Eye-Pal Ace Plus Version 2.0 User Manual ABiSee, Inc. 30 Sudbury Rd., Unit 1B Acton, MA 01720 www.abisee.
Table of Contents Introduction 4 What's in the Box 4 The Basics 4 Reading/Zoom Cameras 4 Object Lighting 5 Speakers 5 Position 5 Buttons, Controls, Connections 5 Power and Battery 9 Power Button 9 Power Indicator Light 9 Power Up 9 Standby Mode 9 Power Down 9 Checking the Battery Charge Status 10 Charging the Battery 10 Battery Replacement 10 Internet Connection 10 How to Register the Device and Obtain an Email Account 11 How to Add a Network to your Device 12 How to Enter Passwords and Characters 13 How to
Email 23 Zoom 26 Calendar/Reminders 26 Photo Album 28 Clock/Alarm Clock 29 Settings 29 Address Book 30 Help 31 WARRANTY 32 Appendix A: Safety Rules 33 Appendix B.
Introduction Congratulations on choosing the Eye-Pal Ace Plus device. ABiSee’s Eye-Pal Ace Plus (hereafter referred to as the Ace Plus) is a portable electronic text-to-speech device. It is compatible with select refreshable Braille displays, allowing nearly instant conversion of text to Braille. The Ace Plus can be used to send and receive emails, and to download and read Bookshare books and NFB Newsline publications.
Object Lighting Both cameras automatically provide sufficient lighting when taking a snapshot. No additional light is needed even in a dark room. Speakers Any material with printed text placed in front of the Ace Plus can be read aloud using the built-in speakers. Alternatively, headphones or a Braille display can be plugged in, or the Reading Mode can be set to Text Mode for those who prefer to read silently.
Top Panel Buttons: Home Button: A large round button located in the middle of the top panel. Press it anytime to get to the Main Menu. Volume knob: Located in the upper right corner of the top panel. Turn it clockwise to increase the volume or counterclockwise to decrease the volume. Daisy Buttons: Located on the left side of the top panel. The Daisy Buttons have a total of five buttons: four arrow buttons and one round button centered between them.
Right Roller: Located at the front right shoulder of the device. Scroll it up or down to go through menu options. In reading mode, use the Right Roller to scroll up or down to go to the previous or next line. When using a Network Account or Adding a Network, use the Right Roller to scroll through letter and character choices. Left Roller: Located at the front left shoulder of the device. Scroll it up to increase font size or down to decrease it.
Side Connections/Power Button On the left side, toward the bottom and back, there is a set of ports aligned vertically. The first one from the bottom is for plugging in the power supply. Just above that is a round power button. Above that is a USB port, and above that is a second USB port. USB ports can be used to plug in a USB flash drive, a refreshable Braille display, or a keyboard for input of data in the NFB Newsline, Bookshare and Address Book applications.
Power and Battery Power Button The Power Button is located on the left side of the device toward the back near the bottom, just above a small round port for the power supply. Power Indicator Light The Power indicator light is located above the Power Button. The light glows steady green when the device is on; the light blinks when the device is in standby mode; the light is off when the device is turned off.
Then scroll to and select System Settings. Finally, scroll to and select Shut Down. Checking the Battery Charge Status To quickly check the battery status, press the round Center Daisy Button. An announcement will tell which menu screen you are in, the battery status and whether or not you are connected to a Network. The battery status is also given in the Settings sub-menu under Status. To get to the Status menu from the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings. Then scroll to and select Status.
this manual), PLUS Internet connectivity. A person can opt out of using Internet functions by starting from the Main Menu, scrolling to and selecting Network Accounts, and then selecting “Disable Networking Features.” Internet functions available on the Ace Plus include: Ability to download books from Bookshare Ability to download publications from NFB Newsline Ability to send and receive emails and attachments To use Internet functions on the Ace Plus, you need access to an available WiFi network.
Enter the contact name for this device. Enter phone number for the contact name. Select your relationship to the device user. Press Create Account button. Enter the username you would like to have for the abisee.org email account on this device. Step Two: Turn on the device. From the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings. Next, scroll to and select System Settings. Then, scroll to and select Device Registration. The device will announce/show, “No registration information available.
