Optelec Alva BC640 User manual

User Manual English
UDC-02004 A
© 2007 Optelec, the Netherlands.
All rights reserved
Optelec
P.O. Box 399
2990 AJ Barendrecht
The Netherlands
Telephone: [phone]. Fax [phone]
Internet: www.optelec.com

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Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................... 4
1.1. About this manual........................................................................................ 4
1.2. ALVA BC640 package contents................................................................... 4
2. Getting to know your ALVA BC640 ..................................................................... 6
2.1. ALVA BC640 Base Unit: Surface and front panel layout ............................. 6
2.1.1. Surface and front panel layout.................................................................. 6
2.1.2. Back panel layout ..................................................................................... 7
2.1.3. Right side layout ....................................................................................... 7
2.1.4. Left side layout.......................................................................................... 7
2.1.5. Front panel keys, Smartpad, eTouch navigation buttons and cursor
routing keys .............................................................................................. 7
2.2. The ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack ............................................. 8
2.2.1. Braille Audio Feature Pack: Surface layout .............................................. 9
2.2.2. Right Side layout....................................................................................... 9
2.2.3. Left Side lay-out........................................................................................ 9
3. Installation ......................................................................................................... 10
3.1. Setting up the USB connection.................................................................. 10
3.2. Installing ALVA BC640 screenreader drivers............................................. 10
3.3. Bluetooth® connection............................................................................... 11
3.3.1. Preparing for Bluetooth® connection................................................... 11
3.3.2. Setting up the Bluetooth® USB dongle................................................ 11
4. The ALVA BC640 Local menu........................................................................... 15
4.1. Activating the Local Menu.......................................................................... 15
4.2. Changing settings in the Local Menu......................................................... 15
4.3. The Feature Pack Menus .......................................................................... 23
4.3.1. The Braille Audio Feature Pack Bluetooth® Menu.................................. 23
4.3.2. The Braille Audio Feature Pack Audio Menu .......................................... 24
5. Power Sources .................................................................................................. 25
5.1. USB power ................................................................................................ 25
5.2. Internal battery........................................................................................... 25
5.3. External power adapter.............................................................................. 25

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6. The ALVA BC6 Bluetooth® settings application ................................................ 26
6.1. Configuring Audio ...................................................................................... 26
6.2. Using the Braille keyboard......................................................................... 26
7. Using the Braille keyboard................................................................................. 28
7.1 Chord commands......................................................................................... 28
7.2 Prefix chord commands ............................................................................... 28
7.3 Contracted Braille on/off............................................................................... 29
8. Notes ................................................................................................................. 30
8.1 Starting Notes............................................................................................ 30
8.2 Using Notes ............................................................................................... 30
8.2.1 Adding text.............................................................................................. 30
8.2.2 Editing text.............................................................................................. 30
8.2.3 Navigating in Notes................................................................................. 31
8.2.4 Defining a block ...................................................................................... 31
8.2.5 Reading in Notes..................................................................................... 31
8.3 The Notes Menu ........................................................................................ 32
8.3.1 Notes main menu.................................................................................... 32
8.3.1.1 File menu............................................................................................... 32
8.3.1.2 Edit menu .............................................................................................. 33
8.3.1.3 Help ....................................................................................................... 33
9. Updating the Firmware ...................................................................................... 35
10. Mounting the Braille Audio Feature Pack......................................................... 36
Regulatory notice...................................................................................................... 37
Optelec offices worldwide ......................................................................................... 41

