manual-en Archives - Page 5 of 20 - Thinkable products for visually impaired people

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5.01 Accessing the Interface

The interface can be accessed by using an internet browser on any PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone.

The easiest way to connect to the interface is to have a wired Ethernet connection from your router to the MDA. When the MDA is switched on, it will automatically configure itself for your network and you can then access the MDA’s interface by entering the following link into your browser: http://mda/

The MDA also acts as a WIFI-hotspot, with default network name (network SSID) mda-hotspot. With a WIFI capable PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone, you can search for this WIFI network and connect to it, using the default WIFI password 12345678. When the connection is established you can again access the MDA-interface from a browser on the link: http://mda/ . If you have modified the name of the MDA, and have forgotten this new name, you can always establish the connection using the MDA’s hotspot IP-address, and use http://192.168.50.5

(Note on WIFI hotspot use, if your device is connected to a different WIFI network, this connection will be terminated, as your device is only able to connect to one WIFI-network at the time, meaning you will lose your internet connection as well).

Through the interface, you can also setup the MDA to connect to your own WIFI-network. When this connection is established, on the interface is once again accessible at: http://mda/

Note that the default name of the MDA is “mda”, however, in the interface you can change this name. If you change the name, you have to access the MDA under the new name http://newname/

Potential problems and the associated solutions:

If you have connected to the MDA earlier through another connection, like for instance through a wired connection with a router before using the MDA-hotspot, there is a possibility that your computer/smart device remembers the MDA on the previous old connection (technical term for this is that the DNS records are cached).

In that case, the connection to http://mda will not be established (although the connection to http://192.168.50.5 always will result in a connection).

In order to clear the cache of your computer of smart device and to connect using the name again, the following action should be taken:

On an Android device, iPad or iPhone, before establishing the WIFI connection, switch “Airplane mode” on (in the Settings app), keep “Airplane mode” on for approx. 10 seconds and then switch “Airplane mode” off. Thereafter, establish the WIFI connection.
On a Windows PC: open a command prompt window, by pressing the Windows Key or the search symbol, type “Command Prompt”, right-click the Command Prompt application and select “Run as Administrator”. Type the following command in the command line and hit enter: ipconfig /flushdns
On a Mac, open a terminal window. Type the following command and hit enter: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; sleep 2; . You might be prompted to enter your administrator password.

Another problem can occur when there are too many WIFI networks in the direct surroundings (and potentially transmitting on the same WIFI channel). The connection might then drop or might be unstable. Only remedy is to try to rearrange the MDA and PC or smart device setup, trying to find a place with less disturbance. When the MDA has dropped its hotspot connection, due to whatever reason, your PC or smart device will most likely automatically reconnect to another known network if in range, like your home or school network. When the MDA hotspot is back again, you need to manually reconnect to the MDA hotspot again. For a Mac, alternatively you can setup the order for automatic reconnects, and if so preferred, you can put the MDA-hotspot on top of the list (System Preferences-Network-WIFI-Advanced settings).

Alternative method for network connections:

In case you cannot find the MDA on your network using the MDA name (in technical terms, your router does not support local DNS services), you can either connect to the MDA using the IP address of the MDA, which for the hotspot is 192.168.50.5. However, for the MDA connected through the wired connection or through your own WIFI network, you need to obtain the IP address from the router (if you login to your router, you normally will find an overview with all connected devices with their IP-addresses).

Instead of using IP-addresses, a much easier way is to connect to the MDA with the so-called Bonjour service, in that case, enter http://mda.local in your browser, and the connection to the MDA will be established. This Bonjour service is standard on iPad, iPhone and Mac, but needs to be installed (once) on a Windows PC. Installation can be done by using Edge as a browser (not IE), goto https://support.apple.com/kb/DL999?locale=en_US and download and install the application. The name is a bit confusing, called Bonjour Print Service, but this is the application working with the MDA to find the name mda.local (not mda) on the network.

