Orbit Research Orion TI-84 Plus User manual

PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION
Orion TI-84 Plus
Talking Graphing Calculator
User Guide
17th April, 2019
Version 1.0

Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator User Guide Version 1.0
Orbit Research Proprietary Information 2
Contents
1INTRODUCTION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4
1.1 ABOUT THIS GUIDE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
1.2 FEATURES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
1.3 CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS GUIDE-------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
2BECOMING ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR ORION TI-84 PLUS TALKING GRAPHING
CALCULATOR--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
2.1 PARTS LIST -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
2.2 ORIENTATION AND FUNCTIONS --------------------------------------------------------------------------6
2.3 POWER SUPPLY AND CHARGING------------------------------------------------------------------------7
2.4 OPERATION PROCEDURE--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
2.5 HELP MODE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
3ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
4KEYS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
5LOCATION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
6FUNCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
6.1.1 Graph Options--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
6.1.2 Graph Options--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
6.1.3 Speech Options------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
6.1.4 Braille Options--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
6.2 SPEECH AND TONE MODE------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18
6.3 REPLAYING A GRAPH------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18
6.4 REPLAYING INDICATORS OF A GRAPH ---------------------------------------------------------------- 19
6.5 REVIEWING THE SCREEN------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
7CALCULATOR OPERATIONS WITH THE ORION TI-84 PLUS--------------------------------- 21
7.1 HOME SCREEN OPERATIONS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
7.1.1 Entering Expressions------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22
7.1.2 Expression Editing (Delete and Insert)-------------------------------------------------------- 22
7.1.3 Copying the Previous Expression-------------------------------------------------------------- 23
7.1.4 Clear Operations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23
7.2 GRAPH SCREEN OPERATIONS------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
7.2.1 Equations Announcement - Trace Cursor Announcement------------------------------- 24
7.2.2 X-Y Coordinates Announcement Cursor ----------------------------------------------------- 24
7.2.3 Busy Indicator--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
7.2.4 Complete Equation Playback-------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
7.2.5 Exiting the Graph Screen------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
7.2.6 Trace screen tone audible Graph playback-------------------------------------------------- 25
7.2.7 Y-Value Corresponding to X-Value in Trace Mode ---------------------------------------- 26
7.3 "Y=" MENU ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26
7.3.1 Enabling, Disabling, and Editing Equations-------------------------------------------------- 27
7.4 HORIZONTAL SPLIT SCREEN MODE------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
7.5 SWITCHING BETWEEN VARIOUS SCREENS AND MENUS------------------------------------------- 27
7.6 ERROR SCREEN ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
8EMBOSSING AND PRINTING AND DATA TRANSFER------------------------------------------- 28
8.1 DOWNLOAD THE TI CONNECTTM SOFTWARE -------------------------------------------------------- 28
8.2 HOW TO INSTALL AND RUN TICONNECTTM---------------------------------------------------------- 29
8.3 HOW TO CONNECT THE TI-84 PLUS CALCULATOR AND PC -------------------------------------- 29

Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator User Guide Version 1.0
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8.4 GRAPH AND PRINT OR EMBOSS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
9WARRANTY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
9.1 HARDWARE LIMITED WARRANTY---------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
9.2 EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS---------------------------------------------------------------- 30
9.3 OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE-------------------------------------------------------------- 32
10 FURTHER INFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33

Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator User Guide Version 1.0
Orbit Research Proprietary Information 4
1 Introduction
The Orion TI-84 Plus is the world’s first fully accessible handheld graphing
calculator and is based on the popular TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator. The
functionality and operation of the Orion TI-84 Plus are identical in all respects to
the standard TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator. The only differences are additional
controls, jacks, speakers, and software for making the user interface fully
accessible.
The purpose of this User’s Guide is to help and guide you in the use and care of
the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator and covers the accessibility
enhancements to the TI-84 Plus.
Accessible versions of the TI-84 Plus Guidebook can be found on the Orion TI-84
Plus Resources page. You may also refer to the numerous online user manuals
and guidebooks from Texas InstrumentsTM for the TI-84 Plus Graphing
Calculator, as well as third-party tutorials.
1.1 About This Guide
This guide was accurate and complete at the date of its publication. For the latest
version, see https://www.orbitresearch.com/support/orion-ti-84-plus-support/
1.2 Features
The Orion TI-84 Plus is a modified TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator for users who
are blind or visually impaired. The table below provides a list of some of the
outstanding features the product has to offer:
Features of The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator
LCD display and keypad functionality are identical to the standard TI-84 Plus,
making it easy for teachers already familiar with the TI-84 to help students.
Calculator functions have the benefit of decades of experience from Texas
InstrumentsTM, the world leader in calculators.
Full speech access to all menus, mathematical expressions, text, and
symbols displayed on screen
Full access to graphs through speech output of coordinates
Graphs can be accessed by audio tones.
Clear, high-quality synthetic speech (FonixTalkTM text-to-speech from
SpeechFXTM) also available for dynamic text
Each key is announced when pressed.
Repeat capability to announce the displayed screen (or parts of it) at any time
Unique Help mode for immediate key identification without interruption of
operation

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Features of The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator
Comprehensive choice of speech modes for various levels of feedback
High capacity, rechargeable battery
Battery or AC adapter operation
Ergonomically designed
Large, tactile, and functionally zoned keys
Easy on/off control and auto power-off
1.3 Conventions Used in This Guide
This guide references various functions of the calculator in the following manner:
The keys on the calculator are divided into two sections for easier accessibility.
The top part of the calculator is referred to as the Orion, and the bottom part is
referred to as the TI-84 Plus.
TI-84 Plus keys:
The TI-84 Plus keys start at the bottom row and the columns start on the left.
Example: The On key is located at the bottom left of the TI-84 Plus in column 1,
row 1.
Orion Keys
There are six keys on the top left side of the Orion. These keys are referenced as
top, middle, bottom, and left, right.
Example: The Preference key (Pref.) is the top-right key.
There are five keys located on the right side of the Orion. These keys are
referenced as the up, down, left, right, and home keys.
Both sets of keys can be used in conjunction for navigation and other functions.
Example: By pressing both the CTRL key, which is the bottom-left key on the
bottom left side of the Orion, and the Left Arrow key, which is located on the right
side of the Orion, takes you directly to the start of the review line?
Example: The following steps demonstrate how to calculate the square root of 9
using the keys on the TI-84 Plus section of the calculator:

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Step
Action
1
Press the 2nd key, located in column 1, row 9
2
Press the Square Root (X2) key (the square root symbol is displayed
above this key), located in column 1, row 5.
3
Press the numeral 9key, located in column 4, row 4
4
Press the Enter key, located in column 5, row 1
The Orion TI-84 Plus announces the answer. If you wish to repeat the answer,
press the Repeat key. Repeat is the top-left key in the left set of keys of the
Orion and is denoted by a looping arrow (the word Repeat is displayed above the
key).
2 Becoming Acquainted with Your Orion TI-84 Plus Talking
Graphing Calculator
2.1 Parts List
The package contains the following items:
•Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator
•Hard slide cover
•Standard A male to Mini-B male USB Cable
•Earphones
•Pack of four triple-A batteries
•USB flash drive containing documentation and software
•Quick-Start Guide in print format
2.2 Orientation and Functions
This section of the User’s Guide is aimed at familiarizing you with the locations
and functions of your Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator.
Position the Orion TI-84 Plus so that the keys face up and the ports are at the
top. This is the normal operating position. The ports at the top of the calculator
from left to right begin with the TI-84 serial link port on the far left, followed by the
micro port, the Mini-B port, and finally the earphone jack on the far right. On the
left and right sides of the unit, at the top and near the ports, are the two speaker
grills.
There are 11 keys grouped like a game pad on the front of the Orion section of
the calculator. Six keys are on the left in a three row, two column layout (like a
Braille cell); and a four-key bullet shaped directional pad arrow key configuration
on the right, with a square shaped Home key in the center. The TI-84 Plus keys
are on the bottom half of the calculator. There are 41 keys arranged in five rows
and nine columns with a four-key directional pad in the top-right corner. The four
keys of the directional pad are the arrow keys for the TI-84 Plus. The 12 number

Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator User Guide Version 1.0
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keys in the bottom and middle are concave (hollowed or rounded inward like the
inside of a bowl). The other keys feel convex (curved or rounded outward like the
exterior of a sphere or circle). The On key is flat and slanted forward, and the
Enter key is larger than the other keys.
The screen is the rectangular flat section that lies between the Orion and the TI-
84 Plus. A row of five TI-84 Plus Function keys are found just below the screen.
2.3 Power Supply and Charging
The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator has two separate power
sources. The calculator uses four triple-A batteries while the Orion accessible
extension uses its own internal chargeable battery.
To install the batteries and charge the unit, follow the steps below:
Step
Action
1
Position the calculator so that the keys are pointing down and make
sure the two rubber feet are positioned at the top. Using your thumb,
find the battery door lever in the middle of the unit and pull down
toward the bottom of the unit. While applying downward pressure, pull
your thumb away from the unit and the battery door should open and
come off completely
2
Place each triple-A battery so that the flat end of the battery is
positioned against the spring. Tilt the battery and press it against the
spring. Push the battery flat into the opening until it snaps into position
3
Close the battery cover by placing the cover at an angle with the
thumb lever at the top and the two tabs at the bottom. Position the
tabs under the plastic edge of the opening and lower the lever until it
snaps into place.
4
Turn the calculator over so the keys face up. Plug the Mini-B end of
the USB cable into the Mini-B port on the top right side
Note: Fully charge the battery the first time you use the calculator. This should
take about four hours. You can use the Orion TI-84 Plus while it is charging.
The TI-84 triple-A batteries should last about several months. When they do
become low, you will receive a message at 5% indicating that you have about
several days of charge remaining in the triple-A batteries. Each time you turn on
The TI-84 it will announce that the batteries are low until you have replaced
them.
The Orion chargeable battery lasts about several days, depending on usage. Be
sure to always charge the unit before any important test or assignment.

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2.4 Operating Procedure
Follow the steps below to turn the calculator on and off:
Step
Action
1
Turn the device on by pressing the On key located at the lower left-
hand corner of the calculator positioned in column 1, row 1
2
Turn the device off by first pressing the 2nd key located in column 1,
row 9, and then pressing the On key
Note: When the calculator is on but has not been in use for 5 minutes, it
automatically powers itself off safely without any loss of data. When the
calculator is restarted, it will return to the location and procedure of when the unit
was powered off. If you were using the Help mode at the time automatic power of
occurred, the calculator returns to the location and procedure prior to the
initiation of Help mode.
2.5 Help Mode
The Orion TI-84 Plus Help mode function assists you with locating keys and
confirming their functionality. Help mode can be used at any time, even in the
middle of a calculation. When the unit is in Help mode, the calculator retains its
previous status (i.e., if you were in the middle of an operation, the calculator is
not interrupted and the display remains unchanged). To enter the Help mode,
quickly tap the 2nd key (column 1, row 9) three times.
To assist you with locating a particular key when in Help mode, each key and its
primary function is announced when pressed. When used in combination with
various modifying keys, such as 2nd and Alpha, the Orion announces the
secondary functions as set by the modifying key.
To exit the Help mode, press the On key, then press and hold the 2nd key, or
quickly tap the 2nd key three times. The calculator returns to the speech and
operational mode you were using prior to entering Help mode and restores all the
previously set preferences. You can resume operation from the exact point you
left off from.
3 Accessibility Features
The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator is a modified TI-84 Plus. The
Orion modifications are found at the top of the unit. There are six keys on the left
side of the Orion, laid out in three rows of two columns. On the right side of the
Orion, there are five keys in the form of a directional pad. The Orion keys are
used to review text and graphs and to set accessibility preferences, such as
volume, rate, voice selection, and playback tone duration, as well as many other
useful settings.

