Freedom Scientific Eye-Pal Ace Plus User manual
440782-001 Revision A
Eye-Pal
®Ace Plus
Portable Scanner and Reader
User’s Guide
Freedom Scientific, Inc.
www.FreedomScientific.com
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Freedom Scientific, Inc., 11800 31st Court North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805, USA
www.FreedomScientific.com
© 2015 Freedom Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Eye-Pal® is a trademark of Freedom Scientific, Inc. in the
United States and other countries. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of
this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, for any
purpose, without the express written permission of Freedom Scientific.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this publication may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express
written permission of Freedom Scientific.
To register your product, visit http://www.freedomscientific.com/forms/ProductRegistration.
Safety and Maintenance
To keep the unit in good condition and to ensure safe usage, observe the following guidelines:
Read the instructions in this user’s guide before attempting to use the unit.
Do not attempt to repair the unit or open its case. This product contains no user serviceable parts.
Keep the unit away from wet areas, rain, and other sources of liquids or high humidity. Do not submerge
the unit.
Always operate the unit in a place where the temperature is between 10° and 40° C (50° and 104° F).
Always store the unit in a place where the temperature is between -20° and 65° C (-4° and 149° F).
Always use the unit on a stable, level, hard surface such as a desk or table.
When cleaning the screen, unplug the power cord and apply a small amount of non-abrasive cleanser,
such as the following, to a soft, lint-free cloth and gently wipe:
Water
Isopropyl alcohol
Petroleum benzene
Vinegar mixed with water at a concentration of no more than 10 percent vinegar, for example, 1.5
tablespoons of vinegar per cup of water (100 ml per liter)
CAUTION:
Do not apply excessive pressure to the screen. Do not spray cleanser directly on these items. Also, do
not use any cleanser that contains the following agents: acetone, ethyl alcohol, ethyl acid, ammonia,
or methyl chloride.
When cleaning the rest of the unit, make sure the unit is unplugged. Use a lightly dampened, soft, clean cloth
with water or mild detergent.
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Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................1
What's in the Box........................................................................................1
The Basics......................................................................................................2
Reading/Zoom Cameras.............................................................................2
Object Lighting............................................................................................2
Speakers.....................................................................................................2
Position.......................................................................................................2
Buttons, Controls, Connections...................................................................2
Top Panel Buttons ......................................................................................3
Side Connections/Power Button..................................................................5
Power and Battery.......................................................................................6
Internet Connection.....................................................................................8
Navigation and Settings ............................................................................11
Generic Scan and Read Settings..............................................................15
Managing Documents...............................................................................16
Appendix A: Safety Rules ...........................................................................33
Appendix B. Troubleshooting.....................................................................34
Power/Battery/Connections.......................................................................34
Scan and Read Application.......................................................................34
Calendar Application.................................................................................35
Appendix C: Braille Display Information....................................................36
Part A: Using a Refreshable Braille Display with the Ace Plus..................36
Part B: Supported Braille Displays and Control Details.............................37
Freedom Scientific Focus 14.....................................................................37
ALVA BC640.............................................................................................39
APH Refreshabraille 18.............................................................................40
HIMS Braille Edge 40................................................................................41
Baum SuperVario2 40 and HumanWare/PDI Brailliant 40.........................43
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HumanWare Brailliant bi40 .......................................................................44
Appendix D - Service and Support.............................................................46
1
Introduction
Congratulations on choosing the Eye-Pal® Ace Plus.
Eye-Pal Ace Plus (hereafter referred to as the Ace Plus) is a portable
electronic text-to-speech device for people with visual impairment and for those
who are blind. It is compatible with select refreshable Braille displays, allowing
nearly instant conversion of text to Braille.
Characterized by a contemporary design with time-tested simple controls, the
Ace Plus has internal speakers, a rechargeable, user-replaceable battery, and
a 10-inch built-in screen. The text is displayed in magnified font and read aloud
in a natural-sounding voice. The Ace Plus can be used as an electronic photo
album, magnifier, alarm clock, and an appointment reminder as well.
