Overview

The Oska Pro Suite contains both the Oska Suite and ClaroRead Plus.

The Oska Suite is a software solution range designed to assist people who have difficulty using traditional computer input methods. Oska has been developed to enhance the use of touch technology and alternative PC input methods. Oska offers an inclusive alternative to the traditional keyboard and mouse method of operating a computer. The inclusive Oska software, paired with the appropriate input hardware, solves accessibility issues associated with conventional techniques and is paving the way for increased use of inclusive touch technology.

ClaroRead Plus is a highly effective multi-sensory software solution for supporting individuals who struggle with reading and writing. Designed with maximum simplicity, adaptability and flexibility, users of any age and level of ability will have a world of information unlocked through ClaroRead.

Click here to download the ClaroRead V5 PDF DataSheet (768KB)

Related Datasheets:
» Oska Data Sheet

Features

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Oska Suite

ClaroRead Plus V5

Oska Suite Features and Benefits

Controlling Oska Keyboard

The Oska Keyboard can be used in a variety of ways. The methods of control are:

Clicking Mode
Select the on-screen keys to type text or send data to the program that you are using.

Hovering Mode
By moving the mouse or input device to a key and hovering over that key for a predefined period of time the key is automatically selected.

Scanning Mode
Using a scanning system, the Oska Keyboard continually scans the keyboard and highlights areas where you can type keyboard characters by pressing a hot key or by using a switch input device.

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Features Of Oska Keyboard

Oska provides a wealth of features specifically designed for users who cannot easily use common input devices. Below are a list of features which are included in Oska.

Text Entry Into All Standard Windows Applications
Allows you to control your PC as if you were using a standard computer keyboard.

Keyboards
Oska includes a range of keyboard templates including US, UK 9x9 and Mouth Stick and Head Pointer Keyboard.

Multi Lingual
Oska offers a range of keyboards in different languages. It is also quick and easy to switch between different keyboard languages for users who want to write in more than one language.

Fully Customisable
Each keyboard template can be edited for greater productivity. Oska keyboards can also be designed from scratch for full customisation, allowing the the creation of a whole new keyboard.

Control
Any pointing device or switch system available will work with Oska. This allows a greater degree of flexibility for the user.

Oska Supports Full Switch/Scanning Operation
This is recommended for those who have difficulty using a standard computer mouse but do have good motor control to operate a switch/scanning system. When switch based scanning is used, the cursor ‘scans’ across the keyboard to select the key required. The user is able to use a scanning method to suit them by selecting the number of switches in use, the basic scanning method (autoscan, userscan, and stepscan) and the scanning pattern (item, quadrant, and row/column). Choosing the right scanning solution will increase the speed and accuracy the user can accomplish their tasks.

Macros
Oska can be utilized to build and run macros. This allows a variety of actions such as opening a web browser or application to be done by just one button. Using macros to create shortcut buttons will enable the keyboard to be used more effectively and considerably increase the speed of work.

User Definable Keys
Keyboards can be edited by the keyboard user. This can be done by right clicking the user definable key. The function of the button can be edited as well as its appearance.

Menu Shortcuts
Any combination of menu shortcuts can be created within the keyboard, making the editing of documents and essays hugely efficient.

Create And Share Keyboards
Keyboards can be designed to any specification required and then shared with other Oska users.

Word Prediction
Oska offers a word prediction feature which eliminates keystrokes when words are selected from the word list. As you begin to type, a list of words are displayed. When the word you require is displayed, simply select that word. The word chosen will automatically complete. This feature not only helps to increase speed by reducing the number of keystrokes required to input certain words, but also improves spelling accuracy. Custom prediction lists can be built in order to assist you further with your writing.

Scroll Wheel Scanning
Scroll Wheel Scanning is a feature of Oska that enables the user to use the mouse wheel found on a standard computer mouse for switch/scanning. Scroll Wheel Scanning offers a unique and innovative scanning solution using a standard mouse. By using the scroll wheel found on most standard computer mice, the user is able to precisely and quickly control on-screen scanning.

