VarioUltra User Guide HTML Version Written for Software V1.4 (Public Beta) Updated: May 25, 2017 Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of the new VarioUltra, the smart braille display from BAUM Retec in Germany. The purpose of this user guide is to introduce you to the main functions of the device, with several step-by-step examples that you can follow along with on your VarioUltra. These steps in turn will help you gain experience with your new device. If you are an experienced user of VarioUltra, we have added “. New.
with v1.4” to the beginning of sections that are changed or truly new with software v1.4. VarioUltra is shipped with the Device Lock switch in the locked position. On the left side of VarioUltra, slide this switch away from you to unlock the device. It’s the switch closest to the front left corner of VarioUltra.
May 25, 2017 - 2.5 Using VarioUltra as a Bluetooth Braille Display. 2.5.1 Connecting with a. 8.3 Alarm Clock. 9.13 Using File Manager with External USB Stick. An updated JAWS driver version 15.52 is available for VarioUltra.
In the USA, VarioUltra ships by default with US English Contracted Braille (grade 2) selected. It's possible to toggle between this and US English Computer Braille. Refer to of this manual for additional details. We encourage you to read this manual in its entirety, especially if you’re new to refreshable braille displays and braille notetakers.
This will help familiarize yourself with VarioUltra, the keyboard and button layout, and the command structure. Information on pairing via Bluetooth can be found in. For lists of VarioUltra commands, and commands that you can use when working with VoiceOver, JAWS, and other screen readers, please refer to. Please keep the original packaging materials. You never know when you’ll need them, and if VarioUltra does need to be shipped anywhere, it will help ensure the device is not damaged in transit. Still need help?
- In the USA, call (855) 620-7985, or email. In the UK, call (0800) 043-3199, or email. For all other countries, please contact BAUM in Germany, Please have your product serial number available to provide to the support specialist. A braille label with your serial number can be found underneath VarioUltra; you will need to remove VarioUltra from the carrying case to read it.
Alternatively, go to Help About inside the main menu in Braille Notetaker mode. Context Sensitive Help is provided in Braille Notetaker mode. Use command B9+B2B6 to open the Context Sensitive Help. Use the D2 and D5 buttons to navigate through the help messages. Confirm with OK to exit.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: First Impressions 1.1 What’s in the Box? VarioUltra is shipped inside 2 cardboard boxes to help protect it during transit. We recommend you keep these in case VarioUltra ever needs to be sent to us for service. The contents of the box include: 1) A braille Quick Reference Guide 2) A braille Product Registration Card. Customers in the USA can also register online at 3) A VarioUltra braille display; it can be found inside additional protective packaging. 4) A carrying case and strap.
They’re contained inside a plastic bag. The strap connects to the strap anchor clips that are already added to VarioUltra 5) A USB to micro USB cable, and a square USB plug. The USB plug has the US-style prongs folded into the square. Unfold them to plug into a power outlet. 6) A small box with a variety of international plug adaptors. Unless you’re using VarioUltra outside of the USA, there should be no need to worry about these adaptors.
Although the VarioUltra battery is charged during the production process, the battery may not be at 100% charge by the time it reaches you. You can charge it at any time by connecting the micro USB end of the cable into the micro USB port on the left side of VarioUltra, and plug the other end—the USB plug—into an electrical outlet. When VarioUltra is connected to a power source, braille cells will fill to indicate how fully charged the battery is.
For example, if your device is 50% charged, you can expect to find all the dots raised on cells on the left half of the display. When fully charged, all dots on all cells will be showing. We recommend using the carrying case when traveling with VarioUltra. While the device is very durable, it is still an electronic device.
Take care to avoid dropping VarioUltra, or exposing it to liquid, as damage is not covered under warranty. 1.2 Physical Tour of VarioUltra. VarioUltra includes a braille keyboard, a braille line with cursor routing buttons, and a variety of other buttons and switches. A BAUM braille keyboard is ergonomic by design. The 8 braille keys are laid out in a slightly curved fashion. If you hold your hands parallel with each other, you may miss dots 1 and 4 which sit more forward than the other keys.
Move the palms of your hands in the direction of the front corners of VarioUltra and your fingers should naturally align with the button layout. Braille keys are referred to throughout this manual as B1, B2, etc., all the way to B8. Depending on the VarioUltra model you own, it will have either 20 or 40 braille cells, and an equal number of cursor routing buttons that can be found directly above each cell. Use cursor routing buttons to move the cursor within a document, or to select options inside menus. Display Buttons. There are 6 display buttons in all, 3 on each side of the braille line. These buttons are used to navigate around a document as you read.
These buttons are also used to command and control certain devices such as an iPhone or iPad. Display buttons are referred to as D1, D2, etc.
