ECTkeyboard - Settings and additional parameters
ECTkeyboard Settings Guide
- Current selector mode
- ID
- Active language file
- Value separation symbol
- Button selection hotkeys (codes)
- Name of file containing keyboard labels
- Name of file containing keyboard sounds
- Name of file containing keyboard icons
- Keyboard icon transparency color
- Name of file to save output when the user requests
- Date and time format
- Autosave time interva
- Name of file to save current work to automatically
- Minimum holding time (for selection)
- Maximum holding time (for rejection)
- Extended hold time
- Command code for extended hold time
- Column cycling delay time
- Row cycling delay time
- Progress bar selects sound file
- Progress bar rejects sound file
- Display window borders
- Title of the window to receive key codes (target)
- Class of the object to receive key codes (target)
- Time delay at the beginning of every new scanning (in ms)
- Cursor key-codes (up#right#down#left)
- Column with labels (label#action)
- Column with sounds
- Column with icons (state 1#state 2#state 3#state 4#state 5)
- Separating symbol for parameters inside keyboard command
- X coordinate of the window to receive key codes (target)
- Y coordinate of the window to receive key codes (target)
- Handle of the window to receive key codes (target)
- Time delay before selecting the window to receive key codes (target) (in ms)
- Selection sound file for the window to receive key codes (target)
- Voice volume for the SPEAK command
- Voice speed for the SPEAK command
- Pronunciation of keys
- Synchronous or Asynchronous SPEAK command (0-synchronous; 1-asynchronous)
- Adjust button size dimensions to fill the keyboard window
- Main window (keyboard) – left margin position
- Main window (keyboard) – top margin position
- Main window (keyboard) – width
- Main window (keyboard) – height
- Number of buttons per row
- Number of buttons per column
- Width of buttons
- Height of buttons
- Space between rows
- Space between columns
- Size of button borders in pixels
- Direction of button labels (0-vertical; 1-horizontal)
- Positioning of text (1-9)
- Positioning
- Scale keyboard icons (in percents)
- (63, 69, 75) Button font name
- (64, 70, 76) Font size of button text
- (65, 71, 77) Button text color
- (66, 72, 78) Button surface color
- (67, 73, 79) Button border color
- (68, 74, 80) Key state background color
- 81. Rendered keyboard save file name
- 82. Size of row shift in pixels
- 83. Size of column shift in pixels
- 84. Disable the cursor at empty border cells
- 85. Repaint delay of the main window (keyboard) (in ms)
- Show/Hide the output window
- Output window – left margin positioning
- Output window – top margin positioning
- Output window – width
- Output window – height
- Output window – font name
- Output window – font size
- Output window – text color
- Output window – background color
- Location of progress-bar
- Progress bar – left margin positioning
- Progress bar – top margin positioning
- Progress bar – width
- Progress bar – height
- Progress bar – height of progress bar
- Progress bar – text labeling type
- (144) Progress bar – bar direction
- (145) Progress bar – color of the unfilled bar
- (146) Progress bar – color of filled bar
- (147) Progress bar – name of font label
- (148) Progress bar – size of font label
- (149) Progress bar – label font color
- Show/Hide the current button window
- Current button window – left margin positioning
- Current button window – top margin position
- Current button window – width
- Current button window – height
- Current button window – background color
- Current button window – positioning of icon
- Current button window – positioning of text
- Current button window – font name of text
- Current button window – font size
- Current button window – font color
- Current button window – icon column from the icon file
- Current button window – scale icons
- Show/Hide the quick entry window
- Quick entry window – left margin position
- Quick entry window – top margin position
- Quick entry window – width
- Quick entry window – height
- Quick entry window – (word) font name
- Quick entry window – (word) font size
- Quick entry window – (word) text color
- Quick entry window – (word) background (window) color
- Quick entry window – name of the file with current vocabulary
- Quick entry window – list of symbols used to enumerate the list of suggestions
- Quick entry window – list of symbols used for text
- Quick entry window – name of the file containing user vocabulary
- Quick entry window – (number) font name
- Quick entry window – (number) font size
- Quick entry window – (number) text color
- Quick entry window – (number) background (window) color
Attention! After performing any changes to the settings of the program, the user has to click the Settings - Set Current items of the main menu. In order to provide a more convenient experience, the ECTkeyboard settings window contains its own Action menu, which has the same items as the Settings menu (see fig. 27).
In order to make the setting process more convenient and easy, all the settings of the program are divided into several categories, which have different colors:
- Main settings of ECTkeyboard (parameters 1-38). This group includes such parameters as time intervals for the symbol matrix scanning, symbol selection and cancellation of the previously selected symbol; names of files with keyboard tags, icons and sounds; key codes, which are used to select symbols; the name of the receiving software; the date and time format in the log; the frequency of automatic text saving; the volume and the speed of text announcing and several other parameters. This group also contains automatically obtained information about the identification number and coordinates of the external application window, which is used to transmit texts from the main window of ECTkeyboard.
- Visual parameters of the virtual keyboard (parameters 41-85). This group of parameters includes width and height values of buttons, positions of symbols on the buttons, and the main window refresh interval. Furthermore, this group of parameters allows the user to change button surface and border colors, as well as the font color and size for the active, inactive and selected elements.
- Visual parameters of the text output window (parameters 101-109). By using this group of parameters, the user can change the size and position of the output window, choose the type, size and color of the font, and adjust the background color of the window.
- Visual parameters of the progress bar (parameters 131-149). By using this group of parameters, the user can change the size and position of the progress bar, its color and the direction of filling. The user can also change the type of the text information of the progress bar, and choose the type, color, and size of the font.
- Visual parameters of the currently selected symbol window (parameters 161-173). By using these parameters, the user can change the position and size of the window, the size of text on it, colors of text and background and the font style.
