ViewPlus Desktop Manual for Models with Parallel Ports

Revision: 20090702

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

A.Preface
B.FCC Compliance Statement
C.Safety Instructions
D.Specifications

II. Set Defaults for Printer

A.Windows Printer Defaults
B.Legacy Printer Defaults

III. Installation

A.Items in the Box
B.Unpacking
C.Software Installation

IV. Operator Panel

A.Functions
B.Display Lights
C.Error Tones

V. Braille, Translation and Printing

A.ViewPlus Tiger Software Suite
B.Fonts
C.Math and Braille

D.Printing

VI. Support, Maintenance and Warranty

A.Training and Support Packages

B.Maintenance

C.Warranty

D.Extended Warranty and Maintenance Plan

I. Introduction

A. Preface

ViewPlusTiger Desktop Series

ViewPlus Max/Cub/Cub Jr.

Tactile Graphics and Braille Embossers, powered by Tiger

Owner's Manual

Congratulations on owning one of the ViewPlus Desktop Series braille and graphics embossers!This manual will introduce you to basic information regarding your new printer. The ViewPlus Technologies web site is another resource for information on your ViewPlus embosser including examples, tutorials, and other useful downloads.

Visit the web site at:

Your embosser is Powered by Tiger. This means you get:

Tiger Software Suite: Powerful addition to Windows adds Braille and tactile graphic functionality to MS Office.

Windows Printer Driver: Connects ViewPlus embossers to the power of Windows, embossing and networking just like a mainstream desktop printer.

Roller Die Technology: Patented hardware allowing high quality, high resolution braille and graphics to be embossed quickly, easily, and quietly.

For more information on ViewPlus Powered by Tiger functionality, visit

Model Numbers for the Desktop Series:

ViewPlus Max: 081401

ViewPlus Cub: 080801

ViewPlus Cub Jr. 040801

USER'S Manual

B. FCC Compliance Statement

FCC Compliance Statement (USA)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to 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. 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:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Note the following:

  • The use of a non-shielded interface cable with the referenced device is prohibited.
  • The length of the parallel interface cable must be 3 meters (10 feet) or less.
  • The length of the serial interface cable must be 15 meters (50 feet) or less.
  • The length of the power cord must be 3 meters (10 feet) or less.

Compliance Statement (Canada)

This digital apparatus is in conformity with standard NMB-003 of Canada.

Cetappareilnumériqueestconforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Compliance Statement (Germany)

Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs:

Hiermitwirdbescheinigt, dass der Drucker der Maschinenlärminformationsverordnung 3. GSGV, 18.01.1991 entspricht: Der höchsteSchalldruckpegelbeträgt 70 dB(A) oderwenigergemäß EN27779-1991.

Compliance Statement (Europe)

Warning: This product meets the interference requirements of EN55022. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in which case, the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Compliance Statement (Korea)

This apparatus complies with CISPR22 requirements.

International Compliance

EN55022:1994 Emissions series

EN55024:1998 Immunity characteristics

EN61000-3-2:1995 Power line harmonics

EN61000-3-3:1995 Power line flicker

EN61000-4-2:1995 Electrostatic discharge

EN61000-4-3:1995 Radiated susceptibility

EN61000-4-4:1995 Electrical fast transient/burst

EN61000-4-5:1995 Surge

EN61000-4-6:1996 Conducted immunity

EN61000-4-11:1994 Input voltage interruptions/DIPS

CE MDD

Authorized European Representative

ViewPlus BV - Europe

RudolfDieselweg 36D

5928 RA Venlo

The Netherlands

+31 (0)77-7676001

e-mail:

C. Safety Instructions

Read all of these safety instructions before using the printer. In addition, follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer itself.