D1, D2, and D3 are on the left side of the device, while D4, D5, and D6 are on the right. Thumb Keys are located below the braille line, along the front, angled edge of VarioUltra. They are an inch wide by half an inch tall. In braille display mode, both buttons function as a space bar. In braille notetaker mode, the one on the left is used as a command key; the one on the right is space. The thumb keys are referred to as B9 and B0 throughout this document.
The Navistick is a 5-way joystick, located between the two thumb keys. Use Navistick to move left, right, up, or down by tapping the edge of the button in the desired direction. Pressing in on the middle part of the Navistick selects and/or confirms options within the menu structure of VarioUltra. The Navistick can also be used to move through a document, or to move through menus. System Keys are small, circular buttons located along the front edge of VarioUltra. You will find S1 and S2 to the left of the left thumb key, and S3 and S4 to the right of the right thumb key.
When in Braille Notetaker mode, a long press of S3 always takes you back to the main menu. A short press of S3 inside applications will open or close the Command Menu. There are two USB ports on the left edge of VarioUltra. The standard USB port is for use with a standard USB stick. The smaller, micro USB port is used to connect to power, or to connect to a Windows or Mac computer. There are two slider switches on the left side of VarioUltra: one is the Device Mode switch; the other is the Lock Switch. The one next to the micro USB port is the Device Mode switch.
When facing toward the back of VarioUltra, you will be in Braille Notetaker mode. When facing toward the front, you will be in Braille Display mode. The Lock Switch is closest to the front. When facing away from you, VarioUltra is unlocked. When facing toward you, VarioUltra is locked. When locked, no buttons work, including the power button. The power button can be found on the right side of VarioUltra.
When switched off, a short press of the power button starts VarioUltra. Once on, a short press of the power button puts VarioUltra into Suspend mode. A short press wakes it up again, and so on.
If you hold the power button for 15-20 seconds, VarioUltra will reboot. To shut down VarioUltra completely, hold down the S4 key, press and release the power button, and immediately release S4.
VarioUltra will vibrate and shut down. 1.3 Switching on VarioUltra for the First Time. Your VarioUltra should arrive with the lock switch in the locked position. Slide this switch to the unlocked position, and press and release the power button.
From a cold start, VarioUltra boots up in about 45 seconds. During the boot up process, you will witness a progress bar of dots 7 and 8, followed by a flashing cursor at cell position 1, and the name “VarioUltra 20” or “VarioUltra 40” displayed beside it.
When this message disappears, your device is ready to use. If your device is in Braille Notetaker mode, you will be at the top of the main menu, which means Word Processor is displayed. If your device is in Braille Display mode, you will probably see USB displayed for a few seconds, and then the display goes blank until you choose to connect to something. Note that if VarioUltra was previously in suspend mode, a short tap of the power button wakes up the device in a couple of seconds.
It just wakes up where you left off. Note too that VarioUltra will switch off after 10 minutes of inactivity. It’s possible to lengthen this time default, or switch it off completely so that your device only switches off when you press the power button. Suspend mode will not happen if you are actively connected to a USB or Bluetooth device. To turn VarioUltra off completely, press and hold system key S4 and then tap and release the power button.
VarioUltra will vibrate and power off. If VarioUltra is connected to a power supply or connected to a computer via USB, the braille display will show a row of braille cells with all dots showing on each cell, indicating the charge level of the battery. If VarioUltra is not connected to anything, the braille display will be blank when switched off completely. Switching VarioUltra off completely is recommended during extended periods when it will not be used. This will help preserve battery life over longer periods of time. 1.4 Charging the Device.
VarioUltra has an internal Lithium ion battery that is charged via the micro USB to standard type A USB cable. The micro USB end of the cable that inserts into VarioUltra has a connector that is longer on one side than the other. The longer edge needs to be on top to fit in VarioUltra; a helpful way to know when the longer edge is facing up is to feel for 2 small bumps on toward the outer edges. If the bumpy side is facing up, you have the cable facing the right way. Connect the other end of the cable into a USB plug, into the USB port of a computer, or to a USB power adaptor (800 - 2000 mA, 5 V).
Note: Charging VarioUltra takes approximately 2.5 hours when plugged directly to an electrical outlet. Connecting via USB to devices such as a computer takes more time – as much as two times longer.
The battery should last between 8 and 12 hours depending on whether you are connected to Bluetooth devices, etc. Running in Braille Notetaker mode with Bluetooth switched off will last the longest. Conversely, running in Braille Display mode while actively connected via Bluetooth to other devices will last the least amount of time. If the battery drains completely, connect VarioUltra to an external power source using the USB plug and USB cable that came with your device.
Whenever the battery drains completely, connecting VarioUltra to a power source will not immediately bring it back to life. Please wait a few minutes for VarioUltra to attain a minimum amount of power. If you notice the cells fill up with all dots showing in each cell, you will need at least 5 cells to be filled before switching on VarioUltra. 1.5 Checking Battery Level. You can check the battery level of VarioUltra in both Braille Notetaker and Braille Display modes. In Braille Notetaker mode, give two short taps of system key S3. If you’re in Braille Display mode, press and hold S2 and then tap the left thumb key, B9.
