Release candidate.

README.md

@@ -81,13 +81,16 @@ Fenrir is a Linux screen reader. Linux is the only officially supported platform
    - espeak or espeak-ng (or any TTS command)
 3. **dectalkDriver** - Serial DECtalk-compatible hardware speech driver
    - RPITalk gadget mode or a DECtalk-compatible serial device
-4. **litetalkDriver** - Serial LiteTalk-compatible hardware speech driver
+4. **dectalkUsbDriver** - Native Access Solutions DECtalk USB driver
+   - USB ID `0dd0:2001`
+   - PyUSB and a libusb backend
+5. **litetalkDriver** - Serial LiteTalk-compatible hardware speech driver
    - RPITalk gadget mode or a LiteTalk-compatible serial device
-5. **doubletalkDriver** - Serial DoubleTalk LT-compatible hardware speech driver
+6. **doubletalkDriver** - Serial DoubleTalk LT-compatible hardware speech driver
    - DoubleTalk LT; does not support the internal DoubleTalk PC card
-6. **tripletalkDriver** - Serial TripleTalk-compatible hardware speech driver
+7. **tripletalkDriver** - Serial TripleTalk-compatible hardware speech driver
    - External DB9 serial TripleTalk devices, or USB models that expose a tty serial device
-7. **debugDriver** - Debug speech driver for testing
+8. **debugDriver** - Debug speech driver for testing
    - No dependencies
 
 
@@ -459,15 +462,22 @@ setting <action> [parameters]
 - `speech#volume=0.1-1.0` - Speech volume
 - `speech#voice=voice_name` - Voice selection (e.g., "en-us+f3")
 - `speech#module=module_name` - TTS module (e.g., "espeak-ng")
-- `speech#driver=driver_name` - Speech driver (speechdDriver/genericDriver/dectalkDriver/litetalkDriver/doubletalkDriver/tripletalkDriver)
+- `speech#driver=driver_name` - Speech driver (speechdDriver/genericDriver/dectalkDriver/dectalkUsbDriver/litetalkDriver/doubletalkDriver/tripletalkDriver)
 - `speech#hardware_device=/dev/ttyS0` - Hardware synth serial device for dectalkDriver/litetalkDriver
 - `speech#hardware_baud_rate=9600` - Hardware synth serial baud rate
 - `speech#history_size=50` - Number of spoken items kept in runtime speech history
 
+The native Access Solutions DECtalk USB, USB ID `0dd0:2001`, uses
+`dectalkUsbDriver`. It is autodetected and does not use
+`speech#hardware_device` or `speech#hardware_baud_rate`. Install PyUSB and a
+libusb backend first. From a source checkout, use
+`python3 -m pip install '.[dectalk_usb]'`; distributions may package PyUSB as
+`python3-usb` or `python-pyusb`. Root-run Fenrir can access the device directly.
+A non-root Fenrir process needs a local udev rule granting its account
+read/write access to `0dd0:2001`; do not make the device world-writable. Other
 USB hardware synths are supported only when Linux exposes them as a serial tty
-such as `/dev/ttyACM0` or `/dev/ttyUSB0`. A USB-only TripleTalk with no tty
+such as `/dev/ttyACM0` or `/dev/ttyUSB0`. Use an explicit
-device would require a separate USB protocol driver. Use an explicit
+`speech#hardware_device` path for serial hardware speech.
-`speech#hardware_device` path for hardware speech.
 - `speech#auto_read_incoming=True/False` - Auto-read new text
 
 *Sound Settings:*

config/settings/settings.conf

@@ -36,10 +36,12 @@ progress_monitoring=True
 enabled=True
 
 # Select speech driver, options are speechdDriver, genericDriver,
-# dectalkDriver, litetalkDriver, doubletalkDriver, or tripletalkDriver:
+# dectalkDriver, dectalkUsbDriver, litetalkDriver, doubletalkDriver,
+# or tripletalkDriver:
 driver=speechdDriver
 #driver=genericDriver
 #driver=dectalkDriver
+#driver=dectalkUsbDriver
 #driver=litetalkDriver
 #driver=doubletalkDriver
 #driver=tripletalkDriver
@@ -77,6 +79,7 @@ volume=1.0
 
 # Hardware speech synthesizer serial device.
 # Used by dectalkDriver, litetalkDriver, doubletalkDriver, and tripletalkDriver.
+# dectalkUsbDriver autodetects the Access Solutions device and ignores this.
 # USB serial devices are supported if Linux exposes them as /dev/ttyACM*
 # or /dev/ttyUSB*. USB-only synths with no tty device need a separate driver.
 # Set an explicit device for hardware speech.

docs/fenrir.1

@@ -242,6 +242,8 @@ genericDriver - Command-line TTS (espeak, etc.)
 .IP \[bu] 4
 dectalkDriver - DECtalk-compatible serial hardware speech
 .IP \[bu] 4
+dectalkUsbDriver - Native Access Solutions DECtalk USB hardware speech
+.IP \[bu] 4
 litetalkDriver - LiteTalk-compatible serial hardware speech
 .IP \[bu] 4
 doubletalkDriver - DoubleTalk LT-compatible serial hardware speech

docs/fenrir.adoc

@@ -1551,9 +1551,11 @@ enabled=True
 Values: on=`+True+`, off=`+False+`
 
 # Select speech driver, options are speechdDriver (default),
-genericDriver, dectalkDriver, litetalkDriver, doubletalkDriver or tripletalkDriver: driver=speechdDriver
+genericDriver, dectalkDriver, dectalkUsbDriver, litetalkDriver,
+doubletalkDriver or tripletalkDriver: driver=speechdDriver
 #driver=genericDriver
 #driver=dectalkDriver
+#driver=dectalkUsbDriver
 #driver=litetalkDriver
 #driver=doubletalkDriver
 #driver=tripletalkDriver
@@ -1684,7 +1686,7 @@ the pico module:
 language=de-DE
 ....
 
-Hardware speech drivers use a serial device. Set an explicit path.
+Serial hardware speech drivers use a serial device. Set an explicit path.
 
 ....
 hardware_device=/dev/ttyACM0
@@ -1700,9 +1702,14 @@ hardware_baud_rate=9600
 
 The `+doubletalkDriver+` targets DoubleTalk LT-style serial devices. It does
 not support the internal DoubleTalk PC ISA card.
-USB hardware speech synthesizers are supported only when Linux exposes them as
+The `+dectalkUsbDriver+` autodetects the native Access Solutions DECtalk USB,
-a serial tty such as `+/dev/ttyACM0+` or `+/dev/ttyUSB0+`. USB-only TripleTalk
+USB ID `+0dd0:2001+`. It requires PyUSB and a libusb backend and ignores the
-models with no tty device need a separate driver.
+serial device and baud-rate settings. From a source checkout, install the USB
+dependencies with `+python3 -m pip install '.[dectalk_usb]'+`. A non-root
+Fenrir process needs a local udev rule granting its account read/write access
+to `+0dd0:2001+`; do not make the device world-writable. Other USB hardware
+speech synthesizers are supported only when Linux exposes them as a serial tty
+such as `+/dev/ttyACM0+` or `+/dev/ttyUSB0+`.
 
