Sendero GPS v4.2
BrailleNote QT and VoiceNote QT
(QWERTY Keyboard)
User Guide

Sendero Group LLC
1118 Maple Lane
Davis, CA 95616
Telephone (530) 757-6800. Fax (530) 757-6830
E-mail: GPS@senderogroup.com
World Wide Web:   http://www.senderogroup.com

COPYRIGHT NOTICES

Trademarks:
All products are trademarks of their respective owners

Copyright Notice:
Copyright (c) 2002-2007 Sendero Group, LLC and HumanWare Group. Limited Map data copyright (c) Tele Atlas. A limited license to reproduce this user guide is given for the purpose of providing copies to people with visual or reading disabilities (including individuals with motor or learning disabilities) for their individual use. POI Data by Info USA copyright 2007. Note: Australian maps and POIs are provided by NAVTEQ®.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL USERS


Sendero's BrailleNote GPS is a product designed to convey most of the information displayed on commercial GPS receivers and location databases to people with visual disabilities. However, BrailleNote GPS has similar limitations as commercial GPS products. These limitations include:

* Lack of information about the physical road characteristics such as: elevation, overpasses/underpasses, bridges, sidewalks, traffic controls, construction and other hazards
* Map accuracy in newly developed areas.
* Traffic and weather conditions
* Loss of GPS signals due to tall buildings or other interference

Additionally, the routes that you create may not be safe or possible to follow. The individual user is wholly responsible for all issues related to personal safety and mobility. HumanWare Group, Sendero Group and its distributors advise all users that BrailleNote GPS is not a substitute for mobility skills with a cane or guide dog and recommends that users have good mobility skills before using GPS orientation information to travel. HumanWare Group, Sendero Group and its distributors assume no liability for accidents or injuries that occur to users during use of any of our GPS products.

Table of Contents

1 Foreword

1.1 Scenarios

2 Getting Started

2.1 Installing BrailleNote GPS Software

2.2 Installing GPS Receivers

2.3 How to Wear the GPS

2.4 About Maps

2.4.1 Map Storage

2.4.2 How the BrailleNote Locates Map Files

2.4.3 Transferring Downloaded, CD, or DVD Disc Maps to the BrailleNote

3 GPS Basics and Accuracy

3.1 Use Good Judgment

3.2 About GPS Satellites

3.3 Signal Blind Spots

3.4 Using GPS Indoors or in a Vehicle

3.5 Picking Up Satellite Signals

3.6 GPS and Map Data Accuracy

3.7 General Receiver Information

3.8 Accuracy of GPS Announcements

3.9 Getting Oriented Using GPS

4 Sendero GPS Software Basics

4.1 Starting GPS

4.2 Exiting a GPS Session

4.3 Switching Between Tasks

4.4 Resetting During a GPS Session

4.5 Context Sensitive Help

4.5.1 Using the GPS Help Menu

4.6 Copy Protection

4.7 Keysoft Version

5 Routes

5.1 General Route Information

5.1.1 Naming a Route

5.1.2 Trigger Distances

5.1.3 Automatic Heading and Distance Announcements

5.1.4 Destination Side of the Street Announcement

5.1.5 Tips on Following a Vehicular Route

5.2 Setting a Destination

5.2.1 Selecting an Address and Setting it as a Destination, POI, Virtual, or Both Destination and Virtual Position

5.2.2 Setting Latitude and Longitude (Lat/Lon) Positions

5.3 How to Create an Automatic Route

5.3.1 About Automatic Routes and Waypoints

5.3.2 Street Classifications

5.3.3 Inserting Waypoints in Automatic Routes

5.4 How to Create a Manual Route

5.4.1 Entering Manual Waypoints

5.4.2 Editing Waypoints

5.4.3 Tips for Setting Quality Route Waypoints

5.5 Route Commands Menu

5.5.1 Route Announcement Commands List: R A

5.5.2 Route Management Commands List: R M

5.5.3 Frequently Used Route Commands

6 Points of Interest (POIs)

6.1 General Points of Interest Information

6.1.1 Last Point of Interest Announced

6.1.2 Nearby Points of Interest

6.1.3 Point of Interest Categories

6.2 Finding Points of Interest

6.2.1 Simple Points of Interest Search

6.2.2 Advanced POI Search

6.3 Creating User Points of Interest

6.3.1 How to Record a POI

6.3.2 Editing User Points of Interest

6.3.3 Sharing User POI Files

7 LookAround Mode

7.1 Automatic LookAround Mode

7.2 Multiple Repeat Mode

7.2.1 Multiple Repeat Delay

7.3 Manual LookAround Mode

8 Virtual Mode

8.1 Virtual Explore Mode

8.1.1 Important Virtual Mode Commands

9 GPS Replay Files

9.1 Recording a GPS Replay Session

9.2 Using a GPS Replay Session

10 Other Functions

10.1 Append to Clipboard

10.2 The Odometer

10.3 Speed Announcement

10.4 Compass Heading

10.5 Setting GPS Time

10.6 Altitude

11 GPS Options Menu

11.1 Map and Points of Interest Folder

11.2 Heading Orientation

11.3 Heading Averaging Mode

11.4 Street Names

11.5 Units

11.6 Sounds

11.7 Arrival Distance

11.8 Arrived Near Threshold

11.9 Set GPS Receiver Type

11.10 Braille Display Delay

11.11 Spacebar Repeat Last Command

11.12 Restore Factory Default Settings



1 Foreword

Welcome to the world of location literacy, the power to know your location and surroundings when you are finding your way. Before we get into the details of how the many features work, we will take a moment to describe the big picture, offering you access to information about your environment never before available.

GPS satellites and massive location databases combine to create the potential for every square meter on earth to have a label. Add the BrailleNote to this equation and every location label can be accessible. The GPS satellites can be picked up anywhere in the world. Commercial maps and databases are being created with millions of points in most developed countries. Increasing consumer demand for these technologies is driving improvements for more accurate location information.

Here is how the BrailleNote brings this Location Information to you. Once you are tracking satellites with the GPS receiver, the latitude and longitude for your position is communicated by the receiver to the BrailleNote. That position can then be compared with the database of maps and Points of Interest in the BrailleNote. There are various commands that will give you directions and distances to specific points, streets or Waypoints along an automatically created route. This communication between the receiver and the BrailleNote is transparent other than telling you how many satellites are being tracked.




1.1 Scenarios

So, now that you have the Global Positioning System and a database of streets and landmarks, what kinds of things can you do with it? Here is where the fun begins! For example:

I am a blind person in a car or bus, with minimal knowledge about the environmental information whizzing by my vehicle. I turn on my BrailleNote GPS and the Point of Interest "look-around" mode automatically announces Points of Interest within 500 feet when I am traveling between 5 and 40 miles per hour and within a mile when traveling faster than 40 miles per hour. When I want to look further away, I use the Advance Find command (READ with F) to see where to stop for lunch.

I want to find a restaurant called Café Italia and to be routed to it. I know it is roughly 30 to 50 miles away. I press the Advance Find (READ with F) command, enter 30 miles for the starting distance, 50 miles for the ending distance, enter restaurant for the category and Café Italia when it asks me for the search string. I now press READ with D to set it as my destination and R then V to create a vehicular route from my current position to Café Italia, complete with Waypoints, turns and distances. I am now literally the blind back-seat navigator informing the driver of upcoming turns and exits.

We have friends visiting and once we finish lunch, we want to do a little sight seeing. So I know what of interest is in the vicinity of Cafe Italia, I switch to the BrailleNote’s Virtual mode with the V (Virtual) command and my virtual position is set to Café Italia. I now use the Simple Find command (F) to hear what Points of Interest are near the Café. Everything from museums to recreational horseback riding facilities may show up as I scroll through the database of nearby points with the UP or DOWN ARROW keys. Once we settle on a place to visit, I toggle back to the GPS Mode with the V and create a pedestrian route with R then P to get us to our destination.

Today, I am riding through San Francisco on a bus and want to learn more about the route the bus is taking and the points we pass by. The LookAround mode is already turned on and will announce the nearby Points of Interest and intersections within 500 feet. I now hear the street I am traveling on plus the next intersecting street. For good measure, I set my destination to the street address so I have some advance warning to pack up my things to get off the bus. If I verbalized to the other passengers what I was reading on my Braille display or hearing from my earphone, I could be a city tour-guide.

My friend is an avid blind sailor and is independently sailing around the world. Along with all his high-tech sailing equipment, he is plotting his course on his VoiceNote GPS. He has worked out a route with latitude/longitudes for each key turning point in his route. He enters each of these in a new User Point of Interest file and names the respective points, Dead Man’s Cove, Ship Wreck Alley and so forth. He changes the repeat interval from 12 seconds to 300 seconds so he can automatic ally receive updates to adjust his course every 5 minutes. Now, all he has to do is hope for fair weather.

I am traveling to Chicago and want to familiarize myself with the street layout and restaurants near my intended hotel so that I can set a meeting. To speed up setting my virtual position, I do a search on the Internet for the city or hotel’s lat/lon and set my virtual position accordingly. I can use the Virtual Explore mode to wander around the streets before I even leave on the trip. Once I feel comfortable navigating the streets, I then use the Find command (F) to search for nearby restaurants. I will then send the directions and the name of the restaurant to my colleagues.

My friend, who is blind, likes to get out and about but she has a terrible sense of direction. She seldom explores on her own because it is so frustrating and embarrassing to be lost. We set a new destination in an area with which she is familiar and then set out in a car with her acting as the navigator, telling the driver which way to turn in order to reach the destination. In this way with the BrailleNote on her lap, she can concentrate on the information and directions without worrying about her mobility. She presses M for Multiple repeat and D for destination and hears the heading and direction repeated every twelve seconds. This is the only piece of information she is dealing with, using the "getting warmer" method to get to the destination. After we arrive at the destination, we go back to where we started and ask the BrailleNote for an automatic route and make a similar trip with instructions from point to point. The BrailleNote provides the directions and reassurance my friend needs to travel independently on her own. She isn’t actually on her own after all, she has Sendero's GPS.

As you can see from reading these scenarios, there are two general ways to use the BrailleNote GPS. The first and probably most popular use of the GPS information is simply to be aware of one’s environment with the "look-around" options. Traditionally, a blind person might get one percent of location information through a "sighted filter." With Sendero GPS, a blind user can independently "look around" and hear what businesses, addresses and intersections are nearby.

The second general use of the BrailleNote GPS is to navigate to a specific destination along an automatically planned route. One can also create manual routes or edit automatic routes either in pedestrian oriented or vehicular routes. These routes can of course be used in conjunction with the LookAround information.

Sendero GPS provides the opportunity for users to get information beyond the reach of their 4 good senses. Even visually impaired users will see how valuable it is to know the names on signs they can see but not read. Information can be discerned far beyond the reach of the visual sense if the user chooses. The BrailleNote and the continually evolving vast quantity of electronic location information gives the blind user entertaining and valuable access to the environment through which he or she can travel more independently.




2 Getting Started

This User Guide is for use with the BrailleNote and VoiceNote QT models. The keystrokes described are for the QWERTY Type keyboard.

The information in this GPS User Guide covers the items specific to the BrailleNote and VoiceNote GPS software. General operating instructions for the BrailleNote and VoiceNote are in their respective User Guides.

Details about GPS receivers are in their respective manuals and in the Getting Started document in the Documents folder on the Compact Flash card. The latest information about the most recent GPS version can be found in the Read Me document in the Documents folder on the Compact Flash card. The terms BrailleNote or Sendero GPS will be used from here on to describe the system whether it is on a BrailleNote or a VoiceNote.




2.1 Installing BrailleNote GPS Software

This section explains how to install the GPS software and data on your BrailleNote. If you purchased the GPS and BrailleNote at the same time, the GPS software may already be installed for you and it is not necessary to install it, although if you need to reinstall the software for any reason, the GPS installation executable file should be on the Compact Flash memory card or back-up CD supplied with your GPS.

If you have purchased the GPS as an accessory, you will need to install the software on your BrailleNote according to the following instructions.

1) If you need to install the GPS software, hold down keys S, D and F on the keyboard. Press and release RESET and continue holding the keys down until you hear the chime.

2) Once you have performed the reset, feel along the back of the BrailleNote and you will find the Compact Flash card slot. Insert the card into this slot with the lip oriented away from the machine and down. It will only go in one way properly. It takes a little pressure to press it in the last quarter inch or so. Do not force it. If it does not plug in all the way, flip the card over. Note: If you wish to use the PC card slot in the right hand side, you will first need to put the Compact Flash card into a PC card adapter and then into the PC card slot.

3) From the Main Menu, press U for Utilities.

4) Press A for Applications.

5) The prompt: "Run program from which drive?" displays. Press C for Compact Flash card. (or P for the PC card slot).

6) You are prompted for the Directory. press ENTER for none.

7) Select the GPS program installation file, press ENTER and follow the prompts. If it says "command line," just press ENTER. If you receive any messages about installing over newer files, listen to the prompt and be sure you are not overwriting your custom sounds. Press ENTER to continue installing or ESCAPE to skip the file.  If you get a message about files being in use, this means the reset did not work properly. Try it again and make sure to hold the three keys down until the second audio chime, about ten seconds after the reset beep.

8) When the installation is complete, remove any storage cards and do a No Key Reset, by pressing the reset button. Your GPS software is now ready to go.

If it is necessary to do a Hard Reset, i.e. with Keys J K L held down, some settings may be lost. If you are using a Bluetooth GPS receiver, you will need to pair and activate it again after a hard reset. After a normal reset it is only necessary to re-activate your Bluetooth GPS receiver.




2.2 Installing GPS Receivers

For details and operating instructions, see the "2receivers" Folder on your Compact Flash card. Choose the file that matches the name of the receiver that came with your GPS package.