1.6 Braille Notetaker Commands. Trying to remember all the shortcut commands on day 1 is probably not a practical idea. The good news is that while you’re learning what the Braille Notetaker can do, you can achieve virtually all things by using the menus. Remember: 1) A long press of the S3 button will always take you back to the last position in the main menu. 2) When inside an application, a short press of the S3 button will open the Command Menu in much the same way that the ALT key opens menus on Windows, or CTRL Function F2 opens them on a Mac. 3) When inside the Command Menu of a VarioUltra application, a short press of the S3 button exits back to the application.
4) In the case of many other braille notetakers, commands are typically achieved by pressing the space bar with a braille character. This is commonly referred to as a chord command. Chord C means you press the space with dots 1 and 3 on the braille keyboard. 5) VarioUltra provides commands to do virtually anything from any location inside the device. To achieve this, you will typically use braille keys B7 and/or B8 along with the chord command. To copy something in VarioUltra, you press the left thumb key B9 with dots 1, 3, and 8. If you haven’t typed with your pinky fingers in a while this may feel strange at first, but once mastered, it will feel like second nature.
1.7 Braille Notetaker Main Menu. When you’re in the main menu of the Braille Notetaker mode, you’re in a vertical list of applications.
These include:. Word Processor: the hotkey is ‘w’; the global command is w+B789. PDF Viewer: the hotkey is ‘p’; the global command is y+B789. Excel Viewer: the hotkey is ‘x’; the global command is x+B789. Calculator: the hotkey is ‘c’; the global command c+B789. Timers: the hotkey is ‘t’; the global command is t+B789.
File Manager: the hotkey is ‘f’; the global command f+B789. Settings: the hotkey is ‘s’; the global command is s+B789.
Help: the hotkey is ‘h’; the global command is h+B789. Hotkey: if you’re within the main menu, typing the hotkey letter on its own will open the application. Global Command: enter these commands from anywhere in Braille Notetaker, to open the application. From the factory, main menu items will have the letters ‘MI’ displayed at the beginning of the line. The element ‘MI’ stands for Menu Item. Elements like this can be hidden, saving you some space.
You can scroll up and down in the menus using either the display buttons D1 and D3, or by tapping the top or bottom edge of the Navistick. When the menu displays the name of the application you want to use, you can open it in one of three ways. Press the left thumb key B9 one time, press any cursor routing button, or press in on the middle of the Navistick. Within the pages of this manual, shortcut commands are written in one of two ways. By way of example, if the command requires you to press the left thumb key B9 with braille keys B2 and B3, the command will be written as B9+B2B3. In cases where a letter or punctuation symbol is used, the command will be written as c+B8B9 as in the case of the global command for copy.
Global shortcut commands are also displayed after the name of an application or menu item. Like all other elements, these commands can also be hidden. Refer to Display Settings Templates 1.8 Braille Notetaker Main Menu Elements. Braille elements are those things that appear on the display when in Braille Notetaker mode. Examples include: MI, LI, CB, CHK, and EB. You can find more details in section 10.3 Display Settings. 1) MI: this element means you are on a menu item.
Menu items are displayed vertically, which means you navigate up and down to move from one item to another. In most cases, you can select by entering the corresponding hotkey or shortcut command, by pressing the left thumb key B9, or by pressing in on the Navistick. Using the assigned shortcut command selects the item without the need to open the menu. 2) LI: this element means you are on a list item. List items are displayed horizontally, which means you navigate left and right to move from one item to another, and the selected item is presented. Entering the first letter of an item takes you directly to that item in the list. 3) CB: The Control Button item refers to words such as OK, Cancel, Yes, and No.
These words typically appear in message dialogs. You confirm your choice by pressing a cursor routing button above the word in question or by pressing the left thumb key B9.
4) CHK: This element refers to a checkbox. You can check and uncheck checkboxes by navigating to the right with the Navistick, by pressing a cursor routing button above the checkbox, or by tapping the right thumb key B0. 5) EB: This element refers to an edit box, into which text can be entered. You will encounter edit boxes in those instances where a value needs to be entered.
1.9 Confirmation Prompts. Throughout the Braille Notetaker menu structure of VarioUltra you will find references to things you should or could confirm.
Common examples include confirming with OK to exit a dialog, or confirming with YES or NO. In these cases, the word or words in question will be present on the braille display, or accessible by scrolling down or up with the Navistick to find them. When you find them, you can confirm with B9, pressing in on the Navistick, or selecting a cursor routing button above any part of a word. You will find an example below in the next section, Help & Context Sensitive Help, where you are instructed to “scroll down and confirm with OK to exit” to leave the help dialog. 1.10 Help & Context Sensitive Help. VarioUltra has two Help features.
