Freedom Scientific Focus Blue 5th Generation User manual

440918-001 Rev B
Focus Blue
5th Generation
Refreshable Braille Display
User’s Guide
Freedom Scientific Inc.

Freedom Scientific Inc.
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805
USA
http://www.FreedomScientific.com
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.
Copyright © 2017 Freedom Scientific. All Rights Reserved.
JAWS is a registered trademark of Freedom Scientific in the United States and
other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
To register your product, visit
http://www.FreedomScientific.com/Forms/ProductRegistration.
Contains Radio transmitter:
FCC ID: T7V1316
IC: 216Q-1316
MIC ID: [R]202-LSD
USA-Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio /TV technician for help.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Caution: Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.
This device must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.
Canada –Industry Canada (IC) Notice
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.
This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of this device.
L ‘ utilisation de ce dispositif est autorisée seulement aux conditions suivantes :
(1) il ne doit pas produire d’interference et
(2) l’ utilisateur du dispositif doit étre pr?t ? accepter toute interference
radioélectrique reçu, m?me si celle-ci est susceptible de compromettre le
fonctionnement du dispositif.
Caution: Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.
The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located or
pointed such that it does not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada limits for
the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from Health
Canada’s website www.hc-sc.gc.ca.

Attention: Exposition à des radiations de fréquences radio.
Cet appareil émettant des ondes radio, l'installateur doit s'assurer que l'antenne
est positionnée ou orientée de telle sorte que l'appareil émette des champs RF
ne dépassant pas les limites recommandées par Santé Canada pour le grand
public; consultez Code de sécurité 6, disponible à Santé Canada ou sur leur
site web www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
Attention
This unit has been shipped with cables that allow compliance with FCC
Regulations. If replacement cables are needed in the future, contact Freedom
Scientific to obtain the appropriately shielded cable.
Safety, Maintenance, and Cleaning Procedures
Do not attempt to repair Focus Blue or open its case. This product contains no
user serviceable parts. Any unauthorized attempt to service or replace internal
components will void the product warranty.
Keep Focus Blue away from wet areas, rain, and other sources of liquids. Do
not submerge Focus Blue.
Do not store in places subject to temperature extremes such as a parked car.
Use only the power adapter that came with Focus Blue to charge its internal
battery pack. Other adapters may damage the unit.
Important Notice
This device has no user-serviceable components. Any unauthorized attempt to
service or replace internal components by opening the case will void the
product warranty.

Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................. 1
What’s in the Box? ................................................................................... 2
Physical Layout........................................................................................ 3
NAV Rockers and NAV Mode Buttons................................................... 4
Panning Buttons .................................................................................... 4
Rocker Bars........................................................................................... 4
Selector Buttons .................................................................................... 4
Shift Buttons.......................................................................................... 5
Cursor Router Buttons........................................................................... 5
Power Button......................................................................................... 5
Internal Battery......................................................................................... 6
Connecting the Focus.............................................................................. 7
Installing Focus Blue Display Drivers..................................................... 7
Configuring the USB Connection........................................................... 8
Configuring the Bluetooth Connection ................................................... 8
Pairing with a Mobile Device................................................................ 10
Switching the Active Connection.......................................................... 11
Using the Focus Blue with JAWS ......................................................... 12
BrailleIn ............................................................................................... 12
Braille Study Mode............................................................................... 12
Placement of Status Cells.................................................................... 13
Variable Braille Dot Firmness .............................................................. 13
Locking the Perkins-style Keyboard..................................................... 15
The Display Configuration Menu........................................................... 16
Bluetooth ID......................................................................................... 16
Key Repeat.......................................................................................... 16
Rest State Delay.................................................................................. 16
Clock ................................................................................................... 17
Calendar.............................................................................................. 17

Firmness.............................................................................................. 18
Connections......................................................................................... 19
Language............................................................................................. 20
Diagnostics Mode................................................................................... 21
Entering and Exiting Diagnostics Mode................................................ 21
Routing Button Test............................................................................. 21
Display Test/Clean............................................................................... 21
Key and Controls Test ......................................................................... 22
Battery Info Mode ................................................................................ 23
Troubleshooting..................................................................................... 24
Environmental Considerations.............................................................. 26
Storage................................................................................................ 26
Operating............................................................................................. 26
Service and Support .............................................................................. 27
Warranty and Registration................................................................... 27

