visiobraille Poet Compact 2 Software version User Guide

: June 5, 2024
: visiobraille

visiobraille Poet Compact 2 Software version User Guide

VisioBraille – see with different eyes
We continue the products of BAUM Retec AG!
The company VisioBraille is convinced of the CCTV readers from the VISIO family, the VARIO Braille displays and Poet text-to-speech readers!

Encouraged by the overwhelming positive reactions of customers and distributors, Visio Braille decided to continue to produce the products of the former company BAUM Retec AG and ensure the service.
On this basis, our customers will provided with newly developed devices in the future.

With these innovative tools, we want to balance the limitations of blind and visually impaired people in the best possible way, strengthen your independence and provide assistance on the way to an independent everyday life.

We reach this aim through our strong commitment developing quality products, through years of experience in this field, through our excellent Know-how and proven expertise, using state-of-the-art technologies that significantly improve the quality of life of our customers. Ergonomics, design and uality of the products developed and produced in Germany fulfill the highest demands.

In the private sector, as well as in education and work, you can break down barriers using our high-quality products, and continue to drive your success.

About this user guide

Congratulations on your decision to purchase the POET Compact 2. We are sure you will enjoy reading with the new comfortable reading machine

Poet Compact 2 is developed to scan printed text and to read it aloud with a naturally sounding TTS speech output. Poet Compact helps you stay autonomic and independent when handling printed matter.

All efforts have been made to ensure that information contained in this document is correct at the time of issue. Neither Visio Braille GmbH nor its representatives assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. We suggest that you store this user guide in a safe place for future reference.

Notice for End Users in Germany/Europe
This user guide is a part of the product, and should be kept with the product at all times. In the event your product is ever sold to a new end user, this user guide must be provided to them.

Copyright © 2020 Visio Braille GmbH, Ossmaritzer Strass 4c, D – 07745 Jena, Germany. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission from Visio Braille GmbH.

All efforts have been made to ensure that information contained in this document is correct at the time of issue. Neither Visio Braille GmbH nor its representatives assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information
contained herein.

Licenses and trademarks
All licenses and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Before you begin

Please check the contents of the package. In case you notice that parts are missing or damaged please contact your dealer immediately.

What is in the box

Poet Compact
Power cable
User’s Guide

It is strongly recommended that you retain all packaging, in case you need to return the device for any reason in the future. Improper packing when shipping the device may void warranty.

Carefully read the manual and safety instructions before turning on the device for the first time.
The device is may only be used in home and office environment. In medical institutions use of the device is limited to office rooms.

Description of Device

Description of keys and ports

The buttons and loud speakers are located on the front side of the reading machine. The cover of the scanner is located on the top, the mains connector jack and the transportation lock are located on the rear.

Front panel (from left to right)

Left rotary knob = Speed control of reading voice.
Right rotary knob = volume control.
triangular start key = starts scanning the document page.
square stop key = Stops or resumes reading.
round power on/off key = Turns on or off the device.
LED above the on/off key = green light while device is turned on.
Connectors for headphones and USB port are on the left edge of the front panel, next to the speed control.
Stereo loudspeakers are below the control panel.

Top of device:

Cover of the scanner glass. Open vertically backwards.
A grip at the front edge in the middle of the cover helps to open the cover easily.
scanner glass .

Rear:

Mains connector: left.
Transportation lock: slide switch, in the middle. (Unlock position = Push switch to the direction of mains connector)
USB port: Deepening, in the middle.

Reading with Poet Compact

Set up and turn on the device

Put the device on a flat surface and make sure the device is standing steady
Make sure, that there is some space between the sides of the device and other things for an adequate airing.
Check, if the slide switch of the transport lock on the rear side is in the unlock position. That means pushed to the direction of the mains connector.
Otherwise the scanner is blocked and the device cannot scan texts.
Plug in the power lead to the mains connector on the rear side and plug the cable into a live mains socket.
Press the power on key, (round key, to the very right on the front panel)
While starting you get various sounds. At first some beeps then some clicking sounds. Wait until you hear the prompt „Poet ready.

