Sony ERS-210 AIBO Dancer Quick start guide

AIBO Messenger ERF-210AW04
User’s Guide
ERF-210AW04
© 2001 Sony Corporation
AIBO Messenger
4-655-770-12 (1)
English
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Notice to Users
©2001 Sony Corporation All rights
reserved. This manual and the software
described herein, in whole or in part, may
not be reproduced, translated or reduced
to any machine-readable form without
prior written approval.
EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH
IN THE END-USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT, SONY CORPORATION
PROVIDES THIS MANUAL, THE
SOFTWARE AND THE OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
“AS IS” WITH NO WARRANTY AND
HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY,
NONINFRINGEMENT OR FITNESS FOR
ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH
REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE
SOFTWARE, OR SUCH OTHER
INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL
SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER
BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR
OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL,
THE SOFTWARE, OR OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
OR THE USE THEREOF.
THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR
STATUTORY RIGHTS.
Sony Corporation reserves the right to
make any modification to this manual or
the information contained herein at any
time without notice.
This product contains software owned by
Sony Corporation and licensed from third
parties. Use of such software is subject to
the terms and conditions of license
agreements enclosed with this product.
Software specifications are subject to
change without notice and may not
necessarily be identical to current retail
versions.
En
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Before using this software, please read the accompanying End-User License
Agreement which governs use of this software.
Customer Support
How to contact the AIBO Customer Link.
In the United States and Canada
1-800-427-2988
Email address: [email protected].com
In Australia
Call [phone] (toll free within Australia)
E-mail address: [email protected].com
In Europe
English line: [phone]
German line: [phone]
French line: [phone]
Email address: [email protected]
1
En
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“OPEN-R” is the standard interface for the entertainment robot
system that Sony is actively promoting. This interface expands the
capability of the entertainment robot through a flexible combination
of hardware and interchangeable software to suit various applications.
“AIBO” ERS-210 and “AIBO Messenger” ERF-210AW04 conform
to OPEN-R version 1.1 (software specifications).
“AIBO”, the AIBO logo , “OPEN-R” and the OPEN-R logo are registered
trademarks of Sony Corporation.
“Memory Stick,” “ ” and “ ” are trademarks of Sony
Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, Outlook Express, and Internet Explorer are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Eudora is a registered trademark of Board of Trustees, Illinois University and is
licensed to Qualcomm Corporation in the United States.
All other system names and product names mentioned herein may be trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
In this manual, the “™” and “®” marks have been omitted.
Other information about AIBO is available on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.aibo.com/
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All
rights reserved.

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Table of contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 6
Starting AIBO Messenger ......................................................................................... 7
Quitting AIBO Messenger......................................................................................... 9
AIBO’s modes and how to resume normal operation ............................................. 10
Having AIBO read an E-mail message aloud ......................................................... 12
Checking if you get a new E-mail message ..............................................................13
Having AIBO read aloud an E-mail message ........................................................... 15
Stopping AIBO from reading a mail message or havingAIBO read it again ...........17
Having AIBO read a Web page aloud ..................................................................... 18
Stopping AIBO from reading a Web page or having AIBO read it again .................19
Using the clock function ......................................................................................... 20
Checking the current time .........................................................................................20
Using the reminder function .....................................................................................21
Setting up AIBO Messenger.................................................................................... 22
Automatically checking for new mails .....................................................................23
Selecting AIBO’s Voice.............................................................................................24
Using the user dictionary ..........................................................................................25
Selecting a Web page forAIBO to read ....................................................................30
Setting the reminder ..................................................................................................31
Setting the AIBO IP address......................................................................................31
List of commands .................................................................................................... 32
List of key words..................................................................................................... 34
List of pronunciation symbols (List of phonemes) ................................................. 36
Notes on use ............................................................................................................ 38
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................... 40
For more information about “AIBO” ERS-210 (names of parts, settings,
“Memory Stick” installation, safety precautions, etc.), refer to the “AIBO”
ERS-210 Operating Instructions.