2.3 How to Wear the GPS

For pedestrian travel, the GPS receiver tracks satellites best when located on top of your shoulder facing the sky. You will find a belt clip on the receiver case to secure your GPS receiver onto the BrailleNote strap (preferably on the sliding shoulder pad). Which hand you operate the BrailleNote with depends upon which hand is occupied with a cane or dog. The shoulder strap is reversible so experiment with which configuration feels best for you. If your right shoulder is through the strap, you would probably put the GPS receiver on your left shoulder and vice versa. To switch the strap, unclip the shoulder strap from the BrailleNote and reverse it.

Note, for operation in a vehicle, you may wish to put the receiver on the back dash of a car or clip it near or on a window. (Keep it away from the air bag as the receiver could become a missile if the air bag deploys).




2.4 About Maps

Maps are an integral part of the GPS software's capabilities. The map data is developed and maintained by Tele Atlas and licensed to Sendero Group for use in the Sendero GPS. Note: Australian maps and POIs are provided by NAVTEQ®. It is anticipated that map data updates may be available about once a year. Updated Maps and POIs can be downloaded from www.mysendero.com. The BrailleNote serial number and a password are required.

The entire U.S. map data occupies around 7 GB. These maps are compiled by states for the U.S. There are at least 4 map files for each state map section. Some states are broken up into more than one section, for example California is split into 4 sections and there is an additional city index file. There are 13 map files for California.  The UK, Canada, Holland, Austria and Spain come on one CD each. Germany and France are on multiple CDs. Each country is arranged according to its data size. as of this writing, 17 European countries are within the Sendero license and each will be rolled out As demand and funding permits. Check the Sendero Group web site for the status of available countries at www.senderogroup.com.




2.4.1 Map Storage

As it was previously stated, the entire U.S. map data is available for download from www.mysendero.com or on CDs or DVDs included in your shipping package for new systems.
You probably received a Compact Flash card with the files comprising your state map already in the Maps folder. You can have up to 75 map sections in a given map folder on the PK or mPower, however, access times and software are more stable with fewer states loaded.

The GPS software looks automatically for map files in the Maps folder of the Compact Flash, SD, or PC card. You can, however, define a different location under the Map and POI Folder option in the GPS Options Menu including a thumb drive on the mPower. Just make sure the files themselves are in the user-defined map folder as opposed to having the state as a subfolder. POIs for each map must also be located in the maps folder.

All maps could be transferred to a large storage card (like an 8 GB Compact Flash card or micro drive) or individual maps to a smaller card.

Be careful when deleting or copying map files that the entire group of files per state is selected. Some states are divided into multiple map segments.

If you are likely to be changing maps often, we recommend keeping each group of state files in its own directory. For example, Maps Southeast, Maps Northwest, etc. The maps are in alphabetical order on the CDs or DVDs.

HumanWare recommends removing micro drives or compact flash cards from the BrailleNote when it is turned off or before resetting in order to avoid battery drain or accidental erasure of data.




2.4.2 How the BrailleNote Locates Map Files

When you first enter the GPS application, the software searches for a user-defined map folder if there is one. If not, it looks for a "Maps" folder on the Compact Flash card, SD card and on the PC card. A swishing sound indicates that map-loading is in progress. The more map files in the folder, the longer it takes to load. The number of maps found is announced when the loading is complete. If there is a corrupt map file, the state in question will be indicated. If you get a message saying "unable to initialize map engine", either try to load from the Main Menu again, reset the BrailleNote, or remove and reinsert the storage medium.




2.4.3 Transferring Downloaded, CD or DVD Disc Maps to the BrailleNote

Transferring files from a PC to the BrailleNote can be accomplished in a number of ways using a PC or laptop, assuming it has a CD or DVD drive.

1) For CD or DVD disc transfers, put the CD or DVD you wish to transfer into the CD or DVD drive.
2) Open Windows Explorer and locate the downloaded maps folder or CD or DVD drive and its contents.
3) Also using Windows Explorer, find the location of the CompactFlash card. There are three ways you could access the CompactFlash card:
	a) If you have a PC or laptop with a PC card slot, or a PC card reader attached to your PC, you can put the CompactFlash card into an adapter card and use this. You can also use a PC card style Micro Drive for map storage, however these are typically slower than CompactFlash cards and use more BrailleNote battery power.
	b) If you have a PC or laptop with a CompactFlash card reader/writer you can insert your CompactFlash card directly into this.
	c) If you have a Compact Flash card reader that plugs into your PC (usually plugs into the USB port), you can insert the card into the reader. It is not recommended to transfer maps via ActiveSync as this can take a long time and may be interrupted.

4) In Windows Explorer, select and copy the files of the Map data.
5) Paste them into the appropriate directory on the Compact Flash card, making sure you get all files associated with a particular map. States which have multiple segments will have one additional file for the whole state. For example, California has 13 files, 3 for each of the 4 state sections and 1 for the state city index with an extension of CTY. There will also be Points of Interest files beginning with the version number like 40 for GPS version 4.2. For example, 40California_Core.bpi. Note the BPI extension for Points of Interest files. As of GPS version 3.5, map and POI files for each state are kept in the same folder.
 


3 GPS Basics and Accuracy

This section covers some of the concepts, issues and background information about the Global Positioning System. See the GPS Accuracy document in the Documents folder for more background and details.




3.1 Use Good Judgment

This product is an excellent navigation aid, but it does not replace the need for careful orientation and good judgment. Never rely solely on GPS or any one device for navigating.




3.2 About GPS Satellites

The U.S. Government operates the Global Positioning System (GPS) and is solely responsible for the accuracy and maintenance of GPS. Certain conditions can make the system less accurate.   There are 24 U.S. military satellites in the Global Positioning System, 12 in each hemisphere and they circuit the earth twice a day. Although your receiver may be able to pick up as many as 12 satellites, three or more signals are necessary to determine the GPS position. Some GPS receivers offer additional accuracy through the use of a fixed (geostationary) satellite called WAAS, Wide Area Augmentation System.

It is possible to get a reading of Good with 4 or more satellites or Poor with 5 or more satellites. A Good reading is better than a Poor reading no matter the number of satellites. The quality of the satellite signal determines the quality rating announced to you. The user has no control over the WAAS satellite detection, this feature will automatically turn on and report when it is available from the satellite.

A similar system in Europe called EGNOS is being implemented. Having WAAS or EGNOS just improves the accuracy which may result in an accuracy less than 5 meters or 16 feet, but if the Geometry of the satellites is bad you could have WAAS/EGNOS enabled and still have a poor reading.

In the past, the military distorted the GPS signals used by civilians for national security reasons, a process which is called Selective Availability. This was turned off in May 2000 but it may be reinstated if they wish. This has not happened as of the writing of this manual 7 years after they improved the signals.




3.3 Signal Blind Spots

Since the GPS receiver detects information from satellites orbiting the earth, the antenna needs to have a relatively unobstructed view of the sky. Large obstructions such as buildings, cliffs and overhangs may interfere with signal reception, reducing accuracy or eliminating tracking altogether. This is called the "urban canyon effect." For example, if you were in a city with 50 story buildings on all sides, the satellite signals would be blocked completely. However, if there is a tall building on one side only, you may still be able to receive enough signals from other satellites to determine a position. Changing your location by even a few feet can make a difference. For instance, walking on the outer edge of a sidewalk versus up against the building may help. Positioning yourself on a corner at an intersection may also help. There is a better view of satellites while in a car in the street versus up against a building.

The location of the receiver on your body may also make a difference to reception. If you are among tall buildings or near an overhang, you may begin tracking faster if you hold the receiver up and away from your body. Face away from the building. Once the receiver begins tracking, it should continue doing so attached to the BrailleNote shoulder strap. If you need to have it inside a backpack or enclosed because of rain or snow, the GPS signals should be picked up through clothing or vinyl materials.

It so happens that among tall buildings in big cities, where GPS is less reliable, there are more people to ask for directions. Out in the open where there are fewer people to ask for directions, the GPS availability and accuracy is best. Isn’t this convenient?




3.4 Using GPS Indoors or in a Vehicle

GPS signals cannot usually be picked up in-doors; however you may be able to pick up signals inside a house with a wooden roof or inside a bus with a fiberglass roof. You may also be successful in picking up signals with the receiver in the window of a bus or train. The best location for the receiver is on the dash or window of a car. (Note: highly tinted and mirrored windows can block satellites.) It is best to secure the receiver as it may become a projectile if you were to stop suddenly.

Although you can often pick up a signal from a plane, you must get permission to use the GPS receiver on most commercial airlines. You may pick up signals from the window of an aircraft but you have a limited view of the sky because of the small window.




3.5 Picking Up Satellite Signals

The GPS receiver needs to track at least 3 satellites to determine a position. Some receivers may provide an approximate position with less than 3 satellites. Once the receiver acquires a position, the information is sent to your BrailleNote through the serial cable or Bluetooth connection. It can take anywhere from 1 second to 10 minutes before a position is tracked depending upon how long it has been since you last turned the receiver on and how clear a view of the sky you have.

During this acquisition period, you will get the message: "no fix, acquiring satellites." If your GPS receiver is not connected or there is a problem between the receiver and the BrailleNote, you will see the message: "Turn on your receiver and reconnect press CTRL with R or press V for Virtual." In this case, make sure your receiver is turned on and is connected to your BrailleNote. If you still cannot acquire satellites, see the Getting Started document for your receiver, which is in the Documents folder of the storage card.

Once you have acquired a GPS position fix and have started moving, the receiver calculates the change in your position approximately every second using the satellite signals.  The average of your heading is calculated to minimize the variations in heading due to GPS fluctuations. After moving in a consistent direction for 15 to 20 seconds your direction of travel is determined and can be announced on the BrailleNote. 

When you stop moving, your heading should be locked on your most recent direction of travel.  So keep in mind which direction you were heading before you stopped walking.  If you spin around in circles, you must begin walking for 10 or 15 seconds before your new direction of travel can be announced accurately. When you make a turn, walk for several seconds before asking for a heading.




3.6 GPS and Map Data Accuracy

To maximize the information and navigation benefits of your Sendero GPS, it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Global Positioning System. You can improve your use of the GPS location information by knowing how the system works.

The accuracy scale in the Sendero GPS software is geared so you know how much to trust the information. If BrailleNote GPS says "1050 feet, 3 satellites" before giving you your location, note the large accuracy distance of 1050 feet, this is the best indication how much to trust the GPS information. Move a little and try again to double check. Try to get in a more open area so you can get better accuracy. Bear in mind that you must be tracking satellites for 30 feet (10 meters) or more before your direction of travel can be determined. You can also obtain a quality rating and detailed GPS accuracy reading by pressing Q. The quality ratings are: No Fix, Poor, Fair, Good and Very Good.




3.7 General Receiver Information

See the GPS receiver manual for details and functions not addressed in this User Guide.
To get started:

Turn the receiver on. See the Getting Started manual to learn about the receiver controls.
Place the receiver in a location open to the sky where you can begin acquiring GPS satellites. The receiver should have a relatively unobstructed view of the sky. When you travel to a new area or if the unit has been off for several days, for instance when you first use the receiver, it may take longer to determine a position fix.
Once you have turned the BrailleNote on and selected the GPS application from the main menu you should hear, "X detected", where X is the receiver you are using. This will be the name of the receiver, none, or GPS Replay.

That is the indication that your receiver is connected properly. If you hear, "To Connect, press C. For GPS mode without connecting, press G or for Virtual mode, press V." Make sure your receiver is on and press C to try and connect to the receiver. GPS will attempt to connect again, after ten seconds if it is unsuccessful you will be put in GPS mode. You can press CONTROL with R to try and reconnect or press V to go into Virtual mode. You should turn the receiver off when not using the GPS program in order to conserve the receiver’s battery power.




3.8 Accuracy of GPS Announcements

First, check your accuracy a couple times by pressing the GPS Accuracy command, G. If you are tracking satellites when you press G, you will hear:

"WAAS (if available), Approximate accuracy distance, Number of satellites being tracked"

For example, you might hear "13 feet, 10 satellites." If it first says "WAAS," that indicates that you are tracking WAAS satellites. If you are tracking more than 3 satellites, the receiver will determine which satellites are more accurate and use those. It is not only the number of satellites that determines position quality but also the relative position of the satellites to each other. Because of atmospheric anomalies, there are times when positions are inaccurate for no obvious reason. If you are tracking less than 3 satellites when you press G, you will hear:

"No Fix, Acquiring Satellites".

To get more GPS tracking details, press Q for GPS quality.  If you are tracking satellites when you press Q, you will hear:

"GPS accuracy rating, WAAS (if available), Approximate Accuracy distance, Number of satellites being tracked, HDOP and VDOP status"

The GPS accuracy ratings are Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor and No fix. Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDOP) and Vertical Dilution of Precision (VDOP) are measures of the GPS receiver/satellite geometry. A low DOP value indicates better relative geometry and higher corresponding accuracy. Accuracies may range from three to a thousand feet but will average in the 30 foot range.

Finally, the last way to check how well you are tracking is with the Heading function in the GPS program. Once you are heading in a given direction of travel, press the Heading command H repeatedly to ensure that you are getting consistent compass heading information. This will not only impact your heading but all information relative to your heading such as Points of Interest or your destination.




3.9 Getting Oriented Using GPS

You can start walking and get a compass direction from your BrailleNote. If you do not intuitively know the cardinal compass directions, having a talking or tactile compass can assist you in heading directly to your destination as announced by the BrailleNote GPS. Even if you do not start moving, the absolute position of your destination as announced on the BrailleNote GPS should be reliable. If you head in the wrong direction, you will be notified within 30 feet (or 10 meters), if you are traveling in a pedestrian route and 100 feet (or 30 meters), if you are traveling in a vehicular route.

