Freedom Scientific BLV Group 450OX REMOTE CONTROL TRANSMITTER User Manual USERS MANUAL
Freedom Scientific BLV Group REMOTE CONTROL TRANSMITTER USERS MANUAL
USERS MANUAL
Part #440378-001 Revision A
ONYX™ Swing-arm
User’s Guide
Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group, LLC
June 2007
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide ii
PUBLISHED BY
Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805
USA
http://www.FreedomScientific.com
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this publication may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, for any
purpose, without the express written permission of Freedom Scientific.
© 2007 Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ONYX™ and EyeMerge™ are trademarks of Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group, LLC
in the United States and other countries.
MAGic is a registered trademark of Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group, LLC in the
United States and other countries.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide iii
Federal Communications Commission Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio or television technician for help.
Note: Unit has been designed for connection to an IT power distribution system.
Do Not Make Modifications to Remote Control
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide iv
Table of Contents
Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1
ONYX Swing-arm Components .......................................................................................... 2
What’s in the Box ................................................................................................................ 2
Safety and Maintenance ..................................................................................................... 3
Getting Started .................................................................................................................. 5
Assembling ONYX .............................................................................................................. 5
Camera Assembly ............................................................................................................... 5
Video to Television Connections ......................................................................................... 8
Camera to Video Box Connection ....................................................................................... 9
Video Box Power Connection ........................................................................................... 10
Turning ONYX Swing-arm On ........................................................................................... 10
Positioning Camera for Long Distance or Close-up Work ................................................ 11
Camera Positions and Settings ..................................................................................... 11
Basic Operation Using the ONYX Remote Control ...................................................... 13
Turning ONYX Swing-arm On and Off .............................................................................. 13
Changing Magnification .................................................................................................... 13
Adjusting Brightness ......................................................................................................... 14
Changing Viewing Modes ................................................................................................. 14
Centering on a Distant Image ........................................................................................... 15
Flipping an Image ............................................................................................................. 15
Using the Freeze Button ................................................................................................... 16
Using the Masking Menu .................................................................................................. 16
Reading Lines ─ Marker 1 and Marker 2 .......................................................................... 17
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide v
Exiting the Menu ............................................................................................................... 18
Adjusting Enhanced Image Contrast ................................................................................ 19
Saving Camera Settings ................................................................................................... 19
ONYX Remote Control Functions .................................................................................. 20
Power/Function LED ......................................................................................................... 21
Mode Button (Blue) ........................................................................................................... 21
Find Button (Gray) ............................................................................................................. 22
Flip (Light Blue) ................................................................................................................. 22
Zoom Buttons (Black) ....................................................................................................... 23
Brightness Buttons (Yellow) .............................................................................................. 23
Freeze and Focus Lock Button (Orange) .......................................................................... 24
Menu Button (Brown) ........................................................................................................ 25
Power Button (Green) ....................................................................................................... 26
Service and Support ....................................................................................................... 27
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ 28
General Information – ONYX Models ............................................................................ 33
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 1
Overview
The ONYX™ Camera makes seeing printed type, pictures, handwriting, and small details
easier than ever before.
The ONYX includes the following features:
Document reading
Distance reading
Self viewing
Auto Focus creates the clearest view without any need to make adjustments.
Adjust pre-set video modes for high contrast text that is most comfortable for your
individual eyesight.
Increase or decrease brightness
Masking
Reading lines
Freeze frame
Find function to easily target distant objects
2 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
ONYX Swing-arm Components
What’s in the Box
ONYX magnifying camera
Base plate
Swinging camera arm
ONYX video interconnect
box
Remote control with two
AAA batteries
Video cable
Power cable and universal
110-240V AC adapter
ONYX user’s guide
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 3
Safety and Maintenance
To keep the unit in good condition and to ensure safe usage, observe the following guidelines:
Read the instructions in this user’s guide before attempting to use the unit.
Do not attempt to repair the unit or open its case. This product contains no user
serviceable parts.
Do not attempt to modify the remote control. Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Keep the unit away from wet areas, rain, and other sources of liquids or high humidity. Do
not submerge the unit.
Always operate the unit in a place where the temperature is between 10° and 40° C (50°
and 104° F).
Always store the unit in a place where the temperature is between -20° and 65° C
(-4° and 149° F). Do not store in a parked car, because the temperature often exceeds
this range.
