Optelec Braille Voyager 44 User manual

Tieman Braille Voyager
Table of Contents
1 Setting up your Braille Voyager ............................................................................ 1
1.1 System Description and Requirements............................................................ 1
1.2 What’s in the Box............................................................................................. 2
1.3 Set up Instructions Braille Voyager 44............................................................. 4
2 Installation of Braille Voyager Software................................................................ 5
2.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Installing the Braille Voyager for Dolphin SAM ................................................ 5
3 The Braille Voyager Control.................................................................................. 6
3.1 What is Braille Voyager Control....................................................................... 6
3.2 Configuring the Braille Voyager with Braille Voyager Control.......................... 6
3.3 Property sheets................................................................................................ 6
3.3.1 Status Cells Property Sheet...................................................................... 6
3.3.2 Dot Pressure Property Sheet.................................................................... 7
3.3.3 Navigation Key Property Sheet................................................................. 7
3.3.4 Sticky Keys Property Sheet ...................................................................... 8
3.3.5 Sounds Property Sheet............................................................................. 8
3.3.6 Key Repeat Property Sheet...................................................................... 8
3.3.7 Braille Voyager+ settings Property Sheet................................................. 8
3.3.8 Advanced Property Sheet......................................................................... 8
3.3.9 Teaching Mode......................................................................................... 8
3.3.10 Restoring Defaults.................................................................................... 9
3.3.11 Launch Tieman Express........................................................................... 9
3.3.12 Braille Table Selection.............................................................................. 9
4 Default key assignments for Dolphin Hal and Supernova version 5.x ................ 10
4.1 Physical button layout.................................................................................... 10
4.2 Braille Voyager Proprietary Key Assignment:................................................ 12
5 Contact Information ............................................................................................ 13
1 Setting up your Braille Voyager
Braille Voyager 44
Congratulations on your Braille Voyager 44!
1.1 System Description and Requirements
Your Braille Voyager 44 is designed to work as a USB plug & play device with any
laptop or PC with Windows ’98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
The system requirements are:
a Pentium processor or better,•
•a free USB port, or a self powered USB hub.
For the installation of your Braille Voyager 44 you will need a CD ROM drive with the
auto run CD option enabled. If you have the auto run CD option disabled press the
Windows keys + R and type <CD-ROM>\setup.exe, e.g., d:\setup.
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1.2 What’s in the Box
Your Braille Voyager 44 box contains:
A custom designed backpack with two separate compartments:
the larger compartment contains your Braille Voyager 44 and a USB cable,•
•the smaller compartment contains the installation CD.
1. The Braille Voyager 44 is placed correctly in front of you when you can read the
label and the indent in the housing is furthest away from you. This indent serves
as a means of carrying as well as a protective area for the USB cable.
2. The Braille Voyager 44 is equipped with a cover that protects the Braille cells and
the keys. This cover is connected to the unit by two hinges on both sides of the
unit. The cover can be opened up and folded behind the Braille line to support a
keyboard or laptop. A fingerhole on the front of the unit identifies where to open
the unit.
•To use with keyboard just open up the cover 180 degrees.
•To use with laptop lift up the cover a bit, then pick up the cover and place it
behind the Braille Voyager 44, while keeping the rubber strip on the cover
facing upwards.
3. There are rubber strips on top of the Braille Voyager 44 as well as on top of the
cover to prevent slipping of a laptop or keyboard when it is placed on top.
4. The Braille Voyager 44 consists of 44 cells, with 44 touch cursor keys, 4
screenreader navigation keys, 1 Windows navigation key, 6 screenreader function
keys and 2 Windows function keys.
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The 44 touch cursor keys are situated right behind the Braille cells. When you
move your finger above the Braille cell you will feel a ridge that leads you to a dot.
When you press this dot you will activate the touch cursor key. Although
dependent on the screenreader this usually performs a mouse click.
•The 4 screenreader navigation keys are situated on the front of the unit under
an angle of 75 degrees, to avoid accidental activation of the keys. These keys
can most easily be operated with your thumbs. These keys are therefore
called thumbkeys. Pressing a screenreader navigation key will navigate left,
right, up or down according to the settings of the screenreader, the mode the
screenreader is set at and your own personal settings.