The Oska Keyboard
Can be moved anywhere on-screen, allowing greater flexibility when Oska is used. Multiple keyboards can also be run together.

Input Settings
The input methods can be defined and customised for any Oska keyboard. In addition, certain keys can be further defined by the user, allowing them to use Oska in a way that is right for them.

Touch Technology
Oska fully supports touch technology such as touch screen laptops and PCs.

Compatibility
Oska is compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista and XP.

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Advantages Of Oska Editor

Using the Oska Editor allows you total control of the keyboard:

Keyboard Layout
Select the number of buttons on the keyboard. The number of columns and rows required and the size of the buttons in the Current Grid Setting can also be specified.

Current Grid Settings
Enables the size, the number of columns and rows, and the gaps between the buttons to be edited.

Current Button Settings
The style and appearance of individual buttons can be edited. This is also where labels or descriptions of the button and background images can be added.

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Editing the Oska Keyboard

The following can be edited:

Back Colour - Change the colour of the button background
Background Image - Add an image file to the button background
Background Image Layout - Determines how the image will be laid out on the background
Double Height - Allows you to double the height of an individual button
Double Width - Allows you to double the width of an individual button
Font - Allows you to control the font options of any text which is displayed on the button
Fore Colour - Allows you to change the colour of the text of the selected button
Glow Colour - The colour which the button will glow when the mouse cursor hovers over it
Image - Add image to the button
Image Align - Determines how the image is laid out on the button
Inner Border Colour - Determines the colour of the inner border of the button
Right to Left - Indicates whether the component show draw right to left for RTL Languages
Shine Colour - Sets what colour the shine or reflection is of the button
Text - Enter the text you want to be displayed on the button
Text Align - This setting determines how the text is laid out on the button
Text Image Relation - Used when an image and text are used on one button
User Editable - Can be set to ‘true’ or ‘false’. When ‘true’ the user of the keyboard will have the option to right click the button on the keyboard and edit certain parameters

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Oska Settings Editor

After a keyboard is created in the Oska Editor, the input methods can be defined and customised. In addition, certain keys can be further defined, giving further capability. The Oska Settings Editor is designed to allow the setup of the input methods of keyboards that have been created in the Oska Editor.

There are five input methods to choose from. Depending on the situation these can be set to allow the best control method of the keyboard.

Keyboard Input
The keyboard input option offers the choice of using either the cursor keys and the enter button or the numerical Keypad and keypad enter button to move and select keys on the oska keyboard.

Mouse Input
The mouse input offers two methods of mouse control:

Point and Click - standard mouse movements control the cursor and the left mouse click to select.

Point and Hover - standard mouse movements control cursor movement. After hovering over an item for a predetermined amount of time the item is selected (when cursor is stationary). The time it takes to automatically select an item can be edited.

Gamepad Input
The gamepad input offers two methods of control:

Map to Keyboard - uses the analogue Gamepad joystick to move the selector around the keyboard. One of the gamepad buttons is then used to select the key.

Map to grid - grid is designed to be used on square keyboard layouts with sides of 5, 8 or 9 buttons. This allows for selections based on two gamepad directional inputs.

Scanning Input
Scanning input cycles through the keys using a switch/scanning method. The scanning input can be controlled by clicking the mouse, pressing a joystick button or pressing a key switch to select.

Mouse/Touchpad Grid Input
The mouse/touchpad grid input offers two methods of control:

Mouse X & Y - highlights an individual key. Very small movements on the touchpad (or by a mouse) will cause the highlight to move in the direction of the keys.

Mouse Wheel, Mouse X and Mouse Y - works in a similar manner to two switch scanning. Move the mouse wheel (or finger/mouse horizontally/vertically) and the row/column will be scanned. Then click either the mouse wheel or one of the “checked” mouse buttons. Individual keys will now be scanned by moving the mouse. Click to select a key.

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Advantages Of One Switch Mouse

One Switch Mouse requires the use of only one switch to have complete control of the mouse.