1
Introduction
The fifth generation Focus Blue refreshable braille display provides a compact,
tactile interface to your computer. Used together with screen access software
such as JAWS® for Windows, the Focus Blue can enhance your computing
experience.
The Focus Blue includes the following features:
•40 refreshable braille cells
•A Cursor Router button above each braille cell
•8-key Perkins-style braille keyboard, with the addition of two Shift buttons
•Two Panning buttons, two Rocker bars, and two Selector buttons
•A NAV Rocker and a NAV Mode button at each end of the display for
quick navigation of files, lists, and menus
•A Menu button, conveniently centered above the Cursor Router buttons,
for quick access to calendar, clock, Bluetooth connections, and more
•VariBraille adjustable braille dot firmness
•Status cells configurable to either end of the display
•USB connection to computer
•Bluetooth® wireless connectivity supporting up to five connections
•Support for select cell phones and other mobile devices via third party
screen reader applications

2
What’s in the Box?
•Fifth generation Focus Blue braille display
•AC adapter
•USB Cable
•Carrying Case
•Manual in print and braille
•Companion CD
•Warranty registration cards
•Product support insert

3
Physical Layout
On the left side of the display, going from front to back, you will find the Power
button and a micro USB-C port. The USB port allows you to connect the display
to a computer using the supplied USB cable, or to the AC adapter.
The refreshable braille cells are located toward the front of the unit. There is a
Cursor Router button above each braille cell. At each end of the display's
surface are NAV Rockers used for easy navigation. Positioned above each
NAV Rocker is a NAV Mode button which cycles through the different
navigation modes.
Positioned directly above the Cursor Router buttons, there are eight keys
similar to those on a Perkins-style braille keyboard. Going from the center, the
left-hand keys contain the following: Dot 1 under the index finger, Dot 2 under
the middle finger, dot 3 under the ring finger, and dot 7 under the little finger,
while the right-hand contains: Dot 4 under the index finger, Dot 5 under the
middle finger, Dot 6 under the ring finger, and Dot 8 under the little finger.
These keys are used to enter text or perform commands. Between dots 1 and 4
is a Menu button which is used to access the Focus configuration menu. On the
front edge, directly under and in the center of the display is a SPACEBAR. This
key is used together with the braille keys when entering commands. A
command that includes the SPACEBAR is commonly referred to as a chorded
command. For example, L CHORD or DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD.
On the front edge of the display are the following controls, located from left to
right: Left Panning button, Left Rocker bar, Left Selector button, Left Shift
button, Right Shift button, Right Selector button, Right Rocker bar, and
Right Panning button.
Note: The following sections describe how these controls work when using the
Focus Blue with JAWS. If you choose to use the Focus display with a
third-party screen reading application on a computer or mobile device,
refer to the documentation that came with the software as the functions
of these controls may be different from how they work with JAWS.

4
NAV Rockers and NAV Mode Buttons
The Focus NAV Rockers allow you to move quickly through files, dialog boxes,
lists, and menus. In a file, you can move by line, sentence, paragraph, or pan
backward and forward. To switch between the four navigation modes, press the
NAV Mode button located directly above each NAV Rocker. In a dialog box,
you can move between the available controls, and even interact with them. In a
menu, you can move up and down through the menu items. You can also
completely turn the NAV Rockers off by simultaneously pressing the Left or
Right NAV Mode button and the SPACEBAR. Perform a Left or Right NAV
Mode button CHORD once more to turn them back on.
Panning Buttons
The Focus Panning buttons pan left or right one display width each time they
are pressed. Press the Left Panning button, the button with a raised double
left arrow symbol, to pan left; press the Right Panning button, the button with a
raised double right arrow symbol, to pan right. If you are using JAWS, the
functions of the Panning buttons can be reversed so that pressing the Left
Panning button causes the Focus display to pan right and pressing the Right
Panning button causes it to pan left. Please refer to help for the JAWS
Keyboard Manager for details on modifying these and other control
assignments.
Rocker Bars
The Rocker bars provide movement up or down by line. Press the top of the
Rocker bar to move up one line; press the bottom of the Rocker bar to move
down one line. The Rocker bars, in combination with the Panning buttons,
move to the beginning or end of the line on which the cursor is positioned.
Press a Panning button and the top of a Rocker bar to move to the start of the
line. Press a Panning button and the bottom of a Rocker bar to move to the end
of the line.
Selector Buttons
Used by themselves, the concave-shaped Selector buttons control Auto
Advance. Press both Selector buttons together to toggle Auto Advance on or
off. Press the Left Selector button to decrease the Auto Advance speed or
press the Right Selector button to increase the Auto Advance speed.