  • Do not place printer on an unstable surface.
  • Do not place printer near a radiator or heat source.
  • Do not block or cover slots and openings in the printer's cabinet; do not inset objects through slots.
  • Use only the type of power source indicated on printer's label.
  • Connect all equipment to properly grounded electrical outlets.
  • Do not use frayed or damaged power cord.
  • The use of an extension cord with the printer is not recommended.
  • Unplug printer before cleaning it; always clean it with a piece of damp cloth only.
  • Do not spill liquid into printer.
  • Except as specifically explained in the user's manual, do not attempt to service the printer by yourself.
  • Detach the printer from power source and refer to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
  • If the power cord or plug is damaged
  • If liquid has entered the printer.
  • If printer has been dropped or the cabinet is damaged.
  • If the printer does not operate properly or exhibits a distinct change in performance.
  • Only adjust those controls that are covered by the operating instructions.

D. Specifications

ViewPlus Max / ViewPlus Cub & ViewPlus Cub Jr.
Character Sets / DotsPlus & Braille Screen fonts / DotsPlus & Braille screen fonts
Paper Feed Method / tractor paper feed
single sheet / tractor paper feed
single sheet
Paper Maximum Thickness / Maximum 0.35mm (0.014 inches) / Maximum 0.35mm (0.014 inches)
Paper Width / up to 355 mm (14 inches) / up to 216 mm (8.5 inches)
Power Supply / From 100 -120 V
(or 220-240 V)
Current rating: 1.2-1 A
(or 0.65 A)
Frequency: 50/60 ? 1Hz / From 100 -120 V
(or 220-240 V)
Current rating: 1.2-1 A
(or 0.65 A)
Frequency: 50/60 ? 1Hz
Power Consumption / Standby 15 W
Average Print 75 W / Standby 15 W
Average Print 75 W
Embosser Dimensions
Width
Depth
Height
Weight / 22.4 in. (570 mm)
13 in. (330 mm)
5.1 in. (130 mm)
22 lbs. (9.98 kg) / 17 in. (434 mm)
13 in. (330 mm)
5.2 in. (133 mm)
18 lbs. (8.16 kg)
Interfaces / Receive buffer: 64 kByte / Receive buffer: 64 kByte
Parallel / Centronics compatible bi-directional (IEEE1284 nibble mode) / Centronics compatible bi-directional (IEEE1284 nibble mode)
Serial / 36 pin connector, 8 data-bits / 36 pin connector, 8 data-bits
RS-232C, 25 pin connector / RS-232C, 25 pin connector
Baud rate: 2400 to 19200 bps. / Baud rate: 2400 to 19200 bps.
7/8 data bits
Flow control: XonXoff, RTS/CTS / 7/8 data bits
Flow control: XonXoff, RTS/CTS
Operating Conditions
Temperature / 41? to 100? F (5? to 38? C) / 41? to 100? F (5? to 38? C)
Relative Humidity / 30% to 80% RH (non condensing) / 30% to 80% RH (non condensing)
Reliability / 15,000 hours @5% duty cycle / 15,000 hours @5% duty cycle
Computer Requirements
Operating System / Windows 2000 or later / Windows 2000 or later

II. Set Defaults for Printer

A. Windows Printer Defaults

Windows Printer Defaults

After installation and setup are completed, changing your default settings to settings that will be used the most often will save time in the future.

To set the default settings on your printer, enter the printer properties page for your Desktop Series embosser through Start>Printers and Faxes on Windows XP or Start>Settings>Control Panel>Printers and Faxes on Windows XP, right click on your Desktop Series embosser and choose 'Printer Properties'.

To select the paper size you will most commonly use, click the 'Printing Preferences...' button on the General tab. On the Layout tab of the Printing Preferences page, click the 'Advanced...' button. You will now be able to select the paper size you will usually use from a drop down list. Please note that if you later wish to use a paper size larger than what you have chosen on this page, you will need to adjust this setting before printing.

Now you need to set your Tiger printing preferences. Please read the descriptions below to help you make your selections. The default settings on the Tiger tab will be appropriate for most users most of the time. When you are finished making your selections, be sure to click the OK button to save your settings.

