Perkins SMART Brailler User manual
Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
Contents
Introduction...........................................................4
Getting Started .......................................................6
Unpacking Your SMART Brailler™............................. 6
Installing the Battery.............................................. 7
Machine Layout ......................................................9
Front View.......................................................... 9
Smart Module.....................................................10
Back View.........................................................11
Terms to Know .....................................................12
Exploring the Parts of the SMART Brailler™................13
Inserting and Removing Braille Paper........................23
Inserting Paper ...................................................23
Removing Paper .................................................25
Brailling Tips........................................................25
Correcting Brailling Errors ......................................27
User Accounts......................................................29
Setting Up a User Account .....................................29
Changing User Settings.........................................30
Changing User Accounts .......................................31
Saving Your Work .................................................33
Creating and Saving a File .....................................33
Tips for Naming a File...........................................34
Copying Files .....................................................35
Printing a File.......................................................35
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
Printing Directly from the Brailler ..............................35
Printing via Other Devices ......................................36
Additional SMART Brailler™ Information and Tips........37
Care and Storage ..................................................39
Cleaning the Brailler .............................................39
General Care .....................................................40
Storage ............................................................40
Returning the Brailler for Repair...............................41
Refurbishment and Recycling of the brailler................43
Appendix A: Welcome! Menu...................................44
Appendix B: Main Menu and Submenus.....................45
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
Introduction
Perkins Products welcomes you to the SMART Brailler™, please
consult this manual for detailed information on the operation of this
device.
In addition to embossing braille, the SMART Brailler™ provides
immediate feedback to a child or adult who is learning braille via text to
speech and a screen that displays what is brailled. This audio and
visual feedback also provides access for someone who does not know
braille, including parents, peers, and general education teachers.
The SMART Brailler™ features include:
•A color video screen that displays SimBraille and large print
•A speaker that provides audio feedback via Acapela Text to
Speech from Acapela Group
•Translation of uncontracted and contracted English braille;
contracted braille translation is provided by Duxbury Systems
•The ability to save and transfer electronic text files via USB
(Universal Serial Bus) port
•A headphone jack and volume control
•A rechargeable and removable battery
Additional applications are available for purchase and download from
www.perkinsproducts.org. These include exercises to supplement the
APH Building on Patterns Kindergarten curriculum
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
This Brailler embosses:
•paper up to 8 1/2 inches wide by 11 inches long, and
•25 lines of up to 28 cells when using 8 1/2 inch wide by 11 inch
long paper.
Note:Regular manual brailler functions, including embossing, are
available when the power is off.
This manual is written with the assumption that the braille code is
familiar to the braille user or to the instructor or parent who works with
a beginning braille student. The latest version of this manual is
available online at www.smartbrailler.org.
Additional Instruction Manuals & Videos are also available at
www.smartbrailler.org.
Instructional information for the SMART Brailler™ is also available in
the Audio Tour located in the Welcome! Menu of the brailler.
The SMART Brailler™ has been tested to meet relevant certification
requirements for sale around the world, including CE and FCC Part 15,
Class B standards for information technology equipment. The brailler
meets requirements for RoHS, meaning no lead is used in
manufacturing, as well as WEEE standards for disposal. Test
certificates available upon request.
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
Getting Started
Unpacking Your SMART Brailler™
IMPORTANT: Be sure to keep the original box and all the packing
materials described below in case the brailler ever needs to be
shipped for any reason.
Along with the SMART Brailler™, you will find the following items in the
box: •battery
•power adapter
•Quick Start Guide
1. Remove the small box with the power adapter and the battery.
2. The brailler is packaged between two foam inserts. Remove the
top insert from the box.
3. Remove the Quick Start Guide.
4. The brailler is covered with an antistatic bag. Grasp the brailler,
through the bag, by the Easy-Grip Handle and lift it from the box.
5. Remove the antistatic plastic bag from the brailler.
6. Carefully remove the foam Carriage insert by pulling it straight up,
out of the brailler. The insert fits tightly in the brailler, so you may
need to rock it back and forth a little to remove it.