- Settings of the quick entry window (parameters 201-217). This group of settings can be used to change the position and size of the word selection window, select a color for the background, words, and controlling buttons and choose the style and size of the font. Users can also select an auxiliary vocabulary file, set the list of controlling symbols and choose the name for the vocabulary, which can be used to save additional words (names, geographical names and terms that can't be found in the main vocabulary, etc.).
Let's look at each group of parameters closer.
General settings of ECTkeyboard (1-38)
1. Current selector mode. This parameter makes it possible to choose the working mode of the program, which is automatically launched after the start of the program. The default value for this parameter is 1 (Scanning row/cell), but the user is free to select any other working mode. It's recommended to change this parameter in a situation where the program is constantly working in one mode. This feature can also be used to launch ECTkeyboard when the patient is not able to use the program menu.
PRO2. ID. This field contains a unique number that allows the program to recognize a computer that is used to run the program. This number is a serial number of a system disk (some versions of ECTkeyboard use a hash number of the disk that was used to launch the program). This parameter is obtained automatically during the launch of the program.
3. Active language file. This field can be used to set a full path to the localization file of the program. The program folder of ECTkeyboard contains all the localizations in the Languages folder. After setting the full path, the program is able to work with localization files located in any folder on the hard disk or an external storage device of the computer.
PRO4. Value separation symbol. All configuration files of ECTkeyboard use the special separating marker in order to set a selection of connected parameters in one string, e.g. a file with commands and symbols for each button of a keyboard contains a symbol itself, a full path to the image and a full path to the sound file. In order to separate these values, the program uses this separating symbol. The default value for this parameter is #.
5. Button selection hotkeys (codes). There are several ways to select a symbol from the symbol matrix. The patients who retained at least some kind of motor activity can use a direct closing of keyboard contacts, i.e. the patient can select a symbol by making a movement with a working muscle, fast inhaling, pressing a special button with the tongue, etc. In cases where contacts of such communicating devices are connected directly to the keyboard, it's recommended to choose the most rarely used button. This field of the settings window can be used to indicate all key codes required to activate the highlighted element of the symbol matrix. Key codes are written one by one, without spaces, separated with a special marker (the default value is #, but it can be changed to any other symbol by changing parameter 4 of the settings window). The default value for this parameter is 13#32#83#40# (the following keys are used to activate symbols: Enter, Space, S, down arrow).
6. Name of file containing keyboard labels. ECTkeyboard can be used with different sets of button captions, e.g. in different languages, to change uppercase or lowercase letters, for various commands or in order to enable the simplified entry mode. Each set of captions has to be saved as a separate file and located in the program directory together with the main file of the program. This item of the settings window allows the user to change various sets of buttons quickly and easily by entering a file name into the field. This feature is very convenient because each user of the program can have all elements located in preferred positions and use a specific set of macros.
PRO7. Name of file containing keyboard sounds. As in the previous parameter, this field contains a full path to the keyboard file. This file contains names of all sound files that are going to be played for highlighted symbols of the virtual keyboard. The default value for this field is GOTO#6, i.e. the same file name as in parameter 6. The internal structure of the ECTkeyboard settings files supports the special separating marker (default value #). Thus, one file may contain a set of captions, as well as sound file names. The announcement of the highlighted symbols of the virtual keyboard allows visually impaired patients to work with ECTkeyboard.
PRO8. Name of file containing keyboard icons. This field contains the name of the file that includes all the images (icons) that are used for the keys of the virtual keyboard. These icons allow the user to change the program interface, especially when working in the simplified mode that includes only several buttons for the patient ("eat", "drink", "relax", "pain" etc.). Furthermore, these icons are great for patients who can't speak in the localization language or simply can't read. The default value for this field is GOTO#6, i.e. the same file name as in parameter 6.
PRO9. Keyboard icon transparency color. The transparency feature is used for icons that have any shape other than rectangular. The default value for this parameter is 000000, i.e. the black color. The user can select a color manually or by double left-clicking on the value field. In the second case, the user will see a standard dialog window of the OS, which can be used to choose a color.
PRO10. Name of file to save output when the user requests. Every time the user chooses to save a typed text, all the content from the output window is saved into a file. In order to provide more comfort during work with such saved files, the user can create a name template. The default value is SavedWork *.txt. Furthermore, the name of the file contains the date and time, which can be changed in parameter 11. Examples of such files are shown in figure 29.
PRO11. Date and time format. This parameter helps the user to change the date and time format used in the names of text files. The default value for this parameter is YYYY_MM_DD-HH_NN_SS (year, month, day, hours, minutes and seconds). The user can change this value in accordance with personal needs and requirements, e.g. if the user selects the H_NN_SS value, the file name will only contain the time without the date of its creation.
PRO12. Autosave time interval. In addition to the manual text saving feature, ECTkeyboard supports an automatic data saving mode. This parameter allows the user to define a time interval in seconds that is required to create new text files in automatic mode. The default value for this parameter is 300 seconds (i.e. 5 minutes), but this field may contain any desired value. It's not recommended to use very short values because it will result in an increased amount of text files in the program field with a difference of just a couple of symbols.
13. Name of file to save current work to automatically. Before closing the program, all typed text is also saved as a file. During the next start of the program, this text will appear in the text output window. This parameter allows the user to set any desired file name, which will be used to store texts before exiting ECTkeyboard. The default value for this parameter is CurrentWork.txt.
14. Minimum holding time (for selection). The parameter for minimum holding time is required to provide a more convenient working environment for patients with various disorders, e.g. when a patient can make a selection only by closing their eyes and ECTkeyboard is working in conjunction with an eye-tracking device, the system needs to identify continuous closed eye state and ignore blinking and eyelash shaking. In situations where a muscle or a group of muscles is not damaged, movement of such muscles can be used to work with the program, ignoring any tremors, ticks, or other uncontrolled muscle contractions. In cases where the patient uses inhaling to type texts, the program needs to divide natural breathing and symbol selection.
