Ash i-Qon User manual

Page 1
User Manual
Copyright © Ash Technologies Limited 2009.

Page 2
Important Safety Information
Please read all of the following instructions before setting
up your iQon.
To prevent fire or electric shock please ensure this unit is
kept away from all liquids. Do not use the unit in
excessively damp or wet areas and do not expose it to rain,
snow, etc.
Before cleaning the unit, please ensure that it is unplugged.
Use a slightly damp cloth to clean the exterior. Do NOT
use solvents or aerosol cleaners.
This unit should never be opened. Unauthorized servicing
will invalidate your warranty. If you encounter any problems
with this unit please contact your local dealer.
Use only with the power adapter provided.
The camera connector is NOT for use with a computer
network; it has a proprietary pin-out for Ash cameras.
Connection to a computer network could damage either the
network or the iQon unit.
When uninstalling the Agilo arm from a clamped position
please use the following procedure:
oDisconnect the camera cable from the iQon main unit.
oRemove the Agilo arm from the clamp by gently pulling
the arm upwards away from the clamp.
oRemove the clamp from the table by turning the clamp
screw anticlockwise.

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Table of Contents
Important Safety Information...................................................................2
Using the iQon.........................................................................................5
1. List of Contents................................................................................ 5
2. Setting up the iQon.......................................................................... 6
2.1 Setting up the Agilo Camera Mount.............................................6
2.2 Using the iQon with other cameras..............................................7
2.2.1 Prisma..................................................................................7
2.2.2 Mouse Camera....................................................................7
2.3 Connecting the iQon ..................................................................10
2.4 PC Resolutions ..........................................................................12
2.5 Configuring PC Resolutions on Windows XP.............................12
2.6 Adjusting Your Monitor Settings.................................................13
3. The Keypad.................................................................................... 15
4. Basic Functions.............................................................................. 18
4.1 Power button..............................................................................18
4.2 Agilo Reading Mode...................................................................18
4.3 Agilo Distance Mode..................................................................18
4.4 Zooming In and Out (Agilo Camera only)...................................19
4.5 Picture and Reading Modes.......................................................19
4.6 Brightness Control......................................................................19
5. Enhanced Functions...................................................................... 20
5.1 Function Mode ...........................................................................20
5.2 Freeze Function.........................................................................20
5.3 Line marker | Blanking shutters..................................................20
5.3.1 Blanking Shutters...............................................................21
5.3.2 Shutter Adjustment............................................................21
5.3.3 Line Marker........................................................................21
5.4 Colours (User Defined) ..............................................................22
5.5 Colour Kill (Monochrome) ..........................................................23
5.6 PC / Video Swap........................................................................23
5.7 The Footswitch...........................................................................23
5.8 Sound.........................................................................................23
6. The Configuration Menus............................................................... 24
6.1 Menu Navigation........................................................................24

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6.2 The Video Controls Menu...........................................................24
6.3 The PC Controls Menu...............................................................25
7. The Agilo Camera..........................................................................26
This page is intentionally left blankSpecifications..................................27
Specifications.........................................................................................28
Warranty ................................................................................................30

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Using the iQon
1. List of Contents
Ensure that the following items are contained in the packaging:
- iQon main unit
- Keypad unit
- Monitor cable 15-way (socket to plug type)
- Footswitch unit
- 12V wall mounted power supply
If purchased with the Agilo camera you will also have the following
items:
- Agilo camera arm mount
- Agilo camera
- Agilo arm table clamp
Note: You will also need the monitor cable (plug to plug type) supplied
with your monitor.

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2. Setting up the iQon
Never plug the camera into a network connection. This may
permanently damage the network equipment and camera.
2.1 Setting up the Agilo Camera Mount
Follow the instructions below to set up the Agilo camera. If you have
not purchased this model of camera, please
skip this step.
a) Place the support clamp for the Agilo arm
on the edge of the table or desk. Secure
the clamp on the table by tightening the
screw as in opposite diagram.
b) Insert the bottom end of
the Agilo arm mount into the top section of the
clamp, see diagram.
c) Insert the camera bracket into the top of
the Agilo arm so that it slides down the
glide rails on each side and seats firmly
at the base. See opposite diagram.
d) Insert the RJ45 camera connector
into the port on the underside of the
camera as shown in opposite
diagram.
e) Insert the RJ45 connector on the
other end of the Agilo arm into the
port labelled ‘CAMERA’ on the iQon
front panel. Refer to diagram below.

