911 Call Captioning Timeout Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic captioning initiation during 911 calls can cause confusion for deaf or hard of hearing users, as they may inadvertently turn off captioning, leading to disrupted communication during emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a timeout period after initiating a 911 call during which captioning cannot be manually turned off, accompanied by visual or auditory indicators to confirm captioning is active, and potentially altering the caption button's appearance to prevent unintended deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic captioning is initiated during 911 calls, then captioning service is provided immediately to assisted users, but users may inadvertently turn off captioning causing communication disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically initiating captioning before the user can manually activate it during a 911 call. This ensures captioning is already active and providing service when the emergency call is placed, eliminating the need for the user to take additional action and ensuring immediate service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (automatic detection and activation system) that mediates between the user's intent to place an emergency call and the need for captioning service. The system detects the 911 call initiation and automatically activates captioning as an intermediary action, preventing the user from having to manually activate it and reducing the risk of accidental deactivation.
2Ease of operation
If manual captioning control is allowed during 911 calls, then users can turn off captioning if not needed, but users may accidentally turn off captioning leading to communication disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protective measures that prevent the harmful action of accidentally turning off captioning during a 911 call. The system monitors for deactivation attempts and automatically reactivates captioning if it detects that the user may have accidentally turned it off during the emergency call period.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary monitoring system is introduced that sits between the user's control actions and the captioning service state. This intermediary detects when a 911 call is active and prevents or reverses accidental deactivation, while still allowing intentional control when needed.
3Productivity
If captioning is automatically activated for all 911 calls, then all assisted users receive captioning service immediately, but the system cannot adapt to users who do not need captioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically activating captioning for all 911 calls before knowing the user's specific needs. This ensures that captioning service is immediately available to all users who may need it, while the system remains prepared to adapt if the user indicates they do not require it.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the captioning service state changeable and adaptable during the 911 call. While captioning starts automatically, the system allows for dynamic adjustment based on user feedback or behavior, transitioning from a static automatic activation approach to a dynamic, user-responsive state.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for use with an assisted user's communication device that includes a display. The method includes providing a user communication device including a processor that is programmed to perform the step of, upon disconnection of an emergency call to a hearing user in which a captioning service has provided text transcription of voice messages from the hearing user, maintaining a link to the captioning service for a predetermined period of time. The processor also is programmed to perform the step of recognizing the call as an emergency call upon placement of the call, and the captioning service is automatically initiated upon the processor performing that recognition.