Always use the unit on a stable, level, hard surface such as a desk or table.
Never force connectors into the unit’s ports. All appropriate connectors should fit easily
into the ports. It the connector does not fit, turn it around, and try again.
4 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Use only the power cable that came with your unit. Other adapters may damage the unit.
When cleaning the unit, make sure it is unplugged. To clean it, lightly dampen a soft,
clean cloth with water or mild detergent.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 5
Getting Started
Assembling ONYX
Before beginning the assembly, place the ONYX components on a sturdy and stable work
surface, such as a desk or table. Assembly is straightforward and will be very familiar to you
after setting it up for use and breaking it down for travel.
Camera Assembly
1. Place the base plate flat on the table and place the camera arm on to the base plate pin.
Make sure to seat it completely down over the pin.
2. Attach the camera to the camera arm connector.
Note: The camera and camera arm connector have a tongue and groove design. Make sure
that the top groove on the camera’s connector fits snuggly over the top of the camera
arm connector as shown in the following diagram.
6 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Attaching the ONYX camera to the camera arm connector.
3. Rotate the locking lever down to lock the camera in place.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 7
ONYX Swing-arm camera assembly.
8 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Video to Television Connections
1. Connect the yellow video jack on the video cable to the yellow video connector on the
television.
Connecting video cable to video connector on television.
2. Connect the other end of the video cable, with the yellow video jack, to the video box.
Connecting video cable to video box.
3. Turn on the television and change the source to AUX or VIDEO channel.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 9
Camera to Video Box Connection
1. Plug the camera’s modular RJ45 connector into the RJ45 connector on the video box.
A click sound is made when the modular connector snaps into place.
Connecting RJ45 cable from the camera to the video box.
10 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Video Box Power Connection
1. Plug the power connector for the video box into the video box.
Connecting power cable to video box.
2. Plug the power adapter into the wall outlet.
Turning ONYX Swing-arm On
1. Insert two AAA batteries into the remote control.
2. Press the green POWER button , which is located in the lower right corner of the
remote control. There is no need to aim the remote control at the camera.
When the camera is on, a red LED on the bottom of the camera is lit.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 11
3. If an image does not appear on the television, verify that the television is turned on and
that the channel selection is set to AUX or VIDEO.
Positioning Camera for Long Distance or Close-up Work
For long distance reading, keep the camera lens up.
For close-up reading or self viewing, keep the camera lens down.
Distance reading configuration.
Desktop and self-view configuration.
Camera Positions and Settings
There are four primary camera positions:
Horizontal with lens up – for looking at distant objects
Horizontal with lens down – for looking at nearby objects
12 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Vertical and facing down – for when the camera is rotated to look down at an object on
the base plate or desktop
Horizontal and upside down with lens down – for when the camera is rotated and pointed
at yourself for self viewing
When the camera is placed into each of these different positions, it recalls the brightness,
magnification, viewing mode, mask, reading lines, and other essential settings that you created
for that specific position. This allows you to make a separate camera configuration for distance
viewing, in which the magnification and brightness are adapted for that situation, while also
having a separate configuration for desktop viewing, one that takes magnification, viewing
mode, and brightness into account when reading a book.
Important:
Any changes made to the camera while it is in a given position are automatically
saved and used the next time you move the camera to that position. To
permanently save these settings, you must power the ONYX off using the POWER
button on the remote control.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 13
Basic Operation Using the ONYX Remote Control
Turning ONYX Swing-arm On and Off
1. Connect all cables as previously described in the Getting Started section.
2. Turn on the television and select the appropriate channel.
3. Press the green POWER button on the remote control. The red LED on the bottom
of the camera turns on.
4. Press the green POWER button again to turn the ONYX Swing-arm off.
Changing Magnification
Press the black PLUS button , which is located in the center of the remote control,
to zoom-in and enlarge the object that appears on the screen.
Press the black MINUS button , also located in the center of the remote control, to
zoom away from the object on the screen.
14 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Adjusting Brightness
To make the image lighter, press the RIGHT ARROW button , which is located in the
center of the remote control.
To make the image darker, press the LEFT ARROW button , which is located in the
center of the remote control.