•The Windows navigation key is situated in the middle on front of the unit,
under an angle of 75 degrees (to avoid accidental activation of the key). This
key can best be operated with your thumb and is thus called the middle
thumbkey. By pressing the right side of the key (feel the indent) you will
perform a Tab. By pressing the left side of the key (feel the other indent) you
will perform a Shift-Tab. If you want more navigation options, you can also use
this key to perform arrow up and arrow down by pressing the ridge up and the
ridge down. Of course you can make your own settings in the Braille Voyager
Control (see Chapter 3).
•The 6 screenreader function keys are situated on top of the Braille Voyager 44
in an ergonomic eyebrow shape. The keys can be pressed as Braille keys to
create an enormous amount of easy to remember screenreader commands.
They are called Braille keys 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.
•The 2 windows function keys are placed next to the 6 screenreader function
keys as Braille key 7 and 8. These keys perform the Windows function of Ctrl
and Alt. (Note: these keys are only meant to make simple commands; they are
not ergonomically fit (position and size) to be used as Braille input keys!)
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1.3 Set up Instructions Braille Voyager 44
Follow these instructions before you install your Braille Voyager 44!
1. Make sure your screenreader is installed.
2. Close your screenreader.
3. Take your Braille Voyager 44, USB cable and Installation CD out the
backpack.
4. Place the Braille Voyager 44 in front of you so you can read the Tieman label.
5. Plug your USB cable into the back of your Braille Voyager 44.
Use the small connector and keep the symbol placed up (you can feel the
USB symbol).
6. Open your Braille Voyager 44 by using the finger opening on the front of the
unit.
7. After lifting up the cover a bit, you can pick up the cover and place it behind
the unit, while keeping the rubber strip on the cover facing upwards.
8. Route the USB cable thus that it goes to the back through the finger opening.
9. Place your laptop/keyboard on top of your Braille Voyager 44.
10.Put the installation CD into your laptop/PC.
The installation CD will tell you when to plug the USB cable into your laptop or
PC.
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2 Installation of Braille Voyager Software
2.1 Introduction
This chapter tells you how to install the Braille Voyager software and the
screenreader drivers. Before starting with the software installation make sure you
read Chapter 1 (Setting up your Braille Voyager) and the Software License
Agreement.
After you have inserted the Braille Voyager CD into your CD-ROM drive the setup
program will guide you through the installation. All the setup screens will be shown in
Braille on your Braille Voyager and will have speech support in English, German,
French or Dutch. The setup will automatically search your system for the Braille
Voyager, install all necessary Windows drivers, the Braille Voyager Control, and if
found the drivers for JAWS for Windows and Dolphin SAM. Drivers for Window-Eyes
and Virgo NT are included in the products themselves and are not shipped on the
Braille Voyager CD. If the Braille Voyager Setup finds Virgo NT on your system, it will
automatically set the Braille Voyager as the default Braille display. In the next
paragraphs you will find detailed instructions on how to configure the screenreaders
and how to install the Braille Voyager drivers.
You have the choice between two setup types: a typical and a custom setup. We
recommend using the typical setup. The typical setup will automatically install and
update all the needed components. If you would like to install the Braille Voyager
software manually you can choose the custom setup option. This option is for
advanced users only. The custom setup will ask you what components you would like
to install. For each component chosen you will need to provide the correct installation
location.
2.2 Installing the Braille Voyager for Dolphin SAM
To use the Braille Voyager with the Dolphin products Hal or Supernova, you need to
install the Braille Voyager SAM driver. To install the SAM driver on your system insert
the Braille Voyager CD in your CD-ROM drive and follow the on screen instructions.
At the “select setup method” screen, select the typical setup. The setup program will
automatically configure your system and install the SAM driver for the Braille
Voyager.
