Baum VarioUltra 20 User manual

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VarioUltra
User Guide, Version 1.3
July 1, 2015, 2015

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Introduction.
Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of the new VarioUltra, and are no doubt keen to learn how it works.
The purpose of this user guide is to introduce you to the main functions of the device, with a number of step-by-
step examples that you can follow along with on your VarioUltra. These steps in turn will help you gain experience
with your new device.
Note:
1. Your VarioUltra is shipped with the Device Lock switch in the locked position. On the left side of
VarioUltra, it will be necessary to slide the switch away from you to unlock the device and be able to
switch it on.
2. VarioUltra ships by default with Computer Braille selected. To toggle between computer braille and
contracted braille (grade 2), use the Master Switch command, B9+D1. Refer to section 3.1.2 on page 16
of this manual for additional details on configuring this feature.
3. We encourage you to first read chapter 1, starting on page 6, in order to first familiarize yourself with
VarioUltra, especially the keyboard and button layout, and the command structure.
4. If you’re looking for information on pairing via Bluetooth and/or connecting via USB, refer to chapter 2,
which starts on page 9.
5. Finally, for lists of VarioUltra commands, and commends that you can use when working with VoiceOver,
JAWS, or BrailleBack, please refer to chapter 15, starting on page 64.
If you need assistance at any time, please email us at [e-mail] or call us toll free (855)
620-7985 from within the USA. The extension number for support is 402.
The table of contents now follows.
Table of Contents.
1Chapter 1: VarioUltra First Look.......................................................................................................7
1.1 Top Side...........................................................................................................................................7
1.1.1 Braille Keyboard. .........................................................................................................................7
1.1.2 Thumb Keys.................................................................................................................................7
1.1.3 Navistick.......................................................................................................................................7
1.1.4 System Keys................................................................................................................................7
1.1.5 Braille Display and Display Buttons.............................................................................................7
1.2 Left Side...........................................................................................................................................7
1.3 Right Side.........................................................................................................................................7
1.4 Getting Started.................................................................................................................................8
1.5 Standby Mode and Powering Off.....................................................................................................8
1.6 Charging the Device.........................................................................................................................8
1.7 Shortcut Commands, Hotkeys, and Menu Elements.......................................................................9
1.7.1 More about Shortcut Commands.................................................................................................9
1.7.2 More about Hotkeys.....................................................................................................................9
1.7.3 More about Menu Elements.........................................................................................................9
1.8 Confirmation Prompts. .....................................................................................................................9
1.9 Help & Context Sensitive Help.......................................................................................................10
1.10 Updating VarioUltra........................................................................................................................10
2Chapter 2: Braille Display Mode. ....................................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction to Braille Display Mode. .............................................................................................10
2.2 Using VarioUltra as a USB Braille Display.....................................................................................10
2.3 Using VarioUltra as a Bluetooth Braille Display.............................................................................11
2.4 VarioUltra Emulation Mode............................................................................................................11
2.5 Pairing VarioUltra with an iOS Device. ..........................................................................................11
2.6 Pairing VarioUltra with Mac OS X Yosemite..................................................................................12
2.7 Pairing VarioUltra via Bluetooth on a Windows PC. ......................................................................13
2.8 Pairing VarioUltra with an Android Device.....................................................................................14
2.9 Using VarioUltra on a PC with JAWS. ...........................................................................................15
2.10 Pairing VarioUltra via Bluetooth on a PC with Window-Eyes or NVDA.........................................15
2.11 Switching Between Connected Devices ........................................................................................16
2.12 Mapping Bluetooth Channels.........................................................................................................17

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3Chapter 3: Braille Notetaker Mode..................................................................................................17
3.1 Braille Codes: Computer, Contracted, and Uncontracted Braille...................................................17
3.1.1 Default Braille Codes.................................................................................................................17
3.1.2 Master Switch: Computer Braille to Contracted Braille, and Back Again..................................18
3.1.3 Braille in BRF and RTF Documents ..........................................................................................19
3.1.4 Braille Inside Menus, Messages, and Dialogs...........................................................................19
3.2 Introduction to Braille Notetaker mode...........................................................................................19
4Chapter 4: Word Processor Application........................................................................................20
4.1 Typing a Document........................................................................................................................20
4.2 Reading Text..................................................................................................................................20
4.3 Open a Document..........................................................................................................................21
4.4 Toggle between Open Files...........................................................................................................21
4.5 List Open Files ...............................................................................................................................21
4.6 Close Document.............................................................................................................................21
