Assigning commands to HID-braille displays?

By Devin Prater, 26 October, 2022

Forum
Braille on Apple Products

Hi all. So I'm trying to assign new commands to my NLS EReader (Humanware) which uses HID Braille. When I try to assign Space with dots 1-2-4-5-6 to enable auto-scroll, it does nothing. On a Focus 14, however, it works. Other commands do the same thing, like Enter with dots 1-2-5 for next heading: it just won't assign the command. Has anyone has luck in doing this? Thanks so much for any answers. I don't like having two Braille displays, and would rather just use the EReader for everything.

Options

Comments

By Scott Davert on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 12:35

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hi Devin.
I just assigned a new command to my Brailliant BI20X without any issues, I'm wondering if this is specific to the NLS EReader? My state doesn't have them yet, so I can't check it out by fully duplicating your set up. I hope someone else can give you a more exact answer.

By Devin Prater on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 14:04

I thought the EReader and the Brailliant were basically the same device. Ah well.

By Travis Roth on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 16:38

I am told that the Brailliant and EReader connect to iOS differently, the EReader pairs through Settings>VoiceOver>Accessibility whereas the Brailliant and Mantis pair through general Bluetooth. So it may not actually be operating as a HID device. (I don't have an EReader to verify this but I deem my source as reliable.)
Nonetheless it is likely an iOS issue as the display is operating as a dumb terminal in this scenario. I suggest asking Apple Accessibility. It might not hurt to ask NLS tech support too as it theoretically impacts BARD Mobile app use.

By Devin Prater on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 18:10

Hid displays are supposed to connect through the regular Bluetooth settings? I'll have to try that then. Maybe I have just been connecting it wrong.

By Devin Prater on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 20:01

Okay y'all, I think I've found a fix. If you unpair the EReader from Bluetooth on phone and display, then go to Settings > Bluetooth and pair the display that way, the display should connect to VoiceOver. Now, turn Bluetooth off and back on on both devices. Then, you should be able to assign commands freely. If you notice that you now have two NLS EReader devices in your Braille settings, use the one that's selected.
Hope this helps.