Braille Sense Version 8.1 release
Michael Jones
Version 8.1 is here! We are quite excited to bring you the following features for this release:
Nemeth support is introduced in this version. Students and professionals needing to use Nemeth to perform math and scientific work using the proper Nemeth symbols can now do so. You can then share your work with a colleague, when you save the file as a Microsoft Word .doc file. Your colleague will be pleasantly surprised when they open your Microsoft Word document and find that our Nemeth support transcribes your work correctly with the use of the proper corresponding scientific and math symbols. You'll also like the fact that you can import an RTF file that includes math symbols from Microsoft Word into the Braille Sense and see Nemeth output wherever scientific and math symbols are used.
PowerPoint (PPT and PPTX) file viewer is introduced to complement our Excel Viewer.
CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) library allowing anyone with a CNIB account can download content via an online DAISY Download program.
Additionally, other enhancements and bug fixes are also present in the release. See the attached release notes.
WARNING!! After upgrading the notetaker firmware, all system settings are restored to their defaults. If you have made changes to the system settings, you may wish to back them up before upgrading, so you can restore them after the upgrade is complete. Please use the "Backup/Restore" option in the "Utilities" menu to back up your option settings. We also strongly advise backing up your files. Though the upgrade itself should not destroy data on the internal flash disk, users should also consider backing up their files in case unexpected problems arise during the upgrade process. Please use the File Manager to copy your data to an external storage device such as an SD card or USB drive.
To Braille Sense PLUS users running 6.1 or earlier, this is especially important for you, as the flash disk may disappear after the upgrade and require reformatting before you can access it.
Special notice to Braille Sense OnHand, Braille Sense PLUS, Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY, and Voice Sense QWERTY users:
If you are upgrading from a version below 6.2, you must reformat your flash disk due to the creation of a partition for housing the NLS and Learning Ally keys. Please make sure to back up your data before formatting. Voice Sense users need not reformat as NLS and Learning Ally content playback cannot be supported on these models due to the limited size of the internal flash disk.
Upgrading using the Online Method:
To upgrade using the online method, follow the steps below.
1. Connect your notetaker to AC power, and ensure you have an active Internet connection.
2. From the main "Program" menu, press U to open the "Utilities" menu.
3. Press U again for "Upgrade Firmware".
4. When prompted, "Upgrade Online?" press "Enter".
5. The notetaker checks for new firmware. If it finds it, you are prompted, "Are you sure you want to upgrade?" The default is "Yes".
6. Press "Enter" to initiate the download and upgrade process.
7. When the files are downloaded, the upgrade process begins. While the unit is upgrading, progress is displayed on the Braille display in the form of a percentage and progress beeps are heard. Please do not press buttons or power off the unit during the upgrade process as this may result in an incomplete installation.
8. When the upgrade is complete, the unit reboots and places you in the main "Program" menu. Press "Space-V" (FN-V) to verify your notetaker is running firmware version 8.1 build 20140401.
Upgrading using the Offline Method:
To upgrade using the Offline method, please download the firmware using the links below.
1. Braille Sense U2:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Braille_Sense_U2_US_V810_140401.zip
2. Braille Sense U2 QWERTY:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Braille_Sense_U2_QWERTY_US_V810_140401.zip
3. Braille Sense U2 MINI:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Braille_Sense_U2_MINI_US_V810_140401.zip
4. Voice Sense:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Voice_Sense_US_V810_140401.zip
5. Voice Sense QWERTY:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Voice_Sense_QX_US_V810_140401.zip
6. Braille Sense PLUS:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Braille_Sense_PLUS_B32_US_V810_140401.zip
7. Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Braille_Sense_PLUS_B32_QX_US_V810_140401.zip
8. Braille Sense OnHand:
http://www.hims-inc.com/Upgrade/Braille_Sense_OnHand_US_V810_140401.zip
Follow the instructions below to upgrade your Sense notetaker:
1. Download the zip file containing the firmware to your PC.
2. Extract the zip file on your PC; the extracted folder should contain three files for Braille Sense PLUS, Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY, Braille Sense OnHand, Voice Sense QWERTY, and Voice Sense.
The Braille Sense U2, Braille Sense U2 Mini, and Braille Sense U2 QWERTY upgrade contains only 2 files.
3. Copy the files and paste them into the root of an external storage device such as an SD card or USB thumb drive.
4. Connect the external storage device to the Sense Notetaker.
5. Connect your notetaker to AC power.
6. From the main "Program" menu, press U to open the "Utilities" menu.
7. Press U again for "Upgrade Firmware".
8. When prompted, "Upgrade Online?" press "Space-4" (Down arrow) to move to "Offline", and press "Enter".
9. The notetaker checks for new firmware on your external storage devices.
If it finds it, you are prompted, "Are you sure you want to upgrade?"
The default is "Yes".
10. Press "Enter" to initiate the upgrade process.
11. The upgrade process begins. While the unit is upgrading, progress is displayed on the Braille display in the form of a percentage, and progress beeps are heard. Please do not press buttons or power off the unit during the upgrade process as this may result in an incomplete installation.
12. When the upgrade is complete, the unit reboots and places you in the main "Program" menu. Press "Space-V" (FN-V) to verify your notetaker is running firmware version 8.1 build 20140401.
You may download the version 8.1 manuals from the following links:
Braille Sense U2
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Braille-Sense-U2-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.doc
Braille Sense U2 QWERTY
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Braille-Sense-U2-QWERTY-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.docx
Braille Sense U2 MINI
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Braille-Sense-U2-MINI-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.doc
Voice Sense
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Voice-Sense-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.doc
Voice Sense QWERTY
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Voice-Sense-QWERTY-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.docx
Braille Sense PLUS
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Braille-Sense-PLUS-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.doc
Braille Sense PLUS QWERTY
Braille Sense OnHand
http://hims-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Braille-Sense-OnHand-User-ManualVer-8.1_HIMS.doc
If you have questions or problems, please contact HIMS Technical Support at
512-837-2000 or email sup...@hims-inc.com