 Read new text as it occurs auto_read_incoming=True Values: on=`+True+`,
 off=`+False+`

docs/user.md

@@ -340,18 +340,24 @@ status formats, which change too frequently to support reliably.
 - **speechdDriver** - Speech-dispatcher (recommended)
 - **genericDriver** - Command-line TTS (espeak, etc.)
 - **dectalkDriver** - Serial DECtalk-compatible hardware speech
+- **dectalkUsbDriver** - Native Access Solutions DECtalk USB (`0dd0:2001`)
 - **litetalkDriver** - Serial LiteTalk-compatible hardware speech
 - **doubletalkDriver** - Serial DoubleTalk LT-compatible hardware speech
 - **tripletalkDriver** - Serial TripleTalk-compatible hardware speech
 
-For hardware speech, set `speech#hardware_device` to an explicit serial path.
+For serial hardware speech, set `speech#hardware_device` to an explicit path.
 RPITalk gadget mode usually appears as `/dev/ttyACM0`; USB serial adapters
 usually appear as `/dev/ttyUSB0`; built-in serial ports may be `/dev/ttyS0`.
 The default baud rate is `9600`. `doubletalkDriver` targets
 DoubleTalk LT-style serial devices, not the internal DoubleTalk PC ISA card.
-USB TripleTalk devices work only if Linux exposes them as a serial tty such as
+The `dectalkUsbDriver` autodetects the native Access Solutions DECtalk USB and
-`/dev/ttyACM0` or `/dev/ttyUSB0`; USB-only models with no tty device need a
+ignores both serial settings. It requires PyUSB and a libusb backend. From a
-separate driver.
+source checkout, install them with
+`python3 -m pip install '.[dectalk_usb]'`. A non-root Fenrir process also needs
+a local udev rule granting its account read/write access to USB ID
+`0dd0:2001`; do not make the device world-writable. USB TripleTalk devices work
+only if Linux exposes them as a serial tty such as `/dev/ttyACM0` or
+`/dev/ttyUSB0`.
 
 ### Sound Drivers  
 - **genericDriver** - Sox-based (default)

docs/user.txt

@@ -878,10 +878,11 @@ Turn speech on or off:
   enabled=True
 Values: on=''True'', off=''False''
 
-# Select speech driver, options are speechdDriver (default), genericDriver, dectalkDriver, litetalkDriver, doubletalkDriver or tripletalkDriver:
+# Select speech driver, options are speechdDriver (default), genericDriver, dectalkDriver, dectalkUsbDriver, litetalkDriver, doubletalkDriver or tripletalkDriver:
 driver=speechdDriver
 #driver=genericDriver
 #driver=dectalkDriver
+#driver=dectalkUsbDriver
 #driver=litetalkDriver
 #driver=doubletalkDriver
 #driver=tripletalkDriver
@@ -894,6 +895,7 @@ Available Drivers:
   * ''genericDriver'' using the generic driver, for Fenrir <1.5 this is not available
   * ''speechdDriver'' using speech-dispatcher, for Fenrir <1.5 just use ''speechd''
   * ''dectalkDriver'' using DECtalk-compatible serial hardware or RPITalk
+  * ''dectalkUsbDriver'' using the native Access Solutions DECtalk USB
   * ''litetalkDriver'' using LiteTalk-compatible serial hardware or RPITalk
   * ''doubletalkDriver'' using DoubleTalk LT-compatible serial hardware
   * ''tripletalkDriver'' using TripleTalk-compatible serial hardware
@@ -927,7 +929,7 @@ Select the language you want Fenrir to use.
   language=english-us
 Values: Text, see your TTS synths documentation what is available.
 
-Hardware speech drivers use a serial device. Set an explicit path.
+Serial hardware speech drivers use a serial device. Set an explicit path.
   hardware_device=/dev/ttyACM0
   hardware_device=/dev/ttyUSB0
   hardware_device=/dev/ttyS0
@@ -936,7 +938,7 @@ Hardware speech drivers use 9600 baud by default.
   hardware_baud_rate=9600
 
 The doubletalkDriver targets DoubleTalk LT-style serial devices. It does not support the internal DoubleTalk PC ISA card.
-USB hardware speech synthesizers are supported only when Linux exposes them as a serial tty such as /dev/ttyACM0 or /dev/ttyUSB0. USB-only TripleTalk models with no tty device need a separate driver.
+The dectalkUsbDriver autodetects the native Access Solutions DECtalk USB, USB ID 0dd0:2001. It requires PyUSB and a libusb backend and ignores the serial device and baud-rate settings. Other USB hardware speech synthesizers are supported only when Linux exposes them as a serial tty such as /dev/ttyACM0 or /dev/ttyUSB0.
 
 Read new text as it occurs
 auto_read_incoming=True

setup.py

@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ setup(
         "pyte>=0.7.0",
     ],
     extras_require={
+        "dectalk_usb": ["pyusb>=1.2.1"],
         "x11": ["python-xlib>=0.33"],
     },
 )

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/voice_browser.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import subprocess
 import time
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
+from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
 class command:
@@ -273,29 +274,13 @@ class command:
                 for line in lines[1:]:
                     if not line.strip():
                         continue
-                    if module.lower() == "espeak-ng":
+                    voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                        voice = self.process_espeak_voice(line)
                     if voice:
                         voices.append(voice)
-                    else:
-                        voices.append(line.strip())
                 return voices
         except Exception:
             pass
         return []
 
-    def process_espeak_voice(self, voiceLine):
-        """Process espeak voice format"""
-        parts = [p for p in voiceLine.split() if p]
-        if len(parts) < 2:
-            return None
-        lang_code = parts[-2].lower()
-        variant = parts[-1].lower()
-        return (
-            f"{lang_code}+{variant}"
-            if variant and variant != "none"
-            else lang_code
-        )
-
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/voice_browser_safe.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import threading
 import time
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
+from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
 class command:
@@ -179,12 +180,9 @@ class command:
                 for line in lines[1:]:
                     if not line.strip():
                         continue
-                    if module.lower() == "espeak-ng":
+                    voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                        voice = self.process_espeak_voice(line)
                     if voice:
                         voices.append(voice)
-                    else:
-                        voices.append(line.strip())
 
                 # Limit voice count to prevent memory issues
                 if len(voices) > 1000:
@@ -205,21 +203,5 @@ class command:
             )
         return []
 
-    def process_espeak_voice(self, voiceLine):
-        """Process espeak voice format"""
-        try:
-            parts = [p for p in voiceLine.split() if p]
-            if len(parts) < 2:
-                return None
-            lang_code = parts[-2].lower()
-            variant = parts[-1].lower()
-            return (
-                f"{lang_code}+{variant}"
-                if variant and variant != "none"
-                else lang_code
-            )
-        except Exception:
-            return None
-
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/onScreenUpdate/65000-progress_detector.py

@@ -79,10 +79,11 @@ class command:
         # updates
         delta_text = self.env["screen"]["new_delta"]
         delta_length = len(delta_text)
+        explicit_progress_lines = self.get_explicit_progress_lines(delta_text)
         if (
             delta_length > 200
         ):  # Allow longer progress lines such as terminal status output
-            if not self.is_explicit_progress_delta(delta_text):
+            if not explicit_progress_lines:
                 self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
                     f"Progress filter: delta too long ({delta_length})",
                     debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
@@ -91,7 +92,11 @@ class command:
 
         # If delta contains newlines and is substantial, let incoming handler
         # deal with it to avoid interfering with multi-line text output
-        if '\n' in delta_text and delta_length > 50:
+        if (
+            "\n" in delta_text
+            and delta_length > 50
+            and not explicit_progress_lines
+        ):
             self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
                 f"Progress filter: multiline delta ({delta_length} chars)",
                 debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
@@ -119,13 +124,35 @@ class command:
         if not has_percentage:
             return self.has_progress_status_fields(text)
 