Shows Tiger Tab

  • Duplex - From this drop down you may choose to print single-sided, double-sided (interpoint) or interpoint with graphics. The double-sided option will print manual interpoint; the odd pages will print first and then you will need to remove the paper from the printer, flip it over, reload it and then click OK on the computer to print the even pages. Interpoint with graphics works similarly except that if you have a graphic, the back of that page will be left blank.
  • Print - If double-sided or interpoint with graphics is selected, this drop down allows you to choose whether you'd like to print all of the pages in your document, the odd pages only or the even pages only. This option is useful if you forget to turn the paper over between the time you print the front interpoint pages and when you click OK to send the back pages.
  • Horizontal Shift -This might be a useful feature to turn on when embossing interpoint or intergraphics.
  • Inverse Landscape - If inverse landscape is checked, multiple pages of a spreadsheet will be embossed so the embossed information is continuous.
  • Magnification -The original document may be magnified by 2, 3, or 6 times. This allows the image to be made larger without changing the formatting. If the Crop Margins is checked the image will be cropped to fit the page size.
  • Print Copies/Collate - When the collate box is checked and multiple copies of a document are desired, one complete document will be embossed at a time. If the collate box is left unchecked multiple copies of each page will be embossed.
  • Autoload paper - This setting applies to single sheet feed. When it is checked, the printer will automatically load paper placed into the single sheet feeder as soon as paper is detected there.
  • Invert Colors - This might be used for special effects for images that would emboss better with the light colors embossed as dark and the dark colors embossed as light colors.
  • Dithering - The default mode has dithering off. Dithering is used to enhance the color information. Most of the time the user would prefer to have distinct colors with the dots having the same height. If there is need to have the colors mixed, try turning dithering on.
  • Contrast - The default setting is 0. The range is from -100 to 100. Increasing the contrast would increase the dot height difference of two colors that have intensities that are nearly the same. By increasing the contrast, the light colors get lighter and the dark colors get darker.
  • Brightness - The default setting is 0. The range is from -100 to 100. Increasing the brightness would be useful if you want to increase the intensity of all the colors. This would be useful if the lines in the drawing are thin and light.
  • Thin Line Intensity - If lines on the graphics are too thin to emboss correctly, slide the indicator to the right.
  • Braille Dot Height - This combo box allows you to choose high, normal or low braille dots. This can be useful if you are having difficulty reading the dots due to them being either too high or too low.
  • Media Type - This allows you to select the type of media you are printing on to load pre-set punch force values that optimize the printing for that media. You may view the values for pre-set media types, or you can even add your own if you are printing on a special type of media.

B. Legacy Printer Defaults

Now that you have set your Windows printer defaults, you should also set your legacy printer defaults. These are adjustable from the Legacy Settings tab of the printer properties window. Below is a description of the options on the Legacy Settings tab.

Shows the Legacy Tab

  • Paper size - Standard pages sizes or custom page sizes may be selected.
  • Margins - Set the margins to 0 if you are using a program which sets its own margins.
  • Line Settings
  • Automatic text wrapping - When checked the text is wrapped to the next line. If it is not checked, it is possible if the line is too long to lose characters.
  • Characters per line - When margins or page size is changed, this number also changes.
  • Lines per page - When margins or page size is changed, this number also changes.
  • Extra space between lines - The default spacing is .05 inches. It increases in .05 increments up to .25 inches.
  • Text/graphics mode - You can choose either text or graphics.
  • Dots per character - Choose between 6 or 8.
  • Download custom braille table - The ViewPlus Cub/Max can hold one custom defined braille table (Firmware Version 1.5.0 or later required). When clicked on Load Table, a user defined braille character set from ASCII value 32 to 127 can be downloaded to the ViewPlus Cub/Max. The braille character sets are typically stored in braille conversion table files (*.BCT). This file format is editable in Notepad and allows the user to create user definable conversion tables. Go to the for additional information about this mode.
  • Serial communication - If you are using this port, the settings in the Legacy Settings tab on the Printer Properties screen must be the same as the settings for the communication port on the computer. The settings on the Legacy Settings tab are:
  • Bits per second - default setting is 9600
  • Protocol - 8N1
  • Flow control - Hardware

