Technical support questions: 800.262.1984 / service@prc-saltillo.com
Applicable software: NuVoice®
CoreScanner™ Concept
Each word is spoken through a unique sequence of switch activations. At the beginning, this is a simple, single switch activation. Additional switch activations allow vocabulary to grow, but the words always occur in the same order. In time this consistency leads to automaticity—the switch activations occur without thought. And it is this automaticity that leads to spontaneous, novel communication.
Common Scan Types: 1 versus 2 switches
The two most common scan types are 2-switch step scanning and 1-switch auto scanning. 2-switch step is preferable for an early learner, if possible, because it eliminates the timing element. 1-switch auto is best for advanced scanners, those who only have access for one switch, or for whom fatigue is a factor.
CoreScanner Vocabulary Files
CoreScanner Wizard – A setup wizard that helps lead you to your desired vocabulary.
CoreScanner Auto – Designed to be used with a single switch for automatic scanning.
CoreScanner Auto Blast – Advanced level of CoreScanner Auto.
CoreScanner Step – Designed to be used with single switch step or “hold” scanning or with 2 switches.
CoreScanner Step Blast – Advanced level of CoreScanner Step.
CoreScanner Levels
Just More (1 word) – A single word “more”. Designed for the new scanner who is just learning to access his or her switch. Use this level with just 1 switch regardless of whether the intention is for 1 or 2 switches.
Cornerstones (8 words) – A group of 8 core words that occur in early language development. Accessed in a linear scan (i.e. left to right, top to bottom one after the other) with large keys that fill the screen.
PrePathway (23 words) – 23 high frequency core words are accessed with the unique CoreScanner block linear scan pattern. The 8 words from the previous level, CORNERSTONES, serve as the first word in each block.
Pathway (25 words) – 25 high frequency core words with block linear scanning. The word families are introduced—whereby core words lead to other core words. There is an option to customize vocabulary under my categories.
PreJam (108 words) – The core words and scan pattern are identical to Pathway; however, all words in the word families are now available – increasing the number of core words from 25 to 108.
JAM! (about 200 words) – 84 location grid with block linear scanning and word families – core words lead to more core words with an option to customize vocabulary under my categories. Word count approaches 200 core words.
Blast (thousands of words) – Full 84 location grid with block linear scanning. Word count is in the thousands with grammatical endings, all parts of speech and phrase handling. All word families are present with additional space designated for customized vocabulary.
Tip: While CoreScanner includes progressive levels, not every new learner will need to start at the very beginning, and it is also not necessary to master one level before moving on.
How CoreScanner Works
An 8-location linear scan pattern (Cornerstones) provides the foundation for an 84-location block/linear scan pattern (Blast), with four levels in between. Each word in Cornerstones is carried forward as the first location in each block in the next level. Word locations remain consistent as new words are added to allow automaticity to develop.
Cornerstones (Level 2) 
JAM! (Level 6)
Basic Scanning Setup
Upon entering any level in CoreScanner, an orientation screen is provided to describe the level, with a link to a settings screen.
From the settings screen you can learn about and load suggested settings for the available scan methods. Links for the most common manual adjustments are also provided on the left.
Scan Pattern
Beginning at the PrePathway level the scan pattern is arranged in blocks and scanned in the order shown below.
Language Organizational Structure
Beginning at the Pathway level, words begin to expand into groups of related words, or word families. You can tell if an icon has a word family because the label will be in parentheses. For example:
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Word Family Rules
The word selected from the home screen is presented in the first scan location on the word family screen (for instance, the very next switch activation).
For example, “color”.
Home screen:
Word family screen:
The second location scanned will open a my category (when present). A my category contains a row of 11 spaces designed to be customized as needed.
For example, “my colors”.
Remaining words are presented according to frequency of use in natural language. In the example below, the word “pretty” occurs more frequently in language than the word “paint” and is therefore presented earlier in the scan pattern.
In Blast, words open to word forms when applicable. Again, the word chosen from the word family screen is the first word presented on the word forms screen. For example, “paint” followed by “paints”, “painting”, etc.)
Using the Arrows
The arrows 
in CoreScanner serve two functions:
They provide an “escape route” within each block in case the block was selected by accident. The location of the arrow within the block depends upon the CoreScanner version – Auto vs. Step (see the CoreScanner Manual for more details).
They indicate where Custom Vocabulary can be added. The green arrow with a white background indicates a block that can be programmed with customized vocabulary. See the CoreScanner Manual for instructions on customizing vocabulary.
Using the My Categories Page
The My Categories page provides direct links to the “my categories” vocabulary found in the CoreScanner word families (for example, “my books”). It can be used in conjunction with one of the early CoreScanner levels, such as Cornerstones, in which the word families, and therefore personalized vocabulary, is not available.
To access the My Categories page, select the Tools 
key and then select the orange Category Page key from the Tools Menu.
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