-        return bool(
+        bracketed_bar = re.search(
-            re.search(
+            r"\[(?=[#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░.\s-]{2,}\])"
-                r"[|\[\]#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░]"
+            r"(?=[^\]]*[#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░])"
-                r"|\b\d+(?:\.\d+)?\s*[kKmMgGtT](?:i?B)?/s\b",
+            r"[#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░.\s-]+\]",
             text,
         )
+        pipe_bar = re.search(
+            r"\|(?=[#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░.\s-]{2,}\|)"
+            r"(?=[^|]*[#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░])"
+            r"[#=*>█▉▊▋▌▍▎▏▒▓░.\s-]+\|",
+            text,
         )
+        transfer_rate = re.search(
+            r"\b\d+(?:\.\d+)?\s*[kKmMgGtT](?:i?B)?/s\b",
+            text,
+        )
+        return bool(
+            bracketed_bar
+            or pipe_bar
+            or transfer_rate
+        )
+
+    def get_explicit_progress_lines(self, text):
+        """Return structurally explicit progress rows from a screen delta."""
+        return [
+            line
+            for line in text.splitlines()
+            if self.is_explicit_progress_delta(line)
+        ]
 
     def reset_progress_state(self):
         """Reset progress state when a prompt is detected, allowing new progress operations to start fresh"""
@@ -140,6 +167,15 @@ class command:
         import re
         import time
 
+        if "\n" in text:
+            explicit_progress_lines = self.get_explicit_progress_lines(text)
+            if not explicit_progress_lines:
+                return
+            # Parallel transfer tools commonly repaint several package rows,
+            # followed by an aggregate row. One tone per update is enough, and
+            # the final explicit row is normally that aggregate.
+            text = explicit_progress_lines[-1]
+
         current_time = time.time()
 
         # Debug: Print what we're checking

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/dynamicVoiceMenu.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import subprocess
 import time
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
+from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
 class DynamicVoiceCommand:
@@ -354,30 +355,10 @@ def get_module_voices(module):
             for line in lines[1:]:
                 if not line.strip():
                     continue
-                if module.lower() == "espeak-ng":
+                voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                    voice = process_espeak_voice(line)
                 if voice:
                     voices.append(voice)
-                else:
-                    voices.append(line.strip())
             return voices
     except Exception:
         pass
     return []
-
-
-def process_espeak_voice(voiceLine):
-    """Process espeak voice format"""
-    try:
-        parts = [p for p in voiceLine.split() if p]
-        if len(parts) < 2:
-            return None
-        lang_code = parts[-2].lower()
-        variant = parts[-1].lower()
-        return (
-            f"{lang_code}+{variant}"
-            if variant and variant != "none"
-            else lang_code
-        )
-    except Exception:
-        return None

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/outputManager.py

@@ -136,12 +136,12 @@ class OutputManager:
 
         # Handle dots at the beginning of words (like .local, .bashrc, .config)
         # Look for non-word character (or start of string), dot, then word characters
-        text = re.sub(r'(?<!\w)\.(\w+)', r'dot \1', text)
+        text = re.sub(r"(?<!\w)\.(\w+)", r"dot \1", text)
 
-        # Replace dots that appear between word characters with spoken form
+        # Replace dots between word characters in one pass. The old loop
-        # Use a loop to handle multiple consecutive dots like www.example.com or a.b.c.d
+        # rescanned the full speech string once per remaining dotted word,
-        while re.search(r'\b\w+\.\w+\b', text):
+        # which made large directory listings block the event loop for seconds.
-            text = re.sub(r'\b(\w+)\.(\w+)\b', r'\1 dot \2', text)
+        text = re.sub(r"(?<=\w)\.(?=\w)", " dot ", text)
 
         return text
 

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/quickMenuManager.py

@@ -4,11 +4,16 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
+import subprocess
+import time
+
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.settingsData import settings_data
-import subprocess
+from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import (
-import time
+    get_synthesis_voice_name,
+    parse_synthesis_voice_line,
+)
 
 
 class SpeechHelperMixin:
@@ -89,20 +94,15 @@ class SpeechHelperMixin:
                 for line in lines[1:]:
                     if not line.strip():
                         continue
-                    if module.lower() == "espeak-ng":
+                    if module.lower() == "voxin":
-                        voice = self._process_espeak_voice(line)
-                        if voice:
-                            voices.append(voice)
-                    elif module.lower() == "voxin":
                         # For Voxin, store voice name with language
                         voice_data = self._process_voxin_voice(line)
                         if voice_data:
                             voices.append(voice_data)
                     else:
-                        # For other modules, extract first field (voice name)
+                        voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                        parts = line.strip().split()
+                        if voice:
-                        if parts:
+                            voices.append(voice)
-                            voices.append(parts[0])
 
                 self._voices_cache[module] = voices
                 return voices
@@ -115,23 +115,6 @@ class SpeechHelperMixin:
 
         return []
 
-    def _process_espeak_voice(self, voice_line):
-        """Process espeak-ng voice format into usable voice name.
-
-        Args:
-            voice_line (str): Raw line from spd-say -L output
-
-        Returns:
-            str: Processed voice name (e.g., 'en-us' or 'en-us+f3')
-        """
-        parts = [p for p in voice_line.split() if p]
-        if len(parts) < 2:
-            return None
-        lang_code = parts[-2].lower()
-        variant = parts[-1].lower()
-        return (f"{lang_code}+{variant}"
-                if variant and variant != "none" else lang_code)
-
     def _process_voxin_voice(self, voice_line):
         """Process Voxin voice format with language information.
 
@@ -142,11 +125,12 @@ class SpeechHelperMixin:
         Returns:
             str: Voice name with language encoded (e.g., 'daniel-embedded-high|en-GB')
         """
-        parts = [p for p in voice_line.split() if p]
+        voice_data = parse_synthesis_voice_line(voice_line)
-        if len(parts) < 2:
+        if voice_data is None:
+            return None
+        voice_name, language, _variant = voice_data
+        if not language:
             return None
-        voice_name = parts[0]
-        language = parts[1]
         # Encode language with voice for later extraction
         return f"{voice_name}|{language}"
 

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/settingsManager.py

@@ -521,6 +521,7 @@ class SettingsManager:
                     "speechdDriver",
                     "genericDriver",
                     "dectalkDriver",
+                    "dectalkUsbDriver",
                     "doubletalkDriver",
                     "litetalkDriver",
                     "tripletalkDriver",

src/fenrirscreenreader/fenrirVersion.py

@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
-version = "2026.07.19"
+version = "2026.07.29"
 code_name = "master"

src/fenrirscreenreader/remoteDriver/unixDriver.py

@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ class driver(remoteDriver):
     def watch_dog(self, active, event_queue):
         # echo "command say this is a test" | socat -
         # UNIX-CLIENT:/tmp/fenrirscreenreader-daemon.sock
+        try:
             for socket_file, optional in self._get_socket_candidates():
                 fenrir_sock = self._bind_socket(socket_file, optional)
                 if fenrir_sock is None:
@@ -346,7 +347,7 @@ class driver(remoteDriver):
                     self._try_register_instance()
                     last_register = time.time()
 