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2.2 Using the iQon with other cameras
If you use the iQon with a camera other than the Agilo, please follow the
instructions supplied with the camera. The camera should be plugged
into the iQon camera connection point (if it is an Ash camera) or
alternatively video can be plugged into the S-video socket.
2.2.1 Prisma
If you have purchased a Prisma Reader then simply plug one end of the
flat ‘RJ45 to RJ45’cable (supplied with the Prisma) into the iQon RJ45
port and the other end into the Prisma RJ45 port. See section 2.3 for
location of iQon RJ45 camera port. The Prisma unit is powered directly
from the iQon.
Please refer to the supplied Prisma manual for operational instructions.
2.2.2 Mouse Camera
If you have purchased the mouse camera then simply plug in the
camera cable connector (RJ45) into the iQon port marked CAMERA.
The mouse camera is powered directly by the iQon main unit.
Adjusting the magnification
Rotate the scroll wheel forwards and backwards to select the level of
magnification you are comfortable with. Sliding the scroll wheel forwards
increases the magnification, while rotating backwards will decrease the
magnification. Rotate the scroll wheel fully backwards and the
mechanism will click into an overview mode, which moves the focusing
Scroll
wheel
Mode
Button
View
Button

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area beyond the base of the mouse. This mode is needed when using
the handwriting stand.
The overview mode allows you to orientate your position on the page,
read into awkward places or to view objects that are not flat. Hint: To
achieve sharp focus in overview mode, it may be necessary to apply
slight pressure upwards or downwards on the zoom control. Be advised
that the further the objects are away from the mouse camera, the
smaller they will appear on screen. In overview mode it may be easier to
view the image using the photo mode and if needed adjust the
brightness level using the brightness button.
Button Operation
Mode Button (left button): This button performs the same function as the
mode button on the keypad. Pressing the mode button will switch
between photo, negative and positive modes.
View Button (right button): This button performs the same function as
the footswitch. Each press will switch between the camera, PC and split
views.
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Writing with your mouse camera
The mouse camera has handwriting stands that can be pulled out that
allow you to write with the aid of the camera. Flip out one of the stands:
use the left-hand-side stand if you
are right handed and vice versa.
Rotate the scroll-zoom wheel on the
mouse fully backwards i.e. into
overview mode.
When using the mouse for writing, it is
best to use the full color mode.
Reading with your mouse camera
Your mouse camera is easy to use, and with a short amount of practice
you should become proficient in its use. Remember, when reading; look
at the computer monitor, not at the paper or the mouse, as the
magnified image appears on the computer monitor.
Put the full weight of your hand on the mouse. This will reduce fatigue
and will give you more control over the mouse's movement. Find the
start of the text and slide the mouse smoothly across the line of text.
You may have to make slight adjustments to keep the line of text on the
screen as you move across. At the end of the line, move the mouse
back to the beginning of the line and move it downwards slightly. You
can now read the second line.

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If you move the mouse or the paper, it is easy to lose your place in the
text. The mouse has an overview mode that makes it easier to orientate
one's position on the page: slide the Zoom controls back and pull lightly
- lift the mouse a little and look at the page from a distance. When you
have found the place you want to read, put the mouse down and slide
the Zoom controls up till you reached the desired magnification.
Please note that the zooming function on the iQon keypad only operates
with the Agilo camera and will not be available with other cameras.
2.3 Connecting the iQon
Refer to the figures on the following pages, which show the positions of
the connection points for the various cables.
a) The camera should be connected as described in the previous
sections above.
b) Disconnect the monitor cable from the computer.
c) Connect one end of the Ash VGA cable (socket to plug type) to the
connector labelled ‘COMPUTER’ on the iQon front panel. Connect
the other end of the cable to the computer’s video port.
d) Connect the free end of your monitor cable to the connector
labelled ‘MONITOR’ on the iQon rear panel.
e) If required connect the footswitch cable connector to the port
labelled ‘FOOT SWITCH’ on the iQon front panel.
f) Plug the connector from the power supply into the port labelled 12V
and plug the power supply into a wall socket.