One Switch Mouse allows the application to be setup in a way that suits the user needs. As well as controlling the speed and acceleration of the mouse movement, the input device (‘switch’) that is used to control the mouse movement can be altered. The ‘switch’ used to control One Switch Mouse can be the ‘space bar’ or enter button (or a switch controller box which emulates the space bar or enter button), the left, middle or right mouse button, or joystick/gamepad button 1 or 2.

The acceptance speed can be changed from between 1/10th of a second and 2 seconds. A switch tap (to step between directions) must be less than this value.

One Switch Mouse gives users the ability to use advanced mouse control in order to give them full mouse control. Such features include right clicking and dragging (to select multiple items). This allows access to the PC as if using a standard computer keyboard and mouse.

For ease of use, there is a choice whether or not a sound is played when the switch is pressed and/or scans.

Using One Switch Mouse with Oska On-Screen Keyboard gives the user’s full access to their PC.

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How Does One Switch Mouse Work

Unlike other mouse alternatives One Switch Mouse only requires the use of one button on a keyboard or switch to have complete control of the operation of the mouse cursor. The user taps the switch quickly to select the direction that for the mouse to move in. By clicking the switch it will cycle through the four directions:

Head

Once the direction is selected the mouse will begin to move. The speed and acceleration of this can be changed in the settings window.

By holding down the switch button, the mouse pointer will cycle through the following commands:

Head

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Advantages Of TenKey Mouse

TenKey Mouse is ideal for users who do not have good timing of switch/scanning systems. The user can operate TenKey Mouse at their own pace, with increased precision and timing with practice. This system would also suite those who become stressed or anxious using an auto scan switch system.

TenKey Mouse can be incorporated into a user’s PC setup, without having to invest in specialist computer hardware. TenKey Mouse utilizes the numeric keypad on a standard computer keyboard.

TenKey Mouse allows quick and precise control of the mouse pointer. This allows the user to access their PC as if they were using a standard computer mouse.

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How Does TenKey Mouse Work

TenKey Mouse works by splitting the screen up with a grid (see picture below). This grid corresponds to the layout of a standard numeric keypad.

TenKey

You then select the part of the grid where the item you want to click is located. This section of the grid then has a grid laid on it, and you select again. This process continues until you zoom in to the exact item you need. You are then able to click the item by pressing the zero key (0).

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Controlling TenKey Mouse

TenKey Mouse is controlled by using the buttons found on a numeric keypad.

Press + (plus) to make the grid appear, filling the whole screen.
Press - (minus) to make the grid disappear.
Press any of the numbers 1 to 9 (not 0) to zoom in to a section of the grid. The position of the key matches the section of the grid, so 7 is the top left and 3 is the bottom right. Repeat this until the mouse is exactly where you want it on the screen.
When the mouse is over something you want to left click, like a hypertext link or a button, then press the 0 (zero) key to left click.
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Advantages Of 3D Mouse

3D Mouse allows users to operate 3D mouse controllers just like a standard mouse controller.

3D Mouse allows for a fine degree of control, allowing for easy, intricate movements of the mouse cursor. This would be of particular use to users who have difficulty using a standard mouse controller accurately.

3D mouse controllers are ideal for those users who want to use a mouse controller but have difficulty using a standard user mouse.

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How Does 3D Mouse Work

3D mouse controllers were originally designed to navigate 3D spaces in computer programs, such as Google Earth and graphical editing programs. The 3D Mouse application allows you to use this technology as a traditional mouse cursor. 3D mouse controllers come with a controller cap. The controller cap is used for navigation, and can be easily manipulated to control the mouse movement. 3D Mouse allows for a fine degree of control, as well as the speed the mouse cursor moves with precision.

3D Mouse offers two types of control:

Absolute Mouse Mode
In this mode, the cursor moves in relation to the mouse. When the mouse is moved left the cursor will go left. When the mouse is centred then the mouse cursor will also return to the centre.

Relative Mouse Mode
In this mode, centring the mouse does not bring the mouse cursor back to the centre. When the mouse is centred the mouse cursor will stop in its current position.

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Advantages Of Joystick Mouse

Joystick Mouse is ideal for users who want to use other hardware to operate a PC like a standard computer mouse.

