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LS&S Miniguide Instructions Manual

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Instructions for the Miniguide Mobility Aid
Welcome to the Miniguide. Before reading other
sections of these instructions and before using
the Miniguide, please read these important
warnings.
WARNING: The Miniguide is designed to provide
information to a blind traveller, which will
supplement that provided by other aids, such as
the long cane or guide dog. It is stressed that it is
not designed as a blind person's sole aid.
Only use the Miniguide in a safe and familiar
environment.
Always check that the Miniguide is working
properly before using it. Check that the aid is
detecting objects, and is in the expected range.
Make sure that the cap has been removed from
the case.

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Summary of Contents for LS&S Miniguide

  • Page 1 It is stressed that it is not designed as a blind person's sole aid. Only use the Miniguide in a safe and familiar environment. Always check that the Miniguide is working properly before using it.
  • Page 2 To summarise, rely on your primary aid for safe travel and use the Miniguide to provide extra non- critical information. If you have any doubts about your ability to use this aid, please seek assistance from an organisation with experience in mobility training.

  • Page 3: Introductory Note

    recharge the battery. Do not short circuit the battery. Do not apply excessive heat or incinerate the battery. Keep the aid and the battery in a cool, dry place. Introductory Note The following instructions assume you are using a new aid that has not had its settings changed. If your aid is not new and there is the possibility the settings have been changed, you will need to return your settings to the factory defaults.
  • Page 4 Description of the Aid The Miniguide is about 80mm long, 38mm wide and 23mm thick. At the front of the aid are two sensors. The sensors are circular in shape with a fine mesh covering. There is a single 18mm diameter switch located near the front of the Miniguide.

  • Page 5: Installing The Battery

    This end of the battery needs to positioned towards the rear of the Miniguide, that is, away from the sensors. If the battery is inserted backwards, the aid will vibrate at full speed until the battery is removed.
  • Page 6 the cover. If both latches have disengaged the cover can be removed completely from the aid. If one latch is still engaged, lift the rear of the cover with your fingers until both latches have disengaged. The battery sits between two upright metal battery contacts.
  • Page 7 aligned could break the latches. Switching the Aid ON or OFF First remove the cap from the aid. Now locate the ON/OFF switch near the front of the aid. Pressing the switch will result in a short vibration, or pulse, from the aid. Make sure you release the switch once you feel the vibration.
  • Page 8 Testing the Aid Switch the aid ON. Now place your hand about 5cm away from the front of the aid. The aid should be producing very fast vibrations. Move your hand further away from the aid, keeping your hand in front of the aid. The speed of the vibrations should get slower as the hand is moved away.
  • Page 9 its present range - the present range should be the factory default range of 4 metres. Please note that the aid automatically switches itself off after about 90 minutes. So it is recommended that you switch the aid off occasionally, for example every 20 to 30 minutes. This will avoid the aid automatically switching off while it is in use.

  • Page 10: Changing Settings

    Changing Settings The following are the basic settings of the Miniguide * Setting 1 4 metre range * Setting 2 2 metre range * Setting 3 1 metre range * Setting 4 half metre range * Setting 5 8 metre range...
  • Page 11 Settings are changed by holding the switch down continuously for two seconds or longer. Releasing the switch after a certain number of pulses, selects the setting. Once a new setting is selected the aid will use that setting whenever it is switched on.
  • Page 12 Here is a description of how to select setting 4, the half metre range: Make sure the aid is off. Press and keep pressing the switch, the aid will give a quick ON-pulse. Count the pulses that start occurring several seconds after the ON-pulse. Release the switch immediately after counting four pulses.
  • Page 13 So far, we have discussed the use of one Miniguide range at a time. If the Miniguide is set to the 1 metre range, and a user wants to know if there is a landmark 3 metres ahead, the unit must...

