Freedom Scientific RUBY XL HD Plus, RUBY HD Plus User Manual

440930-001 Rev. A

RUBY® XL HD+

Handheld Video Magnifier

User’s Guide

ii

Freedom Scientific, Inc., 11800 31st Court North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805, USA
www.FreedomScientific.com.

Copyright © 2017 Freedom Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. RUBY® is a trademark of Freedom
Scientific, Inc., in the United States and other countries. Information in this document is subject to
change without notice. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
any means electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of
Freedom Scientific.

Technical Support

To contact Technical Support by email, send questions to [e-mail].

To contact by web, visit www.FreedomScientific.com/Forms/TechSupport, and complete the
form to submit questions.

To contact by telephone, U.S. customers can call [phone], Monday through Friday, 8:30
AM to 7:00 PM (Eastern Time). Please have your questions ready and be prepared to provide the
following information: product name, serial number, what you were doing when the problem
occurred, and how you tried to solve the problem.

iii

Table of Contents

Read Me First ......................................................................................................... 1

Overview................................................................................................................. 2

Quick Start .............................................................................................................. 4

Hardware Description ............................................................................................. 7

Charging RUBY XL HD+ ...................................................................................... 10

Battery LED Descriptions ..................................................................................... 12

Button Descriptions .............................................................................................. 13

Opening and Closing the Handle ......................................................................... 14

Opening and Using the Reading Stand ................................................................ 15

Magnifying Live Images ........................................................................................ 18

Magnifying Frozen or Saved Images .................................................................... 18

iv

Changing Color Modes ......................................................................................... 19

Switching Between the Last Used Color Mode and Full Color ............................. 20

Adding and Removing Color Modes ..................................................................... 21

Resetting Default Color Modes ............................................................................ 23

Color Modes ......................................................................................................... 23

Default Color Modes ...................................................................................... 23

Additional Color Modes .................................................................................. 24

Freezing an Image ............................................................................................... 25

Turning Off LED Lights ......................................................................................... 26

Using Reading Line or Reading Masks ................................................................ 27

Displaying Reading Line ................................................................................ 27

Displaying Reading Masks ............................................................................. 29

Storage Mode ....................................................................................................... 30

v

Saving and Deleting an Image ............................................................................. 31

Viewing Saved Images ......................................................................................... 32

Saving an Image When Memory is Full ............................................................... 33

Storage Mode Icons ............................................................................................. 34

Transferring Images ............................................................................................. 35

Displaying a Slide Show ....................................................................................... 39

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................... 41

Technical Specifications ....................................................................................... 46

1

Read Me First



Before using RUBY® XL HD+ for the first time, you must charge its battery.
A full charge takes approximately three hours.



Refer to Charging RUBY XL HD+ on page 10 for battery charging
procedures.



Refer to Battery LED Descriptions on page 12 for LED descriptions.



For the basics to help you get started using RUBY XL HD+, read Quick
Start on page 4.



For an overview of RUBY XL HD+ and its operation, review the information
in this guide first.



Visit www.FreedomScientific.com/Forms/ProductRegistration to
register your product and validate your warranty.

2

Overview

Thank you for purchasing RUBY XL HD+.
RUBY XL HD+ is a portable, handheld video magnifier that can magnify an

object from two to 14 times its size. It has a 5-megapixel, auto-focus camera that
provides sharp HD quality images that are easily viewed on its full color, 5-inch
LCD screen. RUBY XL HD+ supports five default color modes, and 15 additional
contrasting color modes that can easily be enabled.

The unit has both an integrated fold-away handle and a reading stand. The
handle allows you to hold the magnifier close to an object, press the
magnification buttons for continuous zoom from 2x to 14x, and then freeze the
image on the screen. If you like, you can then make any necessary magnification
adjustments. This is ideal for viewing clothing labels, prescription labels, price
tags, receipts, business cards, and more.

3

With the reading stand open, you can place the unit directly on a document and
read printed text or images in magazines, catalogs, menus, photographs, and
other printed material.