If you do not have a route recorded, you can still work your way to your destination using the "getting warmer" method. Try to get the destination to be announced ahead of you at the 11 o'clock, 12 o'clock or 1 o'clock positions. Once you get close to the destination, the announcement starts to move away from the 12 o’clock heading. When it gets to your 3 o’clock (right) or 9 o’clock (left) position, it is time to make a 90-degree turn. This does not tell you if there is a through street, but it gets you in the vicinity. You also want the destination distance to steadily decline as you move toward it. If it suddenly increases, double and triple check the distance so you know you are not getting a bogus reading. You may very well have veered off track but it is best to make sure.

Never trust the GPS information exclusively. Direction of travel is not an issue in Virtual mode where your direction is determined by the automatic route creation.




4 Sendero GPS Software Basics

This section covers the basics of the Sendero GPS Software.




4.1 Starting GPS

To select the GPS application, begin from the Main Menu and press SPACE repeatedly until the "Navigation" or "GPS" is displayed and then press ENTER. Alternatively, just press N from the Main Menu to load and start the program. Note, the menu item changed from GPS to Navigation with the release of KeySoft 7. If you have an earlier version of KeySoft, press G to load and start the program. After Navigation is selected you hear: "x Maps loaded," where x is the number of maps that were loaded.

You will then hear if your receiver is on, off, or not active. If your receiver is off or not active and it should be on, you will be given instructions to correct the problem. You can press C to try to connect again, G to go directly to GPS mode, or V to go to virtual mode without connecting to your receiver.




4.2 Exiting a GPS Session

When you exit the GPS application, the destination you have set is saved. Other positions like your last GPS position and Virtual position are also saved as are your mode settings. When you press escape from the main GPS application you are prompted to exit GPS. If you have a modified route open, you are first asked if you wish to save the changes. Answering Yes will save the changes and exit GPS. Answering No will not save the changes and exit GPS. Cancel will not exit GPS and will leave the route open.




4.3 Switching Between Tasks

You may use any of the BrailleNote hot keys to switch to applications like the Word Processor or Calculator. You can then switch back to the GPS application by pressing FUNCTION with CONTROL with N. You will be returned to the GPS application where you left off. Note: If you are tracking satellites your position will be updated to your new location. You can go into the BrailleNote Options menu without leaving the GPS application. You can also check the time, date, or even run the stop watch. You can keep the MP3 player running and use the memo recorder while in the GPS application.




4.4 Resetting During a GPS Session

There is no way other than doing a "no-key" Reset to interrupt a long route calculation. You might accidentally begin a 500 mile route calculation and then change your mind. For routes over 100 miles you will be asked to confirm that you want to create your route before the program will continue. If it is necessary to reset the BrailleNote, the Odometer will be reset to zero and a route won’t be saved if you have not already done so. Otherwise, there should be little impact from pressing Reset.




4.5 Context Sensitive Help

Context Sensitive Help is available throughout the GPS application as it is elsewhere in the BrailleNote. When you press the HELP key, you will hear relevant information for the task you are performing. If you are not performing any task in the GPS application and you press the HELP key, you will enter the GPS Help Menu. The complete list of commands organized by category can be accessed from the GPS Help Menu, as outlined in the following section.




4.5.1 Using the GPS Help Menu

The Sendero GPS has an easy to use and intuitive menu system. To access the menu system press the HELP key. This will bring up a list of twelve help menu items. Each item is briefly discussed below:

1) Where Am I Commands: Find out where you are with information such as address, intersection, city and state.

2) GPS Commands: Used in GPS mode, find out information such as your GPS status, speed, or how to switch to GPS mode.

3) Virtual Commands: Used in virtual mode, find out how to explore the map in virtual mode.

4) Destination Commands: How to set a destination.

5) Points of Interest Commands: Commands used to look up POIs or to create your own user points.

6) Route Commands: How to create, follow, and edit a route.

7) LookAround Commands: Manage your lookaround settings.

8) Multiple Repeat Commands: Check the status of your multiple repeat items or turn them on or off.

9) Miscellaneous Commands: In this item you will find commands that do not seem to fit into the other categories.

10) Option Commands: Customize options such as Map and POI folder location or Braille display delay.

11) Sendero Documentation: Read the quick reference guide and User's Manual.

12) Exit GPS: Selecting this item will Exit the GPS application.

Next to the menu item, you will see either a hot key or you will be told how to access the menu. For example, in the "Where am I commands" menu item you see "HELP, W." This means to quickly access "Where am I commands" you press the HELP key then W. To access route commands from the main GPS application you can either press HELP then R, or just press R




4.6 Copy Protection

Each copy of the GPS software is serialized to a specific BrailleNote or VoiceNote. The GPS receiver can be used on multiple units but the GPS software is specific to a particular unit’s serial number. The software, Points of Interest and map data for the countries you purchased are licensed for use on your machine only. User defined Points of Interest can be shared. You may also hear the copy protection referred to as a security key, or as Digital Rights Management. You may see "You do not have an appropriate license to run this application," if you receive this message and have a proper license installed, please wait 5 seconds and try to enter GPS again or simply reset the BrailleNote.




4.7 KeySoft Version

See the ReadMe document for the latest KeySoft and GPS version compatibility. There are many benefits to upgrading to the latest KeySoft version. For upgrade information, contact your local BrailleNote distributor.



5 Routes

The first general use of the BrailleNote GPS is to navigate to a specific destination along an automatically planned route. One can also create manual routes or edit an automatically created pedestrian or vehicular route. These routes can of course be used in conjunction with the LookAround information. See Section 1.1 for examples of the use of routes and LookAround information.

This section will discuss how to create automatic routes using the map information for either pedestrian or vehicle use, as well as how to create manual routes in areas where there is no map information.

5.1 General Route Information

This section deals with general Route Information.

5.1.1 Naming a Route


Each route must have a unique, meaningful name so that it can be stored and later retrieved by specifying its name. You can use whatever name you like, with up to 200 characters, including spaces, in computer Braille.

If you have several routes with a similar theme, you may find it helpful to put the common part of the name first. For example, you might have:

"Bus Route A"
"Bus Route B"
and so on. These route names would be grouped together alphabetically for easy location. Routes can be grouped into folders to make them easier to find. As an example, the routes just mentioned might all be put into a folder called "Bus Routes". The rules for naming a folder are the same as for naming a route. Some characters are reserved and you may not use them in a file name. They are: \ /: "  | * and ?.




5.1.2 Trigger Distances

The software attempts to automatically trigger announcements based upon your proximity to Waypoints, turns and the number of lanes and speed of movement. These are complex formulas but here are some approximate trigger distances based on the default Arrival distance of 50 feet (16 meters). Keep in mind that the distance to an intersection is to the center of the intersection. Note that when traveling at higher speeds, there is a noticeable lag, the car may travel 500 feet just in the time it takes to speak the announcement. Also, direction-of-travel and GPS position are based on samples once a second so a 5 second sample might occupy 400 feet (121 meters) of travel on a highway.

If the GPS software determines that you are progressing through your Waypoints but you have not come close enough to trigger them, you will hear that X number of points have been skipped unless Force Sequential mode is turned on. This helps compensate for map data that may not exactly match the street you are on. You can always back up through the Waypoint list if you want to see what was skipped or you can select "Force Sequential Route Following" from the Route commands Settings menu to force the route to be followed sequentially.

For example:

Pedestrian, Approaching turning Waypoint, 300 feet.
Pedestrian, Turn now, 100 feet.
Pedestrian, Turn now (Manual Detailed Waypoints), 50 feet.
Vehicle (60 miles per hour), Approaching Waypoint, 1/2 mile.
Vehicle (60 miles per hour), Turn now double beep, 1000 feet.




5.1.3 Automatic Heading and Distance Announcements

Once a route is loaded, you can hear an automatic heading and distance announcement to the Current Waypoint, Next Turn or Destination. This automatic message announcement contains three pieces of information described below. The interval in seconds for repeating this announcement is user definable from the Multiple Repeat Menu, as described in Section 7.2.1.

1) The orientation reading. There are two orientation methods for obtaining the Waypoint heading information, Clock Face and Left/Right. The default is Left/Right. To switch back and forth to the clock face announcements, go to the GPS Options Menu, Heading selection. A detailed description of these modes is also available in Section 11.2

2) The distance reading. The key here is to hear the distance to your next Waypoint or destination decreasing. If the distance is consistently getting smaller, you are headed in the correct direction. If the distance is increasing, you are headed the wrong way. If there is one essential piece of information to be aware of when using GPS for navigation, this is it!

3) The compass heading. The compass announcement tells you if the Waypoint is North, South, East, or West. This is given after the clock face or Left/Right position announcements. For example, "at 10 o’clock, South."



5.1.4 Destination Side of the Street Announcement


When you have a route loaded and you have passed the last turn, pressing the D key announces the side of the street the destination is on. For example, "895 feet to Starbucks, Destination Left Side."

Your destination must have either a street number, or be at least 50 feet from the street for this feature to function. The three examples of a destination with a complete address are:

1) Set your destination using the READ with S command. You must enter an address number, for example, 123 Main Street.

2) Choose a commercial POI that has an address. To check whether or not a commercial POI has an address, press READ with P and you will hear the address if there is one.

3) Choose a User POI that has an address. You must record your User POIs with the street address in the User POIs details field for this to work, meaning you need to input "User POI name", press ENTER and input the address in the "User POI details" prompt and press ENTER. For example, you are recording your house as a User POI, enter "My house" then ENTER "123 Main Street."

Once the program detects the address of your destination, its status as an odd or even address number is then compared with the READ with C command details to determine the side of the street. The address data is not 100% accurate so this side of street indication could be incorrect.

If the POI is 50 feet or more from the street and does not have an address, you will be told if the destination is on the left or right side of the street.




5.1.5 Tips on Following a Vehicular Route

When traveling on a freeway or highway, your next turn might be announced as "0.50 miles to Waypoint 12, proceed right on Ramp, connecting to Main Street." The most effective way to review a vehicular route as you are traveling is to use the READ with RIGHT ARROW command to move you through your route turn by turn and the READ with UP ARROW command to explore Waypoint by Waypoint. You may have to press READ with UP ARROW a couple times before you move past the exit ramp to the nearest intersection. The name of the intersection is your major clue as to the exit name from a highway. Ramps may have a couple Waypoints because they curve around. The intersection at the end of the ramp isn’t always the name of the exit. There may also be a name for the exit in the POI database.

Once you approach the turning point, you will be alerted and you can tell the driver to take the next exit. Normally you would want Turns-Only mode turned on. This way you will not hear each Waypoint as you reach it. You can always hear the name of the current Waypoint by pressing K. If you are on a highway, these individual Waypoints may not be legal exits or entrances from the highway.



5.2 Setting a Destination

Once you enter the GPS application, one of the first things to learn is how to set and to announce a destination. Before you can create a route, you must have a starting position and a destination.

There are four ways to set a destination:

1) by address
2) by Point of Interest
3) by Virtual Explore position, or, 
4) by latitude and longitude.

The address lookup uses map information to pinpoint a location based on city, street and number. GPS location information is used to locate the destination using latitude and longitude coordinates. A Point of Interest destination comes from the Point of Interest information, either commercial or user-defined. This variety of options for setting a destination means it is almost always possible to pinpoint an address, regardless of the information you have with which to work.

An automatic route is created, from the beginning point of your current position to the end point of your specified destination. If you choose to save this route, it will always open exactly as you have created it. So if you create a route from home to the bank, it will always open ready to take you from home to the bank. If you need to reverse the route, so that it will take you from the bank to home, you can use the Reverse Route command, R then R. Although this might work in manual and pedestrian routes, it will not work with vehicle routes. It is recommended that you re-create the route because there is the possibility that the reversed route is impossible to follow due to one way streets.

To set a POI or Explore position as a destination, the last spoken POI can be set as a destination by pressing READ with D.




5.2.1 Selecting an Address and Setting it as a Destination, POI, Virtual, or Both Destination and Virtual position

As well as selecting an address to set as a destination, you can also make it a POI, or a virtual position. The following procedure shows how to specify an address.

1) From the GPS software, press READ with S or select "Destination" from the GPS Help Menu.

2) You are presented in turn with fields for State, City, Address Number and Street Name. Enter the first two or three letters of the state for the state field, not the two letter abbreviation. For example, for Louisiana, type Lo instead of La. For an entire list of states loaded, press ENTER at the state field. To review the Help messages for these fields, press the HELP key. For the State and City fields, you have the option of an exact match, accepting the default from your last entry, entering a partial match, or getting an entire list. The Street field does not remember the last street name entered. For a list of streets (maximum of 1000) with distances from your current location, press ENTER at the Street prompt. If the address number is not found during an Address search, a list of cross streets is presented. The nearest matching street number is presented, which you can select by pressing ENTER. Note, if you do not enter an address number, a cross street list can then be presented.
The cross street list in the Address matching mode is not completely in order. You will find that sections of streets are in order but not the entire cross-street list. The purpose of this list is so that the user has a choice of potential cross streets if an address number is not available. If one needs to see the exact layout of cross streets, the Virtual Explore mode can provide this.

3) Having successfully selected the address, you are then prompted to set the address as either a destination, POI, virtual, or both destination and virtual position. Press D for destination, P for POI, V for virtual position, or B for both virtual and destination. If you set the address to the Virtual position, make sure you are in Virtual mode before trying to explore the location. If you are in GPS mode, you can find out how far away the Virtual position is by pressing I.

