BookCourier User Guide

Thank you for purchasing BookCourier! We hope you enjoy this unique product. We’re anxious to make BookCourier work for you and complement your lifestyle. So, please don’t hesitate to contact us with your comments and suggestions. The easiest way to reach us is through email at sales@bookcourier.com. If you have any questions about how to operate BookCourier or if you have problems with your unit, please contact the dealer from whom you purchased the product.

Introducing BookCourier

Designed for the visually-impaired and those with disabilities that make reading difficult, BookCourier is a portable, convenient, and economical tool for listening to electronic text, spoken word audio files, and music. BookCourier frees you from cumbersome equipment such as cassette players and tapes, or bulky Braille transcriptions for your reading needs. Just download files from your PC or the Internet using the supplied transfer software and you're on your way.

BookCourier includes an MP3 player; a voice recorder; fast forward and fast reverse controls; bookmarks, jumps, and other smart navigation controls; a built-in alarm, sleep timer, clock, and calendar; plus easy-to-use controls for adjusting volume, reading speed, and more. And if you have a question about a feature, BookCourier's built-in Talking Help and Talking User Guide are immediately at your service.

Powered by 2 AA batteries, BookCourier uses CompactFlash® storage for files (up to 4GB). The device also has a plug-and-play USB connection for transferring files from the PC using the supplied PC software. Finally, BookCourier is shipped with earphones and a pocket clip.

Chapter 1 - Quick Start

This chapter gives you all the information you’ll need to begin using BookCourier, from plugging in the earphones to actually playing a file.

The BookCourier Keypad

The BookCourier keypad resembles the telephone keypad, with 12 keys arranged in four rows of three. These keys have numeric and symbolic names that are identical to the keys on a telephone. So, the keys in the top row are called 1, 2, and 3. The keys in the second row are called 4, 5, and 6. The keys in the third row are called 7, 8, and 9. And the keys in the fourth row are called star, 0, and pound. In addition to the basic 12 keys, BookCourier has a fifth row of three keys across the bottom. This row of keys is slightly separated from the rest and uses symbolic names: diamond, plus, and question mark. To help orient you quickly on the keypad, the 5 key is larger than the rest and has a concave surface. This key also happens to be the play and pause key.

Because BookCourier has so many features, each key has two or three functions. Wherever possible, we’ve tried to group these functions in an intuitive manner so that it’s easy to remember which features share a key. To use a key’s main function, you simply press and release the key. To use a key’s secondary function, you press and hold the key until you hear a beep and then you release it. BookCourier also has a shift key that you can press at the same time as another key to access a third function for that key. The shift key, also called the plus key, is the middle key in the bottom row. Like the 5 key, the shift key has a concave surface to help you locate it easily. The following table shows all the functions for every key on the keypad. You can view this information in a non-table format in Appendix A at the end of this document.

Primary: Volume Down
Secondary: Power Search Back
Shifted: Speed Down

Primary: Up
Secondary: Top
Shifted: none

Primary: Volume Up
Secondary: Power Search Forward
Shifted: Speed Up

Primary: Back
Secondary: Beginning
Shifted: Fast Reverse

Primary: Read/Pause/Select Item
Secondary: Where am I
Shifted: Go To Page

Primary: Forward
Secondary: End
Shifted: Fast Forward

Primary: Previous Bookmark
Secondary: Previous File
Shifted: Set Bookmark

Primary: Down
Secondary: Bottom
Shifted: Enter Spell Mode/Spell

Primary: Next Bookmark
Secondary: Next File
Shifted: Bookmark List

Primary: Library
Secondary: Table of Contents
Shifted: none

Primary: Exit
Secondary: none
Shifted: Delete

Primary: Pause/Resume Record
Secondary: Stop Record
Shifted: Record

Primary: Settings List
Secondary: Battery Level
Shifted: Change Batteries

Primary: Shift
Secondary: none
Shifted: none

Primary: Key Help
Secondary: Talking User Guide
Shifted: Date/Time

You can also look up the key functions by subject area in Appendix B. In addition, the BookCourier Quick Reference contains the keypad/function information in a format you can easily print and carry with you.

Attaching the Earphones

BookCourier is shipped with a set of earphones. However, almost any stereo earphones that have an 1/8” stereo plug will work with the unit. Hold BookCourier so that the keypad is facing up and the CompactFlash® card is protruding slightly on the right side. You’ll find two jacks on the top edge of the unit. The jack on the left is for the earphones.

Turning On BookCourier

BookCourier is ready for you to use at any time; you do not need to turn it on. The first time you use BookCourier, the current file is the first file in the root folder. If there are no files in the root folder, BookCourier begins looking in the folders for a file to play.

Transferring Files From Your PC to BookCourier

The BookCourier Transfer Tool allows you to copy files from your PC to BookCourier in a format that BookCourier can understand. The BookCourier Transfer Tool User Guide explains how to install and use this software. In the current version, BookCourier supports the following file types:

Text-Based Files

Text (TXT).
Bookshare.org (BKS). The Bookshare.org files are DAISY 3 text files.
Grade 2 Braille (BRF).
TNAUK (DOC). These are text files from the Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom (TNAUK). These files are NOT documents from Microsoft Word. To listen to a Word document, you must first save the document as a text file and then transfer it to BookCourier.
DAISY 3 Text. These text files include NFB Newsline files emailed to subscribers as well as unpacked Bookshare.org DAISY files.

Digital Audio Files

MP3. For details, refer to the section called Playing MP3 Files.
Audible (AA). For more information about these files, refer to the section called Listening to Audible Files.
DAISY 2.02. For more information about these files, refer to the section called Listening to DAISY Files.

Playing Files

BookCourier works very much like a CD player. Once you select a file you want to hear, you can play it, pause it, and skip through it using a variety of jumping features. The most important features in BookCourier – start and stop – are easily accessible from the most prominent key on the keypad. The Play key (5) is larger than the rest of the keys and has a concave surface to help you find it easily. This key starts play and pauses the file when you press it during play.

Within a file, you can jump by sentence, paragraph, word, and, in some cases, by page. You can also fast forward or reverse through the file. For more information about these features, read the next chapter.

Adjusting the Volume and Speed

The 1 and 3 keys in the upper left and right corners of the BookCourier keypad allow you to adjust both the volume and speed. Press the 1 key to lower the volume and the 3 key to increase the volume. To adjust the speed, press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and then press the 1 key to lower the speed and the 3 key to increase the speed. You don’t need to stop play in order to change the volume or speed. Simply press the appropriate keys while BookCourier is reading.

Listening to a Different File

BookCourier stores all its files in a Library. The Library is very similar to Windows Explorer, with the files organized into a hierarchy of folders. You can edit this hierarchy through the BookCourier Transfer Tool software that allows you to copy files from your PC to BookCourier. You may choose a very simple organization where all your files are at the same level in the hierarchy. Or, you may decide to create a more complex folder structure for all your files.

The easiest way to listen to a different file is to press and hold the 7 or 9 key for one beep. The 7 key selects the previous file and the 9 key selects the next file. These two keys cycle through all the files in the current folder. If you want to hear a file that’s located in another folder, you must enter the Library and navigate to that folder. Follow these steps:

Press the star key (first key in the fourth row) to open the Library. You don’t need to pause the current file before going into the Library; BookCourier takes care of that for you.
Once in the Library you can use the navigation keys to move around the hierarchy of files and folders. The four navigation keys form a diamond shape around the large 5 key. The 4 and 6 keys on either side of the 5 key move you back and forward among the folders and files in the current folder. The 2 and 8 keys, above and below the 5 key, move you up and down within the hierarchy. All four navigation keys have a convex surface.
When you find the file you want to play, press the Play key (5) to begin. BookCourier exits the Library and begins reading the file from the last read position.

