Humanware Brailliant BI 20X

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Summary

Setting up Brailliant using JAWS 18-20

Setting up Brailliant using JAWS 2021 and above

Activate USB connection with your screen reader

Activate Bluetooth connection with your Screen reader

JAWS Command Summary

Writing with your Brailliant Braille Keyboard

Details on using the Brailliant Braille keyboard for typing with various braille tables and JAWS settings.

Basic Commands Overview

Covers command keys, braille navigation, Windows commands, and navigation commands for the Brailliant device.

PC Keyboard Emulation

Explains how to use the Brailliant keyboard to emulate PC keyboard functions, including modifier and function keys.

Summary

Setting up Brailliant using JAWS 18-20

Setting up Brailliant using JAWS 2021 and above

Activate USB connection with your screen reader

Activate Bluetooth connection with your Screen reader

JAWS Command Summary

Writing with your Brailliant Braille Keyboard

Details on using the Brailliant Braille keyboard for typing with various braille tables and JAWS settings.

Basic Commands Overview

Covers command keys, braille navigation, Windows commands, and navigation commands for the Brailliant device.

PC Keyboard Emulation

Explains how to use the Brailliant keyboard to emulate PC keyboard functions, including modifier and function keys.

The Brailliant BI X Series is a refreshable braille display designed to control JAWS screen reader software, enabling users to read, write, and navigate in a braille environment on a Windows PC. It offers flexible connectivity options, supporting up to five simultaneous Bluetooth connections and one USB connection. This document outlines the setup process for the Brailliant BI X series with JAWS versions 18 and later, along with useful braille shortcuts.

Function Description:

The Brailliant BI X Series serves as a tactile interface for the JAWS screen reader, translating on-screen text into braille characters on its display. This allows visually impaired users to interact with their computer in a braille-centric manner, enhancing accessibility and productivity. The device supports various braille tables, including computer Braille, US Grade 2 Braille, Unified English Braille, uncontracted, and contracted braille, which can be configured in the JAWS braille settings. Beyond displaying braille, the Brailliant BI X features a braille keyboard that allows users to type text directly into PC applications and simulate PC keyboard commands. This dual functionality makes it a comprehensive tool for braille users.

Important Technical Specifications:

The Brailliant BI X series requires JAWS version 18 or later to function. For JAWS versions 18-20, specific drivers for the Brailliant BI X series must be installed. These drivers can be downloaded from the HumanWare support page or via a provided link, and the installation process involves running an executable file ("Braille_terminal_drivers") and following an InstallShield Wizard. During installation, users must select "Install drivers for JAWS 18 or later," confirm any User Account Control prompts, and choose "HumanWare Brailliant BI 40X or BI 20X" as the device to install. For JAWS 2021 and above, the Brailliant BI X Series driver is pre-installed, but JAWS must be configured to use the display. This involves navigating to the JAWS window, opening the Braille options, adding the Braille display, selecting the HumanWare Brailliant BI X display, and restarting JAWS.

The device offers two primary connection types:

USB: A type C USB cable is used to connect the Brailliant to the computer. The USB C port is located on the left edge of the Brailliant.
Bluetooth: The Brailliant BI X can be paired wirelessly with a laptop or desktop computer. The pairing process involves setting the Brailliant to be discoverable by pressing 'T' for Terminal from the main menu, then 'Enter', followed by 'A' to add a Bluetooth device, and 'Enter' again. The device will then broadcast its name (e.g., "HumanWare Brailliant BI 20X or 40X" followed by its serial number) for 5 minutes, allowing the computer to detect and pair with it through its Bluetooth Manager settings.

Usage Features:

The Brailliant BI X provides extensive control over JAWS through its braille keyboard and command keys. The six command keys (Dots 1-2-3 on the left and Dots 4-5-6 on the right) are integral to executing commands. For example, pressing command keys 2-3-4-5 simulates the braille letter 'T'.

