APH Orbit Reader 20 User manual

Orbit Reader 20 - User_Documentation - # 1288
Orbit Reader 20™ User Guide
Copyright 2016-2018
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Export BRF version
Last Documentation Update: June 18, 2018
Latest Version is .51
Introduction
The Orbit Reader 20 is a portable, refreshable braille display and stand-alone reader with the following features:
a line of 20 braille cells with pins that arrange into the required pattern to accurately represent any six- or eight-dot braille code,
in any language, and for any discipline
reads the contents of files on an SD™ (Secure Digital) card for Stand-Alone mode
remote connectivity to PCs and mobile devices for use with a screen reader
simple editing functions
signage-quality braille
For the latest firmware and software updates, go to Orbit Research Support webpage.
For the most up-to-date documentation, see the Orbit Reader 20 User Guide at tech.aph.org/or20.
To subscribe to the Orbit Reader 20 email list, send a blank email to [email protected].
To participate in beta testing of pre-release firmware, send a blank email to [email protected].
Note: This User Guide addresses the most current version of Orbit Reader 20. If a set of instructions does not work as expected,
please check the software version and update to the most current version before proceeding.
How the Orbit Reader 20 Is Used
Stand-Alone Mode - Content stored on an SD card is read in one of two ways:
sent by library
prepared on computer and copied to the device
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In Stand-Alone mode, the Orbit Reader displays the content of files stored on an SD card. It does not do any translation or
interpretation. You prepare the files ahead of time on your computer, then store them on the SD card. For example, if you want to
read in Unified English Braille (UEB), prepare the UEB transcribed title on your computer and then store it on the card.
Remote Mode - Connect the device to a computer or portable device with a screen reader and then do one of the following:
read commercially available titles on Kindle™, Adobe® Digital Editions, or iBooks® application programs
employ any accessible technology for browsing, utilities, and education
The screen reader translates the text into the braille code of choice.
Transcribed Braille
There are multiple sources for files transcribed into high quality braille. Below are some examples.
National Library Service (NLS) provides professionally transcribed, formatted files through the Web Braille project.
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) transcribes textbooks for K-12 students.
National Braille Press (NBP) produces braille books, textbooks, tests, and information for adults and children.
Louis Database lists titles produced by over 160 organizations.
Automatic Translation
In addition to professionally transcribed titles, you may also use dynamic translation to obtain braille.
Automatically translated braille may be appropriate for some forms of reading.
NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio information service providing downloadable Braille files of up-to-the-minute content from over
400 national, international, and state newspapers.
Bookshare® dynamically generates braille formatted files from the titles in its library.
Translate Braille
BrailleBlaster™ is a full-featured transcription software package for creating quality formatted braille.
DAISY™ Pipeline provides a comprehensive solution for converting text documents into accessible formats, including braille
PEF (Portable Embosser Format).
Send to Braille is a shortcut that adds braille to the Windows® Send To menu, which can convert files on your computer into
unformatted BRL (Braille Ready Format) files.
Documentation Conventions
For consistency and clarity, this documentation uses the following conventions.
Braille keys are indicated by number. For example, if the documentation indicates Dot 1, it shows: Dot 1.
If multiple braille keys are required, the documentation indicates those keys by showing the numbers separated by a space like this:
Dots 1 4.
When modifier keys are used, the documentation separates the modifiers from the rest of the keys with a plus (+) sign like this:
Space + Dot 1. Recall that modifiers, like the Shift key on a regular QWERTY keyboard, are keys you hold down while pressing
another key. This modifies the effect of the pressed key. On a braille keyboard, Space is often used as a modifier to alter the effect of
the input keys.
Key mnemonics are written in capital letters for emphasis, but are typed in braille lowercase (unless otherwise stated). When one key
follows another, the two keys are shown with a comma between them. For example, the command Select, M means to press and
release the Select key, then press and release M (Dots 1 3 4 simultaneously).
The Up, Down, Right, and Left directional buttons on the navigation pad are interchangeably referred to as arrows, buttons, arrow
buttons, and arrow keys.
