Humanware Brailliant BI 40 User manual

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1. Overview
1.1. Front perspective view
1.2. Left side view

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1.3. Right side view

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2. Getting Started
Thank you for purchasing the Brailliant™ BI 40X
refreshable braille display. This Getting Started
Guide provides instructions for charging the device,
orientation, powering on and off, navigating menus,
panning text, using the Context Menu, and
accessing the User Guide. For more information on
how to use your Brailliant, please refer to the digital
User Guide integrated in your device.
3. In the Box
Brailliant™ BI 40X braille display
USB-C to USB-A cable
USB to AC adapter
Print Getting Started Guide
Carrying case
4. Orientation and Description
With the device on a flat surface in front of you, the
proper operational orientation is with the braille
cells closest to you.
4.1. Top surface
The top surface includes the braille display and the
braille keyboard. Beginning with the braille cells
(closest to you) and moving away from you are the
small round Cursor Routing buttons, located just
above the braille cells. You use the Routing buttons

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to move the braille cursor when reading and editing
and to activate items in a menu.
On both the left side and the right side of the Braille
display are three Command Keys (six in total). On
the left, starting from the back, are C1, C2 and C3,
which is the one nearest you. On the right side, you
will find C4, C5 and C6 nearest you. The command
keys can be used to type Braille or perform
commands. The commands depend on the screen
reader paired with the device.
Continuing away from you, on a small rise in the
surface is the braille keyboard. The layout of the
keys for the braille keyboard is similar to most
braille displays, with the traditional six Braille-input
keys, a Backspace key (Dot 7), an Enter key (Dot
8), and two Space keys. There is a speaker on each
side, for stereo sound, and an integrated
microphone next to the right speaker (currently not
active).
4.2. Front Edge
Along the front edge of the device (closest to you)
are five controls. The two outermost rectangular
buttons are the Previous and Next thumb keys and
are used to move between items in a menu.
Moving inward along the front edge, are two more
rectangular buttons called the Panning keys. These
allow you to move to the previous and next 40-cell
section of the text you are reading.
In the center of the front edge is the small, round
Home key. Use this key to return to the Main Menu

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at any time, as well as to exit the braille terminal
when in Terminal mode.
4.3. Left Edge
On the left edge of the device, in order from front
edge to back, are the following:
1. The USB-A port—used to connect a USB
drive or other external USB storage device to
the Brailliant.
2. The Power button—press and hold this
button for 2 seconds to turn the device ON.
3. A small LED display—shows the status of
your device.
4. The USB-C connector—used to connect the
Brailliant to a host device or the AC adapter.
4.4. Right Edge
On the right edge, from front to back, are the
Lanyard slot, the Speaker, Volume Down and
Volume Up buttons, and the Audio jack (for future
use).
5. Charging the Device
NOTE: Make sure to charge your Brailliant
completely prior to use.
Connect the USB-C end of the USB cable to the USB-
C port located on the left edge of your Brailliant.
Very little effort is required and forcing the
connection can damage the cable or the device.

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Connect the other end of the USB cable to the power
adapter. Then plug the power adapter into a power
outlet. The USB connector and power adapter are
included with your Brailliant. Use the provided
power adapter for optimal recharge.
6. Powering On and Off
If your device is charged, press and hold the Power
button on the left edge of the device for
approximately 2 seconds to turn on your Brailliant.
"Starting" should appear on the braille display with
a tactile loading animation that circles during start-
up.
A few moments after you boot your device for the
first time, you will be welcomed with a language
selection menu. Press Enter to open the list of
languages, select one and press Enter to close the
list. Close the dialog box once the changes are
completed.
After a few seconds, loading is complete. The
“terminal” application is shown as selected on the
braille display. Your Brailliant is now ready for use.
To turn the device off, press and hold the Power
button for 2 seconds.
7. Navigating Menus
KeySoft Lite is the heart of your Brailliant BI 40X,
supporting all applications that are built in your
braille display. KeySoft’s main menu can also be

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customized, which will allow you to hide and unhide
applications from the Main menu.
To navigate from item to item in menus, press the
Previous (leftmost) and Next (rightmost) thumb
keys, located on the front edge of your device. As
you press the Previous and Next thumb keys, the
menu item changes on the braille display. Each item
represents an application or option you can activate.
To activate a menu item, press one of the Cursor
Routing keys. You can also press the Enter key (Dot
8) on the braille keyboard to activate a menu item.
8. Panning Text
Sometimes, sentences may exceed the 40
characters displayed on your Brailliant. To continue
reading through the end of a sentence or backward
towards the start of a sentence, use the Left and
Right thumb keys immediately to the left and right
of the Home button to pan text.
9. Using the Context Menu
The Context Menu is accessible from almost
everywhere in your device. It offers useful
contextual functions that are relevant to what you
are currently doing on your Brailliant. This is similar
to the Context menu on a PC. If you are looking for
a specific action or shortcut, chances are you can
find it in the Context Menu.
To activate the Context Menu, press Space + M
(Dots 1, 3, 4). A menu opens with a list of actions
you can perform at that moment. Scroll through this

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menu until you find what you are looking for, then
press Enter (Dot 8) or a Cursor Routing button.
10. Accessing the Built-in User Guide
Activate the built-in User Guide item from the Main
menu. There you find the complete user guide along
with a command reference. This is where to find the
most up-to-date information, as well as other
resources to help you make the most of your
Brailliant BI 40X.
You can also download the user guide from the
support page of http://www.humanware.com.
11. Brailliant Installation and
connectivity
11.1. Interface Ports
Depending on the operating system, you can
connect Brailliant via various interfaces to your PC.
Use the USB port to communicate with PCs or
Notebooks or the built-in Bluetooth interface for
your mobile devices.
USB Port
USB connectivity is supported by Windows
computers (32 and 64 bits).
Plug the USB Connector into your PC. Plug the small
USB-C Plug at the other end of the USB cable into
the Brailliant USB-C port. This is the small oval
socket on the left side.

