PAC Mate
Portable Braille Display
User's Guide

Freedom Scientific

December 2008

Contents of this page

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Introduction
Warranty Information
Features
Item Checklist
Connecting the Braille Display
Using the Braille Display
Braille Study Mode
The Carrying Case
Diagnostics and Cleaning Mode
Environmental Considerations
Dimensions and Weight
Federal Communication Commission Notice
Copyright

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Freedom Scientific PAC Mate Portable Braille Display. This braille display, available in 20-cell and 40-cell models, is powered by the host computer. Host computers include the PAC Mate or any desktop/laptop computer using JAWS® reading technology. Offering the latest in refreshable braille display technology, each model has fourteen hot keys with 21 on-demand functions. Light in weight and easy to connect, the PAC Mate Portable Braille Display is convenient and easy to use.

Note: When used with versions of JAWS earlier than 6.0 on a desktop computer, there are ten hot keys and 17 on-demand functions.

Warranty Information

Congratulations on your purchase of PAC Mate BX/QX and/or the PAC Mate Portable Braille Display.

The PAC Mate BX/QX and the PAC Mate Portable Braille Display comes with a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects.

Note: These devices have no user-serviceable components. Any unauthorized attempt to service or replace internal components by opening the case will void the product warranty.

Please call Freedom Scientific Technical Support at (727) 803-8600 for assistance in troubleshooting any problems. If necessary, the technical support specialist will issue a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number that must be referenced on the outside of the package containing your returned unit. Your PAC Mate will then be exchanged or repaired as needed.

Return your unit to:

Freedom Scientific Inc.
13000 Automobile Blvd
Bldg 1 unit 103
Clearwater, FL 33762

Features

The PAC Mate Portable braille displays include the following features:

Item Checklist

This package includes the following items. If you find that any of the components listed below are missing, please call Customer Service at (800) 444-4443.

Connecting the Braille Display


PAC Mate QX and BX
PAC Mate TNS and BNS
Desktop or Laptop Computer

Note: The PAC Mate Portable Braille Display is powered by the host computer, so no AC power supply is necessary.

PAC Mate QX and BX

To connect the braille display to your X-Series PAC Mate, do the following:

  1. Locate the latch on the underside of the PAC Mate with your right hand and pull it toward the right side of the unit. This releases a catch allowing the bottom cover piece to be removed.
  2. Grasp the middle of the top cover of the PAC Mate braille display in the indent just above the braille cells. This releases its top cover and you can remove it from the display.
  3. Align the newly exposed portion of the braille display with the opening in the BX or QX and push them together until you hear the latch click into place. You now have an integrated braille display unit.

Once you connect your braille display to your PAC Mate, follow the directions in Using the Braille Display. If you would like to configure PAC Mate's Braille Settings, go to the Start Menu, Settings, Personal Page and select Braille Settings. For configuration information, open Help from within the Braille Settings dialog.

In certain situations while using the braille display you may find it necessary to mute the synthesizer on PAC Mate. To do this, press S CHORD, M on the BX or INSERT+S, M on the QX.

PAC Mate TNS and BNS

picture of USB Connectors. This picture shows the relative size and shape differences between USB A and Mini B

Connect the mini B end of the USB cable to the mini B port on the left side of the braille display, and follow the directions below that apply to you.

You must set your PAC Mate to USB Host Mode.

TNS
BNS

TNS

Press Windows Key, S to open the Settings dialog, then press CTRL+TAB to move to the System page. Press the letter U to select USB Mode Settings and press ENTER. In the USB Mode combo box use the ARROW Keys to select Host.

With your PAC Mate set to USB Host Mode, connect the other end of the cable to the USB port on your PAC Mate. On the TNS, the USB port is just to the right of the battery on the rear of the unit.

Once you connect your PAC Mate to your braille display, follow the directions in Using the Braille Display. If you would like to configure PAC Mate's Braille Settings, go to the Start Menu, Settings, Personal Page and select Braille Settings. For configuration information, open Help from within the Braille Settings dialog.

In certain situations while using the braille display you may find it necessary to mute the synthesizer on PAC Mate. To do this, press INSERT+S, M.

BNS

Press F3, S to open the Settings dialog, then press DOTS 5-6 CHORD to move to the System page. Press DOTS 1-3-6 to select USB Mode Settings and press DOT 8. In the USB Mode combo box use the cursor cross to select Host.

