$hds7:1 Enabling Technologies Company $l The TranSend Braille and Print $l Production System $l User's Manual $l November 1, 1994 $hde $l $sl1 $ptys Enabling Technologies Company $l 3102 S.E. Jay Street $l Stuart, Florida 34997 $l $ptye $l $sl1 $ptys 800-777-3687 USA Only $l 407-283-4817 Other $l 407-220-2920 FAX $l $pg $hds3:1 Table of Contents $hde $l Instant Orientation $frp" 1 $cp2 What it is $frp" 1 $cp2 What it Does $frp" 1 $cp2 How to use this manual $frp" 2 $cp2 Important Warning $frp" 2 $cp2 Unpacking $frp" 2 $cp2 Physical Description $frp" 3 $cp2 General Orientation $frp" 3 $cp2 Contrasting Connectors $frp" 3 $cp2 Calculator Style Keypad $frp" 3 $cp2 What You Need to Get Started $frp" 4 $cp2 Input Source $frp" 4 $cp2 Telling TranSend $frp" 5 $cp2 The Pass Key is ASCII $frp" 5 $cp2 Short and Simple $frp" 5 $cp2 Before Moving On $frp" 6 $cp2 Grade One Braille and Large Print on the Same Page $frp" 7 $cp2 To Turn a Print ASCII File into Grade Two Braille $frp" 8 $cp2 Grade One Braille from Print $frp" 9 $cp2 Turning Small Print into Large Print $frp" 10 $cp2 Grade Two Braille and Standard Print $frp" 10 $cp2 The Simpler Way $frp" 10 $cp2 Starting from Print $frp" 11 $cp2 Other Applications $frp" 12 $cp2 Curing Unwanted Symptoms $frp" 13 $cp2 Patience Helps $frp" 13 $cp2 Print Output with Strange Letter Combinations $frp" 13 $cp2 Print Output with Unusual $l Symbols Throughout $frp" 13 $cp2 Random Characters in the Ink Printer $frp" 13 $cp2 No Response from Ink Printer $frp" 14 $cp2 Reloading Factory Defaults $frp" 14 $cp2 No Output in the Brailler $frp" 14 $cp2 Unusual Letter Combinations and no contractions in the Braille $frp" 14 $cp2 Incorrect spacing of Braille $l with Large Print $frp" 14 $cp2 Returning it for Service $frp" 16 $cp2 Technical Specifications $frp" 17 $cp2 Mechanical $frp" 17 $cp2 Environmental $frp" 17 $cp2 Electrical $frp" 17 $cp2 Interface $frp" 17 $cp2 Controls $frp" 17 $cp2 Service $frp" 17 $cp2 Accessories $frp" 17 $cp2 Special Features $frp" 18 $cp2 Quick Reference Guide $frp" 19 $cp2 Key Descriptions $frp" 19 $cp2 Multi-Copy Mode $frp" 19 $cp2 Enter a Menu $frp" 19 $cp2 Exit a Menu $frp" 19 $cp2 Service Menu 0E $frp" 19 $cp2 Input Menu 1E $frp" 19 $cp2 Output Menu 2E $frp" 20 $cp2 Translator Menu, 3E through 9E $frp" 20 $cp2 Escape Sequences $frp" 20 $cp2 FCC Compliance $frp" 22 $cp2 Warranty Statement $frp" 23 $cp2 $leaf- 1 $hds2 INSTANT ORIENTATION $hde $l $ptys What It Is $l $ptye $l TranSend is a powerful computer with all the software built in and ready to use. It is so simple to operate that a full sized keyboard is not required. You don't have to know the commands of the MS-DOS or Apple operating system. You only have to master a few number combinations, and enter them on the TranSend calculator pad. $l $ptys What It Does $l $ptye $l TranSend takes in your ascii text files before they reach a printer, and translates them for braille, or print, or both. Then it directs the translated files where they need to go for the kind of print-out you specified. TranSend communicates with you through synthetic speech, and a visual display, which is located just above the keypad. If you don't need the speech, you can shut it off with the touch of a button. The translators accept and generate grade one and grade two Braille, enlarged and standard sized print. In other words, TranSend will accept a grade two Braille file, and translate it into print, or the other way around. It will take a large print file and translate it into grade one braille, or vice versa. Its most powerful function takes a file set up for either Braille or print, and generates a double print-out, placing the print and Braille on the same page. These tasks are all accomplished without any movement of cables, or manipulation of complex computer batch files. Of course, you do have to get TranSend properly connected between your computer or note-taker and printers, and that is exactly what this manual will show you how to do. Once it is properly set up, you will find that it simplifies your printing capabilities as much as it expands them. TranSend's translators have been specially developed for Enabling Technologies, by Duxbury Systems, a name which has been closely associated with Braille translation for more than twenty years. The simple-to-use menu system, and the print/braille function are proprietary to Enabling Technologies, along with the hardware configuration which ties things together. All service support and telephone installation support should any be required, are provided by Enabling Technologies, whose contact telephone numbers are listed at the beginning of this manual. $leaf- 2 $l $ptys How To Use This Manual $l $ptye $l It is conceivable that you might be able to set up and begin using TranSend without reading any of this document. Port arrangement, and command structure strongly resemble those of our Braille printers, and the spoken prompts might very well guide you through a successful trial and error process. However, you can probably save yourself some time by glancing through the section titles, and keeping the manual handy as you proceed through the installation and orientation process. We have taken the practical approach by devoting most of this document to what we call recipes -- that is the actual command sequences needed to accomplish tasks. We have also written this guide with the assumption that you already understand basics of your word processor and the printers you will be using. If one or more printers were shipped along with TranSend, separate manuals have been provided. (Braille and print versions for any Braille embosser, and print only for conventional printers. Again, we emphasize that it is not necessary that you read all or any of these documents before beginning to use the system. Keep them handy, and use them for reference as you "trial and error" your way along." $hds Important Warning! $hde $l There is one word of warning you need to bear in