All messages from the device are proceeded with Dots 2 5, 2 5 and a space. In the documentation, this is indicated by a double
hyphen.
The words Keys and Buttons are used interchangeably.
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In the descriptions of each Menu option, this documentation indicates the default setting.
Any reference to navigation by "page" while in Stand-Alone mode only means navigation by 1000 characters (page = 1000
characters).
In the Box
Check that all the listed items are in the box you receive. The SD card should already be inserted into the unit. Contact Customer
Service at [email protected] or call 800-223-1839 with any questions.
Orbit Reader 20
Standard-A to Micro-B USB cable
AC adapter
SD card with User Guide and content (installed in unit)
Braille Quick-Start Guide
Print Quick-Start Guide
Features
These are a few of the features the Orbit Reader has to offer.
20 refreshable eight-dot braille cells
Eight Braille Input keys and Space bar
Navigation pad with four directional buttons (Up, Down, Left, Right) and the Select button
Micro-B USB charging port
SD card slot
2 Panning rocker keys
Bluetooth® wireless technology
User-replaceable, rechargeable batteries
Orientation
Orientation to the positioning of buttons, keys, cells, and slots is important for understanding how the device operates and how you
input and receive information on the device.
To begin exploration of the Orbit Reader, place the device on a flat surface in front of you with the row of braille cells closest to you.
This is the proper operational orientation.
As you reach around from the front to the back of the device, from left to right, there is the Power button (left), an SD card slot
(middle), and a Micro-B USB port (right). (Image is reversed in photo.) They are all recessed in an area in the left half of the back
edge. The Power button sticks out enough to make it easy to identify. The SD card slot has two small bumps directly below it and the
USB port has one bump below it.
The SD card slot is a standard type with spring feedback. The SD card is inserted with the card connector fingers facing down. To
release the card, press in and remove your finger to allow the card to pop out.
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The battery compartment is located on the bottom of the device.
Key Placement and Use
When properly oriented, the braille cells are closest to you. The Panning keys are at each end of the braille display. See Panning
Keys section for more information.
For orientation purposes, there are three slightly raised tick marks located above the braille cells. These orientation marks are
spaced by every fifth braille cell. For example, the first tick mark from the left is between the fifth and sixth braille cell.
Moving toward the top and away from you, find a row of three keys, with a wider one in the middle. The wide key is the Space bar.
The Dot 7 input key is to the left of the Space Bar, and the Dot 8 input key is to the right of the Space Bar.
As you continue toward the top of the face of the display, there is a navigation pad in the middle, between the Braille Input keys and
Space bar.
The navigation pad contains the four directional arrow buttons (Up, Down, Left, Right) and the Select button.
The six traditional braille input keys are aligned horizontally along the top edge of the face of the display, Dots 3 2 1 on the left and
Dots 4 5 6 on the right.
In Stand-Alone mode, the Braille Input keys are used for navigation and editing/writing.
In Remote mode, when using the display with a screen reader on a host device, such as an iPhone, the Braille Input keys can be
used to input text or control functionality of applications.
Panning Keys
The Panning keys are two-function rocker keys found at either end of the braille display. These keys control how you read lines of
text: either next or previous. Pushing on one end of the key results in one action, while pushing on the opposite end results in the
opposite action. To read the next display of text (panning forward), press the bottom part of the key (down) on either Panning key. To
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read the previous display of text (panning backward), press the top part of the key (up) on either Panning key.
8-Dot Braille Cells
If you are new to refreshable braille displays, you may not be familiar with eight-dot braille. It is similar to six-dot braille with two
additional dots below Dot 3 and Dot 6. These two additional dots are called Dot 7 and Dot 8, and they are used to indicate
capitalization in the Computer Braille Code (Computer Braille), or to indicate some attributed text, or a cursor. Their exact use
depends on the software you use with the display. Check the software documentation for exact usage.
Eight-dot Computer Braille is similar to uncontracted braille, except it features a one-to-one correspondence with the plain text
(ASCII) characters. Computer Braille does not require an additional cell to show a capitalization indicator. Instead, Dot 7 is added to
the lowercase version of the letter. For the ASCII equivalencies in Braille, go to the Appendix A - Computer Braille Chart at the end of
this document.
