Help Tech Activator User manual

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Short Reference for the Activator
Version 1.0
Please also review the detailed user manual, which you can find on the StartStick.
The Activator at a glance
Top of the Unit
Please place the Activator in front of you on the table with the Braille keyboard facing
up. The two keys in the front center are the two space keys. The left space bar will be
referred to as [SPCL] and the right space bar will be referred to as [SPCR]. In the case
that both the left and the right space bar can be pressed, they are designated as [SPC].
Between the two spacebars is a small five-way function key that can be pressed to the
right, left, up, down or center. This function key enables fast and convenient navigation
both in internal mode and in connection with connected devices, such as a PC or cell
phone. In this context, it functions like the arrow keys on a keyboard.
Behind the space bar are the 40 ergonomic Braille modules with integrated cursor
routing keys. With the integrated cursor routing keys, hereafter called [CR] keys, the
cursor can be placed directly at the text position of a specific Braille module.
To the left and right of each Braille module are three independent navigation keys
labelled N followed by 1 through 6, according to the arrangement of the Braille dots.
So top left N1, below N2 and N3, right N4, N5 and N6. They are embedded in the
housing in such a way that they do not stand out from the Braille modules. The
navigation keys have the following functions:
The left resp. right upper navigation key serves as a read key to move back in the text
and will be called [N1] resp. [N4] in the following.
The lower left or right navigation key is used to read forwards and is referred to below
as [N3] or [N6].
Above the Braille modules is the multifunctional 2-in-1 folding keyboard. This keyboard
can be used in the following two ways:
When folded down, an 8-dot Braille keyboard is available. This allows characters to be
entered using dot combinations in Braille. The keyboard is held in place by magnets,
which means it cannot accidentally flip open when the Activator is being transported.
The 8-dot Braille keyboard consists of 8 ergonomically arranged function keys. The
function keys are used for Braille input and are designated as follows:
7 3 2 1 SPCC 4 5 6 8
In the center of the function keys there is a space bar (space key), hereafter called
[SPCC]. In internal mode it functions as a space bar, in terminal mode, i.e. in
connection with a terminal and a screen reader, it functions as a control key.
A support foot is attached to the upper left andright narrow side of the folding keyboard.
By lifting both support feet and folding the keyboard backwards, a second keyboard, a

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computer keyboard, can be used. This allows characters to be entered in the same
way as on a PC.
Left side of the device
The round on/off button is used to switch the Activator on or off and to switch between
the different modes of the Activator (menu mode, USB device, SmartDock, paired
Bluetooth devices).
For detailed information on the functions of the on/off button, see below.
Behind it: 1 USB-C port for connecting the Activator to the PC or charging the device
batteries.
Right side of the device
On the right side of the Activator are the contact surfaces for the SmartDock.
Functions of the on/off button
The on/off button on the left side of the device has several functions:
1. to switch on or wake up the Activator from sleep mode (standby), press it briefly.
2. to switch off the Activator, press and hold it for a little longer (one second).
3. to switch between the different channels while the Activator is on, press it briefly.
Sequence starting from the menu mode (which is also considered a channel):
a. USB device
b. SmartDock
c. Then follow all Bluetooth devices (the name of the Bluetooth device will be
displayed).
d. Finally, menu mode again
4. to switch to SAVE mode, press and hold for 5 seconds. In SAVE mode, the
Activator can only be operated as a Braille display.
5. to reset the Activator when it stops responding, press the power button for a very
long time (10 seconds).
The SmartDock
The SmartDock is an additional hardware component that allows an iPhone to extend
the functionality of the Activator many times over. Unlike a pure Bluetooth connection,
where the Activator only acts as a control element for the iPhone, it can perform many
additional functions with an iPhone connected via the SmartDock. (Only from iPhone
8 and from iOS 16). The prerequisite is that the iPhone used has been paired once via
Bluetooth with the Activator or another Braille display.
Detailed information about the SmartDock, its functions and installation can be found
in the detailed user manual on the StartStick.