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1. Introduction
Congratulations on choosing the ALVA BC640. The ALVA Braille Controller 6-series is
the first series of wireless Braille Controllers that merges classic Braille display access
with modern note taking functionality. The high quality and reliability of the ALVA BC640
gives you optimal flexibility and productivity in an ultra compact design.
The ALVA BC640 features future proof hardware standards as wireless Bluetooth®
connection and USB ports. The ergonomic design with its high quality Braille cells and
optimal navigation possibilities allow you to be in full control of your computer, PDA or
(smart) phone. Used in combination with screen reading software the ALVA Braille
Controller can be installed for particular operating systems to provide a tactile and
audible user interface.
The ALVA BC640 offers an enhanced ergonomic design that extends the navigation
and operation possibilities of the screen reading software. The ergonomics are
designed for optimal efficiency when working with a computer, PDA or Smartphone.
Note that the functionality of the ALVA BC640 depends somewhat on the Braille
display options of your screenreader and your mainstream computing hardware.
The ALVA Braille Controller was designed to adhere to the Open Standard
philosophy using mainstream technology. This enables compatibility with most
screen reading software and operating systems. Contact your distributor or Optelec
for updated information about screenreaders that fully support the ALVA BC640.
If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the use of this Braille display,
please contact your distributor or Optelec’s head office using the contact information at
the last page of this manual. Your feedback is highly appreciated. We hope you enjoy
working with your ALVA BC640.
1.1. About this manual
This manual will familiarize you with the features and basic operation of the ALVA
BC640 and Braille Audio Feature Pack. Please read this manual carefully before
using your device.
1.2. ALVA BC640 package contents
The ALVA BC640 package contains the following:
– A pouch
– The ALVA BC640 base unit
– Power adapter 110/240V and power cable
– Long and short USB cables
– An USB Bluetooth® dongle, Class 1, Windows XP SP2 and Windows
Vista compatible
– The ALVA BC driver software for Windows XP and Windows Vista and
documentation on CD-ROM
– This manual in Print

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– Quick Start Guide in Braille and Print
The ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature Pack package contains the following:
– A carrying bag
– The ALVA BC640 base unit including Braille Audio Feature Pack
– Power adapter 110/240V and power cable
– Long and short USB cables
– An USB Bluetooth® dongle, Class 2, Windows XP SP2 and Windows
Vista compatible
– The ALVA BC driver software for Windows XP and Windows Vista and
documentation on CD-ROM
– A headset
– This manual in Print
– Quick Start Guide in Braille and Print
The Braille Audio Feature Pack package contains the following:
– A carrying bag
– The Braille Audio Feature Pack
– The ALVA BC driver software for Windows XP and Windows Vista and
documentation on CD-ROM
– A headset
– A hex key
– This manual in Print
– Quick Start Guide in Braille and Print
If any of these items are missing from your package, please contact your distributor.

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2. Getting to know your ALVA BC640
The ALVA BC640 consists of an ALVA BC640 base unit containing a 40 cell Braille
line and an optional Braille Audio Feature Pack. This chapter will give a detailed
overview of the lay-out of the ALVA BC640 base unit and Braille Audio Feature Pack.
2.1. ALVA BC640 Base Unit: Surface and front panel layout
The unit is placed correctly in front of you when the 40 Braille cells are located at the
back of the flat surface and the thumb keys are facing towards you.
The ALVA BC640 contains:
1. 40-cell Braille display
2. eTouch keys (left) for panning left and right and screenreading functions
3. eTouch keys (right) for panning left and right and screenreading functions
4. Smartpad with 5-way navigation key and 4 keys for easy access to
mainstream devices
5. Thumb keys for panning, left, right, up and down and returning to the cursor
position
6. 40 Cursor Routing Keys
7. Power supply and mini USB connectors
8. On/off switch
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2.1.1. Surface and front panel layout
The ALVA BC640 is designed with a row of 40 Braille cells at the back of the flat
surface. In front of the Braille cells one row of small buttons can be found, known as
Cursor Routing Keys. Each Braille cell has a corresponding Cursor Routing Key that
can be used for multiple functions. On the left and right side of the Braille line you will
find two groups of two keys. These so-called eTouch keys can be used for Braille
panning left and right as well as various other screen-reader functions.