4.7 Saving a Document........................................................................................................................21
4.8 Editing functions.............................................................................................................................22
4.8.1 Highlighting................................................................................................................................22
4.8.2 Cut, Copy, and Paste.................................................................................................................22
4.8.3 Deleting......................................................................................................................................23
4.8.4 Find and Find Next ....................................................................................................................23
4.8.5 Search Options..........................................................................................................................23
4.8.6 Replace......................................................................................................................................24
4.8.7 Saving documents .....................................................................................................................24
4.8.8 Save...........................................................................................................................................25
4.8.9 Save as......................................................................................................................................25
4.8.10 The Browse Dialog................................................................................................................25
4.9 Create a New Blank Document......................................................................................................26
4.10 Context Sensitive Help...................................................................................................................26
4.11 Exit Word Processor ......................................................................................................................26
5Chapter 5: PDF Document Viewer..................................................................................................26
5.1 Starting PDF Document Viewer and Opening a Document...........................................................27
5.2 Opening a Password Protected PDF File......................................................................................27
5.3 Reading a Document with Columns...............................................................................................27
5.4 Navigation Commands in a PDF Document..................................................................................27
5.5 Page Navigation.............................................................................................................................28
5.6 Link Navigation...............................................................................................................................28
5.7 Bookmarks.....................................................................................................................................28
5.8 Reading Position and Other Document Information. .....................................................................28
5.9 Save PDF Document as a Text File...............................................................................................29
5.10 Highlight and Copy Text in a PDF File...........................................................................................29
5.11 Find. ...............................................................................................................................................29
5.12 Exit PDF Document Viewer. ..........................................................................................................29
6Chapter 6: Spreadsheet Viewer. .....................................................................................................29
6.1 Open and Close an Excel file.........................................................................................................30
6.2 Save Excel Files as a Text File......................................................................................................30
6.3 Copying Cell Content to the Clipboard...........................................................................................30
6.4 Excel Document Information..........................................................................................................30
6.5 Reading by Cells, Row, or Column................................................................................................30
6.6 Reading by Cell..............................................................................................................................31
6.7 Reading by Row.............................................................................................................................31
6.8 Reading by Column........................................................................................................................31
6.9 Reading Files with Multiple Worksheets........................................................................................32
6.10 Find and Find next. ........................................................................................................................32
6.11 Define Column Heading.................................................................................................................32
6.12 Define Row Heading......................................................................................................................32
6.13 Edit or Delete Heading Definition...................................................................................................32
6.14 Reading Cell Comments................................................................................................................32

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6.15 Exit Spreadsheet Viewer................................................................................................................33
7Chapter 7: Timers and Alarms. .......................................................................................................33
7.1 Timer..............................................................................................................................................33
7.2 Stopwatch. .....................................................................................................................................34
7.3 Alarm Clock....................................................................................................................................34
7.4 Exit Timers and Alarms..................................................................................................................35
8Calculator..........................................................................................................................................35
8.1 Entering Numbers and Operators..................................................................................................35
8.2 Inputting Calculations.....................................................................................................................36
8.3 Editing Calculations........................................................................................................................36
8.4 Navigating within Current and Previous Calculations....................................................................36
8.5 Using the Clipboard........................................................................................................................37
8.6 Settings. .........................................................................................................................................37