This parameter allows the user to divide conscious data entry from rapid uncontrolled actions for all mentioned situations. The working value of this parameter is set in milliseconds. Here's an example. If a patient is working with the matrix of symbols by closing his eyes and the minimum holding time value is 1000, in order to select a letter the patient has to close an eye for a second. Any shorter actions will be ignored by the program. Thus, ECTkeyboard allows for ignoring the negative affection of blinking.
This parameter is used for all working modes that involve holding, i.e. 0A, 0B, 1, 1B, 2, 2B, 3. The default value for this parameter is 2000 (2 seconds).
15. Maximum holding time (for rejection). The maximum holding time parameter is also used to select a row, a column or a cell of the virtual keyboard. In order to select any element, the patient has to keep eyes closed longer than indicated in the parameter of minimum holding time, but shorter than in the maximum holding time parameter. If the user keeps their eyes closed longer than indicated in this parameter, the program will cancel any previously selected symbol.
This parameter is used for all working modes that involve holding – 0A, 0B, 1, 1B, 2, 2B, 3. The default value for this parameter is 4000 (4 seconds).
PRO16. Extended hold time. In cases where the holding time is longer than indicated in this field, the program can execute an additional command (e.g. automatic calibration or a sound alarm for medical personnel).
This parameter is used for all working modes that involve holding – 0A, 0B, 1, 1B, 2, 2B, 3. The default value for this parameter is 8000 (8 seconds).
PRO17. Command code for extended hold time. This field can be used to set a command that will be executed when the user is holding the selection key (or keeps eyes closed) longer than indicated in the parameter 16.
18. Column cycling delay time. This parameter allows changing the delay time between rows changing (in the row/cell scanning mode) and one column cell changing (in the column/cell and list/vertical scanning modes). The longer the time interval, the slower the speed of symbol alternation. It's recommended to increase this interval when the user is just getting started working with the virtual keyboard, allowing the use to avoid possible mistakes and remember the positions of symbols. The default value for this parameter is 800 (0, 8 seconds).
19. Row cycling delay time. This parameter allows changing the delay time between columns changing (in the column/cell mode) and cells of one column (in the row/cell and list/horizontal modes). The default value for this parameter is 800 (0, 8 seconds).
20. Progress bar selects sound file. ECTkeyboard virtual keyboard uses sound notifications for element selection (rows, columns or a symbol) or cancellation of selection. This feature significantly improves program operation for visually impaired users and allows them to get used to actual symbol delay timings. By double clicking, the user can use the standard dialog window of the operating system to select any required sound file.
21. Progress bar rejects sound file. Similar to the previous parameter, the user is able to select any sound file for the cancellation of element selection notifications.
22. Display window borders. This parameter can be used to hide or show borders of the main window of the program and the text output window (see fig. 30). This parameter can be useful for running the program on computers with low display resolution or when a significant part of the screen is taken by other important applications. It can also be handy when the virtual keyboard and the text output window are open in the full-screen mode. The default value of this parameter is 1, i.e. window borders are shown.
PRO23. Title of the window to receive key codes (target). During its operation, ECTkeyboard can not only show typed texts in the output window, but can also transmit keystrokes to any other application, e.g. text editors, web browsers, chats, etc. The program uses header names in order to identify such third-party applications or programs. For example, if the user wants the virtual keyboard to send texts to the Notepad application into a new file, it's required to set this parameter to Untitled - Notepad. The TARGET button of the virtual keyboard allows the user to set the parameter value automatically.
PRO24. Class of the object to receive key codes (target). In order to provide the proper transmission of keystrokes from ECTkeyboard to an external application, it's required to set the window class for that application. The TARGET button of the virtual keyboard allows the user to fill the parameter value automatically.
25. Time delay at the beginning of every new scanning (in ms). When the user controls application by opening and closing their eyes, the selection of the first row or the first symbol usually requires some additional time. And in cases where there's no additional delay, the user may often face situations where it's impossible to make a selection of the first element immediately. Thus the user has to wait until the program alternates all rows\cells and returns to the first one. This parameter allows the user to select a comfortable delay time at the beginning of each new scanning process, which significantly increases the overall comfort and convenience level of the virtual keyboard. The default value of this parameter is 100 ms.
PRO26. Cursor key-codes (up#right#down#left). This parameter can be used to set cursor key codes for the program. The default value of this parameter is 38#39#49#37.
28. Column with labels (label#action). Keyboard files of ECTkeyboard contain several columns, divided with a special marker (#). This parameter allows the user to select the order of these columns. The default value of this parameter is 0#1 (the first column is used for the button symbols, while the second – for actions for each of the buttons).
29. Column with sounds. This parameter can be used to set the keyboard file column number that contains all sounds that are played during the key selection process. The default value of this parameter is 2 (sound file names are listed in the third column).
PRO30. Column with icons (state 1#state 2#state 3#state 4#state 5). This parameter allows the user to set column numbers for various button states (a symbol for an inactive button, a symbol for an active button, a symbol for a highlighted button, a symbol for a selected button). The default value of this parameter is 3#4#5#6#7 (images for different button states are listed in columns 4-8).
PRO31. Separating symbol for parameters inside keyboard command. ECTkeyboard allows the user to change program parameters directly on the virtual keyboard. Thus, the user is able to change keyboard layouts, enable or disable sound confirmation during scanning, etc. In order to provide this functionality, special commands are used in keyboard files. This parameter defines the symbol that is used to separate these commands in files. The default value of this parameter is "," (comma).