The Ace Plus can be used to send and receive emails, and to download and
read Bookshare books and NFB Newsline publications. The device can also be
used as a multi-tasking daily assistant for people with visual impairment and
those who are blind.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Freedom Scientific as
described in Appendix D - Service and Support on page 46. We greatly
appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy using your Ace Plus.
What's in the Box
Ace Plus device (with rechargeable, user-replaceable battery installed)
Ace Plus power supply (which has a rectangular piece approx. 4 inches
by 2 inches by 1 inch with a cord attached)
Ace Plus power cord (a cord with a big prong on one end and smaller
prong on the other)
User guide
Small objects placemat
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The Basics
Reading/Zoom Cameras
The Ace Plus has two 5-megapixel cameras that work simultaneously to take a
snapshot of your material. Place the document in the landscape position,
directly alongside the front of the Ace Plus. The optimal camera-viewable area
is a letter/A4 paper sized (8.5 by 11 inches).
Object Lighting
Both cameras automatically provide sufficient lighting when taking a snapshot.
No additional light is needed even in a dark room.
Speakers
Any material with printed text placed in front of the Ace Plus can be read out
loud using the built-in speakers. Alternatively, headphones or a Braille display
can be plugged in, or the Reading Mode can be set to Text Mode for those who
prefer to read silently.
Position
The top of the device has a panel with a set of Daisy arrow buttons on the left
side, a large round button in the center, a volume knob on the right toward the
back, and a half-moon shaped Scan Button. The front of the device has a
Screen with a thumb wheel (Roller) at the top front of each side. When setting
up the Ace Plus to scan a document, place the device on a flat surface with the
front of the device facing you and the top panel facing the ceiling. It must be in
this upright, flat position when scanning a document, but after it is scanned,
you can hold the device comfortably on your lap, tilted however you would like
while listening or reading.
Buttons, Controls, Connections
The diagrams below have pictures of the device, with the first one showing the
top and front view, and second showing the left side panel. All of the buttons
and controls are labeled. Below the diagrams, each button and control is
described. If you are reading this manual using this device, please be aware
that the labels on the diagram will not be converted verbatim. A full description
of each labeled item starts after each diagram.
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Top Panel Buttons
Home Button
A large round button located in the middle of the top panel. Press it anytime to
get to the main menu.
Volume Knob
It is located in the upper right corner of the top panel. Turn it clockwise to
increase the volume or counterclockwise to decrease the volume.
Daisy Buttons
It is located on the left side of the top panel. The Daisy Buttons have a total of
five buttons: four arrow buttons and one round button centered between them.
The function of each Daisy Button is explained later, according to which
application you are using.
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Action Button
It is located on the right side of the device above the Right Roller. Press this
Button to select a desired menu option. In Reading mode –this Button is used
to pause and resume reading. When using a Network Account, or Adding a
Network, the Action Button is used to select letter and character choices for
passwords, titles of Bookshare books, and names and email addresses in your
Address Book. (Alternatively, to be explained later in the manual, a USB
keyboard can be plugged in to enter addresses, phone numbers and
passwords).
Right Roller
It is located at the front right shoulder of the device. Scroll it up or down to go
through the menu options. In Reading mode, use the Right Roller to scroll up
or down to go to the previous or next line. When using a Network Account or
Adding a Network, use the Right Roller to scroll through letter and character
choices.
Left Roller
It is located at the front left shoulder of the device. Scroll it up to up to increase
font size or down to decrease font size. Alternatively, in the Settings Menu, the
Left Roller function can easily be switched to control reading speed rather than
font size.
Scan Button
The Scan Button is a half-moon shaped Button located on the right on top of
the device in front of the Volume Knob. This is used to take a picture of text
you want to scan.
Back Button
It is located above the Left Roller. From the Main Menu, when you select an
option such as the Clock or Settings menu choice, you can access additional
functions from a sub-menu. From a sub-menu, press the Back Button to return
to a previous menu.
When trying to delete a document, book or photo, if you accidently choose the
wrong item to delete, when you are prompted to confirm the deletion of the
item, use the Back Button to cancel your choice.
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The Back Button can also be pressed in order to cancel or interrupt an email
from being sent after pressing send, but before hearing the confirmation that
the email has been sent. Likewise, the Back Button can be pressed to interrupt
a Bookshare search.