-            # Check if the client is still connected and if data is available:
+                # Check if the client is still connected and data is available.
                 try:
                     r, _, _ = select.select(self.fenrirSocks, [], [], 0.8)
                 except select.error:
@@ -354,22 +355,27 @@ class driver(remoteDriver):
                 if r == []:
                     continue
                 for fenrir_sock in r:
-                client_sock, client_addr = fenrir_sock.accept()
+                    client_sock, _client_addr = fenrir_sock.accept()
                     socket_file = self._socket_file_for_socket(fenrir_sock)
-                # Ensure client socket is always closed to prevent resource
-                # leaks
                     try:
-                    self._handle_client(client_sock, event_queue, socket_file)
+                        self._handle_client(
+                            client_sock, event_queue, socket_file
+                        )
                     finally:
-                    # Always close client socket, even if data processing fails
                         try:
                             client_sock.close()
                         except Exception as e:
-                        self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                            self.env["runtime"][
-                            "unixDriver watch_dog: Error closing client socket: "
+                                "DebugManager"
+                            ].write_debug_out(
+                                "unixDriver watch_dog: Error closing client "
+                                "socket: "
                                 + str(e),
                                 debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
                             )
+        finally:
+            # ProcessManager restarts a failed watchdog. Always release the
+            # old listeners first so each restart cannot leak another socket.
             self._cleanup()
 
     def shutdown(self):

src/fenrirscreenreader/screenDriver/vcsaDriver.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 # blink = 5 if attr & 1 else 0
 # bold = 1 if attr & 16 else 0
 
+import errno
 import fcntl
 import glob
 import os
@@ -53,6 +54,9 @@ class driver(screenDriver):
         fgColorValues: Foreground color value mappings
         hichar: High character mask for Unicode support
     """
+    read_retry_attempts = 10
+    read_retry_delay = 0.05
+
     def __init__(self):
         screenDriver.__init__(self)
         self.ListSessions = None
@@ -251,22 +255,39 @@ class driver(screenDriver):
             bytes: File content as bytes
         """
         d = b""
+        for attempt in range(self.read_retry_attempts + 1):
             file.seek(0)
             try:
-            d = file.read()
+                return file.read()
-        except Exception as e:
+            except OSError as e:
+                if (
+                    e.errno == errno.EINVAL
+                    and attempt < self.read_retry_attempts
+                ):
+                    time.sleep(self.read_retry_delay)
+                    continue
                 self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                "vcsaDriver get_screen_text: Error reading file: " + str(e),
+                    "vcsaDriver get_screen_text: Error reading file: "
+                    + str(e),
                     debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
                 )
-            file.seek(0)
-            while True:
-                # Read from file
-                try:
-                    d += file.readline(1)
-                    if not d:
                 break
             except Exception as e:
+                self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                    "vcsaDriver get_screen_text: Error reading file: "
+                    + str(e),
+                    debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                )
+                break
+
+        file.seek(0)
+        while True:
+            try:
+                chunk = file.readline(1)
+                if not chunk:
+                    break
+                d += chunk
+            except Exception:
                 break
         return d
 

src/fenrirscreenreader/speechDriver/dectalkDriver.py

@@ -10,19 +10,32 @@ from fenrirscreenreader.speechDriver.hardwareSerialDriver import (
 
 
 class driver(hardware_serial_driver):
-    cancel_command = b"\x18"
+    cancel_command = b"\x03"
+    use_xon_xoff = True
 
     def _speak_bytes(self, text):
-        return self._clean_text(text).encode("ascii", errors="replace") + b"\x01"
+        text = self._neutralize_inline_commands(self._clean_text(text))
+        return text.encode("ascii", errors="replace") + b"\x0b"
+
+    def _neutralize_inline_commands(self, text):
+        return text.replace("[:", "[ :")
 
     def _rate_command(self, rate):
-        return self._setting_command("ra", self._scale(rate, 75, 650))
+        value = self._scale_around_default(rate, 75, 180, 650)
+        return self._setting_command("ra", value)
 
     def _pitch_command(self, pitch):
-        return self._setting_command("dv ap", self._scale(pitch, 50, 180))
+        value = self._scale_around_default(pitch, 50, 122, 350)
+        return self._setting_command("dv ap", value)
 
     def _volume_command(self, volume):
-        return self._setting_command("vo", self._scale(volume, 0, 100))
+        return self._setting_command("dv g5", self._scale(volume, 60, 86))
+
+    def _scale_around_default(self, value, minimum, default, maximum):
+        value = max(0.0, min(1.0, value))
+        if value <= 0.5:
+            return self._scale(value * 2, minimum, default)
+        return self._scale((value - 0.5) * 2, default, maximum)
 
     def _setting_command(self, command, value):
         return f"[:{command} {value}]".encode("ascii")