8.7 Memory List and Memory Functions..............................................................................................37
8.8 Scientific Mathematical Functions..................................................................................................38
8.9 Basic Calculations..........................................................................................................................38
8.10 Powers, Logarithms, Etc................................................................................................................38
8.11 Trigonometry Functions. ................................................................................................................38
8.12 User Constants. .............................................................................................................................38
8.13 Conversions. ..................................................................................................................................39
8.14 Exit Calculator................................................................................................................................39
9Chapter 9: File Manager...................................................................................................................39
9.1 Introduction. ...................................................................................................................................39
9.2 Entering and Navigating the File Manager.....................................................................................39
9.3 Additional Information about Files and Folders. ............................................................................40
9.4 Using File Manager with External USB Stick.................................................................................40
9.5 Using VarioUltra as an External Drive on a PC. ............................................................................40
9.6 Exit File Manager. ..........................................................................................................................40
10 Chapter 10: Settings Menu..........................................................................................................40
10.1 Alerts..............................................................................................................................................40
10.1.1 Vibration Settings. .................................................................................................................41
10.1.2 Device volume.......................................................................................................................41
10.2 Braille. ............................................................................................................................................41
10.2.1 Braille Presentation. ..............................................................................................................41
10.2.2 Cursor....................................................................................................................................42
10.2.3 Default Braille Codes.............................................................................................................42
10.2.4 Standard Braille Tables.........................................................................................................43
10.2.5 Hide / Display Braille dots 7 and 8 ........................................................................................43
10.3 Display Settings .............................................................................................................................43
10.3.1 Menu Shortcut Commands....................................................................................................43
10.3.2 Hotkeys..................................................................................................................................44
10.3.3 Templates..............................................................................................................................44
10.3.4 Password Options .................................................................................................................47
10.3.5 Messages..............................................................................................................................47
10.4 Keyboard........................................................................................................................................48
10.5 Date and Time................................................................................................................................48
10.5.1 Setting/Changing the Date ....................................................................................................48
10.5.2 Setting/Changing the Time....................................................................................................49
10.6 Power Management.......................................................................................................................49
10.6.1 Automatic Shutdown (Standby Mode)...................................................................................50
10.6.2 The Battery............................................................................................................................50
10.7 IO Profiles ......................................................................................................................................50
10.7.1 Setting up a New IO Profile...................................................................................................51
10.7.2 Loading a Profile....................................................................................................................51
10.7.3 Loading the Default Profile....................................................................................................51
10.8 Bluetooth........................................................................................................................................51

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10.9 Braille Display Mode ......................................................................................................................52
10.10 Exit Settings...............................................................................................................................52
11 Chapter 11: Help...........................................................................................................................52
11.1 Exit Help.........................................................................................................................................52
12 Chapter 12: Command Menu. .....................................................................................................52
12.1 Command > File Menu...................................................................................................................52
12.1.1 Create a New Folder .............................................................................................................53
12.1.2 Open a File or Folder ............................................................................................................53
12.1.3 Delete a File or Folder...........................................................................................................53
12.1.4 Rename a File or Folder........................................................................................................54
12.1.5 Create a New Blank Document.............................................................................................54
12.1.6 Opening Documents..............................................................................................................54
12.1.7 Opening Files in Edit Mode versus Read Only Mode ...........................................................55
12.1.8 Toggle between Open Files ..................................................................................................56