Getting Started
The Orbit Reader 20 has two modes: a Stand-Alone mode and a Remote mode. In Stand-Alone mode, the device is a book reader
that uses an SD card as the reading media. In the Remote mode, the device works like other braille displays and needs to be
connected to a computer and a screen reader. This section explains how to charge, turn the device on and off, insert the SD card,
and enter and exit the menus. Refer to the following sections for additional support.
Charging the Device
When you receive the Orbit Reader, it may already have a charge; however, APH recommends charging it fully before or during first
use. You can use the device and charge it at the same time, so this does not hinder your reading time.
When the battery in the Orbit Reader gets to 10%, Dot 8 of the 20th cell on the display blinks on and off. This behavior is normal,
indicating that the battery is low.
To charge the device, use the provided Standard-A to Micro-B USB cable and the power plug. Insert the small end of the cable into
the Orbit Reader's USB port with the bumps facing down. It should slide in without resistance; do not force it. Then insert the large
end of the cable into a computer USB connector or the AC adapter provided. Plug the adapter into an AC wall connector.
If the device is on when you connect the charger, the display shows "-- Charger connected" When you unplug the charger, it shows
"-- Charger unplugged" The charger plug and unplug event indications are briefly displayed even when the unit is off. For more
information, see the Battery section under The Menu.
If you have charged the device for 4 or more hours, and it does not power on, contact Customer Service at 800-223-1839 or
[email protected].
Powering On and Off
A square Power (on/off) button is found in a recessed area on the back of the device. See Orientation section for more information.
To power on the device, press and hold the Power button for 2 seconds. Orbit Reader flashes the braille cells from left to right to let
you know it is coming on.
When you turn the device on, Orbit Reader resumes from the last place of the last file in use. If this is the first time you are using the
device, or if this is the first time you are inserting a new SD card, Orbit Reader shows the first file or folder name on the SD card.
If the operating mode of the unit was Bluetooth when last powered off, then the device turns back on in Bluetooth mode.
The Orbit Reader displays, "-- No SD card" when no card is inserted in the SD card slot.
To turn off the device, press and hold the Power button for 2 seconds. The braille cells flash from left to right to indicate device is
powering down.
The Orbit Reader 20 has a low-power standby/sleep mode. Quickly tapping the Power button puts the unit in sleep mode. Tapping
the Power button while the device is in sleep mode wakes the device. While editing or when connected to Bluetooth, if no keys are
pressed for 1 hour, the unit automatically goes into sleep mode. Under any other circumstances, the device goes to sleep after 10
minutes of inactivity. After 5 hours in sleep mode, the unit shuts off to conserve power.
Inserting and Formatting the SD Card
The device comes with an inserted SD card with translated braille files already on it, so that you can quickly learn to use the device
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by reading the material.
Orbit Reader uses standard full-size SD cards from 4 to 32 GB in capacity. The card must be formatted as Fat32. There is no way to
format a card on the device. Most cards come already formatted. However, you can format one as Fat32 on a desktop computer for
use with the Orbit Reader.
To insert the SD card, find the large slot on the back.
On one of the short sides of the SD card there are some ridges called SD fingers or teeth. Situate the SD card with the teeth facing
down. With the device in the correct orientation for use, insert the short side with the teeth into the device. The SD card should go in
smoothly until it gets about a quarter of an inch from being fully in the device. At that point you feel a slight resistance. The card slot
works like a toaster, gently push the SD card in until you hear a click. The card is flush with the rear edge when properly inserted.
To remove the card press it in a little until it pops out (most of the way) and gently remove it.
Note: Removing the SD card while in the Editor, could result in lost work. Be sure to save your work or exit the Editor before
removing the SD card.
About Menus and File Names
Orbit Reader shows internal menus and file names in eight-dot Computer Braille. See 8-Dot Braille Cells section for more information
about eight-dot Computer Braille.
For a complete reference to the characters comprising Computer Braille, see the Appendix A - Computer Braille Chart.
