Pulse Data BRAILLENOTE BT User manual

BRAILLENOTE BT
USER GUIDE
V5.0 D1.0
(P/N NT210)

If you have any questions about this, or any Pulse Data product,
please contact the Pulse Data office nearest to you:
Pulse Data Humanware 175 Mason Circle
Concord, CA 94520, USA
phone [phone]
phone [phone]
fax [phone]
email [email protected]
web www.pulsedata.com
Pulse Data Europe 3 Blotts Barn Business Centre
Brooks Road, Raunds
Northamptonshire NN9 6NS
United Kingdom
phone [phone]
fax [phone]
email [email protected]
web www.pulsedata.com
Pulse Data Australia Pulse Data Australia / Pulse Data Asia
Suite 2, 7-11 Railway Street
P.O. Box 944, Baulkham Hills,
NSW 2153, Australia
phone [phone]
fax [phone]
email [email protected]
web www.pulsedata.com
Head office Pulse Data International Limited
1 Expo Place, P.O. Box 3044
Christchurch, New Zealand
phone [phone]
fax [phone]
email [email protected]
web www.pulsedata.com

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
whatsoever without the express written permission of Pulse Data International
Limited. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in
this manual is correct at the time of issue. Neither Pulse Data International
Limited nor its agents assume responsibility for errors or omissions in this
information. No liability is assumed for damages resulting from the use of this
information.
Copyright ©1999 - 2003 by Pulse Data International Limited, Christchurch,
New Zealand.
The patent for the touch cursor technology incorporated in BrailleNote is owned
by ALVA BV.
This product complies with the requirements of EMC Directive 89/336/EEC.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO INTERFERENCE
There may be temporary degradation of performance when the BrailleNote is
subjected to a strong radio-frequency field, electro-static discharge or transient
electrical noise.
FCC WARNING (USA only)
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed
and used properly, in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction, may cause
interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device in accordance with
Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules and Regulations, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential
installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
(1) Reorient the receiving antenna.
(2) Relocate the equipment with respect to receiver.
(3) Move the equipment away from the receiver .
(4) Plug the equipment into a different outlet so that the equipment and
receiver are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the
booklet prepared by the Federal Communication Commission helpful: "How to
Identify the Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems". This booklet is
available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
Shielded cables and certified Class B peripherals must be used on this product.
Using unshielded cables or uncertified peripherals may result in this unit not
complying with FCC Rules Part 15. Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate this
equipment. NOTICE FOR CANADA
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment regulations.

MODEM INFORMATION (USA ONLY)
This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules. Located on the
equipment is a label that contains, among other information, the FCC
registration number and ringer equivalence number (REN). If requested, this
information must be provided to the telephone company.
The REN is used to determine the quantity of devices which may be connected
to the telephone line. Excessive REN's on the telephone line may result in the
devices not ringing in response to an incoming call. In most, but not all areas,
the sum of the REN's should not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of the number
of devices that may be connected to the line, as determined by the total REN's
contact the telephone company to determine the maximum REN for the calling
area.
This equipment cannot be used on the telephone company-provided coin
service. Connection to Party Line Service is subject to State Tariffs.
If this equipment causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company
will notify you in advance that temporary discontinuance of service may be
required. If advance notice isn't practical, the telephone company will notify the
customer as soon as possible. Also, you will be advised of your right to file a
complaint with the FCC if you believe it is necessary.
The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment,
operations, or procedures that could affect the operation of the equipment. If
this happens, the telephone company will provide advance notice in order for
you to make the necessary modifications in order to maintain uninterrupted
service.
If trouble is experienced with this equipment, please contact:
Pulse Data HumanWare
175 Mason Circle
Concord CA 94520
Phone [phone]
If the trouble is causing harm to the telephone network, the telephone company
may request you to remove the equipment from the network until the problem is
resolved.