Where am I

The Where am I feature tells you the name of the current file and your location in it. Press and hold the Play key (5) until you hear a beep. You can also ask BookCourier where you are when you’re using the various features and not listening to a file. For instance, if you are in the Library, BookCourier will tell exactly where in the Library hierarchy you are. Or, if you are reading a bookmark list, BookCourier will tell you the name of the file associated with the list.

Getting Help

BookCourier’s Talking Help system quickly explains what each key does. To access the help, press the question mark key in the lower right corner of the keypad (the third key in the last row). Then, press the key you want information about. To listen to the BookCourier User Guide, press and hold the question mark key until you hear a beep. BookCourier resumes reading the user guide where you left off. To exit the user guide and return to the current file, press the 0 key.

Turning Off BookCourier

You do not need to turn BookCourier off. To conserve battery power, BookCourier automatically goes to sleep after 10 seconds of inactivity. The unit beeps once to let you know that it's going to sleep. When you're ready to use BookCourier again, simply press the key for the function you want to perform. You do not need to "turn on" BookCourier.

Chapter 2 - Playing Files

This chapter explains how to move around within a file and use features such as spelling, jumping, and locking the unit.

Navigating Within a File

BookCourier has four navigation keys that let you quickly move around a text-based file (TXT, BKS, BRF, and TNAUK's DOC). These keys form the shape of a diamond around the large Play key (5) and perform the intuitive functions of Up, Down, Back, and Forward. The Up and Down functions are located on the 2 and 8 keys just above and below the 5 key. The Back and Forward functions are located on the 4 and 6 keys to the left and right of the 5 key. All the navigation keys have convex or rounded surfaces to help you distinguish them from the other keys.

You can jump through any text-based file by paragraph, sentence, or word. (For information about how navigation works with non-text, digital audio files, see the sections called Playing MP3 Files, Listening to Audible Files, and Listening to DAISY Files.) Use the Up and Down keys (2 and 8) to move from paragraph level to sentence level to word level and back again. As you move from one level to the next, BookCourier tells you which level is current so you won’t get lost. Use the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) to move from one item in a level to the previous or next item. For example, if you navigate to the Sentence Level, you can jump from one sentence to the next using the Forward key. Be aware that when you change levels with the Up and Down keys, you won’t notice any change in the reading pattern. BookCourier simply announces that you are reading at a different level and continues reading the file. The difference appears only when you start navigating Back and Forward. The length of these jumps will depend entirely on the level.

Some text-based files have pages defined as well as paragraphs, sentences, and words. For these files, you can use the Up key to go to the Page Level and then use the Back and Forward keys to jump through the file one page at a time. In the case of TNAUK files, the Page level navigation lets you jump from one article to another within a TNAUK periodical. The same is true of NFB Newsline files from Bookshare.org: page navigation jumps by article.

When you press and hold any of the navigation keys for one beep, you jump to the location you would reach if you continued to press that key until you could move no further. For instance, if you are navigating by paragraph and you press and hold the Back key for one beep, BookCourier jumps to the first paragraph in the text file. Similarly, if you press and hold the Forward key for one beep, BookCourier jumps to the last paragraph in the file. If you press and hold the Up key for one beep, you jump to the paragraph level (or page level, if the file supports pages). If you press and hold the Down key for one beep you jump to the word level.

Fast Forward/Fast Reverse

BookCourier’s Fast Forward/Fast Reverse feature allows you to move quickly through a file in the same way you would rewind or fast forward an audio or video cassette tape. When you stop the process, BookCourier begins reading at the current location. You can also fast forward or reverse through a file while it is paused. To continue reading, simply press the Play button.

To fast forward through a file, simultaneously press and hold the shift key (middle of the last row) and the Forward key (6). To stop the process, release the keys.
To fast reverse through a file, simultaneously press and hold the shift key (middle of the last row) and the Back key (4). To stop the process, release the keys.

During the Fast Forward and Reverse process BookCourier jumps through the file by a certain increment. For text files (TXT, Bookshare.org, Grade 2 Braille, and TNAUK), BookCourier jumps by increments of 5% of the file size. While you're moving through the file, BookCourier announces your current location as a percentage. For Audible files, DAISY 2.02 audio files, and MP3 files, BookCourier jumps by 5 second increments and plays brief segments of the file to let you know where you are. You can modify the time increment by changing the value of the Fast Forward and Reverse Increment setting in the Settings List. The default is 5 seconds and the other options are 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. You cannot change the jump increment for text files; it will always be 5%.

Spelling Words

If you have trouble understanding a word or phrase within a text-based document, you can instruct BookCourier to spell one or more words for you. Occasionally, the text-to-speech engine mispronounces words. Acronyms containing vowels and proper names are notorious culprits. The English language also contains a fair number of heteronyms, words with the same spelling, but different pronunciations and meanings. For example, the word wind is pronounced differently in the following two contexts:

The wind is cold.
Wind up the loose cords.

In some cases, BookCourier doesn’t know which pronunciation to use. Follow these instructions to make BookCourier repeat and spell a word.

Simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the last row) and the Down key (8). BookCourier pauses the file and then spells the current word.
Use the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) to move by word through the text until you find the word you want to spell.
To spell the current word, simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the last row) and the Down key (8).
To resume reading, press the Play key (5).

Note: When you use the spell feature, BookCourier automatically switches to word level navigation. When you resume listening, the current navigation level will be word. To change to a different navigation level, use the Up key (2).

Going to a Particular Page

For files that contain page markers, you can enter a page number and then jump directly to that spot in the file. You can tell whether a file has page markers by trying to navigate by page while you're reading. If BookCourier announces a Page Level when you press the 2 or 8 key to move from one navigation level to another, then you know that the file has pages. If you try to go to a page in a file that doesn't contain page numbers, BookCourier lets you know that this feature is not available.

To go to a page while you are reading a file:

Press the Shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 5 key simultaneously.
Using the 1 through 0 keys on the keypad, enter a page number, and then press the pound key. BookCourier jumps to the desired page and resumes reading. If you make a mistake while entering the page number, simply press the star key to cancel the operation and then Shift-5 to begin again.

To go to a page from within the Library:

Navigate to the file you want to read.
Press Shift-5.
Using the 1 through 0 keys, enter a page number, and then press the pound key. BookCourier will begin reading the file at the page you selected. Again, if you make a mistake while entering the page number, press the star key to cancel the operation and then Shift-5 to begin again.

Power Search

The Power Search feature is similar to Fast Forward/Reverse, but it allows you to move through larger portions of the file. Using Power Search you can jump halfway between your current file position and the beginning or end of the file. Then, you can jump half the distance between the new current position and either the beginning/end of the file or the last current position, whichever is closer. In a large file, this search is a faster way to move around the file than jumping by sentence, page, paragraph, or many other navigation levels.

You can activate Power Search by pressing the 1 for one beep to move back and the 3 key for one beep to move forward. BookCourier resets the Power Search information when you perform any other function, such as playing the file or navigating by page. The next time you press a Power Search key, BookCourier will move halfway between the current reading position and the beginning or end of the file. Here are a couple of examples of how Power Search works:

Example 1. If you are listening to the beginning of a file and press the Power Search Forward key (3 for one beep), BookCourier will jump forward halfway between your current file position (in this case, the beginning of the file) and the end of the file. So, you will end up about 50% of the way through the file. Then, if you press the Power Search Forward key again (3 for one beep), BookCourier will jump forward halfway between your current file position (50%) and the end of the file. So, you will end up about 75% of the way through the file. Now, if you press the Power Search Back key (1 for one beep), BookCourier will jump backward halfway between your current file position (75%) and the previous file position (50%). This time, you will end up about 62% of the way through the file. If you then press the Power Search Forward key (3 for one beep), BookCourier will jump forward halfway between your current file position (62%) and the previous file position (75%). The resulting file position will be 68%.

