appear. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ When you turn on your MiniMerc, the Mercury Control Panel will load and will always be available on the Taskbar (see below).
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). After the introduction, click on the Windows XP Basics button and follow the instructions.
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. Click on any of the topics that appear. If you didn’t find the information you needed, enter different key words.
How do I find something on the MiniMerc hard drive? ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Double-click on a folder to view its contents. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 1 2 Select My Computer on the Start menu. Alternatively, click My Documents on the Start menu. Click the Search button at the top of the window that appears. Make a selection from the left pane to begin your search.
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. The Taskbar lists all programs that are currently running. If a program is running but its window is minimized or covered by other windows, click on its button on the Taskbar to switch ○ ○ to it.
What is the Mercury Control Panel? The Mercury Control Panel provides access to a variety of MiniMerc features and controls. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Use these controls to adjust the MiniMerc speaker and headphone volume and brightness of the display. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Shows time remaining if charging, or time left on battery, if unplugged. Click the More Info button to access information about the MiniMercs power supply.
If you click the Setup button on the Mercury Control Panel, you will see the Main Setup screen. Click on the tabs below to switch to different setup screens. Use this check box ○ to restrict access to Setup options by requiring a keyboard to type . ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Use this check box to restrict access to Setup options by requiring a password (entered at the right). ○ For For For For ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Speed Buttons, see p. 13. Switches, see p. 32.
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. 1 2 3 Click the Setup button on the main screen of the Mercury Control Panel, then the Speed Buttons tab. ○ To add a new button to the Home group, click the Edit button next to the first empty button.
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. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 2 Add a Speed Button to the Home group that will link to Games. To do this, click the Edit button. ○ 1 Click the Add button to create a new group. In this example, the group is named Games.
5 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. Click the Wordpad button to launch Wordpad. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Click the Back button to go to the previous button group. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Click the Home button to return to the Home group.
How do I turn MiniMerc off? n Use the Shut Down button on the Mercury Control Panel to turn off your MiniMerc. Use the Stand By button to put it into Stand By mode. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ n Use Stand By mode when you leave MiniMerc for a short time. MiniMerc uses very little power in Stand By mode, so you increase the amount of time you can operate MiniMerc on its battery. In Stand By mode, the MiniMerc screen will go blank, and the status LED will blink green.
How do I use the CD-R/RW drive? MiniMerc comes with an external USB CD-R/RW drive and AC adapter. You can use it to run or install software, make backup copies of your important files, or play music CDs. Plug in the AC adapter and set the switch on the back of the drive to “EXT”. Then connect the drive to MiniMerc by plugging the large end of the cable provided into center of the back of the CD drive and the small end into one of the MiniMerc USB ports.
To make backup copies of your files and folders to a CD: You will find it easy and convenient to make backup copies of your data files to a CD using the CD Writing software in Windows XP and blank CD-R or CD-RW discs that you purchase. 1 Place a blank CD disc in the CD drive. In the dialog box that appears, click OK to open a writable CD folder using Windows Explorer. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Names of files appear here.
What software is included with MiniMerc? MiniMerc comes with a variety of software installed. Some functions of these programs may require mouse and keyboard. You may need additional software for your particular input method to work with them. Microsoft® Internet Explorer—browser software that gives you access to the World Wide Web. You need to set up an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) before you can go online.
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. 1 Click the Setup button in the Mercury Control Panel (see page 11), then click on the Remote Control tab. 2 Click the Add button to add a room.
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). 2 From the choices at the top of the Remote Control window, click on the device you want to control. 3 Click the buttons on your MiniMerc’s “virtual” remote to operate the device. The buttons that are available depend on the type of device. For example, the Television button set does not include the VCR controls.
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)*.
Selecting Multi-digit Channels with Speaking Dynamically Pro® Entering a two- or three-digit channel number (any channel number above 9) typically requires careful timing in order to be successful. For example, if you want to enter channel 56, and pause for too long between pressing the 5 and pressing the 6, your device may change first to channel 5 and then to channel 6, rather than to channel 56. This may be even more difficult for switch users when scanning from one digit to the next.
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. You also need to have an account with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) before you can access the Internet. Your ISP may provide instructions and installation disks.
How do I find something on the Internet? 1 2 3 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.
Handy Tools for Speaking Dynamically Pro and 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.
What type of input device should I use? Who uses a touchscreen? A person who can target objects by direct selection, who cannot attend to both the computer screen and a peripheral device simultaneously, or who cannot associate using a peripheral device with seeing cursor movement on the screen is a good candidate for a touchscreen. Clinicians often use a touchscreen to motivate clients to interact with the computer. Who uses a switch? A person with very limited movement is a good candidate for a switch.
How do I use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard? The Windows On-Screen Keyboard can be used in click or hovering (dwell) mode with a mouse or joystick for selecting characters, or can be used in scanning mode using a keyboard or switch input. For best results when accessing the keyboard directly from the touchscreen, use the stylus included with your MiniMerc. 1 Click on the Keyboard button on the Mercury Control Panel (see page 11). 2 At the Settings menu on the On-Screen Keyboard, choose Typing Mode.