4) If you pressed D to set the address as the destination, the BrailleNote will announce: "Destination set to the address found." You can then create an automatic route as described in Section 5.3

A few pointers to increase the possibility of an address match:

* If you are uncertain of the spelling of a street name, enter the first few letters of the name and press ENTER.  You will then be presented with a list.  Press SPACE or BACKSPACE to scroll through the list until you find the street name. Then press ENTER to accept.

* If you are not sure if a street is a lane or a court, just enter the name and you will be presented with options, if any. If you know for sure how the suffix is written, you can type it in for an exact match. However if the street name is written as Maple Ln, then you must type it in that way rather than as Maple Lane.
* If you are searching for West 8th Street, it must be entered as, "8th St, W." If you are not 100 percent sure of the proper syntax, just type in "8" or "8th" and you will be given a list of streets with that basic name. Then you can arrow to the one you want and press ENTER. Try to get the zip code before attempting to set an address.
Some cities must be retrieved in a round about fashion. If your city is not found, consider a couple "work-arounds." Try putting in the county name. For example, Bedford Massachusetts might require the city field to be filled in with Middlesex County instead. Try a nearby city or district. We found the small town of Volcano California (population 86) by entering the nearby city of Sutter Creek and got two matches. We chose Sutter Creek-Plymouth area, Amador. Then either enter an actual address of a known place in Volcano or choose a known street without a house number. Alternatively, search for Volcano in the City POI category and set your Virtual position to the Volcano point.
An example of the city search follows.
Press V to ensure you are in Virtual mode.
Press READ with S for Address search.
If you have more than one state, type ca for California; then press ENTER. For the city, type Sutter and press ENTER. Press SPACE to get to Sutter Creek-Plymouth area, Amador, then press ENTER. When asked for the address number, press ENTER. When asked for the street name, press ENTER; 343 streets will be found. Press ENTER on the first street that is displayed since you are just trying to find a point in the nearby town from which to conduct a search.
When prompted to define as destination, POI, virtual, or both virtual and destination, press V for  Virtual. You are now virtually near 4WD road in the town of Sutter. From here, we can search for the town of Volcano.
Press READ with F for Find POIs; then press ENTER to choose a starting distance of 0. For the ending distance, type 25 and press ENTER. When prompted to select category, press the letter C three times to get to the City category; then press ENTER. When prompted to enter a POI search string, type "volcano" without the quotation marks; then press ENTER. You will be advised that the furthest point is Volcano, 21.68 miles East.
Press READ with V to set your virtual position to Volcano. You are now virtually standing in this old Gold Rush town in California.
Press F to list all points within a quarter of a mile; you will be advised that you are near Volcano.
Press DOWN ARROW to move to Gottstein Construction, 102 feet North East. At this point, you can press SPACE to repeat the last command which was to arrow down the list.
Press SPACE until you get to the Country Store Restaurant.
Now, press READ with P to get the address and phone number -- 16146 Main Street, Volcano, California 95689, 209-296-4459.
Most cities aren’t this tricky but it is good to know that even the smallest towns are probably in the map database, it may just take a little ingenuity to bring them up. You can also press ENTER without any text in the State, City or Street fields to produce a list of all matches or enter the first couple letters to narrow the search. Note: If you are in a city like Volcano and press C to hear the City name, the township or county will be announced if the exact city name is not in the database. This will be helpful for faster address matches in the future.

* There are occasions when you will not be able to find streets within the city you've chosen. This may be because the selected city contains only those streets Tele Atlas consider to be within the built-up area, e.g. the center of town. If this happens, please try again and select another city from the choices presented. Some cities are prefixed with "city of" as well as having entries under their more-commonly known names - for example, City of Bristol, City of Edinburgh, etc. These "city of" areas are wider areas than just the city but also include those streets held within the city subset. For example, City of Edinburgh will contain the streets found within Edinburgh as well as those outside the city center and which fall solely within City of Edinburgh!

You can use the following commands to review lists of addresses more easily:

Go to the top of the list; READ with T or HOME.

Go to the end of the list; READ with B or END.

Move forward through the list one item at a time; DOWN ARROW.

Move backward through the list one item at a time; UP ARROW.

Jump backward 10 items;  LEFT ARROW or PG UP.

Jump forward 10 items; RIGHT ARROW or PG DOWN.




5.2.2 Setting Latitude and Longitude (Lat/Lon) Positions

Setting positions by latitude and longitude means that any point in the world can be given a name and saved in your personal database of points. You can find out about your current GPS position relative to any other point in the world. Finding latitude/ longitude positions on the Internet is fairly easy to do - using a search engine like Google.com, type in the name of the location and either 'latitude' or 'longitude' and you should get the information in the first two or three hits.
Other possible web sites where latitude/longitude information might be available are
http://www.geocode.com or http://www.wayhoo.com.  Let’s say for example you were going to take a trip to the Galapagos Islands and wanted to know which Central American city was closest to fly into, San Jose Costa Rica or Guayaquil Ecuador. Use Google on the Internet to find the lat/lon for these three locations. Then, set your current position to the Galapagos and set the other two cities as a destination or Point of Interest.
If this sounds like your kind of fun, play the worldwide GPS treasure hunt game by joining http://www.geocaching.com.

To hear the latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes, seconds for your current GPS position, Press Y. The Sendero GPS system uses Latitude and Longitude coordinates in the WGS84 datum.

To set a virtual position by latitude and longitude, do the following:

1) Press READ with Y and you will hear "Enter latitude degrees."

2) Enter the two digits for the degrees, for example, 37.

3) Repeat this for the rest of the prompts, per the example coordinates:
"Enter latitude minutes." 46.
"Enter latitude seconds." 30.7.
"Press N for North or S for South." N.
"Enter longitude degrees." 122.
"Enter longitude minutes." 25.
"Enter longitude seconds." 5.15.
"Press W for West or E for East." W.

4) "Enter a name for this location." Type the name of the location and press ENTER. These example lat/lon coordinates belong to the city of San Francisco, CA.

5) You are then prompted to enter a description. Just press ENTER if you wish to skip this step. 

6) Finally, the last prompt says: "Define as Destination, POI, Virtual, or both Destination and Virtual?" Type V for Virtual.

7) You can now explore points near this virtual lat/lon for example by pressing F. Switch back to your GPS position by pressing V.

Note: Do not enter a minus sign before any of the lat/lon values as this is determined when choosing S for South or W for West.

There are three possible ways to input lat/lon information. The first is outlined above in the example, this way is called Degrees, Minutes, Decimal Seconds.

The second way to input a lat/lon is called the Degrees, Decimal Minutes, you will not be prompted to enter seconds. To search a Degrees, Decimal Minutes latitude and longitude, do the following:

1) Press READ with Y and you will hear "Enter latitude degrees."

2) Enter the two digits for the degrees, for example, 37.

3) Repeat this for the rest of the prompts, per the example coordinates:
"Enter latitude minutes." 46.512.
"Press N for North or S for South." N.
"Enter longitude degrees." 122.
"Enter longitude minutes." 25.086.
"Press W for West or E for East." W.

4) "Enter a name for this location." Type the name of the location and press ENTER. These example lat/lon coordinates belong to the city of San Francisco, CA.

5) You are then prompted to enter a description. Just press ENTER if you wish to skip this step. 

6) Finally, the last prompt says: "Define as Destination, POI, Virutal, or both Destination and Virtual?" Type V for Virtual.

The third way to input a lat/lon is called Decimal Degrees. Simply, enter a complete string for the lat and lon in the Degrees field if you have the full decimal value of the string, in which case you won't be prompted for the minutes or seconds. For example:

"Enter latitude degrees." 37.7751997.
"Press N for North or S for South." N.
"Enter longitude degrees." 122.4180997.
"Press W for West or E for East." W.
At the prompt, "Define as, Destination, POI, Virtual, or both Destination and Virtual?" Type V for Virtual.




5.3 How to Create an Automatic Route


In order to create an automatic route, you need a beginning and an ending point and you must have the street maps loaded for the area where you want the route created.

Follow these steps:

1) Set a destination by address, POI or lat/lon as described in Section 5.2

2) Decide if you wish the starting point to be from your current GPS position, i.e. where you are currently located, or from a Virtual position.
More information on Virtual positions and Virtual Mode can be found in Section 8. Your current GPS position can either be the GPS position you are tracking or the last GPS position tracked if you have entered a building and cannot pick up satellites.

3) Once you have decided upon your starting position and have set a destination, Press R for Route commands and then V for Vehicular or P for a Pedestrian route.
 


5.3.1 About Automatic Routes and Waypoints

The quality of map data varies from town to town and it will continue to be improved by the map supplier over time. Frequently, the street will match exactly with where you are walking or driving. Other times, you may find that the street is 25 or even 50 feet off (8 to 16 meters) from where you are physically walking. This offset has to do with the geocoded position of the street map and the GPS inaccuracy. Our GPS software tries to take these factors into account when announcing information and creating routes.

There is no guarantee that the automatic route is completely accurate or safe to travel. However, you should find that the automatic creation of routes is very efficient and useful most of the time and automatic routes can be customized with the addition or deletion of Waypoints. Routes created automatically by the BrailleNote provide a wealth of information and a variety of options. Numerous factors go into the software calculation of a recommended route and these routes may not always be desirable. You therefore have the option to edit and fine-tune these routes manually.

If you veer off your automatically created route, the BrailleNote PK or mPower will automatically recalculate your route if you have that function enabled. To manually recalculate a route press BACKSLASH or SLASH.

Once you have successfully arrived at your destination, your route will be automatically closed.  If you need to close your route before that, you can press R then C to manually close it.



5.3.2 Street Classifications

In addition to map quality factors, the route calculation software must deal with road classification and a multitude of street options. Roads are classified such as Limited Access and Arterial. They have attributes assigned to them such as one way, or pedestrian only. Limited Access means that only vehicles can access the road. This classification can change along the same road, such as Highway 29. It is a major highway approaching Napa California but becomes accessible by pedestrians going through small towns where it switches from Limited Access to Arterial. The Sendero GPS software takes these classifications into account when calculating routes.

Notes:

* In automatic route calculation, Waypoints are placed at street intersections. Additional points can be inserted manually.

* Once you start route creation, you cannot cancel other than by pressing the Reset button.

* Routes may take many seconds or even minutes to create depending upon the length. The storage slot and medium being used may also impact the speed of the route creation. For longer routes you will be asked to confirm that you want to create your route before the program will continue. If you know you have a long route to calculate, say 300 miles, it is wise to do the route creation before starting the trip. Route calculation takes roughly 1 swish (3 seconds) per 5 air miles. So, if you set a destination 40 miles away, route calculation will take roughly 8 swishes, (24 seconds). This will vary depending on the density of roads the route runs through.

* When a route first opens, give it several seconds to synchronize with your present GPS position.

* If you are calculating a route while moving in a vehicle, your direction of travel is taken into account. If it takes a minute to calculate a 10 mile route, you may be a mile or more past the first Waypoint by the time the route has finished being calculated. The software will automatically skip to the Waypoint nearest your GPS position when the defaults are set. You will have more success being able to follow vehicular routes if you finish calculating the route before moving. If you don’t like the route created for you or if you are at a much different place by the time it finishes calculating, pull over and recalculate by pressing BACKSLASH or SLASH.

When traveling in virtual mode you may encounter a split street. This is a street that is split in the middle, perhaps divided physically by a medium. If you use the detailed city command and only hear addresses on one side of the street and you know there should be addresses on both sides, this is a good way to tell if you are traveling down a split street. Another way to know is if you are only seeing some cross streets. Going up one side of the street you may only hear cross streets which intersect this side only. When crossing a split street you will hear the same street again when you move forward a short distance away, for example on Main Street 40 feet ahead to Main Street. This may signify you are crossing a split street. To go down the other side of this street you can not just turn around and head in the opposite direction, as this will keep you on the same side of the split street. You must instead turn onto a cross street, move forward a short distance to the other side of the same split street you were just on, and then make another turn onto the other side of this split street.




5.3.3 Inserting Waypoints in Automatic Routes


Once you have had the BrailleNote GPS create an automatic route with a sequence of Waypoints at intersections, you can insert manual Waypoints if you wish.

First, create a route per the instructions in the Automatic Route section by setting a destination and selecting R then V, or R then P. Press R then S to save that route and give it a name. Now, walk through the route. When you find the place you wish to insert the manual Waypoint, press READ with K and type the name (e.g. 1st Street, 4- way intersection). You must of course be at the location of the Waypoint you wish to insert because the manual Waypoint is based upon your GPS position. You are asked to insert the Waypoint before or after your current Waypoint. Press B for before or A for after. Save Waypoint changes from time to time just as you would when creating a document to ensure that data is not lost due to unforeseen circumstances. To save your route and Waypoint changes made, press R then S. Note: You must be tracking a GPS position before you are allowed to create a Waypoint. If you are not tracking and wish to create a route, switch to Virtual mode and insert manual Waypoints into the route. It is not required that you save an Automatic Route before inserting manual points but it can’t hurt in case you change your mind and wish to revert to the original route.

For information about editing Waypoints and setting quality Waypoints see Section 5.4.2 and 5.4.3.




5.4 How to Create a Manual Route

Manual routes can be created in areas with maps in a situation when you do not want to use the automatically created route. More often, you will find manual routes a powerful tool when you are somewhere where maps are unavailable - perhaps on a university campus, camping, or sailing as in our earlier example. With the Sendero GPS, you can create a custom route simply by walking or riding along it and creating Waypoints as you go. You can then save this route and reuse it as often as you need and even swap it with other BrailleNote GPS users.

To create a manual route:

1) Once in the GPS application, press R for Routes and O for Open/Create. KeySoft prompts: "Folder name? X,"
where X is the last folder opened. The first time you use GPS it will offer the General folder. You may wish to select the GPS folder on your Flash disk. Select a folder in the usual way.

