Trekker BREEZE User Guide
Trekker Breeze 2.0
User Guide
Rev. 6- 20111027
Copyright information
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved, HumanWare Canada.
This User Guide is protected by copyright belonging to HumanWare, with all rights reserved. The User Guide may not be copied in whole or in part, without written consent from HumanWare.
Table of Content
Copyright information 2
1. Welcome 4
2. Contents of package 4
3. General description 4
4. Physical description 7
5. Key Describer 10
6. Basic Button Functions 10
7. Using Breeze 11
8. Carrying the Breeze 12
9. Explore 12
10. Information by request 13
11. Record Landmarks 16
12. Routes 16
13. Backtrack (retrace steps) 19
14. Getting guidance to a landmark 20
15. Getting Guidance to an address 21
16. Getting Guidance to a postal code (UK and The Netherlands users only) 24
17. Settings 25
18. Data transfer and backup 28
19. Technical Specifications 29
20. Battery safety precautions 29
21. End User License Agreement 30
22. Breeze Legal Notice 30
23. Manufacturer Warranty 31
24. HumanWare Contact Information 31
Trekker Breeze User Guide
1. Welcome
Welcome to the Trekker Breeze, an innovative orientation aid from HumanWare. This manual describes the features and characteristics of the Trekker Breeze.
Before you begin, we strongly recommend that you take the time to examine the contents of your Trekker Breeze package and review the enclosed documentation. These steps will ensure that the setup and operation of your Trekker Breeze will be smooth and enjoyable. Note: The Trekker Breeze will be referred to as the Breeze throughout this User Guide.
2. Contents of package
Carefully unpack your Breeze. Save the box and packing materials for future use. Your Breeze package comprises of the following items:
Breeze device with 1 Gigabyte SD card installed
Leather case with clip
Shoulder strap
Speaker with clip and cable
Power adapter
USB-PC cable
Lanyard
Getting Started
Companion CD including documentation and software
CD with audio User Guide
3. General description
The Breeze was designed as an orientation aid to help you find your way. Breeze locates your position through the Global Positioning System (GPS) and relates it to digital maps of your area. You can record your routes while walking them. The system then provides step by step instructions on how to navigate them. With Breeze, you can explore your surroundings and let the system announce street information as they are encountered. If you wish to return to your point of origin, Breeze is there to provide turn instructions to retrace your steps. The system also allows you to record your landmarks and reference points along a route. They will be announced automatically as you pass by.
Caution: The Breeze system is designed as an orientation aid only and must not, at any time, be used as the only aid while traveling. When using Breeze, users should always be vigilant, stay alert and pay attention to the immediate surrounding area. A conventional mobility aid like a cane or a guide dog should also be used. Breeze is not a mobility device. It is the user's responsibility to use this device with caution. Do not use headphones while walking on the street.
3.1 What is GPS?
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a navigation system that is made up of satellites orbiting the Earth. Satellites send signals to the GPS receiver on your device. These signals are used to measure your position. Breeze uses this information and matches it to the maps installed on the Breeze SD card.
The accuracy of GPS location information for commercial products such as Breeze is currently more or less 10 meters (30 feet). However, this can vary depending on a number of factors including:
- How clear a view of the sky does the receiver have?
- Are there obstructions blocking signals such as tall buildings or overhangs?
- The position of the satellites being tracked: overhead, on the horizon or somewhere in between.
- How many satellites are being tracked?
- Is there a presence of cloud cover or overhead power lines?
- How fast is the user moving?
GPS travel is based on a line of travel, rather than knowing if you are on one side of the road or the other. It is useful to think of yourself as traveling in the middle of the road, even though you are not.
Note: The GPS is maintained and managed by the Government of the United States of America, who is entirely responsible for its precision and maintenance. The system may, at any time, be modified and therefore affect Breeze's performance. The GPS signal is not precise or may not be accessible at all times, especially when traveling in an area surrounded by tall buildings.
3.2 Maps installed on the SD card
The GPS system uses electronic maps to provide detailed and handy information about all street names and ranges of addresses for urban areas, as well as points of interest such as banks, restaurants, pharmacies. The maps of your area are already installed on your GPS device's SD card. Use the Map Manager tool provided on the Companion CD to install other maps. You can have up to four maps installed on the Breeze at one time.
3.3 Landmarks
Landmarks are particular locations along your travel paths that merit to be marked as reference points (the mail box at the corner of the street where you have to turn), places to avoid (potted plant on the sidewalk) or a location you go to (grocery store). You may create vocal recording for any number of landmarks. A landmark will be announced as the user passes near it, whether on foot or by vehicle.
Places that you consider as possible destinations in your usual travel, such as your home, a friend’s place, your pharmacy or preferred restaurant, can be set as landmarks. Upon doing so, you can ask Breeze to provide guidance instructions from your current position to the selected landmark.