3 To use the On-Screen Keyboard in hovering (dwell) mode with a mouse or joystick, select Hover to select. Adjust the minimum hover time by choosing a number from the Minimum time to hover list. (Click to select is for direct mouse or touchscreen selection.) 4 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. Click the Advanced button to select the Keyboard key.
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. 1 Click the Setup button on the Mercury Control Panel (see page 11), then in the Main Setup tab under Touchscreen click Touchscreen Setup.
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.
How do I attach a switch to MiniMerc? 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. Make sure that Switch 2 is set to Ignore. To use two switches simultaneously (for dual-switch scanning): Use a dual switch (such as the Rocker switch from Tash, Inc.
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. To change the settings: 1 2 Open the Mercury Control Panel. Click the Setup button, then click the Switches tab. Use the program’s documentation to choose the correct settings for either single- or dualswitch scanning.
How do I set up MiniMerc to work with my wheelchair electronics? If you are powering your MiniMerc with a wheelchair battery, install the MiniMerc wheelchair power cable (purchased separately from ATI) and make the power connections from the port on the wheelchair to the MiniMerc AC Adapter/Battery Charger port.
If you want to change what your joystick does: 1 Open the Mercury Control Panel, click Setup, then click the Edit Custom button under Joystick on the Switches tab. 2 The Custom Joystick Setup window will appear. Choose the settings appropriate for you and the programs you use. (Select Ignore for unused directions.) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Check your software documentation to determine which keystroke to enter here, if you want the joystick to send keystrokes.
What other devices work with MiniMerc? 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.
How do I use headphones? To listen to headphones privately (or anytime you want to turn off the built-in speakers), open the Mercury Control Panel. Turn down the Speaker volume (to 0) and set Headphone volume as desired. The headphone preview feature is supported for Speaking Dynamically Pro software or any program that uses the left channel for previews and the right channel for the main voice. In the Mercury Control Panel, click Setup, then click Enable under Headphone Preview on the Main Setup tab.
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. At the Pick a Category screen, choose Appearance and Themes. Then choose Display from the Control Panel icons near the bottom of the screen. Select the Appearance tab on the Display Properties window that appears.
Accessibility Options Control Panel For keyboard users: At the Start menu, choose Control Panel. At the Pick a Category screen, choose Accessibility Options. Then choose the Accessibility Options Control Panel icon at the next screen. At this window you can turn on and off features such as StickyKeys, FilterKeys, and ToggleKeys. Folder Options Control Panel At the Start menu, choose Control Panel. At the Pick a Category screen, choose Appearance and Themes.
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. Adjust the level at ○ which MiniMerc warns you of a low battery or shuts down the MiniMerc . Choose the suspend mode you prefer. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Choose which power ○ buttons are available on the Mercury Control Panel main screen.
What do I need to know about the MiniMerc battery? MiniMerc runs on a Lithium Ion battery with a charge that lasts approximately seven hours with average use. It recharges when plugged into its AC Power Adapter. The battery fully recharges in approximately four hours while plugged into the AC Power Adapter. Additional MiniMerc batteries as well as an optional external battery charger are sold separately by Assistive Technology, Inc.
What if I have a problem? If MiniMerc won’t respond, the pointer won’t move, or the display is dim: Tap the screen. It may take a few seconds to respond. If not, try to cancel what MiniMerc is doing: n Press the keys simultaneously. Choose Task Manager and then click on the End Task button. n If the MiniMerc does not respond, press the keys simultaneously and click on the Shutdown button in Task Manager. If your MiniMerc still doesn’t respond, restart it.
If your touchscreen does not respond after you turn on MiniMerc: n Check that the touchscreen is not cracked, scratched or damaged, and that nothing is pressing on the touchscreen. n If your mouse and keyboard work properly, check that the TSHARC driver is loaded. Restart MiniMerc by selecting Turn Off Computer from the Start menu and then choosing Restart. n If this does not solve the problem, call ATI Technical Support.
How do I clean and care for MiniMerc? For your own safety and to protect your MiniMerc, always disconnect the power plug (by pulling the plug, not the cord) and remove the battery if any of the following conditions exist: n the power cord or plug becomes frayed or otherwise damaged n you spill something into the case n your MiniMerc is exposed to rain or any other excess moisture n your MiniMerc has been dropped or the case has been otherwise damaged n you suspect that your MiniMerc needs service or repair
Is there anything else I need to know? Follow these instructions to use MiniMerc safely and wisely. When setting up and using MiniMerc, remember the following: n Read the installation instructions carefully before you plug MiniMerc into a wall socket. n Keep these instructions handy for reference by you and others. n Follow all instructions and warnings that appear on the MiniMerc screen. n Use only the power adapter that came with MiniMerc.
n If you have a problem with your MiniMerc and nothing in the manual helps, call Assistive Technology, Inc. at 800-793-9227. Attempting to repair MiniMerc yourself will void your warranty. n Do not move MiniMerc if you hear its hard disk spinning. When you put the MiniMerc in Stand By mode, wait until the screen is dark before moving it. n Never force a connector into a port. Make sure the connector matches the port and that it is oriented properly.
Technical Information Communications regulation information FCC declaration of conformity This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Radio and television interference The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy.
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