src/fenrirscreenreader/speechDriver/dectalkUsbDriver.py

@@ -0,0 +1,288 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# Fenrir TTY screen reader
+# By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
+
+import threading
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
+from fenrirscreenreader.speechDriver import dectalkDriver
+
+
+class driver(dectalkDriver.driver):
+    vendor_id = 0x0DD0
+    product_id = 0x2001
+    interface = 0
+    speech_endpoint = 0x02
+    immediate_endpoint = 0x04
+    packet_size = 64
+    write_timeout = 1000
+    buffer_timeout_command = b"[:timeout 1]"
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._speech_cancel_generation = 0
+        self._speech_cancel_lock = threading.Lock()
+
+    def initialize(self, environment):
+        self.env = environment
+        self._is_initialized = False
+        self._reset_setting_cache()
+        self.usb_device = None
+        self.usb_core = None
+        self.usb_util = None
+        self.immediate_lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._debug(
+            "DECtalk USB initialize: requested_device=0dd0:2001",
+            debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
+            on_any_level=True,
+        )
+
+        try:
+            self.usb_core, self.usb_util = self._load_usb_modules()
+        except ImportError as error:
+            self._debug(
+                f"DECtalk USB requires PyUSB: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                on_any_level=True,
+            )
+            raise RuntimeError("DECtalk USB requires PyUSB") from error
+
+        try:
+            usb_device = self.usb_core.find(
+                idVendor=self.vendor_id,
+                idProduct=self.product_id,
+            )
+        except (
+            self.usb_core.NoBackendError,
+            self.usb_core.USBError,
+            OSError,
+        ) as error:
+            self._debug(
+                f"DECtalk USB discovery failed: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                on_any_level=True,
+            )
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                f"DECtalk USB discovery failed: {error}"
+            ) from error
+        if usb_device is None:
+            self._debug(
+                "DECtalk USB device 0dd0:2001 was not found",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                on_any_level=True,
+            )
+            raise RuntimeError("DECtalk USB device 0dd0:2001 was not found")
+
+        try:
+            try:
+                usb_device.get_active_configuration()
+            except self.usb_core.USBError:
+                usb_device.set_configuration()
+            self.usb_util.claim_interface(usb_device, self.interface)
+        except (self.usb_core.USBError, OSError) as error:
+            self._dispose_usb_device(usb_device)
+            self._debug(
+                f"DECtalk USB open failed: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                on_any_level=True,
+            )
+            raise RuntimeError(f"DECtalk USB open failed: {error}") from error
+
+        self.usb_device = usb_device
+        self._write_endpoint(
+            self.speech_endpoint,
+            self.buffer_timeout_command,
+            "buffer timeout",
+        )
+        self._is_initialized = True
+        self._stop_worker = False
+        self.worker_thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=self._worker,
+            daemon=True,
+        )
+        self.worker_thread.start()
+        self._debug(
+            "DECtalk USB device opened: 0dd0:2001",
+            debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
+            on_any_level=True,
+        )
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        if not self._is_initialized:
+            return
+        self._stop_worker = True
+        self.clear_buffer()
+        self.text_queue.put(None)
+        if self.worker_thread:
+            self.worker_thread.join(timeout=0.5)
+
+        try:
+            with self.lock, self.immediate_lock:
+                usb_device = self.usb_device
+                self.usb_device = None
+                if usb_device is None:
+                    return
+                try:
+                    self.usb_util.release_interface(
+                        usb_device,
+                        self.interface,
+                    )
+                except (self.usb_core.USBError, OSError) as error:
+                    self._debug(
+                        f"DECtalk USB interface release failed: {error}",
+                        debug.DebugLevel.WARNING,
+                    )
+                self._dispose_usb_device(usb_device)
+        finally:
+            self._is_initialized = False
+
+    def cancel(self):
+        if not self._is_initialized:
+            return
+        self._advance_speech_cancel_generation()
+        self.clear_buffer()
+        self._write_endpoint(
+            self.immediate_endpoint,
+            b"\x06",
+            "cancel",
+            write_lock=self.immediate_lock,
+        )
+
+    def speak(self, text, queueable=True, ignore_punctuation=False):
+        if not self._is_initialized:
+            return
+        if not queueable:
+            self.cancel()
+        if not isinstance(text, str) or text == "":
+            return
+        self._debug(
+            "Hardware speech queued text: "
+            f"{len(text)} chars, queue_size={self.text_queue.qsize()}",
+            debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
+            on_any_level=True,
+        )
+        self.text_queue.put(
+            (self._get_speech_cancel_generation(), text)
+        )
+
+    def _worker(self):
+        while not self._stop_worker:
+            queue_item = self.text_queue.get()
+            if queue_item is None:
+                return
+            cancel_generation, text = queue_item
+            if cancel_generation != self._get_speech_cancel_generation():
+                continue
+            try:
+                data = self._speak_bytes(text)
+                self._debug(
+                    "Hardware speech worker prepared speech bytes: "
+                    f"{len(data)} bytes",
+                    debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
+                    on_any_level=True,
+                )
+                self._write_bytes(data, "speech", cancel_generation)
+            except Exception as error:
+                self._debug(
+                    f"Hardware speech worker failed: {error}",
+                    debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                    on_any_level=True,
+                )
+
+    def _write_bytes(self, data, description="data", cancel_generation=None):
+        if description == "speech" and cancel_generation is None:
+            cancel_generation = self._get_speech_cancel_generation()
+        return self._write_endpoint(
+            self.speech_endpoint,
+            data,
+            description,
+            cancel_generation=cancel_generation,
+        )
+
+    def _write_endpoint(
+        self,
+        endpoint,
+        data,
+        description,
+        write_lock=None,
+        cancel_generation=None,
+    ):
+        if not data:
+            return False
+        if write_lock is None:
+            write_lock = self.lock
+        with write_lock:
+            if self.usb_device is None:
+                return False
+            try:
+                total_written = 0
+                while total_written < len(data):
+                    if self._speech_cancel_requested(cancel_generation):
+                        self._debug(
+                            "DECtalk USB stopped speech write after "
+                            f"{total_written} bytes because speech was "
+                            "cancelled",
+                            debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
+                            on_any_level=True,
+                        )
+                        return False
+                    chunk = data[
+                        total_written : total_written + self.packet_size
+                    ]
+                    bytes_written = self.usb_device.write(
+                        endpoint,
+                        chunk,
+                        timeout=self.write_timeout,
+                    )
+                    if bytes_written != len(chunk):
+                        raise OSError(
+                            "USB write returned "
+                            f"{bytes_written} of {len(chunk)} bytes"
+                        )
+                    total_written += bytes_written
+                preview = self._format_bytes_preview(data)
+                self._debug(
+                    "DECtalk USB wrote "
+                    f"{total_written} {description} bytes "
+                    f"to endpoint 0x{endpoint:02x}: {preview}",
+                    debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
+                    on_any_level=True,
+                )
+                return True
+            except (self.usb_core.USBError, OSError) as error:
+                self._debug(
+                    f"DECtalk USB write failed: {error}",
+                    debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                    on_any_level=True,
+                )
+                return False
+
+    def _advance_speech_cancel_generation(self):
+        with self._speech_cancel_lock:
+            self._speech_cancel_generation += 1
+
+    def _get_speech_cancel_generation(self):
+        with self._speech_cancel_lock:
+            return self._speech_cancel_generation
+
+    def _speech_cancel_requested(self, cancel_generation):
+        if cancel_generation is None:
+            return False
+        return cancel_generation != self._get_speech_cancel_generation()
+
+    def _dispose_usb_device(self, usb_device):
+        try:
+            self.usb_util.dispose_resources(usb_device)
+        except Exception as error:
+            self._debug(
+                f"DECtalk USB resource disposal failed: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.WARNING,
+            )
+
+    def _load_usb_modules(self):
+        import usb.core
+        import usb.util
+
+        return usb.core, usb.util

src/fenrirscreenreader/speechDriver/hardwareSerialDriver.py

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ class SpeakQueue(Queue):
 class hardware_serial_driver(speech_driver):
     cancel_command = b""
     default_baud_rate = 9600
+    use_xon_xoff = False
 
     def __init__(self):
         speech_driver.__init__(self)
@@ -37,10 +38,12 @@ class hardware_serial_driver(speech_driver):
         self.lock = threading.Lock()
         self.worker_thread = None
         self._stop_worker = False
+        self._setting_cache = {}
 
     def initialize(self, environment):
         self.env = environment
         self._is_initialized = False
+        self._reset_setting_cache()
         settings_manager = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"]
         self.device = self._clean_device_setting(
             settings_manager.get_setting("speech", "hardware_device")
@@ -114,21 +117,30 @@ class hardware_serial_driver(speech_driver):
             return
         if not isinstance(rate, float):
             return
-        self._write_bytes(self._rate_command(rate), "rate")
+        self._write_setting_command("rate", self._rate_command(rate))
 
     def set_pitch(self, pitch):
         if not self._is_initialized:
             return
         if not isinstance(pitch, float):
             return
-        self._write_bytes(self._pitch_command(pitch), "pitch")
+        self._write_setting_command("pitch", self._pitch_command(pitch))
 
     def set_volume(self, volume):
         if not self._is_initialized:
             return
         if not isinstance(volume, float):
             return
-        self._write_bytes(self._volume_command(volume), "volume")
+        self._write_setting_command("volume", self._volume_command(volume))
+
+    def _reset_setting_cache(self):
+        self._setting_cache = {}
+
+    def _write_setting_command(self, setting, command):
+        if self._setting_cache.get(setting) == command:
+            return
+        if self._write_bytes(command, setting):
+            self._setting_cache[setting] = command
 
     def _worker(self):
         while not self._stop_worker:
@@ -176,6 +188,10 @@ class hardware_serial_driver(speech_driver):
             attrs[5] = baud_rate
             attrs[6][termios.VMIN] = 0
             attrs[6][termios.VTIME] = 0
+            if self.use_xon_xoff:
+                attrs[0] |= termios.IXON
+                attrs[0] &= ~(termios.IXOFF | termios.IXANY)
+            else:
                 attrs[0] &= ~(termios.IXON | termios.IXOFF | termios.IXANY)
             termios.tcsetattr(port, termios.TCSANOW, attrs)
             return port
@@ -218,10 +234,10 @@ class hardware_serial_driver(speech_driver):
 
     def _write_bytes(self, data, description="data"):
         if not data:
-            return
+            return False
         with self.lock:
             if self.serial_port is None:
-                return
+                return False
             try:
                 total_written = 0
                 while total_written < len(data):
@@ -238,12 +254,14 @@ class hardware_serial_driver(speech_driver):
                     debug.DebugLevel.INFO,
                     on_any_level=True,
                 )
+                return True
             except OSError as error:
                 self._debug(
                     f"Hardware speech write failed: {error}",
                     debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
                     on_any_level=True,
                 )
+                return False
 