6
Introduction
Have you finished installing AIBO Messenger ERF-210AW04 (hereafter referred
to as AIBO Messenger)?
If not, refer to the supplied Setup Guide to install AIBO Messenger and set up a
wireless LAN.
Now, let’s start up AIBO Messenger and have AIBO read aloud an E-mail or Web
page.

7
Starting AIBO Messenger
Turn on your personal computer (PC) and AIBO, and then start up AIBO
Messenger.
Notes
• AIBO moves by itself in joyful exuberance even when it does not read an E-mail
or Web page once you start up AIBO Messenger. Do not place AIBO on a place
where it may fall off such as a desktop.
• If you start up AIBO Messenger when you are already on the Internet via a
modem, AIBO Messenger may automatically dial up to connect to the Internet
depending on your environment to check if your PC is already connected to the
Internet.
1 Turn on your PC.
Turn on your PC and start Windows.
2 Start upAIBO.
Insert the “Memory Stick” into AIBO and start it up.
1Insert theAIBO Messenger “Memory Stick” into AIBO.
For details, refer to the “AIBO” ERS-210 Operating Instructions.
2Press the pause button onAIBO to start up AIBO.
AIBO Messenger starts up and it waits for a new E-mail message.

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WhenAIBO Messenger waits for a new E-mail message
(E-mail waiting mode)
After you start up AIBO Messenger, AIBO waits for a new
E-mail message, that is, it enters E-mail waiting mode. After
AIBO finishes reading a received E-mail aloud or if you do
not give any instruction to AIBO for one minute, AIBO
waits for a new E-mail or your command. AIBO waits for a new
E-mail message.
Note
AIBO Messenger functions even when AIBO is mounted on the Energy Station
(optional). In this case, AIBO moves its head and/or tail only.
3 Start upAIBO Messenger.
Click the Start button on the task bar, and click Program, AIBO Messenger, and
AIBO Messenger in this order.
The Owner Authentication dialog box appears on the screen.
(If you do not set up any user ID and password during set-up of AIBO Messenger,
this Owner Authentication dialog box will not appear.)
4 Type the user ID and password you entered to set up the wireless LAN
(see page 15, Setup Guide), and then click OK.
If you select the Save password check box, you
need not type the user ID and password the next
time.
The AIBO Messenger title screen appears, and
the AIBO Messenger icon appears in the task
tray.
AIBO Messenger icon
During communication: yellow
Idle: white

9
Quitting AIBO Messenger
1 Click theAIBO Messenger
icon in the task tray with the
right button, and select Exit
from the menu.
2 Press the pause button onAIBO’s chest to pauseAIBO, and then
remove the “Memory Stick” fromAIBO.
For details on removing the “Memory Stick”, refer to the “AIBO” ERS-210
Operating Instructions.

10
To charge the battery pack
Press the pause button on AIBO’s chest
to pause AIBO.
AIBO Messenger
Press the chin sensor and
back sensor at the same
time for 3 seconds.
Something gets caught in
its leg or neck joints.
AIBO is picked up.
Charge the battery with the AC adapter supplied
with AIBO or with an Energy Station (optional).
For details, refer to the Operating Instructions
for “AIBO” ERS-210 and/or the Energy Station.
Note
AIBO does not read an
E-mail message aloud or
notify you of the current
time when it is being
charged, i.e. it is connected
to the AC adapter.
AIBO is waiting for a new E-mail message.
It checks to see if you get a new E-mail message at regular intervals
you set in advance.
In this mode, you can give the following instructions to AIBO:
• Check if you get a new E-mail message.
“Check mail”
• Read the received E-mail message aloud.
“Read my mail”
• Read a Web page.
“Read page number xx”
• Check the current time.
“What time is it now?”
E-mail waiting mode
E-mail waiting mode
AIBO’s modes and how to resume
normal operation
If an object gets caught in AIBO’s joint or AIBO is picked up and interrupted
during AIBO Messenger operation, follow the procedure below to restore AIBO to
“E-mail waiting mode”.

