Braille ’n Seek Compass Module
User’s Guide

Freedom Scientific BLV Group, LLC
May 2006
Document Number 440332-001

PUBLISHED BY
Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805
USA
http://www.FreedomScientific.com
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or any means electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Freedom Scientific.
Copyright © 2006 Freedom Scientific BLV Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Table of Contents
Overview					1
Setup						1
Configuring the Status Menu			1
Configuring the Speech Parameters Menu		2
Connecting the Compass Module to a Notetaker	2
Orientation and Calibration			2
Operating the Braille ’n Seek Compass Module	2


Overview
Thank you for purchasing the Braille ’n Seek Compass Module. The Braille ’n Seek is an intelligent electronic compass module that attaches to the serial port of the following Freedom Scientific products: 
* Braille ’n Speak
* Braille Lite 2000
* Braille Lite 40
* Type ’n Speak
* Braille ’n Speak Classic (requires a Braille ’n Speak serial port adapter available from Freedom Scientific)
* Braille Lite 18 (requires Braille ’n Speak serial port adapter available from Freedom Scientific)
Note: The Braille ’n Seek cannot be used with Freedom Scientific’s Type Lite or Millennium notetakers. 

The compass computes and reports headings based on the earth’s magnetic field. The compass can report the heading either in degrees or in compass points, for example "310 Degrees" or "North Northwest." The module retains all internal settings, including calibration, even when unplugged. 

Setup
The Braille ’n Seek plugs directly into the serial port of the Braille ’n Speak, Braille Lite, and Type ’n Speak. 
Important: When connecting the compass module to a Type ’n Speak, do not force the module's connector into the Type ’n Speak's disk drive port. 

Configuring the Status Menu
To use the compass you must make the following changes in the Status menu: 
1. Press DOTS 3-4 CHORD to enter the Status menu. (For the Type ’n Speak, press F10.)
2. Press G and set Interactive mode on. (Press the HOME key for the Type ’n Speak and then press Y.)
3. Press F and set the serial port to active.
4. Press T and set Braille Translator off.
5. Press B and set baud rate to 9600.
6. Press P and set parity to none. 
7. Press DOTS 4-5-6 and set data bits to 8. (Press SHIFT+DASH for the Type ’n Speak and then press 8.)
8. Press S and set stop bits to 1. 
9. Press E CHORD to exit the Status menu. (Press ESC for the Type ’n Speak.)

Configuring the Speech Parameters Menu
Make the following changes in the Speech Parameters Menu:
1. Press DOTS 3-4-5 CHORD to enter the Speech Parameters menu. (Press F7 for the Type ’n Speak.)
2. Select Silent Keys. (For the Type ’n Speak, press SPACEBAR until you hear "Silent Keys.")
3. Press N to select Speak numbers as words. (This is not applicable for the Type ’n Speak.)
4. Exit the Speech Parameters menu. (Press ESC for the Type ’n Speak.)

Connecting the Compass Module to a Notetaker
1. Place the compass module so that its screw recesses, which are on the bottom of the unit, face downward. 
2. Next, plug the compass into the notetaker’s serial port. 
3. Turn on the notetaker, and open a file or the clipboard.     

Orientation and Calibration
In order for the Braille ’n Seek to operate properly it is necessary to set the orientation of the module in relation to the notetaker and calibrate it for accuracy. 

To orient the compass module, do the following.
1. Connect the compass module to the notetaker as previously described.
2. Press the letter O. The notetaker responds with "Orient."
3. Do one of the following based on your notetaker model: 
* If you are using Braille ’n Speak 2000, Braille Lite 2000, or the Braille Lite 40's serial port (located on the left side), press the letter A.
* If you are using the Braille Lite’s serial port (located on the right side), press the letter B.
* If you are using the Type ’n Speak, press the letter C.
4. The notetaker responds with “OK.”

To calibrate the compass module, do the following.
1. It is best to put the notetaker on a flat surface with a straight edge such as a desk or table. Be sure you are several feet from any large metal object. 
2. Place the notetaker in front of you, lining up the front of the unit with the edge of the table. Press the letter C. The notetaker responds with "Turn."
3. Turn the notetaker 90 degrees, lining up the narrower side of  the notetaker with the edge of the table. 
4. Press the spacebar. The unit responds with "Calibrated." Although you can recalibrate the compass module at any time, you should only have to do this once. The module stores the calibration settings internally.

Operating the Braille ’n Seek Compass Module
The Braille ’n Seek Compass Module has several modes of operation:
1. Make sure the notetaker is turned on and in an open file.
2. Press the space bar to read the current setting.
3. To switch between compass and degree settings, press the letter D. The notetaker responds with "Degrees" or "Compass"
4. To have the compass module report the heading at approximately five second intervals, press the letter R.
5. Press the space bar to stop continuous readings.
6. Press the letter X to reset the compass. The notetaker responds with "Compass" when complete. After the compass module is reset, it is in Heading Report mode.