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When used with the Shift or the CTRL keys, many of the keys have multiple
functions. The following table describes each key by location and function:
4 Keys
5 Location
6 Function
Control and
Pause
The bottom-left key on the
left-hand side of the Orion
is the CTRL/PAUSE key.
Pressing it in conjunction
with other Orion keys
changes the function of
those keys
Tapping the CTRL key once
pauses speech feedback. Tapping
the CTRL key a second time
restarts the speech function at the
point it left off. Pressing any other
key while the speech function is
paused deletes the buffered text.
Shift and
Mute
The bottom-right key on
the left-hand side of the
Orion is the Shift/Mute
key.
Pressing the Shift key
simultaneously with other Orion
keys changes the functionality of
the key. Pressing the Shift key
alone silences the speech mode.
Resetting
Orion
The Orion can
occasionally get out of
sync with the TI-84. This
usually happens when the
batteries are changed or if
a bug is encountered.
To reset, turn the Orion TI-84 Plus
off by pressing the 2nd key
followed by the On key. When the
calculator is off, press the Shift
and CTRL keys together on the
Orion. Then, turn the calculator
back on by pressing the ON key.
You should hear the Orion TI-84
Plus power on, at which point you
can continue your work from
where you left off. If the Orion
does not come on, repeat the
above steps. You may need to do
this a couple of times. If it still
doesn't turn on, contact customer
service.
Volume
Adjustment
The middle two keys on
the left-hand side of the
Orion are the Volume
keys.
Pressing the middle-left key,
denoted by a speaker symbol and
a minus sign, lowers the volume
by one level and announces the
current level. Pressing the middle-
right key, denoted by a speaker
symbol and a plus sign, raises the
volume by one level and
announces the current level.
There are 10 levels, with 1 as the
lowest and 10 as the highest.
There are two separate settings
for earphones and speakers. If

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4 Keys
5 Location
6 Function
you are using earphones, the
volume control adjusts the
earphone volume. When
earphones are not connected, the
volume control adjusts the volume
of the speakers.
Rate of
Speech
The middle two keys on
the left-hand side of the
Orion also control the rate
of speech when pressed
in conjunction with the
CTRL key.
Pressing both the CTRL key and
the middle-left key, labelled as
S.R. Down, once decreases the
rate of speech by one level and
announces the current rate.
Pressing both the CTRL key and
the middle-right key, labelled as
S.R. Up, once increases the rate
of speech by one level and
announces the current rate. There
are 10 rates of speech, with 1 as
the lowest and 10 as the highest.
Repeat and
Spell
The top-left key on the
left-hand side of the Orion
is the Repeat key
(denoted by a looping
arrow).
Pressing the Repeat key once
repeats the last spoken text.
Pressing and holding the Repeat
key down, allows you to hear the
last announced item, letter by
letter.
Preferences
Access the Preferences
menu, by pressing the
Preference (Pref.) key
located at the top-right, on
the left-hand side of the
Orion
When the Preference (Pref.) key
is pressed, the Orion announces a
list of vertically arranged items.
Using the Orion navigation keys
on the right, press the Up or
Down arrow keys to move
through the list. To make a
selection, press the Home key,
located in the center of the arrow
keys.
The Preferences menu contains
the following options:
•Graph Options
•Speech Options
•Silent Startup mode
•Turn off speech
•Battery Status
•Firmware Version