To get general information about VarioUltra or to access this User Guide, enter command h+B7B8B9. This opens the Help menu, which contains a menu item to open the user guide and a menu item to open the dialog “About VarioUltra”. You can use display keys D2 and D5 within the About VarioUltra dialog to navigate through the information that is presented there.
Scroll down and confirm with OK to exit. In virtually every other area of the product, entering command B9+B2B6 will display context sensitive help for the menu item, application, or dialog box that you are interested in learning more about. Use display keys D2 and D5 to navigate through the context sensitive help messages. Scroll down and confirm with OK to exit.
1.11 Updating VarioUltra. From time to time, new VarioUltra software updates will become available for download from the BAUM USA web site,. Update files are provided in the form of a zip archive file. Note: 1) Do not unzip the update or upgrade file. Doing so could cause the update or upgrade process to fail. 2) If you use the Safari web browser on a Mac computer and plan to use it to download the update file, be sure and first uncheck the box for ‘ Open “safe” files after downloading’.
If the box is left checked, the update file will be automatically unzipped after downloading and will not work with VarioUltra. 3) From within Safari, go to Preferences General, and uncheck the box for this feature until after the VarioUltra update zip file has been downloaded. 4) In the unlikely event that you own a VarioUltra that is running software version 1.0, please do not attempt to update VarioUltra without first contacting BAUM USA technical support. The update process is different for v1.0 than it is for newer software versions. 5) If your VarioUltra is running software version 1.1 or newer, there are two approaches to copying the file to VarioUltra. The first is by connecting via USB to a Windows computer; the second is with a USB stick. Instructions for both options follow in sections 1.11.1 and 1.11.2.
New. with v1.4: Some aspects of the update process have changed. The traditional approach is to copy the update zip archive file to the Flashdisk storage of VarioUltra, and then with the unit connected to power, press D3D6B7B8 simultaneously to start the update. When you choose to update the traditional way, all individual settings such as Bluetooth pairing and channel assignments are erased. Profiles for the default US English Contracted Braille and the newly supported UEB are installed.
As a new alternative, if update via menu Settings System Software Update, your user settings and Bluetooth pairing information remain. To benefit from the new UEB and US English Contracted Braille profiles, you must do the following after installation: Go to menu Settings System Reset Device, and check the checkbox (CHK) 'Reset User Settings to Default', then select CONFIRM to reset and restart the device. 1.12 Update via Windows PC. This section provides instructions for copying the update or upgrade file to VarioUltra via a USB connection with a Windows PC.
1) Download the update zip file to your Windows PC. Locate the downloaded file and copy it to the clipboard with the copy command you are most comfortable with.
2) Use the BAUM-supplied USB cable to connect VarioUltra to your PC. VarioUltra will be recognized as a Portable Device; in most cases, it will appear under your computer in Windows Explorer as a portable device called “VarioUltra”. 3) Navigate to VarioUltra in Windows Explorer and enter it to find VarioUltra Storage; this is the location where you can paste or otherwise copy the zip update or upgrade file to.
4) Once the zip file has been copied to VarioUltra, you are ready to start the update process. 5) VarioUltra must be connected to a power source during the update process, so either leave it connected via USB to your PC, or connect it to another power source. 6) Start the upgrade process by simultaneously pressing braille keys B7 and B8, and display buttons D3 and D6. The update process will commence. First a row of dots 7 and 8, then a group of 5 braille characters that move from left to right, and then finally VarioUltra will restart and be ready to use. 1.13 Update via USB Stick. This section provides instructions for copying a VarioUltra update or upgrade file to VarioUltra via USB Stick, and then performing the update process.
If you use a Windows computer, download the update zip file to your Windows PC. Locate the downloaded file and copy it to a USB stick. While it’s not mandatory, copying the update or upgrade file to a blank USB stick may make it easier later in this process. If you use a Mac computer and use the Safari web browser, be sure and first uncheck the box for ‘ Open “safe” files after downloading’. If the box is left checked, the update file will be automatically unzipped after downloading and will not work with VarioUltra.
From within Safari, go to Preferences General, and uncheck the box for this feature until after the VarioUltra update zip file has been downloaded. Locate the downloaded file and copy it to a USB stick. With your VarioUltra switched on and in Braille Notetaker mode, connect the USB stick that contains the update or upgrade file.
Open the File Manager application from within the Main Menu. Use the Navistick to navigate down to the entry called “Stick”.
This is the USB stick that you inserted a moment ago. Navistick right to open the stick and search for the VarioUltra update file. Once you find the file, highlight it by pressing the right thumb key, B0.