mind. Some surge protectors can actually cause equipment damage if they are not used prudently. If your computer is connected to a surge protector, make sure that you connect the TranSend power adaptor, and the TranSend output printers to the same surge protector. Such units usually accommodate at least four separate devices, so this should not present a serious logistics problem. If your computer is not connected to a surge protector, but you plan to connect TranSend to such a unit, be sure to connect the output printers to the same surge protector. $hds Unpacking $hde $l Check the TranSend and accessories carefully for damage. If any damage is apparent, notify the shipper immediately. Now check the contents against the packing list. If a discrepancy exists, notify Enabling Technologies Company as soon as possible. Note: Save the carton and the packing material! You will need this should you ever have to return the printer for service. Even though the printer is packaged in a sturdy steel case and is very shock resistant, we do not recommend shipping without proper packing! $leaf- 3 $hds PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION $hde $l $ptys General Orientation $l $ptye $l If you place the TranSend control unit on a desk or table so that the rectangular visual display is just above the keypad, orientation is simple and straight forward. On the left side, you will find the power switch, a small receptacle for the power adapter, and continuing from back to front, input ports for Centronics parallel and serial connection respectively. The parallel and serial output ports are along the right side, just behind the output jack and volume control for the synthetic speech output. $l $ptys Contrasting Connectors $l $ptye $l If you carefully examine the two pairs of ports, you will see that they are not identical. The input connectors at the left are exactly like those found on the serial and parallel ports of our Braille printers. The output connectors on the right emulate the hardware you will find on most computers. While it may sound a bit complex for the beginner, these connectors of opposite configuration were chosen to increase the likelihood that you could use standard interface cables, perhaps even cables you already own. Thus if you have two standard parallel cables for connecting printers and computers, you can connect one between your computer, and the left side input port of TranSend, and connect the other between TranSend's right side output port, and a printer. Likewise, you could use a pair of nine-pin to twenty-five pin null modem serial cables for the three-way connection from computer to TranSend, and from TranSend to your other printer. But serial connectors are less likely to follow a standard, and so we will present more information about cable selection in the section called: What You Need To Get Started. $hds Calculator Style Keypad $hde $l Located at the lower center of the top panel, the keypad has four rows, and there are four keys in each row. The top three rows are laid out in calculator format with seven, eight and nine running from left to right on the top row, four, five and six just below them, and one, two and three next to the bottom. The key at the left of the very bottom row is zero. To the right of zero is the decimal point, and to the right of that, is the enter key, which is usually shortened to the E key in this manual. The E key is used to terminate each command sequence in the same way as the return key functions on your computer. The key at the right of the bottom row issues the verify command. TranSend generally responds with a brief status report such as "on-line," or "Braille and print mode." Just above the V key are the FF, LF, and OL keys, with the OL key at the top. The most important of these is the OL, which toggles the TranSend on- or off-line. When you turn the TranSend on, it is on-line, that is ready to receive and transmit characters. You press the OL key to place the unit off-line in order to issue most commands. When the TranSend goes off-line, $leaf- 4 there is a short descending double tone. When you press the key a second time to put the unit back on-line, the tones reverse. Generally speaking, when the machine is on-line, you cannot issue commands, although there are some notable exceptions, including the multi-copy functions, which will be explained later. The FF or Fast Forward key instantly cuts off the current spoken prompt, without turning off the speech function permanently. This key is likely to become more useful as you become more familiar with TranSend. The LF or Logical Flush key instantly empties the text buffer, which will stop any transmission to a printer, but will not clear the buffers of the printers themselves. In order to flush unwanted characters from the text buffers of your printers, you may need to turn the devices off, and then back on again. However, this might be especially time consuming with the TranSend, because of its longer initialization sequence. Incidentally, if you press the E or enter key by itself, rather than as part of a command sequence, it will repeat the prompt associated with the last command you issued. This may serve as a useful reminder, if you should get interrupted while setting up for a print-out. $hds WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED $hde $l Connect the smaller end of the supplied AC power adaptor to the appropriate connector on the left side of TranSend. Plug the box-shaped end into a grounded outlet supplying at least 110 volts AC. Turn on TranSend by locating the power switch near the rear of the left side, and sliding it toward you. As soon as power is applied, you should hear the spoken prompt "initializing system." After a few seconds, during which default settings are loaded, five tones will sound, and the prompt "system ready" should be spoken and displayed. TranSend is now on-line waiting for text to process and transmit. Since