Example 2. Let's say you are 30% of the way through a file and want to locate a passage further into the book. When you press the Power Search Forward key (3 for one beep), BookCourier jumps halfway between the current position (30%) and the end of the file. You will end up 65% of the way through the file. Now, if you move forward with Power Search (3 for one beep), you will end up at 82% (halfway between 65% and the end). If, instead, you move backward with Power Search (1 for one beep), you will end up at 47% (halfway between 65% and 30%).

The Power Search feature works with all file types. However, you must use the Transfer Tool or Kurzweil 1000 to transfer the files onto BookCourier. The Power Search feature will not work with MP3 files that you copy from your PC to BookCourier using a card reader or Windows Explorer.

Playing MP3 Files

BookCourier supports several types of digital audio files: MP3, Audible, and DAISY 2.02 audio. This section describes the BookCourier features related to MP3 files. Skip to the next sections for information about Listening to Audible Files and Listening to DAISY Files.

Note: To take advantage of the navigation and bookmark features for MP3 files, you MUST transfer these files using the Transfer Tool.

Current Reading Position. When you play an MP3 file, BookCourier keeps track of your current reading position. So, you can pause the file to check the time or even start listening to another file and then return to the original MP3 file and continue listening where you left off.
Navigation Levels. MP3 files have four navigation levels: 5 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. Use can use the Up and Down keys (2 and 8) to move from one navigation level to another and the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) to skip by the selected increment. Be aware that BookCourier does not offer a navigation level if you cannot use it. For instance, if you are listening to a 4 minute music MP3 file, you won't be able to navigate by 5 or 10 minute increments.
Fast Forward/Fast Reverse. The Fast Forward and Fast Reverse feature skips through an MP3 file in 5 second increments. Use the Shift key (middle of the bottom row) plus Back or Forward (4 or 6) to activate this feature. As long as you hold down the Shift-4 or 6 keys, BookCourier will continue to move forward or backward. Release the keys to stop. You can change the time increment in the Settings List from 5 seconds to 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes. The option is called Fast Forward and Reverse Increment.
Bookmarks. All the bookmark features work in MP3 files. BookCourier names the bookmarks with sequential numbers. If you create a bookmark in a location between two existing bookmarks, called 1 and 2, for example, then the new bookmark will be called 2 and the old bookmark called 2 will become 3.
Where am I. For MP3 files, BookCourier tells you how much time has elapsed since the beginning of the file rather than reporting a percentage.
Volume. If you're having trouble hearing the BookCourier messages while playing an MP3 file, you can increase the message volume by changing the Volume Offset value in the Settings List.
Speed. You cannot adjust the reading speed of an audio file.

Listening to Audible Files

An Audible file is an audio file with some characteristics of a text file. Like a music MP3 file, an Audible file uses real voices, not the text-to-speech synthesizer that reads text files in BookCourier. However, an Audible file is similar to a text file in that you can set bookmarks and navigate by defined section markers. Read on for the details:

Current Reading Position. BookCourier remembers your location within an Audible file just the way it remembers your position in a text file. So, you can pause the Audible file, listen to another file, and then return to the Audible file just where you left it.
Navigation Levels. In an Audible file there are five navigation levels: 5 second increments, 1 minute increments, 5 minute increments, 10 minute increments, and section. The section navigation is the default and it uses markers that Audible inserts in each file. These are the same markers you can use for navigating the file when you listen to it using a player on your PC. The four other levels let you skip through the file in various time chunks, from 5 second chunks on up to 10 minute chunks. The Up and Down keys (2 and 8) allow you to change back and forth between the section and time navigation levels. The Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) allow you to skip back and forth through the file by whichever increment you choose (section or time). If you are listening to a partial file, be aware that there may not be any section markers in the portion loaded. In this case, the Back and Forward keys have no where to move the current reading position and so the keys will appear not to work.
Go To Page. This feature does not work with Audible files since they do not contain pages.
Fast Forward/Fast Reverse. The Fast Forward and Fast Reverse feature skips through an Audible file in 5 second increments. Use the Shift key (middle of the bottom row) plus Back or Forward (4 or 6) to activate this feature. As long as you hold down the Shift-4 or 6 keys, BookCourier will continue to move forward or backward. Release the keys to stop. You can change the time increment in the Settings List from 5 seconds to 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes. The option is called Fast Forward and Reverse Increment.
Bookmarks. All the bookmark features work in Audible files. BookCourier names the bookmarks with sequential numbers. If you create a bookmark in a location between two existing bookmarks, called 1 and 2, for example, then the new bookmark will be called 2 and the old bookmark called 2 will become 3.
Where am I. For Audible files, BookCourier tells you how much time has elapsed since the beginning of the file rather than reporting a percentage. In partial files, BookCourier tells you how far you are in the file as a whole and how far you are in the partial file.
Volume. Audible files tend to be "hot," meaning that they are louder than other files you will listen to on BookCourier. When you listen to an Audible file, you will probably have to lower the volume. And when you switch between an Audible file and others, you will probably have to turn the volume up to hear your other files better. Unfortunately, BookCourier cannot compensate for this difference; you must control it yourself using the volume keys (1 and 3). If you're having trouble hearing the BookCourier messages while playing an Audible file, you can increase the message volume by changing the Volume Offset value in the Settings List.
Reading Speed. While you can adjust the volume in an Audible file, you cannot change the reading speed.
Swapping Memory Cards. When you transfer an Audible file to your BookCourier, the Transfer Tool encrypts the file just for that BookCourier. As a result, you cannot listen to your Audible files on another BookCourier, even if the second BookCourier is yours and you've activated it. Refer to the BookCourier Transfer Tool User Guide for more information about using multiple memory cards and BookCouriers with Audible files.

Listening to DAISY Files

BookCourier supports two types of DAISY files:

DAISY 2.02 Audio. These DAISY files contain audio only and no text. They are similar to spoken word MP3 audio files from places like Audible.com. The advantage of DAISY audio files is that they contain navigation marks that allow the user to jump to meaningful places in the file.
DAISY 3 Text from Bookshare.org. These Bookshare.org files contain text only. BookCourier does not support DAISY 3 files from any other source.

The following items provide more detail about how BookCourier's features work with DAISY 2.02 audio files:

Current Reading Position. BookCourier remembers your location within a DAISY file just the way it remembers your position in a text file. So, you can pause the DAISY file, listen to another file, and then return to the DAISY file just where you left it.
Navigation Levels. In a DAISY file there can be up to eight navigation levels, depending on the structure of the document. The levels are phrase, heading 6, heading 5, heading 4, heading 3, heading 2, heading 1, and page. The default is phrase navigation. All DAISY files have at least phrase and heading 1 navigation. The number of navigation levels depends entirely on the content provider who generated the DAISY file in the first place. Sometimes the providers include a lot of navigation information and sometimes they do not. If a file does not contain one of the navigation levels, BookCourier simply won't offer that level as an option when you use the Up and Down keys (2 and 8) to shift from one level to another. The Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) allow you to skip back and forth through the file by whichever level you choose. If you are listening to a partial file, be aware that the portion loaded may not contain markers for a particular navigation level. In this case, you might select a navigation level with the Up or Down keys, but the Back and Forward keys might appear not to work because there is no marker at the current navigation level. Also, be aware that jumping by lower level headings such as heading 6 may produce unexpected results. For example, the DAISY file may use heading 6 markers in two just chapters. If you select the heading 6 navigation level and then start jumping by heading 6, BookCourier looks for the next heading 6 marker in the file, regardless of which chapter you're reading. So, you may jump from the heading 6 in Chapter 1 to the next available heading 6 which may be located in Chapter 9.
Go To Page. This feature is designed specifically for DAISY files that have page markers in them, but it will also work with any other file that contains page markers. While you are reading or paused, press the Shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 5 key simultaneously. Then, using the 1 through 0 keys, enter a page number and press the pound key. BookCourier will jump to the desired page number and begin reading. If you make a mistake while entering the page number, press the star key to exit from the number entry mode. You can start over by pressing Shift-5.
Fast Forward/Fast Reverse. The Fast Forward and Fast Reverse feature skips through a DAISY file in 5 second increments. Use the Shift key (middle of the bottom row) plus Back or Forward (4 or 6) to activate this feature. As long as you hold down the Shift-4 or 6 keys, BookCourier will continue to move forward or backward. Release the keys to stop. You can change the time increment in the Settings List. The option is called Fast Forward and Reverse Increment.
Bookmarks. All the bookmark features work in DAISY files. BookCourier names the bookmarks with sequential numbers. If you create a bookmark in a location between two existing bookmarks, called 1 and 2, for example, then the new bookmark will be called 2 and the old bookmark called 2 will become 3.
Where am I. For DAISY 2.02 files, BookCourier tells you how much time has elapsed since the beginning of the file rather than reporting a percentage. In partial files, BookCourier tells you how far you are in the file as a whole and how far you are in the partial file.
Volume. If you're having trouble hearing the BookCourier messages while playing a DAISY file, you can increase the message volume by changing the Volume Offset value in the Settings List.
Reading Speed. While you can adjust the volume in a DAISY file, you cannot change the reading speed.

Locking BookCourier

You can lock BookCourier so that the keys won’t work. The only exception occurs with the reset feature, activated when you simultaneously press the 2 key and the diamond key (first key in the last row). You can always reset BookCourier, even when the unit is locked. For more information about Reset, see the Troubleshooting section in the Hardware Concerns chapter.

The Lock feature has two quite different uses. First, this feature prevents you from accidentally playing the unit and running down the batteries. For example, when you pack the unit, you want to prevent BookCourier from playing files accidentally. Second, you can use the Lock feature to ensure that BookCourier will continue playing a file without stopping accidentally. For example, when you carry a reading BookCourier in your pocket, you don’t want normal jostling to stop play or activate an unnecessary function.

Before you lock BookCourier, place the unit in the desired mode – either start playing a particular file or wait 10 seconds for BookCourier to shut itself off.

To lock BookCourier, press the 1 and 3 keys simultaneously. BookCourier says “Locked.”
To unlock BookCourier, press the 1 and 3 keys simultaneously. BookCourier says “Unlocked.”

Chapter 3 - Exploring the Library

BookCourier’s Library is a list of all the books and files stored on the current CompactFlash® card. This list is a hierarchy consisting of files and folders very similar to Windows Explorer. Using BookCourier’s navigation keys (Up, Down, Back, and Forward), you can read through all the levels and items in the hierarchy. When you find a file you want to hear, you just select that item and BookCourier begins reading it.

Opening the Library

To open the Library, press the star key (first key in the fourth row). BookCourier lets you know you’ve entered the library and then tells you the name of the current file and its location in the Library hierarchy. You can then navigate to another file or folder, or you can jump to the beginning of the Library by pressing the star key again.

Navigating Through the Library

BookCourier’s navigation keys let you move through the Library in large or small increments. The Up and Down keys (2 and 8) jump from one level in the hierarchy to another while the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) move from one item to the next on the current level. Files and folders may exist on the same level in the hierarchy, with the folders listed first. You can tell the difference between a file and folder because BookCourier says the word “folder” after reading the name of a folder.

When you jump down a level in the Library hierarchy, BookCourier takes you to the last folder or file you visited at that level. This feature allows you to easily retrace your steps among files and folders. When you jump up a level in the hierarchy, BookCourier always takes you to the parent folder of the current file or folder.

Selecting a File to Read

When you find a file you’d like to hear, press the Play key (5). BookCourier closes the Library and begins reading the selected file at the last reading position or at the beginning, if this is the first time you have listened to the file.

Deleting a File

To delete a file, you must be in the Library. Once in the Library, navigate to the desired file and then simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 0 key. BookCourier then asks you to press these keys again to confirm your intention to delete the file from the Library. You can cancel the entire process by pressing any other key.

Locking Files

You can protect certain files from being deleted by locking them. The locking feature is located in the Settings List. Follow these instructions:

In the Library, navigate to the file you want to lock.
Press the diamond key (the first key in the bottom row) to access the Settings List.
Press the Forward key (6) to scroll through the different settings until you reach Lock/Unlock File. BookCourier tells you whether the current file is locked or not.
If the file is unlocked, press the Up key (2) to lock it. If the file is already locked, press the Down key (8) to unlock it.
Press the Exit key (0) to leave the Settings List and return to the Library.

You can also use this feature while you are listening to a file. Press the diamond key to access the Settings List and follow the previous instructions. When you exit from the Settings List, BookCourier continues reading the file.

Closing the Library

To close the Library, you must select a file and press the Play key (5).

Chapter 4 - Using a Table of Contents

Note: The Table of Contents feature is not implemented in this version of BookCourier. Refer to the web site (www.bookcourier.com) for information about obtaining a free upgrade containing this feature when it becomes available.

Some files on BookCourier have a Table of Contents that allows you to hear an overview of the file and jump directly to a section of interest. The Table of Contents is very similar to BookCourier’s Library. You can open the Table of Contents, navigate through its hierarchy, and then select a section you want to hear.

Be aware that you cannot create a Table of Contents for a file. The Transfer Tool automatically generates a Table of Contents during the download process based on the structure of the source file. Simple text files do not contain enough information for the Transfer Tool to determine the organizational structure of the file. In other words, if you download a text file from the PC and to BookCourier, that file will not have a Table of Contents. More sophisticated file formats such as DAISY and HTML allow the creator of the file to organize the text with various headings and subheadings. If a file does contain this kind of structure, the Transfer Tool can translate the headings into a Table of Contents for the file. (Note that DAISY and HTML file filters are in development and not currently available.)

Opening a Table of Contents

There are two ways to open a Table of Contents. If you’re listening to a file, you can press and hold the star key until it beeps. If you’re in the Library, you can navigate to a file and then press and hold the star key until it beeps. BookCourier lets you know you’ve entered the Table of Contents and then describes your current location in the Table of Contents hierarchy. You can then navigate to another section, or you can jump to the beginning of the Table of Contents by pressing and holding the star key again.

Navigating Through a Table of Contents

BookCourier’s navigation keys work the same way in a Table of Contents as they do in the Library. The Up and Down keys (2 and 8) jump from one level in the hierarchy to another while the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) move from one item to the next on the current level.

Jumping Back to the File

When you find a section, chapter, or article you’d like to hear, press the Play key (5). BookCourier closes the Table of Contents, jumps to the selected location in the file, and begins reading.

Closing a Table of Contents

To close a Table of Contents and resume reading the current file, press the Exit key (0).

Chapter 5 - Recording Voice Files

BookCourier lets you record voice files and save them on the CompactFlash® card. Using this feature, you can create to do lists and personal notes. BookCourier stores each voice recording in the same Library location as the current file. These audio files use the WAV format and have a date/timestamp for a name. Once you save a voice recording, you can access the file through the Library in the same way you access all your other files.