     def _termios_baud_rate(self, baud_rate):
         baud_name = f"B{baud_rate}"

src/fenrirscreenreader/utils/speechd_utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# Fenrir TTY screen reader
+# By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
+
+
+def parse_synthesis_voice_line(voice_line):
+    """Parse one column-aligned spd-say synthesis voice row."""
+    fields = voice_line.rsplit(maxsplit=2)
+    if len(fields) != 3:
+        return None
+
+    name, language, variant = (field.strip() for field in fields)
+    if not name:
+        return None
+    return name, language, variant
+
+
+def get_synthesis_voice_name(module, voice_line):
+    """Return the value Speech Dispatcher expects for voice selection."""
+    voice_data = parse_synthesis_voice_line(voice_line)
+    if voice_data is None:
+        return None
+
+    name, language, variant = voice_data
+    if module.lower() != "espeak-ng":
+        return name
+
+    language = language.lower()
+    variant = variant.lower()
+    if not language:
+        return None
+    if variant and variant != "none":
+        return f"{language}+{variant}"
+    return language

tests/unit/test_dectalk_usb_driver.py

@@ -0,0 +1,351 @@
+import threading
+import time
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+import pytest
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.speechDriver import dectalkUsbDriver
+
+
+class FakeUsbDevice:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.writes = []
+
+    def get_active_configuration(self):
+        return object()
+
+    def write(self, endpoint, data, timeout=None):
+        payload = bytes(data)
+        self.writes.append((endpoint, payload, timeout))
+        return len(payload)
+
+
+class FakeUsbCore:
+    USBError = OSError
+
+    class NoBackendError(ValueError):
+        pass
+
+    def __init__(self, device, find_error=None):
+        self.device = device
+        self.find_error = find_error
+        self.find_calls = []
+
+    def find(self, **kwargs):
+        self.find_calls.append(kwargs)
+        if self.find_error:
+            raise self.find_error
+        return self.device
+
+
+class FakeUsbUtil:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        claim_error=None,
+        release_error=None,
+        dispose_error=None,
+    ):
+        self.claim_error = claim_error
+        self.release_error = release_error
+        self.dispose_error = dispose_error
+        self.claimed = []
+        self.released = []
+        self.disposed = []
+
+    def claim_interface(self, device, interface):
+        if self.claim_error:
+            raise self.claim_error
+        self.claimed.append((device, interface))
+
+    def release_interface(self, device, interface):
+        if self.release_error:
+            raise self.release_error
+        self.released.append((device, interface))
+
+    def dispose_resources(self, device):
+        if self.dispose_error:
+            raise self.dispose_error
+        self.disposed.append(device)
+
+
+class BlockingUsbDevice(FakeUsbDevice):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.normal_write_started = threading.Event()
+        self.release_normal_write = threading.Event()
+        self.immediate_write_finished = threading.Event()
+
+    def write(self, endpoint, data, timeout=None):
+        if endpoint == 0x02:
+            self.normal_write_started.set()
+            self.release_normal_write.wait(timeout=1.0)
+        result = super().write(endpoint, data, timeout=timeout)
+        if endpoint == 0x04:
+            self.immediate_write_finished.set()
+        return result
+
+
+class CancelDuringSpeechUsbDevice(FakeUsbDevice):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.first_normal_write_started = threading.Event()
+        self.release_first_normal_write = threading.Event()
+
+    def write(self, endpoint, data, timeout=None):
+        if endpoint == 0x02 and not self.first_normal_write_started.is_set():
+            self.first_normal_write_started.set()
+            self.release_first_normal_write.wait(timeout=1.0)
+        return super().write(endpoint, data, timeout=timeout)
+
+
+def build_environment():
+    return {
+        "runtime": {
+            "SettingsManager": Mock(),
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+        }
+    }
+
+
+def initialized_driver(monkeypatch, clear_startup_writes=True):
+    device = FakeUsbDevice()
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(device)
+    usb_util = FakeUsbUtil()
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, usb_util),
+    )
+    speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+    if clear_startup_writes:
+        device.writes.clear()
+    return speech_driver, device, usb_core, usb_util
+
+
+def wait_for_writes(device, count, timeout=1.0):
+    deadline = time.monotonic() + timeout
+    while len(device.writes) < count and time.monotonic() < deadline:
+        time.sleep(0.01)
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_finds_and_claims_native_device(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver, device, usb_core, usb_util = initialized_driver(monkeypatch)
+    try:
+        assert usb_core.find_calls == [
+            {"idVendor": 0x0DD0, "idProduct": 0x2001}
+        ]
+        assert usb_util.claimed == [(device, 0)]
+        assert speech_driver._is_initialized
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+    assert usb_util.released == [(device, 0)]
+    assert usb_util.disposed == [device]
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_sets_low_buffer_timeout_on_initialize(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver, device, _, _ = initialized_driver(
+        monkeypatch,
+        clear_startup_writes=False,
+    )
+    try:
+        assert device.writes[0] == (0x02, b"[:timeout 1]", 1000)
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_writes_commands_and_speech(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver, device, _, _ = initialized_driver(monkeypatch)
+    try:
+        speech_driver.set_rate(1.0)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(1.0)
+        speech_driver.set_volume(0.5)
+        speech_driver.speak("Hello\nworld")
+        wait_for_writes(device, 4)
+
+        assert device.writes == [
+            (0x02, b"[:ra 650]", 1000),
+            (0x02, b"[:dv ap 350]", 1000),
+            (0x02, b"[:dv g5 73]", 1000),
+            (0x02, b"Hello world\x0b", 1000),
+        ]
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_skips_redundant_setting_writes(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver, device, _, _ = initialized_driver(monkeypatch)
+    try:
+        speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_volume(1.0)
+        speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_volume(1.0)
+
+        assert device.writes == [
+            (0x02, b"[:ra 180]", 1000),
+            (0x02, b"[:dv ap 122]", 1000),
+            (0x02, b"[:dv g5 86]", 1000),
+        ]
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_chunks_normal_writes(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver, device, _, _ = initialized_driver(monkeypatch)
+    try:
+        speech_driver._write_bytes(b"x" * 70, "speech")
+        assert device.writes == [
+            (0x02, b"x" * 64, 1000),
+            (0x02, b"x" * 6, 1000),
+        ]
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_uses_immediate_cancel_endpoint(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver, device, _, _ = initialized_driver(monkeypatch)
+    try:
+        speech_driver.cancel()
+        assert device.writes == [(0x04, b"\x06", 1000)]
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_cancel_bypasses_blocked_normal_write(monkeypatch):
+    device = BlockingUsbDevice()
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(device)
+    usb_util = FakeUsbUtil()
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, usb_util),
+    )
+    speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+    device.writes.clear()
+    normal_thread = threading.Thread(
+        target=speech_driver._write_bytes,
+        args=(b"normal speech", "speech"),
+    )
+    cancel_thread = threading.Thread(target=speech_driver.cancel)
+    try:
+        normal_thread.start()
+        assert device.normal_write_started.wait(timeout=0.2)
+        cancel_thread.start()
+        assert device.immediate_write_finished.wait(timeout=0.2)
+    finally:
+        device.release_normal_write.set()
+        normal_thread.join(timeout=1.0)
+        cancel_thread.join(timeout=1.0)
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_cancel_stops_current_speech_upload(monkeypatch):
+    device = CancelDuringSpeechUsbDevice()
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(device)
+    usb_util = FakeUsbUtil()
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, usb_util),
+    )
+    speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+    device.writes.clear()
+    device.first_normal_write_started.clear()
+    normal_thread = threading.Thread(
+        target=speech_driver._write_bytes,
+        args=(b"x" * 192, "speech"),
+    )
+    try:
+        normal_thread.start()
+        assert device.first_normal_write_started.wait(timeout=0.2)
+        speech_driver.cancel()
+    finally:
+        device.release_first_normal_write.set()
+        normal_thread.join(timeout=1.0)
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+    normal_writes = [
+        payload for endpoint, payload, _ in device.writes if endpoint == 0x02
+    ]
+    assert normal_writes == [b"x" * 64]
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_reports_missing_pyusb(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+
+    def missing_pyusb():
+        raise ImportError("No module named usb")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(speech_driver, "_load_usb_modules", missing_pyusb)
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="PyUSB"):
+        speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_reports_missing_libusb_backend(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    backend_error = FakeUsbCore.NoBackendError("No backend available")
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(None, find_error=backend_error)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, FakeUsbUtil()),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="discovery failed.*backend"):
+        speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_reports_missing_device(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(None)
+    usb_util = FakeUsbUtil()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, usb_util),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="0dd0:2001"):
+        speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_driver_reports_interface_permission_error(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    device = FakeUsbDevice()
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(device)
+    usb_util = FakeUsbUtil(claim_error=PermissionError("access denied"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, usb_util),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="open failed.*access denied"):
+        speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+
+
+def test_dectalk_usb_shutdown_survives_cleanup_errors(monkeypatch):
+    device = FakeUsbDevice()
+    usb_core = FakeUsbCore(device)
+    usb_util = FakeUsbUtil(
+        release_error=OSError("release failed"),
+        dispose_error=OSError("dispose failed"),
+    )
+    speech_driver = dectalkUsbDriver.driver()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        speech_driver,
+        "_load_usb_modules",
+        lambda: (usb_core, usb_util),
+    )
+    speech_driver.initialize(build_environment())
+
+    speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+    assert not speech_driver._is_initialized
+    assert speech_driver.usb_device is None