we have not yet made a connection to any computer, no text will be received yet, and you may as well press the OL key to take TranSend off-line. Incidentally, if the spoken prompts and tones at power up were inaudible, try rotating the volume control in a clockwise direction, then press the OL key. $l $ptys Input Source $l $ptye $l Assuming you are past the powering up stage successfully, it is time to make some other connections. Parallel Is Preferable If your computer has a parallel port, let's use it, at least for the moment. If it is connected to a printer, disconnect it from the printer, and insert that plug into the left side of TranSend. It goes into the connector with the two small restrainers, one on either side. To reconnect your printer, simply take a second parallel cable, insert the male end into the Centronics connector on the right $leaf- 5 side of TranSend, and connect the printer to the other end. $l $ptys Telling TranSend $l $ptye $l At this point, you must let TranSend know which input port you want to use. Press the V key (lower right-hand corner) to verify that you are off-line, that is in command mode. It may also speak the words "default mode." (Feel free to press the V key several times if the words are hard to understand at first.) When ready to proceed, enter the input control menu with the command sequence 1E. Now, to "tell" TranSend that the input port is parallel, type 2.1E. Then, make your exit from the menu by typing 1.1E. TranSend will respond at once "system reset," and then after a few seconds you will hear more tones and the prompt "system ready." You don't have to "tell" TranSend that your printer is parallel, because that is the default. In other words, parallel is the output port of choice until you decide to make a change. $l $ptys The Pass key is ASCII $l $ptye $l Most word processing programs, and even some text editors, have their own special file formats which cannot be unscrambled unless the user has a copy of the word processor which created the file in the first place. So for sharing such files, all these programs give you a way of saving the text in ASCII or DOS format. DOS or ASCII text has no special non-printable characters except for line and page endings. It is thus well suited to TranSend's requirements, which call for Brailling and printing from the same file. $l $ptys Short and Simple $l $ptye $l For this first test, choose a simple document file which is no more than a page or two long. Save it to disk as an ASCII or DOS text file, and exit your word processor or text editor. 1. Check that your printer is on-line, and properly positioned at top-of-form. 2. Press the TranSend V key to confirm its on-line status. 3. Press the sequence 2E to "declare" that the file you are about to send is print and not Braille. (You do not have to "declare" the modality of your output file, because it is to be "small print" which is the default.) 4. Use the simplest command available to transmit your ASCII file from computer to TranSend. The appropriate DOS command would be: copy filename lpt1: $leaf- 6 5. Shortly after you press the enter key, your printer should begin moving purposefully, and your computer should return almost at once to the DOS prompt. If so, you have just employed the TranSend in its simplest task -- that of giant print spooler. TranSend has a 500,000-character buffer, which should hold even your largest files without tying up your computer during the entire print-out. This buffering function is especially productive when combined with the multi-copy function. $l $ptys Before Moving On $l $ptye $l You may want to repeat the test print described above before going on to some of the other tasks. This simple setup routine contains all the elements of a normal TranSend operation, except for a visit to the translator menu, which will happen in our next recipe. We didn't have to enter the translator menu this time, because we assumed you were making standard sized print on a non-Braille device, and that happens to be the default choice. Even if you didn't get a perfect print-out on this first trial, you can probably move on to the next recipe, as long as you have some idea of what went wrong, and what to do about it next time. $hds Copies Copies Copies $hde $l While you have a short file on hand, and the proper connections in place, this is the right time to check out the multi-copy buffer. 1. Press the TranSend V key to verify that the unit is on-line. 2. Press the command sequence 3.0E to initialize multi-copy mode. 3. Using the same computer command which produced good results in your first test, send that same short file through the computer parallel port. 4. Once the DOS prompt reappears on your computer, enter the following sequence on TranSend: "3.1E" 5. Make sure your printer is at the top-of-form, and is on-line. 6. Send a copy of your file to it by entering the TranSend command: 4.1E Incidentally, the 3.1E command signaled the end of your file to TranSend. The 4.N command simply tells TranSend how many copies to send. The maximum number is 99. When you are making copies, and you need to use some other TranSend function, simply enter 3.4E to suspend printing at the end of the current page. When ready to resume copying, enter 3.5E. The command $leaf- 7 3.3E terminates multi-copy mode and empties the text buffer. $hds Grade One Braille and Large Print $hde $hds on the Same Page $hde By this point, we assume you have come to grips with setup and installation of your Braille printer. To complete this recipe you don't need to be an expert operator, not at all. You only have to know how to put the paper in and set top-of-form. Assuming that the Braille printer is an Enabling product, we will show you right now how to set it up as a serial device. We do this because you need the regular printer to retain its hold on the parallel connector in order to generate the large print. 