You will know the file is highlighted because dot 8 will be added to each character of the file name. With the file name highlighted, copy it using global command B9 + C + B8 (B9 + B1B4B8), or use the copy command inside the Edit menu. The braille display will announce that one item is prepared. Now Navistick left to exit the stick, and then navigate back up to Flashdisk. With Flashdisk displayed, navigate right to enter the Flashdisk. This is the root folder where the file needs to be copied to. Paste the update or upgrade file to this location using global command B9 + V + B8 (B9 + B12368), or use the paste command inside the Edit menu.
The first cell on the braille display will flash during this time. Once the file is pasted to the Flashdisk, VarioUltra is ready to be updated. Since VarioUltra must be connected to a power source during the update process, either connect it via USB to a computer or to an electrical outlet. Start the upgrade by simultaneously pressing braille keys B7 B8, and display buttons D3 D6.
If you correctly press these keys together, the update process will commence. First a row of dots 7 and 8, then a group of 5 braille characters that move from left to right, and then finally VarioUltra will restart and be ready to use. The VarioUltra update process allows the installation of different components, which are part of the update package. The routine checks which components are already present on the device, and installs only those items that are new. Different progress bars will appear on the braille display during installation steps. Installation typically takes less than 2 minutes.
1.14 Update via Settings System Update. New with VarioUltra version 1.33, the Update feature under menu item Settings System Update allows you to start the update process from within the menu, instead of using the command B7B8D3D6. Here is how it works:. Copy a VarioUltra update file or upgrade file to VarioUltra using the instructions covered in previous sections, 1.11 through 1.13. Navigate to VarioUltra menu Settings System.
The first option in the list is Update. In the Update dialog, you get a list “Update Files”, where the names of the update zip files are shown, followed by a series of numbers. If there is one update file, the numbers will say “1/1”, which stands for file one of one.
If you had two update files, you might see “1/2” or “2/2” for one of two and two of two respectively. If more than one file name is shown, move Navistick right or left and select the desired update file. Move down and confirm the “details” button with thumb key B9, or press in on the Navistick.
A dialog opens and you are in a multi-line text box “description”. Here you get information about the changes or new features.
Use D4D6 to leave this multi-line text box and reach the other controls. With the other controls, you can define if your individual user settings shall remain. Confirm the button “Prepare Selected” to start the update process. First, the zip file is unzipped, and then checked. Both are accompanied by progress information. In case the zip file is damaged, the process stops. If all went well, you get a status message “ready to install”.
Confirm the “update now” button with thumb key B9, or press in on the Navistick. During the installation, you get different progress information. When everything is complete, VarioUltra reboots with the new software version. Remember to connect VarioUltra to power during the update process; it will not work otherwise. Chapter 2: Braille Display Mode 2.1 Introduction to Braille Display Mode. VarioUltra is a very smart braille display. Unlike other braille devices that limit you to one single connection via Bluetooth or USB, VarioUltra lets you connect simultaneously with up to 5 different devices.
VarioUltra was the first braille device in the world to offer multiple device connectivity. Connecting VarioUltra and up to 5 different devices is possible using 1 x USB and 4 x channels of Bluetooth. Once paired and/or connected, you can switch instantly between devices by pressing and holding down S2, and then tapping a corresponding braille key that is assigned to the device in question.
This command instructs the braille display to show information from the chosen device. New. with v1.4: this command can now wake up a paired iOS or Android device, so long as it is in standby mode, and in range of your VarioUltra.
For example: 1) S2 plus B1 selects the USB device 2) S2 plus B4 selects Bluetooth channel 1 (bt1) 3) S2 plus B5 selects Bluetooth channel 2 (bt2) 4) S2 plus B6 selects Bluetooth channel 3 (bt3) 5) S2 plus B8 selects Bluetooth channel 4 (bt4) When toggling between channels, remember to release all buttons after entering a command. If you don’t let go of S2 between selections, it’s likely that nothing will happen.
Additional Commands in Braille Display Mode:. S2+B9 (left thumb key): presents a hint message with battery status, time and date. Press the routing button above the first cell to freeze the message. Press any other routing key to clear the message. S2+B2 switches off Bluetooth. S2+B3 opens a list and presents which device is paired and connected to the available Bluetooth channels. Move left and right to get the information.
VarioUltra presents the channel and the name of the device. If the name is in parenthesis, it means that the device is paired and assigned to this channel, but not in range and therefore not connected. 2.2 Using VarioUltra as a USB Braille Display.
With Device Mode set to braille display, insert the micro USB cable into the micro USB port on VarioUltra, and the other end into the USB port of your computer. Here are some screen reader specific instructions. 2.2.1 VarioUltra with JAWS (USB). An updated JAWS driver version 15.52 is available for VarioUltra. This and other JAWS drivers are available for download from the BAUM USA web site at If you do not install the JAWS VarioUltra driver, you will not find VarioUltra listed among supported braille displays, and it will not work with JAWS. To use VarioUltra with JAWS using a USB connection: 1) Install the VarioUltra driver for JAWS. 2) Connect the USB cable to the micro USB port of VarioUltra, and to the standard USB port of your Windows computer.