12.1.9 List Open Files.......................................................................................................................56
12.1.10 Closing Documents ...............................................................................................................56
12.1.11 Saving Documents ................................................................................................................56
12.1.12 Save ......................................................................................................................................57
12.1.13 Save as..................................................................................................................................57
12.1.14 Properties..............................................................................................................................58
12.2 Command > Edit Menu ..................................................................................................................58
12.2.1 Cut.........................................................................................................................................58
12.2.2 Copy......................................................................................................................................58
12.2.3 Paste .....................................................................................................................................59
12.2.4 Highlighting............................................................................................................................59
12.2.5 Find........................................................................................................................................59
12.2.6 Zip Archive.............................................................................................................................60
12.2.7 Unzip .....................................................................................................................................60
12.2.8 Anchor Positions....................................................................................................................60
12.2.9 Set/Jump to Anchor Positions ...............................................................................................60
12.2.10 Toggle between Anchor and Current Position ......................................................................60
12.3 Command > View Menu.................................................................................................................61
12.3.1 Filter.......................................................................................................................................61
12.3.2 Sorting...................................................................................................................................61
12.4 Command > Tools Menu................................................................................................................61
12.4.1 What does ZIP Archive mean?..............................................................................................61
12.4.2 Zip Progress..........................................................................................................................62
12.4.3 Zip Archive Functions............................................................................................................62
12.4.4 Creating Zip Files ..................................................................................................................62
12.4.5 Elements of the “Browse Dialog”...........................................................................................62
12.4.6 Unzip Zip Archives ................................................................................................................62
12.4.7 Controls in the Browse Dialog...............................................................................................63
12.4.8 Progress Information.............................................................................................................63
12.4.9 Open a Zip File without Unzipping ........................................................................................64
12.4.10 Copy Single files/folders from a Zip File................................................................................64
12.5 Converting BRF to RTF and Back Again.......................................................................................64
12.6 Exit Command Menu......................................................................................................................64
13 Chapter 13: Contact BAUM USA. ...............................................................................................65
14 Acknowledgements .....................................................................................................................65
15 Chapter 15: Appendices..............................................................................................................65
15.1 VarioUltra iOS Commands.............................................................................................................65
15.2 VarioUltra BrailleBack Commands.................................................................................................67
15.3 VarioUltra Commands....................................................................................................................68
15.4 JAWS Commands..........................................................................................................................73

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1 Chapter 1: VarioUltra First Look.
1.1 Top Side.
The top of VarioUltra features an 8-button braille keyboard, a refreshable braille display with cursor routing
buttons, 6 display buttons, 4 system keys, 2 thumb keys, and a 5-way navigation stick. Let’s take a closer look.
1.1.1 Braille Keyboard.
The first thing you will notice about the braille keyboard is that the 8 keys are not laid out in a straight line. In fact,
if you place your hands parallel to each other you may miss dots 1 and 4, which sit further forward than the other
keys. But if you move the palms of your hands out toward the front corners of the device, you will find that the
curved nature of the braille keyboard lines up perfectly with your fingers. It all makes for an extremely comfortable
typing position that you will thank us for when typing for extended periods of time.
We refer to the braille keys throughout this manual as B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, and B8. The outer keys (B7 on
the left and B8 on the right) are sometimes used when entering commands, all of which is explained later in this
guide.
1.1.2 Thumb Keys.
With your hands placed atop of VarioUltra, your thumbs should find themselves on top of two rectangular keys,
which we call thumb keys. These thumb keys are referred to as buttons B9 and B0 throughout this guide. In braille
display mode, both of these buttons are used as space bars. In braille notetaker mode, the left thumb key B9 is
used as a command key; the right thumb key, B0 is used as a space bar.
1.1.3 Navistick.
Located between the thumb keys is a 5-way navigation stick, which we refer to as Navistick. You use this button to
scroll left, right, up, or down by tapping the button in the desired direction. Pressing in on the Navistick selects
and/or confirms options within the menu structure of VarioUltra.
1.1.4 System Keys.
The system keys are small, circular buttons located along the front edge of VarioUltra. There are two on the left
side and two on the right. From the left front corner you will find system keys 1 and 2, then the left thumb key B9,
then the NaviStick, then the right thumb key B0, and then system keys 3 and 4. The four system keys are referred
to throughout this manual as S1, S2, S3, and S4. As you will learn throughout this guide, the S3 key is used to
access the main menu (long press) and command menu (short press within braille notetaker applications).