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4 Keys
5 Location
6 Function
•Serial Number
•Reset All
•Exit
6.1.1 Graph Options
Selecting Graph Options from the Preferences menu opens a menu that contains
the Coordinate Announcement option. This option sets the order in which the X-
and Y-coordinates are announced and sets whether both are announced.
6.1.1.1 Sounds
Sound
Function
Navigation tone duration
Sets the duration of an individual tone
for hearing a whole graph or
reviewing a graph step-by-step.
Equation playback duration
Sets the speed of the duration of
playback of a whole graph. The
smaller the number, the faster the
playback.
Negative value noise
enables or disables the static noise
and adjusts the tone level while in the
negative Y-region of a graph
6.1.1.2 Indicators
Indicator
Function
Axis Cross Indication
Enables a sound indication when the
graph is played and the position
crosses the X or Y axis. Each axis has
its own unique sound.
Axis Tick Indication
Enables a sound indication each time
the position reaches an X axis tick
mark.
Intersection Indication
an Intersection indication sound is
generated (in continuous waveform
playback mode) and a number is
spoken (in trace mode) to indicate that
the current graph crosses another
graph.
Maximum and Minimum
Indication
In trace mode and/or during the
continuous waveform playback mode,
a minimum or maximum sound is

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Indicator
Function
generated to indicate that the current
graph point is either a local minimum
or maximum.
In playback mode
once the graph is plotted on the
screen, Orion plays the equation
sound. If the current coordinate is
either minimum or maximum, the
coordinate sound is mixed with
min/max indication, respectively.
In trace mode
Orion plays the coordinate sound. If
the current coordinate is either
minimum or maximum, the coordinate
sound is mixed with the min/max
indication, respectively
Shaded Regions
during cursor navigation in Graph
mode, an indication tone (in tone
mode) is generated for the current
cursor position within the region
(inside shaded, out of shaded, and on
graph line). This is followed by an
announcement (inside shaded, out of
shaded, and on graph line) for the
respective graph.
In speech mode
Orion announces the current cursor
coordinates (x, y values) followed by
announcement of current cursor
position (shaded region, out of shaded
region, and on graph line).
Note: The following conditions must
be satisfied to use this feature:
1. Graph style must be chosen as
either shaded above or shaded
below.
2. Graph mode—graph free cursor
selected.
When the above conditions are met,
tones are played in tone mode and
speech announcements are played in
speech mode.
Cursor Location
indicates the location of the cursor by
a tone generated during graph
playback.

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If …
Then …
the graph crosses multiple graphs
Orion says multiple numbers
in playback mode
Once a graph is plotted on the screen,
Orion plays the equation sound.
the current coordinate intersects with
another graph
Orion plays intersection indication
navigating the graph in trace mode
Orion plays the coordinate sound
the coordinate is intersecting with
another graph
Orion plays the intersection indication
and announces the graph number
6.1.1.3 Graph Screen SonographTM
The Graph Screen SonoGraph mode helps users to understand the groupings of
points on non-contiguous graphs while in the Graph screen. To enter the Graph
Screen SonoGraph mode, press the Graph key after entering the functions. The
Graph Screen SonoGraph mode may also be used to view contiguous graphs on
the Graph screen, however this method might have limited impact on a user's
understanding of contiguous graphs. When viewing contiguous data it is better to
use the trace screen to audibilize the graph.
To turn on Sonograph Mode, follow the steps below:
Step
Action
1
Press the Pref (Preference) key
2
Press the Home key to select Graph options
3
Arrow down to Sonograph and press the Home key to
select
4
Arrow down to On and press the Home key to select.
Note: the default setting is Off
5
Orion announces "sonograph enabled" when steps 1
through 4 are completed
Important Note: Sonograph only works when graphing using the Graph key not
the Trace key.
The Graph Screen Sonograph feature has two modes selectable by hot key
combinations when in the Graph screen. The two modes are:
1. Sonograph Density Mode—pressing the key combination (CTRL +
PREF), generates density sonograph of the TI-84 Plus screen. An
imaginary cursor moves from left to right and plays pitch proportional to
number of pixels in each column.
2. Sonograph Average Pitch Mode—pressing the key combination (SHIFT
+ PREF), generates average frequency sonograph of the TI-84 Plus