PRO32. X coordinate of the window to receive key codes (target). In order to provide proper communication with receiving software, ECTkeyboard identifies horizontal and vertical coordinates of its window. The TARGET button of the virtual keyboard allows the user to fill the parameter value automatically.
PRO33. Y coordinate of the window to receive key codes (target). This parameter works similarly to the previous one. The TARGET button of the virtual keyboard allows the user to fill this parameter value in automatically.
PRO34. Handle of the window to receive key codes (target). A numeric window id number that was assigned by the operating system. By using this value, ECTkeyboard can interact with third party application windows (e.g. send texts, emulate keystrokes or mouse actions and so on). The TARGET button of the virtual keyboard allows the user to set the handle value automatically.
35. Time delay before selecting the window to receive key codes (target) (in ms). Selection of a third party program window for ECTkeyboard is done with a short delay, but not instantly. This parameter allows the user to set any custom value of this delay. The default value of this parameter is 2000 ms (2 seconds).
36. Selection sound file for the window to receive key codes (target). Before selecting the receiving program window, ECTkeyboard makes a sound signal to notify the user. This parameter allows the user to set the full path to a sound file that will be used every time during the target window selection. The default value of this parameter is ECTkeyboard_select.wav (the standard sound notification during the selection process). But the user is able to select any other sound file.
PRO37. Voice volume for the SPEAK command. This parameter makes it possible to select a required sound level for the speech synthesis engine. The value of this parameter can be selected from a range between 0 (min. volume) and 100 (max. volume). The default value of this parameter is 50.
PRO38. Voice speed for the SPEAK command. This parameter is used to change the speed of the speech synthesis engine, thus allowing the user to select the most suitable computer voice speed. The default value of this parameter is 0.
PRO39. Pronunciation of keys.
PRO40. Synchronous or Asynchronous SPEAK command (0-synchronous; 1-asynchronous).
Virtual keyboard window settings (41-85)
41. Adjust button size dimensions to fill the keyboard window. This variable parameter can have two different values: 0 and 1. If the value is equal to 1, the program performs an automatic scaling of all the virtual keyboard buttons in order to fit them in the virtual keyboard window. This feature is very useful for situations where the user has to change the window size instantly, without a long manual selection of the button width and height values. Automatic scaling of the buttons is enabled by default.
If the parameter value is 0, then button width and height, as well as the distance between buttons and the border thickness, strictly follow the selected values (see fig. 32).
42. Main window (keyboard) – left margin position. This parameter allows the user to set the value of the margin of the main window of ECTkeyboard relative to the left border of the desktop. This value is used to select the most convenient window position (up to a pixel) for situations that require precise window positioning. The other convenient and easy way that can be used in all other situations is moving program windows with the mouse cursor.
43. Main window (keyboard) – top margin position. Similar to the previous one, this parameter allows the user to set the value of the main window margin relative to the upper border of the desktop.
44. Main window (keyboard) – width. This parameter defines the exact width of the virtual keyboard window.
45. Main window (keyboard) – height. Allows the user to set the height of the virtual keyboard window (accurate to a pixel). Manual selection of parameters 44 and 45 allows the user to set any required values of the virtual keyboard size for situations when it's necessary to provide a precise location relative to other program windows and their size.
46. Number of buttons per row. By changing this parameter, the user can change the amount of buttons in a row of the virtual keyboard. The default value is 10. The amount of buttons in the matrix depends on the total quantity of different symbols and commands in use, e.g. the Russian alphabet includes 33 letters. If the user adds main text editing commands to the matrix (moving left or right by one symbol, moving to the beginning or the end of the row, switching between rows, delete button, etc.), the matrix will consist of about 43-50 buttons. If the user wants to add lowercase buttons in addition to uppercase or include Latin characters, the matrix will contain 26-33 buttons more. The vertical amount of buttons is limited only by a proper level of comfort for a paralyzed person and the resolution of the computer display.
47. Number of buttons per column. Allows the user to change the amount of buttons in each column of the virtual keyboard. The default value is 7. It's recommended to follow one rule – the more symbols the matrix includes, the higher the value's vertical and horizontal button amounts. By keeping relatively close values of row and column button amounts, the user can reach the most convenient and fast operation of the program in the coordinate modes (1 and 1B). Final appearance of the matrix has to be selected in accordance with the convenience and comfort levels for various users. Thus it can be totally different. (see fig. 33-34).
48. Width of buttons. This parameter defines the horizontal button size in pixels. This value can be increased if the matrix contains fewer buttons (see fig. 35) or in situations where the paralyzed patient is visually impaired. An increased button size in conjunction with a carefully selected color scheme allows the user to reduce eye fatigue. Thus, the user is able to make fewer mistakes and reduce the overall stress level during program operation. However, the amount of visible buttons is limited by the resolution of the display and the defined size of the program window. It's not recommended to use high values for small windows and when the automatic scaling mode is enabled (if the parameter 41 is set to 1). The default value of the button width is 100 pixels.
49. Height of buttons. This parameter defined the vertical button size in pixels. Keeping in mind that the height of buttons is usually lower than their width, it's not recommended to use higher values for the vertical size of buttons for situations where the user is working with commands or words in the matrix in order to provide convenient reading and fast selection of a required symbol. Height and width values are usually selected experimentally by the user during several program operation sessions. The default button height value is 65 pixels.
50. Space between rows. The space between the buttons makes it possible to divide buttons from each other and makes the virtual keyboard clearer, thus providing additional comfort. The horizontal shift value defined the horizontal distance between matrix columns. The default value of this parameter is 1 pixel.
51. Space between columns. This parameter allows the user to set the distance between matrix rows in pixels. Separate changing of horizontal and vertical distance between buttons allows the user to change the appearance of the virtual keyboard in accordance with the specific needs of the user (see fig. 36-39). The default value of this parameter is 1 pixel.