This equipment uses the following USOC jacks: RJ11C
It is recommended that the customer install an AC surge arrester in the AC
outlet to which this device is connected. This is to avoid damaging the
equipment caused by local lightening strikes and other electrical surges.
This equipment is Hearing-Aid Compatible (HAC).
The telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 makes it unlawful for any
person to use a computer or other electronic device, including fax machines, to
send any message unless such message clearly contains in a margin at the top or

bottom of each transmitted page or on the first page of the transmission, the date
and time it is sent and an identification of the business or other entity, or other
individual sending the message and the telephone number of the sending
machine or such business, other entity, or individual. (The telephone number
provided may not be a 900 number or any other number for which charges
exceed local or long-distance transmission charges.)

BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
Table of Contents
1Getting Started. ......................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Equipment Checklist......................................................................... 1-1
1.2 General Features. .............................................................................. 1-2
1.3 Software Features.............................................................................. 1-3
1.4 Orientation. ....................................................................................... 1-5
1.5 Thumb Keys...................................................................................... 1-5
1.6 Braille Display. ................................................................................. 1-5
1.7 Touch Cursor..................................................................................... 1-6
1.8 Keyboard........................................................................................... 1-6
1.9 Power Switch. ................................................................................... 1-7
1.10 Speech............................................................................................... 1-8
1.11 Earphones.......................................................................................... 1-8
1.12 KeySoft Concepts. ............................................................................ 1-9
1.13 The KeySoft Menus........................................................................ 1-12
1.14 A First Experience. ......................................................................... 1-15
1.15 General Functions........................................................................... 1-18
1.16 Switching Between Tasks............................................................... 1-23
1.17 Keyboard Assistance....................................................................... 1-24
1.18 One-Handed Mode.......................................................................... 1-25
1.19 Switching Off.................................................................................. 1-25
1.20 Setting Time and Date. ................................................................... 1-26
1.21 User Settings................................................................................... 1-27
1.22 Electronic User Guide..................................................................... 1-28
1.23 Where to Now................................................................................. 1-29
1.24 Version............................................................................................ 1-30
2The BrailleNote BT Hardware................................................................ 2-31
2.1 AC Adapter and Battery.................................................................. 2-31
2.2 Charging the Battery....................................................................... 2-32
2.3 Checking Power Status................................................................... 2-32
2.4 Battery Care. ................................................................................... 2-33
2.5 Calibrating the Battery Gauge. ....................................................... 2-33
2.6 Long Term Storage......................................................................... 2-37
2.7 Using the Serial Port....................................................................... 2-37
2.8 Using the Parallel Port.................................................................... 2-38
2.9 Using the Infrared Port.................................................................... 2-39
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2.10 Using the Modem............................................................................ 2-40
2.11 Braille Display Care........................................................................ 2-40
2.12 PC Cards. ........................................................................................ 2-41
2.13 Compact Flash Cards...................................................................... 2-42
2.14 External Disk Drive. ....................................................................... 2-43
2.15 Using a Visual Display. .................................................................. 2-46
2.16 Braille Terminal for Screen Reader................................................ 2-48
2.17 Remote Synthesizer. ....................................................................... 2-49
2.18 Software Upgrades.......................................................................... 2-49
2.19 General Care. .................................................................................. 2-49
3The Word Processor................................................................................ 3-51
3.1 General............................................................................................ 3-51
3.2 What is a Word Processor............................................................... 3-51
3.3 Braille and Text............................................................................... 3-51
3.4 The KeyWord Menu....................................................................... 3-52
3.5 Documents Folders and Drives....................................................... 3-53
3.6 Selecting a Document. .................................................................... 3-54
3.7 Naming a Document....................................................................... 3-55
3.8 Creating a Document. ..................................................................... 3-56
3.9 Reading a Document....................................................................... 3-57