How to Enter Passwords and Characters When using Internet functions, you will be able to enter characters to spell out Bookshare book titles you want to search for, and enter characters to add names, email addresses and phone numbers to your Address Book. When signing on to your Bookshare Account, your NFB Newsline account, or some Wireless Network Accounts, you will need to enter a password.
Bookshare Email Zoom Calendar (Includes a reminder function) Photo Album Clock (Includes an alarm function) Settings Address Book Help Scan and Read This application enables you to read printed text like letters, books, portions of food packages and medicine labels, including fine print. The Ace Plus reads printed text aloud (unless a Braille display is in use), and displays magnified text on the screen. Scanned material can be saved.
when desired. Position your document as described above. Press the Scan Button once – you will hear a shutter sound. The Ace Plus will start reading the text almost immediately after that. Do not press any other buttons when doing the Scan and Read operation, as it will interrupt the scanning/reading process.
select Reading Speed. Next, scroll between the speed values from 1 (the slowest) to 10 (the fastest). Stop at your preferred speed and set it with the Action Button. Voice/Language: To adjust the setting for your preferred reading voice or language, from the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings. Then, scroll to and select General Settings. Next, scroll to and select Reading Voice.* Next, scroll through available language/voice combinations and select your preference.
magnification with the Left Roller. If you have previously changed the settings in the Settings menu for the Left Roller to control Reading Speed, you will need to switch this back if you want to use the Left Roller for font magnification. Generic Scan and Read Settings Generic Scan and Read settings apply to both reading modes. Font, Font Size, Contrast: To adjust the setting for your preferred font, font size or contrast, begin at the Main Menu.
If you would like to convert the documents or books you are saving to txt format that can be edited on a computer, or if you would like to convert saved material to an MP3 file so you can listen to the file on different player, save your material to a USB flash drive. Please note: To use a USB flash drive to save or retrieve documents, power up the device and wait until you hear “Main Menu. Scan and Read,” before inserting the flash drive into the device’s USB port.
Saving a Multi-page Document or Book When saving lengthy material, you may want to keep your device connected to a power outlet to make sure your battery doesn’t run low mid-stream. To start saving a multi-page document or book, select Document Management from the Main Menu. Next, select Management, and then select Save. Scroll to the “Save Book” option and select it. You will hear, “Press Action Button to Record.
Book Navigation While reading a saved book, use the same method for navigating through text that was explained above in the Scan and Read Section, with these exceptions: Press the Down arrow to go to the next page. You will hear, for example: “Opening page three of three.” Press the Up arrow to go to the previous page. You will hear, for example: “Opening page two of three.” Deleting a Document To delete a previously saved document or book, from the Main Menu, scroll to and select Document Management.
Before downloading publications, you will need to sign on to NFB Newsline account with your NFB Newsline username and password. To do this, start from the Main Menu, scroll to and select Settings, and then select System Settings. Next, scroll to and select Network Accounts, and then scroll to and select NFB Newsline. Enter your username and password using the entry method described above under “Internet options.
From the Main Menu, scroll to and select NFB Newsline. Scroll past “Manage Publications,” to the list of your previously downloaded issues. When you come to the issue you want, press the Action Button. Your choice will be displayed on the screen, and will begin reading it aloud. If you prefer to just read it on the screen, set the Reading Mode in General Settings to Text Mode before opening the publication. To Delete a downloaded publication From the Main Menu, scroll to and select NFB Newsline.
To Download Books: From the Main Menu, scroll to and select Bookshare. Next, select “Manage Books,” and then select “Download More Books.” You will hear “Select search type.” Scroll through the options of Title Search, Author Search, Title/Author Search, Full-text Search, Recently Added Books and Popular Books, pressing the Action Button to choose your search type preference. You will then hear, “Enter search query.
reference, you can add it when prompted after entering a contact’s email address. You may want to enter several contacts you would like to send or receive emails from because your device will only retrieve emails from and send emails to people you have entered in your Address Book. To Use Email Functions: Check your Network Connection by pressing the round Center Daisy Button. An announcement will tell which Menu you are in, the battery status and Network: Connected or Disconnected.
device. However, unless you delete the email, you can continue to open the other attachments by returning to the View Email menu item. Saving an image attachment in the Photo Album or as a document: If you receive an email with an image attachment, you can save the image either in your photo album on the device or (if it is an image of printed material) you can save it as a document. To do this, press the Action Button when you are viewing the image.