Additionally, the Back Button can be used in Scan and Read mode after
scanning a document to turn the camera back on for scanning the next page.
Audio Output Socket
A 3.5mm audio output socket is located on the front of the device in the lower
left corner. The audio socket can be used for plugging in external speakers or
a headset.
Side Connections/Power Button
On the left side, toward the bottom and back, there is a set of ports aligned
vertically.
The first one from the bottom is for plugging in the power supply. Just above
that is a round power button. Above that is a USB port, and above that is a
second USB port.
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USB ports can be used to plug in a USB flash drive, a refreshable Braille
display, or a keyboard for input of data in the NFB Newsline, Bookshare and
Address Book applications.
To summarize, in general, use the Right Roller to scroll through the menu
items and the Action Button to confirm the menu selection. Use the Back
Button when in a sub-menu to return to the previous menu. Use the Home
Button to return to the Main Menu.
Note: For best sound quality on your voice recordings in the calendar and
photo album modes, record using battery power only. If your device is
plugged in, you can just briefly unplug it for your recording and then plug
it back in afterward.
Throughout this manual there are “scroll to and select” instructions for
operating different functions. In each case, you will use the Right Roller to
scroll and the Action button to select.
Power and Battery
Power Button
The Power Button is located on the left side of the device toward the back near
the bottom, just above a small round port for the power supply.
Power Indicator Light
The Power indicator light is located above the Power Button. The light glows
steady green when the device is on; the light blinks when the device is in
standby mode; the light is off when the device is turned off. It glows red when
the device is off and is being charged, and glows orange when the device is on
and is being charged.
Power Up
Press the Power Button to power up the device. The start-up process is
indicated by a series of beeps and takes approximately 90 seconds. When the
Ace Plus is ready, you will hear the announcement: “Main Menu: Scan and
Read.”
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Standby Mode
When operating the device on battery power, after a customized period of
inactivity, the Ace Plus goes into standby mode to consume less power. By
default, standby will begin after five minutes of inactivity. To select a different
length of time you want the device to stay awake when idle, start at the Main
Menu and scroll to and select Settings, and then select General Settings. Next,
scroll to and select “Time Until Standby.” Scroll through the length of time
options and select your preference.
A short series of tones indicates when the device is going into this mode, and
then a blinking power indicator light indicates that the device is on standby.
Press the Power Button to wake up the Ace Plus and return it to the active
mode.
It takes about 15 seconds for the Ace Plus to “wake up.” After a series of
beeps the Ace Plus is ready for use. It wakes up in the same spot where it was
left off going into sleep mode. To check which menu you are in, press the
Center Daisy Button. To return to the Main Menu, press the Home Button.
Power Down
To safely power down the device, from the Main Menu, scroll to and select
Settings. Then scroll to and select System Settings. Finally, scroll to and select
Shut Down.
Checking the Battery Charge Status
To quickly check the battery status, press the round Center Daisy Button. An
announcement will tell which menu screen you are in, the battery status and
whether or not you are connected to a Network.
The battery status is also given in the Settings sub-menu under Status. To get
to the Status menu from the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings. Then
scroll to and select Status. (The percentage of available battery charge is
announced and also displayed in the screen). “100%” means a fully charged
battery. If the charge is below 15%, it is time to recharge. The Ace Plus can be
used while it is being charged.
Charging the Battery
Important:
Before the first use, the Ace Plus’s battery needs to be charged to full
capacity which can take up to four hours.
8
To charge it, use the power supply and power cord provided as follows: First
connect the power cord end with the small prong into the port at the end of the
rectangular part of the power supply. Next, plug the power supply cord into the
power port on the Ace Plus. Finally, plug the power supply into a power outlet.
Do not use the Ace Plus while it is being charged for the first time. Later on, the
device can be used while it is being charged. In general, charging a depleted
Ace Plus battery to full capacity takes approximately four hours. A fully charged
Ace Plus battery lasts for about five hours of continued use.
For safety reasons, only use the adapter supplied for the Ace Plus by Freedom
Scientific, Inc.