5
When pressed in combination with other controls, the Selector buttons perform
multiple functions. For instance, pressing a Selector button and the top or
bottom of a Rocker bar performs a page up or page down. You can also press
a Selector button and the Right or Left Panning button to move to the top or
bottom of a file.
Shift Buttons
The Shift buttons are used in conjunction with the SPACEBAR, braille keys,
and other controls to enter commands. For example, when using JAWS,
pressing Left Shift+DOT 4 or DOT 1 selects the next or previous line in a
document.
Cursor Router Buttons
There is a Cursor Router button located above each braille cell. Press a
Cursor Router button to move the cursor to that point, or to select a link in a
web page or email message. In line mode, press a Cursor Router button to
open a menu or select menu items.
Press and hold the Left or Right Panning button while simultaneously
pressing a Cursor Router BUTTON to simulate a right mouse click at that
location.
You can also use the Cursor Routers to select text in documents. To select with
the Cursor Router buttons, press and hold the Left Shift button, then press the
Cursor Router button above the text where you want to begin the selection.
Release both keys. Move to where you want to end the selection, and press the
Left Shift button plus the Cursor Router button at that location. Use any
navigation commands to move from the beginning point to the end point of the
text you are selecting, even the NAV Rockers, but if the window containing the
text scrolls, this affects the information that is selected.
Power Button
The Power button turns the Focus on or off when not connected to USB. Press
and hold it for approximately two seconds to turn the display on and press and
hold it for approximately three and a half seconds to turn the display off.

6
Internal Battery
The Focus Blue contains an internal battery for Bluetooth operation. While
using the Focus over a Bluetooth connection, you will get approximately 20
hours for typical usage. To check the battery status while the display is in use,
press the Menu button to display the status message which includes the
percentage of battery charge used. Press the Left Selector button to return to
normal operation.
When the battery is at 20 percent, 10 percent, and 5 percent respectively, a low
battery warning is displayed indicating it is time to plug in the AC adapter. You
can dismiss this message by pressing a Cursor Router button. In addition,
once the battery drops below 10 percent, dots seven and eight in the last five
cells will show each percentage drop. For example, when the battery is at one
percent, dot 8 in the last cell will be raised.
Use the AC adapter supplied with your unit to charge the battery. The unit
takes three hours to charge using the supplied AC adapter even when the
Bluetooth connection is active. Charging time will be less if the battery is not
completely discharged before the display is plugged in. The Focus will also
charge while connected to a computer using the USB cable, however, charging
time will take longer than with the supplied AC adapter. As the Focus charges,
the battery charging indicator, a circle of dots, is displayed to the right of the
percentage until the unit reaches 100 percent. You can continue using the
Focus while it is charging.
Caution: No user serviceable parts. Risk of High Voltage shock.

7
Connecting the Focus
You can connect the Focus braille display to your computer using either the
supplied USB cable or wirelessly over Bluetooth. If you connect using USB, the
display is powered from the computer through the USB connection cable. This
also charges the internal battery. As soon as you connect the USB cable to the
computer, the Focus immediately turns on. When the USB cable is removed,
the Focus turns off.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communications technology. Devices with
Bluetooth capabilities can communicate with each other over a distance of
about 10 meters (30 feet) without requiring a physical connection. Using the
Focus wirelessly over Bluetooth means you do not have any cables to worry
about and you can relax on your couch and use the Focus as both a braille
display and keyboard to access your computer from across the room.
In order to use Bluetooth, you must establish a partnership with a Bluetooth
enabled computer. The majority of modern notebook computers and mobile
phones as well as some models of desktop computers offer built-in Bluetooth
support. However, not all computers offer this. If your computer does not have
built-in Bluetooth, you will need to purchase an external USB Bluetooth adapter
and install the appropriate drivers on your system to enable this functionality.
Refer to the documentation that came with your Bluetooth hardware to ensure
Bluetooth is properly configured on your computer.
The Focus Blue supports up to five Bluetooth connections and one USB
connection. This means that you can use the Focus over USB with your
desktop computer and also set up Bluetooth connections to your phone and
tablet. See the Connections section of this manual for more information about
managing active connections.
Installing Focus Blue Display Drivers
JAWS automatically installs the files necessary to use the Focus Blue during
the JAWS installation. However, if you choose to use the Focus display with
another screen reading application, you must install the driver from the
Companion CD by doing the following:

8
Note: Disconnect the Focus display from your computer when performing the
following steps. Having the display connected during this process
results in improper installation and failure of the display to operate
properly.
1. Insert the Focus Blue Companion CD. When the Freedom Scientific
Focus Setup dialog box opens, choose Install Windows driver. You will
hear a series of clicks as the driver is installed.
2. When the installation completes, choose the OK button to restart your
computer.
Configuring the USB Connection
To configure the Focus Blue braille display to operate with JAWS over USB, do
the following:
Note: If you are using a third-party screen reading application, refer to the
documentation that came with the software as this procedure might be
different.
1. Establish a USB connection between the Focus and computer using
the supplied USB cable.
2. Windows will detect the display and install the appropriate drivers.
3. Once Windows has confirmed that the hardware was successfully
installed, close and then restart JAWS. JAWS automatically detects
and begins using your Focus Blue braille display.
Configuring the Bluetooth Connection
In order to use the Focus Blue wirelessly over Bluetooth, you must first
configure a Bluetooth partnership between the Focus and computer.
To set up a Bluetooth partnership between the Focus display and computer, do
the following:
1. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on the computer running JAWS. If
you are using an external USB Bluetooth adapter, insert it and ensure
it is detected properly.
2. Power on the Focus. The time and battery status information is
displayed.

9
3. On the computer, go to the Control Panel and type "bluetooth" into the
Search edit box.
4. Press TAB to move to Add Bluetooth Device and press ENTER. The
computer will begin searching for Bluetooth devices. This may take
several seconds. You are placed in the list of devices when the search
is complete.
5. Use the ARROW keys to select your Focus display from the list, for
example, Focus 40 BT, and then press ENTER. If the Focus display
was not found, make sure it is turned on then select the Retry button.
6. When prompted to enter a pairing code, type 0000 into the edit field,
and then press ENTER to finish pairing the display.
You must now configure JAWS to use the Bluetooth connection. Note that it is
not necessary to first establish a USB connection before using Bluetooth. If you
have not yet set up a USB connection with the Focus display, do the following:
Note: If you are using a third-party screen reading application, refer to the
documentation that came with the software as these procedures might
be different.
1. Press INSERT+J to open the JAWS window.
2. Press ALT+O to open the Options menu and select Braille to open the
Braille Basic Settings dialog box.
3. Press TAB to move to the Add Braille Display button and press
ENTER.
4. In the list of braille displays, choose Focus and press the SPACEBAR
to select it, and then choose Next.
5. In the Select the output port edit combo box, choose Bluetooth.
6. Choose next and make sure that the Focus is selected as the primary
display.
7. Select Finish and you are instructed to restart JAWS in order for these
changes to take effect. Select OK to close this message and once
more to close the Braille Basic Settings dialog box.
8. Quit and restart JAWS and your Focus Blue is now communicating
with JAWS over Bluetooth.

10
If you are currently using the Focus display over USB and you want to switch
the connection to use Bluetooth, do the following:
1. Press INSERT+J to open the JAWS window.
2. Press ALT+O to open the Options menu and select Braille to open the
Braille Basic Settings dialog box.
3. In the Default Braille Display combo box, make sure Focus is selected
then choose Modify Settings.
4. In the Select the output port edit combo box, choose Bluetooth.
5. Select OK and you are instructed to restart JAWS in order for these
changes to take effect. Select OK to close this message and once
more to close the Braille Basic Settings dialog box.
6. Quit and restart JAWS and your Focus Blue is now communicating
with JAWS over Bluetooth.
Once JAWS is configured to communicate with the Focus Blue over Bluetooth,
you can switch back and forth between USB and Bluetooth and JAWS will
automatically detect the connection without the need to change any settings.
For example, if you connect the USB cable and restart JAWS, the display will
work with JAWS over USB. If you disconnect the USB cable, then power on the
Focus Blue and restart JAWS, the display will work with JAWS over Bluetooth.
To check the battery status, press the Menu button to display the status
message which includes the percentage of battery power remaining. The letters
“BT” are also shown in the cells near the right end of the display to indicate the
Bluetooth connection is active. Press the Left Selector button to return to
normal operation.
Pairing with a Mobile Device
You can use the Focus Blue as a Bluetooth display with mobile devices that run
Apple’s iOS™ and Google’s Android™ operating systems. Instructions for
pairing the Focus with iOS or Android devices as well as some useful
commands are available on the Focus Companion CD.
Note: Apple devices must be running iOS 11 or later in order to pair with the
Focus display.