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Connect Ash
camera source here
S-VIDEO
CAMERA
COMPUTER
FOOT
SWITCH
Connect the
computer VGA
cable here
Plug foot switch
into this connector
S-Video camera
input (optional)
iQon Front Panel
MONITOR
Power
Supply
Connector
KEYPAD
12V
Power Switch
Keypad connector
Power Supply
Connector
Connect monitor
to here
iQon Rear Panel

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2.4 PC Resolutions
The following PC resolutions are compatible with the iQon:
VGA (640 x 480)
SVGA (800 x 600)
XGA (1024 x 768)
SXGA (1280 x 1024)
at a frequency of 60Hz.
Before connecting the iQon to your PC ensure that the display
resolution on your computer is set up for one of the above resolutions.
2.5 Configuring PC Resolutions on Windows XP
To adjust the display properties on Windows XP do the following:
Press ‘Start’ and
select ‘Control Panel’.
In the control panel
window select
‘Display’ and the
Display Properties
menu will appear.
Navigate to the
‘Settings’ tab if not
already selected.
Drag the Screen
Resolution bar using
the left mouse button
to the required
resolution setting and
click the ‘Apply’
button. The example
shows 1024 x 768
(XGA) resolution.
Now click on the ‘Advanced’ button. The following menu should
appear:

Page 13
Click on the ‘Monitor’ tab
with the mouse left button.
Select 60 Hertz on the
‘Screen Refresh’ pull down
menu and click OK. Your
PC resolution is now set up
for the iQon.
2.6 Adjusting Your Monitor Settings
To obtain the best PC image on your monitor the monitor itself needs
to be set up correctly. Power up the iQon with the monitor and PC
connected. Set up the display resolution on your PC as described in
section 2.3. During the iQon boot up sequence you should see the
Ash logo and iQon logo appear in sequence on the monitor (you may
need to press the PC button on the iQon keypad).
To adjust the image for optimal position on your monitor press the
auto adjust button on the monitor. Note that some monitors may
have the auto adjust function as part of a menu system; refer to your
monitor manual for further information.
If you need to manually adjust the PC image position use the monitor
menu system to select horizontal and vertical adjustment. Most
monitors will allow you to adjust the clock and phase settings. This is
usually accessed through a menu. Ideally the clock should be set
mid-way for most monitors (after using the auto adjust function). If

Page 14
required, you can manually adjust the clock and phase settings to
improve the PC image.
If the PC resolution setting matches the native resolution of the
screen this will give the crispest image, otherwise the monitor will
generally scale the image to fit the entire screen.
Note for best results you should generally perform a monitor auto
adjustment when the iQon output is set to PC mode as opposed to
camera mode.
Note for laptop users:
When using a laptop computer with the iQon, you will need to use an
external monitor. This is because there is no method of displaying an
external signal on a laptop screen.
You may also need to tell the laptop to output VGA on its external
monitor connector. Most laptops will allow you to do this by a
keyboard shortcut (usually, but not always Fn + F7 or F8). Refer to
your laptop manufacturer’s manual for further information.

Page 15
3. The Keypad
The Keypad has nine buttons that control the various functions of the
iQon. Throughout this manual the buttons will be referred to with
symbols. Note that the keypad must be connected to the main unit for
anything to work. Refer to the diagram below.
Keypad layout.
Table 1.0 below lists the various functions of the keypad.
Function
Button
Split /
Slider
Control
Zoom
Controls /
Menu
Navigation
Camera
Button
PC Button
Split Button
LED Power
Indicator
Fn
Mode
Button/
Menu Exit

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Symbol
Name
Basic function
Zoom in
When in camera or split mode this button
allows the camera to zoom in. Note that the
zoom function only works with the Agilo
camera.
Zoom Out
When in camera or split mode this button
allows the camera to zoom out. Note that
the zoom function only works with the Agilo
camera.
Move split
right / up
or
increase
brightness
When the unit is in vertical split mode, this
button allows the split line to be moved to
the right.
When in horizontal split mode the split
position can be moved up using this button.
This buttons also allows the camera
brightness or PC brightness to be adjusted
up when not in split mode.
Move split
left / down
or
decrease
brightness
When the unit is in vertical split mode, this
button allows the split line to be moved to
the left.
When in horizontal split mode the split
position can be moved down using this
button.
This buttons also allows the camera
brightness or PC brightness to be adjusted
down when not in split mode.
Fn
Function
Button
This button is used to allow certain keys to
have more than one function. When
pressed the unit enters ‘function mode’ and
the three bottom black keys have new
functions.
Camera
Mode
When pressed this button switches the iQon
output to Camera output only.
When held down for two seconds and the
shutters are currently displayed on the
screen the unit will go into shutter adjust
mode.