Braille Navigation:

Prior line: Outer Left Thumb (Previous)
Pan Braille left: Inner Left Thumb Key (Left)
Pan Braille right: Inner Right Thumb Key Right
Next line: Outer Right Thumb Key (Next)
Routing cursors: Route Braille to the position of the active cursor
Active follows Braille: Outer Left Thumb Key Up + Outer Right Thumb Key Down
Braille follows active: Inner Left Thumb Key (Left) + Inner Right Thumb Key (Right)

Windows Commands:

Start Menu: Space with Dots 3-4
Menu Bar: Space with M
Application key: Space with M and Dot 7
Minimize All Apps: C1 + C4 + C5
Enter: Dot 8
Backspace: Dot 7
Escape: Space with E
Alt-Tab: Space with T
Caps lock toggle: Space with Dot 7
Open list or combo box: Space with Dots 1-3-5
Close list or combo box: Space with Dots 2-4-6

Navigation Commands:

Up Arrow: Space with Dot 1
Down Arrow: Space with Dot 4
Left Arrow: Space with Dot 3
Right Arrow: Space with Dot 6
Home: Space with Dots 2-3
End: Space with Dots 5-6
Page-Up: Space with Dots 1-2
Page-Down: Space with Dots 4-5
Tab: Space with Dots 4-6
Shift-Tab: Space with K

Reading Commands:

Say character: C3 + C6
Say prior line: C1
Say line: C1 + C4
Say next line: C3
Say word: C2 + C5
Say previous word: C2
Say next Word: C5
Say all: C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 + C5 +C6
Toggle speech on and off: C1 + C3 + C6
Select a voice profile: C1 + C2 + C3 + C6

Cursor Commands:

Toggle between the JAWS and PC Cursor: C4
Route JAWS cursor to PC: C2 + C4
Route Braille to active cursor: C6

Braille Commands:

Braille toggle mode (Line, Structured, Speech History, Attribute): Space with Dots 2-5
Start Braille Auto Advance: C1 + C2 + C3 + C5
Increase Braille Auto Advance Speed: C3 + C4 + C5
Decrease Braille Auto Advance Speed: C1+C2 + C6
Change contracted Braille setting: C1 + C2 + C4 + C5
Contracted Braille toggle in JAWS: Space with G
Expand current Grade 2 word: C2 + C4 + C5 + C6
Adjust JAWS options: C1 + C3 + C5
Toggle between 6 and 8 dots: C2 + C3 + C5
Adjust Braille verbosity: C1 + C2

Information Commands:

Keyboard Help: C1 + C2 + C5
List task tray icons: C2 + C3 + C5 + C6
Hotkey Help: C3 + C5 + C6
JAWS window: C2 + C4 + C5
Start JAWS task list: C2 + C3 + C4
Say title of the active window: C2 + C3 + C4 + C5
Say system time: C1 + C3 + C5 + C6

Edit Commands:

Cut to clipboard: Space with X
Copy to clipboard: Space with C
Paste from clipboard: Space with V

Web Browsing Commands:

Go back: C1+C2 + C3 + C5 + C6
Go forward: C2 + C3 + C4 + C5 + C6
List links on a webpage: C3 + C4 + C6
List frames on a webpage: C1 + C2 + C4
List headings on a webpage: C2 + C3 + C6

PC Keyboard Emulation for Brailliant:

The Brailliant's keyboard can emulate PC keyboard keystrokes, including modifier keys (CTRL, ALT, WINDOWS Key, SHIFT, JAWS Key, INSERT key) and function keys (F1-F12). To use a modifier key, the user presses and holds SPACE with DOT 8, followed by the corresponding modifier key's braille representation. For example, SHIFT is SPACE with DOTS 7-8, CTRL is SPACE with DOTS 3-8, ALT is SPACE with DOTS 2-8, WINDOWS Key is SPACE with DOTS 1-8, Function Keys are SPACE with DOTS 4-8, JAWS Key is SPACE with DOTS 5-8, and INSERT Key is SPACE with DOTS 6-8. After entering the modifier, the user releases the keys and then presses the remaining portion of the keystroke. For function keys, SPACE with DOTS 4-8 is followed by letters A through L (representing F1-F12). For example, F7 is SPACE with DOTS 4-8 followed by G (DOTS 1-2-4-5).

Maintenance Features:

The document does not explicitly detail maintenance features. However, it provides troubleshooting advice for connection issues: if a USB or Bluetooth connection is unsuccessful, restarting JAWS and the PC is recommended. For Bluetooth connections, ensuring proximity to the computer is advised to avoid signal loss. The device also includes a "reconnect devices" option within the menu of the connected device to address Bluetooth connection issues, which can disconnect and reconnect active Bluetooth connections. Users can define their own commands in the JAWS keyboard manager, accessible in the utility submenu of JAWS, allowing for customization and adaptation to individual needs.