Scanning and reading a document

Lift the cover.
Put your document on the glass, print side down. When scanning books press both pages down on the glass and make sure, they rest flat on the glass.
Close cover.
Press the triangular start key.
Reading starts after some noise and sounds.
By pressing the square stop key you can interrupt reading. Press stop key again to resume reading at the position where you stopped before.

Volume and Reading Speed Control

Make your settings while a document is being read to you, to directly check the result.

Increase Volume = Turn the right rotary knob clockwise.
Decrease Volume = Turn the right rotary knob counter clockwise.
Increase reading speed = turn the left rotary knob clockwise.
Decrease reading speed = Turn the left rotary knob counter clockwise.

NB: Changing the reading speed reacts a bit delayed.

Read page again

Put the document back on the glass, in case it was removed.
Press the triangular start key.
Reading starts after some sounds.
By pressing the square stop key you can interrupt reading. Press stop key again to resume reading at the position where you stopped before

Moving backwards in the Document

Press and hold the square Stop key for about 3 seconds.
Reading stops and you hear some clicking sounds followed by a single sound. This sound informs you, that you now jump back a sentence within the document.
The sentence is read aloud.
Afterwards you either can jump back one more sentence by a long press on the square stop key in the same way as described above, or start the continuous reading by pressing the square stop key briefly.

Turn off the Device

Press the round power on/off key, to the very right on the front panel
You hear a sound signal and you get the prompt „Poet is turned off“ followed by some beeps. The last document page will be saved automatically.
After a short time the beeps stop and the green LED above the power on/off key turns off and the device is shut down completely.

Note: Please always first turn off the device before you pull off the power lead or before you switch off the power supply.

Saving and retrieving document page

When you turn off Poet Compact the last scanned document page is saved automatically.
When you turn on Poet Compact this saved document page is loaded automatically. Pressing stop key after turning on the device starts reading this saved page. If a new page is scanned by pressing the start key, the former saved page is deleted.
If you turn off the device the last current scanned document page is again saved automatically.

Change Language for Recognition and Reading Voice

Poet Compact is available in a version with an optional second language for text recognition and reading voice. Provided you have got this version, you can switch between those two languages easily by a long press on the triangular START button. Press until Poet Compact 2 beeps. It reads then with the other language.

Connection of cable remote control

You can connect an external remote control in shape of a USB numeric keyboard to the USB port of Poet Compact. This offers you reading and navigation options in the document page. To execute the reading commands, press the assigned number key.

previous word.
read current word / spell / use spelling table.
next word.
previous sentence.
current sentence.
next sentence.
previous line.
current line.
next line.

Enter key: Pause / Resume

System version and service settings

With the options of the special functions you can check the version number. Moreover you can execute various settings (Restore factory settings, Software Update, etc.)

Proceed as follows to enter the special functions:

Press and hold the triangular start key and in addition briefly press the square Stop key. Then release both keys.
You hear a clanging sound.
Press and release once again start and stop key as described in step
Again you hear the clanging sound.
Press and release start and stop key in the same way for the third time.
You get the prompt “special functions”.
By pressing the start key you can browse through the various options, i.e . „Exit special functions“.
Press stop key to execute the selected option.
The announcement „text window“ informs you, that the special functions are closed and that you can use the start key for scanning documents again.

Example:
To check the version number information press multiple times in the special functions the start key until you get the option „Poet Info“. Then press stop key. The system information is announced and the special functions are closed afterwards.

Connection of cable remote control

You can connect an external remote control in shape of a USB numeric keyboard to the USB port of Poet Compact. This offers you reading and navigation options in the document page. To execute the reading commands, press the assigned number key.

previous word.
read current word / spell / use spelling table.
next word.
previous sentence.
current sentence.
next sentence.
previous line.
current line.
next line.

