BrailleNote

A BrailleNote is a computer made by HumanWare[1] for persons with visual impairments. It has either a braille keyboard or a Qwerty Keyboard, a speech synthesizer, and a 32-[2] or 18-column refreshable Braille display, depending on model. The "VoiceNote" is the same device without a braille display. The BrailleNote GPS is a 18 or 32 cell BrailleNote with an External GPS module. BrailleNote GPS.

BrailleNote can use only the software provided by the manufacturer, although this can be upgraded.[3]

Use of BrailleNote is suggested by the State University of New York Center for Assistive Technology[4] and is sometimes purchased by colleges for use by the disabled.[5] The BrailleNote product series, introduced in 2000, is regarded as being the first of its kind.[6]

It is possible to obtain a visual interface to the data on a BrailleNote by attaching a computer with a terminal emulator such as Hyperterminal.[7]

Classic

The first "Classic" version of the BrailleNote was released in April, 2000. It used Windows CE 2.12 to Windows CE.NET 4.2 on a MIPS R4000 at 100 MHz Processor.[8]

PK

Introduced in 2004, this small, purse-sized computer has an ARM processor, 40 MB of RAM, 16 MB of Flash, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. This unit also has a Compactflash slot.[9]

mPower

The BrailleNote mPower was introduced in June 2005 and had 128 megabytes of onboard memory and used DiskOnChip memory to avoid losing data if power is lost.[10]

Apex

The newest model of BrailleNote, released in November 2009, is called Apex and is a thinner and lighter version of its predecessors. It runs Windows CE 6.[11] It uses the i.MX31 processor.[12] It usually sells for about $5,500 with the 32 Braille cell display.

Software and supported formats

The Apex's internal software suite is called KeySoft. The current version is 9.5. It includes a word processor, book reader, Web browser, email client, voice recorder, media player, and an XMPP-based IM client called KeyChat (which can also be used with popular non-XMPP protocols such as MSN but this is complex to set up[13]). The book reader supports English text files (it can convert these to Grade 2 braille automatically if required), Braille ASCII files that specify the dot patterns precisely (these usually have the extension .BRL or .BRF),[14] and audio books including the DAISY format.

Connectivity

The Apex has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB connections, including a USB client port for ActiveSync and for operation as a Braille terminal for a computer.[15] It is capable of interfacing with Bluetooth GPS receivers. Apex has a built-in VGA (monitor) port for viewing information on a monitor. The Apex has removable battery on its underside.[16]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/home
  2. ↑ http://www.labcomputers.net/braillenote.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/support/braillenote/software
  4. ↑ http://cat.buffalo.edu/refreshablebraille/training.php
  5. ↑ http://www.htctu.net/divisions/altmedia/braille/braillenote/BrailleNote.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.floridareading.com/braillenote.shtml
  7. ↑ http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/support/braillenote/software
  8. ↑ http://www.braillenoteusers.info/articles/introductory-material/Technical-specifications-of-the-BrailleNote
  9. ↑ http://www.braillenoteusers.info/docs/intro-to-BrailleNote
  10. ↑ http://www.indigo-logix.com/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24
  11. ↑ http://www.gizmag.com/take-note-braillenote-apex/13480/
  12. ↑ http://www.slashgear.com/humanware-braillenote-apex-notetaker-for-the-blind-debuts-1263353/
  13. ↑ http://answerpot.com/showthread.php?1296463-KeyChat+And+Everyone+Else
  14. ↑ A phone call to HumanWare technical support 2011-01-24 confirmed that you can email an Apex user a text file with the .BRL extension and it will be assumed to be Braille ASCII
  15. ↑ http://www.humanware.com/en-united_kingdom/products/blindness/braillenotes/_details/id_158/braillenote_apex_bt.html
  16. ↑ http://www.braillenoteusers.info/articles/introductory-material/Technical-specifications-of-the-BrailleNote

External links

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