Focus V - Scratchpad setup information

Focus V - Scratchpad setup information

Problem

A Focus V Braille display user wishes to set up the Scratchpad feature for use with their Focus gen 5 display.

Applies to

  1. Focus V

Resolution

The Scratchpad feature will run on Focus 5th displays running version 5.81‑30 firmware and later.  Before you can use Scratchpad, you must insert a Micro SD card into the Focus display as files you create are saved directly to the card. BRF books will also need to be copied to the card for reading in the Scratchpad. The Focus supports Micro SD cards up to 32 GB. To insert a Micro SD card, do the following:

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you attempt to insert the card in any other position than as described. Damage to the card or the Focus Blue can result if the card is not properly oriented before being inserted.


  1. Make sure the Focus Blue is powered off.
  2. Turn the display so the left side is facing you. The Micro SD slot is a narrow opening located to the right of the Power button under the bumper.
  3. Hold the card so that the fingernail grip (the raised edge used to grab and remove the card) is pointed toward you and facing down. You will also feel a slight protrusion on the left side as well as a square cutout in the upper left corner. In addition, the printed label on the card should be facing down.
  4. Insert the card into the slot until it clicks into place.

Downloading and Transferring Scratchpad Files

Once the card is inserted, do the following to download and transfer the Scratchpad Help to the card so you can access the documentation right on your display from inside the utility:

  1. Using the link at the end of this procedure, download and save the Focus5-SDCard file to a location on your computer where you can easily find it, for example, your Downloads folder.
  2. Locate the file and extract its contents. A folder called FSI is created in the same folder where you extracted the file.
  3. On the Focus, make sure the unit is powered off and the supplied USB cable is connected to your PC. Next, press and hold the Left Panning button while simultaneously inserting the USB cable. The display will be recognized as a removable USB drive.

Note: If you use a screen reader such as JAWS over USB, it is recommended that you turn on speech or use a Bluetooth connection as braille will currently not work over USB when the Focus is being used as a storage device. You will also not be able to use Scratchpad while in this mode.

  1. On your computer, navigate to the fsi folder and press CTRL+C to copy the entire folder and its contents.
  2. Navigate to and open the USB drive to display the contents of the Micro SD card and press CTRL+V to paste the fsi folder in the root of the card.
  3. Once the folder is transferred, press the APPLICATIONS key on your computer while focused on the USB drive, and choose Eject.
  4. Power the Focus off and back on and simultaneously press the Menu button and the letter N (DOTS 1-3-4-5). Scratchpad opens to a blank file where you can immediately begin entering text. To open the help file, simultaneously press the Right Shift button and the letter H (DOTS 1-2-5).

Focus Scratchpad (Version 2.12 Update)
Contains latest English and localized Scratchpad help files.

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