Be aware of other useful sources of information. See Chapter 5 of the User Manual for information on setting your MegaDots configuration, and see Chapter 10 on printing. The help file for Embossit has an excellent section of Device Specific Information. Click on Programs, Duxbury, MegaDots Documentation, and click on Embossit Help File. (in the Interface Guide section). For some devices, the only way to get braille output is to use Embossit 2.0.
To configure MegaDots for Embossit, choose either "Generic Embosser" or "Generic Interpoint" depending on whether the ouput is single sided or interpoint. Use the carriage width and form length of the actual braille you are producing (ignore any margins). Select "MBOS" as the ouput port.
That is the MegaDots side. Now you have to launch Embossit from the Duxbury Group and set up a configuration that gives the desired margins and all the other required items of information. See the Embossit help file. for details on configuring Embossit.
This guide is divided into 4 parts:
Some embossers have only serial ports, some have only parallel ports, and some have both. If your embosser has both, you need to decide which interface to use (based on how many ports of each kind your computer has and what other equipment is connected to the computer).
Both parallel and serial can be confusing to look at the back of a computer. Here is a quick guide to the different connectors:
First the good news: most embossers with serial ports come with a serial cable supplied by the venodr or the dealer. The bad news is that if you need to get your own cable, there a a number of different forms of serial cables
For most embossers, the jack on the embosser uses 25 pins. Almost all Index embossers use 9 pins Some embossers have male jacks, and some have female jacks. Serial cables come in two major flavors: straight through, and null modem. In a straight through cable, pins 1-7 and 20 on one side are connected to pins 1-7 on the other side (i.e. 1 to 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3, 4 to 4, 5 to 5, 6 to 6, 7 to 7, and 20 to 20). With a null modem cable, many of these pairs are swapped.
Unfortunately, there is no agreement as to the wiring diagram for a null modem. Usually you take a length of straight through cable and add a null modem adapter. A null modem adapter is a small adapter with a male jack and a female jack which swaps the appropriate wires. These are available from Radio Shack and many other vendors.
When you use a serial connection, the settings of several serial parameters must be the same on the computer's serial port and on the embosser, to avoid getting garbage data. We recommend setting the embosser for 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit.
It is necessary to set the flow control (handshaking) in the Windows Control Panel (System, Device Manager, COM port properties, Ports Tab, Flow Control) to match the embosser and the Duxbury Embossing Module's embosser configuration. Remember that "handshaking" is the same as "flow control", and that "software handshaking" is the same as "Xon/Xoff"
If you are using hardware handshaking, set hardware handshaking in all three places: the embosser, the Duxbury Embossing Module, and the Windows Control Panel. If you are using software handshaking, set hardware handshaking in all three places: the embosser, the Duxbury Embossing Module, and the Windows Control Panel.
First the good news: except for the Ohtsuki, there is only one kind of parallel cable. The bad news is that sometimes parallel cables have a glitch and do not work. If you are having a problem, get another parallel cable to try out. Avoid long parallel cables at all costs. Never attempt to use a long parallel cable to keep an embosser in a distant closet for noise reduction.
Second, some bad news: the BIOS settings in your computer frequently mess up parallel output to embossers. Symptoms vary from no output at all, losing large numbers of characters, to only missing a few characters. The problem is really easy to fix, except for the following: (1) you need a sighted person to get into the BIOS (2) The way you get into the BIOS is different for different vendors and (3) the terminology is different for different vendors.
To find out how your parallel port is set you need to get into the BIOS. The BIOS settings are very basic parameters that control your hardware. You have to get into a separate "BIOS SETUP PROGRAM" before the computer is fulling booted into Windows. To get into your BIOS settings, you need know the correct key to hold down as you boot up the computer. Usually this is <del> F1, or F10. As your computer boots up, it will briefly display on the screen what you need to do to get into the BIOS settings. Hold down that key and figure out how to navigate the BIOS Setup program. We cannot offer any help, since each computer is a little different.
The parallel port is labeled LPT1 (or in rare cases, LPT2 if you are using a second parallel port).
Here is a list of good modes for embossers:
Here is a list of bad modes for embossers:
Once you exit the BIOS settings, do so in a way that keeps your changes.
At present, Index, ViewPlus, and Nippon Telesoft are the embosser vendors that have USB ports. Once the Romeo Attache is released, Enabling Technology will also join the USB club.
For Index embossers, once you connect the embosser to
the computer, you get a message that driver software is needed. You can
tell Windows you have a disk. Give the path c:\Program
Files\mega23\Drivers\Index AB.
For ViewPlus embossers, you need to install their driver (either from CD-ROM or from their website).
You can insert an adapter to your computer to connect from a computer USB port to the embosser's serial port.
If you have a computer network, it is desirable to have an embosser be available to all those on the network. How this is done depends on your network. Thus, we cannot offer any simple advice that works for everyone. Virtually all embossers need to be set up as Generic / Text Only Windows printers. This means that the characters that the embossing software decides to output will be the ones the embosser receives. You do not want the Windows software to add or subtract any characters.
The Tiger embossers depend on the Windows operating system to control the placement of embossed material. The ViewPlus software does a good job of installing the needed resources. The point here is not to expect that these drivers will be set up as Generic / Text Only printers.
After that, installation proceeds as for any networked
printer. Each PC wishing to use that networked printer must have
appropriate drivers installed. This is normal Windows Server practice. The
driver file can be obtained from Give the path c:\Program
Files\mega23\Drivers\Index AB.
