Freedom Scientific Focus 40 Blue User manual

Focus 40 Blue
Refreshable Braille Display
User’s Guide
Freedom Scientific Inc.
440447-001 Rev E

PUBLISHED BY
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 © 2011 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.
Contains transmitter module FCC ID: ED9LMX9838
Contains transmitter module IC:1520A-LMX9838
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 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
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.
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
Features ......................................................................................................1
What’s in the Box? .....................................................................................2
Physical Layout ..........................................................................................3
Controls ...................................................................................................4
WHIZWHEELS....................................................................................5
Panning Buttons..................................................................................5
Rocker Bars ........................................................................................5
Selector Buttons..................................................................................5
Cursor Routing Buttons.......................................................................6
Navrow Buttons...................................................................................6
Table of Multi-Control Functions .........................................................8
Power Button .........................................................................................10
Internal Battery .........................................................................................11
Carrying Case ...........................................................................................12
Connecting the Focus..............................................................................13
Adding JAWS Support to the Focus Display.........................................14
Installing the Focus Display in JAWS 11 or Later..................................14
Installing the Focus Display in JAWS 10 or Earlier................................15
Configuring the Bluetooth Connection ..................................................16
BrailleIn .....................................................................................................18
Typing with Contracted Braille...............................................................18
Braille Study Mode ...................................................................................20
Configuring the Focus Display ...............................................................21
Placement of Status Cells......................................................................21

Reading Line......................................................................................... 21
Variable Braille Dot Firmness ............................................................... 21
Rapid Reading ...................................................................................... 22
Focus Keyboard Commands Overview ................................................. 23
Modifier Keys ........................................................................................ 23
Function Keys................................................................................... 24
Special Keys ......................................................................................... 25
Navigation Commands.......................................................................... 28
Microsoft Word Navigation Quick Keys................................................. 32
Text Selection Commands.................................................................... 33
Selecting with the Cursor Routing Buttons....................................... 35
Braille Commands................................................................................. 35
Windows Commands ............................................................................ 37
Selection Commands............................................................................ 38
JAWS Commands................................................................................. 39
Cursor Functions................................................................................... 41
Utility Functions..................................................................................... 42
Environmental Considerations............................................................... 44
Storage ................................................................................................. 44
Operating .............................................................................................. 44
Diagnostics Mode.................................................................................... 45
Entering and Exiting Diagnostics Mode ................................................ 45
Routing and Navrow Button Test .......................................................... 45
Display Test/Clean................................................................................ 45
Key and Controls Test .......................................................................... 46
Battery Info Mode.................................................................................. 47

1
Features
The Focus 40 Blue refreshable braille display provides a compact and
tactile interface to your computer. Used together with screen access
software such as JAWS® for Windows, the Focus 40 Blue can enhance
your computing experience.
The Focus 40 Blue includes the following features:
40 refreshable braille cells
A cursor routing button above each braille cell
A Navrow button above each cursor routing key
8-key Perkins-style braille keyboard, with the addition of two SHIFT
keys
Two panning buttons, two rocker bars, and two selector buttons
Two WHIZWHEELS®, one at each end of the display, for quick
navigation of files, lists, and menus
VariBraille adjustable braille dot firmness
Status cells configurable to either end of the display
Rapid Reading mode for quick review of files
USB connection to computer
Bluetooth® wireless connectivity with battery power
Support for select cell phones and PDAs via third party applications

2
What’s in the Box?
The Focus package includes the following items. If you find that you are
missing any of the components listed below, please call Customer
Service at [phone].
Focus 40 Blue braille display
AC adapter
USB Cable, 6-foot
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 a
round Power button, a standard mini B USB port, and the power jack for
connecting the AC adapter. If the Focus 40 Blue is connected to USB, it
does not require an external power source.
The refreshable braille cells are located toward the front of the unit. There
is a cursor routing button above each braille cell and a Navrow button
immediately above each cursor routing button. At each end of the
display's surface are WHIZWHEELS used for easy navigation.
Positioned directly above the Navrow buttons, there are eight keys similar
to those on a Perkins-style braille keyboard. The eight braille keys from
left to right are: 7, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 8. These keys are used to enter
commands. 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.
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 key (used in conjunction with the SPACEBAR and
braille keys to enter commands)
Right SHIFT key (used in conjunction with the SPACEBAR and
braille keys to enter commands)

4
Right selector button
Right rocker bar
Right panning button
Controls
The Focus 40 Blue display provides two WHIZWHEELS, two panning
buttons, two rocker bars, two selector buttons, and cursor routing buttons
and Navrow buttons above each braille cell. See the chart following the
Navrow section for a full listing of all multiple-control functions.

5
WHIZWHEELS
The Focus WHIZWHEELS 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. 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.
Panning Buttons
The Focus panning buttons pan left or right one display width (40 cells)
each time they are pressed. Press the panning button on the left front
edge of the Focus to pan left; press the panning button on the right front
edge of the Focus to pan right. 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 selector buttons control Auto Advance. When
pressed in combination with other controls, the selector buttons perform
multiple functions.