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4.02 Automatic Design Orientation

Inside the MDA are four sensors that are used to determine the orientation of the TactiPad on the MDA. After the orientation of the TactiPad is determined the design is automatically rotated if necessary. A right up marker will be placed in the original top right corner of the design. To the TactiPad’s hinge should be facing off the MDA, rotate it until the right up marker is in the top right corner.

Because the MDA automatically rotates designs depending on the orientation of the TactiPad, it is sometimes needed to rotate the TactiPad after taking it off the MDA. To help with this, the MDA automatically adds a right up marker. This right up marker is a small diagonal line in one of the corners. To ensure that the sketch is positioned correctly after it is removed from the MDA, rotate the sketch until the right up marker is located in the top right corner.

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4.01 Positioning

The TactiPad can be placed on the MDA in two different orientations. The first is landscape mode. In this orientation. The TactiPad’s hinge should be placed towards the backside of the MDA. The front side of the TactiPad should be flush with the front of the MDA, and there should be no room between the TactiPad and the bed of the MDA.

The second position is portrait mode. In this orientation the TactiPad’s hinge should be facing left. The shorter side of the TactiPad should be flush with the front side of the MDA, and there should be no room between the TactiPad and the bed of the MDA.

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2.02 First Time Use

Unobstructed drawing

! It is essential that the movement of the MDA’s arm is never obstructed while it is operating. The drawing area and at least five centimetres next to the MDA should be clear of any pens, drawing tools or other objects that could obstruct the arm during movement. If at any time during sketching the MDA’s movement is obstructed, switch the MDA off using the power button at the back. Once turned off, you can manually move the pen and arm out of the way, resolving the obstruction as necessary. !

Now that your MDA is unpacked you’re almost ready to make your first sketch. Plug the power cord into a power socket and the other end into the MDA. The next step differs depending on if you plan on connecting your MDA to your network using a LAN-cable, WiFi, or connecting directly to the mda-hotspot.

If you plan on connecting the MDA to a network via a wired connection, plug a lan cable into the appropriate socket. Next, take a device that is connected to the same network, open your browser and type in the following URL: http://mda/

If you plan on connecting it to your WiFi you first need to connect to the mda-hotspot with a WiFi capable device. Simply select the mda-hotspot WiFi network and enter the following password: 12345678. Once your device is connected to the mda-hotspot, go to your browser and type in the following URL: http://mda/ . Browse to the setup page and enter the password: admin and click continue. Click network setup and look for the WiFi network you want the MDA to connect to. Enter the WiFi password and click Add WiFi Network. The MDA should now connect to your WiFi network. From this point on you can access the MDA from any device that is connected to the same WiFi Network.

If you don’t plan on connecting your MDA to a network at all, use a WiFi capable device and connect to the mda-hotspot network with password 12345678.

Be aware that if you do not connect your MDA to a network that has access to the internet you cannot automatically download updates or new images added to the examples directory.

After connecting your MDA, take your Tactipad and place it on the MDA. You can place it in one of two orientations: landscape, which leaves the 2 Tactinocks uncovered; or portrait, which covers all the 6 Tactinocks. Your Tactipad is placed correctly if you can’t easily move it around without lifting it and the front most edge of the Tactipad is flush with the front most edge of the MDA.
Make sure that you place a sheet of sketching foil on the Tactipad before you attempt your first sketch.

Take a device that is connected to the same network as the MDA (or directly to the MDA) and go the http://mda/ . Browse to the examples page, pick the emoji category, and click on one of the emoji’s to start your first sketch.

That’s it! The MDA should now start sketching. While the motors in the MDA are not particularly strong, you want to make sure to keep your hands clear of the type while it’s sketching to prevent injury.