3) Switch on VarioUltra if you have not already done so. Your computer may acknowledge that a new device has been connected. 4) Open the JAWS menu and go to menu Options Braille. A dialog window appears labeled Braille Basic Settings. 5) Enter ALT+B to select Add Braille Display. You can also tab through the buttons to find and select it.
6) A new Select Components dialog window appears. Scroll down the long list of supported braille displays to find VarioUltra 20 or VarioUltra 40, or BAUM Universal USB. Press space to check the box for whichever display option you choose, and then press enter to move to the next window. 7) Make sure the output port is set to USB. If you specified more than one braille display you may be prompted with the same question for each display. 8) Next, select your primary device. For our example, we will pick VarioUltra 40.
Then select the Finish button. 9) Restart JAWS if prompted to do so. VarioUltra should start working immediately. 2.2.2 VarioUltra with Mac OS & VoiceOver (USB). VarioUltra works great with Mac computers via Bluetooth. If you have a Mac computer running macOS Sierra, you can also connect to your Mac via USB.
If your Mac computer has macOS Sierra installed, and there are no other braille displays installed, the simple act of switching on VoiceOver, and then connecting VarioUltra is all that is required. It just works. If you have multiple braille displays connected to your Mac, go to the VoiceOver Utility that is available under System Preferences Accessibility VoiceOver, and select the Braille option from the list. From there select Displays and make sure VarioUltra is set as the primary braille display. It should now work. Note: If your Mac is running an older operating system such as OSX El Capitan, it is only possible to use VarioUltra over a Bluetooth connection. 2.2.3 VarioUltra with Window-Eyes.
According to an announcement from GW Micro (AI Squared/VFO Group), the Window-Eyes screen reader is no longer available. Existing users of Window-Eyes are being offered JAWS 18 as a replacement.
For complete details, refer to. Using Window-Eyes with VarioUltra over a USB connection is supported. If you wish to connect via Bluetooth, it is necessary to set VarioUltra’s Bluetooth Emulation mode to VarioConnect. For VarioUltra to work optimally with Window-Eyes, first download and install the VarioUltra driver for Window-Eyes prior to use. A link to the download can be found on the BAUM USA web site at. Save the file to your computer and run the executable to install.
Connecting via USB: 1) Connect VarioUltra to your Windows computer using the supplied USB cable. 2) Open the Device Braille Display menu within Window-Eyes and select VarioUltra from the list. 3) Select USB as the connection type. Connecting via Bluetooth: 1) You will have already changed the Bluetooth Emulation mode to VarioConnect, and successfully paired your VarioUltra with your Windows computer. 2) Open the Bluetooth device manager on your Windows computer. You should see VarioConnect in the list of paired devices.
3) Tab or arrow over to VarioConnect and open the Properties dialog to confirm that one of the four serial channels is active. Save and confirm these settings. 4) Open the Properties again and confirm which channel number is being used for the output port of VarioConnect. 5) In Window-Eyes, open Device Braille Display and select BAUM VarioConnect 24/32/40 from the list. 6) Select the serial output Bluetooth port using the output port number confirmed in step 4. 7) Press the Activate button and confirm the message. 2.2.4 VarioUltra with NVDA.
![Itech bluetooth watch Itech bluetooth watch](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125451486/245478261.jpg)
NVDA introduced Bluetooth support for VarioUltra with NVDA 2015.4, and USB support with 2016.1. Unlike previous versions of NVDA, the newer 2015.4 and 2016.1 releases do not require any changes to the serial port. Configuration is now automatic. From the NVDA menu, choose Preferences Braille. In the Braille Display combo box, choose “BAUM/ Humanware/APH Braille Displays” and press Enter. 2.2.5 VarioUltra with Dolphin SuperNova. Dolphin released support for VarioUltra in March 2016.
At a minimum, you need to be running version 15.03 of Dolphin Screen Reader or Dolphin SuperNova Magnifier and Screen Reader. 1) With your Dolphin software running, connect VarioUltra to your computer using the supplied USB cable. 2) VarioUltra is detected automatically. 2.3 Bluetooth: Pairing and Connecting, Defined We often encounter customers who use the terms pairing and connecting, believing them to mean the same thing. They are different, and it’s important to understand why. 1) When you first get a VarioUltra, it is neither paired or connected with your devices.
2) Pairing is the process of introducing VarioUltra to your device (smartphone, computer, etc.), and vice versa. This process is required so that Bluetooth devices grant permission to each other to connect. 3) Connecting is the process of taking two paired devices – e.g. VarioUltra and your smartphone – and connecting over Bluetooth. It is not possible to connect via Bluetooth with a device that has not been paired. Once pairing and connected have been done, you can think of it this way: 1) When VarioUltra and your device are in range, they are paired and connected. 2) If you take your device and walk away from VarioUltra, the connection will eventually brake.