To Delete an Email: From the Main Menu, scroll to and select Email. Then scroll to and select Delete e-mail. You will hear the date the email came in, the name of the person who sent it, and the subject. Scroll to and select the email you want to delete. It will ask you to confirm the deletion. If you do not want to delete it, press the Back button. If you do want to delete it confirm with the Action button. Zoom Select Zoom when you need to write a check or magnify any small object such as a hearing aid.
reminders and to add reminders. To use the calendar function, select “Calendar” from the Main Menu. You will hear the current date. (If this date is not correct, it can be changed in the Settings Menu/Systems Settings sub-menu). By selecting the Calendar function, you will come to a sub-menu of the following options: Today Add Reminder One-Time Reminders Daily Reminders All Reminders by Day Details of sub-menu options: Today: Gives current date.
All Reminders By Date: Gives the option to select any specific date and hear/read times of all reminders (both one-time and repeating) for that date. Selecting a time will bring up the option to Listen to Reminder, Delete Reminder or Change Reminder. Photo Album The photo album allows you to load photos or any other JPEG or PNG format image into albums on your device from a USB drive and voice record a name for the album and individual images.
and select the photo that you want to label. The photo options menu will open to “Record Voice Label.” Select it and follow the prompts. To delete a picture, follow the instructions above under Record Voice Label, but rather than selecting “Record Voice Label,” scroll to and select “Delete Photo” instead. You will hear “Are you sure you want to delete this photo?” If you are NOT sure you want to delete it, press the Back Button. If you are sure, press the Action Button, and the photo will be deleted.
General Settings Reading Speed Reading Mode Voice (select male or female voice and language options for Menu and Prompt voice) Reading Voice (select voice and language options for material being read by device) Left Roller Mode Center Daisy Button Mode Font Font Size Contrast Time Format Grade 2 Braille Braille Word Wrap Enable Additional Voice Guidance Time Until Standby Status: Battery Version Model Serial Number Network Connection Status System Settings Customize Main Menu Upgrade Software (When new soft
convenient reference if desired. Help Select the Help option from the Main Menu to hear a detailed description of the Ace Plus functionality and the function of each button. You can interrupt the Help talk by pressing any Button, and the Ace Plus will explain the function of the selected Button. If you press the Home Button, it will bring you to the Main Menu.
WARRANTY TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL ABISEE, INC. PRODUCTS: ABiSee, Inc. warrants to the original purchaser that its products are free from defects in materials and workmanship (with exception of the battery) for two years from the date of purchase. The battery is warrantied against defectiveness for nine months from the date of purchase.
Appendix A: Safety Rules Handle the Ace Plus with care. Rough handling will damage the device. Be especially careful with the screen – do not touch it with sharp objects. When you carry the device outside, use a protective carrying case. If the Ace Plus is not in a standing position, do not place any heavy or sharp objects on the screen surface. Use only the Power Adapter that comes with the Ace Plus.
Appendix B. Troubleshooting When turning on the Ace Plus, make sure no flash drives are plugged into the device. Troubleshooting: Power/battery/connections 1. If the Ace Plus does not respond to any Button: Make sure the battery is charged. If the battery is discharged, connect the power adaptor to charge the battery. If the battery is fully charged, but the device has stopped responding to any Button, turn the device off, then on again. 2.
can also: Try turning the camera light off with the Daisy down arrow, and then rescan the document. The need for the camera light to be turned off usually occurs if you are scanning a glossy document or the device is near a window where very bright sunlight is shining through. The Daisy down arrow will need to be pressed after you have selected the Scan and Read mode with the Action Button. Troubleshooting: Calendar Application 1.
Appendix C: Braille Display Information Part A: Using a refreshable Braille display with the Ace Plus (See Part B of Appendix C for details on supported Braille displays and on which controls on a particular display corresponds to which control on the Ace Plus). Before using your Braille display, if you would like to use Grade 2 Braille, you will need to turn this feature on in General Settings as described below. (By default Grade 2 Braille is set to off).
