Perkins SMART Brailler®
BM44
Please retain these instructions for future reference. These instructions are also available in other formats.
General description
This braille learning aid is based around the popular Perkins Next Generation brailler. As each key is pressed, the Smart Brailler® will announce which braille letter or number has just been written and also display it on the LCD screen. Teachers can see and hear what is being practised and are able to give support during learning. Whether learners are blind, partially sighted or sighted, the Perkins SMART Brailler® is an innovative new way to help learn braille.
Items supplied with the Perkins SMART Brailler
1 x SMART brailler
1 x power cable
Orientation
Place the brailler on the table in front of you with the keys and LCD screen facing towards you.
The Perkins SMART Brailler is designed around the Next Generation Perkins Brailler. It has a screen incorporated into the design, which is set above the standard Perkins keys and is also equipped with speech output.
With the front of the brailler facing towards you, you will notice a switch on the bottom right edge, which is the on/off switch.
On the back edge of the brailler, in the bottom left corner is the power socket. This is where you insert the power cable for charging.
LCD screen
The LCD screen measures approximately 9.5cm (3.75") long x 5.5cm (2.2") wide.
There are four buttons situated to the left of the screen positioned in a vertical line, with the top button smaller than the three below. These buttons are all toggle buttons - the top button toggles the screen on and off, the second button which has one raised ridge on it toggles the font between large print and sim braille, the third button which has two raised ridges toggles between contracted and uncontracted mode, and the fourth button with three ridges toggles the speech settings - i.e. to words, letters, lines, everything or off.
To the left of these four buttons is the speaker grille.
Located to the top right of the screen is a small round button which is the menu button. This button also has a small tactile dot on it.
Below this button, and set slightly to the right are the navigation buttons. These buttons are crescent-shaped, and are set in a circle with a diamond-shaped button in the centre. Starting from twelve o'clock and moving clockwise the buttons are as follows: up, right, down, and left. The diamond-shaped button in the centre is a selector button.
To the right of the navigation buttons, and on the right edge of the screen area are a further two buttons - these are the volume up and down buttons.
On the top edge of the screen area, towards the right corner, you will find a micro USB port, and a headphone socket.
On the lower right hand edge of the screen there is a recessed area. Located in this recess is a USB port.
Getting started
This is a quick start guide for the SMART Brailler. For more detailed instructions please listen to the "Audio Tour" which has been installed on the machine itself.
Inserting the battery
You will need a small Phillips head screwdriver. You may require some assistance to install the battery.
1. Locate the battery in the brailler box.
2. Turn the brailler so the bottom is facing you. Locate the rectangular battery cover on the bottom, and unscrew the two screws and remove the cover.
3. Connect the battery power plug into the battery port in the battery compartment. The plug fits into the port in only one way.
4. Place the battery in the battery compartment and hold it in place.
5. Close the battery cover, first inserting the tabs into their slots on the right. Screw in the two battery cover screws. Roll the Brailler back to its normal position.
You will need to charge the SMART Brailler for eight hours before using it for the first time. Insert the supplied plug into the socket on the rear of the brailler and plug into the mains power supply. Note: you can use the brailler while it is charging.
Turning the Perkins SMART Brailler on
Locate the power on/off switch which is on the right edge towards the front. Push the side furthest away from you to turn the power on.
You will hear a beep and some music will start to play. The machine will announce "Perkins SMART Brailler". (This can take up to 25 seconds).
Finding the audio tour
You will hear the Brailler announce "welcome". Now you are in the Welcome Menu.
Press the down button to navigate through the options. The first option is "Quick Start", this allows you to begin braille entry. Press the down button again to go to the SMART Brailler Audio Tour. This will guide you through all of the options on the Smart Brailler. To select the "Audio Tour", press the selector button in the centre.
Note: To pause the tour, simply press the selector button again. To exit the tour, press the menu button.
In the Welcome Menu you can choose "Quick Start", to begin braille entry, or "New User", to set up an account. Once you have set up an account, you will then find this listed in the Welcome Menu.
Locate the Welcome Menu and select "Audio Tour", to learn about the features of the SMART Brailler.
Terms and Conditions of sale
If you have not purchased the Perkins SMART brailler directly from RNIB, please contact your retailer in the first instance.
This product is guaranteed from manufacturing faults for 12 months from the date of purchase.
You can request our full terms and conditions from RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Textphone: 0845 758 5691
They are also available at www.rnib.org.uk
Helpline, RNIB, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS, U.K.
Email UK:
Email for international customers:
Registered charity No. 226227
Product regulations
This product is CE marked and fully complies with all relevant CE legislation.
Customers are advised to return this product, free of charge, to their supplier or the manufacturer at the end of its life. This is to comply with 'The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive' (WEEE).
Revised: June 2014
rnib.org.uk