Changing Viewing Modes
Press the blue MODE button, located in the upper left corner of the remote control, to
cycle through the following viewing modes:
Color
Inverted Color
Black and White Positive
White and Black Negative
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 15
Centering on a Distant Image
To locate the center of the image that appears on the screen, do the following:
1. Press and hold the gray FIND button, which is located in the upper center section of the
remote control.
The camera zooms out and crosshairs temporarily appear on the screen indicating the
center of the image on the screen.
2. Center the crosshairs on the object you wish to view, and release the gray FIND button to
zoom in.
Flipping an Image
With the ONYX camera, you can change the screen orientation so that the image is flipped and
mirrored both horizontally and vertically. (Note that the camera is configured so that it will flip to
a mirror image when rotated into the self-viewing position.)
This function is useful when the object you are viewing is upside down. For example, if you
receive a heavy package, it may be easier to flip the image around instead of turning over the
package.
Press the light blue FLIP button, located in the upper right corner of the remote control,
four times to cycle through the four different picture orientations.
Note: The camera will remember this setting the next time you rotate it back to this position.
16 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Using the Freeze Button
The FREEZE button has two primary functions. The first is to freeze the current image that
appears on the screen. This is useful when viewing distant images such as text on a
blackboard. The second is to turn on or off Auto Focus. This is useful when working or writing
under the camera.
1. Press the orange FREEZE button , which is located on the lower left side of the
remote control, once to freeze the current image that appears on the screen. The Menu
text FREEZE appears in the lower left corner of the screen.
2. Press the FREEZE button again to turn Auto Focus off. The image unfreezes and
the Menu text LOCK appears in the lower left corner of the screen.
3. Press the FREEZE button a third time to return to the camera’s standard Auto
Focus live view.
Using the Masking Menu
Masking blocks the upper and lower halves of the screen, making it easier for you to focus on a
specific area of the screen and reducing glare.
1. To turn on masking, press the brown MENU button, which is located on the lower right
side of the remote control.
The word MASK appears on the screen.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 17
2. To adjust the mask, do one of the following:
Press the black MINUS button to narrow the mask.
Press the black PLUS to widen the mask.
3. To toggle the mask on and off, press the blue MODE button.
4. Press the brown MENU button to exit the menu.
Reading Lines ─ Marker 1 and Marker 2
Reading lines are used to help you maintain your place while reading text. The ONYX is
capable of showing two different reading lines known as Marker 1 and Marker 2.
To turn on a single reading line, do the following:
1. Press the brown MENU button, which is located on the lower right side of the remote
control.
2. Press the yellow RIGHT ARROW button until MARKER 1 appears.
3. Press the blue MODE button. The reading line appears.
To turn on the second reading line, do the following:
1. Press the yellow RIGHT ARROW button until MARKER 2 appears.
18 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
2. Press the blue MODE button. The second reading line appears.
To move a reading line, do the following:
1. Press the brown MENU button, which is located on the lower right side of the remote
control.
2. Press the yellow RIGHT ARROW button until MARKER 1 or MARKER 2 appears.
3. Press the black PLUS button to move the selected reading line up.
4. Press the black MINUS button to move the selected reading line down.
To turn off a reading line, do the following:
While in Menu mode, with MARKER 1 or MARKER 2 appearing on the screen, press the
blue MODE button, which is located in the upper left corner of the remote control.
Exiting the Menu
To clear Menu text from the screen, do the following:
Press the brown MENU button, which is located on the lower right side of the remote
control.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 19
Adjusting Enhanced Image Contrast
1. Press the blue MODE button until the Enhanced Positive or Enhanced Negative image
appears.
2. Press the brown MENU button.
3. Press the yellow RIGHT ARROW button until the word CONTRAST appears.
4. Press the black PLUS button to increase contrast.
5. Press the black MINUS button to decrease contrast.
Saving Camera Settings
To save camera settings, turn ONYX off using the green POWER button , which is
located in the lower right corner of the remote control.
Note: Camera settings are unique to the camera’s position. For example, if reading lines are
used while reading a document in the desktop position, they may not appear when the
camera is rotated and aimed at a blackboard or yourself.
If you unplug ONYX from the wall outlet without turning it off first, any recently configured
camera settings are discarded. To save camera settings, always use the POWER button
to turn off the ONYX. For more information about camera settings, see Camera
Positions and Settings on page 11.