2) You are then prompted : "Route name?." The last route or document used will be presented.

3) Type in a unique, meaningful route name and press ENTER. The program says: "Document does not exist. Create a new document? Press Y to create the new route."

4) Press Y as directed. The program then says "Recording route, RouteName." where RouteName is the name you have just created.

5) When the software announces: "Acquired Position" you can begin to create the route.
 


5.4.1 Entering Manual Waypoints

When creating a route in this manner, you must be tracking satellites and be at the location you wish to use as a Waypoint when creating the Waypoint.
When you want to record a Waypoint, follow these steps:

1) Press READ with K. The system responds: "Waypoint name?" Type a meaningful name and press ENTER.

2) Enter in Waypoint direction, S for Straight, R for Right and L for Left.

3) Next, you will be prompted for a Waypoint description. Some examples of this would be "4-way intersection" or "slight curve in path."
Note: Do not enter the turn direction here (i.e. "right turn") as the direction will switch when reversing the route.

4) Save the Waypoint by pressing ENTER. The BrailleNote then says:
"Waypoint name, Direction, Description, added."

5) Continue adding Waypoints until you have reached your destination.

6) To exit and save the route, press the ESCAPE key, or to save the route but keep it open, press R and then S.
 


5.4.2 Editing Waypoints

Waypoints in any saved route can be renamed or deleted.  To execute any of these edits, first open the route and then press E to go into Edit mode. You will then be prompted, "Edit user POIs or a route?" press R to edit the route. Move through the Waypoint list by pressing DOWN ARROW to go forward or UP ARROW to go back, until you find the one you wish to edit. Details of each type of edit are listed below:

* To delete a Waypoint, scroll to the desired item and press E to Erase.

* To rename a Waypoint, locate the Waypoint as above, then press R and type in the new name followed by ENTER.

* If you have a Waypoint you wish to add to your User POI file, simply press P when that Waypoint is highlighted and it will be copied into your User POI file. Select the POI subcategory from the list, simply press ENTER for "user private." 

You are then asked if you want to attach additional POI content. You can add an existing audio or text file by pressing F for file. You can also add audio content to a POI by pressing R to Record audio. Press SPACE or N to skip adding additional content. If you wish to do the reverse and place a POI into your route Waypoints, exit editing and press R for route commands, M for the Route Management Menu, finally P for "add current POI as Waypoint" when the POI you wish to record as a Waypoint is highlighted.




5.4.3 Tips for Setting Quality Route Waypoints

Waypoints should be significant points in the route. By setting a Waypoint, you are figuratively dropping an electronic breadcrumb to help you remember your route. Significant points in the route may be turns on to other streets, major landmarks and any other distinctive environmental clue. You do not want your Waypoint to be something that can move or that may not be there when you walk the route again.

A Waypoint may focus on a specific spot such as the corner of the street or the front door of your house, but in reality it is more like the area within a 10-30 foot (3-10 meter) radius. The GPS cannot reliably pinpoint a spot more accurately than this. It is wise to take this into consideration when using the GPS.

Waypoints should not be too close. If the points are too close together, you may have an overlap of points. It is recommended to set your points 100 feet (30 meters) apart although shorter distances can work.

Be descriptive and concise when naming the Waypoints. The Waypoint is recorded as soon as you press READ with K, so you have as much time as you need to enter the name. You can continue on your route without having to write the name immediately.

If you have time when setting the route check the GPS status before setting the Waypoint by pressing G to hear the GPS position quality. You need at least 3 satellites to have a GPS position fix, but it is best to have more when setting a Waypoint. If the receiver is not tracking satellites, you will receive a message telling you so.

To maximize the accuracy of a Waypoint recording, try to get a clear view of the skyline and pause for 10 seconds or so.

When adding a turning Waypoint, it is very important to make sure you are heading in the correct direction before you record your Waypoint. If your heading is incorrect, the system will announce an incorrect direction for your turn. For example, you are traveling North but GPS thinks you are going west, when you mark a left turn, the system thinks you should be turning south. To check your heading before marking a turning Waypoint, press H.




5.5 Route Commands Menu

This section outlines the commands that effect the way a route is announced, presented, or calculated. Route commands are available anywhere within the GPS program other than while editing a route. The route parameters you set using these commands will be saved along with the route, even after exiting the GPS program.

To access the Route Commands Menu press R. You can scroll through the Route Commands Menu or simply press the initial letter of the selection you want.

The Route Commands Menu groups commands with a similar theme into categories. The two command categories are:
 1. Route Announcement Commands
2. Route Management Commands

To hear the commands within these categories, press ENTER on that item.

After these categories, there is a list of frequently used route commands. These and the command categories are outlined in the following sections.

5.5.1 Route Announcement Commands: R A

Current Waypoint: K

Nearest Waypoint: N

Next turn or road transition: T; On top of any route command setting you have chosen, you can also choose to hear the next turn announced. To do this, press T at any time when following the route. This T command announces the distance from your current GPS location to the next turn in the form of the distance and direction of the turning point, plus the name of the turning street and the direction it travels. For example, "1 mile to Turning point 10, proceed right on Market heading West." It is an announcement only and does not change the current Waypoint. The T command is followed by the ETA.

Route distance and ETA from current position to Explore Waypoint: R A G; Your explore Waypoint is the current point you are viewing by using the explore next Waypoint READ with UP ARROW and explore next turn READ with RIGHT ARROW commands.

Total route distance: R A D; This command announces the total accumulated distance of the route, not as a straight line but as traveling distance.

Announce Route distance from beginning of route to current position: R A B; This command announces the total distance between your current location and the beginning of the route. The distance announced is the approximate distance in the route, not "as the crow flies."

Announce Route distance and ETA from current position to end of the route: R A E; This command announces the total distance between your GPS position and the end of the route plus it gives you an Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). The distance announced is the distance still to be traveled, not "as the crow flies." The Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) is calculated by comparing your current speed of travel with the distance to a turn or end of route. Speed is not averaged. It is up to the user to interpret the ETA. It is recommended that you request the ETA information when you are traveling at what you believe to be the average speed for your trip.

If you are not moving, an average speed of 2 MPH, 3.2 KM, will be used for a pedestrian route ETA. An average of 25 MPH, 40 KM, applies to vehicle routes when moving less than 5 MPH, (8 KMH). Once you approach a turning point or end of route, the ETA will say less than a minute. Remember that this is a very rough estimate.

To obtain an ETA, you must have a route active. Press R, then A, then E to hear the ETA and distance from your GPS position to the end of the route. Press T to hear the distance to the next turning point followed by the ETA.




5.5.2 Route Management Commands List: R M

Set current Waypoint nearest GPS position: READ with N

Edit route: E R

Add current POI as a Waypoint: R, M, P

Add current GPS or virtual position as Waypoint: READ with K

Auto increment Waypoint on/off GPS mode: R M A; Default is on. This command toggles between Auto Increment and Manual Increment announcement modes. In manual increment mode, you will be advised that you are approaching the Current Waypoint at 1.5 times the arrival distance, default 75 feet 23 meters. Then you will be advised that you have arrived near the Current Waypoint when you are within 40% of the arrival distance, default 20 feet. After you have reached your Waypoint, you have to press W to advance to the Next Waypoint. This gives you time to consider the current announcement before moving on to the next Waypoint instructions. Make sure you have R, then M, then M set to Detailed Waypoint mode. In Auto Increment Waypoint mode, you hear that you are approaching the current Waypoint, that you arrived at that point and then you hear information about the next Waypoint. That "next" Waypoint is then automatically set as your new current Waypoint. To find out whether you are in Auto Increment or Manual mode, press R then I.

Force sequential route following GPS mode: R M F; Default is off. Before following a route that may wrap back around itself. As in a circular route or one with hair pin turns, switch to the "Follow Sequential Route" by pressing R, then M, then F. This ensures that Waypoints will be announced in numeric order. No points will be skipped or triggered even if they are closer to you than the next numeric point. This is particularly useful for manually created routes which are far more likely to meander - for example a route that goes North on the left side of the street for 3 blocks then back South on the opposite side of the same street.

Route Following Mode: R M M; Default is turns only. This command toggles between two different ways of following a route - by Turns Only, or by Detailed Waypoints. You can toggle between them while in a route without having to recalculate the route. A more complete description of each mode follows:

Following in Turns-Only mode: In this mode, you will only hear turns or bends in the route announced, in the form of the distance and direction of the turning point plus the name of the turning street and the direction it travels. For example, "1 mile to Turning point 10, proceed right on Market heading West." If you don’t touch any keys, you will hear an announcement when you approach the turn. A unique double-beep will draw your attention when you are near each turning point. It is common for highways to change names in the map database when passing through towns. This may cause a Turning point to appear when there is one of these name changes.
In practice, you probably aren’t turning, just making a transition. If you see a 12 o’clock turn, this is probably what is happening. Press READ with RIGHT ARROW to go to the next turn and then the READ with UP ARROW to see what Waypoints are beyond the turn if it isn’t obvious from the next turn command by itself. If you wish to move your explore position to your GPS location press READ with N. In this mode be sure that your R, then M, then A is set to Auto Increment Waypoint mode.

Following in Detailed Waypoint mode: In this mode, you hear each Waypoint intersection announced as you reach it. Warning announcements will occur when you are approaching a point, when you arrive at a point. And if you need to turn at a point. Again, if you are in automatic increment mode (R, M, A toggle) the current Waypoint and next Waypoint information will be spoken. If the Waypoint Announcement is set to Manual, you will be advised that you are approaching the Current Waypoint at 1.5 times the arrival distance, default 50 feet. Then you will be advised that you have arrived near the Current Waypoint when you are within 40% of the arrival distance, default 20 feet. Note: this distance is cut in half for manual routes. At this point you need to press W to advance to the next Waypoint.

Save Route Directions: R, M, D; Save your route directions as a document that you can print or emboss. When you press this command, you will be prompted to save your route Turns Only or Detailed, Press T to save the turn by turn route instructions. Press D for Detailed instructions. This option saves all Waypoints in your route. Next prompt will ask if you want Waypoint numbers included, answer Y for Yes and N for No. Finally you will have to tell your BrailleNote where you want to save these route directions. Select a Folder as you would for any other BrailleNote document. Route information such as route type and route total distance is also included.

Waypoint numbering on/off GPS mode: R M G; It defaults On. The Turning points will still be announced, just not the interim Waypoints. Beginners may wish to keep Waypoint numbering on to be very clear about his or her position in a route. Since automatic Waypoint triggering and skipping of Waypoints can quickly change the Waypoint number and position, the numbering helps the user know the exact Waypoint number. Once the user is more experienced, the Waypoint numbers aren’t as important and they are just extra information on the Braille display and it makes sense to switch them off. Note that the Braille display will use the abbreviation WP to represent Waypoint.

Waypoint numbering on/off Virtual mode: R M V; default On.

Auto Recalculate Route: R M R; The default is On. If you want to change the setting, press ENTER and this will toggle the setting to Off. If you choose On, routes can now automatically be recalculated when you stray off-route. The automatic rerouting will happen when you are around 150 feet, 45 meters, off-route under 15 MPH, 24 KMH and approximately 500 feet, 150 meters, when traveling more than 15 MPH, 24 KMH. This off-route distance is relative to the distance to the current Waypoint accessed with the K command. If you turn Auto Off-Route Recalculation off, you must use the RV or RP commands to recalculate a route.

If you load a previously created route, the first time you are off-route, you will be asked if you wish to create a manual, pedestrian or vehicle route.

If the remaining distance to your destination is greater than 10 miles (as the crow flies), you will be asked if you wish to recalculate your route as it may take a while to complete. The system will only recalculate a route twice. You will need to recalculate the route again manually if desired.




5.5.3 Frequently Used Route Commands

Create pedestrian route: R then P; Use this setting when automatically creating a route suitable for walking. The automatic calculations disallow vehicle only roads such as Limited Access (vehicle-only) highways and allows for two way travel on a one way street. If you receive an error message that a route cannot be calculated, it could be because the map data has a street classified as limited access when in fact it may allow pedestrian access in an area where you wish to travel. You can try calculating a vehicle route to confirm that this is the problem. As we indicate with the caution notes at the beginning of this manual, you should realize that the data and route calculation can be incorrect and unsafe and you should always use alternate information to ensure safe travel.

Create vehicle route: R then V; Use this setting for automatically creating a route suitable for a car, van or other vehicle. The calculation includes all road types and respects one-way streets and highway ramps. If a route cannot be calculated, the data may be classified incorrectly and you can try calculating a pedestrian route to see if this is the problem. Be aware that a pedestrian route allows going the wrong way on a one-way street.

Create manual route: R then O; See explanation on opening manual routes below.

Open route: R then O; To select an existing route or create a new route, Press R then O. You will be asked for a file location as for any other KeySoft file and can open an existing route, or enter a new filename to create a new one.

Please Note: If you go to create or open a new route while already in an unsaved route, you will be prompted as to whether you want to save the current route before changing. Press Y to save, N to close without saving.

Save route: R then S; You can save a route any time by pressing R then S.

Close route: R then C; To close the route you are in, simply press R then C. If you haven't saved the route, you will be prompted to do so at this point - press Y to save or N to close without saving. If you decide at the last second that you want to keep the route open after all, press ESC to cancel closing.

Explore Route next Waypoint: READ with UP ARROW; This command moves your explore position forward through the route Waypoint by Waypoint. You can do this as many times as you like and each time the next sequential Waypoint in the route will become the current Waypoint.