Battery Replacement
When the battery on your device has reached the end of its rechargeable life, a
replacement can be ordered either from the dealer who sold you the device or
directly from Freedom Scientific. On the lower back side of the device, there is
a battery compartment with a cover that is attached by four small screws. To
install the replacement battery, unscrew the screws, and remove the battery.
Position the new one like the original, replace it and tighten the cover.
Internet Connection
The Ace Plus offers all the features of the standard Ace device (which are
described in this manual), PLUS Internet connectivity. A person can opt out of
using Internet functions by starting from the Main Menu, scrolling to and
selecting Network Accounts, and then selecting “Disable Networking Features.”
Internet functions available on the Ace Plus include:
Ability to download books from Bookshare
Ability to download publications from NFB Newsline
Ability to send and receive emails and attachments
To use Internet functions on the Ace Plus, you need access to an available Wi-
Fi network. If the Wi-Fi network you would like to use requires a password, you
will need to know the password to connect to it. When you choose a network,
such as a home wireless network that needs a password, you will be prompted
to enter it.
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Some public places, like many public libraries, offer free Wi-Fi connection with
open access and no password needed. Other places, like airports, coffee
shops and hotels, may require you to open a web browser and agree to their
terms of service. The network being used with the Ace Plus must be one that
does not require you use a web browser to read and accept user terms.
To use the Bookshare function on the Ace Plus, you must have a Bookshare
Account. An NFB Newsline Account is required to use the NFB Newsline
function. Before using the NFB Newsline function on the device, you will need
to have your NFB Newsline In Your Pocket favorites list set up from a computer
via the NFB Newsline online site at www.nfbnewslineonline.org.
Please contact the dealer who sold you the device or Freedom Scientific
Technical Support at 1-855-354-4080 for assistance connecting to Wi-Fi.
How to Register the Device and Obtain an Email Account
You can register online or by phone. To register online, please follow Steps
One and Two below. To register by phone, please call ABiSee, Inc at (855)
354-4080 with the PIN number provided with your device to obtain an Email
Account, and then proceed to Step Two below.
Step One:
1. Go to: www.abisee.org
2. Select Create New Account.
3. Enter the Device Serial Number.
4. Enter PIN provided to you by ABiSee with the shipment of your device.
5. Enter your email address, not the @abisee.org, but the alternative one.
6. Enter the contact name for this device.
7. Enter phone number for the contact name.
8. Select your relationship to the device user.
9. Press Create Account button.
10.Enter the username you would like to have for the abisee.org email account
on this device.
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Step Two:
1. Turn on the device.
2. From the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings.
3. Next, scroll to and select System Settings.
4. Then, scroll to and select Device Registration.
5. The device will announce/show, “No registration information available.
Press Action Button to retrieve.”
6. The message, “Retrieving registration information. Please wait,” will be
announced.
7. Wait until you hear “Retrieved registration,” and then press the Action
Button.
8. You will then hear “This device is registered to,” followed by the email
Follow the steps in the section below on how to enter characters and how to
add and connect to a Network to send and receive emails. Then follow the
steps in the Email section of this manual for instructions on how to add
contacts to your Address Book.
Note: In order to receive emails to your Ace Plus email account, the contact
has to send the email to the username you selected followed by
@abisee.org. Additionally, only contacts entered in your Address Book
will be able to send and receive emails via your Ace Plus email account.
Send a test email to someone in your address book and ask for a reply to
make sure your email is set up. If you need assistance, please call your local
dealer or ABiSee.
How to Add a Network to your Device
To add an available Network to your device, start from the Main Menu, scroll to
and select Settings. Then scroll to and select System Settings. Next, scroll to
and select Wireless Network Settings. Scroll to and select Add/Delete
Networks. Then scroll to and select Add Network. Scroll through the list of
networks until you come to the one you want to connect to and select it. If it is
password protected, you will be prompted to enter a password.
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How to Enter Passwords and Characters
When using Internet functions, you will be able to enter characters to spell out
Bookshare book titles you want to search for, and enter characters to add
names, email addresses and phone numbers to your Address Book. When
signing on to your Bookshare Account, your NFB Newsline account, or some
Wireless Network Accounts, you will need to enter a password.