tests/unit/test_hardware_speech_drivers.py

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import os
 import select
+import termios
 import time
 from unittest.mock import ANY
 from unittest.mock import Mock
@@ -64,7 +65,19 @@ def test_dectalk_driver_speaks_printable_text(serial_pair):
     speech_driver, master_fd = initialized_driver(dectalkDriver, serial_pair)
     try:
         speech_driver.speak("Hello\nworld ☃")
-        assert read_available(master_fd, 13) == b"Hello world  \x01"
+        assert read_available(master_fd, 13) == b"Hello world  \x0b"
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_driver_neutralizes_inline_commands_in_speech(
+    serial_pair,
+):
+    speech_driver, master_fd = initialized_driver(dectalkDriver, serial_pair)
+    try:
+        speech_driver.speak("status [:dv g5 10] done")
+        expected = b"status [ :dv g5 10] done\x0b"
+        assert read_available(master_fd, len(expected)) == expected
     finally:
         speech_driver.shutdown()
 
@@ -73,12 +86,49 @@ def test_dectalk_driver_writes_settings_and_cancel(serial_pair):
     speech_driver, master_fd = initialized_driver(dectalkDriver, serial_pair)
     try:
         speech_driver.set_rate(1.0)
-        speech_driver.set_pitch(0.0)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(1.0)
         speech_driver.set_volume(0.5)
         speech_driver.cancel()
-        assert read_available(master_fd, 33) == (
+        expected = b"[:ra 650][:dv ap 350][:dv g5 73]\x03"
-            b"[:ra 650][:dv ap 50][:vo 50]\x18"
+        assert read_available(master_fd, len(expected)) == expected
-        )
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_driver_skips_redundant_setting_commands(serial_pair):
+    speech_driver, master_fd = initialized_driver(dectalkDriver, serial_pair)
+    try:
+        speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_volume(1.0)
+        speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_volume(1.0)
+        expected = b"[:ra 180][:dv ap 122][:dv g5 86]"
+        assert read_available(master_fd, len(expected)) == expected
+        assert read_available(master_fd, 1, timeout=0.2) == b""
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_driver_uses_native_defaults_at_fenrir_midpoint(serial_pair):
+    speech_driver, master_fd = initialized_driver(dectalkDriver, serial_pair)
+    try:
+        speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+        speech_driver.set_pitch(0.5)
+        expected = b"[:ra 180][:dv ap 122]"
+        assert read_available(master_fd, len(expected)) == expected
+    finally:
+        speech_driver.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_dectalk_driver_enables_xon_xoff_flow_control(serial_pair):
+    speech_driver, _ = initialized_driver(dectalkDriver, serial_pair)
+    try:
+        input_flags = termios.tcgetattr(speech_driver.serial_port)[0]
+        assert input_flags & termios.IXON
+        assert not input_flags & termios.IXOFF
+        assert not input_flags & termios.IXANY
     finally:
         speech_driver.shutdown()
 
@@ -165,6 +215,27 @@ def test_hardware_driver_retries_partial_serial_writes(monkeypatch):
     assert written_chunks == [b"ab", b"cd", b"ef"]
 
 
+def test_hardware_driver_retries_setting_after_failed_write(monkeypatch):
+    speech_driver = dectalkDriver.driver()
+    speech_driver._is_initialized = True
+    write_results = [False, True]
+    written_commands = []
+
+    def fake_write(data, description):
+        written_commands.append((data, description))
+        return write_results.pop(0)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(speech_driver, "_write_bytes", fake_write)
+
+    speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+    speech_driver.set_rate(0.5)
+
+    assert written_commands == [
+        (b"[:ra 180]", "rate"),
+        (b"[:ra 180]", "rate"),
+    ]
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("driver_class", [doubletalkDriver, tripletalkDriver])
 def test_litetalk_compatible_alias_drivers(driver_class, serial_pair):
     speech_driver, master_fd = initialized_driver(driver_class, serial_pair)

tests/unit/test_output_manager.py

@@ -178,6 +178,19 @@ def test_present_text_records_speech_history_when_enabled():
     speech_driver.speak.assert_called_once()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_process_mid_word_punctuation_handles_chained_dotted_words():
+    output_manager, _sound_driver, _speech_driver = build_output_manager()
+
+    result = output_manager.process_mid_word_punctuation(
+        ".config archive.tar.gz settings.conf."
+    )
+
+    assert result == (
+        "dot config archive dot tar dot gz settings dot conf."
+    )
+
+
 @pytest.mark.unit
 def test_present_text_does_not_record_when_speech_disabled():
     output_manager, _sound_driver, speech_driver = build_output_manager()

tests/unit/test_progress_detector.py

@@ -238,3 +238,55 @@ def test_progress_detector_ignores_generic_key_value_text():
 
