Difference between revisions of "Terminal Emulator II"
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press ENTER twice to move the cursor to LOGON. | press ENTER twice to move the cursor to LOGON. | ||
− | If you make a mistake, move the cursor back up to the entry by pressing '''FCTN''' [[File:Up-Arrow.png| | + | If you make a mistake, move the cursor back up to the entry by pressing '''FCTN''' [[File:Up-Arrow.png|30px]] (UP). Retype the desired selection, and then press ENTER repeatedly to move the cursor down to LOGON. |
At this point, if you were using the module's automatic log-on feature, you would insert the appropriate diskette into Disk Drive One and enter the file name of your log-on program. For this demonstration, however, we are not using the auto-log-on feature. Therefore, simply press '''ENTER''' to accept the default value LOGON. | At this point, if you were using the module's automatic log-on feature, you would insert the appropriate diskette into Disk Drive One and enter the file name of your log-on program. For this demonstration, however, we are not using the auto-log-on feature. Therefore, simply press '''ENTER''' to accept the default value LOGON. |
Revision as of 16:25, 24 November 2022
Terminal Emulator II is a communications and text-to-speech computer program published and distributed by Texas Instruments (TI) for the TI-99/4A home computer system. It was distributed as part number PHM 3035 during the first quarter of 1981. It sold on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module cartridge originally for $49.94 (USD)
Terminal Emulator II | |
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![]() Terminal Emulator Modern-Style Manual (Front Cover) [1] | |
Publisher(s) | Texas Instruments (TI) |
Original Retail Price | $49.95 (USD) |
Part# | PHM 3035 |
Format(s) | Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module |
Release | 1981 (1st Quarter) |
Genre(s) | Communications, Text-to-Speech |
Advertising Blurbs
Front Cover of Manual
Enables your Home Computer to telecommunicate with other computer systems. Features include color graphics, speech, sound, and file transfer capabilities, if the subscription data-base service uses the Terminal Emulator II protocols. Check with your data-base service to find out if it supports these features.
This module requires use of a Texas Instruments RS232 Interface (Model PHP1700) - not included (details inside). If you are contacting a remote computer via telephone, a TI Telephone Coupler (Modem) or other RS232C-compatible modem is also required.
Back Cover of Manual
The world of telecommunications offers something for everyone . . . stock market quotes, tax advice, computer games, program swapping. The Terminal Emulator II Command Module lets you link your Home Computer to this world with new dimensions in graphics and sound, including text-to-speech capabilities! Note: Although the module can exchange textual data with a subscription database service, not all data-base services are capable of utilizing the module's graphics, sound, speech, and file transfer features. Before attempting to access these features, check with the data-base service.
Terminal Emulator II module features provide:
- ■ Text and Graphics Modes - You can receive text or color graphics.
- ■ Text-to-Speech Capability - You can instruct the computer to read any displayed text aloud. This feature can also be accessed in TI BASIC! (Note: The Texas Instruments Solid State Speech TM Synthesizer (Model PHP 1500)* must be connected to the computer to utilize the speech capability.)
- ■ And much more - A wide variety of functions makes it easy for you to work with your data.
Note: To activate the Terminal Emulator II module, a TI RS232 Interface (Model PHP1700) must be attached to the computer. If you are contacting a remote computer via telephone, a TI Telephone Coupler (Modem)* is required in addition to the TI RS232 Interface. The RS232 Interface is not required for utilizing text-to-speech in TI BASIC.
Triton Catalog Spring 1984
Access subscription data services and time-shared computer systems. Features file transfers, improved keyboard interface, and text-to-speech from user-written programs. (Requires Modem, RS-232 for telecommunications. Requires Speech Synthesizer for text-to-speech.)
Manual
Introduction
Few developments are changing the world today as rapidly as the "information explosion." As a part of this explosion, data-base services are giving people quick access to information ranging from French lessons to the latest price of gold. For the first time, electronic mail, airline scheduling, and other valuable services are available at low cost to home computer users.
The Terminal Emulator II Solid State Software™ Command Module enables you to explore these and many other benefits of telecommunications. In addition, if the Solid State SpeechTM Synthesizer is connected to your computer, any data that you receive can be spoken. The module also allows you to access the text-to-speech capabilities with a TI BASIC program. With this text-to-speech feature, you can add speech to games, educational programs, and many other applications. However, the Terminal Emulator II module's text-to-speech cannot be used with the TI Extended BASIC module.
Note: To activate the telecommunications capabilities of the Terminal Emulator II module, a TI RS232 Interface (Model PHP1700) must be attached to your computer. If you are contacting a remote computer via telephone, a TI Telephone Coupler (Modem) is required in addition to the TI RS232 Interface.
The Terminal Emulator II module brings new dimensions to telecommunications. The module allows you to send and receive color graphics and music, as well as text. It also includes a wide variety of special functions that help you access and work with your data.
With the Terminal Emulator II module, your Home Computer functions like a standard RS232 terminal, enabling you to communicate with any data base or large remote system operating under the standard RS232 protocols. However, since the data base you are communicating with must be equipped to take advantage of the module's special features, such as color graphics, sound, speech, and file transfer, we recommend that you check with the subscription service before attempting to access these features.
With the Terminal Emulator II module, you can:
- ■ Select the parameters that enable your Home Computer to communicate with other systems.
- ■ Transmit control characters that signal the remote computer to perform predefined functions.