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In the middle, just in front of the Cursor Routing Keys, you will find a group of 9 keys.
This group is called Smartpad and consists of 4 function keys and a 5-way navigation
key. The Smartpad can be used for operating mainstream devices such as PC’s,
(smart)phones and PDA’s.
2.1.2. Back panel layout
At the back of the Braille Controller, a connector can be found for the Braille Audio
Feature Pack.
2.1.3. Right side layout
The power switch is located at the right side of the Braille Controller. The Braille
Controller is switched on when the rectangular push button is pressed. Switching the
Braille Controller on will generate an audio signal.
2.1.4. Left side layout
The left side of the Braille Controller contains three connectors. From front to back:
power connector, mini USB connector and a feature connector. The feature
connector has no function with the release of this manual.
2.1.5. Front panel keys, Smartpad, eTouch navigation buttons and
cursor routing keys
The names of the ALVA BC640 keys listed in this section will be used in all
documentation, including your screenreader documentation. This section describes
the name of the key(s) and its main function, which is supported by the screenreader.
The exact functionality is defined by the screenreader. Please refer to your
screenreader documentation for detailed functionality of the ALVA BC640.
Smartpad
The integrated Smartpad allows for simultaneous access to mainstream devices such
as PC’s, PDA’s and (smart)phones and navigation through menu’s and dialog boxes.
From left to right, the Smartpad keys are:
Smartpad key 1 First rectangular key at the left marked with 3 horizontal lines
Smartpad key 2 Second rectangular key at the left marked with 1 horizontal line
LEFT Left key on the 5-way navigation key
UP Top key on the 5-way navigation key
DOWN Bottom key on the 5-way navigation key
RIGHT Right key on the 5-way navigation key
MIDDLE Middle key marked with a round dot of the 5-way navigation key
Smartpad key 3 Second rectangular key from the right marked with 1 vertical line
Smartpad key 4 Most right rectangular key marked with 3 vertical lines
eTouch keys
The two keys on each side of the Braille line are called the eTouch keys. They are
used for panning left and right as well as various other Braille functions.

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eTouch 1 Top left key marked with two vertical lines
eTouch 2 Bottom left key marked with one horizontal line
eTouch 3 Top right key marked with two vertical lines
eTouch 4 Bottom right key marked with one horizontal line
Cursor Routing Keys
The cursor routing keys correspond to the particular Braille cell immediately above
each button. Typically, they are used for routing the cursor or caret to the
corresponding Braille cell, generating a left or right mouse click at that point, or for
obtaining additional information about the contents of the Braille cell.
Thumb Keys
At the front of the Braille Controller five front panel keys are placed, the so called
thumb keys. Four bigger keys are symmetrically aligned along the front of the ALVA
BC640. One smaller button is located in the middle of the front. Pressing one of the
four bigger thumb keys will navigate left, right, up or down. By pressing the middle
key you will return to the cursor position.
2.2. The ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack
The Braille Audio Feature Pack is placed correctly in front of you when the Braille
input keys are located at the back of the flat surface and the thumb keys of the ALVA
BC640 Base Unit are facing towards you.
The ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack contains:
1. Ctrl-key
2. Eight key Braille keyboard (From left to right Braille key 7, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8)
3. Windows key (to open the Windows Start Menu)
4. Enter key
5. Alt-key
6. Headphone connector
7. Microphone connector
8. Space bar
9. Volume control and mute button
10.Integrated high quality stereo speakers
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2.2.1. Braille Audio Feature Pack: Surface layout
The ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack is designed with an eight key Braille
keyboard that is located directly behind the 40 cell Braille line. The Braille keyboard
consist of eight Braille keys, a space bar, a Ctrl-key, a Windows key, an Enter key
and an Alt-key and two integrated high quality stereo speakers that are located left
and right of the Braille keyboard. The space bar is the long key that is located in the
centre of the Braille Audio Feature Pack. The eight rectangular keys located left and
right of the space bar are the Braille input keys. The four square keys are the Ctrl-key,
Windows key, Enter key and Alt-key. From left to right the keys are labelled Ctrl-key,
Braille key 7, Braille key 3, Braille key 2, Braille key 1, Windows key, Enter key,
Braille key 4, Braille key 5, Braille key 6, Braille key 8 and the Alt-key.
2.2.2. Right Side layout
The volume and mute button is located at the right side of the Braille Audio Feature
Pack. Moving the button towards you allows you to turn the volume down, whereas
moving the button away from you will raise the volume. Pressing the button allows
you to mute the audio, which will be generated with a low beep. Pressing this button
again will generate a higher beep and switch the mute function off. A message will be
displayed on the Braille line to indicate if the mute function is on or off.
2.2.3. Left Side lay-out
The left side of the Braille Audio Feature Pack contains two connectors. From back to
front you will find a 3.5 mm headphone connector and a 3.5 mm microphone
connector.