Enter key: Pause / Resume

Troubleshooting

Poet does not speak anymore:
- Check the volume control. Turn the right rotary knob to a medium position.
You cannot comprehend any word while reading:
- Check the speed control. Turn the left rotary knob to a medium position.
- Check if the text is printed in foreign language or handwritten.
No text is recognized and read after scanning:
- Check that the sheet rests properly with the printed side down to the glass. If necessary turn around the sheet and start scanning once again.
- Check if there are pictures or if the text is printed on a colored background.
- Check if the transportation lock is unlocked. Push the slide switch at the rear side completely to the direction of the mains connector.
Scanning does not start though the triangular start key is pressed:
- Check if the device is turned on. Green light on the LED.
- Do you get an announcement when pressing start key? What is announced? Probably you have entered the special functions.
  Press start key multiple times until you reach the option „Exit special functions“. Then press the square stop key.
The device does not react on any keystroke and cannot be turned off.
- Press and hold the power on/off key until the light of the LED goes off. (ca. 30 sec.). After that power on the device as usual. If this does not restart the device, then you should contact the customer support for assistance.

Defects and Repair

If Poet Compact 2 is defective– what to do?

Do not use a broken device! Unplug broken device from mains! Please do not hesitate to contact your local Visio Braille GmbH dealer or VisioBraille GmbH.

You can reach VisioBraille GmbH at telephone number (+49) 3641 2816- 400 in Germany. We will help you check your Poet and in case it is broken we can mail a service box for shipping Poet to our repair department. Show this user guide to the person who will help you packaging Poet in the service box.

Compliances

This product conforms to the guidelines of the European Union and takes the CE- and ROHS marking.

Environmentally friendly disposal according to EC-Directive 2002/96/EG

The symbol (crossed garbage can), which is also attached to the device, states that this device and its accessories, once come to the end of its lifetime, should not be regarded as household waste. An environmentally friendly way of final disposal is compulsory.

This device contains electronic components. In order to avoid risks or dangers for the environment through non-professional waste disposal, the disposal of this device and its accessories must correspond to the valid EC-Directives or other local regulations. Please check your local regulations for proper disposing of this device or consult your local distributor.

For data privacy protection reasons, please remove all personal data from the device prior to disposal.

Declaration of conformity

Warranty

Visio Braille GmbH warrants the device, effective from the date of delivery, to be free of any defects in material and workmanship. Warranty is not transferable and does not apply to groups, multi users or agencies. This device has been designed for the individual purchaser to be used in home or office environments. Visio Braille GmbH reserves the right to repair or replace with a similar or better product. In no event shall Visio Braille GmbH or its distributors be liable for indirect or consequential damages. The original users’ remedies are limited to replacement of devices modules/parts. This warranty is valid only when service is done in the country of original purchase and with intact warranty seals. For additional warranty claims or service during or after warranty period, please refer to your local distributor. Visio Braille GmbH does not take responsibility for use of this device other than described in this Manual.

Warranty on new devices is 24 months.
Warranty on used or refurbished devices is 12 months.
Warranty on Consumable parts (Batteries, Braille Pins, Data carriers etc.) is 6 months.
Warranty on storage media (SD-cards, CD-ROMS, DVD’s, etc.) is 90 days.
Warranty on repairs and spare parts is 12 months.

All defects caused by improper use or users fault are not covered by this warranty.
Warranty will be void if warranty seal is damaged.

Parts replaced during repair are transferred into ownership of VisioBraille GmbH and will not be returned to the customer.

In case of repair the device must be properly packed into its original shipping box.
Costs for packing, shipping and insurance are not covered by VisioBraille GmbH.

Safety instructions

Important note : Failure to observe the following warnings may invalidate the guarantee and could cause damage of the device or serious injury.

