New For V2 – New User Interface

The Oska user interface has been upgraded to the new ‘ribbon’ style control panel for improved usability. The interface is both familiar and easy to use, making it easier than ever to create, edit and publish Oska keyboards.

New For V2 – Scaling Keyboards

Keyboards can now be easily resized to match the user’s needs. By left clicking on the right corner of the keyboard and dragging to the size required, keyboards can be quickly and easily changed in size.

New For V2 – Large Image Library

Oska includes hundreds of icons and backgrounds for use when creating Oska keyboards.

New For V2 – Second Monitor Support

Oska now supports the ability to use a second monitor. Users can use a keyboard on a different monitor for improved usability.

Improved For V2 – Oska Editor

Oska Editor has been improved. As well as the ability to resize the Editor window for easier viewing, the styles of the buttons can now be copied to other buttons without copying over the buttons content as well.

The Oska Keyboard is an on-screen virtual keyboard. It displays a fully customisable virtual keyboard on screen and allows the use of multiple input devices including mouse, joystick, switch/scanning and head pointer control methods to use the keyboard. Oska is fully compatible with touch technology allowing touch screen compatible PCs to control the on-screen keyboard.

The Oska Keyboard works as a standard computer keyboard. Select a key and Oska will send the input to the current active application on your PC. Oska offers total keyboard control of all your applications including word processors, email, web pages or any other text based application that you use. The Oska Keyboard supports all the standard characteristics of a standard keyboard (for instance, repeated keystrokes when a key is held down).

Oska allows the user to do everything you would do with a standard keyboard, offering more opportunities to work, learn, play and interact with others on their PC. Oska offers users full access to any software package, giving independence to get on with day to day computer tasks.

The Oska Keyboard can be used in a variety of ways:

• 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.

Oska Keyboard Features and Benefits

• 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 9×9 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 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 utilised 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 is 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.

The Oska Editor has been designed with ease of use in mind, allowing keyboards to be effortlessly adapted to specific requirements. All the keyboards in Oska are fully customisable, allowing the keyboard to be edited to suit the requirements of each user and task. The Oska Editor that comes with all versions of Oska has been designed to allow the creation of multi input keyboards or controllers for use on the PC system. Keyboards created with Oska work with touch screen devices, touchpad’s, mice, keyboard, joysticks and switch devices.

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.

After a keyboard is created, the input methods can be defined and customised. In addition, certain keys can be further defined by the user, 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 and 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.

One Switch Mouse enables a user to control the mouse pointer using a single switch. This technique is particularly suited to users who have good fine motor control, but poor motor control; for example, people with muscular dystrophy. Coupling One Switch Mouse with Oska On-Screen Keyboard offers the user the ability to control the mouse and write. With practice, this technique can be used to control a mouse at high speeds.

One Switch Mouse requires the use of only one switch or button to give the user complete control of the mouse. One Switch Mouse also allows the application to be setup in a way that suits the end-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 either the ‘space bar’ (or a switch controller box which emulates the space bar), the middle 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.

Scroll Wheel Scanning is a feature of the Oska Keyboard that offers a unique and innovative scanning solution using a standard computer mouse. By utilising the scroll wheel found on most standard computer mice, a switch/scanning system can be easily and precisely controlled. Scroll Wheel Scanning can be used to setup a quick and precise switch/scanning solution 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.

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.

Joystick Mouse enables any joystick or gamepad controller to be operated like a standard computer mouse. Joystick Mouse allows the mouse cursor to be controlled by a joystick or gamepad controller and enables the joystick or gamepad buttons to operate as the mouse buttons. Joystick Mouse is ideal for users who have difficulty operating a standard computer mouse. Using a joystick or gamepad rather than a computer mouse can be more comfortable for the user, allowing for a greater degree of accuracy.

Benefits 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.

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.

TenKey Mouse is an innovate alternative for moving the mouse pointer quickly and precisely. TenKey Mouse lets you use the numeric keypad at the right of a computer keyboard to operate the mouse (you can also use any USB device with a numeric keypad on it). TenKey Mouse can be a useful mouse alternative for people with limited mobility or Work Related Upper Limb Disorder.

Benefits 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 utilises 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.

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.

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).

3D Mouse offers a new way to control the mouse cursor. 3D Mouse supports new 3D mouse hardware and enables the hardware to be used to control the mouse. 3D Mouse allows greater productivity and creative output.

The 3D mouse hardware is a new type of mouse controller from 3D Connexion. The mice are developed for use with 3D applications such as Google Earth. The 3D Mouse application allowed these mice to be used as standard computer mice. 3D Mouse will be of interest to users who want to use this new type of hardware as a standard mouse controller, allowing for greater control and precision. For further information on 3D mouse controllers please visit the 3dconnexion website.

Benefits 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.

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.

The Head Pointer and Mouth Stick Keyboard is an on-screen keyboard designed to aid operation when using Oska with a head pointing or mouth stick mechanism. Head Pointer and Mouth Stick Keyboard has been designed to assist head pointer and mouth stick users to access their PC with a greater degree of control and efficiency.

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.

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.

• Windows Minimum Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows 7, Vista SP2, XP SP3 (32-bit only)
  • Processor: 400 MHz or equivalent
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Hard Disk Space: 250 MB
  • Display: 800 × 600 256 colours display
  • CD-ROM drive

View/Download

• Oska Brochure (416 KB)
  
• Oska Suite – Trial version (185 MB download from Claro Software website)
  
• Oska Online Manual
  
• Oska V2 User Guide (918 KB)