3.10 Review Commands......................................................................... 3-61
3.11 What is the Cursor. ......................................................................... 3-62
3.12 Braille Display Modes. ................................................................... 3-64
3.13 Format Indicators............................................................................ 3-66
3.14 Editing a Document. ....................................................................... 3-68
3.15 Searching a Document.................................................................... 3-71
3.16 Checking the Cursor Position......................................................... 3-73
3.17 Going to a Specified Position. ........................................................ 3-73
3.18 Marking Places for Quick Reference.............................................. 3-73
3.19 The Spelling Checker...................................................................... 3-75
3.20 Opening Documents........................................................................ 3-79
3.21 Large Documents............................................................................ 3-81
3.22 Switching Between Documents...................................................... 3-82
4The Book Reader. ..................................................................................... 4-1
4.1 Instant Braille Transcription............................................................. 4-1
4.2 Reading the Sample Book................................................................. 4-1
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4.3 Braille Display Thumb Key Commands........................................... 4-2
4.4 The Review Cursor........................................................................... 4-3
4.5 Additional Reading Commands........................................................ 4-3
4.6 Miscellaneous commands................................................................. 4-4
4.7 Review Book Opening Options........................................................ 4-5
4.8 Reading Books Stored on Other Drives............................................ 4-7
4.9 Exiting KeyBook. ............................................................................. 4-8
4.10 Bookshare.org on the BrailleNote. ................................................... 4-9
5General Functions..................................................................................... 5-1
5.1 Date................................................................................................... 5-2
5.2 Time Options. ................................................................................... 5-2
5.3 Grade of Braille................................................................................. 5-4
5.4 Braille Display Options..................................................................... 5-4
5.5 Keyboard Settings............................................................................. 5-8
5.6 Review Voice.................................................................................. 5-10
5.7 Visual Display................................................................................. 5-12
5.8 Next Appointment........................................................................... 5-13
5.9 Power and Battery Status................................................................ 5-13
5.10 User Guide. ..................................................................................... 5-13
5.11 Insertion. ......................................................................................... 5-13
5.12 Repeat and Spell. ............................................................................ 5-14
5.13 Hear Punctuation............................................................................. 5-14
5.14 Change Task.................................................................................... 5-14
5.15 Front Thumb Keys On/Off. ............................................................ 5-14
5.16 Change Speech Volume, Rate and Pitch. ....................................... 5-15
5.17 Editing at a Prompt. ........................................................................ 5-15
5.18 Media Player................................................................................... 5-16
6Embossing and Printing Documents......................................................... 6-1
6.1 Overview........................................................................................... 6-1
6.2 Setting Up the Embosser or Printer. ................................................. 6-1
6.3 Printing a Braille Document. ............................................................ 6-2
6.4 Embossing or Printing a Document.................................................. 6-2
6.5 Embossing Options........................................................................... 6-3
6.6 Embossing a Group of Documents................................................... 6-4
6.7 The Embosser Set-up List................................................................. 6-4
6.8 Testing the Embosser........................................................................ 6-7
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6.9 The Printer Set-up List...................................................................... 6-8
6.10 Testing the Printer............................................................................. 6-8
7Advanced Word Processing...................................................................... 7-1
7.1 Overview........................................................................................... 7-1
7.2 Document Types............................................................................... 7-2
7.3 Formatting a Braille Document. ....................................................... 7-3
7.4 Formatting a Braille Document for Ink-printing............................ 7-12
7.5 Block Commands............................................................................ 7-18
7.6 Cursor Movement Modes. .............................................................. 7-25
7.7 Moving to the Start of the Next Line.............................................. 7-26
7.8 Moving to the Next Tab.................................................................. 7-26
7.9 Inserting the Time Date or Calculator Result................................. 7-26
7.10 Binding Spaces................................................................................ 7-27
7.11 Pasting an Address.......................................................................... 7-27