7. Gently push the Carriage to the left, without exerting any
downward pressure. If it slides back to the right when you release
it, the Carriage may have gotten slightly jammed during shipping;
press the Carriage Release Button down and slide the Carriage
over to the right to release it.
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
The SMART Brailler™ has a transparent blue film covering the metallic
parts of the frame to protect it during manufacturing and shipping. You
may notice this film starting to peel off in places. It can be removed or
left on the brailler at your discretion.
Installing the Battery
Notes: Do not plug in the brailler until the battery has been
installed. To avoid risk of personal injury, do not install the
battery if it is damaged.
You will need a small Phillips head screwdriver to install the battery.
1. Set the brailler on its back, so the bottom of the brailler is facing
you.
2. Locate the battery door on the bottom of the brailler; unscrew the
two screws and remove door.
3. Remove the battery from the small box and the plastic bag.
4. Connect the battery power plug in the right corner of the battery
compartment. The plug fits into the port in only one position.
5. Once connected, place the battery in the compartment and hold it
in place, make sure the wires aren’t caught underneath the
battery or pinched when the door is inserted.
6. Insert the tabs of the battery door into the slots on the right and
close the door. Screw the two screws back in place.
7. Remove the power adapter from the small box and plug the
adapter into a wall power socket.
8. Plug the adaptor cord into its port located on the left, rear side of
the brailler.
9. Leave the brailler plugged in until it receives a full initial charge.
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
This should take no longer than 8 hours. You can use the SMART
Brailler™ while it is charging. When charging is complete, the
charging icon ( ) on the screen will go away.
Please go on to the next page.
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
Terms to Know
Braille Entry Mode and Braille Tracking When the brailler is in
Braille Entry mode and Braille Tracking is on, the brailler records your
keystrokes as you braille. It also displays a visual representation of a
portion of the current braille line. You can enter any combination of the
six braille keys to braille characters, or use the space bar to enter a
space. The SMART Brailler™ also tracks the Carriage position if you
manually move the Carriage, use the backspace key, or use the line
spacing (or advance) key.
Any time the paper is moved using the Paper Feed Knobs, Braille
Tracking is automatically turned off. When Braille Tracking is off, the
Smart Module ignores any input from the brailler keyboard, Carriage
movement, Easy-Erase Button, or Paper Feed Knobs.
Before toggling Braille Tracking back on, make sure that you move the
Carriage to the line and cell that you were on before Braille Tracking
was turned off. Alternately, you can just move the Carriage to the last
line you brailled, turn Braille Tracking on, press the line spacing key,
and move the Carriage all the way to the left to start a new line. To turn
Braille Tracking back on, press the Select Button.
Braille Tracking may turn off when you remove paper from the brailler
and insert a new piece of paper. (See the Inserting and Removing
Braille Paper section of this manual for instructions.) After loading the
new piece of paper, press the Select Button to reenter Braille Entry
mode and turn Braille Tracking on.
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Exploring the Parts of the SMART Brailler™
Note: To explore the parts of the brailler using the information in
this section, place the brailler in front of you with the keys toward
you.
Easy-Grip Handle The Easy-Grip handle is the rounded portion of the
frame below the keys. Since the bottom of the brailler is flat, you can
rest the brailler against your leg while you carry it as you might carry a
briefcase.
Power Switch The power switch is a round rocker switch on the lower
right side of the brailler. Rock the switch away from you to turn on the
brailler and you will hear a short audible tone. After a pause, you will
hear some introductory music and the words “Perkins SMART
Brailler™” Then, after approximately 40-50 seconds, you will hear the
word “Welcome” and the name of the current user. The default user is
“Guest.” At this point the brailler displays the Welcome! Menu. (See the
Appendix A: Welcome! Menu section of this manual for a list of the
menu options.)
Note:Regular manual brailler functions, including embossing, are
available when the power is off.
Power Supply Port The power supply port is located on the bottom
left side of the back of brailler. Plug the power adapter into this port
and the other end into a power outlet to power the brailler or charge
the battery.