1.1.5 Braille Display and Display Buttons.
To the left and right side of the braille display, you will find three small, round buttons. These are the display keys,
which we refer to as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D6. Think of these 6 buttons as a braille cell split in two, with D123
on the left and D456 on the right. These buttons are used to navigate the display left and right, up and down, and
used to control other devices such as an iOS device. For example, to move your iOS device to the home screen
you would press D1D2D5 together, just like a letter H in braille.
1.2 Left Side.
The left side of VarioUltra is where you will find USB ports, and two sliding switches. From the left rear corner of
the device you will find:
1. A standard USB Type A interface for connecting a USB memory stick.
2. A micro USB interface for connecting to a USB power supply, or for connecting to a Windows computer.
3. The Device Mode switch, which slides away from you to select Braille Notetaker mode, or toward you to
select Braille Display mode.
4. The Device Lock switch, which slides away from you to unlock the device, or toward you to lock
VarioUltra.
5. A carry strap anchor point. There is another anchor point on the opposing side of VarioUltra. These points
are where the carry strap attaches.
1.3 Right Side.
The right side of VarioUltra is where you will find the power button. A short press of the button toggles the device
between awake and asleep. If you press and hold the button for about 10 seconds, VarioUltra will restart. When
this is done, a progress bar of dots 7 and 8 will appear on the braille display as the restart takes place. Hold down
the S4 key and tap the power button once to power VarioUltra off completely.

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A carry strap anchor point is also found here, just to the left of the power button. There is another anchor point on
the opposing side of VarioUltra. These points are where the carry strap attaches.
1.4 Getting Started.
To start VarioUltra, give a short press of the power button. If the device was previously in standby mode, it just
wakes up. If the device was completely switched off, a progress bar of dots 7 and 8 will appear from left to right on
the braille display while VarioUltra powers up.
Depending on the direction that the Device Mode switch is facing, VarioUltra will switch on in either Braille
Display mode or Notetaker mode. In Braille Display mode the braille display will appear blank. In Braille
Notetaker mode the braille display shows the last used application, or the first entry of the main menu,
which is the Word Processor.
Make sure that the Device Lock switch is facing away from you; otherwise the buttons and keys on VarioUltra will
be disabled. Refer back to section 1.2 for a reminder on where this switch is located.
1.5 Standby Mode and Powering Off.
With VarioUltra, it is possible to place the device in standby mode, or turn the device off completely. The
advantage of standby mode is that switching the device on and off is instantaneous. The advantage of powering
off completely is that VarioUltra will conserve even more battery charge.
To place VarioUltra in standby mode, just tap the power button on the right side of the device. The braille display
will switch off immediately and any Bluetooth connections will be disconnected. VarioUltra goes into standby mode
automatically after 10 minutes of inactivity. Please refer to section 10.6.1 for details on changing the amount of
time until VarioUltra enters standby mode. Note that entering standby mode will not happen if you are actively
connected to a USB or Bluetooth device.
To turn VarioUltra off completely, press and hold system key S4 and then tap the power button. VarioUltra will
vibrate and power off. If VarioUltra is connected to a power supply or connected to a computer via USB, the braille
display will show a row of braille cells with all dots showing on each cell, which indicate the charge level of the
battery. For example, if half the braille display is filled, it suggests that the battery is filled half way. When charging
is in progress, the cell to the right of the last full cell will be flashing with dots 7 and 8. Finally, if VarioUltra is fully
charged, all dots of all cells will be shown. If VarioUltra is not connected to anything, the braille display will be
blank when switched off completely.
1.6 Charging the Device.
VarioUltra has an internal battery that is charged via the micro USB to standard type A USB cable. The micro USB
end of the cable that inserts into VarioUltra has a connector that is longer on one side than the other. The longer
edge needs to be on top in order to fit in VarioUltra; a helpful way to know when the longer edge is facing up is to
feel for 2 small bumps on toward the outer edges. If the bumpy side is facing up, you have the cable facing the
right way. Connect the other end of the cable into a USB plug, into the USB port of a computer, or to a USB power
adaptor (800 - 2000 mA, 5 V).