6
Cursor Routing Buttons
There is a Cursor routing button located above each braille cell. Press a
cursor routing button to move the cursor to that point, or to select a link in
a Web page or e-mail message. In line mode, press a cursor routing
button to open a menu or select menu items.
Press and hold the RIGHT SELECTOR BUTTON while simultaneously
pressing a CURSOR ROUTING BUTTON to simulate a right mouse click
at that location.
Navrow Buttons
Located immediately behind the cursor routing buttons are the Navrow
buttons. The number of Navrow buttons is the same as the number of
braille cells on the Focus display. The Navrow buttons have two
functions–ten serve as hot keys, providing quick access to functions or
settings; and the rest serve as extra panning buttons.
Just behind the Navrow buttons are five raised marks to aid in quick
orientation to both the Navrow and cursor routing buttons: one each
above and to the left of the fifth Navrow button, before the first hot key, in
the middle of the row, above and to the right of the tenth hot key, and to
the right of the fifth panning button from the right end of the row. The ten
Navrow buttons immediately below the center mark are the hot keys and
are numbered, to the left of the center mark, 1 through 5; the five buttons
to the right of this mark are numbered, left to right, 6 through 10. The
remaining buttons serve the same function as the panning buttons; those
to the left pan backward and those to the right pan forward.

7
The Navrow hot keys and their functions are shown in the following table.
Function Hot Key
Route Braille Cursor to PC
Cursor
1
Active Cursor Follows Braille
Cursor
2
Braille Cursor Follows Active
Cursor
3
Top of Window 4
SHIFT+TAB 5

8
Function Hot Key
TAB 6
Bottom of Window 7
Toggle Contracted Braille
(Grade 2) Translation
8
Expand Current Word 9
Route Braille Cursor to Active
Cursor
10
In addition, the two Navrow buttons immediately to the left of the first hot
key and the two to the right of the tenth hot key are assigned the
following special functions.
Function Navrow
Toggle Auto Advance Mode Second button to the left of
first hot key
Repeat Last Flash Message First button to the left of first
hot key
Decrease Auto Advance
Speed
First button to the right of
tenth hot key
Increase Auto Advance
Speed
Second button to the right of
tenth hot key
Table of Multi-Control Functions
Functions Panning Buttons
Toggle Auto Advance Mode LEFT SELECT+RIGHT
SELECT
Decrease Auto Advance
Speed
LEFT SELECT

9
Functions Panning Buttons
Increase Auto Advance Speed RIGHT SELECT
Left Mouse Click PANNING
BUTTON+CURSOR
ROUTING BUTTON or
PANNING ROCKER
UP+CURSOR ROUTING
BUTTON or
PANNING ROCKER
DOWN+CURSOR ROUTING
BUTTON
Control + Left Mouse Click ROUTING BUTTON CHORD
Page Down LEFT or RIGHT
SELECT+ROCKER DOWN
Page Up LEFT or RIGHT
SELECT+ROCKER UP
Top of File LEFT PANNING
BUTTON+SELECT BUTTON
or
SELECT BUTTON+PANNING
ROCKER UP
Bottom of File RIGHT PANNING
BUTTON+SELECT BUTTON
or
SELECT BUTTON+PANNING
ROCKER DOWN
End PANNING
BUTTON+ROCKER BAR
DOWN

10
Functions Panning Buttons
Home PANNING
BUTTON+ROCKER BAR UP
Next Line ROCKER BAR DOWN
Prior Line ROCKER BAR UP
Pan Left LEFT PANNING BUTTON or
LEFT PANNING ROCKER
UP
Pan Right RIGHT PANNING BUTTON
or
RIGHT PANNING ROCKER
UP
Select Text RIGHT SELECT BUTTON
+CURSOR ROUTING
BUTTON
Select Block SELECT BUTTON+CURSOR
ROUTING BUTTON at
beginning of block; repeat at
end of block
Toggle WHIZWHEELS On/Off LEFT or RIGHT WHIZWHEEL
CHORD
Power Button
The power button turns the Focus on or off when not connected to USB.
Press it once to turn the display on and press and hold it for three
seconds to turn the display off.

11
Internal Battery
The Focus 40 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 power button to display the
percentage of battery charge used. Press a cursor router or Navrow
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 or
Navrow 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 cell 40 will be
raised.
When charging the Focus, you must use the AC adapter supplied with
your unit. You can continue using the Focus while it is charging.
Caution: No user serviceable parts. Risk of High Voltage shock.

12
Carrying Case
The water-resistant neoprene carrying case fits snugly over the braille
display. Whenever you transport the Focus, you should use the carrying
case to protect it from environmental debris and damage.

13
Connecting the Focus
You can connect the Focus braille display to your computer using either
the USB port or 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 powers up. When the USB cable is removed, the Focus
turns off. Pressing the power button while connected to USB causes the
focus to display the model, firmware version, battery status, and the
connection type, USB, in the last three cells. Pressing a cursor router or
Navrow button returns the display to normal operation.
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 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.

14
Adding JAWS Support to the Focus Display
If you are using the Focus 40 Blue with JAWS 10 or earlier, you will need
to first install the driver included on the Companion CD that came with
your display before connecting it to your computer. JAWS 11 and later
automatically installs the files necessary to use the Focus 40 Blue.
Note: If you choose to use the Focus display with a third-party screen
reading application, you must still install the driver from the
Companion CD. However, once installed, refer to the
documentation that came with the software for information on
configuring and using the Focus with the particular application as
certain commands may be different.
Installing the Focus Display in JAWS 11 or Later
To configure the Focus 40 Blue braille display to operate with JAWS 11
or later, do the following:
1. Perform the JAWS installation and restart your computer when
prompted.
2. After the computer restarts and JAWS loads, establish a USB
connection between the Focus and computer.
3. Windows will detect the display and install the appropriate
drivers.
Note: Windows XP will display a Found New Hardware Wizard,
prompting you to locate the driver. Choose the option to
automatically install the software then select Finish to complete
the installation.
4. Once the drivers have been installed, you must close and restart
JAWS in order to begin using your Focus 40 Blue.