Creating a Voice File

To create a voice file, you must be in the Library or listening to a file. You cannot record a voice file while you are in a list such as the Settings List, a Bookmark List, and so on. During the record process, BookCourier temporarily suspends its normal functions until you stop recording. Be aware that all three record functions (record, pause, and stop) are located on the pound key. Follow these instructions to create a voice file:

Exit from any lists.
Make sure you are in the folder where you want the new voice recording to be stored. If not, navigate to the desired folder.
Simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the pound key to start recording. Speak in a normal tone of voice. The microphone is located on the top end of the unit, but you do not need to speak directly into the microphone to make a good recording. You can pause the recording by pressing the pound key. Resume recording by pressing the pound key again. While you are paused, you can navigate within the current file unless you started the recording while you were in the Library. In that case, none of the other BookCourier functions will work until you stop recording.
To stop recording and save the voice file, press and hold the pound key until you hear a beep. If you are in the Library, you can immediately listen to the file you just created by pressing the Play key (5).

Listening to a Voice File

If you have just recorded the voice file you want to hear and you are in the Library, you can press the Play key (5) to play back your recording. Or, you can go to the Library, find the voice file, and play it the same way you’d play any other file. Remember, the name of a voice file is the date and time when it was saved and BookCourier saves the recording in the same folder as the current file. Be aware that when you play back a voice recording, BookCourier's navigation functions are not functional. So, you cannot fast forward or fast reverse through the file, nor can you jump to the beginning of the file. When you play a voice recording, the only thing you can do is pause.

Deleting a Voice File

Go to the Library (star key) and find the voice file.
Simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 0 key. BookCourier reads the name of the file and then asks you to press the shift and 0 keys again to confirm your desire to delete the file from the Library. You can cancel the entire process by pressing any other key.

Chapter 6 - Using Bookmarks

The Bookmark feature is BookCourier’s way of letting you dog-ear the page of a book. So, if you like a particular passage and want to return to it quickly, you simply set a bookmark. BookCourier lets you create an almost unlimited number of bookmarks in each file. BookCourier creates a name for each bookmark using the first five words following the bookmark. This way you can easily find the desired bookmark from the Bookmark List that BookCourier maintains for every book.

The bookmark feature works for all file types, including music MP3 files.

Setting a Bookmark

Go to the spot in the book where you want to set the bookmark. Simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 7 key. BookCourier places the bookmark at the current reading position and gives it a name using the first five words following the bookmark. In Audible files, DAISY 2.02 audio files, and MP3 files, BookCourier gives each bookmark a numeric name. You do not need to pause the file when you set a bookmark. However, you may find that you have better control over the location of the bookmark if you do pause the file first.

Note: You cannot create a bookmark for the Library, a list, a Table of Contents, or the Talking User Guide.

Going to a Bookmark

Press the 9 key to go directly to the next bookmark in the book you are currently reading. You can press the 7 key to go to the previous bookmark.

Using the Bookmark List

BookCourier maintains a Bookmark List for every book with bookmarks. Instead of using the Next Bookmark and Previous Bookmark commands to select a bookmark, you can listen to all the bookmarks in the list and then choose one of them.

Simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 9 key to access the Bookmark List for the current book. BookCourier automatically pauses the current book and reads the name of the bookmark that is closest to your current reading position. Use the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) to hear each bookmark in the list. Every bookmark has a sequential number based on the bookmark’s location in the book as well as a name that is created using the first five words following the bookmark.
When you hear the bookmark you would like to use, press the Play key (5) to select the bookmark and go directly to that location in the book. BookCourier closes the Bookmark List and begins reading the book at the location of the selected bookmark. You can also exit the Bookmark List without selecting a bookmark by pressing the Exit key (0).

Deleting a Bookmark

To delete a bookmark, you must select the bookmark from the Bookmark List.

Start reading the book that contains the bookmark you want to delete.
Select the Bookmark List for the current book by pressing the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 9 key.
Find the bookmark you want to delete by pressing the Back and Forward keys (4 and 6). Then simultaneously press the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the 0 key. BookCourier reads the name of the bookmark and asks you to press the shift and 0 keys again to confirm your desire to delete the bookmark. You can cancel the entire process by pressing any other key.
Exit from the Bookmark List by pressing the Exit key (0) or by selecting a bookmark with the Play key (5).

Chapter 7 - Controlling the Environment

You can enhance your listening experience by adjusting a number of environment settings such as volume, speed, and voice type through the Settings List. Each setting applies to all files and lists except for the Lock/Unlock File setting that applies only to the current file.

Accessing the Settings List

To access the Settings List, press the diamond key located in the lower left corner of the keypad. BookCourier automatically pauses the current file and announces that you are in the Settings List. BookCourier then announces the name and value of the current setting.

Navigating Through the Settings List

Once you access the Settings List, the navigation keys allow you to move through the settings and their values. The Back and Forward keys (4 and 6) scroll through the settings and the Up and Down keys (2 and 8) scroll through the values for each setting. If a setting has only two values, the Up key turns the option on and the Down key turns it off. To select a new value, you simply scroll to that value and then Exit from the Settings List (0 key) or move on to another setting within the list.

Exiting from the Settings List

When you are finished with your changes, you can exit from the Settings List and return to your previous activity by pressing the Exit key (0).

Settings Descriptions

The following paragraphs describe each of the settings. The clock, calendar, sleep timer, and alarm features are also available through the Settings List. However, each of them is complex enough to merit more information than you’ll find in a short paragraph. The next few chapters describe those features in detail.

Volume

Because volume is the most frequently adjusted setting, you can always use the shortcut keys (1 and 3) to change the volume on the fly while you are still reading. You can also change the volume through the Settings List. There are 32 values to choose from, with the default at 20.

Reading Speed

This setting controls how fast the BookCourier reads the file. Like volume, the speed setting is adjustable on the fly through shortcut keys (shift-1 and shift-3). There are 10 different options; the default is 3.

Voice Type

BookCourier has several different voices: Precise Pete, Ricochet Randy, Biff, Skip, Robo Robert, Perfect Paul, Vader, and Big Bob. Precise Pete is the default.

Voice Pitch

The pitch determines whether BookCourier’s voice sounds high or low. There are 99 different pitch options ranging from very low to very high. The default depends on the voice type you select. When you change the voice type setting, BookCourier also changes the pitch setting to match the new voice.

Volume Offset

The Volume Offset value controls the volume of the BookCourier messages in relation to a digital audio file such as an MP3, Audible, or DAISY 2.02 audio file. If you're having trouble hearing a message while you're playing a digital audio file, then you can increase the Volume Offset so that the messages are louder. There are 10 options from 0, where the volume is off, to 9. The default is 7.

Punctuation

This setting allows you to specify how BookCourier reads punctuation and numbers in a text file. There are four basic settings: None, Some, Most, and All. If you select None, BookCourier either creates a pause in the speech or ignores the punctuation characters altogether. If you select Some, BookCourier reads the following punctuation marks: $%&#@=+*^|\<>. If you select Most, BookCourier reads all punctuation except spaces, carriage returns, and line feeds. If you select All, BookCourier reads all punctuation, including spaces, carriage returns, and line feeds.

Each of the basic settings is also available with a Numbers option. The Numbers option causes BookCourier to read numbers digit by digit. By default, BookCourier reads the number 256 as “two hundred fifty-six.” If you specify the Numbers option, BookCourier reads the number as “two five six.”

The default value is Some with Numbers.

Beep Speed

You can adjust the length of time necessary to activate the key beeps. There are fifty options, with the default being 15. A high value means that you will have to hold down the key longer for the beep sound. A low value means that the beep will sound very quickly after you press the key. Be careful if you lower the sensitivity; a low setting may make the keys so sensitive that you have trouble using them to reset the parameter.