Joystick Mouse works with any joystick or gamepad that connects via the PC or Sound Card game port. Joystick Mouse also works with all USB joysticks that are seen by Windows as a joystick.

Coupling Joystick Mouse with Oska On-Screen Keyboard gives the user full use of both keyboard and mouse operation on as if they were using a standard keyboard and mouse.

Joystick Mouse does not require the user to buy specialist joystick controllers and will work with existing technology.

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Controlling Joystick Mouse

Joystick Mouse can be run in Absolute or Relative modes:

Absolute Joystick Mode
In this mode the cursor moves in relation to the joystick. When the joystick controller is moved left the cursor will go left. When the joystick returns to the centre the mouse cursor will return to the centre.

Relative Joystick Mode
In this mode centring the joystick does not bring the mouse cursor back to the centre. Moving the joystick back to the centre will stop the cursor in its current position.

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Advantages Of Head Pointer And Mouth Stick Keyboard

The Head Pointer and Mouth Stick Keyboard has been designed for ease of use. By arranging the keys around the space bar, the amount of movement needed to select a key is reduced. By reducing the amount of movement required, the amount of stress caused by movement will be reduced.

The unique design of the Head Pointer and Mouth Stick Keyboard means that keys can be accessed with less movement. With practice, users should be able to use their PC faster and with more efficiency.

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How Does Head Pointer And Mouth Stick Keyboard Work

The on-screen keyboard is always visible, hovering over the other applications so it can always be used.

Character keys are displayed in white with the number keys shown as grey. The keyboard works as you would expect, so hitting the 'a' key on the on-screen keyboard makes 'a' appear on the screen just as if you had pressed the 'a' key on a standard keyboard. The keys are arranged around the space bar, which is shown as a blank key near the middle of the keyboard. This is so that all the keys are easy to get to with the minimum of movement.

Function keys work just as normal.

The CAPS key turns on or off caps lock.
To use the modifier keys – SHIFT, CTRL, ALT and the right hand SHIFT – in conjunction with a key, hit the modifier and then the key that you want to use. For example, to do Control + C to copy, hit CTRL, check it has changed colour to show that it is depressed, then hit the C key.

The left SHIFT and CAPS keys both change the appearance of the keyboard. This lets you see what different key you will get when you use SHIFT or CAPS and hit a key. The other modifiers do not change the keyboard’s appearance but still operate as you would expect.

Below is the complete list of special function keys:

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Advantages Of Scroll Wheel Scanning

Scroll Wheel Scanning allows users to implement a switch scanning system whilst still having full access to the computer mouse. Because of this, Scroll Wheel Scanning offers the user flexibility to use the PC how they want to.

Scroll Wheel Scanning can be used without having a switch system setup. Instead it relies on standard computer hardware that most users will already have e.g. computer touch pad, mice with numeric pads and USB numeric keypads.

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How Does Scroll Wheel Scanning Work

To use Scroll Wheel Scanning you must first activate it in the Oska Settings Editor. This can be found in the start menu, navigating to Programs > Claro Software > Oska Input Manager.

Once activated, click the scroll mouse button to begin to scan the keyboard automatically. By using the scroll wheel you can also move the cursor forward and backwards manually.

Once you have selected the correct column, click the scroll wheel button to select the column. The cursor will then begin to scan down the row. By using the scroll wheel button you can also move up and down manually.

Once you have selected the correct key, click the scroll wheel button to select the key that you want. The cursor then goes back to the beginning so that you are able to select the next key.

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ClaroRead Plus V5 Features and Benefits

Text To Speech Features

Speaking Back Text
ClaroRead speaks back text as it is typed, allowing for a document to be checked and proof read quickly and easily. Text can be spoken at any point by highlighting individual sections of text and pressing the play button – great for proof reading.

Other features include:

Close integration with Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer means you can click and play at any point in a document or web page.

'Speak This Word' allows the user to hear a single word spoken back in their desired voice. Simply by holding the CTRL button, ClaroRead V5 will speak the word under the mouse pointer.