Explore Route previous Waypoint: READ with DOWN ARROW; This command moves your explore position back through the route Waypoint by Waypoint. For example, if you miss a point, pressing this command would move to the previous Waypoint number in the sequence. You can do this as many times as you like and each time the previous sequential Waypoint in the route will become the current Waypoint.

Explore Route next Turn: READ with RIGHT ARROW; This command moves your explore position forward through the route turn by turn. Regardless of how many Waypoints may be between your current position and the next turn, by pressing the command READ with RIGHT ARROW, the program will then skip over them all and start announcing the next turn as the current Waypoint.

Explore Route previous Turn: READ with LEFT ARROW; This command moves your explore position back turn by turn. Regardless of how many Waypoints may be between your current position and the previous turn, by pressing the command READ with LEFT ARROW, the program will then skip over them all and start announcing the previous turn as the current Waypoint.

Recalculate route: BACKSLASH or SLASH; The recalculation may not trigger if you are paralleling a route, particularly at high speeds. As of GPS version 3.5, a hot key to manually recalculate routes was added, BACKSLASH or SLASH.

After a route is recalculated once, you will be instructed that your target Waypoint is behind you but a recalculation will not happen automatically. If you get a message saying Waypoints have been skipped, the recalculate option will be enabled again. If you find routes are recalculating prematurely, switch to manual calculation in the route management menu. Use the recalculate hot key when you feel it is necessary.

Reverse route: R then R; To Reverse the route so that the opposite end point becomes the destination in the Waypoint sequence, press R then R. It is usually best to recalculate the route to your new destination.  This might work in manual and pedestrian route, but it will not work with vehicle routes.

Percent of route completed and ETA: %

Route information: R then I; Press this to hear the current settings for whether the route is reversed, if the route needs saving, if Auto Increment is on or off or if Follow Sequential Route is on.




6 Points of Interest (POIs)

There are more than 13,000,000 commercial Points of Interest for the U.S. and Canada. See the Read Me document for up-to-date POI details for these and other countries. Unlike the User POI files discussed below, the commercial .bpi files cannot be modified. If a POI goes out of business, you cannot delete it. You can create a User POI that says it no longer exists or has a new name.

The user Point of Interest file is called User.POI and it is automatically created in the folder where your maps and commercial POIs are located. When you use the F Find commands, both the commercial and User POIs will be sorted.




6.1 General Points of Interest Information

This section outlines the basics on Points of Interest (POIs), including basic commands and categories.




6.1.1 Last Point of Interest Announced
To hear the last POI announced, press P. To hear details about the announced POI, such as addresses and phone numbers, Press READ with P.  You can set this POI as a destination by pressing READ with D, a virtual position by pressing READ with V or both a destination and virtual position by pressing READ with 2.




6.1.2 Nearby Points of Interest
To hear nearby POIs, press F or UP ARROW to hear a list of POIs within a quarter of a mile in order of proximity. Once you change locations, you must press F again to sort points at your new location.




6.1.3 Point of Interest Categories

There are just over 40 POI Categories which make up the Core POIs. Some have subcategories to help refine your search, Some have sub-categories, such as "German" and "barbeque" under the restaurant category." These new points are the equivalent of electronic yellow pages with GPS positions. The core POIs include everything from automobile, transportation, medical, government services, school, libraries, restaurants, accommodations, entertainment and tourism. These files should be placed in the Maps folder.

For a complete list of the POI categories, go into the GPS program and press READ with F and a list of categories will be presented as you fill in the Advance Find fields.




6.2 Finding Points of Interest

6.2.1 Simple Points of Interest Search

To do a simple POI search, press F or UP ARROW and you will hear the nearest points within a quarter of a mile in order of proximity, from closest to furthest. If you scroll through this list to the furthest POI, you are then prompted to expand the proximity search to 1, then 2, then 5, then 10 miles and so on, (1/4, 1, 2 and 5 Kilometers in Metric Mode).




6.2.2 Advanced POI Search

You use the advanced search feature if you want to search for a POI by name, distance or by category using the command READ with F. You are asked for a beginning and ending distance, then the category, subcategory and then the search string.
For example, you want to find a restaurant called Burger Palace that is 10-20 miles away.
First you would press the advanced search command, READ with F.

Next, you will be prompted to enter your starting POI search distance which would be 10 in this case. Then, enter your ending search distance, 20 and press ENTER.

Once you have defined the distance parameters, you will be prompted for a category. Press the letter R to move to "Restaurant" and press ENTER. If you do not know the exact name of the category, you can scroll through the category list or use the first letter of a category to hop directly to a specific item. The program remembers the last category used, but defaults to the ALL category every time you enter the GPS program.

You will then be prompted for the subcategory. Select a subcategory from the list and press ENTER. Note: you can press the first letter of the subcategory you are interested in to move directly to it.

Finally, you will be prompted for the search string, which refers to the name of the POI or subcategory that you want to find. In this case that would be Burger Palace and press ENTER.

If the POI is not found and you are asked if you wish to expand the search, the same distance increment will be repeated. Using the same example, you were searching from 10 to 20 miles, the expanded search would be from 20 to 30 miles, increasing by increments of 10.

Searches will take longer to perform once you start getting hundreds of miles away. The swishing sound will indicate a search is in progress. If you want to look at points that are several hundred miles away, it would be best to set your Virtual position to that vicinity and then search for POIs relative to your Virtual position by pressing V to go to Virtual mode.
Remember that you can set a POI as a destination with READ with D, as your Virtual position by pressing READ with V, or both the destination and virtual position by pressing READ with 2. Listen to the currently selected POI by pressing P. Scroll through the list with DOWN ARROW to go forward or UP ARROW to go backward.

If you type 1 or 2 characters in the search string, the software will only find these characters at the beginning of the POI name. However, if you type three or more characters, the software will look for a match anywhere in the POI name and description.

Note: If you do not enter a search distance, the beginning distance defaults to 0 and the ending distance defaults to a quarter of a mile. This is a fast way to use the advanced search mode to search specific categories.




6.3 Creating User Points of Interest

It is very helpful to create your own user Points of Interest. Your user point at the front door of a building is more accurate than the general address for that building. You can add environmental detail like recessed doorway or steep driveway.

The first time you record a POI with READ with R, a file called User.POI is created. It will store all the POIs you create. You can have only one User.POI file active at a time and it must have this name. Therefore, if you swap user.POI files with another GPS user, it is a good idea to change the filename of your own and ensure it is backed up before sharing.

The User POIs are automatically sorted along with the commercial POIs when you use the F Find commands. Because of this, we recommend a naming scheme that allows you to distinguish between a commercial POI and a User POI for the same business. For example, let’s say that you created a route to McDonalds. Once you arrive, you see that the front door or drive through are a couple hundred feet away from the commercial POI location for McDonalds. This is normal with businesses that are not directly on a street, especially for businesses in malls that share one common address. Create the POI by pressing READ with R and name it "McDonalds, main door." Now you know when you see two McDonalds close together, which one is actually your user point at the building doorway.




6.3.1 How to Record a POI

There are two additional ways you can record user POIs. You can set an address with READ with S or establish a Lat/Lon with READ with Y. At the end of either of these options, press P to define the position as a User POI. For more information about addresses and Lat/Lon, refer to section 5.2.1 or 5.2.2.

To set your current GPS position as a POI, you must be in the GPS application and successfully tracking or in Virtual mode. Follow these steps:

1) Press READ with R. GPS then prompts: "Point of Interest name?"

2) Type a name and press ENTER. When you are naming your POIs, it is helpful to have a unique, meaningful name so that you can remember the significance of the POI. You can use up to 255 characters while writing the name of the POI and the details.

3) Press ENTER. You will be prompted for the "details". If you wish to enter any additional information about the POI you may do so at this time. You will see these details when you use the detailed POI command (READ with P).

4) You are then presented with a list of categories. The default is "user private." You can scroll through the categories with the SPACEBAR or press the first letter of the category that you wish to find, then press ENTER. Note: if you choose to send your user POIs to Sendero Group, any points that are in the "user private" category will not be shared. If you have a point that does not seem to fall into any category, please use the bonus category.

5) You are then asked if you want to attach additional POI content. You can add an existing audio or text file by pressing F for file, for example the menu for the restaurant POI you are creating. Note: when attaching a file to a POI, the file is copied to the maps\poicontent folder so that the original file is left alone. You can also add audio content to a POI by pressing R to Record audio. For example, you want to record the waitress reading the menu for the restaurant POI you are creating. You record an audio file by pressing ENTER to start the recording. Press ENTER again to stop the recording and save the POI. If you do not wish to attach additional POI content, press the SPACE BAR or N to skip this step and save the POI.

6) You will hear, "POI name added." where name is the name you just created. 

This POI is now saved in the User.POI file and it will be triggered next time you are in the vicinity. In fact, it may trigger immediately after you create it if you are standing still.
 


6.3.2 Editing User Points of Interest

It is possible to edit POIs that you have created yourself.

1) From the GPS application, press E for Edit. The system responds, "Edit user POIs or a route?" Press U for User POI.

2) In the POI list, locate the POI you wish to edit, using the review commands listed below.

3) Press E to Erase, R to Rename, D to Edit current details, C to clear POI details, READ with P to announce current details, S to edit current subcategory, CONTROL with I to clear POI additional content, and A to attach additional POI content.

4) Repeat one of these procedures for any other POIs you wish to edit.

When you exit User POIs, the changes are automatically saved.

You can use the following commands to review the POI list:

Go to the top of the list; READ with T or HOME.

Go to the end of the list; READ with B or END.

Move backward through the list one item at a time; UP ARROW.

Move forward through the list one item at a time; DOWN ARROW.

Jump backward 10 items; LEFT ARROW or PG UP.

Jump forward 10 items; RIGHT ARROW or PG DOWN.



6.3.3 Sharing POI Files

User.POI files can be shared between users. Simply copy or attach the POI file from the maps folder and send it to another user. Only one User POI file can be active at a time as the GPS program is looking for a file called User.POI. If you swap your user POI file with another user or vice-versa, you should rename and back up any shared POI file you wish to save so as to not accidentally overwrite your User.POI file with another one. For additional help refer to the BrailleNote user guide for instructions on transferring files. The www.mysendero.com page provides details on sharing User files.




7 Looking Around

Sendero GPS provides a means of accessing information about your environment, through speech, Braille or both. This information can be invaluable for getting oriented in a strange, unfamiliar or even familiar environment.

The announcement of nearby Points of Interest (POIs) and street information may let you know you are in a familiar area as well as allowing the opportunity to choose one as a destination. This is often the way sighted people orient, by using nearby landmarks and signs to know that they are in a familiar or unfamiliar area. The local maps and Points of Interest databases allow the environment to talk to you through the BrailleNote so a blind person can also orient in this fashion.

You can look around to get oriented to your surroundings in three distinct LookAround modes; Automatic, Multiple Repeat and Manual. LookAround Mode allows you to get a sense of the environment around your current location. The information can be very useful indeed in assessing what type of route you wish to create and follow, what type of heading information is going to be best suited to the environment etc. as well as being useful in its own right.

The commands for looking around will work while you are in either the GPS or Explore modes and while tracking or following a route, relative to your current position. If you are not tracking, they will work relative to your last GPS position, or if in virtual mode, they will work relative to a specified virtual position.




7.1 Automatic LookAround Mode

Automatic LookAround Mode searches for POIs and intersections in the vicinity and will scan for POIs every 12 seconds by default. If no POI or intersection is found, the software looks around again 5 seconds later. Nothing is announced until it finds a POI or intersection within the trigger distance. If the same POI or intersection is announced and then found a second time, it will not be repeated. It can be set to announce nearby POIs and/or intersections, or turned off depending on user preference. If you are actively following a route, it may be less distracting to switch off the LookAround mode so the POIs are not interfering with the Waypoints. If you press another command at the same instant as the program is "looking around", there may be a delayed response. Note that the nearest point is announced but not all points within the LookAround range. If you want to hear all the points, press F for a proximity list within a quarter mile. Also, LookAround is switched off for 15 seconds if you do a POI search with F or READ with F and at turns, so you have time to deal with the current information without being interrupted by a LookAround POI.

At speeds less than 5 miles per hour, the LookAround POI distance is the Arrival distance set in the GPS Options Menu. The default is 50 feet.
At speeds from 5 to 39 miles per hour, the LookAround POI trigger distance is 20 times the Arrival distance set in the GPS Options Menu, 1000 feet.
At speeds from 40 to 199 miles per hour, the LookAround POI trigger distance is 100 times the Arrival distance, about one mile.
At speeds 200 miles per hour and up, the LookAround POI trigger distance is 1000 times the Arrival distance, around 9.4 miles. This is for travel in an aircraft.

When you press READ with M for the automatic LookAround mode, you are presented with the LookAround Mode menu. The LookAround Mode menu contains eight items:

1) Turn LookAround Mode On or Off - Default is on. To simply switch status, press L for On or Off. Alternatively, scroll down to the prompt Turn On or Off LookAround and toggle the status with the ENTER key.

2) Commercial points - Default is on. Turns on or off the announcement of commercial POI.

3) Intersections- Default is on. You can see the status of intersections i.e. if the item is switched on. press ENTER on this item to toggle its status.

4) Street Changes- Default is on.  Use this item to be notified when the street you are moving along changes.  When you make a turn onto a new street, the street that you are now traveling on is automatically announced.

5) City changes- Default is on. You will be notified when you enter a new city.

6) State/Province Changes- Default is on. You will be notified when you cross into another state or province.

7) User POIs- Default is on. This item is for turning on or off the announcement of user Points of Interest.

8) Change commercial POI category- Default is all categories. press ENTER on this item to make changes in the POI categories you wish to select for announcement.

The status of your LookAround settings is maintained when you exit the GPS program with the ESCAPE key.