Fast Forward and Reverse Increment

During the Fast Forward and Reverse process BookCourier jumps through the file by a certain increment. For text files (TXT, Bookshare.org, Grade 2 Braille, and TNAUK), BookCourier jumps by increments of 5%. For Audible files, DAISY 2.02 audio files, and MP3 files, you can jump by several different increments: 5 seconds (the default), 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. You cannot change the jump increment for text files; it will always be 5%.

System Information

This setting provides information about the space available on the current CompactFlash® card, the current software version number, and BookCourier’s serial number. You cannot change any of these values.

Auto-Advance

This setting determines what BookCourier does when it plays to the end of a file. When auto-advance is off, BookCourier stops reading when it finishes the current file. When auto-advance is on, BookCourier begins reading the next file in the current folder when it finishes the current file. Be aware that BookCourier begins reading the next file at the last read position. The default is off.

Announce Level

This setting controls the amount of information BookCourier announces during various operations. You can select either More information or Less. The default is More. Typically, a more advanced user will select Less information while the occasional user will be content with More information.

Battery Type

This setting lets BookCourier know whether you are using non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries. As noted in the Changing the Batteries section, if you are using rechargeable batteries (either alkaline or other), BookCourier can display unpredictable behavior when the batteries run low or die. When this setting is set to Rechargeable, BookCourier makes adjustments that will circumvent any problems when the batteries run low. If you are using non-rechargeable alkaline batteries like those shipped with the unit, the Non-rechargeable setting allows BookCourier to take full advantage of the battery life. The default is Non-rechargeable.

Restore Default Settings

You can return BookCourier’s system settings to their default values using the restore function. The following settings are affected by this feature: Volume, Reading Speed, Voice Type, Voice Pitch, Punctuation, Beep Speed, Volume Offset, Fast Forward and Reverse Increment, Battery Type, Auto-Advance, Announce Level, Table of Contents Auto-Return, and Sleep Timer. The restore function does not change the date and time or any settings associated with individual files, for example bookmarks or locked status.

Chapter 8 - Using Time-Related Features

This chapter explains how to use BookCourier’s time-related features: date, time, and sleep timer.

Hearing the Date and Time

You can hear the date and time by simultaneously pressing the shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the question mark key (last key in the bottom row).

Setting the Date and Time

You can change the date and time through the Settings List. Each item in the date and time is a separate setting whose value you can modify. Follow these steps:

Press the diamond key (the first key in the bottom row) to access the Settings List.
Press the Forward key (6) to scroll through the different settings until you reach the setting you want to modify. You can modify the day of week, the month, the day of month, the year, the hour, the minute, and the am or pm setting.
Use the Up and Down keys (2 and 8) to select a different value for the setting.
When you’re done, press the Exit key (0) to leave the Settings List and save any changes you made.

Using the Sleep Timer

BookCourier has a sleep timer feature that automatically shuts off the unit after a specified length of time. You can use this setting to conserve batteries and prevent the unit from playing when you aren’t listening. You can set the sleep timer in five minute increments up to an hour. Follow these instructions to set the sleep timer:

Press the diamond key (the first key in the bottom row) to access the Settings List.
Press the Forward key (6) to scroll through the different settings until you reach the Sleep Timer.
Press the Up or Down key (2 or 8) to select a different value for the Sleep Timer. The values are increments of five and range from "disabled" (0 minutes) to 60 minutes.
Press the Exit key (0) to leave the Settings List and save the new setting.

Chapter 9 - Getting Help

BookCourier has a number of help-related features that are designed to make your experience with the product positive and effective. Here’s a quick rundown on each feature:

Talking Help – BookCourier offers Talking Help for each key. Simply press a button and get a quick description of what the key does.
Talking User Guides – Both the BookCourier User Guide and the Transfer Tool User Guide are available for listening on BookCourier.
Instant Location Finder (also called Where am I) – This feature tells you where you are at any moment. If you’re reading a book, BookCourier tells you the name of the file and where you are in the file. If you’re using a Bookmark List, BookCourier tells you that you are in a Bookmark List.
Announcement Level – You can choose the level of detail BookCourier provides when making announcements.
System Information – If you do need to contact a service provider, make sure to get the most up-to-date information by providing the BookCourier serial number and version number.

Listening to Talking Help

BookCourier provides a brief description of every key’s functions. The purpose of Talking Help is to remind you what each key does, not to teach you how to use the features. For detailed instructions on using the features, you should spend some time listening to the Talking User Guide.

To take advantage of Talking Help, follow these steps:

Press the Help key located in the bottom row at the far right. BookCourier goes into Help Mode.
Press the key you want help on. BookCourier briefly tells you about the key’s primary and secondary functions as well as its shifted function. When the description is finished, BookCourier returns to whatever you were doing before you asked for help.

Listening to the Talking User Guide

The BookCourier and Transfer Tool User Guides are always available to you at the press of a single key. BookCourier reads the user guides just the way it reads any other file. So, you can take advantage of BookCourier's navigation features to move through the books. The navigation levels are book (to switch between the two user guides), chapter, heading 1, heading 2, paragraph, sentence, and word.

To start listening to the user guides, press and hold the Help key (located in the bottom row on the far right) for one beep. BookCourier immediately starts reading the BookCourier User Guide from the beginning or, if you have listened before, at the place where you left off. When you finish listening, simply press the Exit key (0). BookCourier will return to whatever you were doing before you requested the user guide.

Using the Instant Location Finder

With so many books and features on BookCourier, you may feel overwhelmed at first. To help orient you to your location in the system, BookCourier offers the Where am I feature. You can use this feature to tell you the name of the file you’re reading or to identify the feature you’re currently using (for example, browsing through a Bookmark List).

To hear your location, press and hold the Play key (5) for one beep. BookCourier tells you where you are and then automatically returns to what you were doing before you pressed the key.

Adjusting the Announce Level

You can choose the level of detail BookCourier provides when making announcements. So, if you’re a new user, you can set the Announce Level to More information so that BookCourier gives you detailed information about every action you take. Or, if you are an experienced user, you can set the Announce Level to Less information so that BookCourier gives you fewer details. By default, BookCourier provides More information in the announcements. Follow these steps to change the Announce Level.

Press the diamond key (the first key in the bottom row) to access the Settings List.
Press the Forward key (6) to scroll through the different settings until you reach Announce Level.
Press the Up or Down key (2 or 8) to select a different value for Announce Level.
Press the Exit key (0) to leave the Settings List and save the new setting.

Getting System Information

If you contact a service provider for assistance, you can improve your chances for resolving the problem by providing the BookCourier serial number and version number. The serial number is a unique identifier for each BookCourier. The version number refers to the version of software (also called firmware) installed in BookCourier. Follow these instructions to get those numbers:

Press the diamond key (the first key in the bottom row) to access the Settings List.
Press the Forward key (6) to scroll through the different settings until you reach System Information. BookCourier tells you how much space is available on the current CompactFlash® card, the version number, and then the serial number. You can make BookCourier repeat the information by pressing the Back key (4) and then the Forward key (6). The first time you hear this information, BookCourier seem slow because it needs to calculate the space available on the card. After that, BookCourier maintains the space available and does not need to calculate the number.
Press the Exit key (0) to leave the Settings List and return to your previous location.

Chapter 10 - Hardware Concerns

This chapter describes how to change batteries, replace the CompactFlash® card, and hook up external speakers.