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3. Installation
In this section, a general description of the installation procedure is described for the
JAWS and Dolphin screenreaders for Windows XP and Windows Vista, the Braille
Audio Feature Pack setup and Bluetooth® installation. Please refer to the
screenreader documentation for instructions on how to setup and configure the
Braille display for other screenreaders and operating systems.
In case you upgraded your ALVA BC640 base unit to an ALVA BC640 with Braille
Audio Feature Pack, please make sure to upgrade the firmware to version 1.14.0 or
higher and Bluetooth® version 1.6.0 and 1.4.0. To learn more about the firmware
version, please refer to chapter 4. The firmware update procedure is described in
chapter 8.
3.1. Setting up the USB connection
The ALVA BC640 is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista. Older
Windows versions are not supported. The ALVA BC640 does not need any special
USB drivers. Windows XP or Windows Vista will automatically detect the ALVA
BC640 and install the necessary drivers.
1. Attach the USB cable to the ALVA BC640 and computer.
2. A 2GB removable drive will appear on the screen. This drive contains the
ALVA BC640 screenreader drivers for JAWS and Dolphin.
3. Switch on the ALVA BC640. Windows will automatically install the
necessary drivers. Generally this does not require any further user input.
When the connection is established the ALVA BC640 will issue an audible
signal and displays the message “USB connected”.
4. If you use an ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature Pack, the audio will
be rerouted to the Braille Audio Feature Pack and the Braille keyboard will
be installed. Please refer to chapter 6 for configuration instructions of the
USB audio and eight key Braille input.
3.2. Installing ALVA BC640 screenreader drivers
1. Insert the ALVA BC640 software CD-ROM that came with the package in
your computer’s disk drive.
2. The program will automatically run if the autostart feature of your CD-ROM
drive is enabled.
a. If the autostart feature has not been enabled, open your Windows
Start Menu, select ‘Run’ and type d:\setup.exe (assuming d: is the
letter assigned to your disk drive) and press Enter.
b. Alternatively, locate the ALVA_BC640 folder on the ALVA BC640
removable drive and run the “ALVA BC6 Setup.exe”.

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3. Select “Install screenreader drivers”
4. The setup program will guide you through the installation.
5. The setup program will automatically search your system for installations of
JAWS and Dolphin screenreaders and will install all necessary drivers,
manuals, firmware update software and the application to configure the
ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack Bluetooth® settings. Please note
that the ALVA BC640 is only supported by Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Drivers for screenreaders other than Dolphin and JAWS are included in the products
themselves and are not shipped on the ALVA BC640 CD-ROM. Please refer to your
screenreader documentation for more information about the setup of the ALVA
BC640. You have the choice between two setup types: a complete and a custom
setup. We recommend using the “Complete” setup. The “Complete” setup will
automatically install and update all the necessary components. If you would like to
install the ALVA BC640 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.
Note:
The USB audio channel in Windows is configured to mix the microphone audio with
the playback audio. This can result in a beeping sound when connection the Braille
Audio Feature Pack to the PC via USB. To prevent Windows from mixing the
microphone with the playback device mute the microphone in the playback mixer of
the Windows volume control.
3.3. Bluetooth® connection
3.3.1. Preparing for Bluetooth® connection
With the ALVA BC640 a class 1 high range USB Bluetooth® dongle for Windows XP
and Windows Vista is included. Depending on the Bluetooth® software included with
other Bluetooth® modules, it will be possible that not all ALVA BC640 functionality
will be supported. The Bluetooth® dongle and software, which is included with the
ALVA BC640, is optimized for best performance and Bluetooth® range. We therefore
highly recommend using the supplied dongle for best results and ease of installation.
3.3.2. Setting up the Bluetooth® USB dongle
Once the screenreader drivers have been installed, the next step is the installation of
the supplied Bluetooth® USB dongle.
1. Upon Windows start-up, insert the ALVA BC640 software CD-ROM. The
installation program will automatically run if the autostart feature of your CD-
ROM drive is enabled. Please make sure to use the ALVA BC640 CD and
not the Belkin CD.
2. Select Bluetooth® Setup
3. The setup program will guide you through the installation.