III. Installation

A. Items in the Box

  • ViewPlus Desktop Series Embosser
  • Power cord
  • Paper knob
  • CD with software, manual and copies of documentation
  • Tactile print out
  • Tiger Software Suite

B. Unpacking

  • Remove the printer and all its accessories from its packaging.
  • Inspect the ViewPlus embosser and its packaging for any damage.
  • Open lid and remove the shipment locks surrounding the printhead.
  • Save the packing material and box. If any damage occurred during shipping, most shipping companies require the box and the packing material in order to settle the insurance claim. The packing material must also be used to ship the ViewPlus embosser for warranty maintenance service.

C. Software Installation

Please follow the easy steps that are part of your Startup Instructions to install your Tiger driver. They can also be found on your installation CD

IV. Operator Panel

A. Functions


(The buttons are described from left to right order.)

  • Online - Toggle to take printer online (one high long beep) or off line (one low long beep). Pressing this button during printing will stop the print job.
  • Mode - Toggle between the Tiger mode (one short beep) and the Legacy mode (two short beeps). In the Tiger mode the ViewPlus embosser behaves like a Windows printer receiving data directly from Windows applications. In the Legacy mode, the ViewPlus embosser behaves like a conventional embosser accepting ASCII code. The ViewPlus embosser will switch itself automatically between Tiger mode and Legacy mode according to the program or device it is communicating with..
  • Up Arrow - This button is used to load the paper, or move the paper forward to tear. If you press and hold this button, the paper will move continuously forward. The printer must be Offline for this function to work.
  • Down Arrow - This button is used to move the paper back to the ready position after the embossed sheet is torn off. The ViewPlus embosser will automatically return to the Online state and will be ready to accept new print jobs. If you press and hold this button, the paper will move continuously backward.

B. Display Lights

  • Online - This light is on when the ViewPlus embosser is Online. It blinks when printing.
  • Tiger - This light is on when the Tiger Windows mode is enabled.
  • Legacy - This light is on when the Legacy mode is enabled.
  • Fault - This light is on if the ViewPlus embosser is unable to print. Most often it means that there is no paper present.

C. Error Tones

  • Paper Out - Beep sequence: (high, low)repeats every 10 seconds until user presses Online. If you want to continue your print job, do not cancel the job from your computer, reload the paper, and return the printer to the Online state. The paper will move to the correct top of form and the print job will continue. If you want to interrupt the print job, press and hold the Online button a second time. The print job will only stay in the buffer for a short period of time.
  • Paper Jam - Beep sequence: (high, low, high)repeats every 10 seconds until user removes the jammed paper and presses Online.
  • Alignment error - Beep sequence:(high, high, low)repeats every 10 seconds until user fixes problem and presses Online. Make sure nothing such as paper covers the shiny area of the platen or it may be necessary to brush off paper dust off of this area.

Other Beep Signals - If you hear any other series of beeps, you may have a serious problem. Please listen carefully so that you can describe the tone to technical support.

V. Braille, Translation and Printing

A. ViewPlus Tiger Software Suite

Most braille should be produced using the Tiger Software Suite. The Tiger Software Suite is part of your embosser package. Instructions for installation and use come with the software package.

B.Fonts

Tiger screen fonts are alternative braille fonts installed during the installation of the ViewPlus embosser driver. They can be chosen as output options in Tiger Software Suite (TSS) and other software programs, like MathType. Tiger screen fonts appear as standard text characters on the screen and print as braille dot patterns.