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screen. An imaginary cursor moves from left to right and plays average
pitch of each column.
Important Note: When using Graph screen Sonograph mode, all information
present in the sweep region is included in the sweep sound. To avoid
nongraphical information (axis, coordinate information) in sweep sound, select
Axis Off, and then Coord Off from the Format menu. To avoid nongraphical
information (cursor) in sweep sound, press the Graph or Enter keys.
When using Sonograph for either Density or Average, there are four possible
sweep region cursor sizes:
1. Full
2. One-half
3. One-fourth
4. One-eighth
The corresponding amount of the screen from top to bottom will be swept
depending on the size of sweep cursor chosen. Move the sweep cursor by
pressing the Orion Up and Down arrow keys. If you are at the bottom of the
screen and the bandwidth is set to one-forth screen, the sweep cursor moves by
fourths. If you press the Orion Up arrow key, it moves up by one-forth from the
bottom. If you press the Orion Down arrow key, the sweep cursor will wrap to the
top and sweep the top one-fourth of the screen. Once you move the sweep
cursor, the graph will be swept and the region selected will be played.
For smaller and bigger bandwidths, you can resize the bandwidth by pressing the
Orion Left and Right arrow keys, respectively.
Variable Band Location is another way to move the sweep location. Pressing the
Home key will move the sweep cursor to the point where the calculator cursor is
and the width of the band at that location will be swept and played.
Example 1
1. Enable Sonograph mode in Graph Options.
2. Enable stat plot 1.
3. Select L1 and L2 lists for plot 1.
4. Enter values in lists. Fill L1 and L2 as follows:
L1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
L2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
5. Press the Graph key to plot the graph.
6. Select "center" for the band location with the Orion Up and Down arrow
keys.
7. Select "full screen" for the bandwidth with the Orion Right and Left arrow
keys.

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8. Press the playback key combo (SHIFT + PREF) to hear the Sonograph
feature for the Graph screen.
Tones are generated by the Sonograph feature depending on the bandwidth. In
Example 1, the Sonograph feature generates tones for all six points in the
following ways:
•Full screen bandwidth—generates sound for all six stat plot points
•Half screen bandwidth—band 1 plays 4 points
•Half screen bandwidth—band center plays 3 points
•Half screen bandwidth—band 2 plays no points
So in the statistical graph for Example 1, most of the points are trending to the
top of the stats graph.
To use variable band location, press the TI-84 arrow keys (not the Orion arrow
keys) until you find a location on which you want to center the sweep. After you
have selected your location, press the Orion Home key. This will move the band
to the calculator cursor. You can then select a smaller band like one-forth or one-
eighth to get a good estimate of the number of points in that sweep region.
After you have chosen the bandwidth, press the Graph key. Doing this removes
the calculator cursor from the graph screen. To hear the Sonograph of the
selected bandwidth, press the Orion Shift key and select Playback.
Example 2
1. Disable stat plots if selected
2. Press the Y= key.
3. Enter the equation: 5 sin(x).
4. Press the GRAPH key to enter the graph screen for the Sonograph
feature.
5. Select "center" for the band location with the Orion Up and Down arrow
keys.
6. Select "full screen" for the bandwidth with the Orion Right and Left arrow
keys.
7. Press the playback key combo (SHIFT + PREF) to hear the Sonograph
feature for the Graph screen.
6.1.2 Graph Options
Graph Option
Function
Negative Value Vibration
This option enables or disables the haptic
feedback while in the negative Y-region of a
graph
Reset Graph Settings
This option resets all graph settings to the
factory defaults