The Embossit help file. has an excellent troubleshooting section. This should help you figure out why your embosser is not working correctly.
Click on Programs, Duxbury, MegaDots Documentation, and Embossit. Once Embossit opens, click on Help. Inside the Help, click on Embosser issues, then Embosser Troubleshooting.
The embossers are grouped by the name of the Manufacturer (Vendor).
Please use the Embossit 2.0 program to drive this embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file. The Dot and Print has a serial and a parallel connection. It produces single-sided, interline (print and braille on the same page) output. For technical support for the Dot and Print, contact American Thermoform at 213-723-9021.
The Ohtsuki embosser is a single sided embosser that does graphics. It can put inkprint and braille on the same page. The Ohtsuki requires a special type of paper that includes index holes, without which, your formfeeds are not executed properly. This paper is available in the U.S. from American Thermoform. The Ohtsuki has a built-in printer for interline inkprint. The text for the inkprint is generated by a braille-to-print translator inside the hardware itself. Therefore, the accuracy of the inkprint is not attributable to MegaDots, and the inkprint should not be used to determine the accuracy of the braille.
The Ohtsuki has both a serial and a parallel connection. The serial connection does not really work, and it is not recommended except for those who enjoy frustration.
The parallel connection works very well. You need a special parallel cable. On a standard parallel cable, wire 17 from the PC connects to wire 36 on the printer, and wire 11 on the PC connects to wire 11 on the printer. On the modified cable, disconnect both of these connections, and then connect wire 11 on the PC to wire 36 on the printer (wires 17 on the PC and 11 on the printer should not be connected to anything).
For a parallel connection, set the switches in bank one to: off off off on off off. The switches in banks two and three affect only the serial port.
The Ohtsuki brailler has a wide variety of printing and embossing modes. The usual application is to produce print and braille from a grade two file (that is what the above switch settings do). Be aware that the inkprint is generated by a translator from braille to print inside the Ohtsuki.
When the Ohtsuki is set for print and braille, it spaces out the lines so that only 19 lines can fit on a page. To fit the standard 25 lines on a page, add the sequence Escape lT (Escape, lower case letter l, uppercase T) as a set up sequence. If you only want braille from the Ohtsuki, send the control sequence Escape B (Escape uppercase B).
For technical support for the Ohtsuki, contact American Thermoform at 213-723-9021.
See Freedom Scientific
Please use Embossit 2.0 to drive this embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
Configure as a BrailleTec Elotype 4a.
Please use Embossit 2.0 to drive this plate embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
You can configure MegaDots through the serial port or by using Embossit 2.0. See information about Embossit at the top of this file. If you use Embossit, you may get better results because Embossit controls the spacing of the back side automatically. Without Embossit, you need to be pretty clever at setting the controls of the Braillo.
The Braillo 200 and Braillo 400 are high-performance interpoint braillers that does not do graphics. All Braillo 200/400s have a serial interface. At some point, units will be produced with parallel interfaces as well. The instructions here are for the serial-only model.
To work with MegaDots, The Braillo needs a "North American ASCII" chip.
Set the unit for 11 inch pages, "alpha numeric mode," 6 dots, 5mm, 22 holes/page, "S max-2," and 40 char/line. Also set for 1 stop bit, 8 data bits, no parity, and 9600 baud. When you purchase your Braillo, a cable is included at no charge. Be sure to specify to the vendor that you are using a PC serial port. Use a straight through male-to-female cable with a null modem adapter.
The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky. You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce 25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is 25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or 2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint
unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to
give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do
not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the
number of real braille characters you want per line. For technical support
for the Braillo 200/400, contact
Braillo at
service@braillo.no (or +47-74840440).
We do not have specific interfacing notes about these embossers. Please see the instructions for the Braillo Comet in case these are appropriate.
The Braillo Comet is a single sided embosser that does graphics. It has a serial and a parallel interface. Switch 1 in the "I/O Serial" group sets serial or parallel mode. If you are using serial, set for 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. For serial or parallel output, set the "paper format" switches to 11 inch paper, no automatic formfeed, 42 characters per line, normal line spacing, 6 dot braille, and expecting carriage return and line feed.
Whether you are using serial or parallel, make sure
you obtain the appropriate cable from the vendor. If you are using
parallel, be aware that the unit uses an unusual parallel cable. If you
are using serial, use a straight through male-to-female cable with a null
modem adapter. For technical support for the Comet, contact
Braillo at
service@braillo.no (or +47-74840440).
Please use the Embossit 2.0 program to drive this embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file. Configure MegaDots for a single page of braille.
The Cranmer Brailler is a single sided embosser that does graphics. The Cranmer Brailler has only a serial connection. Use a straight through male-to-female cable with a null modem adapter to connect the Cranmer to one of your serial ports. We recommend a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 6 and 20, and ties 5 and 6 together on each end.
The Cranmer Brailler has eight internal DIP switches. You need to unscrew the bottom plate and remove the bottom circuit card to get to the DIP switches. Duxbury Systems recommends the switch settings: OFF ON OFF ON OFF OFF ON OFF.
We have noticed a bug in the Cranmer's software which was never fixed. The Cranmer occasionally introduces a spurious carriage return in the line after a form feed. We have therefore equipped MegaDots with a special driver which makes sure that the brailler does not receive any form feeds.