Checking the Battery Level

BookCourier uses two AA batteries. When the batteries run low (0%), BookCourier announces that you need to replace them. It’s a good idea to have a replacement set on hand. You can also check the available battery life by pressing and holding the diamond key (first key in the bottom row) for one beep.

Battery life depends on how you use BookCourier. The battery life indicator tells you how much energy your batteries have left, expressed as a percentage. So, if BookCourier tells you the battery life is at 80%, that means you've used up about 20% of the batteries' available energy. BookCourier measures the battery life as an average, meaning that at the time you request the battery life, BookCourier analyzes your current activity and calculates the remaining battery life based on the assumption that you will continue performing the current activity. So, when the unit is paused, the battery life percentage will be higher than when the unit is playing an MP3 file (a particularly energy-intensive activity). As a result, you can get widely varying battery life percentages just within the space of a few minutes. For instance, the battery life might be 40% while you're playing an MP3 file and then 80% a second later when you pause the unit.

Important: For the most reliable performance, we recommend that you use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries like the ones shipped with BookCourier. You can also run BookCourier on rechargeable batteries such as Ni Cad and Lithium Ion. However, there are a number of caveats. First, BookCourier cannot accurately evaluate the level of rechargeable batteries. As a result, when you request battery level information for rechargeable batteries, BookCourier will say "Unknown." Second, depending on the type of rechargeable battery you use and how often you recharge them, you may find that the battery life for a set of rechargeable batteries is shorter than it is for regular AA alkaline batteries. Finally, BookCourier can display very unpredictable behavior when rechargeable batteries run low or die. If you do use rechargeable batteries, you must ensure that the Battery Type setting in the Settings List is set to Rechargeable.

Changing the Batteries

When you change the batteries, BookCourier saves your settings, including the date and time and the battery type. After you insert the new batteries, BookCourier ensures that your settings are the same as before and sets the clock to the moment when you removed the previous set of batteries. So, depending on the time lag between the removal of the old batteries and insertion of the new ones, you may want to adjust the time settings.

Follow these instructions to replace the batteries:

If necessary, disconnect BookCourier from your PC.
Press the Shift key (middle of the bottom row) and the diamond key (the first key in the bottom row) simultaneously. BookCourier will ask you to confirm your intention to remove the batteries by pressing Shift-diamond again.
Turn the unit over so that the keypad is facing down. The battery door is located in the lower portion of the unit back. Using your thumb, press on the door and pull it towards you, away from the unit. The batteries lie side-by-side, parallel to the bottom edge of the unit.
Remove the batteries by pulling the ribbon underneath the batteries. The end of the ribbon should be in the middle of the lower edge of the battery compartment.
Insert the new batteries so that the positive end of the top battery (the nub end) is on the right and the positive end of the bottom battery (the nub end) is on the left. Make sure you insert the negative or flat end of each battery first. This will reduce the wear and tear on the battery contacts. Also, make sure that the ribbon is in place underneath the batteries so that you can remove them easily in the future.
Replace the battery door by sliding it back into position. You should feel it lock into place. Now you can continue using BookCourier.

Replacing the CompactFlash® Card

BookCourier supports type 1 CompactFlash® cards with data storage up to 4 gigabytes. You can use multiple cards to store lots of information. However, it’s important to use CompactFlash® cards that are dedicated solely to BookCourier. Do not share these cards with other devices such as cameras or MP3 players. These devices write files and, in some cases, folders to the card that BookCourier cannot read, cluttering the card with files you cannot access.

Important Note: You can corrupt the data on a CompactFlash® card if you do not use the following instructions carefully. In particular, you MUST disconnect BookCourier from your PC and you MUST wait for BookCourier to go to sleep before you remove the memory card from the unit. Here are the instructions:

If necessary, disconnect BookCourier from your PC.
Wait 10 seconds for BookCourier to beep and go to sleep. If you haven't used your BookCourier within the past minute or so, it's already asleep.
Firmly pull the card out of BookCourier. The CompactFlash® card is located on the right side of the device. One edge of the card protrudes slightly so that you can grab it. BookCourier announces “Memory Card Removed.”
Insert the new card into the open slot on the right side of BookCourier. The card is rectangular and has a lip on one of the long edges. Orient the card so that the lip is facing down and the edge opposite the lip goes into the slot first. Firmly press the card into the slot to ensure that it is seated properly. You should feel the card lock in place. BookCourier says “Please wait” when it detects the new card and then "Ready" when you can start pressing buttons.

Remember that the new card contains different information from the old card. The contents of the Library will be different. If you are inserting a brand new card, it's a good idea to format the card using your BookCourier. Read the next section for instructions.

Formatting a CompactFlash® Card

When you insert a new flash memory card into BookCourier, you should format the card using BookCourier's Format function. Although the card will work without the formatting, you can improve BookCourier's speed and overall performance by taking advantage of the Format function. You may also need to format a card if you have corrupted files or folders that BookCourier can't fix with the Reset function. Occasionally, the best solution to a problem is to erase all the information on a card and just start over. Please check with your dealer or BookCourier's product support group before taking this course of action. Also, if you do decide to reformat your card, make sure to use the BookCourier Format function. Do not use another tool to format the card.

To format a flash memory card, simultaneously press the diamond key (first key in the last row) and the 8 key. BookCourier will ask you to confirm your intention by pressing these two keys again. Be aware that when you format a card, you erase all the files and folders on that card.

Using Different Earphones

Although BookCourier is shipped with a set of earphones, you can replace them with almost any stereo earphones or headphones that have an 1/8” stereo plug. If you use your BookCourier while commuting or traveling, you may want to consider using a set of noise cancelling headphones to cut down on background noise.

Using External Speakers

You can use an external speaker rather than earphones to listen to BookCourier. However, BookCourier supports only amplified stereo speakers; other types of speakers may not work properly. Simply plug the speaker into the same connector that you use for the earphones.

Troubleshooting

If BookCourier stops functioning for any reason, try the following:

Reset the unit by simultaneously pressing the 2 key and the diamond key (first key in the bottom row). The Reset feature returns the system settings to their default values and it will function even when BookCourier is locked.
If reset doesn't work, remove the batteries, wait a few minutes, and then reinsert them. If BookCourier is dead when you remove the batteries, you won't be able to use the Change Batteries function. Consequently, BookCourier will reset all the system settings to their default values when it powers up again.
If you're still having problems, replace the batteries with new ones.

If you can recreate the situation that caused BookCourier to fail initially, please alert us by sending an email to support@bookcourier.com. Make sure to include your BookCourier serial number, version number, and a detailed description of the steps that led to the “crash” so we can recreate the failure. Also, please use the support email to report only “crashes.” For all other problems, contact the dealer who sold you BookCourier.

Service and Support

The dealer who sold you BookCourier will also provide service and support. Please contact your dealer if you need help using BookCourier’s features or if you think something is broken. When you call the dealer, be prepared to provide BookCourier’s serial number and version number. Refer to the Getting System Information section in the Getting Help chapter for instructions on obtaining these numbers.

Appendix A - BookCourier Functions by Key

This appendix lists all the keys and their functions. Each key can have up to three functions. You activate the primary function by pressing the key. You activate the secondary function by pressing the key and holding it until you hear a beep. You activate the third or shifted function by simultaneously pressing the key and the Shift key (middle key in the bottom row).