7.12 Working with Documents on other Drives..................................... 7-28
7.13 Saving a Document......................................................................... 7-28
7.14 Quitting a Document....................................................................... 7-30
7.15 Creating Other Documents Types................................................... 7-30
7.16 Text Documents.............................................................................. 7-31
7.17 Computer Braille............................................................................. 7-32
7.18 Formatting a Text Document.......................................................... 7-34
7.19 Initial Format Settings in a Document............................................ 7-42
7.20 Extended Characters. ...................................................................... 7-43
8The Scientific Calculator. (USA Version)................................................ 8-1
8.1 Overview........................................................................................... 8-1
8.2 Entering KeyPlus.............................................................................. 8-1
8.3 Entering a Calculation....................................................................... 8-1
8.4 Basic Operations............................................................................... 8-3
8.5 Memory Operations.......................................................................... 8-5
8.6 Scientific Operations......................................................................... 8-6
8.7 Inserting a Result or a Calculation.................................................... 8-9
9The Planner............................................................................................... 9-1
9.1 Introduction....................................................................................... 9-1
9.2 The KeyPlan Menu........................................................................... 9-1
9.3 Selecting the Date. ............................................................................ 9-2
9.4 Page Layout....................................................................................... 9-3
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9.5 Entering Text..................................................................................... 9-3
9.6 Reviewing the Appointments............................................................ 9-5
9.7 Editing Appointments....................................................................... 9-6
9.8 Selecting Another Date..................................................................... 9-7
9.9 Rescheduling and Canceling Appointments..................................... 9-7
9.10 Alarms............................................................................................... 9-8
9.11 Embossing and Printing.................................................................... 9-9
9.12 Planner Year Files........................................................................... 9-10
10 The Address List..................................................................................... 10-1
10.1 Introduction..................................................................................... 10-1
10.2 Adding an Address.......................................................................... 10-1
10.3 Looking Up an Address.................................................................. 10-3
10.4 Changing a Field or Adding More Information.............................. 10-5
10.5 Deleting a Record. .......................................................................... 10-6
10.6 Duplicating a Record. ..................................................................... 10-6
10.7 Inserting an Address into a Document............................................ 10-6
10.8 Embossing Addresses. .................................................................... 10-7
10.9 Printing Addresses.......................................................................... 10-9
10.10 Templates........................................................................................ 10-9
10.11 Copying Addresses. ...................................................................... 10-11
10.12 Selecting an Address List.............................................................. 10-13
10.13 Creating an Address List............................................................... 10-13
10.14 Using KeyList to Manipulate Databases ...................................... 10-15
11 E-mail...................................................................................................... 11-1
11.1 Introduction..................................................................................... 11-1
11.2 What Can KeyMail Do. .................................................................. 11-1
11.3 KeyMail Overview.......................................................................... 11-2
11.4 Before You Start. ............................................................................ 11-3
11.5 Quick Start. ..................................................................................... 11-4
11.6 Write an E-mail Message.............................................................. 11-10
11.7 Read E-mail................................................................................... 11-13
11.8 Connect to a Service. .................................................................... 11-22
11.9 Setup Options................................................................................ 11-24
12 Web Browser........................................................................................... 12-1
12.1 Overview......................................................................................... 12-1
12.2 Setting up a Service Provider.......................................................... 12-1
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
12.3 Changing to another Part of KeySoft.............................................. 12-1
12.4 Logging on...................................................................................... 12-2
12.5 Navigation....................................................................................... 12-3
12.6 Moving from Page to Page or Site to Site. ..................................... 12-6
12.7 Page Management........................................................................... 12-6
12.8 Application Management................................................................ 12-8
12.9 Favorites........................................................................................ 12-10