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When the brailler is plugged in and charging, the Smart Module
displays a battery icon with a lightning bolt inside it on the upper right
corner of the screen. When the brailler is fully charged, you will hear
the words “the battery is fully charged” and the icon will go away.
When the brailler is not plugged into a power source, it displays a
battery icon with the charge level in the upper right corner of the Smart
Module screen. The levels displayed are 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and
0% (very low battery).
Battery The SMART Brailler™ is powered by a lithium-ion (Li-ion)
battery.
•To avoid risk of personal injury, do not install the battery if it is
damaged.
•For best performance, do not let the battery completely run out of
charge or leave the brailler constantly plugged in as this can
reduce the battery life.
•Dispose of a used battery according to your local ordinance.
•Do not dispose of the battery in the trash or expose it to fire.
Smart Module The Smart Module is located in the center of the front
of the Brailler™. The Smart Module is attached to the brailler with
hinges on the bottom of the module. It can be tilted forward for optimal
screen viewing angle and to access the Margin Guides. (See also the
illustration under Machine Layout, Front View.)
At the center of the module is the 4-inch color video screen. While you
are brailling, the screen displays a visual representation of a portion of
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
your current braille line. Two display modes and six color combinations
are available.
To the left of the screen are four Quick Buttons and a speaker. The
speaker is located to the left of the Quick Buttons. The small, round
Menu Button is located next to the upper right corner of the screen.
The diamond-shaped Select Button, surrounded by the four
Navigation Buttons, is located to the right of the screen. At the right
end of the top of the Smart Module is the Headphone Jack. At the top
of the right side of the module are two Volume Buttons. The USB
Port is located at the bottom of the right side of the module.
Quick Buttons The four black Quick Buttons are located to the left of
the video screen.
1. The first (top) Quick Button turns the screen on or off to aid with
practicing tactile braille, for privacy, or to save battery power. It is a
small, smooth, oval button.
2. The second (from the top) Quick Button toggles between two
screen display modes. It is an oval button with one raised line at the
bottom.
a. SimBraille mode shows six simulated braille cells, above their
corresponding print characters, in 42-point type.
b. In Large Print mode, the SimBraille is replaced by four large
print characters in 70-point type.
Both modes display a full line of 28 print characters at the bottom of
the screen in 12-point type. In Contracted Mode (see below), words
containing contractions are underlined.
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3. The third (from the top) Quick Button toggles between the two
braille translation modes: Uncontracted and Contracted. This button
has two raised lines on it.
4. The fourth (bottom) Quick Button switches speech modes. The
brailler can speak letters, words, letters and words, lines, or
everything. Additionally, this Quick Button allows you to turn speech
off. This button has three raised lines on it.
Menu Button The Menu Button is a small, round, green button with a
raised dot in the middle. It is located at the top right of the screen. Use
this button to enter and exit the Main Menu where you can save files,
switch users, change settings, or access other features. The menu
choices in the first level of the Main Menu are listed here. (See
Appendix B: Main Menu and Submenus in this manual for a complete
list of the menu options.)
File
Users
Apps
Settings
System
Exit Menu
The Menu Button may also be used to exit to Braille Entry mode from
most levels of the Main Menu and Welcome! Menu.
While in Braille Entry mode, if you press and hold the Menu Button for
at least 6 seconds and then release it, the brailler will announce the
following information:
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•Battery status (percent charged or charging)
•Current user name
•Braille Mode setting (Contracted Braille or Uncontracted Braille)
•Speech Mode setting (Speech Off, Speak Letters, Speak Words,
Speak Letters and Words, Speak Lines, or Speak Everything)
When setting up a new user, you can press the Menu Button to repeat
the instructions for that process.
Navigation and Select Buttons The Navigation and Select Buttons
are located directly to the right of the video screen. The left, right, up,
and down black Navigation Buttons form a circle around the diamond-
shaped, green Select Button. The Select Button has a raised
checkmark on it.
Navigation Button functions:
Menus
•Use the up and down buttons to scroll up and down through the
menus.