3.4 Points of Interest
Points of Interest are commercially available information such as restaurants, hospitals, banks, train stations included with the Maps. This information is handled jointly with the Maps already included in your system. The automatic announcement of this information is not available by default, but it can be activated through the settings. Note that Points of interest are not automatically announced during motorized travels. Only landmarks are reported.
4. Physical description
Breeze Buttons Names and Location
The following lists the location of key elements on the Breeze. Have the device in front of you. The rounded edge represents the top of the Breeze.
Left edge:
The Volume wheel is located on the top left side. Roll up and down to raise or lower volume.
The SD card slot and USB connector are located on the bottom portion of the left edge of the unit. A protective rubber flap covers both.
Right edge:
The Power On/Off switch is located on the top right side of the device. Push up to turn the device ON.
The Reset Button is located on the right side, below the Power ON/OFF switch. Only use the Reset button if the system locks up. This will cause the Breeze to restart.
The Power connector is located on the bottom portion of the unit. It is covered by a rubber protective flap.
Bottom edge:
Lanyard. There is a small opening through which you can attach a lanyard.
Upper edge:
The External speaker connector is located in the middle of the round top edge of the unit.
Face of the Breeze:
On the left, near the top edge is the microphone. This is where your route and landmark names will be recorded.
On the right, near the top edge, is the speaker where messages, when not using the external speaker, will be heard.
Top section:
In the top section there are 3 buttons that the user will press to obtain information.
The Where am I button is the large circular orange button located in the middle of the top section. It is also recessed within the casing. It provides information on the user's current position.
Press and hold Where Am I: Lists what is around (landmarks or points of interest) in the street segment where you are located. Use the arrows to move through the list.
The Information button is located to the left of the Where am I button.
It provides information on the state of the system. Use the arrow keys to access the 3 levels of information.
Press and hold Information: This activates System settings. Use arrows to move through hierarchical menu, then use Confirm to enter into the selected option.
The Repeat button is located to the right of the Where am I button.
It is used to repeat the last message.
Press and hold Repeat: This activates the Key Describer feature. When activated, press any button to hear a general description of its function.
Middle section:
The middle section includes the Left and Right arrow and the Confirm button in between them.
The Left and Right arrow are orange triangular buttons located to each side of the Confirm button. The Left and Right arrow are used to browse through items in a list.
The Confirm button is the small black circular button located between the arrows.
It is used to launch actions and confirm the current selection.
Bottom section:
The bottom section is made of three buttons placed in circle. These buttons will be used for action purposes.
The Record button is the oval button with a raised tactile dot. It is located at 12 o’clock in the circle formed by the three lower buttons. It is directly underneath the Confirm button.
Press to record a 4 second description of a landmark.
Press and hold Record: Used to launch Route creation where users can record a 4 second description of the route.
The Explore button is located in the bottom left section of the unit.
It is used to deactivate a route, letting you explore your environment without being guided.
Press and hold Explore: This is used to launch the Backtrack function, allowing you to retrace your steps.
The Go To button is located in the bottom right section of the unit.
It is used to activate a pre-recorded route.
Press and hold Go To: Used to activate guidance to a landmark. It provides access to the list of landmarks that are set as possible destinations.
Back side (Battery compartment)
The battery compartment is located in the back of the Breeze. To remove the battery, press on the clasps on each side and pull out.
To insert the battery: Insert the tab found on the battery's bottom edge and insert into the corresponding opening on the bottom of the battery compartment. Push the top of the battery into the compartment until you hear the clasps lock the battery in place.
The battery is designed to fit in only the correct orientation.
The fully charged battery will provide up to 8 hours usage time. However, usage time may be reduced in the following cases:
- If the battery is charged for less than 5 hours.
- High volume level.
- After about 400 recharge cycles the battery capacity will start to reduce.
Important: It is normal for the battery to become warm during recharging. Therefore, it is recommended not to charge the battery with the Breeze near a heat source.
Note: The Breeze's serial number can be found on the battery as well as inside the battery compartment.
Note: A beep will be heard when installing a battery or when plugging the AC adapter.
5. Key Describer
If you need help remembering what each button does, you can always activate the Key Describer function.
To launch the Key Describer function at any moment, press and hold the Repeat button until you get the message "Key Describer ON". At this point, you will be able to obtain a general description of each button by simply pressing them.
To exit the Key Describer, press and hold the Repeat button until you get the message "Key Describer OFF".
6. Basic Button Functions
Pressing buttons
Main functions such as "Where Am I" are activated by pressing the designated button.
Pressing and holding buttons
Buttons have an expanded or secondary role when pressed and held for a short period of time till the beep sounds.
All buttons are interruptible
The current action is always that of the last button pressed. Pressing a button will launch its assigned function, no matter what was the previous button pressed.
Return to basic navigation
No matter what actions have been undertaken, you can always return to basic exploration of your surroundings by pressing the Explore button.
Exiting lists
Whenever you are asked to make a selection, you must Confirm your selection. If the Confirm button is not pressed, the system will return to the previous action after 30 seconds. The system will announce the current state.