12.10 History........................................................................................... 12-11
12.11 Saving and Refreshing Web Pages............................................... 12-12
12.12 Downloading files......................................................................... 12-12
12.13 Tables............................................................................................ 12-13
13 The File Manager.................................................................................... 13-1
13.1 Introduction..................................................................................... 13-1
13.2 Selecting Files Folders and Drives. ................................................ 13-2
13.3 Checking the Spelling of Folder or File Names. ............................ 13-2
13.4 The Directory Option...................................................................... 13-2
13.5 Folder Manager............................................................................... 13-3
13.6 Document and File Types............................................................... 13-4
13.7 Copying a File................................................................................. 13-5
13.8 Erasing a File. ................................................................................. 13-6
13.9 Renaming a File.............................................................................. 13-7
13.10 Moving a File.................................................................................. 13-7
13.11 Protecting a File.............................................................................. 13-7
13.12 Groups of Files and Wild Cards. .................................................... 13-8
13.13 What is a Directory....................................................................... 13-10
13.14 Creating Renaming and Erasing Sub-Directories......................... 13-13
13.15 File Translation............................................................................. 13-15
13.16 Translation Menu.......................................................................... 13-15
13.17 Importing Files.............................................................................. 13-16
13.18 Reviewing and Setting Back Translation Options........................ 13-22
14 The Utilities Menu.................................................................................. 14-1
14.1 Overview......................................................................................... 14-1
14.2 ActiveSync...................................................................................... 14-1
14.3 Backup or Restore Files.................................................................. 14-5
14.4 Pronunciation Dictionary................................................................ 14-7
14.5 Date and Time Set......................................................................... 14-10
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14.6 KeySoft Application Programs..................................................... 14-11
14.7 Miscellaneous Options.................................................................. 14-11
14.8 Key Management.......................................................................... 14-13
15 Command Summary. .............................................................................. 15-1
15.1 General Commands......................................................................... 15-1
15.2 Word Processor............................................................................... 15-5
15.3 Calculator........................................................................................ 15-9
15.4 Planner. ......................................................................................... 15-12
15.5 Address List. ................................................................................. 15-13
15.6 Email............................................................................................. 15-14
15.7 Unicode Characters....................................................................... 15-15
15.8 Web Browser................................................................................. 15-15
15.9 Stopwatch...................................................................................... 15-17
15.10 Media Player................................................................................. 15-17
Appendix A User Settings for BrailleNote BT............................................. A-1
Appendix B Searching for Format Indicators.............................................. B-1
Appendix C Java Script................................................................................ C-1
Appendix D Networking .............................................................................. D-1
Appendix E Databases ..................................................................................E-1
Appendix F Information on Bookshare.org..................................................F-1
Appendix G KeySync and File Synchronization ......................................... G-1
Appendix H Software Upgrading................................................................. H-1
Appendix I Troubleshooting BrailleNote BT..............................................I -1
Appendix J Computer Braille Reference List..............................................J -1
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
1 Getting Started.
Welcome to the BrailleNote BT, an innovative personal productivity system,
from Pulse Data International. BrailleNote BT incorporates a Braille style
keyboard, a choice of 18 or 32 cell Braille display, high quality responsive
speech and a suite of powerful applications running under the Windows CE
operating system, all packaged into a truly portable system. This User Guide
tells you all about them.
1.1 Equipment Checklist.
Carefully unpack your BrailleNote. Save the box and packing materials for
future use. Your BrailleNote package comprises the following items:
BrailleNote BT;
AC adapter;
Slim line carrying case;
Earphones;
Modem data cable;
Serial communications cable;
9 to 25 pin cable adapter;
Audio tape containing a "Getting Started Tutorial;"
Command summary in embossed Braille;
Command summary in ink-print;
PC software for BrailleNote Family on CD-ROM.
Your BrailleNote may also include a modem cable adapter if you live in the
UK, Australia or New Zealand.
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
BrailleNote options include the following items:
120 MB/1.44MB Super Disk drive.
MicroDrive Storage Cards.
BrailleNote GPS.
Braille Manual.
Multilingual – add on languages including french, german and spanish.
Software Maintenance agreements.