To obtain battery status information, make sure VarioUltra is in Notetaker mode and give two short taps of system
key S3. If you’re in Braille Display mode, the command to check battery status is B9 plus S2.
Notes:
Charging VarioUltra takes approximately 2.5 hours when plugged into a USB plug or power adaptor, and
3.5 hours or longer if connected to a computer and/or if the device is being used at the same time.
The battery should last between 8 and 12 hours depending on whether you are connected to Bluetooth
devices, etc.
If the battery is allowed to drain completely, connect VarioUltra to an external power source using the USB
plug and USB cable that came with your device.
Whenever the battery is allowed to drain completely, connecting VarioUltra to a power source will not
immediately bring it back to life. Please wait a few minutes for VarioUltra to attain a minimum amount of
power, which is indicated when up to the fifth braille cell all dots are raised and on the sixth cell flashing
dots 7,8 appear. You can now press the power button to switch on the device.

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1.7 Shortcut Commands, Hotkeys, and Menu Elements.
There are two types of commands on VarioUltra: shortcut commands and hotkeys. Shortcut commands are
very often global in nature and require use of the left thumb key B9 and a combination of braille keys. Hotkeys
work only within the menus and require entry of a single letter.
1.7.1 More about Shortcut Commands.
As you will learn from this manual, shortcut commands require the use of the left thumb key B9, plus a
combination of braille dots that in many cases will include dot 7 and/or dot 8. While this may seem a like a lot
of keys to press initially, especially if you’ve been accustomed to 6-dot chord commands on other devices, the
advantage is that a unique command exists for everything on VarioUltra.
Within the pages of this manual, shortcut commands are written in one of two ways. By way of example, if the
command requires you to press the left thumb key B9 with braille keys B2 and B3, the command will be written
as B9+B2B3. In cases where a letter or punctuation symbol is used, the command will be written as c+B8B9
as in the case of the global command for copy.
Shortcut commands are also displayed for your convenience when in the menus. So if you’re on the word
processor menu item (MI), you will find w+B7B8B9 displayed after the application name, “Word processor”.
1.7.2 More about Hotkeys.
Hotkeys refer to braille characters that you enter when inside the menus. For example, you can type “w” for
the word processor, or “c” for the calculator. Menu items contain various elements, which you can customize in
Settings. By default, menu items start with MI (which stands for Menu Item), a single-letter hotkey, the name of
the application, and a shortcut command that can be entered from any location in the Braille Notetaker. For
example, if you want to open the word processor, just press and hold system key S1.
Note that hotkeys work only when you are inside the menu.
1.7.3 More about Menu Elements.
Braille elements are those things that appear on the display when in Braille Notetaker mode. Examples
include: MI, LI, CB, CHK, and EB. You can find more details in section 10.3 Display Settings.
Here is a quick review of the different elements, and what they mean:
MI: this element means you are on a menu item. Menu items are displayed vertically, which
means you navigate up and down to move from one item to another. In most cases you can
select by entering the corresponding hotkey or shortcut command, by pressing the left thumb key
B9, or by pressing in on the Navistick. Using the assigned shortcut command selects the item
without the need to open the menu.
LI: this element means you are on a list item. List items are displayed horizontally, which means
you navigate left and right to move from one item to another, and the selected item is presented.
Entering the first letter of an item takes you directly to that item in the list.
CB: The Control Button item refers to words such as OK, Cancel, Yes, and No. These words
typically appear in message dialogs. You confirm your choice by pressing a cursor routing button
above the word in question or by pressing the r thumb key B9.