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6.1.3 Speech Options
Selecting Speech Options from the Preferences menu opens another menu that
contains the following options:
Speech Option
Function
Voice
This option presents a list of voices that
enables the user to change how the Orion
sounds.
Pitch
This option presents a list of values to adjust
the pitch of a selected voice.
Menu Item Number
Announcement
This function activates announcement of the
Menu Item Numbers in the menus that support
number navigation. When enabled, the
number that corresponds to the menu choice
is announced. This function is used to quickly
return to a menu choice. For example, the
number 3key in the Math menu is the
function for cube. Pressing the 3key, followed
by Enter, prompts the cube function (because
it is the third menu choice in the Math menu).
Help mode announcement
This setting turns on or off the announcement
about Help mode at start-up.
Reset Speech Settings
Selecting this option returns the speech
settings to the default factory settings
6.1.4 Braille Options
Nemeth and UEB Braille output has been added to the Orion TI-84 Plus Version
2.0. Currently, the Orion TI-84 Plus only supports Braille displays that use the
Baum USB HID protocol. This is due to the memory limitations of the Orion
accessory unit. Orbit Research continues to investigate methods in supporting
other displays.
To connect the Orion TI-84 Plus to the Orbit Reader 20 or other Baum protocol
device you need a cable that converts from USB Micro-A to Mini-B. It can be
ordered through the Amazon® website.
For other Baum devices you may need the Micro-B cable, which can be found at
the Digikey® website.
When you plug in the Braille device, the Orion TI-84 Plus announces "Braille
display connected."

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Braille Options
Function
Silent Startup Mode
Selecting Silent Startup mode opens a dialog
with the following two options:
•On - allows you to boot up and
shutdown without any audible sounds
or haptic feedback, so it is not a
distraction during class. Note that the
device still announces speech and
graphing audible sounds when this
mode is selected.
•Off, Default - returns the Orion TI-84
Plus to regular operations.
Turn Off Speech
Choosing Turn Off Speech in the Main menu
opens a Yes/No dialog. Selecting "Yes" turns
off all access sounds and speech, until any
Orion key is pressed or the device is turned off
and on. This mode is for users who do not
want the accessibility options while using the
device.
Battery Status
This item informs you of the current charge of
the Orion battery. (xx%)
Firmware Version
This item informs you which version of Orion
software is currently running. (xx.xx.xxx)
Serial Number
This item tells you the internal hardware serial
number, which you need if calling customer
service. This number is different from the
serial number on the outside of the unit;
however, either will suffice when contacting
customer service. (xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Reset All
The Reset All option resets all previous
changes made to the factory defaults settings.
When choosing the Reset All option, a dialog
asks "Are you sure?" To reset the settings,
press the Up (or yes) key, and then press the
Home key on the Orion. Press the Down (or
no) key and then the Home key if you choose
not to reset the settings..

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Orbit Research Proprietary Information 18
To change from the default setting of Nemeth to UEB and back, follow the steps
below:
1. Select Braille Option from the Preference menu
2. Choose the format of Braille and press Select
Note: The x's are replaced by numbers, or in the case of the serial number, the
x's are replaced by numbers and letters.
The options are always available, but do not have to be selected. For example, if
battery status is selected, it shows the percentage of battery available and
nothing else. To return to the menu, exit out of preferences. The battery status
percentage is on the main menu already and does not need to be selected.
6.2 Speech and Tone Mode
Orion TI-84 has two modes of accessibility: Speech and Tone.
The Speech and Tone settings change the method of listening to and reviewing a
graph. To switch between Speech and Tone modes, press and hold the Orion
Shift key with the Repeat key. Orion announces which mode you are in.
When using Speech mode, the coordinates are announced as the user navigates
through a graph. The following factors determine what is announced:
•If the coordinates are turned off in the TI-84 Plus Format menu, they are
not displayed on the screen, and therefore, they are not announced by the
Orion. To access the Format menu, press the 2nd key and then the Zoom
key. The zoom key is the middle key of the five function keys directly
below the screen.
•Orion coordinates preferences found in the Graph Options menu.
When in Tone mode, the duration of the tone is controlled by Navigation Tone
Length found in the Orion Preferences menu under Graph Options.
For more information on Orion Preferences, see the Graph Options section of
this user guide.
6.3 Replaying a Graph
To …
Do this …
replay the last graph displayed
press and hold the Shift key with the
Preference (Pref.) key
modify the length of the tones or the
duration of the graph playback
change the preferences in Graph
Options