RUBY XL HD+ can save and store up to 80 images that can easily be copied to
a computer through a simple USB connection. It also has a reading line and
reading masks that you can turn on and use to quickly locate and maintain your
place while viewing an image or reading text on the LCD screen.

4

Quick Start

Below are steps to quickly set up and use RUBY XL HD+ for the first time.

1. Make sure the unit is fully charged. Refer to page 10.

2. Press the Power button

to power on the unit. Refer to page 13.

3. Do one of the following.



Rotate and extend the handle to hold and use the unit like a

magnifying glass. This is useful when it’s necessary to magnify and

read objects such as labels or details on cans, packages, pill bottles,
and more. Refer to page 14.



Open the reading stand to place the unit on a flat document such as
a newspaper or magazine, a bill or receipt, a letter, and so on. Refer
to page 15.

5

4. Adjust the magnification using the Plus or Minus buttons ( or ).

Refer to page 18.

5. Select a color mode ( or ) for contrasting colors that best suit your

vision needs. Refer to page 19.

6. Freeze the image on the LCD screen so that you may take your

time reading details in the image. Refer to page 25.

7. Save the image or return to live view . Refer to page 31.

Once you become comfortable using RUBY XL HD+, try the following advanced
features.



Turn the LED reading lights on or off to adjust for glare and reflections

when viewing photographs or glossy magazine pages. Refer to page

26.

6



Use the reading line or reading masks to help you maintain your place

while reading text. Refer to page 27.



Save, view, and delete images stored on the unit as described on pages

30 through 33.



For additional storage, transfer images from the unit to your computer

as described on page 35.

7

Hardware Description

1. Color Mode Scroll Up

2. Color Mode Scroll Down

3. Power

4. Magnification Increase

5. Magnification Decrease

6. Freeze Frame

7. LCD screen

8

8. USB port (micro-USB)

9. Power connector (5V; 2.1A)

10. Battery LED

11. Handle in closed position

9

11. Handle in closed position

12. LED lights

13. Camera (5 MP)

10

Charging RUBY XL HD+

Note: You must use the supplied power adapter to charge the unit. It cannot be

charged using the computer’s USB port.

1. Plug one end of the power adapter into the unit and the other end into a

wall outlet (1).

2. The battery indicator LED blinks green to show that the battery is

charging (2).

11

3. The LED stops blinking and glows a steady green once the battery is

charged. Unplug the power adapter from the unit. The battery indicator

LED turns off.

4. You can now use RUBY XL HD+ for approximately three hours of

continuous use. When the battery is low, the battery indicator LED

flashes red. Connect the power adapter and plug it in to recharge the

battery.

12

Battery LED Descriptions

Green – Solid: Battery charged
Green – Flashing: Battery charging
Red – Flashing: Battery low
Red – Solid: Battery error. Refer to Troubleshooting, page 41.
Off: Power adapter not connected

13

Button Descriptions

Power: Press to power on. Press it again to power off.

Magnification: Press and HOLD for continuous zoom

magnification with live images. When viewing frozen images, press
and release to incrementally increase or decrease magnification.

Color Mode: Press to cycle through five default color modes and
15 additional color modes. For a complete list, refer to Color

Modes on page 23.

Freeze Frame: Press to freeze the current image. Press it again to

turn off Freeze Frame mode and return to live view.

14

Opening and Closing the Handle

The handle rotates to two open positions so that the unit can be held like a
magnifying glass.

15

Opening and Using the Reading Stand

RUBY XL HD+ also incorporates a reading stand so that it can be set on a
document allowing you to read an item at a convenient and consistent distance.

1. On the top edge of the unit, use one thumb to push the ridge (1) in one

direction while using your other thumb to push one of the tabs (2) in the

opposite direction.

16

2. The unit is spring loaded and opens to its full reading position. If the unit

is off, it automatically powers on when the reading stand opens.

17

3. Next, place the unit on a flat item, such as a document or photo, to view

and read it.

