Contents: Description, Instructions (Hold,
Switch, Battery, Accessories,
Care, Warnings, When
the Aid Does Not Work Properly, As a Cane of Air), Specifications,
Warranty
Description
An ultrasonic beam comes out from the front two deep holes of the aid in the
direction of length. The whole aid vibrates when an object is in the beam.
Following Instructions teach you how to operate and maintain the aid. The
Beginners Guide teaches how to use it as a cane of
air.
Hold
At the other hand of a long cane, wrap the wrist-strap and place the aid in palm
through the palm-band, and stick the front a little out of the palm.
Switch
A narrow switch button is at the center of the panel. Setting is made by the timing
of releasing the button after pressing it. It is a good custom to put your hand in
front of the holes to make it sure. Check a battery or put it as explained later.
If you press front of the button gently to feel a click and keep pressing
it, you will feel steady vibrations (after 2 short vibrations for the variant PS231-7).
Releasing the button before the vibrations starts the 4 m beam. (Releasing
after the first vibration starts the 0.5 m beam, after the second vibration
starts the 0.3 m beam for the PS231-7.) Releasing during the steady
vibrations stops the aid.
If you keep pressing rear of the button in the same way, you will feel 3 short
vibrations. Releasing the button before the first vibration starts the 1 m
beam, after the first vibration starts the 1.2 m beam, after the second vibration
starts the 1.4 m beam, and after the third vibration starts the 2 m
beam.
Battery
Slow steady vibrations warn that the battery needs replacing to a new CR2032.
The battery name is printed on the panel.
Battery compartment is at the rear. To fit the battery, insert it and press the knob
of the sliding door to shut. To draw out the battery, press the knob of sliding door
to open.
Used batteries must be disposed by the rule of your community as lithium batteries.
If you leave it for a long time, draw out the battery so as not to spend a small
standby current.
Accessories
Use the wrist-strap to prevent losing the aid.
It is worn by the palm-band. Adjust the position of the mechanical sticking part,
and cut off the excess. Its circular part has been forced into the front of the main
unit.
When it is raining, attatch the optional Umbrella-Grip
instead of the original grip of umbrella, and grasp it over the aid in palm to extend
shaft, to isolate vibrations and to scan without rotating the umbrella.
When it is chilly, wear a glove with an opening over the aid in palm. Prepare gloves
of leather or fleece material which fit your hands. The glove worn over the aid in
palm is cut inside of the square projection part made by the front of the aid. Push
the front strongly into the opening to make it the same shape.
Care
If water enters into the holes, shake off and drain. Avoid heating with a dryer or
placing where temperature goes up. Wipe the body with a dry towel. To clean the holes,
use a water damped cotton swab gently as if it is your ear. A fragile ultrasonic
device which is like your eardrum is located at the bottom of each 25 mm deep hole.
Warnings
Battery related warnings are; DO NOT leave it within reach of children. DO NOT leave
it exposed. DO NOT charge it. DO NOT heat or throw into fire. DO NOT take it apart.
DO NOT drop it into water. DO NOT use except CR2032.
DO NOT bring close to magnetic tapes, cards, or tickets.
When the Aid Does Not Work Properly
Check that you are turning it on correctly. Check a battery is inside. Change the
battery to a new one. If the aid is cold, warm the battery. Check obstacles, finger
or strap, in front of the holes. Check for obstructions in the holes. Clean the holes.
When interfering ultrasound is suspicious, use shorter beams which have lower sensitivities.
Automobiles use ultrasonic backup sonar for reversing. Big noises include ultrasound.
After checking all possibilities mentioned above, call the distributor to find whether
it needs repair or what to do.
As a Cane of Air
The beam behaves as wave. It is important to reaffirm reactions to utilize wave.
The principle is echolocation. A short ultrasound is transmitted and received the
echo reflected at an object to measure the time interval which determines the distance
to the object. You can hear tick sounds of intermittent ultrasound. It is weak and
safe.