Spoken words can be tracked using a custom colour selection. Any accessible text under the mouse can be spoken if needed.
A strong feature of ClaroRead V5 allows it to echo back words and phrases dictated into any text processor or email application using Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

Make audio and video files from text documents for listening to on your PC or a portable audio player. Simply select and save - great for revision or listening on the move.
A text to speech pronunciation dictionary is available to modify the way words are pronounced if needed.

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Formatting Documents

Font And Colour Changing
When working in Microsoft Word, ClaroRead’s font button allows you to modify the font size, type and colour of the whole document easily. ClaroRead V5 also now includes the Tiresias family of fonts that have been designed for optimum accessibility and usability. Tiresias PC font is now installed by ClaroRead for use in all your Windows applications. Tiresias was developed by Dr John Gill currently at RNIB Scientific Research Unit.

With the font button you can:

Increase or decrease the font size.

Change the font to one of 3 popular fonts with one click. The fonts can be chosen in the new ClaroRead advanced settings editor.
Change the colour of the text of a whole document and change the background colour of your PC easily.

Spacing
Text character, line and paragraph spacing using Microsoft Word menus requires some detailed knowledge. ClaroRead makes it simple to space out text, both in Word and on web pages using Internet Explorer 6, 7 or 8. Pressing the spacing button when working in Word or Internet Explorer will help you:

Expand spacing.

Change line spacing.

Changes the number of points (spaces) after the end of each paragraph.

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Checking Documents

Check Word - A Single Button Press
ClaroRead provides a single check button for use in Microsoft Word that combines a homophone dictionary, thesaurus, reference dictionary and spell checker, making the checking of your text and documents easier and more comprehensive.

If a word is a homophone, the homophone check box will appear, along with meanings. If the word has alternative words with the same or similar meaning, the meanings check box will appear. You can then view more to see the dictionary definition. You can spell check individual words or the whole of your document at any point.

The check boxes are fully speech enabled, so hovering the mouse over the words will make them speak. Over 2000 picture icons are also included to help with word meanings.

Homophones And Tricky Words
Homophones are words that are pronounced alike even if they differ in spelling or meaning, such as 'pair' and 'pear'.

ClaroRead Homophone features includes:

Mark in colour all the homophones and confusable words in a document. Using the new advanced settings editor, you can also add additional tricky and confusable words.

The check feature will list alternative words that sound the same, along with the meaning of each word.

Mark homophones in colour as you type.

Over two thousand pictures are included in ClaroRead, helping users to select the correct homophone or choice of wording. Pictures can be turned on or off.

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PDF Features

Scan Paper & Convert PDF Files Into Word Documents
Through the integration of Omnipage 16 OCR engine, textbooks, photocopies and handouts are easily converted into Word documents. The text can then be spoken out by ClaroRead or edited. PDF files can also be unlocked and edited, opening a wealth of material for accessibility, regardless of the format.

This feature works using all scanners with TWAIN or WIA compatible scanners.

Accessible PDF
ClaroRead has always allowed PDF files to be spoken aloud, and convert into Microsoft Word format with the Plus edition. We wanted to give the user more options for PDF files to be spoken aloud, so we produced a standalone PDF reader, which is available as a free download for anyone. The Claro Accessible PDF Reader will convert accessible PDF files into a web page style retaining the original format and layout or a simple text only view. You can then change any of the colour, font and spacing using the built in controls, and ClaroRead will speak back the text aloud.

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Other Features

ClaroCapture
The new ClaroCapture program included with ClaroRead V5 lets you collect text from any document and web page, grouping it as a project file. The research file can be sent to Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. It can also extract highlighted text from Microsoft Word documents.

ScreenRuler Suite
ClaroRead Plus includes the separate program ScreenRuler. ScreenRuler is an application that works as a reading bar and strip magnifier. This allows part of the PC screen to be highlighted and magnified in a horizontal band.

This will assist anyone with viewing and concentrating on text or objects. It provides a 'strip' or 'ruler' across the screen which can magnify, change contrast, and 'grey' or 'dim' a background.

ClaroView
ClaroRead Plus V5 includes ClaroView. The software allows you to better view your PC screen, with the potential to make browsing and reading easier. It can change the colour of the screen 'overlay' and you can vary the tint level.

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Product Documents