After you turn on the Cranmer, type chord-H H chord-S Y chord-R. Then your Cranmer is ready to braille. When you get to the end of a page, the brailler beeps. After inserting a new page, press chord-(dots 4-5) to indicate that you are ready for another page of output. To force a page eject, press chord-(dots 4-5-6). For information about the operation of the Cranmer, contact Duxbury Systems. For information about the repair of the Cranmer, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
We have little experience with the BraillePlace. We recommend using Embossit to drive the BraillePlace. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Braille Bookmaker is an interpoint embosser that does graphics. The Braille Bookmaker interfaces to the computer just like the Romeo. See the instructions on the Romeo. The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky. You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce 25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is 25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or 2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the number of real braille characters you want per line. For technical support on the Braille Bookmaker, contact Humanware.
The Braille Express is an interpoint embosser that does graphics. The Braille Express interfaces to the computer just like the Romeo. See the instructions on the Romeo. The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky. You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce 25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is 25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or 2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the number of real braille characters you want per line. For technical support on the Braille Express, contact Humanware.
The E.T is very similar to the Juliet. See Juliet
The Juliet is an interpoint embosser that does graphics. It is sold by Enabling Technology (the maker of the Romeo). The Juliet interfaces to the computer just like the Romeo. See the instructions on the Romeo.
One exception is the reset sequence. To totally reset the Juliet (losing all your stored menus), enter the following: <off line> 0.0E 95E 96E 98E 99E 1E
The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky. You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce 25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is 25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or 2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the number of real braille characters you want per line.
For technical support on the Juliet, contact Humanware.
The Marathon is a single sided embosser that does graphics. The Marathon interfaces to the computer just like the Romeo. See the instructions on the Romeo. For technical support on the Marathon, contact Humanware.
Plate Embossers are large, expensive machines used by braille presses to produce metal plates for braille printing. These are custom created for the customer. The only time we learn about plate embossers is if we have a customer who has one. Over time, we learn about the special needs of these devices.
MegaDots has a driver called PED-30. This driver is based on the PED unit made by Enabling Technology and installed at the National Braille Press in Boston.
The Romeo is a single-sided embosser made by Enabling Technology. The Romeo has both a serial and a parallel connection.
[Parallel Output] The Romeo's menu number 1 is set for the parallel. Item 2 in the menu determines whether the Romeo is set for parallel or serial (1=parallel, 0=serial). The default is parallel. Menu 1 unmodified from the factory is good for parallel connection to the PC. This sequence takes the menu number 1, allows escape sequences, and makes it the default: <off line> 0.1E 23.1E 1.0E 1.1E (done).
[Serial Output] This sequence loads menu 1; changes to serial; changes to 9600 baud, 8 data bits, and no parity; and then make menu 1 the default: <off line> 0.1E 2.0E 3.9600E 4.8E 5.1E 6.0E 23.1E 1.0E 1.1E (done). Use a straight through female-to-female cable with a null modem adapter to connect the Romeo to one of your serial ports. Enabling recommends a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 4 and 8, and ties 5 and 6 on each end and connects to wire 20 on the other end.
[Total Reset] Some early Romeo units sometimes lock up entirely. To totally reset the Romeo (losing all your stored menus), enter the following: <off line> 0.0E 95E 96E 98E 99E 1E (done).
For technical support on the Personal Brailler, contact Humanware.
We have little experience with the Romeo Attache. We recommend using Embossit to drive the Romeo Attache. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Thomas is a single-sided embosser that does graphics. It is sold by Enabling Technology. The Thomas interfaces to the computer just like the Romeo. See the instructions on the Romeo. For technical support on the Thomas, contact Humanware.
The Braille Blazer is a narrow-width single sided embosser that does graphics. The Braille Blazer has both a parallel and a serial connection. The Braille Blazer cannot produce braille that is 40 cells across. You need to tell MegaDots to format braille for a narrow width. In the Braille Device Screen in the Preferences Menu, give a carriage width you want. The exact carriage width depends on the size of the left margin you specify in the Braille Blazer. The maximum carriage width is 34. If you specify a width of 34, the left margin must be zero. Many users feel that a left margin of 2 and a carriage width of 32 works best.
If you are using the Blazer as a speech synthesizer as well as an embosser, be sure that the two functions are not both looking to the same port for data. Diagnosing this problem is easy-the Blazer speaks and embosses the contents of your file at the same time. Fixing the problem is also easy-change the speech port to the correct port or to off.
To configure MegaDots for the Blazer, get to the MegaDots Editor. From the Blue Editor screen type the following: <F10> <P> <B>
No matter what, you should be at a screen called Setup a Brailler. Type <32> <F10> <F10> <Y> <S> <Enter>. This changes the carriage width to 32, sets Braille Blazer as the default, and saves your preferences in the standard file.
Here is how we recommend setting up the Braille Blazer for parallel. First do a total reset. To do this, hold down all three buttons on the right side as you power on. When you release the buttons, the Braille Blazer voice asks you if it is okay to reset. To go ahead with the total reset, press the three buttons again.
The Braille Blazer uses voice for the dialogue in its configuration menu system. The three buttons on the right side are, from top to bottom: on/off line, line feed, and form feed. Press all three buttons at the same time to get into the configuration menu. If you want to change a value, press the form feed button; the form feed button means change. If you are satisfied with a value and want to advance to the next question, press the line feed button; the line feed button means advance. If you want to back up to the previous question, press the on/off line button; the on/off line button means back up. To exit a menu or a sub-menu, press all three buttons together.
When you enter the configuration menu system, the choices available are speech menu, printer menu, Sideways printing, serial menu, service menu, and quit (to take the Blazer back to being an embosser).
