The mobile office in your jacket pocket
Sigma is a digital assistant with a Braille keyboard, voice output and approximately as many functions as you would expect from a Palm or Psion for the sighted, so that your text documents, appointments, schedules and addresses will always be at hand. Maximum productivity is safeguarded by up to 96 MB of memory and automatic synchronization with a PC or Notebook.
Sigma is totally speech-controlled: Several levels of 'talk' and variable read- aloud options will satisfy beginners and advanced users alike.
Sigma is 'helpful': in 'trial mode' you can explore all functions without risking damage to your documents or data. The online help offers support by way of easily understandable messages in natural language. A comprehensive manual and a tutorial in conventional print and in Braille will help you learn. The sophisticated control is operated optionally via the function keys or a menu (like in Windows programs).
Sigma's high-level performance includes:
- text processing with many functions
- easy document management
- appointment calendar with alarm
- data base of addresses
- ToDo-Lists
- world clock with summer time recognition
- alarm clock function
- up to 10 timers (all can run simultaneously even for several years)
- 'automatic' diary
- language recording through built-in microphone
- calculator
- currency, weight, distance units … converter
- dictionary with lots of useful information
- built-in touch tone dial (makes manual dialing of phone numbers within the integrated data base redundant)
- integrated longhand and shorthand translator (SBSBRL)
- spellchecker (Langenscheidt)
- parallel processing of many texts at the same time (paragraph, search, replace, copy, print…)
- 120 decibel alarm siren (Sigma Plus)
- text format converting
- macro-enabled batch processing for complex procedures
- automatic data synchronization with PC.
Sigma can be upgraded: a talking shopping assistant with a multidirectional scanner is already available. Remote maintenance, e-mail, Internet, FTP and E-Book are under development.
Sigma is programmable in Basic and C with special libraries for synthetic voice output: Why not write your own programs and integrate them into existing functions?
Sigma is compatible: (limited) DOS compatibility guarantees maximum data compatibility with a PC or Notebook in Windows. Can be connected to Braillezeile and Braille printer. Many DOS programs can run in text mode.
Sigma is ergonomic: key spring-back action and required pressure are comparable to the requirements of a high-quality keyboard. 6 or 8 point Braille. The voice output is very easy to understand with a clear, pleasant sound in different voices ("Dagmar" or "Thomas") and variable talking speeds.
Sigma can also be talked to in Windows or DOS, where it works like a normal PC drive, so that manual file management (file transfer, delete, rename) becomes exceedingly simple. In addition, each input can be directly monitored on the PC screen.
Sigma specifications:
- Weight: approx. 350g
- Dimensions: 16 cm * 9 cm * 3 cm
- 8 point Braille keyboard
- up to 96 MB memory
- serial port to PC, Braillezeile, Braille printer
- integrated loudspeaker
- OKI voice output: female or male voice
- languages: German, English, French, Spanish
- Ni-MH batteries, charger
- energy saving mode
- headphone socket
- Sigma plus:
- double-size Braille keys
- 17 cm * 12 cm * 3 cm
- 450g
- port assembly for upgrades
- battery compartment
- 120 decibel alarm siren
- all other functions identical to basic model
SynPhon GmbH
Kirchgrund 17
D-75045 Walzbachtal
Germany
Tel.: 07203 92 32 52
Email:synphon@t-online.de
Uploaded 18 October 2001