Later in this manual, you will learn how to scroll to and select specific functions,
like the Address Book, Bookshare or NFB Newsline functions which require
character entry. You’ll also learn how to bring up the screen that will prompt
you for your entry.
Character entry for the above functions can either be done with a keyboard by
connecting it to the Ace Plus via one of the USB ports, or characters can be
entered without a keyboard using the device’s character selection option.
When using a function where you need to enter characters, if using a
keyboard, type your entry and press the Right Daisy arrow when finished to
complete your entry.
To enter characters using the device, press the Daisy Up or Down arrow to
move between lowercase, uppercase, numbers, email shortcuts and symbols.
For example, if you are in a mode to enter a password and you want to start
with an uppercase letter, press the Up arrow until you get to the choice
“Uppercase.”
Use the Right Roller to scroll to the character you want and select it with the
Action Button. If you enter a character in error, use the Left Arrow button to
delete it. When you want to complete your entry, press the Right Arrow Button.
How to Connect to a Network
To connect to a Network, start from the Main Menu, scroll to and select
Settings. Next, scroll to and select System Settings. Then, scroll to and select
Wireless Network Settings. Next, scroll to and select Connect to Network.
Choose the Network you added from the instructions in the previous section.
Navigation and Settings
This section details all the Main Menu options and how to navigate through
scan and read and other functions. Let’s start by pressing the Home Button to
get to the Main Menu.
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Main Menu Option List
Scan and Read
Document Management
NFB Newsline
Bookshare
Email
Zoom
Calendar (Includes a reminder function)
Photo Album
Clock (Includes an alarm function)
Settings
Address Book
Help
Scan and Read
This function enables you to read printed text like letters, books, portions of
food packages and medicine labels, including the fine print. The Ace Plus
reads printed text aloud (unless a Braille display is in use), and displays
magnified text on the screen. Scanned material can be saved. Instructions for
saving are given in the Managing Documents section.
Positioning a Document
The Ace Plus can scan and read a document that fits in the 8 ½ by 11-inch
field directly in front of the device on a flat surface. Use the base of the device
as a guide, and place the long side of the paper so that it is aligned with the
length of the base. The orientation of the document will not influence the
recognition of the text.
If you are scanning a document that is smaller than the 8 ½ by 11-inch field, for
best results, place a blank sheet of 8 ½ by 11-inch paper in the scanning area
and lay your smaller document on top of that. For smaller documents, it works
better to place it toward the right side of the scan field rather than in the center
of the blank page.
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Scanning and Reading Printed Material
This section gives directions for Scanning and Reading documents via the text
and voice modes. If you prefer to read with a Braille display, please refer to
Appendix C on page 36.
Scanning and Reading without a Braille Display
Turn on the Ace Plus with the power button. After the beeps, you will hear:
“Main Menu: Scan and Read.” Press the Action button to choose the Scan and
Read option. The camera light will automatically turn on by default. If you are
near a window with bright sun and there is too much light, you can turn the light
off by pressing the Daisy down arrow. You will hear, “Light Off.” Press the
same button again to turn the light back on when desired.
Position your document as described above.
Press the Scan Button once –you will hear a shutter sound. The Ace Plus will
start reading the text almost immediately after that. Do not press any other
buttons until the Ace Plus starts reading, as it will interrupt the
scanning/reading process.
Note: If you are scanning a small object with fine print, place it under the right
camera only and, when pressing the scan button, hold the scan button
for two seconds before releasing it to achieve the best focus.
Reading Modes
The scanned material may be read in:
Voice Mode: convenient for having the text read aloud - the default
choice
Text Mode: used for reading text on the screen quietly without voice
output.
The reading mode can be changed in Settings. To change the mode, from the
Main Menu and scroll to and select Settings. Next, scroll to and select General
Settings. Then, scroll to and select Reading Mode. Scroll to your desired option
(Voice Mode or Text Mode), and set it with the Action Button.