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If any object jams up AIBO’s neck or hip joint,
AIBO loosens up all of its joints. This is to
prevent accidental injury in case you catch your
finger in one of its joint. In this condition,
AIBO’s mode indicator flashes. To return
AIBO to normal, press the head sensor for 3
seconds or more.
When you pick up AIBO, AIBO
enters a mode that makes it easier
for you to hold AIBO and flashes
its mode indicator.
To return AIBO to normal, put
AIBO down on the floor. If AIBO
does not return to normal, press its
head sensor for 3 seconds or more.
AIBO finishes
walking.
Press the head
sensor for
3 seconds.
Put AIBO down on
the floor or press
its head sensor
for 3 seconds.
Dismount AIBO from the
Energy Station.
Mount AIBO on
the Energy
Station.
Jam condition
Jam condition
Picked-up condition
Picked-up condition
Even when AIBO is mounted on an
Energy Station, it can read an
E-mail message aloud or notify you
of the current time. However, only
its head or tail moves.
Station mode
Station mode
Walking condition
Walking condition
Even when AIBO is picked up, it
reads an E-mail message or
Web page aloud or notifies you
the current time. However, only
its head or tail moves.
Joints loosen up.
AIBO walks.
When an Energy
Station (optional)
is used
Flashes.
Flashes.

12
Having AIBO read an E-mail
message aloud
To have AIBO read an E-mail message aloud, give an instruction to AIBO to do so
with your voice or pressing its sensor. Several commands are provided to indicate
one instruction. Here a few commands are described as an example. For details on
commands, see “List of commands”(page 32).
E-mail waiting mode
E-mail waiting mode
Lies down.
Sits down.
Sits down.
Reading-E-mail command waiting mode
Reading-E-mail command waiting mode
Reading an E-mail message
aloud
Reading an E-mail message
aloud
AIBO waits for a new E-mail message.
It checks whether you get a new E-mail
message at intervals you set in advance.
AIBO waits for your instruction to read an
E-mail message.
Hello, let’s have
lunch tomorrow at
the restaurant I
found a few days
ago…
You have got xx
new mails.
There is no new
mail.
You have got a mail
from xx titled xx.
When you say “check mail”or
“Read my mail”and there is
new mail.
“Read my mail”
“Finish reading”
You do not give any instruction
to AIBO for one minute.
AIBO finished reading an E-mail
message or stopped reading it.
“Next mail”
“Previous mail”

13
Checking if you get a new E-mail message
Automatically checking an E-mail message
AIBO automatically checks whether a new E-mail has arrived or not at intervals
you set in advance. For details on setting the interval, see “Setting up AIBO
Messenger”(page 22).
Note
If you select Eudora 4.3 as the default E-mail application, this automatic mail check function
will not notify you of arrival of a new mail message when it is executed for the first time
after its arrival. It notifies you of the mail arrival when executed the next time.
Checking a new E-mail message when you like
You can check to see if a new E-mail message
has arrived by instructing AIBO when you
like.
Say “Check mail” to AIBO when it is on
E-mail waiting mode, or press its head sensor
strongly in a moment.
Check mail.
E-mail waiting mode
Note
If you select Eudora 4.3 as the default E-mail application, you cannot use this function:
checking a new E-mail message when you like. Even though you say, “Check mail” to
AIBO, it says, “This operation is not allowed with the e-mail software that is set up.”

14
If you get a new E-mail message
AIBO notifies you of new mail message reception as follows:
“You have got xx new mails.” (when the automatic checking function is executed)
“There are xx new mails.” (when you instructed AIBO to check an E-mail
message)
To have AIBO read a new E-mail message
after that, say “Read my mail” to AIBO, or
press its head sensor strongly in a moment.
AIBO will read aloud the “sender”, “title”and
“message”.
To stop AIBO from reading messages before it finishes reading them, press its back
sensor.
You have got xx
new mails
Read my mail.
Stop reading a message.
If you get no new E-mail message
AIBO notifies you that there is no mail message by saying “There is no new
mail.” Note that AIBO says nothing when you use the automatic mail check
function.