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Warning!
Please note that the installaton of the Bluetooth® software might take more than 20
minutes. Please do not interrupt the setup, even when the setup appears to be
inresponsive. Interrupting the setup will result in an incorrect installation of the
Bluetooth® software and improper functioning of especially the ALVA BC640 Audio
and keyboard. In case the installation has been interrupted, please uninstall the
Bluetooth® drivers before attempting to reinstall the Belkin Bluetooth® drivers again.
The unistallation procedure may take more than 20 minutes. Please make sure to not
interrupt the uninstallation procedure.
After installation of the Bluetooth® dongle and its software an icon named “My
Bluetooth Places” will appear on the desktop of your Windows computer. To create
the Bluetooth® connection with your ALVA BC640 base unit or ALVA BC640 with
Braille Audio Feature Pack, the device will need to be paired with the PC. Once the
ALVA BC640 has been paired succesfully, the required Bluetooth® services have to
be activated.
The ALVA BC640 without Braille Audio Feature Pack has one Bluetooth® module
and uses one Bluetooth® service. The ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature Pack
has two Bluetooth® modules and uses four Bluetooth® services.
Bluetooth® modules and services:
Bluetooth® Services
Model Braille
Bluetooth ®
Serial Port
Bluetooth®
HID Keyboard
Bluetooth®
Mono Audio
Bluetooth®
Stereo Audio
ALVA BC640
witouth Braille
Audio FP
ALVA BC640
Bluetooth®
module
ALVA BC640
with Braille
Audio FP
ALVA BC640
Bluetooth®
module
ALVA BC640
Bluetooth®
module
ALVA BC640
Bluetooth®
module
ALVA BC640
FP Bluetooth
module
As indicated in the figure above, the ALVA BC640 Base Unit only uses the
Bluetooth® serial service. However, the ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature
Pack uses two modules; one module for the serail connection or serial service, the
HID (Human Interface Device) keyboard connection or keyboard service and the
mono headset connection or mono headset service. The second Bluetooth® module
is used for the stereo audio.
Pairing the ALVA BC640 Base Unit (without Braille Audio Feature Pack):
1. Activate the option “My Bluetooth Places”
2. A Wizard will automatically open in Windows Explorer.
3. Activate the “Find Bluetooth devices” option (we recommend you not to use
the Bluetooth® setup wizard).

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4. Locate the ALVA BC640 in the list with found devices, by using the arrow
keys or click it once with the mouse. If the ALVA BC640 is not found, press
the F5 key to search again.
5. Press ALT + B for the Bluetooth® menu and select “Pair device”.
6. To pair the ALVA BC640 with your Bluetooth® dongle, you have to enter a
PIN code. The default code is 0000. In case you changed this number in the
Local Menu of the ALVA BC640, please enter your personal code and press
Enter. The ALVA BC640 is now paired with your computer.
7. Select the ALVA BC640 from the list with found devices again and press
Enter.
8. Select “Dev B on ALVA BC640” to connect the serial port. A dialog box with
the serial port number will appear. Press Enter to close this dialog box. The
ALVA BC640 will issue an audible signal and displays the message “BT
connected” to indicate that the connection has been established and is
functioning.
Pairing the ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature Pack:
1. Activate the option “My Bluetooth Places”
2. A Wizard will automatically open in Windows Explorer.
3. Activate the “Find Bluetooth devices” option (we recommend you not to use
the Bluetooth® setup wizard).
4. Locate the ALVA BC640 in the list with found devices, by using the arrow
keys or click it once with the mouse. If the ALVA BC640 is not found, press
the F5 key to search again.
5. Press ALT + B for the Bluetooth® menu and select “Pair device”.
6. To pair the ALVA BC640 with your Bluetooth® dongle, you have to enter a
PIN code. The default code is 0000. In case you changed this number in the
Local Menu of the ALVA BC640, please enter your personal code and press
Enter. The ALVA BC640 is now paired with your computer.
7. Select the ALVA BC640 form the list with found devices again and press
Enter.
8. Select “Dev B on ALVA BC640” and press Enter to connect the serial port. A
dialog box with the serial port number will appear. Press Enter to close this
dialog box. The ALVA BC640 will issue an audible signal and displays the
message “BT connected” to indicate that the connection has been
established and is functioning.
9. Select “Headset on ALVA BC640” and press Enter to connect the mono
audio. A dialog box confirming that the audio connection is established will
appear. Press Enter to close this dialog box.
10.Select “Human Interface Device on ALVA BC640” and press enter to
connect the Braille keyboard.
11.Press Backspace to return to the “Find Bluetooth Devices” screen.