With your PAC Mate set to USB Host Mode, connect the other end of the cable to the USB port on your PAC Mate. On the BNS, the USB port is on the left side immediately behind the 9-pin serial port.

Once you connect your PAC Mate to your braille display, follow the directions in Using the Braille Display. If you would like to configure PAC Mate's Braille Settings, go to the Start Menu, Settings, Personal Page and select Braille Settings. For configuration information, open Help from within the Braille Settings dialog.

In certain situations while using the braille display you may find it necessary to mute the synthesizer on PAC Mate. To do this, press S CHORD, M.

Desktop or Laptop Computer

If you are using JAWS 4.51 or earlier, please follow the instructions below to update JAWS to the newest braille driver. If you are using a version of JAWS that is earlier than 4.02, you cannot use the PAC Mate braille display.

Updating the Braille Driver

  1. With the Companion CD in your CD-ROM drive, open Windows Explorer and navigate to the FS Braille Display Driver folder. Open this folder and then open the Driver folder. In the Driver folder select and press ENTER on Setup.exe.
  2. After Setup finishes, run JAWS and open the Braille Basic Settings dialog.
  3. Select PAC Mate 20, or 40 Cells in the Default Braille Display combo box.
  4. Restart JAWS.
  5. Connect your PAC Mate braille display to the USB port on your computer.
  6. A Found New Hardware dialog appears when you connect your PAC Mate Braille Display.

For the Windows XP Operating System, choose the Install the software automatically (Recommended) radio button. Then press ENTER. Wait for the system to locate the new software. When this process completes, press ENTER again to close the dialog.

For Windows 98, ME, and 2000, you do not have to do anything except wait for this process to finish.

Adding Support During JAWS 5.0 and Later Installation

To add support for the PAC Mate Braille displays during installation of JAWS 5.0 or later, select either the Guided or Advanced setup option. On the Select Components page of setup, use the SPACEBAR to check the PAC Mate Display or PAC Mate 20, or 40 Cells selection, depending on the version of JAWS you have installed. On all other pages of setup, select the options you need and/or desire. With JAWS 5.0 or later, your PAC Mate braille display is ready to use once the setup is complete.

Adding Support after JAWS 5.0 and Later Installation

To add support for a PAC Mate braille display after JAWS 5.0 or later is already installed:

  1. Connect the PAC Mate braille display to the USB port on your computer.
  2. Press INSERT+J to activate the JAWS application window.
  3. Press ALT+O, L to open the Braille Basic Settings dialog.
  4. Press TAB to move to the Add Braille Display button and press the SPACEBAR.
  5. Once JAWS setup is open to the Select Braille Components dialog, use the SPACEBAR to check the PAC Mate Display or PAC Mate 20, or 40 Cells check box, depending on the version of JAWS you have installed, and then press ENTER.

Once setup has installed support for the PAC Mate display and JAWS has restarted, you are ready to use your PAC Mate braille display.

To learn the function of each hot key on the display, press INSERT+1 on your computer’s keyboard, then press each hot key.

Using the Keyboard / Laptop Stand

The foam keyboard stand positions your keyboard or laptop computer for easy use with the PAC Mate braille display.

To arrange each device, place the foam stand on a table or desk with the cut away area near and facing you. Make sure the cut out for the USB connector is on the left. Slide the braille display into the cut away area. Then place the keyboard or laptop on the foam stand at a comfortable distance for you to read and work.

Using the Braille Display

Braille display settings are quickly accessed with hot keys and navigation is provided via Whiz Wheels, cursor routing buttons and right and left advance buttons.

drawing of the 20- and 40-cell displays.  This drawing illustrates the relative size of the two displays and indicates the general location of the whiz wheels, cursor routing buttons, hot keys, and advance buttons.

Hot Keys

Hot Keys allow for quick access to various braille display options. The 14 hot keys are in the top row of buttons and consist of seven buttons on either side of the center mark. To help you locate and distinguish each hot key there are markers on the display's surface furthest away from you. The buttons to the left of center are numbered from left to right as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 and the buttons to the right of center are numbered as 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. The remaining buttons to the left and right of the hot keys are the advance buttons.

Note: When used with versions of JAWS earlier than 6.0 on a desktop computer, there are 10 hot keys arranged in groups of 5 each to the left and right of the center mark.

The PAC Mate braille display uses one- and two-layer command sequences to set braille display options. You must toggle into the second layer with hot key 12 before and each time you execute a second layer command. The hot keys are described in the table below.