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2.01 Unpacking

Place the box with the address labels facing upwards and cut the tape. Fold away the four cardboard flaps. Once opened, you’ll notice the MDA is packed in two large foam parts on top of which two carton boxes are placed. One box can contain the TactiPad inside its bag, if this was included in the initial purchase. The other one contains a pack of 400 drawing sheets, the power supply and the USB-B cable.
Remove the boxes and lift the MDA out of the box by holding it by its sides. Make sure you lift it up by the sturdy yellow top plate, the one that has the six black anchors for the TactiPad. Do not lift it up by the flexible bottom plate.
Once out of the box, you remove the pieces of foam by lifting one side of the MDA and sliding off the foam part on that side. Carefully place the MDA down again, and repeat this procedure for the other side. While packaged, the arm is in its forward position.
Please store the packaging materials in the carton for safe transportation.

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3.04 TactileView Digital Pen Dock

Towards the back, behind the furthest two nocks you’ll find the TactileView Digital Pen Dock. It is about two centimetres in height, eight centimetres wide and has rounded corners. On the back of the dock is a small indentation. This is where you can place the receiver for the TactileView Digital Pen. Simply place the receiver’s magnets inside the indentation and the magnets will click in place. Make sure the wire of the receiver does not obstruct the arm during movement.is not in the way of the arm.

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3.03 TactiPad Positioning Nocks

Now slide your hand across the bed of the MDA. You will feel six small blocks that each have one edge that is pointing up. These are L shaped blocks that secure the Tactipad in place during sketching. In portrait orientation, all six nocks are covered by the Tactipad. In landscape orientation the two nocks closest to the back of the MDA are left uncovered.

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3.02 Drawing Arm & Sketching Stylus

If you move your hands along the longer sides of the MDA you’ll encounter two parts sticking out of the sides of the MDA opposite each other. These are the arm supports. Following these supports upwards you’ll come across the drawing arm which connects the two arm supports to each other. The drawing arm is covered by a black plastic cover which features the Thinkable logo on the front side. The arm moves from the back to the front of the MDA as needed. This is done automatically, so be careful not to get your hands caught by the MDA as this can result in injury.

If you were to reach inside the arm trough the slot in the bottom of the arm (make sure the MDA is powered off) and move your hand from the right all the way to the left you will come across a circular metal object. This is the magnet and part of the drawing stylus. This part moves up and down when the MDA is sketching, so be careful when the MDA is sketching.

If you slide the flat of your hand across the underside of the drawing arm you will feel a small point sticking out. This is the drawing point of the sketching stylus and will be lowered as needed when sketching on the TactiPad.

! Be careful when the MDA is sketching because the arm and pen point will move automatically and can crush your fingers. !

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3.01 Backpanel

When looking at the back of the MDA you’ll find 4 different port types as well as the power button. The back panel is where you turn on the MDA and plug in your cables and USB devices.

From left to right you’ll find the following features:

USB-B port: This port can be used to connect your PC or laptop directly to the MDA using the USB-B cord you received with the MDA. You only need to do this when using TactileView to send sketches to the MDA.
USB-A port × 4: These 4 ports can be used to plug in USB drives to upload images to the MDA. These ports do not support a direct connection from your PC/laptop to the MDA. These ports are also known as “normal” USB ports.
Ethernet port: Use this port to connect the MDA to your local network, or the internet. The LEDs on the port will light up when data is being send or received.
Power socket: Use this port to plug in your power cord.
Power button: This button is used to turn on the MDA. When the MDA is turned on, the centre of the button is recessed and a yellow ring will light up. When the MDA is turned off, the centre of the button is level with the rest of the button and no light can be seen.

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1.01 Safety Instructions

! Keep clear of the MDA while it is in operation. !
! Do not insert your fingers into the openings at the sides of the MDA, or into the opening in the bottom of the arm. !
! Do not place items sensitive to magnetism in the proximity of the pen. The pen contains a strong magnet. !

The motors of the MDA are relatively strong and can cause injuries when your fingers are caught between moving parts.