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3 The Braille Voyager Control
3.1 What is Braille Voyager Control
Braille Voyager Control is a program that interacts as an interface between your
screenreader and the Braille Voyager. With Braille Voyager Control you can
configure the various Braille Voyager options, like sound feedback when pressing a
Braille key, touch cursor key, or thumb key, adjusting the dot pressure, or changing
the amount of status cells. All these options are set irrespectively of the used
screenreader. When you start your screenreader, Braille Voyager Control will be
activated. You can verify if Braille Voyager Control has been activated by looking for
the appearance of the Braille Voyager Control icon in the systray.
3.2 Configuring the Braille Voyager with Braille Voyager Control
To activate the Braille Voyager Control configuration screen press the Braille keys 1
+ 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7+ 8 or right click the Braille Voyager Control icon in the systray
and select <configure> from the popup menu. The Braille keys are the 8 round keys
on top of the Braille Voyager placed in an eyebrow shape. They are counted from left
to right 7, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8. To activate the Braille Voyager Control configuration
screen you have to press all the Braille keys.
3.3 Property sheets
The Braille Voyager Control configuration screen contains 8 property sheets. For
each Braille Voyager option there is a separate property sheet. You can switch to the
next property sheet by pressing <Control + Tab>. To switch to the previous property
sheet press <Shift + Control + Tab>.
The 8 property sheets are:
•Status cells
•Dot pressure
•Navigation key
•Sticky keys
•Sounds
•Key repeat
•Braille Voyager+
•Advanced
3.3.1 Status Cells Property Sheet
When you activate the Braille Voyager Control configuration dialog by pressing
Braille key 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 you are placed in the first property sheet
“status cells.” In this property sheet you can adjust the number of status cells, turn
them on and off, and select if you would like to have the status cells on the left or on
the right side of your Braille Voyager. The maximum number of status cells is 10. By
default there are no status cells set.
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3.3.2 Dot Pressure Property Sheet
In the second property sheet you can adjust the dot pressure. The dot pressure is the
degree of hardness and force of the Braille dots. Lowering the dot pressure will
decrease the power consumption and sound level of the Braille Voyager. By default
the dot pressure is set to 65%.
3.3.3 Navigation Key Property Sheet
The Windows navigation key is placed on the front of the unit in the middle under an
angle of 75 degrees (to avoid accidental hitting). This key can best be operated with
your thumb. By pressing the right side of the key (feel the indent) you will perform a
Tab (default). By pressing the left side of the key (feel the other indent) you will
perform a Shift-Tab (default). You can also use this key to perform arrow up and
arrow down by pressing the ridge up and the ridge down (default).
The “Nav. Key” property sheet gives you the option of changing the action performed
by the Windows navigation key. There are 4 options:
Option 1
Right Tab
Left Shift+Tab
Up Arrow up
Down Arrow down
Left+Right Windows key
Option 2
Right Arrow Right
Left Arrow Left
Up Arrow Up
Down Arrow Down
Left+Right Windows key
Option 3
Right Tab
Left Shift+Tab
Up Alt+Tab
Down Control+Tab
Left+Right Enter
Option 4
Right Braille scroll right
Left Braille scroll left
Up Braille scroll up
Down Braille scroll down
Left+Right
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3.3.4 Sticky Keys Property Sheet
The sticky keys feature is useful for people who have difficulty pressing more than
one Braille key at the same time. It enables you to press the keys one after the other.
To signal the end of your Braille key command press the last key twice. The order in
which you press the Braille keys is not important.
For example instead of pressing Braille key 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 simultaneously to
activate the Braille Voyager Control configuration screen, you can press Braille key 1,
then Braille key 2, then Braille key 3, then Braille key 4, then Braille key 5, then
Braille key 6, Braille key 7, Braille key 8 and Braille key 8 again.
3.3.5 Sounds Property Sheet
In the “sounds” property sheet a beep can be assigned to the different groups of the
Braille Voyager keys. When enabled a key press will generate a short beep. Sound
feedback can be assigned to the Braille keys, touch cursor keys, and the thumb keys.
3.3.6 Key Repeat Property Sheet
In the “key repeat” property sheet the repeat delay and repeat speed of the Braille
Voyager keys are set. The repeat delay is the amount of time that elapses before the
key starts to repeat when you hold down a key. The repeat speed is the speed with
which the key repeats when you hold down the key. Both are set in milliseconds.