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The HelpTech+ App
Together with our specially developed iOS app HelpTech+, the Activator is enhanced
with additional features and smart services, such as a Braille monitor that displays what
is on the Braille display on the iPhone or the speech input service that allows you to
dictate text into the Activator.
The prerequisite for using the HelpTech+ app is that the iPhone is connected to the
Activator via the Lightning connector of the SmartDock. HelpTech+ cannot be used via
a Bluetooth connection between the Activator and the iPhone.
Internal menu structure of the Activator
•Editor:
New, Previous File, New directory
•iOS Apps:
Files, Safari, Mail, Word, HelpTech+, Edit.
•Smart Services:
News
•Clock:
Display date/time, Set Clock, Stopwatch
•Games:
BrailleHunt, Hangman
•Mass storage
•Braille sets:
Standard (internal), character sets 1 to 9, delete selection.
•Info:
Memory usage, battery statistics, keyboard layout, serial number, versions,
maintenance info.
•Options
List of Key Combinations
The following list contains all important functions with their key combinations. The digits
in the right column refer to Braille dots.
Navigating the Menu System
Function
Keys
One menu item to the left
N1/N4 or SPC+7 or SPC+1
One menu item to the right
N3/N6 or SPC+8 or SPC+4
First menu item within this level
SPC+1 2 3
Last menu item within this level
SPC+4 5 6
Move up one menu level
N2
Select or move down one menu level
N5
Toggle checkbox
SPC or N5 or CR keys
Select menu item directly
Hotkeys
Return to suspended Editor
SPC+1 2 3 4 5 6

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Editor Functions
Function
Keys
Abort operations, cancel markings
N2
Read text
N1/N4 or N3/N6
Start automatic reading
SPC+N1/N4
Change automatic reading speed
N1/N4 oder N3/N6, if automatic reading is
active
Manual scrolling
SPC
Halt automatic reading
CR keys
Automatic scrolling via ATC on/off
Chord A (SPC+1 7)
Delete character at cursor position
SPC+4 5
Backspace
Chord b (SPC+1 2)
Cursor to top of file (Home)
SPC+1 2 3
Cursor to end of file (End)
SPC+4 5 6
Cursor to beginning of line
SPC+1 3
Cursor to end of line
SPC+4 6
Cursor to beginning of next sentence
SPC+5
Cursor to beginning of previous sentence
SPC+2
Cursor to next word
SPC+6
Cursor to previous word
SPC+3
Move cursor left
SPC+7
Move cursor right
SPC+8
Move cursor one line up
SPC+1
Move cursor one line down
SPC+4
Direct cursor placement
Cursor Routing Keys
Mark beginning of block
SPC+N5 or press CR key twice at beginning of
block
Cut block
Chord x (SPC+1 3 4 6)
Copy block
Chord c (SPC+1 4)
Delete block (without copying)
Chord X (SPC+1 3 4 6 7) or SPC+1 2
Paste block
Chord v (SPC+1 2 3 6)
Exchange mark and cursor
SPC+7 8
Toggle insert/overwrite mode
Chord i (SPC+2 4) insert mode is default
Set mark
N1/N4 + N3/N6
Jump to mark
Chord m (SPC+1 3 4)
Incremental forward search
Chord f (SPC+1 2 4)
Incremental backward search
Chord F (SPC+1 2 4 7)
Forward search and replace
Chord r (SPC+1 2 3 5)
Display character in ASCII
Chord D (SPC+1 4 5 7)
Insert current date
Chord d (SPC+1 4 5)
Insert current time
Chord t (SPC+2 3 4 5)
Save file (without closing it)
Chord s (SPC+2 3 4)
Open file from Editor
Chord o (SPC+1 3 5)
Open file in read-only mode
Chord O (SPC+1 3 5 7)
Switch to next file
SPC+5 6 8
Switch to previous file
SPC+2 3 7
Save and close file
Chord e (SPC+1 5)
Suspend Editor
SPC+1 2 3 4 5 6
Editor's Setup menu
Chord u (SPC+1 3 6)
Status display
Chord S (SPC+2 3 4 7)

