Captioned Telephone Dual-Line Relay Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing captioned telephone systems require manual intervention by a relay call assistant to set up and manage captioning services, which can be cumbersome and not as seamless as conventional telephone services for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a captioned telephone call using a device connected to two telephone lines, where the device initiates a call on one line to a remote user and simultaneously sets up captioning on a second line through a relay, allowing for automatic and unobtrusive captioning without requiring the relay to hear the voice of the assisted user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a relay call assistant manually sets up and manages captioning services, then the service can be provided to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires significant manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated call setup where the captioned telephone device automatically initiates calls and manages captioning service activation without requiring manual intervention by a relay call assistant. The device stores dialed numbers and automatically dials them after establishing captioning service, making the system self-sufficient in managing the communication process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing telephone numbers in memory before the actual call is made. When a user dials a number, the system stores it without immediately dialing, then initiates the call to the relay first to establish captioning service, and only then dials the stored number to connect the remote party. This preliminary storage and sequential activation simplifies the overall operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the relay call assistant manually manages captioning service setup, then captioning can be provided, but the service does not mimic conventional telephone service and requires unobtrusive operation
Solution Approach 1:
The captioned telephone device autonomously manages the entire call setup process including storing numbers, initiating relay connections, establishing captioning service, and dialing remote parties without requiring the user to manually coordinate these steps. This self-service approach makes the service adaptable to different calling scenarios while operating seamlessly in the background.
3Extent of automation
If the relay must hear the voice of the assisted user to provide captioning, then captioning can be accurately provided, but the system becomes less automatic and requires more manual setup
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication channels by using separate telephone lines for different purposes: one line for voice communication between the assisted user and remote party, and another line for transmitting voice to the relay for captioning. This segmentation allows the relay to receive and process voice for captioning without requiring the assisted user's line to carry the voice signal, enabling automated operation while maintaining captioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary approach where the relay receives voice signals through a separate telephone line connection rather than through the assisted user's voice channel. This intermediary setup allows the relay to accurately capture and transcribe speech for captioning while the assisted user communicates normally on a separate line, achieving both automation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Captioned telephone are devices intended to provide text captions to persons needing assistance with telephone communications. Captioned telephones provide text by using the services of a relay interposed between the assisted user and the hearing user, the relay providing the captioning for the assisted user. While captioned telephone service can be delivered over a single telephone line, if the assisted user has two telephone lines available for the captioning service, additional features and advantages are possible in the delivery of captioned telephone service to the user.