Here is the dialogue to set the brailler up, creating a left margin for binding:
For technical support on the Braille Blazer, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The Inferno is a wide carriage Braille Blazer. See the information about the Braille Blazer.
The VersaPoint is a single sided embosser that does graphics. It has both a serial and a parallel connection. We recommend using the parallel connection. If you use a serial connection, use a straight through female-to-male cable with a null modem adapter to connect the VersaPoint to one of your serial ports. TeleSensory recommends a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 4 and 5, and ties 6 and 8 together on each end and connects them to 20 on the other end.
There are no DIP switches for setting the parameters on the VersaPoint. Instead, you go through a dialogue in braille, as with the Thiel. The VersaPoint remembers 5 different collections of parameters (numbered 0 through 4), and it is easy to switch between them. It is much easier to switch between set up 0 and set up 4 than to go through the entire dialogue. So it helps to save the settings you need at different times as separate set ups. Note: Set up 0 is fixed (always goes back to its factory-set values when you turn off the VersaPoint).
There have been four models of the VersaPoint, designated by the letters A through D. The model D VersaPoint has a rocker switch for serial/parallel. Thus the same configuration can be for serial and parallel. On the earlier models, the choice of serial versus parallel was built into the configuration questions.
To do a total reset on the VersaPoint, set the A/B switch to A, set the on line/off line switch to on line, turn off the unit, and hold down all four buttons while you power on. This resets all the set ups to their original factory settings. It sets the default set up to be set up 0. The default set up means the set up that the VersaPoint uses when you turn on the power.
Once you do a full reset, the set ups are as follows: set up 0 is for the Apple II; set up 1 is also for the Apple II; set up 2 is for PC parallel; set up 3 is for PC parallel sideways; set up 4 is for PC serial.
To switch between these set ups, Hold down the LF button during power up. In the dialogue, the FF button means yes, the LF button means NO, and the TF button means exit. A typical dialogue is as follows:
There is one major quirk about how the VersaPoint configuration process works. A set up becomes the default only through the act of being loaded, not by being saved. For example, suppose you load set up 4, make some changes, and then save the results in set up 3. You might expect that set up 3 (the revised parameters) would be the default. Wrong. The last set up that was loaded (set up 4) is the default. However, once you load configuration three (which contains the changes you saved), it becomes the default set up.
When you save a set up, the configuration program offers you a chance to load that set up again. Do it. That sakes that set up the default set up.
For technical support on the VersaPoint, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The VersaPoint Duo is very similar to the Enabling E.T.
Please use the Embossit 2.0 program to drive this embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
Please use the Embossit 2.0 program to drive this embosser. Configure MegaDots for a single page of braille. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Index Everest is an interpoint embosser that does graphics. It loads paper without using a tractor feed. It comes with a grade two braille translator built-in. You need to shut off the translator to get MegaDots output on the Everest. There are three built-in setups, labeled A, B, and C. As shipped from the factory, setups A and B do not use the built-in translator, but setup C does.
The last group of buttons on the unit sets the parameters. These keys are labeled in print as setup, group, item, and value; and are labeled in braille as su, gr, it, and va.
Turn the unit on, and press Setup. The Everest responds change setup A; group braille code (it gives the letter code of your default setup). Press the item key unit it says language. Now press the value key unit it says North American computer two. Now press Setup, and you are ready to go.
The Everest default setup also works with MegaDots. To give the Everest a full reset, hold down the group key as you power up. The unit responds setup zero zero zero loaded.
Since the unit measures the first sheet of paper, it is important to only load the hopper with similar sheets of paper.
The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky. You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce 25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is 25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or 2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the number of real braille characters you want per line.
If you need a driver for your Index embosser,reference
c:\Program Files\mega23\Drivers\Index AB.
If you have difficulty, contact Sighted Electronics at 800-666-4883 or Index Braille at +46-920-203080.
By Index (old) we mean the Index Basic and the Index Advanced Embossers (see the separate section on the Index Basic-D and the Index Everest). The Index Advanced does graphics, the Index Basic does not. The Index Basic has both a serial and a parallel port. For use with a PC, we recommend using the parallel connection. Just set the S/P switch to P (parallel). The Index Advanced only has a serial interface.
The Index embossers have a series of rocker switches on the top. Make note of one which switches between "normal" and "reformat". Always have the unit set for "normal". It is a frequent problem to accidentally change the setting to "reformat" and then call us up wondering why MegaDots is producing bad format. Please check your unit before placing that long distance phone call. On one crazy day, we got three separate reports of this "problem" in MegaDots.
If you use a serial connection, use a straight through female-to-male cable with a null modem adapter to connect the Index to one of your serial ports. We recommend a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 are straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 4 and 5, and swaps wires 6 and 20.
Set the Index for 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and hardware handshaking. To do this, set the DIP switches to: off on on on off off off on.
The Index also has a set up disk. Use it to make sure it is set to computer braille.
On most devices, turning the power off and on again sets the parameters back to the DIP switch settings. Not so on the Index. To force the Index to read the DIP switches, you must press the square reset button. Other parameters for the Index are established by sending escape sequences from your computer. To reset those parameters back to their default values, you must instead do a system reset. To do a system reset, first turn the Index off. Then hold the form feed and paper rocker switches away from you while you turn the power on. Only this full system reset clears away parameter changes established by escape sequences.
If you have difficulty, contact Sighted Electronics at 800-666-4883 or Index Braille at +46-920-203080.
The Index Basic-D is an interpoint embosser produced by Index. The Index Basic-D is a single sided embosser. Both units do graphics. These units have both a serial and a parallel port. The newer units have USB ports.
