TapChat AAC

Users Manual

8 December 2015

USER'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page #
1.0
GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.1
SYSTEM OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2
AUTHORIZED USE PERMISSION .............................................................................................................................. 3
1.3
POINTS OF CONTACT ................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.3.1 Information ..................................................................................................................................................................3
2.0
SYSTEM SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION ........................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2
RECOMMENDED USERS ............................................................................................................................................ 4
2.3
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.0
QUICK START GUIDE ............................................................................................................................... 6
3.1
INSTALLATION AND STARTING THE APP ........................................................................................................ 6
3.1.1 Installation ......................................................................................................................................................................6
3.1.2 Starting the Application ..........................................................................................................................................6
3.2
SYSTEM MENU........................................................................................................................................................ 6
3.2.1
Main Menu .............................................................................................................................................................6
Start ................................................................................................................................................................................................6
3.2.2
Start ............................................................................................................................................................................6
3.2.3
Select Tab ..............................................................................................................................................................6
3.2.4
Select Button ........................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.5
Drag and Swap ...................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.6
User-entered text ...............................................................................................................................................7
Settings.........................................................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.7
Settings ....................................................................................................................................................................7
3.2.8
Change Stock Photo ........................................................................................................................................7
3.2.9
Reset Stock Photo ............................................................................................................................................7
3.2.10 New Custom Button .........................................................................................................................................7
3.2.11 Delete Custom Button.....................................................................................................................................7
3.2.12 Change Language .............................................................................................................................................8
3.2.13 Reset Button Locations ..................................................................................................................................8
3.4
EXITING THE APPLICATION ................................................................................................................................. 8
3.5
TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON ERRORS ....................................................................................................... 8
3.5.1 No sound is playing.......................................................................................................................................................8
3.5.2 App is slow ........................................................................................................................................................................8
3.5.3 App is unresponsive ......................................................................................................................................................8
3.6
UNINSTALLATION OF THE APPLICATION......................................................................................................... 8

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1.0
1.1

GENERAL INFORMATION

System Overview

TapChat AAC is an alternative and augmented communication (AAC) application for mobile devices
designed for those whom vocal communication is difficult or impossible. When a button with a predefined or user-defined phrase is touched, the application will say the phrase aloud using the mobile
devices speaker.
The application is intended to provide users ages 6 and older the ability to converse with peers and make
friends. The application provides preset positive, negative, and neutral phrases in addition to custom
phrases. The button image for each preset or custom phrase is customizable.
The application comes fully set up; all the user has to do is open the application and select start to
begin using the application. If images need to be altered/customized, the user may do so through the
settings menu.
TapChat AAC is currently supported on Android devices running Android 3.0 Honeycomb or newer.

1.2

Authorized Use Permission

Any unauthorized use of this application, including making copies of it without the express written
authorization from Radford University is prohibited.

1.3

Points of Contact

1.3.1 Information
Contact information:
Dr. Diane Millar dcmillar@radford.edu
Dr. Tracy Lewis-Williams tlewis32@radford.edu
Development team:
Jude Armstrong jarmstrong3@radford.edu
Ianto Cole zcole2@radford.edu
Shane Mayhew smayhew@radford.edu
Steve Oake soake@radford.edu
Mark Rutledge mrutledge2@radford.edu
Chase Sweet csweet5@radford.edu
Cameron Wolf cwolf4@radford.edu
Nathan Velasquez nvelasquez@radford.edu

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2.0
2.1

SYSTEM SUMMARY

System Configuration

TapChat AAC is designed for use on a tablet or phone running Android 3.0 Honeycomb or newer. To
install, the user will need Internet access through either a Wi-Fi connection or a wireless data plan. The
application will install language files (around 50 MB) the first time a particular language is used; the user
may want to do this while connected to a Wi-Fi network if data plan usage is a concern. For instructions
on how to connect your device, please refer to manuals and documentation for your device or provided
by your data plan provider.

2.2

Recommended Users

TapChat AAC was developed for users who have difficulty with verbal communication. The application
will work best for users who have the manual finger dexterity to accurately touch the buttons displayed
on the screen. A device with a larger screen will have buttons with a larger area to touch.

2.3

Introduction

TapChat AAC was developed with a simple interface design to minimize the time it takes for the user to
begin benefiting from its use. The system comes preloaded with several preconfigured screen as well as
options to allow the user to customize their experience.
Upon opening TapChat AAC, the user will be presented with the Main Menu screen (figure 2.1). From
this screen, the user will be able to enter the text-to-speech portion of the app or customize the app to
better suit their needs.

Figure 2.1 Main Menu

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Choosing the Start option will present the user with the text-to-speech function. The user is able to
navigate between screens by touching one of the tabs at the top of the screen. The first tab, containing
pre-defined positive phrases, is the default that opens (see figure 2.2).

Figure 2.2 Positive phrase screen

The top row of the screen shows the five user selectable tabs. The first three to the left represent the preconfigured tabs: positive phrases, represented by a + sign, neutral phrases, represented by an = sign, and
negative phrases, represented by the sign. In addition, the there are two additional tabs. The icon
shapred as a person is for personalized icons and phrases that the user may choose to setup. The
rightmost icon shaped as a speech bubble allows the user to enter a phrase or sentence at any time that
the device will the speak for them (see figure 2.3).

Figure 2.3 Custom phrase tab screen

TapChat AACs default language is English but five additional languages are accessable in the setting
menu. The user may choose French, Simplified Chinese, German, Spanish, and Turkish.
TapChat AAC was designed to allow the user to customize the application to better suit their needs. The
user may re-order the buttons on any of the icon menus. Additionally, the user may choose to replace the
pre-configured icons with an image of their own choosing. Finally, the user has the option to configure
18 custom phrases of their own with an user-chosen image to represent that phrase.