CHK: This element refers to a checkbox. You can check and uncheck checkboxes by navigating
to the right with the Navistick, by pressing a cursor routing button above the checkbox, or by
tapping the right thumb key B0.
EB: This element refers to an edit box, into which text can be entered. You will encounter edit
boxes in those instances where a value needs to be entered.
1.8 Confirmation Prompts.
In various places throughout the Braille Notetaker menu structure of VarioUltra you will find references to
things you should or could confirm. Common examples include confirming with OK to exit a particular
dialog, or confirming with YES or NO. In these cases, the word or words in question will be present on the
braille display, or accessible by scrolling down or up with the Navistick to find them. When you find them,
you can confirm with B9, pressing in on the Navistick, or selecting a cursor routing button above any part
of a word. You will find an example below in section 1.9 regarding Context Sensitive Help where you are
instructed to “scroll down and confirm with OK to exit” to leave the help dialog.

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1.9 Help & Context Sensitive Help.
VarioUltra has two Help features.
To get general information about VarioUltra or to access this User Guide, enter command h+B7B8B9. This opens
the Help menu, which contains a menu item to open the user guide and a menu item to open the dialog “About
VarioUltra”. You can use display keys D2 and D5 within the About VarioUltra dialog to navigate through the
information that is presented there. Scroll down and confirm with OK to exit.
In virtually every other area of the product, entering command B9+B2B6 will display context sensitive help for the
menu item, application, or dialog box that you are interested in learning more about. Use display keys D2 and D5
to navigate through the context sensitive help messages. Scroll down and confirm with OK to exit.
1.10 Updating VarioUltra.
From time to time, new VarioUltra software updates will become available for download from our web site at
http://www.baumusa.com/support/varioultra.html in the form of a zip archive file.
If you own a VarioUltra that is running software version 1.0, please contact BAUM USA technical support for
assistance with updating to newer software versions.
If your VarioUltra is running software version 1.1 or newer, the instructions to update are as follows:
1. Download the update zip file and copy it to the root of the VarioUltra Flashdisk.
2. Make sure that your VarioUltra is connected to a power source.
3. Start the upgrade by simultaneously pressing braille keys B7+B8, and display buttons D3+D6.
4. Once the update is complete, VarioUltra will restart automatically.
The VarioUltra update process allows the installation of different components which are part of the update
package. The routine checks which components are already present on the device, and installs only those items
that are new. Different progress bars will appear on the braille display during installation steps. Installation typically
takes less than 2 minutes.
2 Chapter 2: Braille Display Mode.
2.1 Introduction to Braille Display Mode.
A major benefit of VarioUltra is the unique ability to connect simultaneously with multiple devices. The device
contains 5 connections in total: 1 USB and 4 Bluetooth. Once paired and connected, you can switch instantly
between devices by pressing and holding down S2, and then tapping a corresponding braille key that is assigned
to the device in question. This command instructs the braille display to show information from the chosen device.
For example:
System key S2 plus braille key B1 selects the USB device
System key S2 plus braille key B4 selects Bluetooth channel 1
System key S2 plus braille key B5 selects Bluetooth channel 2
System key S2 plus braille key B6 selects Bluetooth channel 3
System key S2 plus braille key B8 selects Bluetooth channel 4
The following sections provide detailed instruction on how to connect to devices via USB and Bluetooth. For
Bluetooth connectivity, please read section 2.12 for details on mapping devices to a specific channel.
2.2 Using VarioUltra as a USB Braille Display.
The first thing to do is confirm that the Device Mode switch is facing toward the front of VarioUltra.
With Device Mode set to braille display, insert the micro USB cable into the micro USB port on VarioUltra,
remembering that the wider edge of the connector needs to be on top. Connect the other end of the USB cable
into the USB port of your computer. Depending upon the screen reader software being used on the computer,
special settings and/or the installation of additional drivers may be required. COBRA 10.1, the screen reader from
BAUM Retec, recognizes VarioUltra automatically as a USB HID Braille display.