4. When you close the reading stand, the unit automatically powers off.

18

Magnifying Live Images

When viewing a live image, you can use continuous zoom magnification between
2x and 14x.



Press and HOLD the Plus button to zoom in.



Press and HOLD the Minus button to zoom out.

Magnifying Frozen or Saved Images

You can freeze and then save an image that displays on the LCD screen. When
viewing a frozen or saved image, you can zoom in or out in incremental steps by

pressing the Plus or Minus buttons ( or ).
For steps to freeze an image, refer to Freezing an Image on page 25.
To access saved images, refer to Saving and Deleting an Image on page 31.

19

Changing Color Modes

A color mode is a pre-defined color combination (for example, yellow text on a
blue background) that you can select when reading items with RUBY XL HD+.

The unit has five default color modes: Full Color; Black on White (high-contrast
positive); White on Black (high-contrast negative); Yellow on Blue; Yellow on
Black; and 15 additional color modes. For a complete list, refer to Color Modes
on page 23.



Press the Up or Down arrow buttons ( or ) to change the current

color combination on the LCD screen.

The Up arrow button cycles in one direction through the color

combination list while the Down arrow button cycles in the other

direction.

20

Switching Between the Last Used Color Mode and Full Color

RUBY XL HD+ provides the convenience of quickly switching between the last
color mode used and full color, or vice versa.

This shortcut is useful when looking at a live image (for example, while holding
and reading a document) and using a color mode that provides the best contrast
for you. If you need to move the unit to a different part of the document, it may
be easier to switch to full color, move to the new location, and then return to your
color mode selection and continue reading.

To do this,



Press and HOLD the Power button , and then press the Down arrow
button . The screen changes from one mode to the other.



To switch back, repeat the same button sequence again.

21

Adding and Removing Color Modes

RUBY XL HD+ has five default color modes. You can also activate and choose
from a variety of 15 other color modes. Once a color mode is available, you can

easily switch to it using the Up or Down arrow buttons ( or ).

To add or remove other color modes, do the following:

1. Press and HOLD the Power button and then press the Up arrow

button to enter Color Selection mode.

The Enable check box displays indicating that the current color mode

is active.

2. To disable the current color mode, press the Down arrow while STILL

holding the Power button . This clears the check box .

22

Note: By disabling a color mode, it is no longer available as you cycle

through the color modes using the Up or Down buttons during normal

operation.

3. To scroll to the next color mode, press the Up arrow while STILL

holding the Power button .



If the check box is selected , the color mode is enabled.



If the check box is cleared , the color mode is disabled.

4. To enable or disable a color mode, press the Down arrow while

STILL holding the Power button to select or clear its check box.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to continue adding or removing color modes.

6. When you are finished loading color modes, release all buttons. Any

color mode changes made will be saved, and the unit will return to

normal operating mode.

23

Resetting Default Color Modes

If you have added or removed color modes that display on the screen, you can
always restore RUBY XL HD+ to its five default color modes.



Press and HOLD the Power button and the Up arrow button
simultaneously for 15 seconds.

Color Modes

There are five factory default color modes and 15 additional color modes that
you can make active.

Default Color Modes

1. Full Color (always available, cannot be disabled)

2. Black on White – high-contrast positive

24

3. White on Black – high-contrast negative

4. Yellow on Blue

5. Yellow on Black

Additional Color Modes



Black on Yellow



Blue on Black



Black on Amber



Green on Black



Blue on Yellow



Violet on Black



Black on Green



Red on Black



Black on Violet



White on Blue



Black on Red



Red on White



Black on Blue



Amber on Black



Black on Light Blue

25

Freezing an Image

Freezing an image on the LCD screen can be useful for reading labels on items
on a store shelf. By holding the unit close to the item and freezing the image, you
can then hold it close enough for you to read.

1. Press the Freeze Frame button to freeze the image.

If you like, press the Plus button to increase magnification, or the

Minus button to decrease magnification.

