
BRAILLE SENSE 
MANUAL: 
(For Software Version 4.0)



SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS



1. Introduction	1
1.1 What is the Braille Sense?	1
1.2 Hardware	2
1.2.1 Top Panel	3
1.2.2 Right Side Panel	4
1.2.3 Left Side Panel	5
1.2.4 Rear Panel	5
1.2.5 Front Panel	7
1.3 Hardware Specifications of the Braille Sense	7
1.4 Memory on the Braille Sense	8


1. Introduction

1.1 What is the Braille Sense?

The Braille Sense is a Braille note taker developed and manufactured by HIMS, for people who are blind and visually impaired.  You can do the following with the Braille Sense.
   
1. You can use the Word Processor, and the Perkins style keyboard, to create Braille documents.
2. You can print your text documents using any compatible ink printer.
3. You can emboss your Braille documents when you connect the unit to a Braille printer.
4. You can open Microsoft (MS) Word documents, and read them in Braille.  The Braille Sense will import any document that was created in MS Word, and translate it into Braille.  
5. Using the E-Mail Program, you can send email messages to sighted individuals   , as well as read your email messages in Braille.
6. Using the Schedule Manager, you can enter your appointments on the Braille Sense.  The Braille Sense will then alert you at the time of your appointments.
7. With the Address Manager, you can input information about your contacts and the Braille Sense can retrieve the information for those contacts.
8. Using the Braille Sense Web Browser, you can surf the Internet with the Braille display that is located on the Braille Sense.
9. Using the Braille Sense Media Player, you can listen to music, or any other sounds that are recorded in mp3, wma, or a wave file format.
10. On the Calculator, you can calculate algebraic equations, including   scientific calculations.
11. You can copy any files from your personal computer to the Braille Sense, and vice versa.
12. You can use the Braille Sense as a Braille display with a compatible screen reader, such as Window-Eyes.
13. You can copy, move, and delete files on the Braille Sense.	
14. You can adjust the volume, the speed, and the tone of the speech.  You can change as many of these features as you want on the Braille Sense.  
15. You can use the Database Manager to create your own Database for keeping and storing important information
16. You can use MSN Messenger to communicate in real time, with others who are running the MSN Messenger program.
17. The sighted person who is learning Braille for the first time can use the LCD screen on the Braille Sense, to easily learn Braille.  Likewise, using the LCD screen, sighted people, who do not know Braille, can teach Braille to those who are blind when using the Braille Sense.

1.2 Hardware
      
In order to get the most out of your Braille Sense, you will want to become familiar with the Braille Sense by learning where the buttons and ports are located, as well as the function of each of these buttons and ports.

This section explains the hardware configuration of the Braille Sense.  The dimensions of the Braille Sense are 10 inches long by 6.1 inches wide by 1.9 inches high.  On the bottom of the unit, there are rubber feet in order to prevent slipping while you are using the Braille Sense.  The input keys are Perkins-style, which consist of seven keys that represent dot one through dot six, and the space bar. In addition to these seven keys, there are two function keys that correspond to the backspace and enter keys.  Also there are 32 cells that make up the Braille display.

The first thing you should do is place the Braille Sense on a level surface that you can use to examine the Braille Sense, such as a table or desk.  When the Braille Sense is placed on a level surface, the shape of the entire unit will resemble a small, thin rectangular box.  The Braille Sense has six sides.  You should feel for the Braille keys and Braille display.  The side that the Braille keys and Braille display are on should be facing up.  The side that is now facing up is referred to as the top of the Braille Sense.  The side that is facing to your right is called the right side panel.  The side facing to your left is called the left side panel.  The side that is facing away from you is called the rear panel.  The side that is facing toward you is called the front panel, and the side that the Braille Sense is sitting on is called the bottom panel.

This section of the manual describes each side of the Braille Sense and the basic function(s) of each button and port.  We will discuss each of the panels in the following order:  top panel, right side panel, left side panel, rear panel, and front panel.  

1.2.1 Top Panel

Starting with the top of the Braille Sense, you will find a Braille display that is located close to the front panel on the Braille Sense.  Above the Braille display, there are 32 small buttons that correspond to 32 Braille cells.  These 32 small buttons are called cursor routing keys.  You can use these buttons as cursor placement keys on the corresponding Braille cells when you are editing documents.   The cursor routing keys will also work as shortcut keys in certain situations.  