The shape of beam is 60 degrees wide in line of two holes, and 30 degrees narrow
perpendicularly. The shape of detection is tapered and narrower than the beam because
reflection depends on size, surface and angle of the object.
The speed of vibration gets faster as it gets closer to 50 cm. At 50 cm vibration
changes to a pulsing rhythm which increases in speed until reaching 5 cm. Vibrations
are determined only by the distance. The size of objects or the strength of reflection
are not related.
Move either side or up and down to scan nearby objects. Draw back to find objects
next to the aid. Move back and forth to confirm the distance. Turn the angle to scan
distant objects.
The surface must face you to make the echo return back. Scan widely to catch the
echo.
Scan at moderate speed especially to far objects. If scanning is too fast, it will
miss echoes.
The interference of waves cancels each other and the reaction often disappears. It
often happens nearby. If there is a suspicion, scan widely.
Model name is Palmsonar. Model number is PS231 (PS231-7).
Purpose is a palm-held mobility aid for the blind or vision impaired. Function is
an ultrasonic beam as a cane of air. Preservation temperature is from -20 degrees
C to 50 degrees C. Impact resistance is to fall from 1.5 m height to a concrete floor.
Water resistance is a splash-proof. Operation temperature of atmosphere is from -10
degrees C to 50 degrees C, provided the unit around the battery is kept by the warmth
of hand. Size of the main unit is 20 mm wide, 31 mm high, and 77 mm long. Weight
of the main unit is 40 grams including a battery. Lengths of ultrasonic beam are
(0.3 m, 0.5 m,) 1 m, 1.2 m, 1.4 m, 2 m, and 4 m. Shape of the beam is 60 degrees
in line of holes and 30 degrees perpendicularly. Sensitivities of detection are a
2 mm diameter rod at 80 cm ahead, a 6 cm diameter rod at 2 m ahead and a vertical
wall at 4 m ahead, provided it is pointed to the right-angle. Length is divided into
43 units; They are 2.5 cm within 20 cm, 5 cm beyond that to 1 m, 10 cm beyond that
to 2 m, and 20 cm beyond that. Speed of vibration changes into 30 steps, for example,
46 Hz within 50 cm, 28 Hz at 1 m and 10 Hz at 4 m. Pulsing rhythm of vibration changes
into 13 steps, for example, 100 % beyond 50 cm and 8 % at 5 cm. Frequency of the
ultrasound is 40 kHz. Responses per one second are 16 times at 5 cm and 11 times
at 4 m. Battery is a lithium battery CR2032 which normally has 200 mAH capacity.
Consumption current is from 5 mA to 9 mA. Standby current is under 0.1 mA. Slow steady
vibrations warn that the battery needs replacing. Body is made of polycarbonate.
It uses lead-contained ceramics for the ultrasonic devices, lead solder and polyvinyl
chloride. EMC is identical with the varient models. Made in Japan. Specifications
and appearance shall be changed without prior notice.
Unit Conversions from Metric
Size: 20 mm (0.8"), 31 mm (1.2"), 77 mm (3.0"), 40 grams (1.5 oz).
Setting lengths: 0.3 m (12"), 0.5 m (20"), 1 m (40"), 1.2 m (48"),
1.4 m (55"), 2 m (6.6'), 4 m (13').
Properties: 2 mm (0.08"), 2.5 cm (1"), 5 cm (2"), 6 cm (2.4"),
10 cm (4"), 20 cm (8"), 80 cm (31"), 1.5 m (5').
Temperatures: -10 degrees C (14 degrees F), -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F), 50 degrees
C (122 degrees F).
This warranty covers manufacturing defects of the main unit by the maker for
one year. Specific terms and conditions are decided by the distributor.
Model number: PS231 (PS231-7)
Serial Number:
Date of Purchase:
Distributor:
May 6, 2008
Designed and made by Takes Corporation
1579-1 Iijimacho, Sakaeku Yokohama, 244-0842 JAPAN
to HOME http://www.palmsonar.com