2. Press the Freeze Frame button again to turn off Freeze Frame

mode and return to the live view.

Note: To save a frozen image, press and HOLD the Freeze Frame

button for three seconds. Refer to Saving and Deleting an Image

on page 31 for more information.

26

Turning Off LED Lights

When you power on RUBY XL HD+, the LED lights also turn on. To avoid glare
when viewing reflective surfaces, you can turn off the LED lights.

1. Press and HOLD the Power button , and then press the Freeze

Frame button . The LED lights turn off.

2. To turn on the lights again, press and HOLD the Power button , and

then press the Freeze Frame button .

Note: When the reading stand is closed, the unit automatically powers off.

27

Using Reading Line or Reading Masks

The reading line is a horizontal line that displays on the screen. Reading masks
block part of the screen to show a horizontal slice of the screen. Use these items
to help you locate and maintain your place while viewing an image. When using
the button sequence as described below, the unit cycles through displaying the
reading line, the reading masks, and then no reading line or masks.

Displaying Reading Line

1. Press and HOLD the Power button (1) and then press both

Magnification buttons ( (2) and (3)). The reading line displays on

the screen as shown in the next figure.

28

2. Press and HOLD the Power button (1) and then press the Plus

button (2) or the Minus button (3) to move the reading line up or

down on the screen.

29

Displaying Reading Masks

1. Press and HOLD the Power button (1) and then press both Plus and

Minus ( (2) and (3)) again to remove the reading line and display

the reading masks on the screen as shown in the next figure.

30

2. Press and HOLD the Power button (1) and then press the Plus

button (2) or the Minus button (3) to increase or decrease the

distance between the masks.

3. To remove reading masks from the screen, press and HOLD the Power

button (1) and then press and HOLD both Plus and Minus buttons

( (2) and (3)).

Storage Mode

Storage mode can save up to 80 images. When you first store an image, it is
saved with the current magnification and color settings just as displayed on the
screen. When viewing a saved image, you can change the magnification level.

31

Saving and Deleting an Image

After freezing an image on the screen, you can save it by doing the following.

1. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for three seconds to

enter Storage mode.

2. The Save Image check box is automatically selected and displays for

three seconds. This indicates that the image will be saved after exiting

Storage mode and returning to live view.

To delete an image while in Storage mode,

1. Press and HOLD both Magnification buttons ( and ) to clear the

check box . When you exit Storage mode, the image is deleted.

2. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for three seconds to

exit and return to live view.

32

Viewing Saved Images

RUBY XL HD+ can store up to 80 images. You can easily scroll through the
images using the blue arrow buttons ( and ).

1. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for approximately six

seconds to enter Review mode.



To scroll forward through the saved images, press the Up arrow ( ).



To scroll backward through the saved images, press the Down
arrow ( ).

2. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for approximately three

seconds to exit and return to live view.

33

Saving an Image When Memory is Full

RUBY XL HD+ can store approximately 80 images. If you try to save another
image when the unit’s memory is full, the Memory Full icon displays on the
screen. To add another image, you must first remove one or more saved
images from memory.

1. Press the Up arrow or the Down arrow ( ) to step to an image that

you want to delete.

2. Press both Magnification buttons ( and ) to clear the check box

.

3. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for three seconds to

exit Storage mode. The new image is saved, and all unchecked images

are deleted.

Note: To free space on the unit, you can move images to a computer.

For more information, refer to Transferring Images on page 35.

34

Storage Mode Icons

Save: Press Plus and Minus ( and ) at the same time to

select the check box. The image is saved when you exit
Storage mode.

Delete: Press Plus and Minus ( and ) at the same time to
clear the check box. The image is deleted when you exit
Storage mode.

Advance: Press the Up or Down arrows ( or ) to move to
the next or previous image.

Memory Full: Indicates that the maximum number of images
have been saved on the unit. You must mark one or more
images for deletion before you can save the current image.