Entering and Exiting Menus
To… Do this
open the menu press Select + Up Arrow
exit the menu press Dot 7
move through the menu choices press the Up or Down Arrows
see choices within a menu option use the Right and Left Arrows
select a menu item press Select
Device Operational Modes
The Orbit Reader 20 has two functional modes. One mode is called Stand-Alone mode. The other called Remote mode, is for use
while connected with another device.
Stand-Alone mode is the default operational mode and allows you to read, edit, and browse files without being connected to another
device. An SD card must be inserted in the Orbit Reader while operating in Stand-Alone mode. See the Stand-Alone Mode section of
this document for more information.
Remote mode allows you to connect the Orbit Reader to iPhone®, iPad®, and Android™ mobile devices, as well as desktop
computers. In Remote mode, Orbit Reader acts as an input and output device for the remotely connected host via USB or Bluetooth.
See the Remote Mode section of this document for more information.
To move back and forth between Stand-Alone and Remote modes, use the following commands:
To switch to Remote mode: press Select + Right Arrow
To switch to Stand-Alone mode: press Select + Left Arrow
Stand-Alone mode operates in the following ways:
Menu
File Manager
Reader
Editor
Remote mode connects in the following ways:
Bluetooth
USB: HID, Serial, or Mass Storage
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The Menu
Orbit Reader 20 provides a menu for setting options, checking battery, and changing modes of operation.
To open the menu, press Select + Up Arrow. Battery Status is the first menu option displayed. Some menu items let you select
among a number of choices. For example, the Sort item lets you select one of several ways to arrange how files appear in the file
manager. Other menu items provide information about the device, such as serial number and version. The selected option is
underlined with Dots 7 8.
To scroll through the other possibilities, press the Right Arrow key. To select the option, press Select. Orbit Reader responds by
underlining the word with Dots 7 8 to indicate the choice.
To close the menu and return to your work, press Dot 7.
To move to another menu item, press the Up or Down Arrow. When you get to the end of the list of options and press the Down
Arrow again, Orbit Reader moves back to the top menu item. Similarly, when you press the Up Arrow from the first menu item, Orbit
Reader moves to the last item in the list. This feature allows quick access to the last few menu items. That is why some options that
may be frequently referenced are located near the bottom of the menu list.
Menu Availability
The menu is available for the Remote and Stand-Alone modes. Press Select + Up Arrow to open the menu in either mode.
To exit the menu and return to the previous mode, press Dot 7.
Menu Options
A few of the Menu options have a default setting (indicated in the list below). For most of these options, you can move among
alternatives by pressing the Right or Left Arrows and then pressing Select. Selected items are underlined with Dots 7 8. Refer to the
specific section for further information.
Battery
Cursor Blink (1)
Sort (Name: Ascend)
Split Words (Off)
Filter Dot 7 (On)
Wrapping (On)
Compress Spaces (On)
Load Language
Switch Language
Encoding
Version
Serial
Reset Defaults
USB (HID)
Bluetooth (Auto)
Pair (Just Works)
Emulate (Off)
Mode (Stand-Alone)
Battery
The Battery status menu item displays the amount of power (percentage) left in your battery. When the battery in the Orbit Reader
gets to 10%, Dot 8 of the 20th cell on the display blinks on and off. This behavior is normal, indicating that the battery is low.
It also notes when the unit is charging. For example, when plugged in for charging, the message "-- Charging XX%" is displayed,
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where XX is the percentage number. Similarly, for first-time use, the message "-- Battery XX%" is displayed.
Cursor Blink (1)
The Cursor Blink option only works when editing in the Edit Box or Editor mode. The options set the number of seconds between
blinks. The default setting for the Cursor Blink option is 1, which is one second between blinks. The setting choices are 1, 5, 15, 30,
and 60 seconds, and 0, which sets the cursor to not blink. To make a selection, press Select.
Sort (Name: Ascend)
The Sort menu item lets you change the order of the files on the SD card, using Orbit Reader's built-in File Manager. The categories
are Name (Ascend/Descend), Date, Size, and Last Read. The default setting for Sort is Name: Ascend. To return to the File
Manager, press Dot 7 from Stand-Alone mode. To make a selection, press Select.