52. Size of button borders in pixels. The border around buttons significantly facilitates the virtual keyboard button selection process. By changing the thickness and the color of the border, the user can reduce the overall stress and increase the speed of work. Highlighting a button with a thick border and a contrasting color scheme allows visually impaired users to have a more convenient working atmosphere (see fig. 40). The default thickness of the button border is 1 pixel.
53. Direction of button labels (0-vertical; 1-horizontal). This parameter is used to define the order of the virtual keyboard button label adding. It has two different values: 0 for the vertical order and 1 for the horizontal one. When the value is equal to 1, the virtual keyboard will be filled row by row, i.e. button labels will be added from left to right and from up to down (see fig. 41). When the value is equal to 0, the virtual keyboard will be filled column by column, i.e. button labels will be added from up to down and from left to right (see fig. 42). By using different button label adding orders and the ability to modify keyboard file cells, the user is able to adjust the matrix appearance in accordance with their personal needs, thus increasing the speed and efficiency of work and text typing. The right selection of the keyboard filling is really important for the scanning modes, i.e. Scanning list/horizontal and Scanning list/vertical. The default value of this parameter is 1 (the horizontal direction).
54. Positioning of text (1-9). Text on the virtual keyboard buttons can be located in accordance with the specific needs of the user. There are 9 variants in total:
- 1 – text is aligned to the left, near the upper border.
- 2 – text is aligned to the center, near the upper border.
- 3 – text is aligned to the right, near the upper border.
- 4 – text is aligned to the left, in the center of a cell.
- 5 – text is located in the center of a cell.
- 6 – text is aligned to the right, in the center of a cell.
- 7 – text is aligned to the left, near the lower border.
- 8 – text is aligned to the center, near the lower border.
- 9 – text is aligned to the right, near the lower border.
The default value of this parameter is – 5 (text is located in the center of a cell).
The following scheme can be used to remember all the possible variants (see fig. 43).
PRO55. Positioning of icons (1-9). Similar to the text, icons of the virtual keyboard buttons can be located in accordance with the specific needs of the user. Text and icon locations are selected independently. Thus, there can be many different variants of their mutual positioning. The default value of this parameter is 5.
PRO56. Scale keyboard icons (in percents). When the user selects relatively big images and font sizes, texts and icons may overlap. It's recommended to decrease icon sizes in such situations. The icon size can also be decreased when the program windows size is small or the display supports only low resolutions. This parameter can be used to define a required icon scaling size in percentages. The default value of this parameter is 100.
In order to provide a more convenient working atmosphere and reduce fatigue, ECTkeyboard allows the user to change almost all elements of the interface. Furthermore, the font size and color schemes can be selected independently for each button state.
There are 4 such states in the program:
- state 0 – inactive button (this state is defined with parameters 57-62);
- state 1 – active button (parameters 63-68);
- state 2 – selected button (parameters 69-74);
- state 3 – cancellation of the selected button (parameters 75-80).
These states are usually clearly distinguishable during the program operation (see fig. 44).
The user can change the following parameters for each of the states:
57. (63, 69, 75) Button font name. It provides the user with the option to select a different font type for each button state, thus providing more flexibility and comfort during work with ECTkeyboard (see fig. 45). Thus, each user can choose the most familiar and convenient font.
It's not necessary to enter the font name in order to select it. The user can double-click on the parameter value field to open a standard dialog window of the operating system and select any font from the list of available fonts of the system (see fig. 46).
58. (64, 70, 76) Font size of button text. The size of the font directly affects the virtual keyboard symbol selection comfort level. If the keyboard contains fewer buttons and the display supports high resolutions, the user can select bigger font sizes. If the patient is suffering from short-sightedness, astigmatism or other eye disorders, it's also recommended to use bigger fonts, which will provide more comfort and allow the patient to keep concentration and attention without any additional eye stress (see fig. 47). The font size can be entered manually or selected similarly to the type of font.
59. (65, 71, 77) Button text color. The button text color has to be different than the button color. The user has to select a dark text color for light buttons and vice versa. Contrasting color schemes provide more clarity, which can be useful for visually impaired patients. If such a color scheme is too stressful for the eyes of the user, it's recommended to use calmer light and pastel colors for buttons and darker for texts. By double-clicking on the parameter value, the user will open a standard color selection dialog window of the operating system (see fig. 48).
In order to provide easy color selection, the settings window of the program supports previewing the selected color scheme. The user can find a small field of the selected color next to the parameter values (see fig. 49).
60. (66, 72, 78) Button surface color. Bright colors are recommended for visually impaired patients or for those with problems with color perception. In all other situations, it's recommended to choose less intensive colors in order to reduce the overall stress level. Various color schemes of the virtual keyboard are shown in fig. 50. The left one has a black font (000000) with a light gray background (D3D3D3). The central one has a dark khaki font (BDB76B) with a blue-steel background (4682B4). And finally, the right one represents a more contrasting color scheme – a yellow-green font color (9ACD32) with a the black background (000000).
61. (67, 73, 79) Button border color. Additional color borders allow for making the virtual keyboard area (a row, a column or a button) more distinguishable. It allows the user to work faster, concentrating on the highlighted element. The higher the button border thickness (Parameter 52), the more noticeable the highlighted element, and the easier the selection process. It's recommended to use contrasting colors that are different than the main matrix background color and the cell color (see fig. 51). For example, the left image contains a green color (008000), the central one a dark orange (FF8C00) and the right one a royal blue (4169E0). The color of inactive cell borders is silver (C0C0C0).
62. (68, 74, 80) Key state background color. This parameter defines the background color of the area under the virtual keyboard buttons. If the user selects a higher horizontal (Parameter 50) or vertical (Parameter 51) distance between the buttons, the space between buttons will be the background. (see fig. 52). The left image has a light-green background (90EE90), the right one a wheat color (F5DEB3).