15
Having AIBO read aloud an E-mail message
Have AIBO read aloud an E-mail message in the electronic in-tray.
1 Say, “Read my mail” to AIBO, which is in E-mail waiting mode, or
move AIBO to and fro twice while pressing its head sensor gently.
AIBO reads aloud the “sender”and “title”of
the latest mail message in the in-tray, and
then waits for your instruction to read mail
(that is, sits down).
If there is no mail message on the
in-tray, AIBO says “There is no mail in the
in-tray.”
2 Give either of the following instructions toAIBO:
You can give any number of commands to AIBO continuously.
“Read my mail” (or press the AIBO’s head sensor strongly in a moment.)
AIBO will read aloud the message text itself of the current E-mail.
“Previous mail” (or press the AIBO’s chin sensor for 3 seconds or more.)
AIBO will read the sender and title of the E-mail message received immediately
before the current mail. To have AIBO read the message itself aloud, say “Read my
mail” to AIBO or press the AIBO’s head sensor strongly in a moment.
If there is no mail before the current mail, AIBO says, “The specified message does
not exist.”
You have got a mail from
xx titled xx.
Read my mail.

16
“Next mail” (or press the AIBO’s back sensor for 3 seconds or more.)
AIBO will read the sender and title of the E-mail message received immediately
after the current mail. To have AIBO read the message itself aloud, say “Read my
mail” to AIBO or press the AIBO’s head sensor strongly in a moment.
If there is no mail after the current mail, AIBO says, “The specified message does
not exist.”
“Finish reading” (move AIBO to and fro twice while pressing its head sensor
gently.)
AIBO re-enters E-mail waiting mode (that is, lies down.)
Notes
•While AIBO is reading a message, it will not respond to any instruction you give to
AIBO. Stop AIBO from reading the message by pressing its back sensor, or wait for
AIBO to finish reading the message.
•If you give no instruction to AIBO for one minute after it finishes reading a message, it
enters E-mail waiting mode (that is, lies down.)
When an E-mail message contains a phrase(s) or sentence(s)
quoted from another E-mail message
AIBO changes its face direction or voice to indicate that it is reading a
quotation now. For details, see “Setting up AIBO Messenger”(page 22).
When an E-mail message contains the specific key word(s)
AIBO makes a motion corresponding to the key word contained. For details
on key words, see “List of key words”(page 34).

17
Stopping AIBO from reading a mail message or
having AIBO read it again
Use AIBO’s sensors to stop it from reading a message or have AIBO read it again.
To stop AIBO from
reading a message
Press its back sensor
while it is reading a
message.
AIBO re-enters
Reading-E-mail
command waiting
mode.
To have AIBO re-read
a message from the
beginning
Press its head sensor
strongly for a moment
while it is reading a
message.
AIBO re-reads the message
it is reading from the
beginning.

18
Having AIBO read a Web page aloud
AIBO can read aloud text displayed on a Web page
whose URL is registered in advance. Up to five
Web pages can be registered. For details on how to
register a Web page, see “Setting up AIBO
Messenger” (page 22).
Say “Read page number xx” toAIBO while in E-mail waiting mode.
AIBO will read aloud the Web page whose number is
specified.
Notes
• AIBO cannot read aloud a framed Web page. AIBO says, “The specified URL page
uses framesets and cannot be read.”
• While AIBO is reading a Web page, it cannot respond to any instruction you give to
AIBO. StopAIBO from reading the web page by pressing its back sensor or wait for
AIBO to finish reading the Web page.
Read page
number 2.

19
Stopping AIBO from reading a Web page or
having AIBO read it again
Use AIBO’s sensors to stop it from reading a Web page or haveAIBO read it again.
To have AIBO re-read a
Web page from the
beginning.
Press its head sensor
strongly for a moment
while it is reading a Web
page.
AIBO re-reads the Web page
it is reading from the
beginning.
To stop AIBO
from reading a
Web page
Press its back
sensor while it is
reading a Web
page.
AIBO re-enters
E-mail waiting mode.

20
Using the clock function
AIBO lets you know the current time.
AIBO can say the specified message at a time you set also.
Note
Before using this function, be sure to set the clock of your PC correctly.
Checking the current time
AIBO notifies you of the current time.
Say, “What time is it now?” to AIBO, who is in E-mail waiting mode.
AIBO says, “The time is xx.”
What time is it now?
The time is 6:24.