To set up the unit, you need to remove the shipping tab, which looks just like a black plastic on-off switch on the left side of the back of the unit. Use your fingers or a pair of pliers to remove this piece of plastic. Save it, since you need to re-insert it before you ship it anywhere.
There are three separate setups A, B, and C. If you buy an Index Basic-D from Duxbury Systems or from Sighted Electronics, then setup A is for wide paper (42 characters), setup B is for narrow paper, and setup C is available for customer experiments. Besides buttons for A, B and C, there are buttons for Setup, Group, Item, and Value. Here is how to set up the Basic-D for wide paper:
If you need a driver for your Index
embosser,reference c:\Program Files\mega23\Drivers\Index AB.
If you have difficulty, contact Sighted Electronics at 800-666-4883 or Index Braille at +46-920-203080.
Please use the Embossit 2.0 program to drive this embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Elekul 03 is a single sided embosser made by N.V. Interpoint of Belgium. It uses a roll of paper, with each page cut as it is being embossed. The Elekul 03 has a serial port. Use a straight through cable to connect the PC with the embosser.
The recommended baud rate is 4800 baud. Set this with a dip switch on the embosser. Set the baud rate at 4800 when you set the brailler preferences in MegaDots. The Elekul is always set for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.
The Elekul 03 has three forms of its ROM. One has the USA table, one has German, and one has Russian. To work with MegaDots, you need the USA version. Even if you are not making North American braille, you need the USA version of the Elekul in order to work with MegaDots. The phone number for N.V. Interpoint is +32 16-20-1230.
Please use the Embossit 2.0 program to drive this embosser. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Elekul 55 is a recto-verso embosser (magazine format) made by N.V. Interpoint of Belgium. It prints sideways and can make double sheets interpoint (four pages at once). Configure MegaDots for a single page of braille.
The TP-32 is a single sided embosser that uses small pieces of paper. The BPW-32 is an interpoint unit. The BMP-320 is an interpoint unit that can also produce inkprint on a braille page with appropriate software. MegaDots only supports braille output on the BMP-320. These are all very quiet embossers.
These units have both a serial and a parallel port. We recommend the parallel connection. If you are using the serial connection, use the dial for the baud rate (default in MegaDots is 9600 baud). Set the switches to OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and no Xon/Xoff. Turn unit off and on when making changes to the switch settings.
There is a knob to indicate the type of input. Set it for NABCC6 (North American Braille Computer Code, 6 dots). There is a switch for 30 or 32 character per line. Next there are four switches (select just one to the right) to select 20, 22, 24, and special lines per page. One and only one switch from this group should be on (right). If not, an error tone sounds when you try to emboss. The "special" switch is for interpoint. Use it only on the BPW-32 or BMP-320. The next switch, labeled HI and LO sets the printing speed. The bottom switch is for paper size. You get to choose between 8 inch and 10 inch paper length.
The paper feeds into the back. Loosely insert the first piece of paper. Turn the unit on. The red light goes on. Below the on/off switch is the paper feed rocker switch. Depress the top side (closer to the on/off button) to feed the paper into the unit. The red light should go off. There is a push button for on line/off line. You need to push this button to send braille to the embosser.
On MegaDots, make sure that the characters per line and the lines per page settings are the same between the machine settings and the MegaDots preferences. If you have any questions, contact Nippon Telesoft at +81-3-3264-0800
The Mountbatten is a low-speed embosser. It has both serial and parallel ports (it uses a straight through serial cable, the unit senses which port is being used). It has with some built-in editing capabilities. Purchasers should know that when you have a multi-purpose tool, you need to configure it to meet your needs.
The Mountbatten works best at 40 characters per line and 25 lines per page. Theoretically, the unit can be configured for a larger page size, but this is not recommended.
Be careful to insert the paper straight. If the paper is inserted crooked, it changes the internal margin settings.
There are two ways of sending commands to the Mountbatten. You can enter sequences from the keyboard (starting with the command key and ending with the margin release key on the right side of the machine), or you can enclose the command in curly brackets and send it from another device, such as a computer.
Using the default setting, the unit wants to reformat the text. To keep the text intact, issue the following commands: {fsh off} {flit off} {ww off} {save}
For technical support on the Mountbatten, contact HumanWare at 800-722-3393.
The first units were very sensitive to differences in communications parameters. The RESUS has both a serial and a parallel interface which are controlled by DIP switches. We recommend that you use the parallel port to eliminate potential problems.
New units, those with serial numbers higher than 200, do not have the sensitivity of earlier units.
Check the RESUS manual for details on how to set the DIP switches to meet your needs. For technical support for the RESUS, contact American Thermoform at 213-723-9021.
MegaDots also has a driver called Plate Embosser 1. This driver is based on the Plate Embosser made and installed at the Royal National Institute for the Blind in England.
See Freedom Scientific
The Thiel is a single sided embosser that cannot do graphics. The Thiel has only a serial connection. Use a straight through female-to-female cable with a null modem adapter to connect the Thiel to one of your serial ports. We recommend a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 6 and 20, and ties 5 and 6 together on each end.
To set the parameters on the Thiel, you have to go through a configuration dialogue in braille. All the critical parameters on the Thiel are set from a simple YES/NO keyboard. Set the on-line/local switch to local. To begin the dialogue, hold down the YES button a few seconds and then release. Here is the dialogue:
The Thiel displays all the selected parameters and asks Save Parameters? Answer Yes.
