Logo for Orbit Research features a stylized globe with latitude and longitude lines on the left, intersected by an elliptical orbit line with a solid dot. Bold black text "ORBIT" is prominently displayed, with smaller "RESEARCH" beneath, conveying a scientific and space-related theme.Orbit Flow 40 Quick-Start Guide

The Orbit Flow 40 is a plug-and-play refreshable braille display that enables a blind or visually impaired user to access the functions of a computer, smartphone, or tablet using braille.

The device has 40 refreshable eight-dot braille cells and connects to a host device through USB. Orbit Flow 40 is designed to work with screen readers using the standard HID Braille protocol.

Orbit Flow 40 is not a stand-alone device. It does not include internal apps, a file reader, a note taker, or storage for reading files directly. It works only when connected to a host device running a screen reader.

This guide provides basic instructions for using the Orbit Flow 40 Electronic Braille Display. For more complete instructions and information, refer to the full User Guide or visit www.orbitresearch.com/support.

In the Box

The following items are included in the package: Orbit Flow 40 unit, USB Type-C cable, and a printed Quick-Start Guide.

Contact your distributor if anything is missing or damaged.

Orientation of the Device

The normal operating orientation of the device is with the line of braille cells towards you.

The device has 40 braille cells. Above each braille cell is a cursor routing button. These buttons are used by the screen reader to move the cursor, route to text on the display, activate items, or perform other screen reader functions.

On the left and right side of the line of braille cells are six command keys. Three command keys are located on the left side of the braille display, and three command keys are located on the right side.

On the left side, from top to bottom, the keys are named C1, C2, and C3.

On the right side, from top to bottom, the keys are named C4, C5, and C6.

On the front edge of the device are four thumb keys and one Home key. From left to right, these keys are Thumb Key 1, Thumb Key 2, Home key, Thumb Key 3, and Thumb Key 4.

The USB Type-C port is located on the left side of the device. This port is used for power, communication with the host device, and firmware upgrade.

Power and USB Connection

Orbit Flow 40 receives power from the connected host device through USB.

Connect the USB Type-C end of the cable to the USB Type-C port on the left side of the device. Connect the other end of the cable to your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other supported host device.

Orbit Flow 40 does not have an internal battery and does not use a charger. It turns on when connected to a powered host device and turns off when disconnected.

When Orbit Flow 40 is connected but no screen reader is active, the display shows device information such as the product name, firmware version, and current connection mode.

For normal use, Orbit Flow 40 should be set to HID-Braille mode. HID Braille is the recommended plug-and-play mode for supported screen readers.

Connecting to a Computer, Smartphone, or Tablet

Orbit Flow 40 is designed to work as a standard HID Braille display.

JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack support HID Braille. In many cases, this means that no special Orbit Flow 40 driver is required.

To use Orbit Flow 40 with a screen reader:

1.       Connect Orbit Flow 40 to the host device using the USB cable.

2.       Make sure Orbit Flow 40 is set to HID-Braille mode.

3.       Start the screen reader.

4.       If the screen reader does not detect the display automatically, open the braille settings and choose the HID Braille display option.

The screen reader controls what appears on the braille display. It also controls braille translation, cursor behavior, and most key commands.

Screen reader support for Orbit Flow 40 is still being finalized. Support is especially still in progress for JAWS. The final Orbit Flow 40 command set is expected to be integrated into the JAWS July update.

Setting Preferences

Orbit Flow 40 includes a small internal menu for viewing device information and changing device settings.

Use the following commands in the menu:

•         To open the menu, press Thumb Key 1 and Thumb Key 4.

•         To move through the menu items, press Thumb Key 1 or Thumb Key 4.

•         To change the value of the current menu item, press Thumb Key 2 or Thumb Key 3.

•         To save changes and close the menu, press the Home key.

The menu includes options such as Version, Serial No., Emulation, and Sleep timeout.

The Emulation setting controls how Orbit Flow 40 identifies itself to the connected host. The default and recommended setting is HID-Braille.

HID-Orbit mode is available only for Orbit Reader 40 emulation. Use HID-Orbit only when a screen reader or host device does not support HID Braille correctly, or when Orbit Reader 40 emulation is specifically required.

Basic Device Commands

The following commands are handled by Orbit Flow 40 itself and are not sent to the screen reader:

•         Open the internal menu: Thumb Key 1 + Thumb Key 4

•         Save changes and exit the menu: Home key

•         Switch to HID-Braille mode: Thumb Key 1 + Thumb Key 4 + CR 1

•         Switch to HID-Orbit mode: Thumb Key 1 + Thumb Key 4 + CR 2

•         Reboot the device:

o   HW 1.0 à C6 + Thumb Key 3

o   HW 1.1 à C4 + CR 40

In these commands, CR means cursor routing button. For example, CR 1 means the cursor routing button above the first braille cell.

Further Information

For the latest information, specifications, troubleshooting tips, firmware upgrade instructions, care and use information, warranty information, and more detailed instructions, visit the Orbit Research support website at www.orbitresearch.com/support

For further questions or concerns not covered in this Quick-Start Guide or the User Guide, please contact the distributor from whom you purchased your Orbit Flow 40.