1. Once the Braille printer is turned on, with paper properly installed, enter the following sequences on its keypad, which you should find rather familiar by now, since it has the same configuration as TranSend. $l $sl1 $ptys OL 0.2E 23.1E 1.0E 1.1E $l $ptye $l $sl1 2. While you wait for the Brailler to come back on-line, we'll explain a couple of those sequences. 23.1 causes the machine to respond to escape sequences so that TranSend can control it remotely. 1.0E causes the serial menu which we just adjusted to become the power up default so that you will not have to go through this every time. 3. Having set up the serial menu on the Brailler, turn off the power, now, and connect the serial cable. The nine-pin end goes into the right side of the TranSend. The 25-pin end fits into the Brailler. Incidentally, it needs to be a null modem cable, and if it was supplied as part of the TranSend system, or along with the Brailler, it is. 4. After connecting the serial cable, turn on the Brailler, and listen for the tones which tell you it is on-line. 5. Make sure the other printer is on-line and ready with paper. 6. Press the TranSend OL key until you receive the off-line prompt. Enter one of the seven translator menus by pressing 3E. 7. Adjust the lines per page parameter so that it does not get in the way. (12.99e). Now set TranSend's primary output to sixteen point large type by entering 9.3E; set the braille to grade one by entering 9.1E. $leaf- 8 8. Make this translator menu the default at power up by entering 1.0E. 9. Place TranSend back on-line by entering 1.1E. 10. Once again, a short simple file is the best choice. And before saving it in your favorite word processor, consider that the lines need to be unusually short in order to accommodate the large print. If your paper is 8.5 inches wide, a good line length would be 30 characters. And this width will also work nicely in the braille stage. 11. Once you have produced a file with satisfactory line lengths, and emerged from the program, let TranSend know that the input file will be print by pressing 2E while TranSend is on-line. 12. Now, enter the Braille and Print mode by pressing 5E while TranSend is on-line. 13. You are now ready to send the document from your computer, and simply follow the TranSend prompts. Once the conventional print is finished, remove the document from the printer, and follow the usual routine for installing paper in the Brailler. Finish by entering 2E on the Brailler keypad while the Brailler is off-line. 14. When the top-of-form has been automatically set, simply press five on the TranSend keypad. 15. Once the placement of Braille and print is satisfactory, and you are finished using this special mode, exit Braille/print mode by pressing 6E while on-line. This routine will be much easier next time for two reasons: First, you always get better with practice. But more importantly, you won't have to set up the serial connection next time; it will simply be there waiting for you. And speaking of practice, it may take a bit of trial and error for you to obtain the exact placement of the Braille and print on the page. Don't forget that once you get the result looking just the way you want it, you can use the multi-copy buffer to make many repeats with only one movement of the paper from printer to Brailler. $hds To Turn a Print ASCII File $hde $hds into Grade Two Braille $hde The first thing to do is change some parameters in the Brailler's menu. After taking the Brailler off-line, enter the following: $l $l $sl1 0.2E 22.1E 10.1E 20.10E 11.1E 1.1E $l $sl1 $leaf- 9 Having set the Brailler to ignore line endings, you are now ready to convert a file into Braille no matter how long the lines of print might be. 1. Take TranSend off-line and press 3E to enter the translation menu. 2. Set the Grade two translator by entering 9.2E. 3. Press 1.1E to exit the menu. 4. You have one more stop to make, and that is in the output menu, to "tell" TranSend to send output to the serial port. After pressing the OL key, press 2E, and then 2.0E, followed by 1.1E, to exit. 5. Once TranSend is back on-line, press 2E to make sure the system is "expecting" a print rather than a braille file. 6. You are now ready to send an ASCII file from the computer, and have it instantly converted into Grade two Braille. 7. Note that you will need to go back into Brailler menu two and take out most of the changes we just made, in order to resume Brailling files with normal formatting. The following sequences should do the trick: $l $l $sl1 OL 0.2E 10.0E 21.10E 22.0E $l $sl1 Bear in mind, though, that the Brailler has 16 menus. Once you feel comfortable using them, you can set up a different menu for every TranSend variation, make a few notes on which menu is which, and simply change menus whenever you need to change functions. $hds Grade One Braille From Print $hde $l The directions in this recipe are virtually identical to the previous set of instructions for making grade two Braille. The single difference occurs when setting up the TranSend translator menu. At that point, select 9.1E to designate the output to be grade one Braille. Follow the remaining directions for creating grade two Braille, including the needed changes to the Brailler's menu. If this is your first experience with Braille, it may help you to know that the only difference between the two grades of braille lies in a set of space saving contractions found in grade two. Because of $leaf- 10 these abbreviations and other space conserving conventions, grade two Braille actually contains fewer characters than the print file from which it is generated. Even so, it consumes more paper than the print because only 32 Braille characters will fit on an 8.5-inch page, instead of the 65 or even 72 standard print characters. Grade one Braille takes up more space than grade two, because it avoids the space saving contractions, in an effort to increased readability for beginners or students. And because many blind persons lose their sight as