LS&S Miniguide User manual

Instructions for the Miniguide Mobility Aid
Welcome to the Miniguide. Before reading other
sections of these instructions and before using
the Miniguide, please read these important
warnings.
WARNING: The Miniguide is designed to provide
information to a blind traveller, which will
supplement that provided by other aids, such as
the long cane or guide dog. It is stressed that it is
not designed as a blind person's sole aid.
Only use the Miniguide in a safe and familiar
environment.
Always check that the Miniguide is working
properly before using it. Check that the aid is
detecting objects, and is in the expected range.
Make sure that the cap has been removed from
the case.

Please note that drop-offs such as kerbs, edges of
railway station platforms, etc. cannot be detected.
Low height objects are often difficult to detect.
Objects that reflect or absorb the ultrasonic beam
can also be difficult to detect. For example,
smooth surfaces at a slight angle, soft
furnishings.
To summarise, rely on your primary aid for safe
travel and use the Miniguide to provide extra non-
critical information. If you have any doubts about
your ability to use this aid, please seek assistance
from an organisation with experience in mobility
training.
BATTERY WARNING: The lithium battery used in
this aid can be dangerous if mistreated. Keep the
battery out of the reach of children. Do not
disassemble, damage or mistreat the battery. The
battery is not rechargeable; do not attempt to

recharge the battery. Do not short circuit the
battery. Do not apply excessive heat or incinerate
the battery. Keep the aid and the battery in a cool,
dry place.
Introductory Note
The following instructions assume you are using
a new aid that has not had its settings changed. If
your aid is not new and there is the possibility the
settings have been changed, you will need to
return your settings to the factory defaults. You
can return your aid to its factory default settings
by removing the battery for two minutes.

Description of the Aid
The Miniguide is about 80mm long, 38mm wide
and 23mm thick.
At the front of the aid are two sensors. The
sensors are circular in shape with a fine mesh
covering.
There is a single 18mm diameter switch located
near the front of the Miniguide. Pressing the
switch will allow you to turn the aid on and off and
change settings.
A wrist strap is attached to the rear of the aid. A
cap is usually attached to the wrist strap. The cap
can be placed over the front of the aid when it is
not in use.
An earphone socket is at the rear of the aid. This
can be used to provide audio feedback.

Installing the Battery
When installing a new battery, make sure that the
battery is around the correct way. On one end of
the battery there is a small bump. This end of the
battery needs to positioned towards the rear of
the Miniguide, that is, away from the sensors.
If the battery is inserted backwards, the aid will
vibrate at full speed until the battery is removed.
This will also reset the aid to its factory defaults.
If you want your present settings to be saved
while changing the battery you should change the
battery as quickly as possible.
To open the battery cover, hold the aid with the
switch pointing downwards. Place a small coin in
the slit above the lanyard attachment point and
gently twist the coin. The battery cover should lift
up at the rear. There are two latches at the rear of

the cover. If both latches have disengaged the
cover can be removed completely from the aid. If
one latch is still engaged, lift the rear of the cover
with your fingers until both latches have
disengaged.
The battery sits between two upright metal battery
contacts. Remember that the bump end of the
battery goes towards the rear of the case. Hold
the battery at its bump end and place the other
end into the battery compartment. Now gently
press down on the bump end of the battery until it
clicks into place.
To install the battery cover, rest the front lip of the
cover on the battery and slide it forward until it
stops. The front of the cover fits under the front
of the case. Check that the back of the cover is
aligned with the case. Gently press down the rear
of the cover until both latches engage. Forcing
the rear of the cover down when it is not properly

aligned could break the latches.
Switching the Aid ON or OFF
First remove the cap from the aid. Now locate the
ON/OFF switch near the front of the aid.
Pressing the switch will result in a short vibration,
or pulse, from the aid. Make sure you release the
switch once you feel the vibration. The pulse
indicates that the aid has been switched ON. You
will probably now notice the aid continuing to
vibrate, try waving your hand in front of the aid to
make the vibration speed change. Pressing the
switch again should result in a longer vibration
pulse. This indicates that the aid has been
switched OFF. Waving your hand in front of the
aid now should not produce any vibration.
Practise switching the aid ON and OFF to
familiarise yourself with the ON and OFF
vibrations.

Testing the Aid
Switch the aid ON. Now place your hand about
5cm away from the front of the aid. The aid
should be producing very fast vibrations. Move
your hand further away from the aid, keeping your
hand in front of the aid. The speed of the
vibrations should get slower as the hand is moved
away. Try moving your hand around, to get used
to how the aid reacts. Try pointing the aid at an
uncluttered wall (or ceiling) and moving the aid
forwards and backwards. The vibration speed
should change as the distance changes.
Now point the aid in all different directions. If you
are in a small room, the aid will most likely be
always vibrating. If you're in a large room, or
outside, then pointing the aid in certain directions
will cause the vibrations to stop. The vibrations
stop when the aid cannot detect an object within

its present range - the present range should be
the factory default range of 4 metres.
Please note that the aid automatically switches
itself off after about 90 minutes. So it is
recommended that you switch the aid off
occasionally, for example every 20 to 30 minutes.
This will avoid the aid automatically switching off
while it is in use.

Changing Settings
The following are the basic settings of the
Miniguide
* Setting 1 4 metre range
* Setting 2 2 metre range
* Setting 3 1 metre range
* Setting 4 half metre range
* Setting 5 8 metre range
When learning how to use the aid, it is often less
confusing to practise with a setting that has a
shorter range e.g. the 1 metre or the half metre
ranges. These shorter ranges mean that the aid
will not be vibrating most of the time, except when
there is an object close to the user.