Terminal Emulator II

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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
Terminal Emulator Modern-Style Manual Cover
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

Terminal Emulator II - Home Computer & Terminal Emulator.png


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

Terminal Emulator II - Home Computer & Terminal Emulator2.png


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.)


Terminal Emulator - Communication Setup.png


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-Arrow.png (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.

Next, a series of messages appear, asking you to enter one or more codes. Refer to the manual supplied by XYZ, and enter the codes as they are requested.

Some of the codes may need to be sent as control characters, which are special characters that signal the other system to perform a predefined function.

To send the control characters, hold down the CTRL key as you press each letter and number in your code. Since each character is sent as soon as you type it, you do not need to press ENTER after you type the code.

After you have correctly "signed on," XYZ sends a message to let you know that you have done so. Then refer to the XYZ instruction manual to select the data you'd like to access.

When you have received the information you want, you can stop the transmission by using the proper code (again provided by XYZ). For this example, the XYZ instruction manual says to send a BREAK signal and then enter "BYE." To send the BREAK signal, hold down the CTRL key and press ENTER. Then type BYE and press ENTER, if necessary, to end the transmission. To exit the module and close all open files properly, press CTRL O (EXIT).

The remainder of this manual explains the various options included in 'the Terminal Emulator II module. The section "Preparing to Send/Receive Data" explains each parameter and tells you how to set up the Home Computer for proper data exchange. The section on "Sending/Receiving Data" provides instructions for beginning data exchange, a description of what is displayed on the screen, and information on terminating data exchange. The "Special Function Keys" section discusses the keyboard overlay and explains how to use the module's many available functions. The "File Transfer" section explains how to transfer files of information between two systems. The last section, "Reviewing Data with the Arrow Keys," explains how to review data stored in your computer's memory.

Preparing To Send/Receive Data

To prepare the Home Computer for data exchange, begin by describing the parameters required by the computer system with which you're communicating. The module's default values are shown to the right of each parameter on the COMMUNICATION SETUP display. Check these values against the specifications of your system and the other system. The specifications of your system are provided in the TI RS232 Interface and modem owner's manuals. The other system must provide you with its specifications.

The parameters are as follows:

Baud Rate

Baud Rate is the data transmission speed in bits per second. The higher the Baud Rate, the faster the transmission. The speeds you can specify are 110 or 300, as determined by the other computer system.

Parity

Parity (ODD, EVEN, or NONE) is the means for detecting any errors which might occur during data transmission from the Home Computer. To ensure proper reception of data, the computer adds the value of the bits transmitted for each character. This sum should be odd for ODD parity and even for EVEN parity.

The type of parity you choose usually depends on the other system. Check the other system's instruction manual for proper selection. If the remote computer does not require a parity bit, select NONE. Note: The module does not check parity for errors in transmission to your Home Computer.

Duplex

The duplex setting is a means of transmission between systems which echoes characters back to the Home Computer display. Since the requirements of the other computer system control the duplex setting, check the other system's instruction manual for the proper selection.

FULL duplex means the other system echoes all characters you type back to your display. The HALF duplex setting instructs the Terminal Emulator II module to echo the characters you type back to your display as they are transmitted to the other system. For proper communication between two Home Computers, both should specify HALF duplex. Note: The TI Telephone Coupler (Modem) should always be set on FULL (switch set to F on the modem).

RS-232 Port

This parameter lets you indicate which RS232 Interface port you are using to communicate with the other system. For instance, if your modem cable is connected to port #2 of your RS232 Interface (the port to the right as you face the front of the unit}, select option 2 for this parameter on the COMMUNICATION SETUP display.

Column Width

The column-width parameter allows you to set the optimum number of characters per line for your monitor or television screen. A common problem with using a television set instead of a monitor as your video display is overscan (the loss of characters off either side of the screen). You can avoid overscan by adjusting the column width to suit your television set. As a rule of thumb, the older the television set is, the narrower the column width probably is. If you are using a monitor, the default setting of 40 columns is usually appropriate.

Auto Log-on

This feature instructs the Home Computer to send out automatically the control characters that enable your Home Computer to begin data exchange with the other system. The use of this feature requires that: (1) the TI Disk Memory System be attached to your computer and properly turned on, (2) an appropriate log-on data file be stored on diskette (see Appendix C}, and (3) the diskette with the log-on data file be inserted in Disk Drive One (the disk drive that is connected directly to your Disk Drive Controller).

Simply type in the name you have assigned the file (the default file name is LOGON). Next, if you are communicating via telephone, call the other system, correctly place the telephone receiver in the modem cradle, and press ENTER. If you are not communicating with the other system by telephone, just press ENTER. After you press ENTER, the logon file is sent out to the RS232 Interface for transmission to the other system. While the transmission is in progress, you may cancel the logon procedure by pressing CTRL 3 (CANCEL).