adults, you will find Braille students in all age groups. $hds Turning Small Print Into Large Print $hde $l This recipe resembles the first one in the book -- the one we used to learn how to practice and test the hardware. Again, the only difference occurs in the TranSend translator menu. The proper selection here is 9.3E to make the output enlarged print. The size is 16 point type, or slightly larger than the minimum conventional definition for large print, which is 14-point. As in the other functions, TranSend uses remote commands which are part of the so-called Epson standard to issue the necessary commands to your ink printer. So if it is Epson-compatible, all these functions should work correctly. Of course, some printers offer Epson compatibility in one mode, and emulate some form of laser writer in another. So this is the first thing to check if your ink printer does not respond properly to TranSend commands. $hds Grade Two Braille and Standard Print $hde $l We come now to the application which uses all of TranSend's power. But after the simpler setups we hope you have accomplished, this operation may not seem so challenging. $l $ptys The Simpler Way $l $ptye $l There are two approaches for creating print and grade two Braille with TranSend. The more complex approach takes an ASCII file formatted for print, and makes the translation to grade two "on the fly." The simpler method, which we will describe first requires the use of a computer-based Braille translator such as MegaDots, Turbo Braille, or Duxbury. If you do not have one of these programs, or have not yet installed and mastered it, skip to the next section, Starting From Print. If you have access to a computer-based translator, use it to create a short test file, formatted for 25 lines per page, and 40 characters per line. Before sending this file to TranSend, establish the following settings on its keypad: $l $sl1 OL, 3E (enter translator menu) 9.0E (output is small print) 1.1E (exit translator menu) 1E (input file is Braille) 5E (TranSend set to Braille and print mode) $l $sl1 $leaf- 11 The last two sequences are entered while TranSend is on-line. 1. Make sure that both printers are on-line when you place the TranSend in the special print and Braille mode. This is because TranSend actually sends initialization characters to both printers at the moment it enters the Braille/print status. 2. Send the translated Braille file through your computer's parallel port, and wait for the visual print to finish. 3. Advance the paper so that you can remove the document, and place it in the Brailler. 4. Once you close the tractors on the Brailler, take it off-line and enter 2E on its keypad. 5. When top-of-form has been set, press the five key on the TranSend keypad. 6. The grade two Braille will be automatically spaced to match the print, line for line. For this type of double print-out, you don't have to turn on word wrap or other special formatting on the Braille printer. Presumably, the computer-based translator which generated your original grade two Braille file will have arranged it in 40 character lines, and 25-line pages.If you are using narrower paper, such as 8.5-inch stock, a line length of 30 or 32 characters is needed. $hds Starting From Print $hde $l If TranSend provides your only current access to grade two Braille, set up your double print-out as follows, to place grade two Braille, and small print on the same page. (All sequences that follow are to be entered on the TranSend keypad.) $l $sl1 OL, 3E (Off line, enter translator menu three) 9.2E (output is grade two Braille) 1.1E (exit translator menu) Wait several seconds until the tone sequence signals completion of reset. 2E (input file is print) $l $sl1 Before saving the ASCII file you intend to send, you need to shorten the line length from the usual 72 or 65 characters. Since you want your print lines to match the content of the Braille, you need to set a line length which will work in Braille. If you will be using 11 inch paper, try a line length of 48 print characters. Because the $leaf- 12 contractions of grade two Braille tend to shorten lines by 15 to 20 percent, 48 character print lines, should shrink to an average of 40 to 42 characters. You may need to experiment with line length to learn what will work for this special double medium. Once you have saved your file as ASCII text, and completed the settings listed above, make sure that both printers are on-line, press 5E to place the TranSend in Braille/print mode, and send your file using the usual copy or transmit command. From that point, the procedure for completing the double print-out exactly duplicates the last few steps of the previous section. $hds Other Applications $hde $l While we have included recipes for what we believe will be the most common applications, TranSend's potential for versatility is too great for us to touch on all of them. For instance, Braille Lite owners may wish to set TranSend up for grade two Braille, and use it as an instant Braille translator. Others may have no way of running a computerized translator, and may use TranSend as their only access to grade two Braille. Both applications should work out well. Bear in mind, though, that the grade two translator does not at this time, provide separate line wrapping capability. Line endings are simply passed through as they occur in the original file. Thus your translated file will be likely to have a carriage return and line feed for about every 65 print characters. This may be desirable for lists and some other special formats. Nor should it present a problem for the Braille Lite, which can reformat the text if needed. However, if the grade two translation is to be embossed in Braille, then the Brailler must be set to ignore line-feeds, and must be set so that lines will not end with word fragments. On Enabling Braillers, these features are called word wrap and "hot zone," and we included their use in several earlier sections