7.2 Multiple Repeat Mode

The Multiple Repeat key, M, followed by one of several single-letter keys repeats the respective single-letter function every X number of seconds. This repeat interval defaults to 12 seconds and can be changed under the multiple repeat Menu item "Multiple Repeat Delay." If you enter 0 seconds for the repeat interval, you will enter into Stationary mode and the multiple items will be announced only when you are stationary. The lowest repeat interval you can set multiple repeat commands to is 5. The following is a list of multiple repeat commands, which you can access through the menu system.

M then A; Multiple Address Announcement.

M then C; Multiple City/State Announcement.

M then D; Multiple Destination Announcement.

M then E; Multiple Percentage of Route Traveled Announcement.

M then F; Multiple Nearest POI Announcement.

M then G; Multiple GPS Status Announcement.

M then H; Multiple Heading Announcement.

M then K; Multiple Current Waypoint Announcement.

M then M; Deactivate all Multiple Repeat Commands.

M then N; Multiple Intersection Detail Announcement.

M then P; Multiple POI Announcement.

M then R; Multiple Repeat Delay Setting.

M then S; Multiple Speed Announcement.

M then T; Multiple Turn Announcement.

M then V; Repeat Distance between GPS and Virtual.

M then X; Multiple Intersection Announcements.

M then Y; Multiple Repeat of Lat/Lon.

M then Z; Multiple Altitude Announcement.

You can activate several multiple repeat commands at the same time. For example, Press M then X for Intersection and M then D for Destination. They will both repeat one after the other, every 12 seconds by default. Press M then M to turn all repeat items off. Press the item once to turn it on and a second time to turn it off. For example, M then D turns Destination repeat on and M then D a second time turns it off. If you get confused as to what is turned on or off, just press M then M to turn all items off. You can also just press M then scroll down the menu and see the status of each item.




7.2.1 Multiple Repeat Delay

Under the Multiple Commands option you can change the repeat interval, or the length of time between the items selected as multiple announcements. The repeat announcements you hear are as a result of pressing M with one of several command letters, as explained in the previous section. The default interval is 12 seconds and you can change it in this option by typing the number of seconds in numeric form e.g. 15 for 15 seconds or, enter 0, which activates Stationary mode. The multiple command items you pick will then only trigger when you are stationary and you will hear them just once.

For example, if you have a route loaded, you may wish to turn on the next turn announcement with M then T as well as the destination announcement with M then D.

When you come to an intersection and stop moving, the announcements you have selected will automatically trigger in stationary mode. If you need to immediately hear the announcement again, use the REPEAT key for Last announcement. If you need to hear the Stationary items and they have already triggered or you are moving, press CONTROL with S.

Note, the items will trigger in a set order, not the order in which you turn them on. Remember that multiple repeat is disabled in GPS mode when you do not have a fix and it will not repeat in Virtual mode.




7.3 Manual LookAround Mode

Manual LookAround mode allows you to spot check your location. You can manually enter the LookAround commands such as:

X for Announcing Intersections. The X key announces the nearest Intersection name, heading and distance. The cross street is announced. If you are moving, X announces the nearest intersection in a 90 degree arc ahead of you i.e. if ahead is 12 o'clock, between 10:30 and 1:30 o'clock. If you are not moving, X gives you the nearest intersection, in any direction. A unique sound differentiates X-not moving from X-moving (no sound). You can hear the intersection announced repeatedly by pressing M then X. Map data quality and GPS accuracy impact the preciseness of intersection announcements. Once you are within 100 feet (30 meters) of the center of the intersection, no distances will be specified and the X key will announce that you are near the intersection. Remember that the distance to the intersection refers to the center of the intersection, so you might be stopped at the intersection and hear that the intersection is 105 feet away. If you want more details about your intersection press READ with X.  This command will announce intersection details like direction of travel and the compass orientation of the cross streets. To have the detailed intersection description announced repeatedly press M then N.

A for nearest Street Address. Query the nearest known street address by pressing the letter A. If you are on a highway or if the address number is not known, the name only will be announced. You can also be off the street itself, say in a nearby park and hear the nearest address. The wider the street, the more likely the address will correspond with the side of the street you are on. If you are near an intersection, you may receive the address of the cross street and not the one you are physically on. If you get a message saying the Address is unknown, move a bit and try again. If you are more then 50 feet from the street you will receive a distance and direction.

C for City, Feature, State. To hear the current city, Map Feature, if there is one, and state announced, Press C. If you get a message saying it is unknown, move and try again. There may be some small towns which do not have address level data, only street names without house numbers. If the city name is not found, the nearest township will be announced. If no township is found either, the county or district may be announced. If there is a body of water, college campus or other map feature in the database, this will appear after the city and before the state. You can also have the complete details of any location announced by pressing READ with C. These details include the road classification, average speed a car travels on the street, number of lanes, address range on each side of the road, city, borough if there is one, county, country and zip.

Y for Latitude/Longitude. To hear the current latitude and longitude in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds, press Y.

P for the Last POI Announced. See Section 6.1.1 for more details

F for all Nearby POIs. See Section 6.1.2 for more details




8 Virtual Mode

If looking around while touring the streets seems a bit overwhelming or you want to familiarize yourself with the area before you go outside, Virtual Mode allows you to look at the maps without having to actually be in the location being explored. This means that you can explore the layout of the streets, preview a route, or virtually walk around the vicinity of a Point of Interest, address or lat/lon. You might set your destination to a particular Point Of Interest and then wish to know what else is in the vicinity of that destination. The Virtual Mode allows you to do this. You can be exploring in Virtual Mode and check on your relative GPS position at any time with the I Information key. Toggle between GPS and Virtual modes with V. When you go into Virtual mode, any automatically repeated commands will be switched off until you return to GPS mode.




8.1 Virtual Explore Mode

A virtual position can be set by address, Route Waypoint, POI, lat/lon, or to your GPS location. See the respective sections about how to make these settings. Once you are set to one of these positions, you can use the Virtual Explore Mode commands to navigate around the map or you can use the POI Find functions to see what is near your Virtual position. Setting an address or lat/lon position is the quickest way to explore an area hundreds of miles away.
Let’s use the example from the Foreword where I am in Chicago and want to know what is around my hotel, so that I can plan a business meeting. First, I want to know the layout of the streets. I press V to go into virtual mode, the BrailleNote will announce that my virtual position is 150 Main Street, the address of the hotel. I press CONTROL with UP ARROW to move forward one intersection. I hear "On Main Street, 256 feet to 2nd Avenue." If I move ahead one more intersection, I hear "On Main Street, 438 feet to 3rd Avenue." From this I can conclude that Main Street intersects the numbered avenues. If I want to turn left or right, I press CONTROL with LEFT ARROW or CONTROL with RIGHT ARROW respectively. I can start to mentally picture the grid of the streets around my hotel.
To hear about nearby restaurants, I can conduct an advanced search by pressing READ with F. I will be prompted for a POI distance. Since I want nearby POIs, I will press ENTER for a starting distance at my current location and ENTER again for an ending distance of a quarter of a mile. Next, I will press R to move to restaurant for the category and press ENTER. At the subcategory prompt, I will press ENTER to select the default "All." Finally I press ENTER when asked for a search string. Once I have chosen my restaurant, I set that as my destination by pressing READ with D.

Now with my virtual position set to the hotel and my destination set to the restaurant, I can create a route to the restaurant from the hotel by pressing the route command R and then P for Pedestrian. You can virtually explore routes with or without the GPS receiver on.

You have two ways to explore a route. These commands work in both GPS and Virtual modes. You can move from Waypoint to Waypoint with the explore forward and back commands, READ with UP ARROW and with READ with DOWN ARROW. Each Waypoint intersection will be announced as you reach it. You can explore the route turn by turn with READ with RIGHT ARROW to move forward and READ with LEFT ARROW to move back by turn. Each press of READ with RIGHT ARROW will move you to the next turn, skipping the interim Waypoints. You will first hear the Waypoint intersection you have reached and then the instruction which way to turn. Exploring by turns allows you to focus on the overview of the route.

Your explore position moves with you but you cannot turn right or left while the route is open. You can only follow the route. You can use the backward command, READ with DOWN ARROW as many times as you like whereas in Explore mode, you can only back up once.

Once you close the route, all Explore functions such as left and right are again active and your Explore position is at the location of the last Waypoint in your route.

This is particularly useful for looking at routes in another town. It is also helpful when in a vehicle and you need to be several Waypoints or turns ahead of the driver on the route. This gives you enough time to figure out what is coming up so you can advise the driver. You may wish to preview a route on the BrailleNote and then navigate strictly by memory, leaving your BrailleNote at home.
When exploring a route you can always set your virtual position to any Waypoint along the route. Just highlight the Waypoint or turn and then set your virtual position to that point by pressing READ with V.




8.1.1 Important Virtual Mode Commands:

Set Virtual to GPS; READ with G,

Query distance between GPS and Virtual position; I,

Toggle between GPS and Virtual Modes; V,

Move forward an intersection; CONTROL with UP ARROW,

Move to previous virtual position; CONTROL with DOWN ARROW,

Turn left at an intersection; CONTROL with LEFT ARROW,

Turn right at an intersection; CONTROL with RIGHT ARROW,

Set a POI or Explore position as your Destination; READ with D.

Set a POI or Waypoint as your Virtual position; READ with V.

Set both your destination and virtual position to a POI or WayPoint; READ with 2.

Note that setting your virtual position by pressing READ with V will either set your virtual position to the current POI or Waypoint depending upon what you were last looking at. If you were searching for POIs then READ with V will set your virtual position to the current POI. If you were looking at a Waypoint along a route then READ with V will set your virtual position to the current Waypoint. The same applies to the use of the READ with D command for setting a POI or Explore position as your destination. The command will apply to the last function you were performing

CONTROL with V will set your virtual position to a pre defined spot on the map. You will either be taken to the capital of the state or country, or be placed at a tourist attraction. This allows you to start exploring quickly.  If you have multiple maps installed you will be presented with a list. 



9 GPS Replay Files

This section discusses how to create and playback a GPS Replay file. A GPS Replay file is just as the name implies. It is a file that records the GPS information while you are out traveling so that you can play it back later to review your trip. It would be similar to having a tape recorder while traveling with your GPS. Your movements are recorded and can be played back as if you were actually out exploring in real time. This feature is highly beneficial in the following situation. You are out training with a mobility specialist. You start recording the GPS Replay file at the beginning of your training and let it run in the background while you are learning a new trip. The system will record your movements so you can play them back and study the trip you took.

Note: A GPS replay file records only your position, speed and number of satellites (i.e. the GPS data available). If you issue a command while recording the file, for example, you press A to find out the nearest Address, this will not be recorded.



9.1 Recording a GPS Replay File

To record a GPS Replay file, do the following:

1) Enter the GPS application and ensure that you have acquired a GPS fix (press G for GPS Status to double check).

2) Press READ with Q, you will be prompted for the location you wish to save the file in. 

3) The system prompts: "Folder name? press ENTER for X", where X is the last folder opened. The first time you use GPS it will offer the General folder. You may wish to select the GPS folder on your Flash Disk. Select or create a folder in the usual way.

4) The system then prompts: "GPS Replay file to open?" The last GPS Replay used will be presented.

5) Type in a unique, meaningful name and press ENTER. The program responds with: "Document does not exist. Create a new document?" 

6) Press Y to start recording.

7) The program then says "Started recording GPS data to GPS Replay file."

Begin traveling around. Your movements will be recorded until you stop the recording by pressing READ with Q. Note: to append to an already created GPS Replay, all you need to do is re-open an existing file. The data will be appended to the end of the file.
 


9.2 Using a GPS Replay File

Now that you have successfully recorded a GPS Replay file, let's put it to practical use. After your mobility lesson you may want to sit down on your couch and review the trip. You must first switch to the GPS Replay. To do this, make sure you are in the GPS application.

1) Press O for the "GPS Options Menu."

2) Press the letter G for "Set GPS Receiver."

3) Press R for "GPS Replay."

4) You will be prompted the drive, folder name, then the filename you wish to open. Note: By default the last file you were working with will be suggested.

5) Press ENTER to open the GPS Replay file. You will hear "successfully connected to receiver." Then you will hear the acquired position and number of satellites you had at the time you started recording the file.

Press G to hear your GPS status. You will hear, for example, "WAAS, 13 feet, 9 satellites, GPS Replay." Notice the words "GPS Replay." This assures you that you are not working with live data.

The system is currently moving through the trip that you took. If you have LookAround mode switched on you will hear Points of Interest as you pass them. Press A and you will hear the nearest address. You can also see how fast you were moving by pressing S for speed. To Pause/Resume a replay file during playback, press CONTROL with Q.

If you have a route you wish to follow with the GPS Replay file, you may open it at any time. Open it just like you would if you were outside tracking live GPS. Also remember if your route recalculated while you were recording, it will recalculate at the same spot during playback. 
Note: When you have a replay running, you may also use the Multiple Repeat commands, just as you do when traveling outside with a GPS receiver.

Remember, a GPS Replay file is just that. It plays back a trip you took at a specific time.

When the file is done playing, you will hear "GPS replay has ended." To start the replay over press the reconnect command CONTROL with R.

Note: The GPS Replay remains the active receiver until you change it back by doing the following:

1) Press O for the "GPS Options Menu."

2) Press G for "set GPS receiver."

3) If you were using a Bluetooth Receiver press B, then press ENTER.

You will then hear if the receiver was successfully connected and the name of the receiver.
 


10 Miscellaneous Functions

This section covers a range of miscellaneous general functions available while using the GPS.