Note: If the first entry in the input field (the "L" in "LOGON") is a blank space, the module will not search for a log-on file.

If you are not using the automatic log-on feature, press ENTER to accept the default value LOGON. After a few seconds, the computer beeps, and you may then send the necessary control characters manually.

Sending/Receiving Data

After you select the parameters necessary to communicate with the other computer system, you are ready to begin data exchange. As discussed in "A Sample Application," this procedure varies, depending on the system with which you wish to communicate. Check the other system's instruction manual to determine the proper procedure for starting the exchange. If you are using a modem and the telephone network to communicate over a longer distance, include the following steps to begin communication.

1. Dial the telephone number of the remote computer system.
2. Verify that the remote computer is ready to communicate (usually signalled by a high-pitched tone).
3. Place the telephone receiver in the modem cradle. Be sure to align the telephone receiver and its cord as specified in the modem owner's manual. (Note: If you are using the automatic log-on feature, press ENTER while the cursor is positioned on your log-on file name on the COMMUNICATION SETUP display.)
4. Begin communication with the remote computer by typing in the codes or other information it requires. These inputs are included with the remote system's instructions. Note: If you are using the automatic log-on feature and the other system echoes the codes that you have included in your log-on file, the codes are displayed automatically as your computer sends them to the other system.

Data Reception Features

After you have properly accessed the other system, the display shows the data your computer is receiving. The lines of information appear on the screen one at a time from top to bottom. When the cursor reaches the end of the bottom line, the text scrolls up, one line at a time, and new data is displayed on the last line.

At times, the computer system transmitting data to the Home Computer display may want to clear the display. If the other system sends a control L, the Home Computer recognizes the signal and clears the screen. The cursor automatically moves to the upper left-hand corner of the display.

If the other system wants to move the cursor to the upper left-hand corner of the display ("home" position) and sends a control A or escape H, the Home Computer repositions the cursor. The next data received begins at this position.

IMPORTANT: The Terminal Emulator II Command Module sequentially stores incoming data in the Home Computer's available Random Access Memory (RAM). As the data is received, it is added to the end of the most recently received information. When the available RAM is filled, the computer sounds a loud beep, and any data received from then on replaces the oldest data stored in memory. With 40-character line lengths, about six pages can be stored before the first page is replaced by new data. With SO-character line lengths (WRAP OFF). about three pages can be stored.

Ending Data Exchange

After receiving your desired information, you usually have several methods available for ending the data exchange. For the most effective method of ending the exchange, refer to the other system's instruction manual. If you are using a modem, you can also end the exchange by removing the telephone from the modem cradle and hanging it up. In most cases, this will automatically log you off the other system. In some cases, however, it may not. Check with the instruction manual of the other system to be sure.

When you have completed the data exchange, the last information received is still displayed. At this point, you may want to review the information, or you may want to store the data on a mass-storage device. Both of these alternatives are explained in the following sections.

Special Function Keys

The Terminal Emulator II module features a wide variety of functions that help you communicate with the other system and work with your data. The functions fall into two basic categories: those that signal the other system to perform a predefined function and those that help you work with your data. Most of the functions in this second category are control characters in the ASCII Character Set. For a listing and explanation of the ASCII control characters available with the module, see Appendix A.


Terminal Emulator - Keyboard.png


Using the Function Keys

While exchanging information, you may find it necessary to perform various functions. For example, you may want to output to a mass storage device or change the case of the characters you are sending to the other system.

You can select a function after you finish selecting the parameters on the COMMUNICATION SETUP display. If you want to select a function while receiving data, it is best to do so when the other system pauses while sending data. In most cases, the Home Computer will store incoming data in a temporary 256-character buffer while you are using a function. This allows about eight seconds of transmission (at 300 Baud) before the buffer overflows and the first data received is lost.

IMPORTANT: Incoming data is not stored while your Home Computer is performing the CTRL 1 (SPEAK) or CTRL 2 (OUTPUT) function or if you are pressing the paper advance button on the TI Thermal Printer.

Once a function is performed, the information stored in the buffer is quickly displayed. When the displayed information catches up to the remote system's transmissions, the characters appear at normal speed. If some of the information seems to be missing, the data transmitted probably exceeded the buffer's limit.

The remainder of this section describes the various functions available with the Terminal Emulator II module, except the ASCII control characters 1 through 31. For a listing of these ASCII characters, see Appendix A.

Control 1 (SPEAK)

Holding down the CTRL key and pressing 1 instructs the Home Computer to speak all the text displayed on the screen. Pressing CTRL 1 (SPEAK) has no effect unless the TI Solid State SpeechTM Synthesizer is properly attached to your Home Computer. For information on accessing text-to-speech in a TI BASIC program, see Appendix C. Note: You cannot use CTRL 1 when you are in the graphics mode.