of this manual. Some users may want to take advantage of TranSend as a print spooler, in the way we described earlier. If your file is ascii text, divided into lines of 79 characters or less, with or without form feeds at the ends of pages, TranSend should pass the text through to the printer without changing anything. But if your lines are longer than 79 characters, TranSend will put a space at the 80th character regardless of word boundaries. At present, there is no facility for avoiding this, but most printing situations call for lines of 79 characters or less. $leaf- 13 $hds CURING UNWANTED SYMPTOMS $hde $l $ptys Patience Helpful $l $ptye $l Whenever you connect two or more computer devices, you begin multiplying the possible problems. TranSend brings together up to four separate devices, making different demands of each one. While you are likely to find the results rewarding, the setup and learning period may produce occasional aggravation. In an effort to keep this to an absolute minimum, we have tried to anticipate some possible glitches, and provide quick cures. Our object is to help you become an effective trouble shooter, so that when you get into applications which are not described here, you will be able to unscramble any hitches which may occur by analyzing the kinds of clues we will discuss here. Let's start with something simple: $l $ptys Print Output with Strange Letter Combinations $l $ptye $l If your ink print output often ends words with $qwh1 or $qth1 or $qthe1 TranSend probably "thinks" the input file is Braille. This is the default. To set the input file to print, enter 2E while TranSend is on-line. $l $ptys Print Output with Unusual Symbols Throughout $l $ptye $l If you see equal signs, less-than and greater-than symbols, brackets and braces, backslash, underline and slash characters, commas at the beginnings of words, and single digit numbers at the ends, you are probably looking at grade two Braille. Some words may look completely correct, while others will be almost complete with just one unusual character somewhere in the sequence. The likely cure is to enter the TranSend translator menu, and change the output designation from grade two, to small or large print. (9.0E or 9.3E respectively) $l $ptys Random Characters in the Ink Printer $l $ptye $l If there is truly no pattern to the characters which appear on your ink printer, the fault probably lies in one of your parallel cables. Assuming that your printer takes a parallel connection, two identical parallel cables are required to establish a connection between your computer, printer, and TranSend. The first thing to try is turning off all devices, and simply switching the two parallel cables. Use the one which was connected to the computer, to connect the printer, and the other way around. If the random output disappears, the problem was probably a loose cable. If not, one of the cables has probably developed a broken wire or connector pin. Rather than make yourself crazy trying to fix it, replace it, and use trial and error to find out which cable was the trouble-maker. $leaf- 14 $l $ptys No Response From Ink Printer $l $ptye $l We are taking it for granted in this example, and the previous one, that this symptom occurs when you are running a simple test, and not trying to make Braille and print at the same time. If, under these conditions, you get no output at all from the printer, the TranSend output port is probably set to serial, instead of parallel. You must change it to parallel, by entering the output menu (OL, 2E) and pressing 2.1E. Once you have done this, the setting will keep its effect until you go back into the output menu and reselect serial. $l $ptys Reloading Factory Defaults $l $ptye $l Sometimes it is better to stop trying to find out what went wrong, and just start over. You do this by entering the service menu, OL, 0E, and entering 95E. Then press 1E to go back on-line. This will erase any changes you have made to any of the menus, so it might be a good idea to note the changes you enter, once they seem to work properly. The reset costs you a little time, but it can untie the nasty little knots we sometimes get ourselves into during the trial and error process. $l $ptys No Output in the Brailler $l $ptye $l Since this situation is unlikely to occur during a braille/print operation, we will assume that you are making Braille by itself. Once again, the output port is probably set incorrectly. If you have changed it to address your parallel printer, you must return to the output menu and set it to serial. If this doesn't cure the problem, the Brailler may be in the wrong menu. The factory default menu for Enabling Braillers is number one, which is a parallel menu. To cure this permanently, take the Brailler off-line, enter 0.2e, 1.0e, and 1.1e. The Brailler will now be set for serial communication whenever you turn it on. $l $ptys Unusual Letter Combinations and no contractions in the Braille $l $ptye $l The probable cause is incorrect input selection. If you are trying to make grade two Braille on TranSend, and the input file selection is Braille instead of print, TranSend is translating your file the wrong way around. While TranSend is on-line, enter 2E and the prompt should read and say: "input file is print." $l $ptys Incorrect spacing of Braille with Large Print $l $ptye $l When you establish large print as your translator menu selection (9.3) and enter braille/print mode (5E) TranSend uses escape sequences to place the Brailler in a special mode which expands the distance between lines. If the Brailler is not set to respond to $leaf- 15 escape sequences, the changes will not take effect. If you are not sure, place the Brailler off-line, enter 0.2E, and 23.1E, followed by the exit sequence, 1.1E. This will activate the Brailler's escape functions, and it should cure the spacing problem on the Brailler. Once the Brailler is back on-line, simply press the TranSend LF key, to resend