10.1 Append to Clipboard

CONTROL with C will copy the last GPS message and append it to the clipboard. The first time you use the command, you will hear, "copied data to clipboard." Subsequent times it will say "append data to clipboard." The reason is that the KeySoft clipboard is left alone until the first time you use the command in the GPS program. At that point, the clipboard is wiped clean and the GPS data is copied. Subsequent times, the data is appended.

You can record as many GPS messages to the clipboard as you wish. That way, you could collect, for example, restaurants that you were interested in calling and just paste them into a file after you exit GPS.

Note: Anything in your clipboard before you go into the GPS program will be overwritten by the items you append from within the GPS program.




10.2 The Odometer

The Odometer allows you to check how much ground you have covered in either GPS or Explore modes. It operates in either feet or meters depending on which setting you have chosen in the Unit setting of the Options Menu.

To hear the Odometer, press B. Any time you want to check how far you have gone, press B again and the distance will be announced. To reset the Odometer back to zero, press CONTROL with B.

The Odometer is not related to any routes or POIs, it just keeps track of the distance until you reset it. The accuracy of the Odometer will fluctuate with the accuracy of the GPS signals available. It may accumulate distance while you are stationary as a result of this GPS fluctuation. You may wish to exit GPS if you are in a building and your signal fluctuates due to GPS inaccuracies. The Odometer does not reset when you exit the GPS program. However, the Explore mode Odometer is reset to zero when you select a new Virtual position by address, lat/lon, GPS, POI position, or by changing the GPS receiver type.

If it is necessary to reset the BrailleNote, the Odometer will be reset to zero.




10.3 Speed Announcement

To hear the current speed announced, press S. At pedestrian speeds  you will hear speeds such as 2.4 or 1.5.





10.4 Compass Heading

To hear your current heading in terms of a compass reading and degrees, press H. East equals 90 degrees, South 180 degrees, West 270 degrees and North 0 degrees. The average of your heading is calculated to minimize the variations in heading due to GPS fluctuations around 30 feet. The degree reading is an excellent way to understand when you are on a curving road that would otherwise be difficult to detect by feel. It can take up to 10 to 15 seconds at pedestrian speeds to determine your direction of travel.

Force GPS heading: this option allows you to tell the system the heading you will be traveling. For example you exit a subway and always head west.  The GPS will not know the direction of travel until you move for a time. To change your initial heading press READ with H. You are then presented with a menu with the following options:
North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, Northwest, by degrees and unknown heading.  Selecting any of the Compass headings sets your heading to the desired direction. If you wish to set the heading to a specific degree i.e. 121, select the "by degrees" option. Selecting unknown  forces your heading to be in an unknown state. As you move your heading will be updated by the GPS.




10.5 Setting GPS Time

To set the BrailleNote’s system by GPS time, press READ with U. Make sure you have selected the proper Daylight Saving option and time zone for your location. You must have a GPS fix in order to get accurate time. The GPS time is quite accurate.

You can not use a GPS Replay to set your BrailleNote's time since this will not be the current time, but the time you recorded the replay.

Note that you can utilize the BrailleNote’s stopwatch while the GPS continues to operate in the background. You won’t be able to issue any commands to the GPS but you will hear automatic GPS announcements while the stopwatch is running.




10.6 Altitude

To hear the approximate altitude, press Z. This Z axis vertical reading is not quite as accurate as the X/Y horizontal GPS reading. Altitude accuracy is more like 50 to 75 feet (16 to 22 meters). You need at least a Fair GPS reading in order to get an altitude reading from the Sendero GPS. You wouldn’t want to fly an airplane based upon the BrailleNote GPS altitude reading but it sure is fun to hear your approximate altitude when flying. When you are within 100 feet, 30 meters, of sea level, your BrailleNote will announce "near sea level" instead of announcing an exact number.




11 GPS Options Menu

You can access the GPS Options Menu either from within the GPS program by pressing O or from the GPS Help Menu either by pressing DOWN ARROW repeatedly until you hear "Option Commands" then press ENTER.

To select an option, move through the menu until the desired option is displayed and then press ENTER. Alternatively, from anywhere in the Options Menu, press the initial letter of your choice.

The Options Menu items are discussed in detail in the following sections.




11.1 Map and Points of Interest Folder

With this option you can set the folder where the GPS software will look for map and POI data. You can easily change the Map and POI Folder. The default folder name is Maps on the Compact Flash card, PC Card, or SD card.

To set the folder, select the Map and POI Folder item and choose the drive and folder containing the map files in the same manner as selecting any folder on the BrailleNote. Take note of the confirmation message after you set the folder to make sure the appropriate number of maps and POIs were loaded. If you pick a folder that does not have any maps in it, the system will search again for the default locations and will inform you that it has chosen this other map directory instead. If you are in the application and are suddenly getting announcements of "Unknown" addresses and intersections or no POIs are showing up, chances are that the map folder needs to be pointed to the proper map files.

You can check the location of where the system thinks the map and POIs are located just by highlighting the Maps and POIs item in the GPS options menu.

Note: If the maps or POIs are in a sub-folder of the folder you have selected, it will not work. Instead, select that sub-folder as the Map/POI Folder. Prior to GPS version 3.5, the Maps and POI folders could be in separate folders.




11.2 Heading Orientation

There are three orientation methods for receiving heading information, Left/Right, clock face and a combination of both Left/Right and Clock face. The default is Left/Right. In Left/Right mode, directional information is expressed in terms of left or right and ahead or behind. For example, the "Golden Gate Bridge is slight left, 1.3 miles."

In clock face mode, think of yourself with a clock surrounding you, where straight ahead is 12 o’clock, directly behind you is 6 o’clock and your right and left are 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively. When you are heading in the correct direction Sendero GPS tells you that your point is at 12 o’clock or directly ahead. It will also add a compass heading after the clock heading which tells you if the point is North, South, East, or West. This is given after the clock face or right/left position announcements. For example, "Golden Gate Bridge at 10 o’clock, South." In the combination mode  your 12:00 position is announced as ahead. slight right would be announced as 1:00 or 2:00 depending on the number of degrees.
To switch back and forth between heading orientations, go into the Option Commands Menu, press H for Heading Orientation. You will then be prompted to choose between the following options: Press L for Left/Right mode, C for Clock, or B for Both Left/Right and Clock.


11.3 Heading Averaging Mode

Selecting this option allows you to tell the system the frequency you wish to have the heading updated.  There are three options:
1) Automatic: When you select automatic the frequency of your heading is updated by speed.  The faster you are moving the faster a new heading is obtained. If you are moving slowly, it takes more time to update your heading.
2) Instantaneous: This option will get the heading directly from the receiver.  This gives you the fastest heading updates. This gives you the fastest heading updates but due to GPS fluctuation this also has the highest probability of being incorrect. 
3) City (Urban Canyon): This option  is the slowest at updating your heading.  Use this option in cities like New York or San Francisco.  Selecting this mode in conjunction with the "set GPS heading mode" may help maintain a direction of travel when experiencing the effects of urban Canyon.

11.4 Street Names

Using this option, you can choose between Long or Short forms of street names. If a highway has both a name and a number, you can hear both by selecting Long Names. For example: Long form is El Camino Real, CA-82, while the short form is just: El Camino Real. To change the setting, choose this option from the GPS Options Menu. The status will change from short to long each time you select this item. Short Names is the default. For UK and Australian users you can now use short street names to get the common street name instead of using long street names. 
Alternatively, use READ with C to hear all information about a location including the multiple street names.




11.5 Units

This option allows you to change the units from feet (Imperial) to meters (Metric) or vice versa.
When you select this option, your choice is changed then confirmed and you are returned to the GPS application. The default unit is Imperial.




11.6 Sounds

This refers to the sounds used in the program to indicate that you have arrived at your destination or a turn. Use this menu to hear the sounds used to signal different warnings, or to turn all the sounds on and off. When you select Sounds from the GPS Options Menu, GPS prompts:

"Sounds Menu"

Every time you press ENTER you will hear the sound for the selected item. The Sounds Menu items are listed below:

Turn on or off all sounds. This will enable or disable all alert sounds from being played. The default is On (sounds are played).

Play background operation sound when the BrailleNote is busy. This is a swishing sound every 3 seconds, mimicked by a counter on the Braille display, that tells you the BrailleNote is processing and you cannot interrupt it.

Play Destination arrival alert sound. This is a WAV file of a human voice saying, "Arrived near destination."

Play Virtual position arrival alert sound. This is a WAV file with a voice saying "Arrived near Virtual position."

Play sound when POI has audio content. This video game like WAV file indicates that the POI that you are looking at has additional audio content.

Play sound when POI has text content. This WAV file is similar to the previous one that it is played backwards and indicated that the POI that you are looking at has additional text content.

Play turning-point sound in route following. This is a double beep that triggers at a turning point in a route to indicate it is time to take the next available turn.

Play sound when user is heading in the wrong direction at the beginning of a route. This is a string of 2 beeps to draw the user’s attention to the possibility that he or she is starting the route in the wrong direction.

Play continue straight sound when you successfully make a turn in your route. This is a WAV voice that says, "Continue straight."

Play off-route sound when you have wandered off your route. This is a WAV voice that says, "Off-route."

Play off-route recalculating pedestrian route sound. This is a WAV voice that says, "Recalculating pedestrian."

Play off-route recalculating vehicle route sound. This is a WAV voice that says, "Recalculating vehicle."

* You can customize or turn off sound cues. The sounds are located in the flash disk in the GPS\Sounds directory. If you erase or rename the sound nothing will play for that sound or you can overwrite the sound file with a new sound. Try and keep your sound effects short as the system will wait in most cases until the sound file finishes playing before continuing any operation. Note, when you perform an upgrade, you will receive a prompt about overwriting your custom sound with the default sound and you will hear, "press ESCAPE to keep your file and continue."




11.7 Arrival Distance

The Arrival Distance option allows you to set the distance from your Waypoints at which they are announced. In other words, when you are within X feet, or meters, of your Waypoint, BrailleNote GPS automatically announces that you are approaching that Waypoint. The default is 50 feet (16 meters) in an automatically created route and half that distance, or 25 feet (8 meters), for manually created routes. The arrival distance automatically increases if you increase your speed in the following intervals:

• 5-15 MPH equals 2 times arrival distance, 100 feet.
• 15-40 MPH equals 5 times arrival distance, 250 feet.
• 40 MPH and faster equals 10 times arrival distance, 500 feet.

If you switch between meters and feet, the Arrival Distance may shift a digit or two to round off the setting.

When you select this option, GPS prompts: "Arrival Distance? Press ENTER for number" where number is the number that is currently set as your arrival distance. To change the distance, type the new distance as a number value e.g. 60 feet as 60 or 20 meters as 20 and press ENTER. The arrival setting also affects Waypoint and turning point announcements within routes.

If you don’t feel alerts are triggering soon enough, increase the Arrival Distance. If you feel they are prematurely announced, reduce the Arrival Distance. Note: If you are within 12 feet, or 4 meters, of your Waypoint, Sendero GPS announces that you are "near" your Waypoint without a heading or distance.




11.8 Arrived Near Threshold

This item gives the user the ability to select the minimum proximity distance to a Waypoint or POI. The default is 12 feet. For example, when you are 12 feet or less from Peets, you will hear, "Near Peets." If you wish to always here the estimated distance, change the threshold distance to 0.




11.9 GPS Receiver Type

In this option you can select the type of GPS receiver you are using.  Select from the menu or press one of the following options B for Bluetooth, S for Serial GPS, M for Magellan, F for Compact Flash, P for PC card GPS, R for GPS Replay, N for No GPS and C for Custom GPS. The default is No GPS. Magellan receivers reset their direction of travel to North when you stop moving and other receivers do not. We have compensated for this and hence have the different settings.

GPS receivers that use the NMEA communication protocol should work. You may have to enable the NMEA option on the receiver to establish serial communication. We do not support receivers we do not sell but most should work including cell phones with built in GPS.




11.10 Braille Display Delay

Enter the number of seconds you want messages to stay on the Braille display, the default is 2 seconds. For example, in multiple repeat mode with two or more items turned on, the second piece of information will quickly replace the first. To ensure that you can read the information on the Braille display, you might want to increase the delay from the default 2 second to 4 or 5 seconds depending upon your Braille reading speed and whether or not you also use speech. This delay factor impacts other timers like the 12-second LookAround timer. If The Display delay is set to 5 seconds, LookAround will occur every 17 seconds. If you have multiple repeat turned on, you may wish to increase the Braille display delay to 4 or 5 seconds so you have time to read the first multiple announcement before it is displaced by the next message. It will take some experimentation in different situations to find the best setting.




11.11 SPACEBAR Repeat Last Command
The SPACEBAR will reissue a command. For example, if the last command key that you pressed was the X command to find out your nearest intersection, you can press SPACEBAR to have that command repeated.  This feature defaults to enabled, but you can turn it off here in the GPS Options Menu.


11.12 Restore Factory Default Settings

If you press O for GPS Options Menu, then R for Restore Factory defaults, this will restore all the Sendero GPS settings back to their factory defaults.  

Factory Default Settings are as follows:

Heading Orientation will be Left/Right.
Street Names will be set to short.
Units will be set to Imperial.
Sounds will be turned on.
Arrival Distance will be set to 50 feet.
Arrived Near Threshold will be 12 feet.
GPS Receiver Type will be No GPS.
GPS Averaging will be set to automatic. 
Braille Display Delay will be 2 seconds.
Multiple Repeat is Off
LookAround Mode is On and searches every 12 seconds.

Route Commands Factory Default:

Auto Increment is ON.
Force Sequential Route Following is OFF.
Route Following Mode is turns only.
Waypoint numbering is ON.
Auto Recalculate Route is ON.


<<end manual>>


Copyright, The Sendero Group, 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved.