1.2 General Features.
The BrailleNote is a compact portable Personal Organizer with an ergonomic
Braille keyboard, and a Braille display. The Braille display may be either 18 or
32 cells with each cell comprising 8 dots, allowing for both the display of 6 dot
and 8 dot Braille. Each cell of the Braille display has an associated cursor
routing button. Four thumb keys on the front of the BrailleNote supplement the
Braille display and provide convenient navigation control.
The BrailleNote also has synthesized speech output that can be used in
conjunction with the Braille display or on its own.
The BrailleNote runs under the Windows CE operating system and incorporates
a built-in modem and integrated e-mail software, which is compatible with all of
the popular mainstream e-mail protocols. It has standard serial and parallel ports
as well as a high-speed infrared port. A Type 2 Compact Flash slot and a Type
2 PC card slot allow for additional storage and Network options.
The BrailleNote uses flash memory technology to retain information
indefinitely even if the batteries run flat, and its user memory can currently be
expanded up to 48 Megabytes.
The BrailleNote runs on AC power or batteries. Indications of battery and
charger status are displayed on the Braille display and spoken.
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
1.3 Software Features.
A multi-purpose program, called KeySoft, running under the Windows CE
operating system, is especially designed for people with a visual impairment.
KeySoft provides the following functions:
A word processor called KeyWord that is powerful yet surprisingly simple to
learn. KeyWord has most of the features of an office word processor,
including unlimited text insertion, search and replace, indents, clipboard
operations, spell check and so on. It can even directly import and export the
popular Microsoft Word format documents.
An e-mail program called KeyMail that lets you send and receive electronic
mail. KeyMail works using a standard e-mail connection. You can also send
and receive attachments with your e-mail.
An internet browser called KeyWeb, that allows you to search and use the
world wide web and also read locally stored html documents.
A Media player that plays MP3 format audio files.
A calendar, scheduler and planner called KeyPlan. Your entries may include
alarms that sound even if the BrailleNote is switched off.
An address list manager called KeyList that sorts your entries and allows
flexible searching. Addresses can be copied into letters and e-mail.
A 10 digit scientific calculator called KeyPlus. Support is provided for both
Nemeth and British Braille mathematics.
A book reader called KeyBook that enables you to read Braille books, or
books in any standard text format including Microsoft Word format. Books
opened in KeyBook are protected from accidental editing.
A Keyboard Learn function that helps you to learn the keyboard layout and
the available quick key functions.
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
A File Manager that allows folder management and files to be copied,
renamed, protected, deleted or translated.
A program called ActiveSync that allows the BrailleNote disk structure to be
viewed and managed on a PC running Microsoft Windows. The BrailleNote
can be connected to the PC using the infrared or serial ports.
A Braille Terminal mode that allows the BrailleNote to act as a Braille
display for a screen reader such as Window Eyes, JAW’s, HAL and
SuperNova running on a desktop or laptop computer.
A Remote Synthesizer mode that allows the BrailleNote to act as a speech
synthesizer for other computers.
You can switch easily between these KeySoft tasks, which are fully integrated
so you can transfer information between them.
KeySoft has both forward and back translators, so a text document can be
imported into the BrailleNote and translated automatically into a grade 1 or 2
Braille document, and vice versa.
The BrailleNote can output its display to a remote screen device using the serial
or infrared port. Sighted observers or teachers can use the visual display screen
to view what you are doing on the BrailleNote. A remote screen viewer based
on the Palm hand-held computer is also available.
Information can be transferred to and from another computer such as a PC or
Apple Macintosh or specialized equipment such as a self-contained scanning
system. You can print via the infrared port if you have access to a printer with
an infrared interface. Alternatively, you can print via the parallel or serial port.
BrailleNote has a one-handed keyboard mode, providing convenient Braille
input for people restricted to the use of one hand.
