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BRAILLEX EL Braille Assistant (ELba)

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BRAILLEX EL Braille Assistant (ELba)

Image of BRAILLEX ELba 32 with Braille keyboard Image of BRAILLEX ELba 32t with QWERTY keyboard

Connectivity the easy way

Papenmeier's BRAILLEX EL Braille Assistant (ELba) is a universal communications tool and a state-of-the-art Braille display; it is the most versatile portable Braille device available. Send and receive email, surf the web, take notes, organize your day, share information with other devices or access your Windows based PC. BRAILLEX ELba offers this with quality refreshable Braille and very understandable speech in more than 35 languages.
 

Full Internet and email access anywhere any time

BRAILLEX ELba puts the Internet at your fingertips. The built-in modem and Ethernet port, or its new 802.11b wireless Internet (wiFi) support along with friendly yet powerful software make sure you stay connected even while traveling.
 

Superior hardware with large memory

BRAILLEX ELba features a state- of-the-art CPU designed for portable use with plenty of computing power and advanced power management. The 32MB of non-volatile flash memory and 32MB RAM can store thousands of documents.
 

Ergonomic keyboard and patented Easy Access Bar

BRAILLEX ELba is available with either a Braille or a QWERTY type keyboard.

The mechanics of the Braille keyboard were inspired by the technology used for piano keyboards. You will feel the difference when writing long text.

Another highlight of BRAILLEX ELba is the patented Easy Access Bar, a long key located on the front of the device. This joystick-like control moves the display up, down, back and forth in a very fast and intuitive way. You issue commands without ever taking your hands off the Braille display.
 

Rock-solid Linux software and complete productivity suite

BRAILLEX ELba uses a Linux based operating system. Although most users will never "see" the operating system, they will take advantage of its advanced networking capability and its rock-solid applications.

BRAILLEX ELba comes with a complete selection of productivity tools all of which are available from the control center. The set of applications includes a word processor, email, Internet browser, address book, day planner, scientific calculator, spreadsheet, voice recorder, and document reader. ELba was the first notetaker to offer a built-in MP3 player. ELba also fully supports the Bookshare file format (US version only!). ELba is the first blindness product to include a built-in game interpreter. So if you want to work, communicate or play, ELba has everything you need!

Easy file transfer to and from a PC is a must. BRAILLEX ELba can also do file conversion (read and write Word files) and keep your data files updated with its automatic synchronization utility.

Since Linux is a multi-tasking operating system, you can have several applications running at once.
 

Braille Access to Windows based computers

Connect BRAILLEX ELba to your computer, run a screen reader like Jaws, Supernova or Window Eyes and you have a Braille terminal for your computer with an award-winning refreshable Braille display and a Braille keyboard.
 

Ease of use

Users of all levels will find the menu-driven control center easy to learn and navigate. Windows users will find many of the shortcut keys they are used to.

Text can be entered in grade 1 or 2 Braille, translation and reverse translation are available at any time.
 

All in one

BRAILLEX ELba combines all of your communications and Braille requirements into one compact and easy to use device.

 


Technical Specifications:

Hardware/Software:

  • StrongARM RISC processor
  • Linux operating system

Braille Display:

  • 32 8-dot cells with integrated cursor routing
  • Patented Easy Access Bar

Keyboard:

  • 8 Braille keys plus space bar and two thumb keys
  • Ergonomic keys with tactile feel
  • Optional QUERTY keyboard instead of Braille keyboard at no extra charge

Speech:

  • Understandable natural speech
  • Optional second language
  • Internal speaker or headphones

Memory:

  • DRAM 32 MB
  • Flash Memory 32 MB
  • Optional disk drives (up to 5 GB), storage cards, and other external storage devices

Communication ports:

  • Serial 9-pin connector
  • Parallel standard 25-pin connector
  • USB Client
  • PS/2 keyboard
  • Standard Type II PCMCIA slot
  • Ethernet
  • Internal 56k modem
  • Speaker Output
  • Microphone Input

Power Management:

  • Rechargeable Lithium battery, 12 hours capacity
  • Low power electronics
  • Fuel gauge to keep precise track of charge

Program suite:

  • Word processor
  • File Manager
  • Document reader (including support for the Bookshare file format - US version only)
  • File transfer to and from PC
  • Automatic data synchronization
  • File converter (read and write Word compatible format)
  • Braille translator
  • MP3 Player
  • Email
  • Internet browser
  • Scientific Calculator
  • Voice recorder
  • Spreadsheet
  • Day planner
  • Address book
  • Database
  • Game interpreter
  • Root shell for power users allowing direct access to the Linux system
  • Braille terminal to allow BRAILLEX ELba to act as a Braille display and Braille keyboard for other computers

Visual Display Support:

  • Visualization on a connected computer with terminal emulation
  • Connection via serial port to an (optional) external LCD display

Housing:

  • Dimensions: 30 cm x 21 cm x 5 cm (11.8" x 8.5" x 2")
  • Weight: approx. 2 kg (4 lb)
  • Aluminum-magnesium case
  • Soft carrying case with shoulder strap


Specifications subject to change without notice.