20 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
ONYX Remote Control Functions
The following diagram illustrates the various controls located on the front of the ONYX remote
control. These controls allow you to change how the magnified image displays on the screen.
Each control on the camera module is described.
ONYX remote control.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 21
Button/LED
Description and Function
Power/Function LED
This LED flashes red each time you press a button on the
remote control. It is located in the upper left corner of the remote
control.
Mode Button (Blue)
Press the MODE button, which is located in the upper left corner
of the remote control, to cycle through the following color modes:
Normal color
Reverse color
Enhanced Positive (black on white)
Enhanced Negative (white on black)
Note: When the MODE button is used in conjunction with the
brown MENU button, it turns the selected feature on or off.
22 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Button/LED
Description and Function
Find Button (Gray)
Press the FIND button to locate the center of the object that is
currently in view and focus. This is indicated by the crosshairs
that temporarily appear on screen. The longer you hold the
button, the farther back the camera zooms out to give you a
sense of reference. It also helps you determine where the
camera is pointing.
This button is located in the upper center section of the remote
control.
Flip (Light Blue)
Pressing the FLIP button four times cycles the camera through
four different picture orientations.
This button is located in the upper right corner of the remote
control.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 23
Button/LED
Description and Function
Zoom Buttons (Black)
Press the black PLUS button to zoom-in and enlarge the
object that appears on the screen.
Press the black MINUS button to zoom away from the
object on the screen.
These buttons are located in the center of the remote control.
Brightness Buttons (Yellow)
Press the yellow RIGHT ARROW button to increase the
brightness level.
Press the yellow LEFT ARROW button to decrease the
brightness level.
Note: When used with the brown MENU button, the yellow
RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW buttons cycle through
the MENU options. Once an option is selected, press the
blue MODE button to enable or disable that function.
24 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Button/LED
Description and Function
Freeze and Focus Lock Button (Orange)
Press the orange FREEZE button once to freeze the
current image that appears on the screen. The Menu text
FREEZE appears on the screen. While in Freeze mode, the
zoom and brightness features are disabled.
Press the FREEZE button again to turn Auto Focus off.
When Auto Focus is on, the camera automatically focuses on
the object closest to the camera. When Auto Focus is off, as
indicated by the on-screen message, LOCK, the camera does
not adjust its focus. Turning Auto Focus off makes it easier to
write or work with an object, because the camera will not
automatically focus on your hand. During normal operation, it is
recommended that you leave Auto Focus on.
Tip: When you press this button, the message LOCK appears
on the screen when Auto Focus is off.
Press the FREEZE button a third time to return to the live
camera view.
The orange FREEZE button is located on the lower left side of
the remote control.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 25
Button/LED
Description and Function
Menu Button (Brown)
Use the brown MENU button to access the following functions:
Mask: Covers the upper and lower parts of the screen so
that you can concentrate on specific items or lines of text
that appear on the screen.
Marker 1: Shows a guide line to help guide you and
maintain your place while reading text.
Marker 2: Shows a line that helps you maintain your place
while reading text. When used together with Marker 1, you
can create a miniature mask to help isolate a specific area
on the screen.
Contrast: (Only available in Enhanced Positive and
Enhanced Negative modes.) Adjusts the contrast between
light and dark areas of the video image.
Note: You can cycle through the menu options by using the
yellow RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW buttons in
conjunction with the brown MENU button.
26 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Button/LED
Description and Function
Menu Button (Brown) – continued
Note: When in the MENU, the blue MODE button, can be used to
enable or disable the selected menu item.
Note: Finally, when you press and hold the brown MENU button
for five seconds, you can configure the language for the
Menu text.
The brown MENU button is located on the lower right side of the
remote control.
Power Button (Green)
Press the green POWER button to turn the power on for the
video source and camera. To turn the power off, press and hold
the green POWER button . The red LED on the camera
indicates that it is on.
The green POWER button is located in the lower right corner of
the remote control.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 27
Service and Support
You can contact Freedom Scientific Technical Support to receive technical assistance with
ONYX. Before contacting Technical Support, it is recommended that you refer to
Troubleshooting on page 28 to try to resolve your problem quickly.