Part B: Supported Braille Displays and Control Details This section has a picture of each of the supported Braille displays with the buttons labeled. After each diagram, there is a table that lists each control on the Ace Plus in the first column, followed by the corresponding control on the Braille display in the second column.
Table of corresponding controls for the Freedom Scientific Focus 14 Control on Ace Plus: Control on Braille Display. Right Roller Up: Right NAV Rocker Up. Right Roller Down: Right NAV Rocker Down. Left Roller Up: Left NAV Rocker Up. Left Roller Down: Left NAV Rocker Down. Action: Right Mode Button. Back: Left Mode Button. Scan: Right Selector Button. Home: Left Selector Button. Function: Control on Braille Display. Pan Display Left: Left Panning Button.
ALVA BC640 Table of corresponding controls for the ALVA BC640 Control on Ace Plus: Control on Braille Display. Right Roller Up: Smartpad Up or Thumb Key 2. Right Roller Down: Smartpad Down or Thumb Key 3. Left Roller Up: F4 + Smartpad Left. Left Roller Down: F4 + Smartpad Right. Action: Smartpad Right. Back: Smartpad Left. Scan: Center thumb key. Home: F2. Volume Down: F4 + Smartpad Down. Volume Up: F4 + Smartpad Up. Function: Control on Braille Display. Pan Display Left: Thumb Key 1.
APH Refreshabraille 18 Table of corresponding controls for the APH Refreshable 18 Control on Ace Plus: Control on Braille Display. Right Roller Up: Joystick Up or SPACE+1. Right Roller Down: Joystick Down or SPACE+4. Left Roller Up: SPACE+1+2. Left Roller Down: SPACE+4+5. Action: SPACE+8. Back: SPACE+1+5 (E-chord) or SPACE+7. Scan: Joystick Press or SPACE+2+3+4 (Schord). Daisy Center: SPACE+3+4 (ST-chord). Daisy Left: SPACE+3. Daisy Right: SPACE+6. Daisy Up: SPACE+1+2+3 (L-chord).
HIMS Braille Edge 40 Table of corresponding controls for the HIMS Braille Edge 40 Control on Ace Plus: Control on Braille Display. Right Roller Up: Up on either directional pad or SPACE+1. Right Roller Down: Down on either directional pad or SPACE+4. Left Roller Up: SPACE+1+2. Left Roller Down: SPACE+4+5. Action: SPACE+8. Back: SPACE+1+5 (E-chord) or SPACE+7. Scan: SPACE+2+3+4 (S-chord). Daisy Center: SPACE+3+4 (ST-chord). Daisy Left: SPACE+3. Daisy Right: SPACE+6.
Baum SuperVario2 40 / Humanware/PDI Brailliant 40 Table of corresponding controls for the Baum SuperVario2 40 and Humanware/PDI Brailliant 40 Control on Ace Plus: Control on Braille Display. Right Roller Up: 1. Right Roller Down: 4. Left Roller Up: 1+2. Left Roller Down: 4+5. Action: 1+5 (E). Back: 1+3+4+6 (X). Scan: 2+3+4 (S). Daisy Center: 3+4 (ST). Daisy Left: 3. Daisy Right: 6. Daisy Up: 1+2+3 (L). Daisy Down: 4+5+6. Home: 1+2+3+4+5+6 (FOR). Volume Down: 2+3.
Humanware Brailliant bi40 Table of corresponding controls for the Humanware Brailliant bi40 Control on Ace Plus: Control on Braille Display. Right Roller Up: SPACE+1 or Left. Right Roller Down: SPACE+4 or Right. Left Roller Up: SPACE+1+2. Left Roller Down: SPACE+4+5. Action: SPACE+8. Back: SPACE+1+5 (E-chord) or SPACE+7. Scan: SPACE+2+3+4 (S-chord). Daisy Center: SPACE+3+4 (ST-chord). Daisy Left: SPACE+3. Daisy Right: SPACE+6. Daisy Up: SPACE+1+2+3 (L-chord).
Contact ABiSee We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Our business hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST Phone: 1-978-637-2900 or Toll Free in the U.S. at 1-855-354-4080 Fax: 1-253-595-3623 E-mail: Sales: sales@ABiSee.com Tech Support: support@ABiSee.com General Info: info@ABiSee.com Mail: ABiSee, Inc. 30 Sudbury Rd.