1
Primary: Volume Down
Secondary: Power Search Back
Shifted: Speed Down

2
Primary: Up
Secondary: Top
Shifted: none

3
Primary: Volume Up
Secondary: Power Search Forward
Shifted: Speed Up

4
Primary: Back
Secondary: Beginning
Shifted: Fast Reverse

5
Primary: Read/Pause/Select List Item
Secondary: Where am I
Shifted: Go To Page

6
Primary: Forward
Secondary: End
Shifted: Fast Forward

7
Primary: Previous Bookmark
Secondary: Previous File
Shifted: Set Bookmark

8
Primary: Down
Secondary: Bottom
Shifted: Enter Spell Mode/Spell

9
Primary: Next Bookmark
Secondary: Next File
Shifted: Bookmark List

*
Primary: Library
Secondary: Table of Contents
Shifted: none

0
Primary: Exit
Secondary: none
Shifted: Delete

#
Primary: Pause and Resume (in Record Mode only)
Secondary: Stop Record (in Record Mode only)
Shifted: Record

<> (diamond)
Primary: Settings List
Secondary: Battery Level
Shifted: Change Batteries

+
Primary: Shift
Secondary: none
Shifted: none

?
Primary: Key Help
Secondary: Talking User Guide
Shifted: Date/Time

Appendix B - BookCourier Functions by Subject Area

This section groups all the BookCourier functions by subject area so you can quickly find the keys to perform a certain type of function. The subject areas are listed alphabetically with the exception of the General or miscellaneous functions which appear first. To help you find the functions more easily, we've listed some functions in more than one subject area. Remember that each key has up to three different functions: the main function, the secondary function which you activate by pressing and holding the key until you hear a beep, and the third function which you activate by simultaneously pressing the key and the Shift key (the middle key in the bottom row).

This information is also available in the BookCourier Quick Reference, a short document that you can easily print and carry with you.

General

Turn on (You don't need to turn on BookCourier; just press the key for the function you want to perform)
Turn off (BookCourier times out automatically after 10 seconds and then beeps)
Play a File (5)
Pause a File (5)
Exit from just about anything (0)
Date/Time (Shift-question mark; the question mark key is the last key in the bottom row)
Battery Level (diamond key for one beep; the diamond key is the first key in the bottom row)
Lock BookCourier (1 plus 3)
Unlock BookCourier (1 plus 3)
Reset (2 plus the diamond key; the diamond key is the first key in the bottom row)
Format a memory card (8 plus the diamond key; the diamond key is the first key in the bottom row)

Bookmarks

Set (Shift-7)
Delete (Shift-0 from the Bookmark List)
Next (9)
Previous (7)
Enter Bookmark List (Shift-9)
Next Item in List (6)
Previous Item in List (4)
Go to Bookmark in List (5)
Exit from List (0)

Delete

File (Shift-0 while in the Library)
Bookmark (Shift-0 while in the Bookmark List)

Help

Where am I (5 for one beep)
Talking Key Help (question mark and then the desired key; the question mark key is the last key in the bottom row)
Talking User Guide (question mark for one beep; the question mark key is the last key in the bottom row)
Reset (2 plus diamond; the diamond key is the first key in the bottom row)

Library

Enter Library (*)
Go to Top of Library (* while in the Library)
Next Item at Current Level (6)
Previous Item at Current Level (4)
Next Level Down in Hierarchy (8)
Previous Level Up in Hierarchy (2)
Play File (5)
Delete File (Shift-0)
Exit from Library (select a file by pressing 5)

Navigation

Up (2)
Down (8)
Back (4)
Forward (6)
Top (2 for one beep)
Bottom (8 for one beep)
Beginning (4 for one beep)
End (6 for one beep)
Fast Forward (Shift-6)
Fast Reverse (Shift-4)
Go To Page (Shift-5)
Power Search Back (1 for one beep)
Power Search Forward (3 for one beep)

Record

Record (Shift-#)
Stop Recording (# for one beep)
Pause Recording (#)
Resume Recording (#)

Settings

Volume Up (3)
Volume Down (1)
Speed Up (Shift-3)
Speed Down (Shift-1)
Enter Settings List (diamond - first key in bottom row))
Next Item in List (6)
Previous Item in List (4)
Change the Setting Option (2 or 8)
Exit from List (0)

Spell

Go into Spell Mode/Spell (Shift-8)
Next Word (6)
Previous Word (4)

Table of Contents (not implemented yet)

Enter Table of Contents (* for one beep)
Go to Top of Table of Contents (* for one beep while in the Table of Contents)
Next Item at Current Level (6)
Previous Item at Current Level (4)
Next Level Down in Hierarchy (8)
Previous Level Up in Hierarchy (2)
Play Current Section in Hierarchy (5)
Exit from Table of Contents (0)

Appendix C - Special Offer from Bookshare.org

Congratulations on your purchase of a new BookCourier! An added benefit of your BookCourier purchase is $25 off a new Bookshare.org subscription. Using your BookCourier, Bookshare.org can be your portable library. Download from a world of books - current books that people and schools across the U.S. are scanning to share. Today, there are numerous books available for subscribers to access, including current best sellers, recent and older classics of literature, K-12 teacher recommended reading, and technical books. Most of our books originate as scans that are shared by members and volunteers from across the United States.

Bookshare.org Sign-up Instructions

To take advantage of the $25 off offer, you should do the following:

Register. Visit www.bookshare.org and register from the "Join" link on any page. You will need a valid email address to sign up for Bookshare.org. When you register, be sure to enter the special offer code bc823 on the form to indicate the BookCourier $25 off special.
Establish Proof of Qualification. First, send an email to bookcourier@bookshare.org with your BookCourier’s serial number. The serial number can be read by the unit once it is up and running, plus it is printed on the box and in the unit itself (just lift the battery cover). Also, you must submit proof of a qualifying disability. (This is one of the legal requirements under which Bookshare.org operates.)
Pay for your subscription. After your proof of disability is verified, you will get an email from Bookshare.org with instructions on how to pay for your subscription.
Install the Bookshare.org Unpack Tool (optional). If you plan only on reading your Bookshare.org books on the BookCourier, you’re all set. But, if you would like to read books on other portable devices or on your computer, you need to download and install the Bookshare.org Unpack Tool. This tool asks for your member password to decrypt the books once they are downloaded onto your computer. Install the Unpack Tool from the Download Tools page.

Happy Reading!

Bookshare.org Discounted Subscription Details

Available only to people who reside in the United States
New Bookshare.org members only
Proof of a qualifying disability is required
Bookshare.org membership must be initiated within 6 months of BookCourier purchase
Only one discount per purchase of a BookCourier

Useful Bookshare.org Links

Warranty Information

SPRINGER DESIGN, INC. ("Springer Design, Inc.") warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase by the original consumer purchaser.

If you discover a defect in this product, Springer Design, Inc. will, at its option, repair, replace or refund the purchase price of this product at no charge to you, provided you return it during the warranty period, transportation charges prepaid, to the dealer from whom you purchased it or to Springer Design, Inc. A copy of your purchase receipt or other proof of date of original consumer purchase must be provided with each product returned for warranty service. Please also attach your name, address, telephone number, and a complete description of the problem when returning any Springer Design, Inc. product for warranty service.

You may request additional information about this warranty by contacting the Springer Design, Inc. dealer from whom the product was purchased, or by contacting Springer Design, Inc. directly. This warranty applies only to products manufactured by Springer Design, Inc.; Springer Design, Inc. does not warrant any products that are not Springer Design, Inc. products. This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident, abuse, misuse or misapplication, has been disassembled or modified without the written permission of Springer Design, Inc., or if any Springer Design, Inc. serial number has been removed or altered.

ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO NINETY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.

THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No Springer Design, Inc. dealer, agent or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension or addition to this warranty.

SPRINGER DESIGN, INC. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, GOODWILL, DOWNTIME, DAMAGE TO OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY, AND ANY COSTS OF RECOVERING, REPROGRAMMING OR REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH SPRINGER DESIGN, INC. PRODUCTS.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.