•Use the left button to return to the previous level of a menu or to
exit the Main Menu level and return to Braille Entry.
Voice Feedback and Screen Display
•Use the up and down Navigation Buttons to review brailled lines
using the screen and speech. As you review lines in this manner,
the cursor remains on the line you last brailled; if you start
brailling again, the braille will be entered on the line the cursor is
on. Therefore, you may wish to scroll back to the line with the
cursor before you resume brailling. However, the screen will go
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
back to showing the line with the cursor if you press and release
any of the keys, with the exception of the backspace key.
New User Screen
•Use the Navigation Buttons move to the number, letter, or
function you would like to select.
Select Button functions:
•Pause and resume the Audio Tour in the Welcome! Menu
•Toggle Braille Tracking on or off
•Select a menu item or action
•Select numbers, letters, delete, space, escape, or OK while
setting up a new user
Headphone Jack The headphone jack is located at the right end of
the top of the Smart Module.
Note: It is recommended that you do not have headphones on
during the brailler power-up routine and that you remove
headphones before turning off the brailler. This is due to the
volume of the start-up and shutdown sounds.
Volume Buttons The Volume Buttons are located at the top of the
right side of the Smart Module. Press and release the top Volume
Button to turn the volume up. Press and release the bottom Volume
Button to turn the volume down. Once the brailler has powered up, the
Volume Buttons adjust the loudness of the audio speaker or the
headphones, if they are inserted.
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
USB Port The USB Port is located at the bottom right side of the
Smart Module. Using this port, you can save or copy files to a USB
flash drive, or connect the brailler to a printer with a USB cable to print
text documents from the internal memory of the brailler.
Once a file is on a USB drive you can plug the USB into a device to
save it on the device or e-mail it.
Keys There are nine keys across the front of the SMART Brailler™.
The spacebar is in the middle. To the left of the spacebar you will find
the keys for dots 1, 2, and 3, then the line spacing or advance key at
the far left. To the right of the spacebar you will find the keys for dots 4,
5, and 6, then the backspace key at the far right. Each time the keys
for dots 1–6 are released, the Carriage advances one cell to the right.
Paper Feed Knobs These flat “wing” knobs project out from the left
and right side of the brailler. They are used to roll or “feed” the paper
into and out of the machine.
To move the paper back, roll the knobs toward you. A click occurs
each time the paper moves back a line. It is important to know that any
time the paper is moved with the Paper Feed Knobs, Braille Tracking is
automatically turned off. To turn it back on, press the Select Button.
(See the Inserting and Removing Braille Paper section for more
information.)
Paper Release Levers There are two release levers, one at each end
of the brailler on the top, near the back. If you move one lever, forward
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Perkins SMART Brailler™ User Manual | Rev: 041814
or back, the other moves as well. They are used to secure the paper in
place before rolling it into the brailler.
Paper Rollers There are two rollers that extend from left to right on the
back top portion of the brailler; they are used to roll the paper in and
out of the machine. The top roller is metal with rubber O rings at
intervals to hold the paper securely in place. The bottom roller is
coated with rubber and rotates when you turn the Paper Feed Knobs.
Carriage – including the Embossing Head, Carriage Release
Button, and Easy-Erase Button The Carriage is located at the top of
the brailler and includes the smooth Carriage Release Button. The
function of the Carriage is to move the Embossing Head across the
paper, brailling the dots and spaces keyed as it moves from left to
right.
To move the Carriage to the left in order to begin brailling on a new
line, simply place the inside of your right hand to the right side of the
Carriage and gently move it to the left. You must do this WITHOUT
depressing the Carriage Release Button on the top of the Carriage or
exerting any downward pressure. To move the Carriage to the right,
use the spacebar to move cell by cell. You can also depress the
Carriage Release Button, and slide the Carriage to the right to move
multiple cells.
The Embossing Head, which makes the braille dots, is located at the
base of the Carriage. Immediately to the right of the Embossing Head
is the Easy-Erase Button. It is a smooth, oval button connected to the
Embossing Head, and is slightly raised.
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