These parameters are remembered even when you turn off the power. To get ready to print, make sure the top of form is appropriate and flip the switch to on-line.
Many firms have sold the Thiel in the past. If you need technical support, contact Sighted Electronics at 800-666-4883.
We have little experience with the Thiel Impacto 600. We recommend using Embossit to drive the Thiel Impacto 600. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Thiel Interpoint is a high-performance interpoint
embosser that cannot do graphics. It only has a serial interface. To
change the parameters, you need to run a program from your computer. The
English language setup program is called SETX10UP.EXE. Set
the unit for MIT code (this is their term for North American character
set). The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky.
You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce
25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is
25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or
2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the number of real braille characters you want per line. If you need technical support, contact Sighted Electronics at 800-666-4883.
The Porta-Thiel is a single sided embosser that does graphics. It has both a serial and a parallel connection. There are three buttons: READ is above the parallel port, FORM FEED is above the 9 pin serial port, and PAUSE is just in front of the impact control knob.
To load paper, turn on your computer and then the Porta-Thiel, and wait for it to say "paper out". Insert paper from the front until it stops. Press FORM FEED. The Porta-Thiel then says "printer ready".
To change settings, press FORM FEED and PAUSE together when the Porta-Thiel is already on. You get a series of yes/no questions. Press FORM FEED for "yes" and PAUSE for "no". If you want to save the new settings, press FORM FEED and PAUSE together during the dialogue. To leave without changing the settings, press READ and FORM FEED together. To reset the parameters to factory defaults, press READ and FORM FEED while turning the unit on.
For technical support on the Porta-Thiel, contact Sighted Electronics at 800-666-4883.
The Personal Brailler is no longer produced. It has only a serial connection. Use an a straight through female-to-female cable with a null modem adapter.
You must use care in setting the switches on the Personal Brailler, since Enabling Technology reversed the conventional meaning of on and off for a rocker switch. A rocker switch has two ends. One end is flush with the surface, and the other is raised from the surface. On the Personal Brailler, when the end of the switch labeled on is raised, the switch is on.
The Personal Brailler has four banks of switches, with eight switches per bank. The fourth bank is set by the factory to control timing of the embosser. Never change bank four unless you have been instructed to do so by the vendor. Set bank one to: off on on on on on on off. Set bank two to: on off on off off off off off. Set bank three to: off off off off on off off off. Do not change bank four.
To find out if you have the switches set correctly, hold down the on line button as you power up. You get a status report. This report should mention that it is set for 9600 baud.
For technical support on the Personal Brailler, contact Humanware.
The TED-600 is an interpoint embosser that does not do graphics. We are not sure of the interfacing details of the TED-600. The setting of the form length for interpoint embossers is tricky. You need to tell the truth to MegaDots and lie to the embosser. To produce 25 lines of braille on each page, tell MegaDots that the form length is 25, and tell the embosser that the form length is 26 or 27 (i.e. add 1 or 2 for the embosser).
Varying the carriage width is tricky on an interpoint unit. Since the hardware needs to produce both sides at once, you need to give commands to the embosser to leave equal left and right margins. Do not set the left or right margin with MegaDots. Just tell MegaDots the number of real braille characters you want per line. Contact Enabling Technology at 772-225-3687 for more information.
The Tiger Embossers from ViewPlus work with MegaDots through Embossit 2.0. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Tiger Embossers from ViewPlus work with MegaDots through Embossit 2.0. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Tiger Embossers from ViewPlus work with MegaDots through Embossit 2.0. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The Tiger Embossers from ViewPlus work with MegaDots through Embossit 2.0. See information about Embossit at the top of this file.
The MBOSS-1 is no longer produced. It is a single sided embosser that did not do graphics. The MBOSS-1 is a modified inkprint printer. The original printer has both a serial jack and a parallel jack. As modified, an MBOSS-1 is either a serial or a parallel machine. This means that every MBOSS-1 has one working jack and one non-working jack.
Most units sold were serial units. If you do not know if your MBOSS-1 is serial or parallel, assume that it is serial. Please do not just plug in a parallel cable and call us for technical support asking why it is not working.
If you actually do have the parallel model, we believe that the connection is straightforward (but we do not have the settings for the DIP switches).
If have the serial model, use a straight through female-to-male cable with a null modem adapter to connect the MBOSS-1 to one of your serial ports. We recommend a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 are straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 4 and 5, and swaps wires 6 and 20.
Set switch bank 40 to: open open open closed open closed closed open. Set switch bank 41 to: open open open closed closed open open open open open. For technical support on the MBOSS-1, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The MBOSS-35 was a medium speed single sided embosser. The MBOSS-35 is no longer produced. Despite its name, the MBOSS-35 is not related to the MBOSS-1. It was actually a prototype for the Index brailler.
The MBOSS-35 is a serial embosser. Use a straight through male-to-female cable to connect the brailler to your PC. There are no DIP switches. All parameter changes are done from an external braille keyboard or from escape codes sent by a computer. The MBOSS-35 is rigged so that its default parameters are: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity (the preferred settings for MegaDots). For technical support on the MBOSS-1, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The Alva is a refreshable braille system used for PC
access. The Alva comes in 23, 43, 45 and 85 cell versions. These use extra
cells for status, so they are used for 20, 40, or 80 usable characters of
display. Use mega /ar /f <Enter> to set MegaDots for
refreshable braille. Set the limit screen columns prompt in
the Editor Preferences to the appropriate number of usable cells in your
display (20, 40, or 80). Remember that the default value is 40.