35

Transferring Images

Images stored on RUBY XL HD+ can be transferred to your computer using the
supplied USB cable. Any image moved from RUBY XL HD+ to your computer
can easily be moved back to the unit. To do this, do the following:

1. Connect the supplied USB cable to the unit (1) and the computer.

2. When connected,



The USB symbol and battery icon briefly display on the LCD screen.

36



The battery icon indicates the current battery status.
Note: The unit does not charge and images do not display on the

screen while it is connected to a computer’s USB port.



RUBY XL HD+ displays as an external device in Windows Explorer
or Finder (Mac).

3. To transfer images, do one of the following:

From RUBY XL HD+ to a computer



Open the RUBY XL HD+ DCIM folder and select and move one or
more images to a folder that you can easily find on your computer.



Images are named and are numbered in the order saved, for
example, IMG_0001.bmp, IMG_0002.bmp, and so on as shown in
the next figure.

37

Figure 1. Image files in DCIM folder

38

From a computer back to RUBY XL HD+

Note: Only images saved by RUBY XL HD+ can be copied back to the

unit.



Locate the image on your computer using Windows Explorer or
Finder (Mac).



Select the image and move it to the RUBY XL HD+ DCIM folder.

4. When you are finished transferring files, make sure that you safely eject

(remove) the unit from your computer.

Note: To safely disconnect the unit and protect your data, always follow

your operating system’s procedures for removing a USB device.

39

Displaying a Slide Show

You can create a slide show that loops continuously using the images saved on
the unit. Each image displays for approximately five seconds. The order that
images display is based on their file names, for example, IMG_0001.bmp,
IMG_0002.bmp, and so on.

To rearrange the order that images display, you can transfer them to your
computer, rename the files in the order that you like, and then transfer them
back to the unit. (The file names should not be longer than eight characters
followed by the BMP file extension.) To move files between the unit and
computer, refer to Transferring Images on page 35.

Note: When in Slide Show mode, the 30-minute power-off timer is disabled.

40

To start the slide show, do the following:

1. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for approximately six

seconds to enter Review mode.

2. Press and HOLD the Power button , and then press the Up arrow .

The first image stored on the unit, based on its file name, displays on the

LCD screen for approximately five seconds followed by the second

image, the third, and so on.

3. Press and HOLD the Freeze Frame button for approximately three

seconds to exit Slide Show mode and return to live view.

41

Troubleshooting

The unit does not power on.



Press the Power button . If the unit does not power on, charge the

battery.

Note: The battery does not charge when the unit is connected to a USB

port.

The screen is blank.



If the unit is sitting on a flat surface (a desk or document), the screen is

blank (black). Lift the unit off the surface, or open the reading stand.



When the unit is connected to a computer via USB, the screen is blank.



Power the unit off and then on again.

42



Verify that the item you want to magnify is positioned correctly under the

camera window.



Press the Magnification buttons ( or ) to step through the

magnification levels.



Press the Color Mode buttons ( or ) to step through the color

modes.



When the reading stand is closed, the unit automatically powers off.

The battery LED is flashing red.



Charge the battery.

43

The battery LED is solid red while the power adapter is connected to the
unit.



A battery error has occurred. Unplug the power adapter from the unit

and plug it in again.



If the problem continues, disconnect the power adapter and contact

Technical Support. See page ii.

The battery indicator LED does not flash green, even though the power
adapter is connected and plugged into a wall socket.



Ensure that the small end of the power adapter is firmly plugged into the

unit’s power port.



Ensure that the outlet has power and is not malfunctioning. If the outlet

is connected to a wall switch, make sure the switch is on.

44

The battery is not charging.



Use the supplied power adapter to charge the unit. The battery does

not charge when the unit is connected to a USB port.



Make sure the small end of the power adapter is firmly plugged into the

unit’s power port.



Ensure that the outlet has power and is not malfunctioning. If the outlet

is connected to a wall switch, make sure the switch is on.

There are smudges or blemishes on the screen.



Clean the LCD screen as described in Cleaning Procedures on page

51.