If you cannot resolve your issue, you can visit www.FreedomScientific.com. Choose the
Support link to search the Knowledge Base. The Knowledge Base contains articles that
address many common questions and technical issues concerning Freedom Scientific
products.
Note: This device has no user-serviceable components. Any unauthorized attempt to service or
replace internal components will void the product warranty.
To contact Freedom Scientific Technical Support by telephone, customers in the United States
can call (727) 803-8600, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. (Eastern Time).
Alternatively, you can receive support by e-mail. Send your questions and problems to
Support@FreedomScientific.com.
When you call, have your documentation ready and be prepared to provide the following
information:
Product name
What you were doing when the problem occurred
How you tried to solve the problem
28 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Troubleshooting
Problem
Solution
The screen is blank.
Ensure that the television is powered on
and that the Power LED for the camera
is on. The red Power LED is located on
the bottom of the camera.
Check that all cables are correctly
connected.
Reduce the magnification level using the
black MINUS button .
Try adjusting brightness using the yellow
BRIGHTNESS buttons or .
Press the blue MODE button to switch to
a different video mode.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 29
Problem
Solution
The unit does not turn on.
Ensure that the camera and television
player are both plugged in.
Ensure that the wall outlets have power
and are not malfunctioning. If the outlets
are connected to a wall switch, make
sure that the switch is on.
Ensure that the remote control is
working. The red LED in the upper left
corner of the remote control flashes
when a button is pushed. If this does not
happen, replace the two AAA batteries.
The image on the screen is too bright, or
there is a glare from the screen that
makes it difficult to see.
Use the yellow BRIGHTNESS buttons
or to reduce the brightness.
Press the blue MODE button to switch to
a different video mode.
30 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Problem
Solution
The image on the screen is too dark.
Use the yellow BRIGHTNESS buttons
or to increase the brightness.
Press the blue MODE button to switch to
a different video mode.
The image on the screen is blurry or
unfocused.
Lift the camera lens and let the camera
try to regain focus.
Ensure that Auto Focus is on. You can
press the orange FREEZE button
to turn Auto Focus on or off.
Move the object to within 15 inches of
the camera with the lens down or at least
30 inches away from the camera with the
lens up.
Make sure that the lens is clean.
Check that there are no objects in the
foreground. The camera might be trying
to focus on that object.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 31
Problem
Solution
The image is upside down.
Use the light blue FLIP button to invert
the image.
There are smudges or blemishes on the
screen.
Clean the screen using a damp, soft, lint-
free cloth.
Text is too small to read.
Use the black PLUS button to
increase the magnification level.
Text is too large.
Use the black MINUS button to
decrease the magnification level.
ONYX is connected to a television, but
no magnified image appears on the
television screen.
Ensure that the television is plugged into
the wall outlet.
Ensure that the television is on and set
to AUX or VIDEO channel.
Ensure that the television cable is
securely connected to the ONYX video
box.
Ensure that the television connector
cable is securely connected to the
appropriate video input jack on the
television.
32 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
Problem
Solution
When I move the camera to a new
position, I lose the previous position’s
settings.
This is normal operation since camera
settings are saved and stored per
position. For example, if you have
reading lines turned on for distant
viewing, and then change to desktop
viewing or self viewing, the reading lines
will not appear unless you set them for
those camera positions.
ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide 33
General Information – ONYX Models
The ONYX is available in several different models:
The ONYX Flex-arm includes:
A magnifying camera
An articulating arm to orient the camera in a wide range of positions
(You must supply your own television to see magnified images.)
The ONYX Flex-arm PC Edition includes:
A magnifying camera
An articulating arm to orient the camera in a wide range of positions
(You must supply your own television to see magnified images.)
Cables for USB connectivity to your computer
MAGic screen magnification software with image management features to work with
your magnified camera image and magnified desktop at the same time.
The ONYX Swing-arm includes:
A magnifying camera
A portable arm and stand for quick set-up when moving from room to room
(You must supply your own television to see magnified images.)
34 ONYX Swing-arm User’s Guide
The ONYX Swing-arm PC Edition includes:
A magnifying camera
A portable arm and stand for quick set-up when moving from room to room
Cables for USB connectivity to your computer
MAGic screen magnification software with image management features to work with your
magnified camera image and magnified desktop at the same time.