You cannot sort in Remote mode, but you can view and change the Menu options. In Remote mode, press Select + Up Arrow. This
command takes you to the Menu. Down Arrow to the Sort list item.
If in the File Manager or the Reader, press Select + Up Arrow to enter the Menu, then Down Arrow to Sort.
If in the Editor, exit out (Select, E OR Select, Select) and press Select + Up Arrow to enter the Menu. Down Arrow to Sort.
Additionally, you may sort the files within the selected category in Ascending or Descending order. After selecting a category, press
the Right Arrow until you reach either Ascend or Descend in the list and press the Select button. Orbit Reader arranges the files in
the indicated order. The default setting for this menu item is Ascending (A to Z).
Split Words (Off)
The default setting for Split Words is Off. In the default setting, the Reader tries to put as much content on the display as possible
without splitting a word. However, if you want 20 cells of braille, no matter the content, set Split Words to On. When Split Words is
on, the Reader can show partial words. When you pan to the next 20 cells of braille, the remainder of that word appears at the
beginning of the line. To make a selection, press Select.
Filter Dot 7 (On)
The default setting for Filter Dot 7 is On. The Filter Dot 7 menu item lets you turn off the Dot 7 that frequently appears in some BRL
and BRF files. The Dot 7 is filtered by default, but if you want to make a BRL or BRF file that uses eight-dot braille, turn this setting
off. To make a selection, press Select.
Wrapping (On)
The default setting for Wrapping is On. The Wrapping option is Orbit Reader's way of reflowing files that are already formatted for
embossing. Normally, formatted files contain line-end indicators every 38-40 characters, which starts a new line. This option
eliminates extra spaces, making it easier to read on a 20-cell display. To make a selection press select.
Compress Spaces (On)
Carriage returns, blank lines, and tabs represent extra spaces (or white space) in a document. These spaces take up lots of room
and therefore slow down reading on a braille display. The Compress Spaces option eliminates superfluous blank lines and spaces. If
multiple blank lines or spaces appear in the file, they are compressed to a single space. This setting is especially useful when
reading formatted text files that may contain many blank lines.
The default setting for Compress Spaces is On. To make a selection, press Select.
Load Language
The Load Language menu option is used to upload language files to the flash memory of the Orbit Reader 20 device. The default
translation table for Orbit Reader 20 is English Braille ASCII, which comes preloaded on the device.
The Load Language option has a sub menu of three options: Load Locale, Load .loc Only, and Load .lan Only. To navigate and
select sub menu options:
1. Press the Right or Left Arrow keys to navigate the sub menu.
2. Press Select on the desired item.
3. Press Select again, to select the option.
Load Locale - Orbit Reader displays a region-code-name list for the languages. The list has both the Table files (.lan) and System
Messages files (.loc) in the Locale folder on the SD card, along with the default option. Press Select for the file of your choosing.
Load .loc Only - Orbit Reader displays the list of System Messages files, along with the default option. Press Select for the file of your
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choosing.
Note: You need to ensure that the correct ASCII to Braille table of the desired region has been uploaded.
Load .lan Only - Orbit Reader displays the list of Table files, along with the default option. Press Select for the file of your choosing.
See the section Upload the Localization Files under the section Language Options (Localization) for additional information.
Switch Language
The Switch Language menu option is used to change between a loaded language and the default English language.
Note: You must first load a language to the flash memory of the device, before using the Switch Language option.
See the Language Options (Localization) section for more information.
Encoding
Text files are created in either ASCII or Unicode encoding format. Text files for some of the languages are created in Unicode only.
When creating a file, in other than ASCII-based languages, you must select the Unicode option. Press Select to choose the option.
ASCII is the default option. You can choose from the following encoding formats for the new file to be created on the system:
ASCII
UNICODE16LE
UNICODE16BE
UTF-8
If you want to create BRF/BRL files, choose the ASCII option. Otherwise, the file might be unreadable by other programs.
This setting is only applied to the files created using the “create new” command. It has no impact on the existing files. The format
cannot be changed while a file is open for editing.