Note: With JAWS as your desktop screen reader, you can customize the hot keys. To learn more about customizing the hot keys on your braille display, please refer to JAWS Keyboard Manager in the JAWS Help.

Hot Key
First Layer Command Second Layer Command
1
Turn On Braille Auto Advance Mode
(Press any cursor routing button to turn off)
 
2
Repeat Last Flash Message(*)  
3
Route braille cursor to cctive cursor Change Cursor Shape
4
Active follows braille Toggle Cursor On/Off
5
Braille follows active Toggle Compressed Spacing
(8 - Unlimited Pixels per Space)
6
Show Top of Active Window or
Beginning of Structured Line
Route JAWS Cursor to PC Cursor
7
SHIFT+TAB  
8
TAB  
9
Show Bottom of Active Window or End of Structured Line Toggle 6 / 8 cell braille
10
Grade 2 (contracted braille) Toggle Line, Structured, and Speech Box Modes
11
Translate Word
(Expand grade 2 symbol to edit word)
 
12
Toggle between layers 1 and 2 Display braille layer help
13
Decrease Auto Advance rate  
14
Increase Auto Advance rate  
 
(*) When used with JAWS 6.0 or later

Note: When used with versions of JAWS earlier than 6.0 on a desktop computer, the hot keys numbered 1, 2, 13, and 14 in this table are not available. Beginning with hot key 3 in this table, you should renumber the functions from 1 to 10.

Whiz Wheels

The braille display Whiz Wheels are used to quickly move through files, dialogs and menus. In addition, each wheel can be set independently for added functionality.

Files

In text files, the Whiz wheels are used to move by line, sentence, or paragraph. Pressing down on either Whiz Wheel toggles it between line, sentence, paragraph, or focus panning mode. Rolling the Whiz Wheel towards you moves downward in the text, while rolling the Whiz Wheel away from you moves you upward in the text. With panning mode, rolling the Whiz Wheel one "click" towards you pans right one display length, while rolling the Whiz Wheel one "click" away from you pans left one display length.

Menus

In menus, roll a Whiz Wheel toward you to move down through the menu or roll it away from you to move up through the menu. Press down on the Whiz Wheel to select a menu item.

Dialogs

In dialogs, rolling the wheel towards you moves you forward through the controls, while rolling the wheel away from you moves you backward through the controls. Depending on the control, the Whiz Wheels function differently when pressed.

Cursor Routing Buttons

Immediately above each braille cell is a button. These are the cursor routing buttons. Press a cursor routing button to move the cursor to that point or to select a link in a Web page or e-mail message. To help you locate and route your cursor there are markers at every fifth cell along the display surface nearest you.

Right and Left Advance Buttons

The right and left advance buttons allow you to move through your files one display length at a time. To advance right, press any of the buttons to the right of the hot key area. To advance left, press any of the buttons to the left of the hot key area.

Braille Study Mode

Braille Study Mode is designed to assist in the teaching and learning of uncontracted and contracted braille. It announces the Braille character at the cursor position or speaks and spells the word. Braille Study Mode is available on PAC Mate BX and QX as well as JAWS version 9.0.2169 or later.

To use Braille Study Mode, do the following:

  1. Ensure that your PAC Mate Portable Braille Display is connected to your PAC Mate or computer.
  2. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to any braille contraction.
  3. Press the cursor routing button located directly above the braille contraction. The cursor routing buttons are the row of buttons directly above the Braille cells on the display. JAWS will announce the contraction.
  4. Press the hot key button immediately above the cursor routing button you just pressed. The hot key buttons are the row of buttons located immediately behind the cursor routing buttons. JAWS will first pronounce the word of which the contraction is a part and will then spell the word. When spelled, the contraction is not indicated; that is, the word is spelled character by character.

In addition, when using JAWS on your computer and Braille Study Mode is disabled, you can always press the left or right WhizWheel together with either a Cursor Routing or Navrow button to briefly use Braille Study Mode functionality. This is useful when you need a quick reminder, but you do not want to go through the process of turning on Braille Study Mode as previously described.

To use Braille Study Mode on the fly, do one of the following:

Note: JAWS returns to normal operation after announcing the braille character or word.

The Carrying Case

The carrying case that is supplied with the PAC Mate BX and QX models is designed to accommodate the PAC Mate with the braille display attached. If you have a PAC Mate BX or QX, you do not need to use separate cases for each unit.