Model 2 display units only have a parallel interface. Model 3 display units have serial and parallel ports. You need to load a TSR program to have the system work as an access tool.
Like all refreshable braille systems, its internal braille translator needs to be turned off when displaying text which is already in grade two braille. To turn off the Alva's internal translator, press the Alva program key, then F12 on the computer. Use the same sequence to turn it on again.
The Alva braille display needs version 3.82 in order to work well with MegaDots. Earlier versions of Alva software had bugs affecting cursor re-positioning near tabs and guide dots.
If you are using 40 cells or more with your Alva, reading a document is a cinch. Just translate your document into braille (F5), start at the top (Ctrl-Home), and use the down arrow key to read each next line. Press Alt-E for "cursor everywhere" mode. This lets you read blank lines and page transitions.
The Braille Lite is a compact braille and voice output portable note taker. It has a braille display of 18 characters. The Braille Lite is not a PC in its own right, so it cannot run the MegaDots program directly. It can be used as an output device for a screen access program such as PCMASTER. See PCMASTER. Contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The Braille Mate is a compact voice output portable note taker with a single braille display. The Braille Mate is not a PC in its own right, so it cannot run the MegaDots program directly. It can be used as an output device for a screen access program such as ScreenPower. See ScreenPower. Contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The Braille Mate can transfer ASCII files back and forth to a PC using a program called BMBAK available from TeleSensory. Obtain a current copy of BMBAK with appropriate documentation from TeleSensory to transfer files back and forth. Contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The Braille 'n Speak is a compact voice output portable note taker. The Braille 'n Speak is not a PC in its own right, so it cannot run the MegaDots program directly. It can be used as an output device for a screen access program such as PCMASTER. See PCMASTER. Contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
Once you have copied your Braille 'n Speak files into the PC, it is easy to import them into MegaDots. Import the Braille 'n Speak file as you would import any other file. MegaDots should tell whether you are importing a braille or inkprint file.
Exporting to the Braille 'n Speak is easy as
well. Press F5 to translate, if necessary, to get your MegaDots file into
your choice of braille or print. Use Alt-W (if necessary) to make sure you
are in WYSIWYG (instead of show markup). Use the Control-F4 command to
export your MegaDots file. For file type, just press "B" for Braille
'n Speak file. This makes a file with two carriage return at the end
of every paragraph but with no carriage returns inside of paragraphs. Give
the exported file a file extension other than .meg to avoid
overwriting your MegaDots file.
These instructions are adapted from those written by Craig Werner in the Braille 'n Speak Interface Guide. Used with permission. The full Braille 'n Speak Interface Guide is available from Freedom Scientific.
In order to transfer files to and from your Braille 'n Speak, you need the serial interface cable supplied by Freedom Scientific. You also need a female-to-female adapter. You may also need a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter if your PC has a 9 pin serial jack.
If you only wish to send files from your PC to the Braille 'n Speak, you do not need any other software except DOS, although you may wish to use a telecommunications program (such as Telix, ProComm or Qmodem), the Braille 'n Speak Disk Accessory, or PCDISK. The Braille 'n Speak Disk Accessory and the PCDISK utility program are both available from Freedom Scientific. The PCDISK program, which works only with versions of the Braille 'n Speak dated 1994 or later, costs only $99 and makes your PC's disk drive act exactly like the Braille 'n Speak Disk Accessory. If you wish to send files from the Braille 'n Speak to your PC, you need either a telecommunications package, the Braille 'n Speak Disk Accessory, or PCDISK. Sending files from the Braille 'n Speak to a PC via the DOS "COPY" command produces highly unpredictable results. So it is not recommended.
Common Instructions
MODE
COM1:96,n,8,1,p <Enter> at the DOS prompt (use either COM1 or
COM2).
From PC to BNS via DOS
HELLO.TXT to
your Braille 'n Speak, which is connected to COM1, you would type
COPY HELLO.TXT COM1 <Enter>.
From BNS to PC via Telecommunications Software
The Navigator is a refreshable braille system used for
PC access made by TeleSensory. Use MEGA /AR /F <Enter>
to set MegaDots for refreshable braille. The Navigator seems to work well
with MegaDots. When you go to a new screen, you need to press the up
window key twice to find out the title of the screen, which is always on
line 1. Since Control-X is a command for the Navigator, press Control-X
twice to start a MegaDots block.
It is recommended that you use the largest width
possible when you use your Navigator. For example, if you are using the
Navigator 40 cell unit, type GATEWAY /wide40 from the DOS
prompt to use the full width.
If you are using 40 cells or more with your Navigator, reading a document is a cinch. Just translate your document into braille (F5), start at the top (Ctrl-Home), and use the Navigator down arrow key to read each next line. Press Alt-E for "cursor everywhere" mode. This lets you read blank lines and page transitions.
When you go to a new screen, you need to press the up
window key twice to find out the title of the screen, which is always on
line 1 in MEGA /AR /F <Enter> mode. Since Control-X is
a command for the Navigator, press Control-X twice to start a MegaDots
block.
The Navigator has its own braille keyboard program. Do
not use the MegaDots braille keyboard program (BKEYSDRV) if you have the
Navigator. If you have installed this when you installed MegaDots, remove
the line that says BKEYSDRV from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
The PowerBraille is a refreshable braille system used
for PC access made by TeleSensory. Use MEGA /AR /F
<Enter> to set MegaDots for refreshable braille. The
PowerBraille has its own braille translation program. Do not use it with
MegaDots.