the remote spacing commands to the Brailler. This function has been added to the original "logical flush" function, so that you will not have to go back and reset TranSend menus, after interrupting a print-out. $leaf- 15 $pg $l $ptys $hds Returning it for Service $hde $ptye $l See the "Warranty" section in the back of this manual for infor-- mation about the manufacturers warranty and extended service agreements. If your unit requires service, just contact our Customer Support Group. See the "Warranty" section for phone numbers. You MUST have a return authorization(RA) number before your equipment can be returned to us for service. This number is necessary for us to schedule service and process the required paperwork. You will be given an RA number when you contact our Customer Support representative. Do not forget to insure the package. We are not responsible for shipping damage, and the carrier is not responsible if the package is not insured. Please use the carton and packing material that came with your equipment. If the original carton was discarded, you must use a container that provides at least three inches of packing material around all sides of the unit. You could be charged for shipping damage if the unit was not properly packed. Please have your RA number printed clearly on the outside of the carton. This helps us route it to the correct department and helps prevent unnecessary delays. You must also include a letter with the equipment containing the following information: $l $sl1 $ptys4 $ind1 $l 1. Your name. $ind1 $l 2. Your company name (if applicable). $ind1 $l 3. Your shipping address and zip code. $ind1 $l 4. Your mail drop code (if applicable). $ind1 $l 5. Your RA number. $ind1 $l 6. A description of the trouble you are experiencing. Please include as much information as possible about the problem and the conditions under which it occurs. $ind1 $ptye $l $sl1 $leaf- 17 $l Technical Specifications $l $l $sl1 Mechanical $l Size: 12.0"L x 9.5"W x 3.0"H $l 30.5 cm. x 24.1 cm. x 7.6 cm. $l Weight: 9.5 lb. (4.3 kg.) $l Case style: Desktop $l $sl1 Environmental $l Temperature: $l operating: 35 F to 120 F (2 C to 50 C). $l storage: -4 F to 175 F (-20 C to 80 C). $l $sl1 Humidity: $l operating: 10% to 95% (noncondensing) $l storage: 0% to 99% (noncondensing) $l $sl1 Electrical $l Input Voltage: 12 to 15 Volts AC or 16 to 18 Volts DC $l Input Current: 750 Milliamps Average $l Watts: 15 Watts Maximum $l $sl1 Interface $l Input Ports: 36 pin female, Centronics compatible parallel, 25 pin male DTE, EIA-232D compatible Serial $l Output Ports: 9 pin male, Serial EIA-232D compatible serial, 25 pin Female, Centronics compatible parallel $l External Speaker Jack: 8 ohm 0.1 Watt maximum $l $sl1 Controls $l Audio Level Control, Controls volume of speech and tones. $l Main Power Switch $l Configuration Keypad $l $sl1 Service $l User Maintenance: None Required $l $sl1 Accessories $l Standard: Power Adapter, Parallel interface cable, Serial interface cable $l Optional: Special interface cables, Special Power Adapters $l $leaf- 18 $sl1 Special Features $l 1. Fully configurable print format. $l 2. Fully configurable communications. $l 3. Seven independently selectable translator configuration menus, one input and one output menu, plus a special service menu. $l 4. Configuration stored in nonvolatile RAM. $l 5. Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille translation built in. $l 6. 512,000 character text buffer. $l 7. Multi-copy buffer. Up to 99 copies can be made of text in buffer. $l 8. Word wrap formatting. $l 9. LCD print visual display. $l 10. Synthetic speech synthesizer to aid configuration. $l 11. No user maintenance required. $l 12. All modular construction makes service easy. $l $leaf- 19 $hds Quick Reference Guide $hde $l $sl1 This guide is a short summary of the commands and functions of the TranSend System control unit. For a detailed description of each of these commands, refer to the appropriate section in the reference manual. $l $ptys Key Descriptions $l $ptye $l $l $ptys OL: On-line / Off-line (toggle) $l LF: Logical Flush (Flush buffers and init. printers) $l FF: Fast Forward current speech message $l V: Verify Current Mode $l 0-9, .: Numeric Entry and Period (edit keys) $l E: Enter Key $l $l $ptye $sl1 Multi-copy mode $l (3.0E): Activate multi-copy mode and initialize copy buffer. $l (3.1E): Tells the system the document download is complete. $l (3.2E): Halts printing at end of current copy. $l (3.3E): Deactivates the multi-copy mode. $l (3.4E): Suspend multi-copy. $l (3.5E): Resume multi-copy where you left off. (Following 3.4E). $l (4$d.nnE): Starts printing "nn" copies of the document. $l (5E): Enter print and Braille production mode. $l (5): Send Braille to Braille printer when Print & Braille is active. $l (6E): Exit Print & Braille mode. $l $l $sl1 Enter A Menu (When off-line) $l NE Places you in menu #N (0 through 9) $l $sl1 Exit A Menu $l E Exits to command mode (Off-line). $l 1.1E Exits and installs this menu as the current configuration. $l $l $sl1 Service Menu 0E $l 1E System reset. Auto $l 95E Load defaults into NOV-RAM. Auto $l $l $sl1 Input Menu 1E $l 1.1E: Exits and makes this menu the current configuration. $l 2.0E: Selects input serial port. $l 2.1E: Selects input parallel port. $l 3$d.NE: Sets baud rate to N. (110 to 38,400). $l 4$d.NE: Sets the number of data bits to N. (N = 5,6,7 or 8). $l 5$d.NE: Sets the number of stop bits to N. (N = 1, 1.5 or 2). $l 6$d.NE: Selects parity. (0 = none, 1 = odd, 2 = even). $l 7$d.NE: Sets handshake. (0=Xon/Xoff, 1=DTR & CTS, 2=DTR & DSR. $l $leaf- 20 3=RTS & CTS, 4=RTS & DSR). $l E: Exit Menu. $l $sl1 Output Menu 2E $l 1.1E: Exits and makes this menu the current configuration. $l 2.0E: Selects output serial port. $l 2.1E: Selects output parallel port. $l 3$d.NE: Sets baud rate to N. (110 to 38,400). $l 4$d.NE: Sets the number of data bits to N. (N = 5,6,7 or 8). $l 5$d.NE: Sets the number of stop bits to N. (N = 1, 1.5 or 2). $l 6$d.NE: Selects parity. (0 = none, 1 = odd, 2 = even). $l 7$d.NE: Sets handshake. (0=Xon/Xoff, 1=DTR & CTS, 2=DTR & DSR. 3=RTS & CTS, 4=RTS & DSR). $l E: Exit Menu. $l $sl1 Translator Menus, 3E through 9E $l 1.0E Makes this menu the power on default. $l 1.1E Exits and makes this menu the current configuration. $l 9$d.NE Selects output file format N. 0 = output small print, 1 = output grade 1 braille, 2 = output grade 2 braille, 3 = output large print $l 10$d.NE Recognize escape sequences. 