  • Page 14: Battery Maintenance

    Battery Maintenance The Miniguide contains a single battery, a type 123 lithium battery. This type of battery is commonly available, particularly from stores selling photographic supplies. Only use batteries from well-known and respected manufacturers. Spare batteries should be kept in their original packaging in a cool dry place.
  • Page 15 The Miniguide uses virtually zero power from the battery when it is switched off. If the aid starts to lose sensitivity, especially in the longer ranges, or behaves erratically, then try installing a new battery. Discard the old battery if things improve noticeably with the new battery.
  • Page 16 vibrations become weaker and more erratic. How long a vibration unit lasts depends on how much it is used. It is anticipated that for all reasonable usage the vibration unit will last for years. On rare occasions the vibration unit can fail suddenly and completely.
  • Page 18 Interference The Miniguide detects objects by sending out an ultrasonic pulse and then listening for the echo. If something in the area is also producing ultrasonic pulses then the aid may indicate there is an object within range when really there is no object present.
  • Page 19 The Miniguide has been designed and tested to be relatively immune to radio frequency transmitters such as mobile phones and CB radios. However interference may occur if the aid is very close to a transmitter, or the transmitter is very strong.
  • Page 20 Dirt and other substances can clog this mesh. If this mesh becomes clogged then the sensitivity of the Miniguide will be reduced, or the aid will stop working completely. Store the aid in a clean location, and avoid using the aid in dusty or dirty conditions.
  • Page 21 When using the Miniguide, it is a good idea to put the cord attached to it over your wrist. If you want to let go of the aid to use your hand to hold something else, the Miniguide will then hang from the cord.
  • Page 22 It also makes the aid simpler for those who have no need for the remaining settings. The following are the basic settings of the Miniguide * Setting 1 4 metre range * Setting 2 2 metre range...
  • Page 23 The following are the advanced settings: * Setting 6 1 preset only, default * Setting 7 2 presets * Setting 8 3 presets * Setting 9 Chirp audio, default * Setting 10 Sweep audio * Setting 11 Vibration on when plug in, default * Setting 12 Vibration off when plug in * Setting 13 Remote switch disabled, default * Setting 14 Remote switch enabled...

  • Page 24: Basic Settings

    * Setting 18 not used * Setting 19 not used * Setting 20 Lock present settings Basic Settings Setting 1, 4 metre range: The aid will vibrate if there is a detectable object within 4 metres of the aid. The closer the object, the higher the speed of the vibration.

  • Page 25: Advanced Settings

    Setting 5, 8 metre range: The aid will vibrate if there is a detectable object within 8 metres of the aid. The Miniguide is a very low powered device, this means only very large objects will be detected beyond 4 metres, for example, a fence or wall.
  • Page 26 Setting 6, one preset: Selecting this option resets the Miniguide to the default of having only one preset. Use this setting if you have previously selected two or three preset ranges and want to return the unit to one preset.
  • Page 27 first preset range. If the switch is pressed again, the aid will give two quick pulses indicating that preset two is selected. Pressing the switch again will simply switch the aid off. In other words, pressing the switch swaps the user between preset 1, preset 2 and off.
  • Page 28 The following is an example of how to change the first preset to the 2 metre range: Make sure the aid is off. Press and keep pressing the switch, the aid will give a quick ON-pulse. Count the pulses that start occuring several seconds after the ON-pulse.
  • Page 29 The following is an example of how to change the second preset to the 1 metre range: Make sure the aid is off. Press and release the switch, the aid will give a quick ON-pulse. The aid should now be in preset 1. Press and keep pressing the switch, the aid will give two quick pulses.
  • Page 30 The factory default for preset 2 is the 2 metre range. Setting 8, three presets: Selecting this option means that there will be three preset ranges active, preset 1, preset 2 and preset 3. With three presets enabled, the user can quickly swap between three different ranges.
  • Page 31 The following is an example of how to change the third preset to the half metre range: Make sure the aid is off. Press and release the switch, the aid will give a quick ON-pulse. The aid should now be in preset 1. Press and release the switch, the aid will give two quick pulses.
  • Page 32 This type of feedback has to be selected if the Miniguide is to be used with an instructor accessory. Setting 10, sweep audio : This setting selects sweep type audio feedback.
  • Page 33 feedback. With sweep type feedback, the unit gives a continuous tone if an object is being detected. The closer the object, the higher the pitch of the tone. The sweep feedback is very responsive, it is very easy to hear small changes in distance.
  • Page 34 Setting 14, remote switch enabled: This setting enables the remote switch. A special cable and switch can be used to switch the Miniguide ON or OFF or swap between presets remotely. This cable plugs into the earphone socket. It is not...
  • Page 35 possible to switch the aid on. Using the wrong type of plug or cable with this setting will cause extra power drain, whether the aid is on or off, so the inability to switch the aid on is a good warning that the remote switch has to be disabled or the proper cable used.
  • Page 36 in walls e. g. door openings. As a safety precaution, the sensitivity for distances less than half a metre is the same as for all the other ranges i. e. full sensitivity. WARNING: the gap finding ranges should be used with caution.
  • Page 37 Setting 20, Lock present settings: This setting "locks" the present settings. This means that the present settings cannot be changed by pressing and holding down the switch. This option is useful in preventing accidental changes to the present settings. Mobility instructors may find this option useful as a means of pre-programming an aid for a client.