If you are using 40 cells or more with your PowerBraille, reading a document is a cinch. Just translate your document into braille (F5), start at the top (Ctrl-Home), and use the PowerBraille down arrow key to read each next line. Press Alt-E for "cursor everywhere" mode. This lets you read blank lines and page transitions.
Contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The tape-based VersaBraille is a paperless brailling device with a serial interface. To interface with the tape-based VersaBraille, you need the special I/O cable that comes with the VersaBraille. Examine it. One side is hammer shaped, and it goes into the VersaBraille. The other side is either a female or a male 25-pin connection. Use a straight through female-to-female (or female-to-male) cable with a null modem adapter to connect the VersaBraille to one of your serial ports. TeleSensory recommends a null modem adapter that has wires 1 and 7 straight through, swaps wires 2 and 3, swaps wires 4 and 5, and ties 6 and 8 together on each end and connects them to 20 on the other end.
Load the terminal overlay and set the parameters as follows: b 9600; d 8; p n; s 1; t c; ll 80; pl 0; ci sp (or y if you want to capture carriage returns); cr 0; et eot; dx f; hs dtr; ai n; co cr; ak n; dci n; cts y; cd n
Save these parameters with a chord-o. Open a new chapter and get into remote mode with a chord-r r. Make sure that the cursor is up. Then you are ready to send material to the VersaBraille.
A VersaBraille is a linear braille device. When you
send a document to the VersaBraille, you want to use the LBF code to
exclude formatting commands and hard copy formatting that would make
reading more difficult. MegaDots can automatically generate LBF braille.
Press F7 to print. Answer the printing device prompt with
LBF.
To upload from the VersaBraille to the PC, you need to lower the baudrate. We recommend 1200 baud. (You might experiment to see if a higher baud rate works on your system.) Load the hardcopy overlay and set the parameters as follows: b 1200; d 8; p n; s 1; t c; ll 72; pl 0; ci u; cr 0; et eot; dx f; hs dc3; ai n; co crlf; ak y; dci y; cts y; cd n
Save the overlay with a chord-o. Also create a chapter called UPLOAD on the VersaBraille which has only one character: Control-Z. Also set the IBM's serial port to 1200 baud.
On the PC, type a command like: COPY COM1
<filename> <Enter>. Find the chapter on the table of
contents. Do not load it. Instead, issue a chord-x p to send it to the PC.
Finally, send the UPLOAD chapter (consisting of just a Control-Z) to the
PC to tell the PC that the file transmission is over.
For technical support on the VersaBraille, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
The VersaBraille II is a paperless braille device with a serial interface. When you send a document to the VersaBraille, you want to exclude formatting commands and hard copy formatting that would make reading more difficult.
Use a straight through male-to-female cable between the PC and the DCE (corner) port on the VersaBraille II. Set the communications parameters as follows:
To send a document to the VersaBraille, select the files menu, then select print, and then select input. After you specify the file name, you have to specify the device. Answer No to the prompt Do you want to send a command?
To send a file from the VersaBraille, select the files menu, then print, and then serial. Specify the file name and the device. You are then asked if you want the file formatted or not (your choice) and if you want to pause.
A VersaBraille II is a linear braille device. When you
send a document to the VersaBraille, you want to use the LBF code to
exclude formatting commands and hard copy formatting that would make
reading more difficult. MegaDots can automatically generate LBF braille.
Press F7 to print. Answer the printing device prompt with
LBF.
On the PC use the COPY command to copy the serial port to a file name. You need a Control-Z at the end of the file to terminate the transmission. You may find it useful to keep a file on the VersaBraille that just consists of a Control-Z. Send it last.
For technical support on the VersaBraille II, contact Freedom Scientific at 727-803-8600.
There is a product from Cornucopia Software [1625 Beverly Place, Berkeley CA 94707; 415-528-7000] called IBM-VBII which allows an IBM computer with a 3.5 inch drive to read and write VersaBraille II disks. Your computer must have a 3.5 inch drive that can handle 720k disks. Some older IBM XT's or quasi-compatibles may not work. IBM-VBII costs $250. Contact the vendor for details.
The Open Book is an optical scanning system made by
Arkenstone which is integrated into your PC. Once you scan all the pages
you want, use the Convert option (letter V) from the Library Menu. If you
are not sure which file format to choose, we recommend using the
WordPerfect file format. The Convert option creates a file in a special
directory. Usually this is C:\EXPORT. For example, if you
scan a document you name TROUT, then the exported file is in
C:\EXPORT\TROUT.DOC. If you cannot locate your exported file,
see the section on locating files in the Reference Manual.
OsCaR is an optical scanning system sold by TeleSensory which is integrated into your PC. Install MegaDots on your computer first, then install OsCaR. If OsCaR notices that MegaDots is installed, it automatically makes use of MegaDots.
We recommend telling OsCaR to create what MegaDots calls ASCII Line files and what OsCaR calls ASCII No CR files. Do not create WordPerfect files. When OsCaR creates WordPerfect files it uses too many font changes to be useful.
The Reading Advantage is an optical scanning system made by Kurzweil which is integrated into your PC. It creates files on your PC on a particular directory. You need to find this directory name to import files into MegaDots. See Chapter 7 of the User Manual in the section How Do I Locate My File?.
For technical support on the Reading Advantage, contact Kurzweil at 800-343-0311.
The Reading Edge is an optical scanning system made by Kurzweil that is independent of the PC. You need to use a communications program to move text from the Reading Edge to your PC. Contact Kurzweil for the details.
For technical support on the Reading Edge, contact Kurzweil at 800-343-0311.