On both the extreme right and left sides of the cursor routing keys, are two triangular buttons.  These triangular buttons are called scroll buttons.  The scroll buttons can be used to scroll through the menus or other information that is displayed on the Braille display.  If you are on text that has more than 32 Braille cells, the scroll buttons will scroll the Braille display.  By pressing F1-left scroll button, this will act as the up arrow, just like pressing space-1.  Pressing F4-right scroll button will act as the down arrow, just like pressing space-4.

Above the cursor routing keys, are four rectangular shaped buttons.  The spacebar is located between these four rectangular shaped buttons.  Two of the rectangular shaped buttons are located on the left side of the spacebar and the other two are located on the right of the spacebar.  These four rectangular shaped buttons are function keys.  Moving from left to right, the key that is the farthest to the left is called the F1 key, and the key to the right of the F1 key is called the F2 key.  Then, you will feel the spacebar.  The key that is to the right of the spacebar is called the F3 key, and the key that is to the right of the F3 key is the F4 key.

Above the function keys, you will find the Braille keys that are Perkins-style, including the spacebar.  If you have ever used a regular computer keyboard, this setup is very similar to the keys on the home row on a regular computer keyboard.  When you are typing, you should place your fingers on these 9 Perkins-style keys in the following manner:

Place your index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger of your left hand on the left four buttons.  Then, place your index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger of your right hand on the right four buttons.  Finally, place both of your thumbs on the spacebar, also called the space key.  

The button where you placed your left index finger corresponds with dot one in Braille.  The button that your left middle finger is on corresponds to dot two, and the button that your left ring finger is on corresponds to dot three.  The button on which your left pinky finger is placed on is the backspace key.

The button that your right index finger is on corresponds with dot four in Braille. The button that your right middle finger is on is dot five, and the button your ring finger is placed on corresponds with dot six in Braille. The button on which your right pinky is placed is the enter key.  And, the long bar shaped button where your thumbs are placed is called the spacebar.

Toward the top of the Braille Sense on the top panel, is a liquid crystal display (LCD) in the center.  The LCD displays the printed text, so that someone who has sight can see what you are typing.  On both sides of the LCD, there are two speakers, which enable the Braille Sense to emit sound.

1.2.2 Right Side Panel

Next, let's discuss the right side panel of the Braille Sense.  We will start from the front of the unit on the right side panel, and move our way toward the back.  Toward the front of the Braille Sense on the right side panel, you will find the on/off switch.  This switch will turn the unit on and turn the unit off.  To turn on the unit, push the switch toward you.  To turn off the unit, push the switch away from you.  
Continuing toward the back of the unit on the right side panel, you will find a small hole just beyond the on/off switch, which is the hole for the AC adapter jack.  The AC adapter will plug in to this hole, and then plug in to a standard AC electrical outlet, so that you can use the Braille Sense with electricity, instead of using power from the battery.

The last thing you will find on the right side panel of the unit is a rectangular hole that is for the detachable battery.  The battery is separated from the unit when the Braille Sense is shipped.  Insert the battery into this rectangular slot until you hear a click sound.  When you hear this sound, you will know that the battery is inserted correctly.  To remove the battery from the unit, you will need to locate the latch that is found on the bottom of the unit.  Using your left hand, move the latch away from the rear panel, and then use your right hand to pull the battery out of the slot.

1.2.3 Left Side Panel

Now, let's take a look at the left side panel of the unit.  If you move your finger to the left side of the Braille Sense, you will find two long slots that are for compact flash (CF) cards.  If you have a compact flash memory card, you should insert it in to the CF slot that is closest to the rear panel.  If you are using a wireless CF card, you should put this card in to the CF slot that is closest to the front panel.

1.2.4 Rear Panel

Next, let's take a look at the rear panel of the Braille Sense.
On the far left of the rear panel, you will find a small rectangular window. This is called the IrDA window.  The IrDA window can be used for infrared communications with other devices that use infrared communication protocol through IrDA.