In this situation, you are paired but not connected. 3) When your device is once again in range of VarioUltra, it should connect again automatically, so long as VarioUltra is switched on. 2.4 Is Bluetooth Off or On? Bluetooth is off by default when switching on VarioUltra for the first time. Additionally, if you switch off VarioUltra or put it in to suspend mode, Bluetooth will be turned off.
With VarioUltra v1.33 and older versions of VarioUltra software, switching off the device results in Bluetooth being switched off. Bluetooth remains off until you switch it on again, which can be achieved in Braille Display mode by simply selecting a Bluetooth channel (S2+B4, for example), and in Braille Notetaker mode by checking the box in Settings Bluetooth. New. with v1.4: When Enable Bluetooth Automatically is checked, Bluetooth will always be switched on when you start VarioUltra.
This is especially helpful on those occasions when your VarioUltra may have entered suspend mode because of inactivity. This new feature can be enabled in menu item Settings Braille Display Mode. Refer to section 10.9.2 for additional information. 2.5 Using VarioUltra as a Bluetooth Braille Display. VarioUltra can be used via Bluetooth with a variety of different devices.
Out of the box, VarioUltra works with: 1) Most Bluetooth equipped Windows computers. 2) Any Mac computer that runs on Max OSX Yosemite or newer. MacOS Sierra is the current version. 3) An iPhone or iPad running iOS 8.3 or newer. If you’re using older technology, or an Android device, you may need to use the Bluetooth Emulation option in VarioUltra, which disguises VarioUltra as an older BAUM braille display or notetaker. There are three emulation modes for Bluetooth: 1) VarioUltra: this is the default mode, and works when connecting via Bluetooth to a Windows computer when using COBRA, JAWS, or NVDA, with a Mac computer running OSX Yosemite or El Capitan, and with iOS devices running iOS 8.3 or newer. 2) VarioConnect: use when connecting to an Android device.
3) Pronto: use when connecting to an iOS device with iOS 7 or iOS 8, or when connecting via Bluetooth with a Windows computer for use with the Window-Eyes screen reading software. It is only possible to select one emulation mode for all connections. This means that if you use emulation mode “VarioUltra” to connect via Bluetooth to a computer, you would not then be able to connect via Bluetooth to another device that requires Pronto or VarioConnect emulation.
Here are the steps needed to change the VarioUltra emulation setting: 1) From the VarioUltra main menu, go to Settings Braille Display Mode. 2) From the horizontal list of three options that now appears, use the Navistick to move left or right to select the desired emulation mode. When the display shows the desired emulation, tap the left thumb key B9 to confirm and exit back to the Settings menu. If you use older technology, or an Android device, pairing must always be initiated from VarioUltra. 2.5.1 Connecting with a Paired Bluetooth Device / Wake up an iOS/Android device from Standby There is a required order of things when connecting a paired Bluetooth device. If your iPhone is on and your VarioUltra is off, switching on VarioUltra will not result in a connection. If VarioUltra is on, your iPhone is on, but Bluetooth on your iPhone is off, you will not connect successfully either.
If you want a stress-free experience, follow these quick tips: 1) Switch on VarioUltra and make sure Bluetooth is on. You can confirm it’s on by selecting any Bluetooth channel with S2 + B4, B5, B6, or B8. 2) Switch on your other device. Connection should happen almost instantly. Special note for iPhone or iPad VoiceOver users: 1) Make sure VarioUltra is switched on; make sure Bluetooth is switched on.
2) Make sure VoiceOver is switched on and your iPhone or iPad is at the locked screen. 3) Unlock your iOS device. At this point, VoiceOver will scan for paired Bluetooth devices in range and connect with this. This should happen in 5-8 seconds. When a device connects via Bluetooth, VarioUltra vibrates to indicate which Bluetooth channel is connected. For example, one vibration for channel 1, two vibrations for channel 2, etc.
New. with v1.4: you can now wake up an iOS or Android device from VarioUltra. If the iOS or Android device is in standby mode and within range, from within Braille Display mode on VarioUltra, press the keys to select the assigned Bluetooth channel (S2) and wait 5-8 seconds for your device to be wake up. Requirements: 1) The Bluetooth pairing was initiated by the iOS or Android device. 2) The pairing was performed with VarioUltra emulation in the default mode, which is VarioUltra. If you have never changed the emulation mode, you should not need to worry about this step.
3) The iOS or Android device is assigned to a Bluetooth channel on VarioUltra. 4) The iOS or Android device is in standby mode, and in range. 2.5.2 VarioUltra with Windows PC (Bluetooth). Pairing and connecting VarioUltra via Bluetooth with a Windows computer may vary by PC manufacturer and/or the version of Windows you are using.