The carrying case that comes with the PAC Mate BNS or TNS is designed for portability and usability of your braille display, and also to protect it from environmental debris and damage.

To place your braille display in the carrying case, unseat the Velcro® on the front flap and unzip the case. Next, slide the display into the case so that the braille cells are exposed by the fitted opening. (D onot forget to zip it closed.) The card holder on the inside front flap can be used for owner id or business cards.

Use the shoulder strap to carry the braille display alone or with a PAC Mate. With the display and PAC Mate secured to the shoulder strap, you can quickly unpack the braille display and PAC Mate to begin work.

To secure the PAC Mate Portable Braille Display and the PAC Mate BNS/TNS to a single shoulder strap:

  1. Thread the clasp of one end of the strap through the eye of one of the braille display's carrying case rings.
  2. Then attach the strap to the carrying rings on the PAC Mate BNS unit. On the PAC Mate TNS unit, attach the strap to the carrying posts.
  3. Follow through with the other end of the shoulder strap.

The braille display and PAC Mate should carry side by side evenly.

This picture shows the recommended way of attaching the braille display carrying case to the PAC Mate.

When you are ready to work, unpack the braille display and PAC Mate as follows:

  1. Set the braille display and PAC Mate on your lap or desk so that the Braille display is closest to you.
  2. Open the flaps on each case.
  3. Then secure the Velcro on the braille display case to the Velcro on the PAC Mate case.
  4. (Optional) You may fold the flaps underneath the units and seat the Velcro of each flap to one another so they are secured and out of the way.
  5. Connect your cable and you're ready to go!

Diagnostics and Cleaning Mode

The PAC Mate Portable Braille Displays have built-in diagnostic tests for the routing buttons, braille cells, and Whiz Wheels. In addition, there is a cleaning mode so you can clean the pins of each cell.

Entering Diagnostics Mode
Routing Button Test
Whiz Wheel Test
Cleaning the Display

Entering Diagnostics Mode

With your PAC Mate turned on, hold down the two buttons on the left end of the display and connect the USB cable to the PAC Mate. When connected, release both buttons simultaneously.

Note: With the braille display attached to the PAC Mate BX or QX, you can enter diagnostics mode by holding down these two buttons while you power the PAC Mate on.

Routing Button Test

The routing button test ensures that the routing buttons and the braille display work properly. To test, press each button of the top row. The top four pins in the cell of that button should display. Likewise, press each button of the bottom row. The bottom four pins in the cell of that button should display.

Whiz Wheel Test

This test ensures that the Whiz Wheels work properly. To test, rotate each wheel up. The display should read LU or RU depending on the wheel. Similarly, rotate each wheel down and the display should read LD or RD. Last, press down on each wheel and the display should read LW or RW.

Cleaning the Display

The cleaning mode allows you to clean your braille display of debris. To enter cleaning mode, turn on your PAC Mate, simultaneously hold down the two routing buttons on the right end of the display and connect the USB cable to the PAC Mate. Then release both buttons. When you do this, all pins of each cell should display.

Use a soft lint-free cloth dampened with 90% isopropyl alcohol or pre-moistened wipes used for cleaning electronic devices and gently wipe the pins. No other cleaning agent should be used. Disconnect the cable to recess the pins and gently wipe the display again. It may be necessary to repeat this procedure 5 or 6 times to clean your display properly.

Environmental Considerations

Storage

The unit is designed to survive storage temperatures of 5°F to 140°F (-15° to 60°C) with 5% to 90% humidity non-condensing.

Operating

The unit is designed to operate in a Temperature range from 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) with 20% to 98% humidity non-condensing.

Dimensions & Weight

20-Cell Display

Dimensions: 4.8 inches x 11 inches x 1.53 inches
(12.19 cm x 27.94 cm x 3.89 cm)

Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz. (0.79 kg)

40-Cell Display

Dimensions: 4.8 inches x 12.5 inches x 1.53 inches
(12.19 cm x 31.75 cm x 3.89 cm)

Weight: 2 lb. 3 oz. (0.99 kg)

Federal Communications Commission Notice

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 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:

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.


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.

JAWS is a registered trademark of Freedom Scientific in the United States and other countries. Microsoft, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP Home and Professional are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Copyright © 2008 Freedom Scientific. All Rights Reserved..

Last revised 2008-12-09.