0 = do not respond to escape sequences from the host, 1 = respond to incoming escape sequences. $l 11$d.NE Output format mode 1 = do not change output format, 2 = Truncate output lines that exceed maximum printer capacity, 3 = automatically wrap long lines. $l 12$d.NE Lines per page, N = number of lines placed on a page. $l E Exits Menu $l $sl1 Escape Sequences $l ESC Sequence followed by Function $l ESC C at sign N Set the baud rate of the input serial channel. $l ESC C A N Set the baud rate of the output serial channel. $l Baud rate selections for escape sequences where N is: $l at sign = 110 $l A = 300 $l B = 1200 $l C = 2400 $l D = 4800 $l E = 9600 $l F = 14400 $l G = 19200 $l H = 38400 $l $l $sl1 ESC A at sign Sets the input port to serial. $l ESC A A Sets the output port to serial. $l ESC B at sign Sets the input port to parallel. $l ESC B A Sets the output port to parallel. $l ESC D at sign N Sets the input serial port data bits. at sign = 5, A = 6, B = 7, C = 8 $l ESC D A N Sets the output serial port data bits. at sign = 5, A = 6, B = 7, C = 8. $l $leaf- 21 ESC E at sign N Sets the input serial port stop bits. $l ESC E A N Sets the output serial port stop bits. $l Stop bit selections for N is: at sign = 1, A = 1.5, B = 2 $l ESC F at sign N Sets the input serial port parity. at sign = none, A = odd, B = even $l ESC F A N Sets the output serial port parity. at sign = none, A = odd, B = even $l ESC H N Sets the power on default translator menu. Range C through I (menu 3 through 9) $l ESC I N Output File format. at sign = small print, A = grade 1 braille, B = grade 2 braille, C = large print ESC J N Lines per page. Range at sign through left brace $l For all numeric escape sequence entries, N use the following table: $l $kps $sl1 $tab1 at sign = 0 $tab30r $:L = 12$; $l $tab1 A = 1 $tab30r $:M = 13$; $l $tab1 B = 2 $tab30r $:N = 14$; $l $tab1 C = 3 $tab30r $:O = 15$; $l $tab1 D = 4 $tab30r $:P = 16$; $l $tab1 E = 5 $tab30r $:Q = 17$; $l $tab1 F = 6 $tab30r $:R = 18$; $l $tab1 G = 7 $tab30r $:S = 19$; $l $tab1 H = 8 $tab30r $:T = 20$; $l $tab1 I = 9 $tab30r $:U = 21$; $l $tab1 J = 10 $tab30r $:V = 22$; $l $tab1 K = 11 $tab30r $:W = 23$; $l $l $kpe $l $sl1 $l $kps $sl1 $tab1 at sign = 0 $tab36r $:X = 24$; $l $tab1 A = 1 $tab36r $:Y = 25$; $l $tab1 B = 2 $tab36r $:Z = 26$; $l $tab1 C = 3 $tab36r $:[ = 27$; $l $tab1 D = 4 $tab36r $:\ = 28$; $l $tab1 E = 5 $tab36r $:] = 29$; $l $tab1 F = 6 $tab36r $:^ = 30$; $l $tab1 G = 7 $tab36r $:= 31$; $l $tab1 H = 8 $tab36r $:` = 32$; $l $tab1 I = 9 $tab36r $:a = 33$; $l $tab1 J = 10 $tab36r $:b = 34$; $l $tab1 K = 11 $tab36r $:c = 35$; $l $l $kpe $l $sl1 $l $kps $sl1 $tab1 at sign = 0 $tab28r $:d = 36$; $l $tab1 A = 1 $tab28r $:e = 37$; $l $tab1 B = 2 $tab28r $:f = 38$; $l $tab1 C = 3 $tab28r $:g = 39$; $l $tab1 D = 4 $tab28r $:h = 40$; $l $tab1 E = 5 $tab28r $:i = 41$; $l $tab1 F = 6 $tab28r $:j = 42$; $l $tab1 G = 7 $tab28r $:k = 43$; $l $tab1 H = 8 $tab28r $:l = 44$; $l $tab1 I = 9 $tab28r $:m = 45$; $l $tab1 J = 10 $tab28r $:n = 46$; $l $tab1 K = 11 $tab28r $:o = 47$; $l $l $kpe $l $sl1 $l $kps $sl1 $tab1 at sign = 0 $tab37r $:p = 48$; $l $tab1 A = 1 $tab37r $:q = 49$; $l $tab1 B = 2 $tab37r $:r = 50$; $l $tab1 C = 3 $tab37r $:s = 51$; $l $tab1 D = 4 $tab37r $:t = 52$; $l $tab1 E = 5 $tab37r $:u = 53$; $l $tab1 F = 6 $tab37r $:v = 54$; $l $tab1 G = 7 $tab37r $:w = 55$; $l $tab1 H = 8 $tab37r $:x = 56$; $l $tab1 I = 9 $tab37r $:y = 57$; $l $tab1 J = 10 $tab37r $:z = 58$; $l $tab1 K = 11 $tab37r $:{ = 59$; $l $l $kpe $l $sl1 $leaf- 22 $pg $ptye $hds FCC Compliance $hde Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by Enabling Technologies Company could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: $l 1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. $l 2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. $l 3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is needed. $l 4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. $l $leaf- 23 $pg $hds Warranty $hde Enabling Technologies Company warrants all parts and workmanship of the TranSend System to be free of defects for a period of one year (365 days) from date of delivery. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser who must return such defective part(s) to Enabling Technologies Company immediately upon customer's discovery of the defect in question. Return shipment of such defective part(s) must be pre-paid by customer. This warranty does not extend to defects resulting from improper use or unauthorized service by purchaser. Also, the warranty is invalid if any of the instructions accompanying the product are not carefully followed. This limited warranty is made in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and is limited to the repair or replacement of the product. No warranty, expressed or implied, is extended concerning the completeness, correctness, or suitability of the Enabling Technologies Company equipment for any particular application. There are no warranties which extend beyond those expressly stated herein. Enabling Technologies Company offers an extended warranty program. For further details, direct all correspondence to: $l $sl1 Enabling Technologies Company $l Customer Support Group $l 3102 S.E. Jay Street $l Stuart, Florida 34997 $l (407) 283-4817 $l (800) 777-3687 $l $sl1 Shipping address for service: $l Enabling Technologies Company $l Customer Support Group $l 3171 S.E. Waaler Street $l Stuart, Florida 34997 $l