Such possibility to change colors of all interface elements and their fonts gives the user great flexibility and makes it possible to set the program in accordance with the specific needs and physical condition of each single patient. An example of the main program window of ECTkeyboard is shown in fig. 53
PRO81. Rendered keyboard save file name. In order to make the setting process more convenient and to use received images in any third-party image editors, ECTkeyboard allows the user to export the image of the virtual keyboard. The default value of this parameter is RenderedKeyboard.bmp.
The following parameters from 82 to 84 are necessary only in situations where the program is used in conjunction with an eye-tracking device and the 4th working mode is selected (gaze control of the cursor buttons).
82. Size of row shift in pixels. This parameter can be used to define by how many pixels the cursor will move when the user is looking in the corresponding direction. The default value for this parameter is 5 pixels.
83. Size of column shift in pixels. This parameter works similarly to the previous one, allowing the user to change the value of the up or down cursor movement shift. The default value for this parameter is 5 pixels.
84. Disable the cursor at empty border cells. This parameter can have two different values: 0 and 1. If the parameter value is 1, the user is allowed to move the cursor beyond the borders of the virtual keyboard. In such cases, buttons won't be highlighted or pressed. The default value is 0, i.e. the user can't stop the typing process.
85. Repaint delay of the main window (keyboard) (in ms). An increased performance level of ECTkeyboard allows the user to change the main program window refresh rate. The default value of this parameter is 100 milliseconds, i.e. the virtual keyboard is redrawn 10 times per second.
Text output window settings (101-109)
101. Show/Hide the output window. This parameter of the settings window allows the user to show the text output window on startup of ECTkeyboard (if the parameter value is set to 1) or hide it (if the parameter value is set to 0). If the text output window is not shown during the start of the program, the user can show it by using the Show Output Window menu item or by pressing the F5 hotkey.
The text output window is a simplified text editor, which can be used to type various texts in the symbol by symbol mode. When the user terminates ECTkeyboard, the text is automatically saved and will be available during the next working session. The appearance of the text output window is shown in figure 55
The header of the text output window contains five variables: X, Y, L, C and P. X is the current horizontal position of the cursor. For example, if the patient types 15 symbols in a new row, the value of X will be 15. Y is the current vertical position of the cursor; in other words a number of a row. L is the total length of the row at the current cursor position. C is the total number of symbols in the text output window. P is the current position of the cursor relatively to the whole text.
As with all other windows of the program, the text output window is totally customizable, i.e. by changing various program parameters, the user can change the font type and size, resize and relocate the window on the desktop, or choose colors for symbols or the background.
102. Output window – left margin positioning. This parameter allows the user to change the distance between the left border of the desktop and the border of the program window. Even though it's easier and more convenient to move the window by using the mouse cursor, some situations require incredibly precise window positioning. For example, in cases where the user wants to locate the text output window strictly above the main window of ECTkeyboard.
103. Output window – top margin positioning. This parameter works similarly to the previous one and allows the user to change the distance between the upper border of the desktop and the border of the window.
104. Output window – width. Allows setting the window width in pixels. It's recommended to increase this value when larger fonts are in use (e.g. for visually impaired patients) or in cases where ECTkeyboard takes all the available space on the desktop.
105. Output window – height. This parameter works similarly to the previous one, allowing the user to define the text output window height in pixels. It's recommended to increase this value when larger fonts are in use or for longer texts, thus allowing the user to see more of the text at the same time. The user won't use cursor buttons too often in order to check the previously typed text.
106. Output window – font name. This parameter can be used to change the text output window font (see fig. 56). The font name can be entered manually, as well as selected from the list of available system fonts. The default font for the text output window is Times New Roman.
107. Output window – font size. Can be used to set the size of the font in the text output window (see fig. 57). The default value of this parameter is 30. When changing this parameter, it's recommended to select the size in such a way that the user won't be tired after continuous working sessions with the program, but the window will contain enough text to avoid excessive scrolling. Font size changes take immediate effect in the text output window, which makes the program setting process more convenient and easy.
108. Output window – text color. This parameter allows the user to set any desired color of the text output window font. Colors of the background and font have to be selected properly in order to avoid eye stress of the user and make all letters visually clear. Visually impaired users or those with problems of color perception can use bright and high contrast colors. Various text output window color schemes are shown in figure 58. The default value is 000000 (black color).
109. Output window – background color. The background color is also selected depending on the font color in order to provide the most convenient reading environment and reduce stress. The default value of this parameter is FFFFFF (white color). Warning! Color changes won't become effective until the user selects the Set Current menu item in the Action menu of the settings window or in the main menu of the program.
Progress bar settings (131-149)
The progress bar is an important element of ECTkeyboard that helps the user to make the selection of any desired button, or cancel such a selection when it's required. The progress bar is a stripe with a countdown. It is located under the virtual keyboard area by default (see fig. 59).
During the selection of a required element of the virtual keyboard, or in the case of cancellation of the selection, the progress bar is filled with color. The user can also control the remaining time for the selection in milliseconds or the filling percentage.
The progress bar is totally customizable: the user can change the filling direction and choose the color of the stripe, the font color, and size. The size of the progress bar can also be changed.
131. Location of progress bar. By changing this parameter, the user can show or hide the progress bar. In cases where the progress bar is shown, the user can change its position. The parameter can have one of the following numeric values:
- 0 – the progress bar is not shown. The progress bar can be hidden in cases where ECTkeyboard is working on computers with low display resolutions, when the user requires some additional space for other application windows. The progress bar can also be hidden in cases where the user is already familiar with the program, and the progress bar is simply distracting him.