Control 2 (OUTPUT)

Holding down the CTRL key and pressing 2 (OUTPUT) allows you to transmit a page of currently displayed data to a printer or a mass storage medium, such as a cassette tape or diskette. Once you press CTRL 2 (OUTPUT), the module asks you to enter the device name. The module accepts any of the following device names, provided the device is properly connected to the computer and turned ON.


Terminal Emulator II - Control 2.png


IMPORTANT: If your computer is outputting to a device attached to the RS232 Interface, be sure that you do not specify the same port that you are using to communicate with the other system. Otherwise, you will lose your connection.

The module also accepts the device name of any other TI-99/4 Home Computer output device (see the appropriate owner's manual for the proper device name format).

Type the appropriate device name and press ENTER. The display then shows the message PLEASE WAIT WHILE WRITING DAT A. If the specified device is the TI Thermal Printer, the module automatically reformats the data in memory and prints 32 characters per line.

When the computer finishes writing a page, the previously displayed data reappears. To output additional data, press CTRL 2 (OUTPUT) again. The program then asks if you wish to OUTPUT TO PREVIOUS DEVICE and offers you the choice of pressing 1 for "yes" or 2 for "no." To save additional data, enter 1. (Note: If you are saving data on a disk system, the file is closed when you press 2 for "no." Once the file is closed, you cannot add additional information to it.)

Control 3 (CANCEL)

Pressing CTRL 3 (CANCEL) cancels the following functions while they are in progress: the automatic log-on sequence, file transfer, and output to a mass storage device.

Control 4 (TRANSFER)

Holding down the CTRL key and pressing 4 (TRANSFER) enables you to transfer a file of information from your cassette or diskette to the other system. See the "File Transfer" section for full information.

Control 5 (WRAP)

CTRL 5 (WRAP) controls the status of the wrap-around feature. The module begins with WRAP automatically ON. With the wrap-around feature on, the module breaks lines at blank spaces whenever possible and continues long lines of text on the next line instead of extending the text beyond the right screen boundary. When you press CTRL 5 (WRAP), the WRAP feature changes to OFF. With the wrap-around feature off, the text is displayed just as it is transmitted by the other system and may extend beyond the right screen boundary. To turn WRAP back on again, press CTRL 5 once more.


IMPORTANT: Whenever you change the WRAP feature, all data in your computer's available Random Access Memory (RAM) is erased. Be sure that the WRAP feature is in the desired mode (ON or OFF) before you start receiving data. Remember that the module begins with WRAP automatically on.

When saving or printing data, the WRAP should be on if you wish to output lines with 40 characters or less. It should be off if you wish to output lines with a maximum of 80 characters. With the wrap-around feature off, you can save or print greater amounts of material at one time since the Home Computer outputs one page at a time. The longer line is also desirable if you are receiving charts or tables.

If the WRAP is off and you are receiving data, the module displays the first portion of each incoming line of information. (The number of characters that are displayed depends on the column width you selected on the COMMUNICATION SETUP display.) The final position in the line shows the rest of the transmitted line one character at a time. To view the data which extends beyond the screen boundaries, use the arrow keys as explained in the section, "Reviewing Data with the Arrow Keys." Since many systems pause after sending 24 lines of data, you might wish to review the data at the end of each page.

Control 6 (CASE)

CTRL 6 (CASE} controls the case of the characters to be sent to the remote system. Unless you change the case setting, the module sends upper case letters. To change to lower case, hold down the CTRL key and press 6. To send upper case again, hold down the CTRL key and press 6 again. Note: The remote computer controls the case of the characters you receive.

Control 7 (PAGE)

This feature allows you to scroll the text on your display up or down 24 lines at a time, or left or right one page at a time, as determined by the column width you selected. For details, see the section "Reviewing Data with the Arrow Keys."

Control 0 (EXIT)

Pressing CTRL 0 (EXIT} returns the computer to the master title screen, ending a session with the module. The EXIT sequence closes all open files, protecting any data stored on your disk system. All data not saved on a mass storage device is lost. Note that the EXIT key sequence does not "sign off' with the other system. For information on signing off, refer to "Ending Data Exchange."

IMPORTANT: Pressing QUIT also returns the computer to the master title screen, but it does not close all open files. If you exit the module by any means other than CTRL 0, such as pressing QUIT or turning the computer console off, the data you have saved on diskette may be lost.

Function V (DELETE)

Pressing FCTN V (DELETE} transmits a DELETE control character (ASCII 127) to the other system. This is useful if you make a typing error while transmitting a code or other information to the other system. If the other system accepts the signal, it deletes either the most recent character you sent or the most recent line of text you sent. (To find out which is deleted, consult the other system's instruction manual.)

Control . (ESCAPE)

Pressing CTRL. (ESCAPE} sends an escape (ESC) signal to the other system. Since the results of pressing ESCAPE are not always the same. check the other computer system's owner's manual for the meaning of this function.


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