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Function
Keys
Switch to PC Mode
Chord p (SPC+1 2 3 4)
Help
Chord h (SPC+1 2 5)
DirectTransfer - transfer of the selected text
area. If not marked, then transfer of the
entire text
Chord E (SPC + 1 5 7)
Keys in Terminal Mode
Function
Keys
Return to menu
Hold down SPC+1 3 4 about half a second
Switch between Braille display and status
module display
SPCL+SPCR
Ctrl
SPCC
Ctrl + letter e.g. c for copy
SPCC + letter e.g. SPCC + 1 3 for copy
ATC forwarding with all screen readers
SPC + 1 7 8
Fixed Key Functions on Computer Keyboard
Function
Key/Key Combinations
Cursor to top of file
Ctrl+Pos1
Cursor to end of file
Ctrl+End
Toggle between insert and overwrite
Insert
Delete current character
Delete
Delete character left of cursor
Backspace
Set beginning of block
Ctrl+Enter
Copy block
Ctrl+c
Cut block
Ctrl+x
Delete block (without copying)
Ctrl+X or Backspace
Paste block
Ctrl+v
Exchange mark and cursor
Ctrl+Tab
Status display
Ctrl+S
Incremental forward search
Ctrl+f
Incremental backward search
Ctrl+F
Forward search and replace
Ctrl+r
ESC function
ESC
Navigation
Arrow keys
Cursor to previous word
Ctrl+Cursor left
Cursor to next word
Ctrl+Cursor right
Cursor to previous sentence
Ctrl+Cursor up
Cursor to next sentence
Ctrl+Cursor down
Cursor to beginning of line
Pos1
Cursor to end of line
End
Set mark
Ctrl+M
Jump to mark
Ctrl+m
Switch to next file
Alt+Tab
Switch to previous file
Alt+Shift+Tab
Suspend Editor
Ctrl+Space
Save file (without closing it)
Ctrl+s
Save and close file
Ctrl+e
Help
Ctrl+h

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Function
Key/Key Combinations
Editor's Setup menu
Ctrl+u
Switch to Terminal Mode
Ctrl+t
Display character in ASCII
Ctrl+D
Open file from Editor
Ctrl+o
Insert current date
Ctrl+d
Insert current time
Ctrl+t
Assignment of the screen reader function
The following table shows the assignment of the screen reader function for JAWS. In the
detailed user manual you will also find the tables for VoiceOver, as well as the complete table
for JAWS.
Control Key/Braille Dot
Function
[7]
Activate PC cursor tracking.
[3]
Display the first line in the window (title).
[2]
Move the Braille display to the left.
[1]
Move the Braille display section one line up without changing
the horizontal position.
[SPCL]
If there is any text to the left of the Braille display section, it
moves to the left, if not, it moves one line up and moves the
cursor.
[SPCR]
If there is any text to the right of the Braille display section, it
moves to the right, if not, it moves one line down and moves the
cursor.
[4]
Move the Braille display section one line down without changing
the horizontal position.
[5]
Move the Braille display to the right.
[6]
Display the last line in the window.
[8]
Drag the JAWS cursor to the PC cursor and activate the JAWS
cursor.
[N1/N4]
If there is any text to the left of the Braille display section, it
moves to the left, if not, it moves one line up.
[N3/N6]
If there is any text to the right of the Braille display section, it
moves to the right, if not, it moves one line down.
[SPCL + SPCR]
Toggle status modules on and off.
[7 8]
Switch between structured mode, section output and speech
output.
[3 8]
Change cursor representation (dots 7 and 8, all 8 dots, blinking
and non-blinking).
[2 8]
Toggle between 6/8 dot Braille.
[1 8] or [N1+N6]
Handy Tech configuration dialog (starting from Handy Tech
JAWS Driver version 3.x)
[4 8]
Toggle between focused text on Braille display/same text as on
screen.
[5 8]
Activate the JAWS cursor.
[2 3]
Beginning of line
[5 6]
End of line
[1 2 3]
Top of file
[4 5 6]
End of file

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Control Key/Braille Dot
Function
[3 6 7]
Speech interruption on/off
[3 6 7 8]
Output task bar
[N2]
Tab
[N5]
Shift + Tab
[N2 + N5]
Enter
[SPC + 1 2 7]
Toggle Braille input on/off
[SPC + 1 7]
Toggle ATC on/off
[SPC + 1 2 3]
Toggle ATC reading protocol on/off
[SPCL + 1 2 3 7]
If there is any text to the left of the Braille display section, it
moves to the left, if not, it moves one line up.
[SPCR + 4 5 6 8]
If there is any text to the right of the Braille display section, it
moves to the right, if not, it moves one line down.
[SPCL + SPCR + 1 2 3 7]
Move the Braille display section one line up.
[SPCL + SPCR + 4 5 6 8]
Move the Braille display section one line down.