- 1 – the progress bar is shown in the main window of the program under the virtual keyboard area.
- 2 – the progress bar is shown as a separate window. Positions and dimensions of this window can be changed arbitrarily (see fig. 61).
- 3 – the progress bar is shown in the current button selection window. This value can be used in cases where the user is working with the program in one of two available step by step modes (Scanning List Horizontal or Scanning List Vertical). Such methods are mainly used with the current button selection window, and the progress bar will be located at the bottom (see fig. 62).
The default value of this parameter is 1 (the progress bar is shown in the virtual keyboard window).
Parameters 132-135 can be used to change dimensions and position of the progress bar when it's shown in a separate window.
132. Progress bar – left margin positioning. Defines the distance between the left border of the desktop and the progress bar window.
133. Progress bar – top margin positioning. Sets the distance between the upper border of the desktop and the progress bar window.
134. Progress bar – width. Defines the horizontal size of the progress bar window in pixels. The default value for this parameter is 900 pixels.
135. Progress bar – height. Sets the vertical size of the progress bar window in pixels. The default value for this parameter is 100 pixels (without the window header).
136. Progress bar – height of progress bar. This parameter can be used to define the progress bar height in the virtual keyboard window or in the current button selection window (see fig. 63). The progress bar height can be increased when it's filling in the vertical direction (up to down or down to up) or in cases where the patient requires a larger font in the progress bar. The default value for this parameter is 50 pixels.
137. Progress bar – text labeling type. ECTkeyboard supports three various progress bar indication methods. If the value of this parameter is 0, the progress bar will not contain any text information. The selection process will be shown with the filling of the stripe. If the value is equal to 1, the progress bar will show the selection delay in milliseconds, and if it's equal to 2, it shows the remaining selection time as a percentage of the total delay time. (see fig. 64).
The progress bar works during the selection of a virtual keyboard element, as well as during the cancellation of such a selection. Different appearances of the progress bar for each mode makes it more convenient in operation. The user may select various color schemes for each mode (e.g. use more pastel colors for selection and more contrast for the cancellation). The user may also set different filling directions.
Parameters 138-143 define the appearance of the progress bar during the selection, while parameters 144-149 define appearances during the cancellation of the selection.
138. (144) Progress bar – bar direction. This parameter can have one of the following values:
- 0 – filling from left to right;
- 1 – filling from right to left;
- 2 – filling from the top to the bottom;
- 3 – filling from the bottom to the top.
Different progress bar filling modes are shown in fig. 65.
139. (145) Progress bar – color of the unfilled bar. The active color is the color that will fill the progress bar. It's not recommended to select colors that are too bright or sharp for the selection mode, because such colors can distract the user from the virtual keyboard area. Vice versa, it's more convenient to use brighter colors and larger fonts for the cancellation mode.
140. (146) Progress bar – color of filled bar. The inactive color is the shade of the progress bar when the user is not making any selection.
141. (147) Progress bar – name of font label. If the progress bar is used to show any type of text information, the user is allowed to change the font of such information (see fig. 66). Arial is set as a default font.
142. (148) Progress bar – size of font label. Increased fonts can make text information of the progress bar clearer and easier to recognize. Big fonts are recommended for visually impaired users. It's recommended to enable step by step entry mode of ECTkeyboard and locate the progress bar in the current button selection window (see fig. 67). The default value for this parameter is 14.
143. (149) Progress bar – label font color. It's recommended to select the text color of the progress bar that is in higher contrast to both active and inactive progress bars. For example, the user can select two pastel and light colors for the progress bar states and a dark color for its text.
Current button selection window settings (161-173)
The current button selection window is used to show a big thumbnail of a currently selected virtual keyboard button symbol. It provides additional comfort for visually impaired users and reduces the overall stress level during continuous operation of ECTkeyboard. Recommended working modes for the current button selection window are 2 (Scanning List Horizontal) and 2B (Scanning List Vertical). Both working modes do not involve row and column scrolling. Thus, the user will always see a thumbnail of a symbol in the separate window and will be able to select it.
161. Show/Hide the current button window. Values for this parameter are 0 and 1. When the value is equal to 0, the additional window is shown. When it's equal to 1, it's hidden. The default value is 0.
162. Current button window – left margin positioning. Defines the precise distance between the left border of the desktop and the current button selection window. It can be used to set an exact position of the window.
163. Current button window – top margin position. Sets the precise distance between the upper border of the desktop and the current button selection window.
164. Current button window – width. Changes the horizontal size of the current button window. The default value for this parameter is 256 pixels. It's recommended to choose the size of the window that can fit the whole symbol thumbnail (this window always uses big fonts) and the progress bar when necessary.
165. Current button window – height. Defines the horizontal size of the current button window. The default value for this parameter is 200 pixels.
166. Current button window – background color. Allows the user to select any desired background color (see fig. 69). This color can be selected with the palette, as well as by manually entering its code in the RRGGBB format. The default value for this parameter is 000000 (black color).
PRO167. Current button window – positioning of icon. In addition to the text on virtual keyboard buttons, this window can be used to show icons (see fig. 70). Text and icon positions are changed separately. This parameter value can have one of the following values:
- 1 – the icon is aligned to the left near the upper border.
- 2 – the icon is aligned to the center near the upper border.
- 3 – the icon is aligned to the right near the upper border.
- 4 – the icon is aligned to the left in the center of a cell.
- 5 – the icon is located in the center of a cell.
- 6 – the icon is aligned to the right in the center of a cell.
- 7 – the icon is aligned to the left near the lower border.
- 8 – the icon is aligned to the center near the lower border.
- 9 – the icon is aligned to the right near the lower border.
The default value of this parameter is 2.
