Prentke Romich Company walkertalker User manual

PRENTKE ROMICH COMPANY
European Headquarters:
Prentke Romich Europe Ltd
Whitegates • Swinstead • Grantham • Lincs.• NG33 4PA • UK.
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
The
WalkerTalker
Operater's Manual
PRENTKE ROMICH COMPANY
World Headquarters:
1022 Heyl Rd. • Wooster, Ohio 44691
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Web Site Address: www.prentrom.com

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WalkerTalker is a trademark of Prentke Romich Company
Minspeak is a registered trademark of Semantic Compaction Systems. Minspeak uses the
methodology derived from the concepts covered by U.S Patent Numbers 4,661,916; 5,097,425;
5,210,689 and subsequent patents and applications of Bruce Baker.
Unity is a registered trademark in the USA of Semantic Compaction Systems.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
AppleTalk is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
The person who uses the WalkerTalker for speech output may
reveal potential for upgrading to a more powerful Minspeak
communication device.
©Prentke Romich Company 1993, 1994, 1997. All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws this
manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without written consent of Prentke Romich
Company.

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Table of Contents
General
What is the WalkerTalker? ...............................................................................5
The WalkerTalker Keyboard ............................................................................7
The WalkerTalker Speaker...............................................................................9
The WalkerTalker Control Unit......................................................................11
The WalkerTalker Memory Unit ....................................................................13
Hooking Up and Adjusting the WalkerTalker ................................................15
Charging the Batteries.....................................................................................17
What is Minspeak?..........................................................................................19
An Example of Using Minspeak Icons............................................................21
Selecting Icons................................................................................................23
Changing an Overlay.......................................................................................25
Location Codes ...............................................................................................27
Control Panel Activities
Use the Control Panel to Record and Store Messages ....................................29
Choose Standard or Extended Speech.............................................................31
Before You Begin Storing, Plan Your Messages............................................33
Storing a Message...........................................................................................35
When a Shorter Message is Hidden by a Longer Message .............................37
Review Your Messages...................................................................................39
Erase a Message..............................................................................................41
Toolbox Tools
Using the Toolbox Overlay.............................................................................43
Tools in the Toolbox.......................................................................................45
Completely Erase ('Zorro') the WalkerTalker.................................................47
Change Audible Key Feedback.......................................................................49
One Icon Theme Set........................................................................................51
One Icon Theme Clear....................................................................................53
Control Panel On/Off......................................................................................55
Change Key Acceptance Time........................................................................57
System Defaults ..............................................................................................59
Some Keys Contain More Then One Tool......................................................61
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting: General ..............................................................................63
Troubleshooting: Batteries.............................................................................65
STORE, ERASE and REVIEW at a Glance...................................................67
Index...............................................................................................................69

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MEMORY UNIT SPEAKER CONTROL UNIT
16 Key Keyboard
Worn in Pouch on Control Belt
This area slides back
to reveal Control Panel
The WalkerTalker Parts

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What is the WalkerTalker?
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WalkerTalker is a wearable communication aid for ambulatory
non-speaking clients. The WalkerTalker uses the Minspeak
Language System for organizing and accessing vocabulary.
The Walker Talker is mounted on a belt and consists of a Speaker
with microphone, Control Unit and Memory Unit. The belt is
worn around the waist. The 16-key keyboard fits into a small
pouch which attaches to the belt. The keyboard can be removed
from the belt and hand-held. You can also attach it to a hard
surface using the dual-lock that came in the packing box.
The WalkerTalker is wrapped inside a protective cover. You can
remove the cover by pulling the Velcro tabs apart. The
WalkerTalker lifts out of the cover. The keyboard and keyboard
pouch can be placed on the left or right side of the belt. The
protective cover, when you want to use it, can be turned in either
direction to accommodate the keyboard. See page 6 to learn how to
connect the keyboard to the Control Unit.
By using the Control Panel inside the Control Unit, a speaking
person can record messages for the user. Then by pressing keys on
the keyboard, the user can recall the messages that have been
stored into the device. In this way, the WalkerTalker allows users
to participate in conversations wherever they happen to take place.
This Operator's Manual should be used as a more complete
supplement to the First Steps workbook. The Operator's Manual
explains the WalkerTalker functions and how to use them. The
First Steps workbook is a step-by-step guide to getting started on
the WalkerTalker and to creating and storing a vocabulary

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OVERLAY
KEYGUARD
TOOLBOX
The Keyboard

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The WalkerTalker Keyboard
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The Walker-Talker has two separate parts—the belt that contains
the Memory Unit, the speaker and microphone and the Control
Unit. The Keyboard is a separate unit that detaches from the belt
and can be held in the hand. The belt is adjustable and is to be
worn around the waist.
The 16 key keyboard consists of 16 small keys and a sturdy
plastic keyguard that covers the keys. Underneath the keyguard
you can find an overlay protector and a vinyl overlay. These can all
be removed from the keyboard. Underneath the vinyl overlay is
another overlay that displays the Toolbox functions. Your
WalkerTalker comes with a sample overlay with icons on it already
in place underneath the keyguard. Use the sample overlay with the
First Steps workbook.
You use the keyboard to store and retrieve messages. Activate
keys on the keyboard by pressing on them.

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Microphone
External
Microphone Jack
MEMORY UNIT SPEAKER CONTROL UNIT
WalkerTalker Speaker

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The WalkerTalker Speaker
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The belt contains three units. The Speaker is the round
component between the Memory Unit and the Control Unit. The
bottom of the speaker contains the microphone you speak into
while storing messages. There is also a jack where you can plug in
an external microphone.
When you record messages for the WalkerTalker, don't mumble
and don't shout; just speak clearly into the microphone in your
normal voice.

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Computer
MTI
RS-232 Keyboard Battery Charger
Slide top panel back
to see inside Control Unit
BATTERY HOOK-UP
CONTROL UNIT
and charging LED
STORE
RECORD
ERASE EXTENDED
MEMORY FULL
REVIEW
EXT SP
Connectors on
end of Control
Unit
Control Unit and Control Panel