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3.0
3.1

QUICK START GUIDE

Installation and Starting the App

3.1.1 Installation
The application can be installed from the Google Play Store on Android Phones. A Google account (also
referred to a Gmail account) is required to download apps from the Play Store but TapChat AAC does
not use an account system of its own. The application can also be installed using an APK package (.apk
file) if installation from unknown sources is enabled. Enabling installation from unknown sources may
vary depending on your device but most devices should be able to access the option by going to the
devices Settings and choosing Security > Unknown sources and toggling the option.

3.1.2 Starting the Application

The application can be started by touching the TapChat AAC icon from your devices launcher (home
screen). If the icon is not visible, you may have to scroll to a different launcher/home screen or browse
all applications installed on your device. Please refer to the manuals and documentation for your device
for instructions on how to access all applications or how to reorganize icons on your devices home
screens.

3.2

System Menu

3.2.1 Main Menu

The Main Menu is displayed when the application starts. A Start button and a Settings button are
displayed on the Main Menu. Touching the Start button will take the user to the voice function (3.2.2);
touching the Settings button will take the user to the settings function (3.2.6). Loading the Main Menu
may take a few seconds (usually around 3) in order to prepare the applications functions.

Start
3.2.2 Start
After the user touches the Start button, they will have access to multiple screens accessed through the
five tabs at the top of the devices screen. The first three tabs contain buttons with preset phrases that the
user can select. The fourth tab contains buttons that the user can customize with phrases and images that
the user can define (discussed in 3.2.10), and the fifth tab contains a text box where the user can type a
phrase to be spoken by the text-to-speech engine. Loading this screen may also take a few seconds
(usually around 3) depending on language settings.

3.2.3 Select Tab

After the user touches the start button, they can change between the tabs at the top of the devices screen
by touching the tab. Five tabs are available: positive phrases, neutral phrases, negative phrases, custom
phrases, or user-entered text.
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3.2.4 Select Button

When the user accesses a tab, they can touch one of the buttons on the screen to have the application
speak an abstract phrase for the user, or enter text for the app to speak.

3.2.5 Drag and Swap

Users can change the order in which the buttons are displayed on any of the first four tabs on the Start
screen. To move a button, the user should touch and hold on the button they wish to move, then, while
continuing to press on the touch screen, move over to the button they would like to swap locations with,
and release. Button locations can be reset from the Settings Menu (discussed in 3.2.13).

3.2.6 User-entered text

When a user accesses the user-entered tab, they can tap in the white box in the center of the screen to
open the onscreen keyboard. The user can now type a word or phrase. When the desired phrase is
entered, the user then touches Done, which will close the onscreen keyboard; the phrase will now appear
in the white user-entered text box. The user can now click Speak to have the app speak the phrase, or
Clear, to empty the box.

Settings
3.2.7 Settings
The settings menu will allow users to customize the application for their needs. From the Main Menu,
the user can press the Settings button to be brought to this menu. This menu will take a few seconds
(usually about 3) to retrieve the applications settings.

3.2.8 Change Stock Photo

From this menu, the user has the option to change the picture on any of the default buttons displayed in
the first three tabs. First, the user will select Positive, Neutral, or Negative, corresponding to the tab
containing the button they wish to change. When a user makes a selection, they will see all the phrases
on the tab they have chosen. The user can then select the phrase they wish to change, and then press
Upload. Upon pressing upload, the user will be prompted to either use an image from storage or to take
a picture using the devices camera. Camera functionality from within the application may be limited.
Once these two selections have been made, the user can click Submit, and the change will be saved.

3.2.9 Reset Stock Photo

If the user decides they would like to restore the default image for a certain button, they may select the
button that they wish to restore, and click Submit

3.2.10 New Custom Button

If the user wishes to add buttons to the Custom Buttons tab (discussed in 3.2.2 and 3.2.3), they will
choose an image for their new button, then type a phrase. An image is added using the same methods
described in 3.2.8. The button will now appear in the Custom Buttons tab.

3.2.11 Delete Custom Button

If the user decides they no longer want a specific button in the Custom Buttons tab, they will choose the
button they wish to remove, and click Submit.

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3.2.12 Change Language

To change the language used for the application, choose the desired language and click Submit.

3.2.13 Reset Button Locations

If the user decides they would like to return all buttons to their default locations, they may do so by
touching Reset Button Locations, then selecting Yes to confirm their decision.

3.4

Exiting the Application

The application can be exited in any way. Please refer to manuals and documentation for your device on
how to shut down applications. The application has been tested and will not malfunction because of how
the application has been closed. The application can also be force-closed through Androids app
manager and all settings will be saved.

3.5

Troubleshooting Common Errors

3.5.1 No sound is playing

Check the devices volume to ensure that the device is not muted. Check the devices audio output
(headphone) port to ensure that nothing is plugged in.

3.5.2 App is slow

It is perfectly normal for the app to take around 3 seconds to load the Main Menu upon app startup and
upon first pressing the Start button to enter the text-to-speech portion of the app. You may also have to
wait about 3 seconds when entering the text-to-speech portion after changing languages. If consistently
longer wait times are experienced, please refer to 3.5.3 App is unresponsive

3.5.3 App is unresponsive

If the app becomes unresponsive, you may need to shut down and restart the app. How to do this may
vary between devices. Please refer to manuals and documentation for your device on how to shut down
applications.

3.6

Uninstallation of the application

Methods to uninstall the application will vary between devices. Common methods to uninstall the
application may be available through the Play Store app or the Application Manager found under the
devices Settings. Please refer to manuals and other documentation for your device for methods to
uninstall applications from the device.

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