- ■ Receive data in the most appropriate display mode - text mode for alphanumeric data, or graphics mode for games, simulations, and other transmissions that involve color graphics.
- ■ Send and receive upper- and lower-case characters.
- ■ Vary the column width of your display to prevent the loss of characters off either end of the display.
- ■ Scroll displayed information by line or by page, vertically or horizontally.
In addition, if the TI Disk Memory System (Disk Drive Controller and Disk Memory Drive)* is connected to your Home Computer, you may set up a file on diskette so that you can automatically log on to the remote system. You can also transfer files to and from a disk system or cassette recorder. During file transfer, the module even checks for data that may have been dropped or garbled during transmission and asks for a retransmission, if necessary.
If two Home Computer systems have a Terminal Emulator II module, files can be transferred easily. However, sending graphics, sound, and speech requires a complex and time-consuming procedure, including special coding before entering the data one character at a time. In addition, special handling is required to make selective use of speech, not to speak all of the text on a display. For more information, see Transmission of Graphics and Sound.
Note: The Terminal Emulator II module cannot access the Memory Expansion Unit.
Suggested Methods of Access
You have access to a variety of computer systems depending on the accessories used with the Home Computer and Terminal Emulator II Command Module. The following diagrams illustrate two typical arrangements.
Accessing Subscription Data Services or a Remote Computer System
Generally, your Home Computer will communicate with a subscription data-base service or other remote system over the telephone lines, as shown here. In this situation, your Home Computer system needs the TI RS232 Interface and the TI Telephone coupler (Modem) - or other RS232C-compatible modem - to communicate with the other system. If your computer is located near the other system, you may be able to communicate with the other system by direct cable. The direct cable eliminates the need for modems and telephone calls, but the RS232 Interface is still required. (See the TI RS232 Interface owner's manual for information on linking your computer to the other system by direct cable.)
Note: To access a data-base service, you must subscribe to the appropriate service and pay any required fees. Most computer-related magazines include information on available data-base services.
Communicating with a Remote Home Computer
Communication between two Home Computers usually takes place over telephone lines, as shown here. In order to communicate by telephone, both computers need an RS232 Interface and a TI Telephone Coupler (Modem). With two modems in use, one must be set to Originate and the other one to Answer. If the two Home Computers are in the same location, however, they can be connected by direct cable, without modems. In either case, each Home Computer needs a TI RS232 Interface and Terminal Emulator II (or Terminal Emulator I) module. Note: To transmit features, such as sound, color, and graphics, which are unique to Terminal Emulator II, both systems must have a Terminal Emulator II module.
IMPORTANT: To utilize the module's speech capabilities, the TI Speech Synthesizer must be connected to the console first, with other accessories connected to the right of the speech unit. See the Speech Synthesizer owner's manual for full set-up instructions.
A Sample Application
When you select Terminal Emulator II from the master selection list, the module's title screen appears. Press any key at this time to go to the COMMUNICATION SETUP display. (If you wait a few moments, this display automatically appears.)
For demonstration purposes, suppose that you have subscribed to the XYZ Data Service. Since you are communicating with the service by phone, your Home Computer system includes a TI RS232 Interface and a TI Telephone Coupler (Modem), properly connected to the computer and turned ON. (Refer to the RS232 Interface and modem owner's manuals for set-up instructions.)
Before you can establish communication with XYZ, you must select the parameters necessary for proper data exchange with the XYZ computer. To determine these parameters, refer to the section "Preparing to Send/Receive Data" in this manual and to the user's manual(s) supplied by XYZ. Assume that you determine that your Home Computer is to be set at these values:
- BAUD RATE = 300
- PARITY = EVEN
- DUPLEX = FULL
- RS-232 PRT = #2
- COLUMN WIDTH = 40
- AUTO LOG-ON = (no auto log-on)
The parameters are shown on the left side of the COMMUNICATION
SETUP display, and the available options for each parameter are listed
in the center. The default parameters appear on the right-hand side of
the display, with the cursor (a flashing square) on the first entry.
Notice that all the default values except RS-232 PORT and AUTO LOGON
agree with the values required to communicate with XYZ. Press
ENTER three times to accept the first three values. The cursor now
appears to the right of RS-232 PORT. Press 2 to select port #2, and then
press ENTER twice to move the cursor to LOGON.
If you make a mistake, move the cursor back up to the entry by pressing FCTN (UP). Retype the desired selection, and then press ENTER repeatedly to move the cursor down to LOGON.
At this point, if you were using the module's automatic log-on feature, you would insert the appropriate diskette into Disk Drive One and enter the file name of your log-on program. For this demonstration, however, we are not using the auto-log-on feature. Therefore, simply press ENTER to accept the default value LOGON.
Once you press ENTER, the module conducts a search for the log-on file. (If you replace the "L" in "LOGON" with a space, the module does not search for the file and beeps immediately to indicate that you have control.) For several seconds, the screen is blank and the keyboard does not respond to any key presses. Once the search is ended, the module "beeps" to indicate that control has been restored to you. You may then continue with the program.
At this point, the computer shows only the cursor in the upper lefthand comer of the display. To begin actual communication with XYZ, dial the telephone number supplied by the data base. When you finish dialing the number, listen for a high-pitched tone, and then correctly place the telephone receiver in the modem cradle. Note: If you are using the auto-log-on feature, be sure to dial the data base's telephone number when the cursor is on the log-on file name and before you press ENTER.