Please check contents of package before you use the device. If parts are damaged or missing, please do not hesitate to inform your dealer.

Please keep the shipping box, so you can safely pack the device in case you have to ship it for service, etc. Improper packaging could cause loss of warranty. In case you need a new shipping box, your dealer can send you one.

Please carefully read the user guide and safety instructions before you use the device for the first time.
This device may only be used in a home or office environment.
Do not place on an instable surface. It may fall causing serious damage to the device or injury to the user. Please follow the instruction on how to place the device especially in respect to avoidance of tilting and falling down by keeping proper space to edges of table.

The device contains moving parts. Please take care when adjusting the display or moving the arms to fold the device. Injury may occur if fingers or clothing are caught in the operating mechanism. If you have difficulties in operating the unit safely, please seek advice or contact your local dealer.

Connect the power supply to a grounding-type power outlet only.
Do not use the device if you find any damages at device or wires.
If the device appears to be operating abnormally, or to be damaged in any way, please contact your VISIOBRAILLE GMBH dealer as soon as possible.

If you smell smoke or an door coming out of the device, turn off the power immediately.
Do not try to repair the device yourself. Opening or removal of housing may cause damage or injury.
Do not allow sand or dust to come into contact with the device as this may lead to serious damage and could make repair impossible.

Use the device with clean hands only.
Do not use in locations where strong radio waves are emitted or where there is radiation. Keep a distance of at least 30cm to mobile phones.

Only use original accessories. Use of second source accessories may damage the device or cause malfunction or safety issues.

Do not use a power supply not made for this device. Only use the original power supply!
Do not use the power supply with other devices.
Avoid liquids and food near the device.

Do not use or store the device in any of the following places as this may cause damage:

Inside cars parked with the windows closed in the hot sun.
In direct sunlight or close to heaters, radiators, etc.
Locations subject to severe vibration such as on top of a washing machine.
Locations subject to strong magnetism such as near loudspeakers.
Humid places (bath room), in water, or near water.
In rain or snow
Do not use or store below 0°C or above 40°C.
Humidity shall be within 20% to 80%
Avoid fast temperature changes

If you bring the device from cold places into a warm room, humidity may condensate. Wait until the device is dry and well-tempered to room temperature before use.

Unplug from mains before cleaning.

Wipe dust and dirt from the device with a soft cloth dampened with a diluted neutral detergent, then wipe dry with a cloth. Do not bring in contact with water.

Do not insert objects into openings.

Do not use device during thunderstorms. Unplug from mains during thunderstorms. We recommend use of an overvoltage protection adapter, which can be bought from your local electro store. Please note, this does not provide a 100% protection from overvoltage.

Do not insert or remove the plug with wet hands.
Do not heat in a microwave oven, on a cooker or similar.
Never disassemble, attempt to repair or modify device yourself.
If liquids or metal fragments should enter device, switch it off and remove the power lead immediately.
Do not pull the plug out by the lead when removing the power plug.
Avoid shock. Do not throw or let fall.
Repairs may only be carried out by VISIOBRAILLE GMBH service personnel or by service technicians authorized by VisioBraille GmbH.

Care and maintenance

Avoid damp and water. Use only a clean, dry cloth to clean the housing of the device. Do not use
any cleaning fluids or solvents. Wipe dust and dirt from the housing of the device with a soft cloth dampened with a diluted neutral detergent (stay clear from the Braille cells and Roll-bars!), then wipe dry with a cloth. Do not attempt to clean the Braille cells and/or Roll-bars yourself. Contact your dealer for intensive and professional cleaning of your device.

Protect the device from extreme heat, e.g. from the sun, heating units, hot cars etc.
With extreme cold and frost the device becomes inoperable and must be brought slowly back to room temperature. Under no circumstances must the device be warmed up or “thawed out” in a conventional oven, microwave oven or any other heating device! Avoid any mechanical damage to the housing or accessories. Use only the power supply for the device provided.