168. Current button window – positioning of text. This parameter works similarly to the previous one. The default value for this parameter is 5. In order to avoid overlapping texts and icons, it's recommended to choose different positions for them.
169. Current button window – font name of text. In order to make the operation of ECTkeyboard more comfortable, this allows the user to choose any of the fonts installed in the system to show in the current button window (see fig. 71). Arial font is used by default.
170. Current button window – font size. The main purpose of the current button window is to show enlarged buttons of the virtual keyboard. Thus, it's recommended to use bigger fonts in comparison with those from the virtual keyboard area. The default value for this parameter is 56, but the user can select any other desired value (see fig. 72).
171. Current button window – font color. The proper selection of background and font color allows the patient to reduce eyes stress during program operation. The default colors are black for the background and white for the font, but the program allows for choosing any other comfortable colors (see fig. 73).
PRO172. Current button window – icon column from the icon file. The file with icons contains all the file names with icons for each state of the buttons (inactive, active, selected, cancellation of selection). File names for each state are located in a separate column of the file. This parameter allows the user to define the column with icon files that will be used for the current button window.
PRO173. Current button window – scale icons. When necessary, the user can increase or decrease icon scaling in the current button window. This parameter allows the user to select the icon size as a percentage of the initial size. The default value for this parameter is 100.
Quick entry window settings (201-217)
The quick entry window is created to find words in the automatic mode, using just several letters entered by the user from the virtual keyboard (see fig. 75).
During the program operation, the header of the quick entry window contains the first letters of the word entered by the user. All the words in the quick entry window are marked with numbers and letters (see fig. 76). In order to use the vocabulary, the user has to press the "Quick" button of the virtual keyboard and select the number or the letter of the corresponding word.
201. Show/Hide the quick entry window. This parameter makes it possible to show or hide the quick entry window. When the parameter value is 1, the window is shown; when it's 0, the window is hidden.
202. Quick entry window – left margin position. This parameter defines the distance in pixels between the left desktop border and the frame of the quick entry window.
203. Quick entry window – top margin position. Similar to the previous parameter, this one defines the distance in pixels between the upper desktop border and the frame of the quick entry window.
204. Quick entry window – width. This parameter defines the horizontal size of the vocabulary. It's recommended to select this value in such a way that the window can fit the longest words from the vocabulary. The default value for this parameter is 200 pixels.
205. Quick entry window – height. This parameter sets the vertical size of the quick entry window. The height of the vocabulary has to be enough to show not less than 10-15 words. The height also depends on the font size. The default height value is 500 pixels.
206. Quick entry window – (word) font name. Similar to other program windows, the user can select any font type for the quick entry window (see fig. 77). Arial is set as the default font. This parameter only affects areas with words; in order to change number and symbol areas, it's required to change parameters 214-217.
207. Quick entry window – (word) font size. The user can change the quick entry window font size at their discretion (see fig. 78). It's recommended to increase the size only for visually impaired patients. An excessive increase of the font size may result in a lower amount of words in the list. Thus, the user will have to enter one or even several additional letters in order to reduce the amount of words in the list, thus increasing total entry time.
208. Quick entry window – (word) text color. By changing this parameter manually or selecting a color from the system palette, the user can select a desired font color for the quick entry window. It's recommended to select contrasting colors for the background and the font in order to avoid additional eye stress during continuous operation of the program. Various color schemes are shown in figure 79. The black color is used by default for words in the quick entry window.
209. Quick entry window – (word) background (window) color.. This parameter works similarly to the previous one. It's recommended to choose soft colors for continuous working sessions and contrasting colors for visually impaired users. The default background color of the vocabulary is white.
210. Quick entry window – name of the file with current vocabulary. The main vocabularies of the program contain a list of three thousand most commonly used words. Currently, there are vocabularies in English, French, and Russian. In order to change the working vocabulary, the user has to enter its name manually, or select it using the standard dialog window of the operating system.
PRO211. Quick entry window – list of symbols used to enumerate the list of suggestions. The program uses English letters and number in order to select words from the quick entry window. This parameter value contains all the letters and numbers that can be used to make a selection. The default value for this parameter is 0123456789abcdef (16 symbols). Thus, the user can select one of 16 words from the quick entry window. If it's necessary to increase the amount of words in the quick entry window, the user has to add some symbols to this parameter value.
212. Quick entry window – list of symbols used for text. ECTkeyboard forms the quick entry words list, based on several letters typed by the user on the virtual keyboard. In order to make it possible, the value of this parameter has to contain all the symbols that can be typed by the user. The default value for this parameter contains all uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet.
213. Quick entry window – name of the file containing user vocabulary. In some cases, the basic set of vocabularies may not be sufficient for the user. For example, the user may need to type names, locations and other words that are not available in the standard vocabulary. If the user types such words frequently, they are required to type them every time, significantly decreasing the overall working speed. At the very same time, if the user enables automatic adding of the user's words to the vocabulary, it may include various words with mistakes. Therefore, the program offers an additional vocabulary for all words that the user wants to add to the quick entry window. The user can add new words to the vocabulary by using the +WORDS command of the virtual keyboard.
The parameter 213 allows the user to select the name of the file that will be used for the additional vocabulary. The default name of the file is WordsUser.txt. This file will be created in the main folder of the program.
214. Quick entry window – (number) font name. This parameter works similarly to parameter 206, affecting the symbol selection area.
215. Quick entry window – (number) font size. This parameter works similarly to parameter 207, affecting the symbol selection area. It's recommended to use the same values for both of parameters (this one and parameter 207) in order to provide more convenient symbol selection.
216. Quick entry window – (number) text color. This parameter works similarly to parameter 208, affecting the symbol selection area. The default value is 0000FF (blue color).
217. Quick entry window – (number) background (window) color. This parameter works similarly to parameter 209, affecting the symbol selection area.