     command.play_activity_beep.assert_not_called()
     command.play_progress_tone.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_progress_detector_beeps_for_pacman_total_in_multiline_delta():
+    progress_module = _load_progress_module()
+    command = progress_module.command()
+    total_line = (
+        "Total (  3/749)                                            "
+        "830.7 MiB  4.70 MiB/s 04:05 "
+        "[#################################################"
+        "-----------------------------------------------------------------------]  41%"
+    )
+    sample = (
+        "package-one  125.0 MiB  2.10 MiB/s 00:12 "
+        "[####################--------------------]  50%\n"
+        + total_line
+    )
+    command.env = {
+        "commandBuffer": {
+            "progress_monitoring": True,
+            "lastProgressValue": -1,
+            "lastProgressTime": 0,
+        },
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(write_debug_out=Mock()),
+            "ScreenManager": Mock(is_screen_change=Mock(return_value=False)),
+            "CursorManager": Mock(is_cursor_vertical_move=Mock(return_value=False)),
+        },
+        "screen": {
+            "new_delta": sample,
+            "new_delta_is_typing": False,
+            "new_content_text": sample,
+            "old_cursor": {"x": 0, "y": 0},
+            "new_cursor": {"x": 0, "y": 0},
+        },
+    }
+    command.play_progress_tone = Mock()
+
+    command.run()
+
+    command.play_progress_tone.assert_called_once_with(41.0)
+    assert command.env["commandBuffer"]["lastProgressValue"] == 41.0
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_explicit_progress_delta_ignores_percentage_in_bracketed_prose():
+    progress_module = _load_progress_module()
+    command = progress_module.command()
+
+    assert not command.is_explicit_progress_delta(
+        "Release notes [issue #749] are 41% complete"
+    )

tests/unit/test_settings_validation.py

@@ -74,6 +74,9 @@ class TestSpeechSettingsValidation:
         self.manager._validate_setting_value("speech", "driver", "speechdDriver")
         self.manager._validate_setting_value("speech", "driver", "genericDriver")
         self.manager._validate_setting_value("speech", "driver", "dectalkDriver")
+        self.manager._validate_setting_value(
+            "speech", "driver", "dectalkUsbDriver"
+        )
         self.manager._validate_setting_value("speech", "driver", "doubletalkDriver")
         self.manager._validate_setting_value("speech", "driver", "litetalkDriver")
         self.manager._validate_setting_value("speech", "driver", "tripletalkDriver")

tests/unit/test_speechd_voice_selection.py

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import voice_browser
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import voice_browser_safe
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import dynamicVoiceMenu
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.quickMenuManager import SpeechHelperMixin
+from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
+
+
+VOICE_LIST = (
+    "                     NAME                 LANGUAGE                  VARIANT\n"
+    "             Perfect Paul                    en-US                     none\n"
+    "                  Big Bob                    en-US                     none\n"
+)
+
+
+def completed_voice_list():
+    return SimpleNamespace(returncode=0, stdout=VOICE_LIST)
+
+
+def test_quick_menu_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "fenrirscreenreader.core.quickMenuManager.subprocess.run",
+        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
+    )
+    helper = SpeechHelperMixin()
+    helper.env = {"runtime": {"DebugManager": Mock()}}
+
+    assert helper.get_module_voices("doubletalk") == [
+        "Perfect Paul",
+        "Big Bob",
+    ]
+
+
+def test_safe_voice_browser_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(
+    monkeypatch,
+):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        voice_browser_safe.subprocess,
+        "run",
+        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
+    )
+    browser = voice_browser_safe.command()
+    browser.initialize({"runtime": {}})
+
+    assert browser.get_module_voices_with_timeout("doubletalk") == [
+        "Perfect Paul",
+        "Big Bob",
+    ]
+
+
+def test_interactive_voice_browser_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(
+    monkeypatch,
+):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        voice_browser.subprocess,
+        "run",
+        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
+    )
+    browser = voice_browser.command()
+
+    assert browser.get_module_voices("doubletalk") == [
+        "Perfect Paul",
+        "Big Bob",
+    ]
+
+
+def test_dynamic_voice_menu_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(
+    monkeypatch,
+):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        dynamicVoiceMenu.subprocess,
+        "run",
+        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
+    )
+
+    assert dynamicVoiceMenu.get_module_voices("doubletalk") == [
+        "Perfect Paul",
+        "Big Bob",
+    ]
+
+
+def test_espeak_voice_selection_keeps_language_and_variant_behavior():
+    voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(
+        "espeak-ng",
+        "English (America)+female3 en-US female3",
+    )
+
+    assert voice == "en-us+female3"

tests/unit/test_unix_remote_driver.py

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 from unittest.mock import Mock, mock_open, patch
 
+import pytest
+
 from fenrirscreenreader.remoteDriver import unixDriver
 
 
@@ -27,6 +29,40 @@ def test_watchdog_keeps_serving_when_instance_registration_fails(
     select_call.assert_called_once()
 
 
+def test_watchdog_closes_listeners_when_unexpected_error_escapes(
+    mock_environment,
+):
+    driver = unixDriver.driver()
+    driver.env = mock_environment
+    listener = Mock()
+    active = Mock(value=True)
+
+    with patch.object(
+        driver,
+        "_get_socket_candidates",
+        return_value=[("/tmp/fenrir-test.sock", False)],
+    ), patch.object(
+        driver, "_bind_socket", return_value=listener
+    ), patch.object(
+        driver, "_try_register_instance"
+    ), patch(
+        "fenrirscreenreader.remoteDriver.unixDriver.select.select",
+        side_effect=RuntimeError("unexpected failure"),
+    ), patch(
+        "fenrirscreenreader.remoteDriver.unixDriver.os.path.exists",
+        return_value=False,
+    ), patch(
+        "fenrirscreenreader.remoteDriver.unixDriver.remoteInstanceRegistry.remove_instance"
+    ) as remove_instance:
+        with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="unexpected failure"):
+            driver.watch_dog(active, Mock())
+
+    listener.close.assert_called_once_with()
+    assert driver.fenrirSocks == []
+    assert driver.bound_sockets == []
+    remove_instance.assert_called_once_with()
+
+
 class FakeClientSocket:
     def __init__(self, data):
         self.data = data

tests/unit/test_vcsa_driver.py

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.screenDriver.vcsaDriver import driver as VcsaDriver
+
+
+class BulkReadFailure:
+    def __init__(self, chunks):
+        self.chunks = iter(chunks)
+        self.readline_calls = 0
+
+    def seek(self, offset):
+        assert offset == 0
+
+    def read(self):
+        raise OSError(22, "Invalid argument")
+
+    def readline(self, size):
+        assert size == 1
+        self.readline_calls += 1
+        if self.readline_calls > 3:
+            raise RuntimeError("read continued after EOF")
+        return next(self.chunks)
+
+
+class TransientInvalidArgumentRead:
+    def __init__(self, payload):
+        self.payload = payload
+        self.read_calls = 0
+        self.readline_calls = 0
+
+    def seek(self, offset):
+        assert offset == 0
+
+    def read(self):
+        self.read_calls += 1
+        if self.read_calls == 1:
+            raise OSError(22, "Invalid argument")
+        return self.payload
+
+    def readline(self, size):
+        self.readline_calls += 1
+        return b""
+
+
+def build_vcsa_driver():
+    vcsa_driver = VcsaDriver.__new__(VcsaDriver)
+    vcsa_driver.env = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+        }
+    }
+    vcsa_driver.read_retry_delay = 0
+    return vcsa_driver
+
+
+def test_vcsa_read_fallback_stops_at_eof():
+    vcsa_driver = build_vcsa_driver()
+    screen_file = BulkReadFailure([b"a", b"b", b""])
+
+    assert vcsa_driver.read_file(screen_file) == b"ab"
+    assert screen_file.readline_calls == 3
+
+
+def test_vcsa_read_retries_transient_invalid_argument():
+    vcsa_driver = build_vcsa_driver()
+    screen_file = TransientInvalidArgumentRead(b"\x01\x02\x00\x00x")
+
+    assert vcsa_driver.read_file(screen_file) == b"\x01\x02\x00\x00x"
+    assert screen_file.read_calls == 2
+    assert screen_file.readline_calls == 0