45

Text is too small or too large to read.



Press the Magnification buttons ( or ) to increase or decrease

magnification. For live images, press and HOLD a Magnification button

for continuous zoom magnification. For frozen or saved images, press a

magnification button to zoom in or out one step at a time.

LED lights produce glare against a reflective surface.



Press and HOLD the Power button , and then press the Freeze

Frame button

to turn off the LED lights.

The unit powers off after reading for 30 minutes.



This is expected behavior. The unit powers off after 30 minutes if no

buttons are pressed. This extends battery life.

46

Technical Specifications



LCD widescreen: 5 inches (127 mm); tilts approximately 40 degrees in
reading mode



Body size:

5.5 inches high (139.7 mm)

3.5 inches wide (88.9 mm)

0.8 inches deep (20.3 mm)



Weight: 10.5 oz. (298 grams)



Color modes: Five factory default color modes (Full Color; Black on White
(high-contrast positive); White on Black (high-contrast negative); Yellow on
Blue; Yellow on Black), and 15 additional color modes



Magnification range: 2x to 14x zoom



Maximum saved images: Approximately 80 bitmap (BMP) images

47



Camera: 5 MP HD, auto-focus camera



Image resolution: 800 x 480 pixels



Color: 24-bit



Battery: Li-ion battery; approximately 3 hours of continuous use; charges in
approximately 3 hours

Note: Only use the supplied power adapter to charge the battery.

48

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.

49

Industry Canada Notice



This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Regulatory Compliance



Safety: IEC 60950-1 ed2.0, UL 60950-1:2007, CSA C22.2.60950-1:2007, EN 60950-1:
2006 + A11:2009 + A1:2010 + A12:20122



EMC: FCC (CFR-47, part 15) Class B; ICES-003; EN 55022 Class B; EN 55024

50

Safety and Maintenance



Do not attempt to repair the unit or open its case. This product contains no user serviceable
parts. Any unauthorized attempt to service or replace internal components will void the
product warranty.



Do not remove the battery. It is not user serviceable.



Keep the unit away from wet areas, rain, and other sources of liquids. Do not submerge the
unit.



Always operate the unit in a place where the temperature is between 10° and 35° C (50° and
95° F).



Do not store in places subject to temperature extremes such as a parked car.



Do not force any connector into the unit’s power port. The power connector fits easily into
the port.

51

Cleaning the LCD Screen



Power off and unplug the unit before cleaning the LCD screen.



Always use a clean microfiber cloth.



Very gently wipe the cloth across the screen. Do not press hard on the cloth or screen.



If you use a cleaning liquid, use an appropriate LCD cleaning liquid. You can also use
distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, or vinegar mixed with water at a concentration of no more
than 10 percent vinegar. Note that tap or mineral water may cause spotting on the screen.
Do not leave any liquid on the screen. Repeat this procedure for hard to remove smudges.



Do not spray any cleaning solutions directly on the LCD screen.



Do not use a cleanser that contains acetone, ethyl alcohol, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl
chloride.



Do not use a paper towel to clean the LCD screen.

Cleaning the RUBY XL HD+ Body



Make sure the unit is unplugged. Use a lightly dampened, soft, clean cloth with water or mild
detergent. Do not use alcohol, solvents, abrasives, or aerosol sprays.

52

Warranty and Registration

Congratulations on your purchase of the RUBY XL HD+ Handheld Video Magnifier.

The unit and its accessories come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

Note: These devices have no user-serviceable components. Any unauthorized attempt to service
or replace internal components by opening the case will void the product warranty.

Please call Technical Support at [phone] for assistance in troubleshooting any problems. If
necessary, the technical support specialist will issue a Return Materials Authorization (RMA)
number that must be referenced on the outside of the package containing your returned unit. Your
unit or its accessory will then be exchanged or repaired as needed.

Product Registration

Visit www.FreedomScientific.com/Forms/ProductRegistration to register your product and
validate your warranty.