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11.2. Connecting to a PC or Notebook
Brailliant can be used as a Braille display with
popular PC screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA,
SuperNova etc. The PC or Notebook must provide
either USB or a wireless Bluetooth interface (built-
in or by using a USB Bluetooth dongle).
JAWS
JAWS 2020 includes the necessary drivers to detect
the Brailliant. If however, you are using JAWS 2018
or 2019 an installation driver is required. This can
be obtained by visiting the support section at
www.humanware.com
Other Screen Readers
Brailliant is compatible with other screen readers.
Please consult our website's support page for
additional information:
http://www.humanware.com
To connect in Terminal mode, make sure you have
a Windows®, iOS®, or Mac® device with a screen
reader running.
To connect via USB:
1. Press Space + Dots 1-2-3-4-5-6 or the Home
button to enter the Main menu.
2. Go to Terminal by pressing ‘t’ or by using the
Previous and Next thumb keys.
3. Press Enter or a cursor routing key.
4. Connect the Brailliant to a Windows or Mac
computer with the USB-C cable.

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5. Select Connected devices (first item in the
Terminal menu).
6. Press Enter.
7. Select USB connection.
8. Press Enter.
9. Wait for the connection to be established.
If the connection is successful, the content of your
host device is shown on the braille display.
The Brailliant is now also available as an external
keyboard to type on the host device.
Connection via Bluetooth
To pair a new device in Bluetooth:
1. Press Space + Dots 1-2-3-4-5-6 or the Home
button to enter the Main menu.
2. Go to Terminal by pressing ‘t’ or by using the
Previous and Next thumb keys.
3. Press Enter or a cursor routing key.
4. Click Add Bluetooth device.
If Bluetooth is Off, it is automatically activated.
5. Read instructions on the display.
6. The focus returns to connected devices.
7. From the host device, initiate the Bluetooth
pairing.
8. Once the connection is complete, press the
Previous thumb key on the Brailliant until you
reach Connected devices.
9. Press Enter or a cursor routing key.
The connected device appears in the list.
10. Press Enter or a cursor routing key.

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11. Wait for the connection to be
established.
If the connection is successful, the content of your
host device is shown on the braille display.
The Brailliant is now also available as an external
keyboard to type on the host device.
12. Manufacturer Warranty
This device is a high-quality product, built and
packaged with care. All units and components are
guaranteed against any operational defects for 2
years for all countries.
Warranty covers all parts (except battery) and
labor. If any defect should occur, please contact
your local distributor or the manufacturer technical
assistance line.
Note: Warranty terms may periodically change,
please consult our website for the latest
information.
North America: In addition to the warranty, you
can also purchase a Brailliant care plan to prolong
coverage for one year and also benefit from the
cleaning service and a loan program. Please refer to
our web site: http://www.humanware.com/
Or contact us by E-mail
at [email protected] or call 1(800) 722-
3393

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12.1. Conditions and Limitations:
No replacement or repair covered by the warranty
will be carried out unless the unit is accompanied by
a copy of the original bill of purchase. Please retain
your original. If the unit has to be returned, please
use the original packaging. This warranty applies to
all cases where the damage is not a result of
improper use, mistreatment, negligence or acts of
God.
13. Specifications
•Power requirement: [email protected]
•Battery: Li-Ion 3.7V nominal, 2000 mAh
•Operating temperature range: +5 ~ +45
degrees Celsius
•Battery charging temperature range: +5 ~
+35 degrees Celsius
•Storage temperature: -20 ~ +65 degrees
Celsius
•Operating humidity: 5% ~ 95% (non-
condensing)
•Storage humidity: 5% ~ 95% (non-
condensing)

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14. Warnings
Battery Safety Precautions:
CAUTION:
-Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an
incorrect type.
-Dispose of used batteries according to the
instructions below.
-Do not disassemble or modify the battery.
-Use only the specified HumanWare charger.
-There is a risk of overheating, fire or
explosion if the battery is put in a fire,
heated, subjected to impact, put in contact
with water, or if its terminals are shorted.
-Do not attempt to charge or use the battery
outside of the unit.
Disposal Instructions:
At the end of the Brailliant’s operational lifetime, its
internal components must be disposed in
compliance with local authorities.
The Brailliant BI 40X contains no hazardous
materials. For disposal, follow local governing
ordinances or hospital procedure.
FCC Warning
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

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received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: 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.

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Industry Canada statements
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-
exempt RSS standard(s). 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
the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR
d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux
deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne doit pas
produire de brouillage, et (2) l’utilisateur de
l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage
radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est
susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)

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ACCD-0258
R00