11
When initially pairing the Focus Blue with another Bluetooth device, ensure the
display is powered on and not connected to USB. Once paired, you can
connect the USB cable and then use the procedure described in the next
section, or the display’s Connections menu (described later in this manual), to
move between active connections.
Switching the Active Connection
If you are using the Focus display with multiple active connections, press the
Menu button in conjunction with DOT 1 through DOT 5 to quickly switch to one
of the five Bluetooth connections, or DOT 8 to switch to the USB connection.
For example, if the Focus display is connected to your iPhone, but you are
currently using the display with your computer over a USB connection, press
Menu+DOT 1 to switch to the Bluetooth connection assigned to the phone.
After performing your necessary tasks with your phone, press Menu+DOT 8 to
switch back to the USB connection to resume using your computer.
From an active connection, you can also press the Menu button to display the
Focus status message and then press DOTS 1-2-3 to cycle between USB and
your paired Bluetooth devices. If the status message is still displayed after
switching to a connection, unlock your device so it will detect the display and
activate the connection.

12
Using the Focus Blue with JAWS
The following sections briefly describe JAWS features that are available when
the Focus display is connected to your computer. If you choose to use a
different screen reader, or you are using the Focus with a mobile device, refer
to the documentation that came with the software for braille features provided
by the particular application.
BrailleIn
The BrailleIn™ feature allows you to use the Perkins-style braille keyboard on
your Focus display to control your computer. Using the keyboard along with
other Focus controls, you can perform all Windows and JAWS commands that
you can do from a regular QWERTY keyboard. In addition, you can also enter
text using contracted or uncontracted braille. For more information about
BrailleIn, refer to the JAWS Help.
Braille Study Mode
Braille Study Mode is a training tool for teaching and learning braille. When
Braille Study Mode is on, JAWS will announce the current braille character in a
display cell when you press the Cursor Router button immediately above that
cell. When you press the particular Cursor Router button in conjunction with the
Left or Right Selector button, JAWS will announce and spell the braille word. To
enable Braille Study Mode, do the following:
1. Make sure that the Focus display is connected to your computer using
either a USB or Bluetooth connection.
2. Press INSERT+V to open Quick Settings.
3. In the Search edit box, type “study” without the quotes.
4. Press DOWN ARROW to move to “Study Mode”in the filtered search
results in the tree view.
5. Press SPACEBAR to toggle this option and then choose OK to close
Quick Settings. Braille Study Mode remains on until toggled off or until
JAWS is restarted.

13
In addition, the following commands are available even when Braille Study
Mode is disabled:
•Press the Left or Right NAV Mode button and a Cursor Router to
make JAWS announce the braille character in the display cell, or
•Press the Left or Right Selector button and a Cursor Router to
make JAWS announce and spell the braille word.
This is useful when you need a quick reminder, but you do not want to go
through the process of turning on Braille Study Mode as previously described.
Note: JAWS returns to normal operation after announcing the braille character
or word.
Placement of Status Cells
You can specify if the informational Status Cells are to be located on the left or
right end of the display, or choose to not display them at all. The status cells
are located at the left end of the display by default.
To configure the placement of the status cells, do the following:
1. Press INSERT+F2, and select Settings Center.
2. To apply changes to all applications, press CTRL+SHIFT+D to load
the JAWS default settings. To apply changes to a specific application,
select it from the Application combo box.
3. In the Search edit box, type "status cells" without the quotes.
4. Press DOWN ARROW to move to "Placement of status cells" in the
filtered search results in the tree view.
5. Use the SPACEBAR to choose an option and then choose OK to
close Settings Center.
Variable Braille Dot Firmness
Specify the firmness of the braille dots on the Focus display. There are five
levels of firmness. Adjust the display to the level of firmness most suited to the
sensitivity of your fingers.

14
To configure the dot firmness, do the following:
1. Press INSERT+F2, and select Settings Center.
2. To apply changes to all applications, press CTRL+SHIFT+D to load
the JAWS default settings. To apply changes to a specific application,
select it from the Application combo box.
3. In the Search edit box, type "dot firmness" without the quotes.
4. Press DOWN ARROW to move to "Dot Firmness" in the filtered search
results in the tree view.
5. Use the SPACEBAR to set the level of firmness and then choose OK
to close Settings Center.