3.3.7 Braille Voyager+ settings Property Sheet
The “Braille Voyager+ settings” property sheet contains options to enable or disable
the support for the Braille Voyager+. When enabled you can select automatic or
manual. If automatic is selected all serial ports on your computer will be scanned for
a connected Braille Voyager. When set to manual you have to select to which serial
port your Braille Voyager is connected. The serial support for the Braille Voyager+ is
set to automatic and enabled by default.
3.3.8 Advanced Property Sheet
The “advanced” property sheet contains options for the experienced user. Here you
will find the advanced configuration options, options for trouble shooting, and the
options for special applications, etc. This property sheet is meant for the advanced
user only.
3.3.9 Teaching Mode
When teaching mode is enabled up to 10 Braille Voyagers can be used
simultaneously. The first Braille Voyager connected will be the teacher Braille
Voyager. The other Braille Voyagers are working as student displays. The Braille
output will be sent to all connected Braille Voyagers. However, only the buttons on
the teacher Braille Voyager are operational. This mode is ideal for training and
classroom situations as well as for communication purposes with people who are
deaf-blind. The select teacher display combo box gives you the option of selecting
another Braille Voyager as the teacher display.
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3.3.10 Restoring Defaults
The “restore defaults” button will restore all settings to the default position including
the Tieman Express Macro files.
3.3.11 Launch Tieman Express
The “Launch Tieman Express” button will launch the macro editor “Tieman Express.”
The special Windows navigation and function option of the Braille Voyager are
predefined Braille macros. These macros can be changed or removed via the Tieman
Express macro editor. For a detailed description see the Tieman Express help.
3.3.12 Braille Table Selection
Braille Voyager Control has the option to select a different Braille table to be used by
special applications, e.g., telephone systems. This Braille table selection does not
change the Braille table used by your screenreader. For changing the Braille table of
your screenreader refer to the screenreader documentation.
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4 Default key assignments for Dolphin Hal and
Supernova version 5.x
The following lists show the default keys to press for each Braille operation.
In the following list, T1 to T4 refer to the four thumb keys on the front of the Braille
Voyager, B1 to B8 refer to the Braille keys one to eight on top of the unit, and Nav
left, Nav right, Nav up, and Nav down refer to the Windows Navigation Key. The
Windows navigation key is the four-way key in the middle on front of the unit.
4.1 Physical button layout
Top B7 (CTL) B3 B2 B1 B4 B5 B6 B8 (ALT)
Front T1 T2 NAV T3 T4
Action = key press
Open Control Panel = B1 + B2 + B3 + B4 + B5 + B6
Speak Keys Where am I? = B2 + B4
Speak Keys Status = B3 + B4
Braille Back = T1
Braille Forward = T4
Braille Line up = T2
Braille Line up (Virtual Focus) = T2
Virtual Focus Move Physical Up = T1 + T2
Braille Line down = T3
Braille Line down (Virtual Focus) = T3
Virtual Focus Move Physical Down = T3 + T4
Braille Go To Focus = T2 + T3
Braille Line Start = B3
Braille Line End = B6
Braille Top = B1 + B2 + B3
Braille Bottom = B4 + B5 + B6
Braille Cell Left = B1 + B2 + B6
Braille Cell Right = B3 + B4 + B5
Braille Physical/Logical Mode = B1
Virtual Focus Physical on off = B1
Braille Literary Braille on off = B1 + B2 + B4 + B5
Braille Cycle Attributes = B1 + B2 + B3 + B5 + B6
Braille Describe Character on off = B1 + B4
Braille On Off = B3 + B6
Braille Hooks on off = B1 + B2 + B5
Braille Monitor on off = B1 + B3 + B4
Braille Tracking on off = B1 + B2