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12.To pair the second module of the Braille Audio Feature Pack for stereo
audio, locate the ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack in the list with
found devices, using the arrow keys or clicking the mouse once. If the ALVA
BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack is not found, press the F5 key to search
again.
13.Press ALT + B for the Bluetooth® menu and select “Pair device”
14.To pair the ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack with the Bluetooth®
dongle, you have to enter a PIN code. The defailt code is 0000. In case you
changed this number in the Local Menu, please enter your personal code
and press Enter. The ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature Pack is now
paired with your computer.
15.Select the ALVA BC640 Braille Audio Feature Pack from the list with found
devices again and press Enter. A dialog box confirming that the stereo audio
connection is established will appear. Press Enter to close this dialog box.
When the ALVA BC640 screenreader drivers are properly installed (see paragraph
3.2), you might have to reload your screenreader to establish the Bluetooth®
connection.

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4. The ALVA BC640 Local menu
This chapter describes the ALVA BC640 Local Menu. The ALVA BC640 Local Menu
enables you to change several built-in settings of the Braille display. In case you are
using and ALVA BC640 with Braille Audio Feature Pack, there will be two extra
menus: the Bluetooth® connection menu and audio menu.
When the ALVA BC640 is switched on, the following message is displayed:
“ALVA BC640 ready” followed by the date and time.
This message will automatically disappear when the screenreader is loaded and a
successful connection with the ALVA BC640 is established.
4.1. Activating the Local Menu
To enter the ALVA BC640 Local Menu press the keys Smartpad key 2 + Smartpad
key 3 + arrow down key simultaneously. To exit the Local Menu press Smartpad key
1. The Smartpad keys are located on top of the ALVA BC640. The arrow keys and
Enter key are located in the centre of the Smartpad. The four remaining keys are
labelled from left to right Smartpad key 1 to 4. Refer to chapter 2 for a detailed
description of the ALVA BC640 keys.
4.2. Changing settings in the Local Menu
The Local Menu allows you to configure the ALVA BC640 or review information about
the current status of the ALVA BC640. Some menu items will only be active when a
Braille Audio Feature Pack has been installed. These menu items will proceed with
“FP”.
Local menu Key Combination
Next menu item Smartpad arrow up key
Previous menu item Smartpad arrow down key
Select menu item Smartpad Enter key
Next field in menu item Smartpad arrow right key
Previous field in menu item Smartpad arrow left key
Change value in menu field item Smartpad arrow up / down keys
Accept changed value in menu field Smartpad Enter key
item and leave field
Exit menu without saving changes Smartpad key 1
Please note that when the menu is activated, it will be underlined with dot 7 and 8 on
the Braille display.
The Local menu has the following items:

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Battery: 45%, charging
Battery presents the status of the battery and informs you if the battery is charging.
In case the USB connection is used, the ALVA BC640 will start charging via USB
automatically.
The status of the battery loading can be:
- Charging The battery is charging
- Not charging The battery is not charging
*FP* Notes
Notes. Press Smartpad Enter to activate the internal Notes function.
Date/Time: 01/01/2008 01:00:00
Date and time. This menu item shows the current date and time. To set the date and
time and to change the date and time format, please refer to the set date, set time
and date and time format menu options.
Bluetooth status: connected
Bluetooth® status displays if the ALVA BC640 Bluetooth® is connected or
disconnected.
Set Bluetooth pairable
Set Bluetooth® pairable. Activating this menu item will disconnect the current
Bluetooth® connection and make the ALVA BC640 visible to other Bluetooth®
devices. Alternatively, switching the ALVA BC640 off and on will disconnect the
current Bluetooth® connection and switches the Bluetooth® module into the pairable
state too.
Bluetooth: on
Bluetooth®. The ALVA BC640 Bluetooth® module can be switched off. To turn
Bluetooth® off, press Smartpad Enter key and select “off” with the Smartpad up and
down keys. To switch Bluetooth® on again, select “on”.
Bluetooth pin: 0000
Bluetooth® PIN. The ALVA BC640 is protected by a Personal Identification Number
(PIN) to prevent other people from setting up a wireless connection with your Braille