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Orbit Research Proprietary Information 19
6.4 Replaying Indicators of a Graph
To …
Do this …
replay only the indicators of the last
graph displayed
press and hold the CTRL key with the
Preference (Pref.) key
modify the length of the tones or the
duration of the graph playback,
change the preferences in Graph
Options
6.5 Reviewing the Screen
The Orion TI-84 Plus has a review cursor that can be used to review the screen
without disrupting current calculations. The arrow keys on the right-hand side of
the Orion, used alone or in combination with the Shift or CTRL keys, direct the
review functions.
6.5.1.1 Reviewing Lines and Characters
To …
Do this …
review the text on the screen line by
line
press the Orion Up or Down arrow
key to read the previous or next line.
When you reach the top or bottom of
the text, a tone sounds.
review the text on the screen
character by character
press the Orion Right or Left arrow
key to move forward or backward.
When you reach the end of a line, a
tone sounds, and your cursor moves
to the next or previous line
6.5.1.2 Reading Text
Below is a list of the different options for reading text using the Orion:
To …
Do this …
read the current line of text
Press the Home key located in the
center of the Orion arrow keys
read the entire screen
Press and hold the Orion Up arrow key
until Orion begins to read the text;
then, release the key. When Orion
completes the reading, it moves the
review cursor to the top of the screen
read from the current location of the
review cursor through the last line
Press and hold the Orion Down arrow
key until Orion begins reading. When
Orion has completed the reading, your
review cursor returns to the original
starting location
read from the current location of the
review cursor to the end of the line
Press and hold the Orion Right arrow
key until Orion begins reading. When

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Orbit Research Proprietary Information 20
To …
Do this …
Orion has completed the reading, your
review cursor returns to the original
starting location
read from the start of the line to the
current location of the review cursor
Press and hold the Orion Left arrow
key until Orion begins reading. When
Orion has completed the reading, your
review cursor returns to the original
starting location
read the text at the input position of
the calculator cursor
Press and hold the Shift key and then
press the Home key. The Orion first
announces "Home" and then reads the
text at the input position. The review
cursor does not move
6.5.1.3 Move Review Cursor
To …
Do this …
move the review cursor to the start
or end of the line
Press and hold the CTRL key and
press the Left or Right arrow key.
Orion moves the review cursor to the
desired location and announces either
start or end
move the review cursor to the top or
bottom of the screen
Press and hold the CTRL key and
press the Up or Down arrow key.
Orion moves the review cursor and
announces top or bottom
move your review cursor to the
calculator cursor
Press and hold the CTRL key then
press the Home key. This moves the
review cursor, and Orion announces
that it is set to the home location.
6.5.1.4 Navigating Long Lists of Data
When dealing with answers that generate long lists of data, the TI-84 sometimes
goes into a special mode that versions prior to 2.0 could not read correctly.
Version 2.0 has added a method to help walk through those long lists of data. If
you get a long list of data surrounded by brackets, you only need to move left
and right using the TI-84 arrow keys (below the screen). Because the screen
does not have a cursor, it is difficult to get the information and therefore acts a
little different than other screens. As you move right and left, Orion TI-84 Plus
announces the number and the index value of the number. Between the numbers
it clicks letting you know you are not yet on a number. Sometimes there are
multiple clicks between the numbers.
Example