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Voice Mode Settings
Reading Speed
This setting lets you adjust the speed in which the document is read aloud. If
you would like to be able to adjust the reading speed with the Left Roller while
reading a document, you can set the Left Roller Mode to “Reading Speed” in
General Settings. You can also set a Reading Speed from the General
Settings Menu which will keep the reading speed at a set pace you choose
once. By default, the Left Roller Mode is set to Font Magnification, which
allows you to control the font size as you read. If you would rather use the Left
Roller to control reading speed as you read instead of using it to control Font
Magnification, you can switch the Left Roller Mode to “Reading Speed” by
doing the following:
From the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings, and then select “General
Settings.” Next, scroll to and select Left Roller Mode. Finally, select Reading
Speed.
To change and set the Reading speed once in Settings, from the Main Menu,
scroll to and select Settings. Next, scroll to and select General Settings. Then,
scroll to and select Reading Speed. Next, scroll between the speed values
from 1 (the slowest) to 10 (the fastest). Stop at your preferred speed and set it
with the Action Button.
Voice/Language
To adjust the setting for your preferred reading voice or language, from the
Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings. Then, scroll to and select General
Settings. Next, scroll to and select Reading Voice.
Note: There is also a setting that is labeled Voice rather than Reading Voice.
The Voice setting is to choose the voice that will be used for announcing
Menu options and prompts on the device, whereas the Reading Voice
will be the language of the content you are reading.
Next, scroll through available language/voice combinations and select your
preference.
The reading language and language of the document need to match in order
for the text recognition to be accurate.
15
To Navigate Through Text
The five Daisy Buttons and Right Roller are used for text navigation.
Press the left or right arrow button to, respectively, move to the previous
or next word.
Press the up or down arrow buttons to, respectively, move to the
previous or next paragraph.
Press and hold the Daisy Center Button while repeatedly pressing the
right arrow button to spell out the next word.
Press and hold the Daisy Center Button while repeatedly pressing the left
arrow button to spell out the previous word.
Scroll up or down with the Right Roller to move, respectively, to the
previous or next line.
Press the up and down arrow buttons simultaneously to hear the
orientation of the document.
Press the left and right arrow buttons simultaneously to switch between
column mode and table mode.
Press the Action Button to pause or resume reading. Alternatively, you can set
the Center Daisy Button Mode to pause/resume in Settings, to use that.
Text Mode
In Text Mode, the scanned document is presented on the screen, but it will not
be read aloud unless you press the Action Button. By default, the device is set
to control font magnification with the Left Roller. If you have previously
changed the settings in the Settings menu for the Left Roller to control Reading
Speed, you will need to switch this back if you want to use the Left Roller for
font magnification.
Generic Scan and Read Settings
Generic Scan and Read settings apply to both reading modes.
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Font, Font Size, Contrast
To adjust the setting for your preferred font, font size or contrast, begin at the
Main Menu. Scroll to and select Settings, and then select General Settings.
Next, scroll to and select one of the options: Font, Font Size or Contrast. Then,
scroll through available options and select your preference.
Tables and Spreadsheets
By default, the Ace Plus will recognize text columns as separate pages. To
disable the column recognition in order to accurately read tabulated text, press
and hold the left and right arrow Buttons simultaneously until you hear the
announcement "Switched to table mode." Press the same two Buttons again
when you want to switch back.
Reading tall food packaging
Tall food packages, such as a cracker box, can be read as long as the top of
the package does not come closer than four inches from the camera lens. For
packages where the entire dimension of the box is four inches or less, place
the package under the right camera only. When placing a package, press and
hold the Scan Button for three seconds - that way the camera will bring the
item into sharp focus before taking the snap shot.
Managing Documents
Saving Documents and Books
The Ace Plus allows you to save single-page documents, multi-page
documents and books. Documents and books can be saved internally or on a
USB external memory device (flash drive). When following the steps for saving
documents, if a flash drive is plugged in, the documents will be saved on it. If
there is not a flash drive plugged in, it will be saved internally.
Note: Scanned documents being saved via Scan and Read mode can only be
saved internally. If you want to save a document to a flash drive, you
must do this via the Document Management mode.
If you would like to convert the documents or books you are saving to txt format
that can be edited on a computer, or if you would like to convert saved material
to an MP3 file so you can listen to the file on different player, save your
material to a USB flash drive.
Table of contents