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display. This setting allows you to enter your own PIN code. By default the PIN code
is set to 0000. This number is required when setting up a wireless connection with
your PC or other Bluetooth® device. You can change the digits in the PIN by using
the Smartpad Enter key and the Smartpad arrow up and down, left and right keys.
Bluetooth name: ALVA BC640
Bluetooth® Name. Specify the Bluetooth® name for the ALVA BC640. This allows
you to uniquely identify the ALVA BC640 in case you are setting up a wireless
Bluetooth® connection with your PC or other Bluetooth® device. By default the
Bluetooth® name is ALVA BC640. You can change the separate characters by
scanning through the alphabet. To change the Bluetooth® name press the Smartpad
Enter key. Use the Smartpad arrow up and down keys to scan forward and backward
through the alphabet. Use the Smartpad arrow left and right keys to move to the
previous or next character. The maximum length of the Bluetooth® name is 16
characters. In case a Braille Audio Feature Pack has been installed, the Bluetooth®
name of the Feature Pack wil have the extension “FP”. By default the name of the
Braille Audio Feature Pack is ALVA BC640 FP.
Sleep: 30
Sleep. By default the sleep time function is set to 30 seconds. Press the Smartpad
Enter key and set a time from 5 seconds to 255 seconds, indicating the time after
which the Braille display puts itself into sleep mode if there is no activity. To disable
the sleep function, select never. Consequently, the ALVA BC640 consumes virtually
no energy when the Braille display is in sleep mode. Set the time by using the
Smartpad arrow up and down keys. Increase the value by pressing the Smartpad
arrow up key. Decrease the value by pressing the Smartpad arrow down key.
*FP* Braille configuration
Braille configuration. Press the Smartpad Enter key to open the Braille
configuration submenu. The Braille configuration submenu contains three menu
items: keyboard layout, Braille table and contracted (Grade 2) table. These three
items are being used to translate the Braille input on the 8 key Braille keyboard into
text. It is therefore important to select the same keyboard layout on the ALVA BC640
as used by Windows. Your Windows keyboard layout can be found in the Windows
Control Panel/ Regional and Language options/ Languages/ Details. When a
keyboard layout is selected, the ALVA BC640 will attempt to match the Braille table
and contracted table if present. If there is no matching Braille table present, no
changes will be made. Alternatively, you can manually select a different Braille table
or Contracted table. The default Braille table is the NABCC (North American Braille
Character Code) and the US English contracted table. The selected Braille table is
used in the Local Menu. Please note that screenreaders have their own Braille tables.
Therefore, the Braille that is being displayed on the Braille display cannot be
controlled by the ALVA BC640. Selecting a different Braille table for displaying Braille
should be done in the screenreader itself.

