Information:

This document covers your initial connection of your QBraille XL to a Windows 10 computer with JAWS using a Bluetooth connection. Although these instructions are for Windows 10 and JAWS 2019, these instructions may also work with different versions of Windows and JAWS

Step 1 – Connect QBraille to Computer

On the QBraille XL

1. Power on the QBraille (Power button located on left edge)
2. Then open “Connectivity” (shortcut: C).
3. Choose “Bluetooth Braille” (Use SPACE to change selection if necessary) and press ENTER. QBraille will show “Pairing Mode brailleedge…”

On the computer

1. Navigate to "Bluetooth & Other devices"
2. Ensure Bluetooth is set to "On".
3. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device"
4. Click "Bluetooth…"
5. From the list of discoverable items, scroll down to "Braille Edge…"
6. The QBraille displays as a Braille Edge within Windows
7. Press ENTER on "Pair"
8. Windows will notify you during the setup process and when your device is "ready to go"
9. If asked to enter a pass code, enter "0000"

Step 2 – Setup JAWS

On the Computer

1. Open JAWS on your computer
2. Open the Braille dialog box, found under "Options"
3. JAWS Shortcut keys: Alt, O, L
4. Move to "Add Braille Display" button
5. Tab to move to the button
6. From the list of braille displays, choose "Braille Edge" by placing a checkbox next to this option.
7. Use arrows to move down the list, and the spacebar to place a check in the checkbox
8. Press ENTER to move to the next screen
9. Set the "output port" to Bluetooth by selecting a COM Port
10. Use arrows to change the selection in the dropdown
11. Press ENTER to move to the next screen
12. Set the "Primary device" as "Braille Edge"
13. Use arrows to change the selection in the dropdown
14. Press ENTER to save your settings
15. Press ENTER to close the dialog box stating you must restart JAWS.
16. Close JAWS and restart JAWS.

On the computer

1. Open JAWS
2. Open the Braille dialog box, found under "Options"
3. JAWS Shortcut keys: Alt, O, L
4. Move to "Default Braille Display"
5. Choose "Braille Edge" from the dropdown
6. Press OK
7. Close JAWS
8. You can use Alt + F4 or the menu bar

Step 3 – Pair the QBraille Braille keyboard

**On the computer **

1. Open JAWS
2. Your QBraille should automatically connect.
3. Following the steps in this document, the QBraille should still say “Pairing Mode brailleedge…” when you re-open JAWS. If that is the case, then the QBraille should connect to JAWS immediately upon opening.

If your QBraille does not show that message in braille when opening JAWS for this last step, then follow the steps for the standard process of connecting to JAWS via Bluetooth.

Step 4 – Pairing the QWERTY Keys

The QBraille consists of two separate keyboards; the standard Perkins keyboard that provides the normal 6-key entry, and the QWERTY keyboard that acts like a standard QWERTY keyboard, allowing you to use normal keystrokes. The following steps connect the QWERTY modifier and command keys to your computer.

**On the QBraille XL in Terminal Mode **
If you are already in terminal mode and connected to JAWS then follow these instructions. If you are not in terminal mode, but instead are in the main menu of the QBraille, then skip these steps and move to “From the QBraille XL in the Main Menu”.
Press Pair + F7
The Qbraille uses F1 through F6 for pairing the braille part of the Qbraille, and F7 through F12 for QWERTY pairing. If you have already used the F7 slot for QWERTY pairing, then use the first open slot.

On the QBraille XL in the Main Menu

1. Open “Connectivity” (Shortcut: C)
2. Choose “Bluetooth Keyboard”
3. Use SPACE to change selection if necessary
4. Press ENTER
5. Places QBraille in Terminal Mode

**On the computer: **

1. Navigate to "Bluetooth & Other devices"
2. Ensure Bluetooth is set to "On"
3. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device"
4. Click "Bluetooth…"
5. From the list of discoverable items, scroll down to "QBraille…"
6. Press ENTER on "Pair"
   Windows will notify you during the setup process and when your device is "ready to go"

If asked to enter a pass code, enter "0000"

Step 5 – Turning Hybrid Mode On

From the QBraille XL:
Press the Mode key on the QBraille
Toggles Hybrid Mode on and off
The QBraille XL has two separate modes; Hybrid Mode On, and Hybrid Mode Off. When Hybrid Mode is off, then the QBraille acts the same as any other braille display. You will use the Perkins keyboard for navigation, commands, and typing.

When Hybrid Mode is turned on, the QBraille will act as a QWERTY keyboard. This means that navigation will be handled with the arrow keys and tab, and you can use the common keyboard commands directly from the QBraille.

To illustrate, when Hybrid Mode is turned on and you want to close an application, you can press Alt + F4. With Hybrid Mode off this keyboard command will not work.

Step 6 – Troubleshooting

One of the most common issues that people face when connecting a braille device to a computer with Bluetooth is knowing which COM Port to select. If you find that your QBraille is not displaying braille, it is likely that you have chosen the wrong Com Port. Use the following instructions on how to determine the proper COM Port when setting up your device.

**From the computer **

1. Open Control Panel and in the search field, type "bluetooth"
2. From the results, click on "Change Bluetooth settings"
3. Opens the Bluetooth settings dialog box
4. Click on the tab for "COM Ports"
5. Take note of which Outgoing COM Port is being used for the "Braille Edge…". It will also say "Bluetooth Serial Port" as part of the name.
6. Open JAWS if not already open
7. Open the Braille dialog box, found under "Options"
8. JAWS Shortcut keys: Alt, O, L
9. Click on "Modify Settings…"
10. Use the dropdown to choose the proper output port.
11. Click on OK
12. Click on OK to close the Braille Settings dialog box
13. Close JAWS
14. Open JAWS

If all else fails

If choosing the correct COM Port does not address your issue, please contact HIMS Support by phone at 888-520-4467 or by email at support@hims-inc.com (mailto:support@hims-inc.com).