Version
The Version menu item displays the version of the software running on your device. You may need the version number when talking
with Customer Service. For the latest version update, see Orbit Research Support webpage.
Serial
The Serial Number menu item shows the individualized serial number of the device you are using. This number may be important for
warranty purposes.
Reset Defaults
The Reset Defaults menu item resets all your settings to the factory settings. To reset to default settings, press the Select button.
This action resets defaults and takes you to the top of the Menu Options list (Battery Status).
USB (HID)
The USB menu item selects between the three possible USB protocols: Human Interface Device (HID), Serial, or Mass Storage. The
default setting for USB is HID. To select the option, press Select.
For more information, see the USB Connectivity section under Remote Mode.
Bluetooth (Auto)
There are three choices under this menu option.
1. Bluetooth Auto
2. Bluetooth Manual
3. Bluetooth OFF
The default setting for Bluetooth is Auto. If there is any screen reader activity running on the paired device, the Orbit Reader 20
automatically switches to Bluetooth Remote mode. If you do not want automatic Bluetooth connection, select the Manual option. To
disable Bluetooth completely, select OFF. To select another option, press Select.
For more information, see the Using the Bluetooth Connection section under Remote Mode.
Pair (Just Works)
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The Pair menu item selects a Bluetooth pairing scheme. Orbit Reader uses the selected scheme when it responds to a Bluetooth
pairing request from a host device. To select the option, press Select.
The two choices are:
1. Just Works - the default Bluetooth pairing scheme. When using this scheme, Orbit Reader automatically pairs to any device that
sends the pair request.
2. Confirm code - is the most secure pairing scheme. With this scheme, Orbit Reader responds to pairing requests by showing a
random number on both the Orbit Reader's braille display and on the host device. To confirm the request, ensure the numbers
match and press Dot 8 on the Orbit Reader.
Emulate (Off)
The Emulation option allows you to choose how the device appears to the Host screen reader applications while operating in Remote
mode. If RB18 (Refreshabraille 18™) Emulation mode is selected, the Orbit Reader appears as a Refreshabraille 18 and only the
first 18 cells are used. If Emulation mode is Off, it appears as Orbit Reader 20. The default setting for Emulation mode is Off. For
more information, see the Using the Bluetooth Connection section under Remote Mode. To select the option, press Select.
Mode (Stand-Alone)
By default, Orbit Reader operates in Stand-Alone mode where you read and write files stored on the SD card. To specifically set the
unit to another mode, select among Stand-Alone, BT (for Bluetooth,) or USB. Orbit Reader tries to automatically switch to Bluetooth
or USB depending on screen reader activity, but if you want to, for instance, specifically switch back to Stand-Alone from Remote
mode, or switch the interface from Bluetooth to USB, use this option. To select the option, press Select.
Stand-Alone Mode
Stand-Alone mode is the default operational mode and allows you to read, edit, and browse files without being connected to another
device. A formatted SD card must be inserted in the Orbit Reader while operating in Stand-Alone mode. That card must contain the
files you wish to read.
Stand-Alone mode operates in the following ways:
File Manager
Menu
Reader
Editor
File Manager
File Manager is where you select a file stored on the SD card to read on the Orbit Reader. You can also create new files and folders,
view the properties (such as the file size and current reading position), and copy, rename, and delete files.
When moving through the list of files, Orbit Reader shows the first 20 characters of the file name. You may scroll to the rest of the
information about the file, such as the rest of a long file name, its size, and date, by using the Panning keys to move the display
window through the rest of the contents on that line of the list of file names.
Each item on the file list includes the following items:
File name and extension
Current position in the file in number of characters
Size in KB (kilobytes)
Last modified date
Protected or Unprotected
Using the APH History file as an example, the line should look like this:
APHHistory.brf(FileNameandextension)Pos:0Size:259KBDate:11-12-2015Unprotected
Only one column is displayed per line (with panning as necessary). Pressing Left or Right Arrow moves to the previous or next
column heading (file information). When you exit a file, you are returned to the same place and column in the File Manager.
File Manager Commands
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