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To enable or disable contracted (or Grade 2) Braille input, press Space + B1245
(Braille keys 1, 2, 4, 5). The ALVA BC640 will generate a serie of beeps to indicate
that contracted Braille is turned on or off. Pressing Smartpad 1 allows you to exit this
submenu.
Dot pressure: 5
Dot pressure. Select the Braille reading comfort by setting the dot pressure. If you
prefer hard and stiff Braille dots set the value to 5. If you prefer soft and weak Braille
dots, set the value to 1. The default setting is 5.
Number status cells: 0
Number status cells. By default the number of status cells is 0. To enable status
cells, select a value of 1 to 20 status cells. If the statuscells are set to 0, the
statuscells will be disabled and all 40 Braille cells are used for displaying text and
data. Status cells provide useful information about the text on the screen, Windows
controls and screenreader mode.
Status cells: Left
Status cells. The default position of the status cells is on the left. Select the position
of the status cells either at the left or right side on the Braille display.
Split point active: off
Split point active. When the ALVA BC640 split point is enabled, the Braille display
will be divided into two segments. This enables you to read and interact with two
devices simultaneously. For example, the Bluetooth® screenreader output of a
mobile phone can be displayed on the first 10 Braille cells while the remaining 29
cells can be used to read the PC screenreader output via the USB connection. The
remaining cell of the 40 cells will have all 8 dots raised to indicate where the first
segment ends and the second segment starts. The first segment with a default length
of 10 Braille cells will display the information send via the Bluetooth® connection.
The second segment with a default length of 29 cells will display the information send
via the USB connection. To enable or disable the split point feature select on or off
using the Smartpad arrow up and down keys. Alternatively, you might enable or
disable the split point feature by pressing the hotkeys Smartpad 2 + 3 + Enter. To be
able to use the split point feature, please make sure your screenreaders supports this
function. To find out if your screenreader supports the ALVA BC640 split point
functionality, please refer to your screenreader documentation.

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Split point: 10
Split point. Adjust the number of cells used for the split point function by selecting
the number of cells with the Smartpad arrow up and down keys. The first segment
can be set from 5 to 35 cells. By changing the length of the first segment, the length
of the second segment will automatically be adjusted.
Repeat keys: on
Repeat keys. The repeat function of the thumb keys can be enabled or disabled.
When holding down a thumb key with the repeat function switched on, the thumb
keys will start repeating after half a second. This enables you to quickly scroll the
display by keeping the thumb key pressed.
2nd cursor routing row: on
2nd cursor routing row. The ALVA BC640 is equipped with one row of cursor routing
keys. However, by keeping the cursor routing key pressed the ALVA BC640 is able to
emulate a second row of cursor routing keys. This will give you the possibility to
perform a left and a right mouse click with one row of cursor routing keys. When
enabled, the ALVA BC640 will differentiate between a short and a long cursor routing
key press. A short press will be treated as a press of a key of the first row of cursor
routing keys, while a long press will be seen as a press of a key of the second row of
cursor routing keys. The length of a “long press” can be set by adjusting the delay
time. The default time is half a second. The assignment of the first and second row of
cursor key actions depends on the used screenreader. Refer to your screenreader
documentation for the assignment of the first and second cursor routing key actions.
2nd cursor routing delay: 500 ms
2nd cursor routing delay. The length of the delay before the second cursor routing
key is activated can be set by adjusting the delay time. By default the delay is set to
500 ms or half a second.
*FP* Default volume: 31
Default volume is the volume of the Braille Audio Feature Pack when the ALVA
BC640 is switched on. The default volume is 31.
Sounds: off
Sounds can be switched on or off. When switched on, a short beep is being
genereted on each key press. If you prefer no sounds to be generated, select “off”.

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For each group of keys the beeps can be switched on or off individually.
Cursor routing sound: on
Cursor routing sound can be switched on or off. When switched on, a short beep is
genereted on each cursor routing key press. If you prefer no sounds to be generated
when a cursor routing key is pressed, select off.
eTouch key sound: on
eTouch key sound can be switched on or off. When switched on, a short beep is
genereted on each eTouch key press. If you prefer no sounds to be generated when
an eTouch key is pressed, select off.
Thumb key sound: on
Thumb key sound can be switched on or off. When switched on, a short beep is
genereted on each thumbkey press. If you prefer no sounds to be generated when a
Thumb key is pressed, select off.
Smartpad sound: on
Smartpad sound can be switched on or off. When swiched on, a short beep is
genereted on each Smartpad key press. If you prefer no sounds to be generated
when a Smartpad key is pressed, select off.
Set time: 01:01:00
Set time. This setting allows you to set the time. Press the Smartpad Enter key to
enter the modification mode. Use the Smartpad arrow up and down keys to change
the time. Use the Smartpad arrow left and right keys to select the hour, minute or
seconds.
Set date: 01:01:2008
Set date. This setting allows you to set the date. Press the Smartpad Enter key to
enter the modification mode. Use the Smartpad arrow up and down keys to change
the date. Use Smartpad arrow left and right keys to select the day, month and year.