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TM
MegaBee
electronic hand-held communication tablet
Manual
Revision 1.04 © E2L products 2007-2010
(For MegaBee s/w versions 4.xx)
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Introduction
MegaBee communication tablet is designed to provide an easy and frequent means of
communication between a user who is unable to speak and write clearly (the 'speaker') and
a carer, friend or nurse (the 'listener').
As characters are defined by the speaker using eye pointing. The listener is able to key them
in and construct words which are displayed on a small screen.
This manual is in two sections: Basic and Advanced functions. The basic use section is all
you need to know to rapidly establish communication. The advanced functions enable you
to review text, adjust the screen and enable MegaBee to interface with computers.
Using MegaBee
The listener holds the MegaBee in two hands, with the
coloured buttons facing them and looks at the speaker
through the space in the centre of the unit. In this way the
eye movement of the speaker can easily be followed.
The listener should have the thumbs of each hand
comfortably poised above the buttons.
Power up the unit using the black
oval button on the left hand side. All
the lights will flicker once and the
text 'MegaBee' will appear on the
display. This disappears after two
seconds.
ON button
Display
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Block
selection
light
Silent “NO"
Change button
O
P
'Blue’ block
(for example)
Silent "YES"
Space button
Delete button
To select a character requires a sequential interaction between listener and speaker as they
look at each other through the device. The process can be summarised as:
1) speaker: Look at the letter or number and blink
2) listener: Confirm the selection by saying the colour of the block
3) listener: Press the corresponding 'block' button (it will light up)
4) speaker: Now look at the block which is the same colour of the letter you want.
5) listener: Press the corresponding 'block' button
6) The character appears on the screen
Step ‘2’ can be omitted when communication becomes more adept. An alternative
confirmation method, such as looking up or at the ‘YES’ symbol, can be used if the speaker
finds blinking difficult.
Block select
buttons
Screen
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An example
An example
If the word 'hot' were to be spelt the process would be:
speaker
Look at the letter 'H' and blink
'H' is yellow so now look at the yellow block and blink
'H' appears on the display
Look at the letter 'O' and blink
'O' is white so now look at the white block and blink
'O' appears on the display
Look at the letter ‘T' and blink
'T' is yellow so now look at the yellow block and blink
'T’ appears on the display
('H' is the yellow letter in the white block)
Say "white" and press the white button.
The white block selection light comes on.
Press the yellow button
('O' is the white letter in the green block)
Say "green" and press the green button.
The green block selection light comes on.
Press the white button
('T' is the yellow letter in the red block)
Say "red" and press the red button.
The red block selection light comes on.
Press the yellow button
listener
The word 'HOT' is now be displayed on the two way screen
Abbreviations/Short Cuts
To speed up communication there is an abbreviation feature you can use, once you have
become proficient at selecting letters and numbers. Abbreviations are stored as a letter
followed by a number. A list of the factory set default abbreviations are already supplied
with your MegaBee, but you can personalise these easily (see Advanced Functions).
An example of an abbreviations is:
D7 = DRINK
C5 = CAN YOU GET ME
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Mistakes, Spaces and Delete
Three additional methods of communication are needed for operations other than character
input.
Change button
Space button
Delete button
Change
If the listener selects a wrong initial block the speaker looks directly at them and blinks twice.
This means that the selected block is wrong. The listener should press the 'Change' button
to return to initial block selection mode.
Spaces
To insert a space, the speaker looks directly at the listener and blinks once. The listener
presses the ‘Space' button and a space is inserted in the text.
Delete Character (or Abbreviation)
To delete a character, or abbreviation, the speaker looks directly at the listener and closes
their eye for a longer period (say half a second). The listener presses the 'Delete' button and
the last character or abbreviation is removed from the screen.
Delete whole conversation
To remove a whole message from the screen (and memory) simply turn the MegaBee off
and start again.
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Battery low warning and charging
Charge the MegaBee every night using the battery charger provided. (Do not use another
charger).
To charge the battery insert the power supply into a
mains socket and connect to the MegaBee using the
small circular connector. A flashing green light in the
‘red’ block indicates that it is charging. When the green
light is permanently on MegaBee is fully charged.
A warning appears on the screen when the battery is running low (the cursor becomes a
white square block). MegaBee can still be used whilst charging without a problem.
Power Saving features
In order to save power MegaBee automatically turns off certain features if they have not
been used for some time.
After 30s of inactivity the backlight is turned off. This dims the screen but does not lose any of
text. The backlight automatically switches back on as another button is pressed.
After a period of inactivity the whole unit switches off (you can decide on the length of
timeout to suit you - see Advanced Functions). To resume just switch On.
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Other Functions and computer interfacing
There are other functions available to the listener which can aid and extend the use of
MegaBee. These are all accessed by means of the black 'Function' button which then
presents a number of options on the display. Follow the steps below to access and change
an option:
i) Press Function (black) to enter
function menu
ii) Press Up, Down to scroll
through the options
iii) Press Enter to select an option
Then:
iv) Press Up, Down to scroll through the settings
v) Press Enter to select the setting
Press Function (black) to go back to
normal communication
ENTER button
FUNCTION button
UP button
DOWN button
For all functions involved with computer interfacing please refer to the Help File on the CD
included with your MegaBee.
Contrast
This changes the LCD display contrast.
Backlight
This turns the backlight on or off. Turning the backlight off is useful in daylight or brightly lit
places.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth allows MegaBee to communicate with a computer. If you are not using Bluetooth
facilities then setting to 'off' will extend battery life. (Refer to the PChelp file on the CD)
Scroll Mode
This enables all the writing during that session to be examined by scrolling through the
screens. You cannot add characters when in scroll mode.
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Download
This allows you to send the text to the PC. Bluetooth must be active for this control to work,
and the PC must have its Bluetooth link established (Refer to the ‘PChelp’ file on the CD).
Mode
This selects text or picture mode. (refer to the ‘UsingPictures’ file on the CD).
Vocabulary
When active this allows a user defined vocabulary to be loaded into the MegaBee's memory.
(Refer to the PChelp file on the CD)
Timeout
This is the time MegaBee can remain unused before it turns off. For frequent communication
1 or 2 minutes is useful as it extends battery life. For computer communication 5 minutes is
reasonable. Maximum timeout is 15 minutes.
Power Down
Selecting this option turns MegaBee OFF
All documentation and software can be downloaded from
www.megabee.net
MegaBee is a Registered Trademark of
Made in EU
E2L Limited.
EU Registered Design
EU Registered Design
EU Registered Design
EU Registered Design
EU Registered Design
EU Registered Design
No 123456
No 123456
No 123456
No 123456
No 123456
Specifications subject to change.
©E2L Products Limited 2008-2010
No 00074766-0001
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
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