Page 17
Fn...
Semi-Colour
Mode
Semi-colours can be chosen when this
button is pressed after the Fn button, i.e.
the unit is in ‘function mode’. This allows the
use of different ink and paper colours.
PC Mode
When pressed this button switches the iQon
output to PC output only.
When held down for two seconds (and the
unit is in semi-colour mode) the unit will go
into semi-colour adjust mode.
Fn...
Line marker
& Shutters
Shutter mode or Line Marker mode can be
chosen when pressed after the Fn
Button, i.e. the unit is in ‘function mode’.
Shutter mode dims out the top and bottom
sections of the screen while line marker
mode generates a level reading guide line.
Split Mode /
Freeze Mode
When pressed this button switches the iQon
output to split screen mode.
If the unit is in split screen mode already the
button will toggle the output view between
horizontal and vertical split mode.
When held down for two seconds the
camera image will freeze. Pressing any key
(other than Fn button) will unfreeze the
image.
Fn...
Overview
Mode
Overview mode can be chosen when
pressed after the Fn button, i.e. the unit is
in ‘function mode’. Pressing any button
(other than Fn) will return the camera to the
original zoom position.
Mode
The mode button switches between picture
mode (for viewing images and pictures) and
positive, negative or semi-colour modes. A
single press will switch to picture mode from
the last used mode or vice versa.
Pressing and holding this button for 2
seconds will bring up the Configuration
Menu described in Section 6 below.
Table 1.0. Keypad Functions.

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4. Basic Functions
This section will describe how to use the basic features of the iQon to
magnify text and images. Follow the instructions in section 2 (Setting
Up) before you begin using the unit.
4.1 Power button
Press the power button to turn on the unit. Pressing the power button
again will turn off the unit. Note that during the operation of the iQon
any user settings and preferences will be automatically saved so that
when the unit is powered up it will revert to the previously used settings.
A blue LED on the main unit and a green LED on the keypad unit
indicates that the units are receiving power.
4.2 Agilo Reading Mode
The Agilo can be used to read text or view images in reading mode.
Place the material you want to read on the
table or desk close to where the Agilo arm has
been clamped.
Pull the lens arm down so that the reading
lens is over the camera lens, see opposite
figure.
Position the Agilo arm and camera so that the
reading material is directly underneath the camera lens. The camera
should focus on the page automatically. If not then either move the
camera closer or further away until it does.
4.3 Agilo Distance Mode
The Agilo can also be used to read distant
objects or text (such as a classroom
whiteboard) when in distance mode.
Firstly, ensure that the reading lens is not
covering the lens by lifting up the lens arm
up so that it rests above the camera, see
opposite figure. Position the camera so
that it is pointing at the distant object. The
camera should focus automatically.

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4.4 Zooming In and Out (Agilo Camera only)
Press the zoom in button ( ) or zoom out button ( ) on the keypad to
increase or decrease magnification respectively. A magnifier symbol will
appear on the bottom of the screen to indicate the zoom operation. The
zoom buttons will only operate in Camera or Split mode.
4.5 Picture and Reading Modes
Picture mode offers a full colour image suitable for viewing
photographs and other images or for viewing text without enhancement.
There are two Reading modes, positive and negative; sometimes
referred to as normal and reversed. The positive mode enhances the
contrast and removes greys. Negative mode enhances the contrast and
also reverses the ink and paper making the letters white and the paper
black.
The Mode button is used to select Picture mode. If you wait for at
least three seconds and press the button again the image will revert
back to the last used reading mode. However if you press within this
time period the negative image of the last reading mode used (including
semi-colours) will be displayed. Another press will select the positive
image and pressing again will revert back to picture mode.
4.6 Brightness Control
When the Agilo is in camera mode or PC mode the split control buttons
function as brightness controls. The split left button ( ) decreases the
brightness while the split right button ( ) increases the brightness.
You may find that details in some photographs will appear clearer at
different brightness settings.

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5. Enhanced Functions
This section will describe how to use the additional features of the iQon
to customize the unit for particular requirements.
5.1 Function Mode
To enter ‘function mode’ press the Fn key. The LED on the keypad will
turn from green to red and an audible sound may be produced if the
sound option is turned on. The three black keys at the bottom of the
keypad now have different functions as explained below. The LED will
turn green again (and sound clicks will cease) if no button is pressed
within three seconds. The buttons will then return to their normal
functions. Note that (excluding overview mode) pressing a button will
keep the unit in function mode (i.e. the LED will stay red) and start the
three second key timeout once again. This allows the User to step
through certain modes with only a single key press, for example when
selecting a semi-colour.
5.2 Freeze Function
Key hold:
Press and hold split button to activate the image freeze. The freeze
function freezes the image allowing you to study it without the object
being present. The icon appears on the bottom right of the screen
when the image is frozen. Pressing any key (other than Fn key) will
restore the live image.
NOTE: The freeze function only operates in full screen mode (i.e. non-
split mode)
5.3 Line marker | Blanking shutters
Key presses: Fn...
This mode can be used as a guide to tracking a line of text. There are
two aids for tracking text: the line and blanking shutters.
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