At the right side of this IrDA window, you will find a small rectangular hole that is the universal serial bus (USB) host port.  This port is also commonly known as a USB type A port.  You can connect a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, or a USB flash drive to this USB master port, for auxiliary storage.

To the right of the USB host port, you will find a USB client port (also called a USB type B port).  If you connect the unit to a personal computer by using this USB client port, you can transfer files that are stored in the Braille Sense to your personal computer.  We will discuss this feature in more detail later in the manual.

To the right of the USB client port is the local area network (LAN) port.  If you connect the Braille Sense to an Ethernet interface through this port, you will be able to connect to the Internet, allowing you to browse websites as well as send and receive email.

Next, to the right of the LAN port, you will find a parallel port.  The parallel port can be used to hook up a printer to the Braille Sense.

To the right of the parallel port, is a serial port.  You can connect the Braille Sense to devices that have serial ports, such as printers and a personal computer.  The details of this feature will be explained in more detail later in this manual.

Next, to the right of the serial port, you will find a video output port.  The video output port can be used to display the text that is shown on the Braille display on a regular computer monitor for sighted people.  If you want to use this port, it will have to be turned on from within the options menu.  This port is very beneficial when using the Braille Sense in educational settings.

Now Moving your finger from the video output port toward the Braille keys (which are located on the top panel), you will find a small button at the edge of the rim on the back panel.  The button is located almost directly above the serial port.  This is the reset button.  If your unit is not responding properly, you can press this button with your finger, which will reboot the unit via a hard reset.  Pressing the reset button is a hardware reset.  Do NOT press the reset button for more than 5 seconds.  You can also do a soft reset by pressing F2-F3-1-2-3-4-5-6.  This is a software reset, instead of a hardware reset.  You can also use the reset button to reset the Braille Sense, and turn on with or without speech.  If you press down dots 1-2 and the reset button at the same time while the power is on, the Braille Sense will turn on without speech.
When the reset button is pressed, the Braille Sense will reboot.  It will take about fifteen seconds for your unit to complete the reboot process.

1.2.5 Front Panel

Finally, lets take a look at the front panel of the Braille Sense.  You will find two holes and five buttons in different shapes from left to right.  The hole on the far left is a receptacle, where the microphone jack can be plugged in.  The hole to the right of the microphone receptacle is the place where a stereo headphone jack can be plugged in.  The five buttons to the right of the receptacles are for playback audio and recording sounds. These five buttons will be explained in more detail in the media player section of this user manual.  

Congratulations!  You are now familiar with the very basic functions of the buttons and ports that are located on the Braille Sense.  The rest of the manual will discuss each function in greater detail to allow you to maximize the potential of your Braille Sense.

1.3 Hardware Specifications of the Braille Sense

1. Operating system:  Windows CE.NET
2. Flash memory:  64MB
3. RAM:  64MB
4. Memory extension: Compact flash or USB stick memory (also    known as USB flash memory)
5. CPU:  Intel PXA255
6. Battery:  Lithium Ion (detachable), backup battery installed
7. Keyboard:  Braille keyboard with Perkins-style, 4 function keys, 32 cursor routing keys, 2 scroll buttons, 5 audio buttons.
8. Braille display:  32 refreshable Braille cells
9. Video output:  VGA output
10. Network: 10base-T Ethernet, PTSN modem by CF type         modem (optional)
11. Interface:  USB host, USB client, serial (RS-232C), parallel, 2 CF slots
12. Sound:  Internal stereo speakers, stereo headphone jack
13. Voice recording:  Internal microphone, external microphone jack

1.4 Memory on the Braille Sense

The Braille Sense has 64MB of RAM (random access memory) and 64MB of flash memory.  The RAM is memory space that is reserved for running programs.  This memory space is a temporary storage of any program files that are running or any current data located in documents that you are editing.  The data in the RAM area will disappear if your battery goes dead, and the AC adapter is not connected.  Also, when the Braille Sense reboots for any reason, the data in the RAM will disappear.  However, the data in flash memory will not disappear, even if your battery goes dead, or if your unit reboots.
      
Now that you know what the Braille Sense is, move on to the next section to learn more about the basic functions of the Braille Sense.



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