These instructions are based on our experience using Windows 10 Home Edition with VarioUltra version 1.33. A new feature with VarioUltra version 1.33 is the ability to initiate pairing from the PC, which is exactly what we describe below.
In VarioUltra Braille Notetaker, enter command B9+D1 to switch to Computer Braille. Make sure that Bluetooth on both the computer and VarioUltra is set to the on position. On VarioUltra, go to Settings Bluetooth and confirm that the checkbox is on.
On the PC, go to Settings Devices Bluetooth, and make sure that Bluetooth is on. Leave VarioUltra in the Bluetooth settings. After a brief period, your PC should discover VarioUltra and display its name and Bluetooth identifier. For example, our VarioUltra appears as “VarioUltra 40 E”. The words “Ready to Pair” appear directly beneath. Select the VarioUltra from this list and a button with the word “Pair” appears. Select this button and your PC will prompt you to enter the pairing code, which is 1111.
Enter this code and then press enter. VarioUltra will prompt you to accept the pairing from the windows computer.
Using Navistick, move down a line, and type 1111 using the B2 key for #1, and then press B9 to confirm. A confirmation message on your PC will confirm that VarioUltra is now connected. You are now ready to use VarioUltra as a braille display with your screen reading software. 2.5.3 Bluetooth COM Ports for use with JAWS. If you plan to use VarioUltra with a screen reader such as JAWS, you will need to know the outgoing COM port range during braille display selection and setup. From the Settings Devices Bluetooth location on your computer, find and select the More Bluetooth Options. This will open a Bluetooth Settings dialog with three tabs: Options, COM Ports, and Hardware.
Switch to the COM Ports tab, and you should find a list of eight COM ports: four incoming and four outgoing. Make a note of the outgoing COM ports as you will need to specify one of them during the initial braille display setup in JAWS. Instructions for setting up VarioUltra as a Bluetooth braille display with JAWS follow immediately below. 2.5.4 VarioUltra with JAWS (Bluetooth). You should first download and install the JAWS VarioUltra driver, which is available on the BAUM (USA) web site:. If you don’t install the driver, you will not find VarioUltra listed among supported braille displays, and it will not work with JAWS.
To use VarioUltra with JAWS using a Bluetooth connection: 1) Install the VarioUltra driver for JAWS on your computer, and restart JAWS. 2) Open the JAWS menu and go to menu Options Braille. A dialog window appears labeled Braille Basic Settings.
3) Enter ALT+B to select Add Braille Display. You can also tab through the buttons to find and select it.
4) A new Select Components dialog window appears. Scroll down the long list of supported braille displays to find VarioUltra 20 or VarioUltra 40. Press space to check the box at whichever display option you choose, and then press enter to move to the next window. 5) Remember the steps covered in the previous section 2.3.2 to confirm outgoing COM port numbers? This is where you need to remember which ports are outgoing, and select any one of them from the list displayed in JAWS.
Press enter to confirm your choice. 6) Next, select your primary device. For our example, we will pick VarioUltra 40. Then select the Finish button. 7) Restart JAWS if prompted to do so. VarioUltra should start working immediately when you restart JAWS.
From our experience, we find that setting Braille Mode to Structured, and checking the box to Auto Detect Braille Display Using Bluetooth are worth doing. You can find both settings under JAWS Settings Center Braille General. 2.5.5 VarioUltra v1.33 with an iOS Device (Bluetooth). For this section, we are using an iPhone 6 with iOS 9.3.2 along with a VarioUltra 40 with version 1.33 software. Although VarioUltra can be paired with iOS devices running iOS 7 or later through iOS 8.2, doing so requires you to change the Bluetooth emulation to VarioConnect or Pronto. The iOS 8.3 and newer versions include support for VarioUltra, which means the Bluetooth emulation mode can be left in the default setting.
If applicable, refer to section 2.3 for instructions on changing the emulation mode to use with iOS devices running version 7 through 8.2. New for VarioUltra version 1.33 is the ability to initiate pairing from your iOS device. Here are the steps you need to follow: 1) In VarioUltra Braille Notetaker, enter command B9+D1 to switch to Computer Braille.
2) Next, go to Settings Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is off, switch it on now.
![Driver Driver](https://promocrunch.promo/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/microphone-usb-flash-drive.jpg)
Do not exit from Bluetooth settings. 3) On your iOS device, go to VoiceOver Braille settings. Swipe down to the “Choose a Braille Display and find VarioUltra. Once found, double tap on VarioUltra to initiate pairing. Enter the pin code 1111 when prompted to do so by your iOS device.
4) VarioUltra will prompt you to accept the pairing from the iOS device. 2.5.5.1 VarioUltra v1.4 with an iO.