ALVA Braille Controller series

Braille Display or Braille Notetaker?

Enjoy the best of both worlds with the first series of Braille Controllers

Whether you are a professional Braillist working in business, or a student wishing to learn and use Braille seamlessly within the learning environment, Optelec present the first series of Braille solutions merging computer access capability with the independence of modern note taking functionality.

The ALVA Braille Controller series provides those that can read and write in Braille with full control of applications found on mainstream PCs, PDAs, Smartphones and a wide range of Apple devices including the Mac, iPad and iPhone.  Imagine sending and receiving text messages and e-mails, browsing a contact list, reviewing appointments, creating spreadsheets and surfing the web, all in Braille.

Every ALVA Braille Controller is supported by today’s popular screen readers (including Apple's VoiceOver, JAWS, and SuperNova.  Once connected to a PC, PDA or Smartphone (through USB or wireless Bluetooth®), on-screen information is converted into a refreshable line of tactile Braille characters.  Braillists will enjoy using the high quality Braille cells that encourage effortless reading and smart navigation.

Each ALVA Braille Controller comes equipped with 4GB of USB Flash memory, allowing the Braillist to store important documents.  A preferred USB screen reader can be installed to every ALVA Braille Controller upon request.

Power is drawn from the USB port, and for those wishing to connect via wireless Bluetooth®, internal rechargeable batteries offer up to 10 hours of continuous use.

Instant plug-and-play technology allows the connection of an ALVA Braille Controller to any PC without having to install any drivers or complete any unnecessary installation processes.

ALVA BC640

The light, compact design of the ALVA BC640 makes it an ideal solution for mobile Braillists wishing to control their laptop PC, PDA and Smartphone.

Offering 40 Braille cells and integrated Bluetooth® technology, Braillists can connect and communicate wirelessly with their preferred mainstream device.

The optional Audio Feature Pack includes ergonomically designed input keys for Braille writing, reducing the need to use the PC keyboard or Smartphone keypad.  Integrated high quality stereo speakers are provided, ensuring that speech feedback from the screen reader is always available. 

Users of the Audio Feature Pack also benefit from being able to write and save notes to the USB Flash memory, when disconnected from external devices.  When reconnecting, notes can then be copied to a preferred application on a PC.  Similarly, Braillists can copy notes between their external device and ALVA BC640.  This facility provides the Braillist with the opportunity to read notes on the ALVA BC640, without having to be in close proximity to their PC.

Every ALVA BC640 includes a practical carrying case, allowing Braillists to remain connected with their Smartphone whilst travelling.  Also, an integrated notepad enables Braillists to make a quick note, record a phone number or schedule an appointment.
 



ALVA Explorer
Every ALVA BC640 includes ALVA Explorer, a screen narrator providing basic Braille and speech access to allow Braillists to explore their PC and the most frequently used applications.  Simply connect the ALVA BC640 to any PC and enjoy basic access in Braille without having to install any drivers.

Whether you are a professional or student; the ALVA BC640 provides complete access in any situation, at home or at work.

ALVA BC680

Designed for use within complex professional and education environments, the ALVA BC680 empowers the Braillist to make the most from using a desktop PC, PDA and Smartphone.



Two Braille Controllers, one device
What makes the ALVA BC680 so special is that it is the only 80-cell Braille terminal offering simultaneous connectivity with two separate PCs or, a PC and a Smartphone.  Braillists can now work on their PC whilst staying connected to receive text messages in real time.

Imagine connecting to one mainstream device by USB and the other by wireless Bluetooth®.  The ALVA BC680 makes all this possible using the innovative “split-point” feature to divide the console into a pair of separate Braille Controllers with two individual sets of “front key” and “smartpad” buttons.

Enjoy using 80 cells
Imagine connecting to a PC and reading a line of text from a preferred word processing application.  Braillists will appreciate being able to display and read a line of text in Braille (up to 80 characters at a time) before moving the cursor along.

The ALVA BC680 is the smallest 80-cell Braille display.  The slim line design means that there is no need to leave it in one place.  Braillists are free to roam with their Braille Controller whether they are at work, college or at home.


ALVA Braille Controller - key benefits, features and connections:

• Full Braille reading access to a PC, PDA and Smartphone
• High quality Optelec Braille cells for optimal reading comfort
• Slim line design for portability
• USB plug and play connectivity
• Bluetooth® for wireless connectivity within a range of 100 meters / 300 feet
• 4GB USB Flash memory
• On-board rechargeable batteries
  • Up to 10 hours continuous use
  • 2 hours charging time
• On/off switch
• Power supply input and dual voltage (110-240V) power supply
• USB power supply
• Bluetooth® USB Stick
• CD-ROM with manuals and drivers (for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7)

ALVA BC640 – product specific features and specification:

• 5 navigation thumb keys
• Smartpad with 5-way navigation key and 4 function keys
• 4 eTouch Braille navigation keys
• 40 Optelec Braille cells
• 40 cursor routing keys
• ALVA Explorer screen narrator: Braille and speech
• Possibility to include your preferred screen reader on-board
• Protective pouch

ALVA BC640 Audio Feature Pack:

• 8-key input for Braille writing
• Internal note taking functionality:
  
  • time and date function
  • notepad for writing, saving and modifying notes
• Keys for Control, Windows, Enter, Alt and Spacebar
• Stereo audio and speakers with volume and mute buttons
• Additional rechargeable batteries that extend the battery life of the ALVA BC640 up to 20 hours of continuous use
• 3.5 mm headset and microphone connections
• Headset
• Carrycase

ALVA BC680 – product specific features and specification:

• 10 navigation thumb keys
• 2 Smartpads, each with 5-way navigation and 4 function keys
• 4 eTouch Braille navigation keys
• 80 Optelec Braille cells and cursor routing keys

Dimensions

• ALVA BC640:
  • 33.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 cm / 13.3 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches
  • 33.8 x 11.6 x 2.0 cm / 13.3 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches (with Audio Feature Pack)
• ALVA BC680:
  • 68 x 7.5 x 1.8 cm / 26.8 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches

Weight:

• ALVA BC640:
  • 725 grams / 1.6 lbs
  • 950 grams / 2.1 lbs (with Audio Feature Pack)

Screen Reader Compatibility:

• Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit):
  • JAWS (Version 10 and 11)
  • SuperNova
  • Window-Eyes
  • NVDA
  • System Access To Go (ALVA BC 640 only)
• Windows Vista and Windows XP:
  • JAWS (Version 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11)
  • SuperNova
  • Window-Eyes
  • NVDA
  • System Access To Go (ALVA BC 640 only)
• Windows Mobile: Mobile Speak
• Symbian: Mobile Speak
• Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard (Mac): VoiceOver3
• Apple iPAD and iPhone: VoiceOver
• Linux: BRLTTY

ALVA Braille Controller BC640 brochure (pdf version)
ALVA Braille Controller series brochure (word version)
ALVA Braille Controller series brochure (mp3 audio version)

Buy online - ALVA BC640
Buy online - ALVA BC640 with Feature Pack
Buy online - ALVA BC680

Request further information and / or a home or on-site demonstration

Is the ALVA Braille Controller the right solution for you?

Optelec also offer the following Braille solutions:

ALVA Satellite Braille Displays
The ALVA Satellite series of Braille displays provide those that can read and write in Braille with access to the computer world.

EasyLink 12
Pocket-size, wireless keyboard for Braille reading and writing with PC's, PDA's and Smartphones.