1.3.1 The Windows CE Operating System.
The Windows CE operating system is a modern, powerful operating design
designed for small hand-held computers. It supports many technologies such as
e-mail, high-speed infrared communications, desktop PC synchronization,
portable mass storage and more. Hand-held computers have quite different
processors from the Pentium type processors incorporated in PC's that run the
standard Windows operating system. Standard Windows programs like
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
Microsoft Word and Excel do not run under Windows CE. Furthermore,
programs like Pocket Word and Pocket Excel that run on hand-held computers
under Windows CE generally require a built-in visual display. Consequently
standard Windows CE programs are not suitable for the BrailleNote.
1.4 Orientation.
BrailleNote is supplied in a slim line wrap around leather carry case. To open
the case, lift the flap on the front edge. Fold back the case to allow operation of
the BrailleNote. On the front edge of the BrailleNote you will find 4 buttons
called thumb keys. Position the BrailleNote with these keys facing you. You
can operate the BrailleNote while it is in its carry case.
1.5 Thumb Keys.
The four keys facing you are normally operated by your thumbs so we call them
“Thumb keys” to differentiate them from the main keyboard keys. They are
used in conjunction with the Braille display when reading and navigating menus
and lists. They can be operated using your thumbs without moving your fingers
from the Braille display discussed in the next section.
The thumb keys can be set up for left-handed or right-handed operation. You
can also create a custom thumb key set up to suit your personal preference; see
Section 5.4.14. The factory setting is right-handed.
The thumb keys are named as follows: PREVIOUS, BACK, ADVANCE and
NEXT. In the right-handed configuration the key functions are assigned from
left to right in that order with PREVIOUS on the left and NEXT on the right.
For the left-handed configuration the functions are assigned in the reverse order
with PREVIOUS on the far right and NEXT on the far left.
1.6 Braille Display.
If you put your thumbs on the thumb keys and drop your fingers, they will be
positioned on or about the Braille display. The electronic Braille display
comprises either eighteen or thirty-two identical eight dot cells that can display
any Braille symbol. Each dot of the Braille display is, in fact, a pin that is
controlled electronically. To display a dot the pin is raised and the pin is
lowered when there is no dot. When the display is off all dots are raised slightly
and are somewhat spongy to touch. The Braille display is able to be refreshed;
it can be written and re-written repeatedly.
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BrailleNote BT User Guide V5.0 D1.0
1.7 Touch Cursor.
The Braille display and thumb keys are used together. You can navigate menus,
read prompts and documents using only the Braille display and thumb keys.
You can do so without moving your fingers from the Braille display. You will
notice small buttons immediately behind each cell of the Braille display. Press
a button and you will sense a click. This is the touch cursor. It is especially
useful when editing a document. In KeyWord, for example, when you press a
touch cursor button, the cursor moves to the character associated with that
button. You can then edit that particular character. This is discussed in chapter 3.
The touch cursor can also be used to select an item from a menu or list.
1.8 Keyboard.
On the top surface of the BrailleNote you will find the Braille keyboard. It is
like a Braille writer, with eight keys and a space bar. The two extra keys on the
extreme left and right are for your little fingers. The left-hand key is called
BACKSPACE, or sometimes dot 7, and the right-hand key is called ENTER, or
dot 8. The single space bar is in the usual place.
In this User Guide, key presses are described in the following way. The
instruction:
Press H means that you should press the dots for the letter H, which are 1,2, and
5, then release them. This instruction may also be presented as:
Press dots 1-2-5.
The order in which you press the keys does not matter. The character is typed
when the keys are released.
You will also encounter instructions such as: "press SPACE with H." This
means that you press the space bar as well as dots 1-2-5, and then release them.
This may seem very strange at first, because you are probably accustomed to
pressing the space bar by itself to create a space between words. In KeySoft,
the space bar pressed by itself produces a space in the same way but in addition,
it is used in combination with other keys to obtain many KeySoft commands.
Similarly, the BACKSPACE and ENTER keys can be used on their own or in
combination with other keys.
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