Braille Cursor on off = B5
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Braille Eight Dot Six Dot = B2 + B3 + B6
Braille Cursor Style = B1 + B3 + B4 + B5 + B6
Braille Tremble Capitals on off = B2 + B4 + B5 + B6
Braille Enhance on off = B4 + B5
Braille Input on off = T1 + T4
Braille Layout on off = B1 + B4 + B5 + B6
Braille Expand Gaps on off = B2
Simulate Key Press Up = T2 + B4
Virtual Focus Previous Line = T2 + B4
Simulate Key Press Down = T3 + B4
Virtual Focus Next Line = T3 + B4
Simulate Key Press Enter = B1 + B5
Virtual Focus Interact with control = B1 + B5
Braille Document Read Forward = T4 + B4
Braille Document Read Forward (Virtual Focus) = T4 + B4
Braille Document Read Back = T1 + B4
Braille Document Read Back (Virtual Focus) = T1 + B4
Braille Routing Button Action = B1 + B3
Braille Routing Button Action in VF = B1 + B3
Braille Second Routing Button Action = B4 + B6
Braille Second Routing Button Action in VF = B4 + B6
Simulate Key Press Tab = B5 + B6
Virtual Focus Next Object = B5 + B6
Simulate Key Press Shift Tab = B2 + B3
Virtual Focus Previous Object = B2 + B3
Simulate Key Press Escape = B2 + B5
Simulate Key Press Windows = B2 + B3 + B4
INPUTSPACE = T3
Note:
Braille key 4 used in combination with a thumbkey is a "sticky key". This key will stay
pressed until the sticky key is turned off, thus enabling you to press combinations of a
thumbkey plus Braille key 4 without keeping Braille key 4 pressed. Braille key 4 plus
the thumbkey combinations are defined to work as a Braille document read. If Braille
key 4 is pressed, pressing the thumbkeys will scroll the document.
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4.2 Braille Voyager Proprietary Key Assignment:
Shift + Tab = Nav left
Tab = Nav right
Arrow up = Nav up
Arrow down = Nav down
Windows Key = Nav left + Nav right
Enter = B8 + Braille " (Quote: B5 in U.S. Braille)
Backspace = B8 + ` (Grave Accent: B4 in U.S. Braille)
Control key = B7
Alt key = B8
Alt + Tab = B8 + Braille , (Comma: B6 in U.S. Braille)
Control + Tab = B7 + ' (Apostrofe: B3 in U.S. Braille)
Control + letter = B7 + Braille letter
Alt + letter = B8 + Braille letter
Alt + Control + letter = B7 + B8 + Braille letter
Control + function key = B7 + Braille number
Alt + function key = B8 + Braille number
Alt + Control + function key = B7 + B8 + Braille number
Note:
The Control and Alt key (B7 and B8) can be used in combination with Braille letters to
execute a shortcut key. For example to select your text in Microsoft Word you can
use the shortcut key control + A. To execute this shortcut from the Braille Voyager
press the Braille keys B7 (Control key) + B1 (Braille A). All Alt, Control, and Alt +
Control plus numbers are defined as function keys F1 to F10. For example to execute
an Alt+F4 from the Braille Voyager you need to press Braille key 8 for Alt and the
combination to form the number 4 (in U.S. Braille B2 + B5 + B6 and in German Braille
B1 + B4 + B5 + B6).
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5 Contact Information
Belgium: Tieman NV
Baron Ruzettelaan 29
8310 Brugge
België / Belgique
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Canada: Optelec
1832, Boulevard Marie-Victorin
Longueuil, Quebec
J4G 1Y9 Canada
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Germany: Tieman GmbH
Fritzlarer Strasse 25
34613 Schwalmstadt
Germany
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Netherlands: Tieman BV
P.O. Box 248
3190 AE Hoogvliet RT
Netherlands
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
United Kingdom: Tieman U.K.
143, Derby Road
Stapleford
Nottingham NG9 7AS
United Kingdom
Tel.: + 44 115 939 1391
Fax.: + 44 115 949 0390
E-mail: [email protected]
U.S.A.: Optelec
6, Lyberty Way
Westford, MA 01886
U.S.A.
Tel.: + 1 978 392 0707
Fax.: + 1 978 692 6073
E-mail: [email protected]
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