Captioning System with Dual Input for Hearing-Impaired Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
During captioning communication sessions, miscommunication can occur due to the hearing user speaking unclearly or in a non-native language, making it difficult for the hearing-impaired user and human assistants to understand and transcribe spoken words accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method that presents captions of spoken words on a display device for a hearing-impaired user during a call, allowing the hearing user to either speak or type words that are then displayed, enabling clear communication by avoiding difficulties in spoken language understanding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a human assistant transcribes spoken words during a captioning communication session, then the hearing-impaired user can read captions of the words spoken by the hearing user, but miscommunication can occur due to the hearing user speaking unclearly or in a non-native language
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a text-to-speech conversion system as an intermediary between the hearing user and the captioning system. The hearing user's spoken words are converted to text, then back to speech through a different voice, providing a reliable transcription that bypasses the issues of unclear or non-native speech. This intermediary process ensures accurate captioning without relying on the original speaker's clarity or language proficiency.
2Reliability
If the hearing user types words instead of speaking them, then communication accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the communication process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the hearing user to type messages directly, allowing them to serve their own communication needs without requiring a human assistant for transcription. This self-service approach gives the hearing user direct control over the communication process, ensuring accurate transmission of their intended message while reducing the complexity of requiring multiple intermediaries.
3Ease of operation
If real-time captioning is provided during audio communications, then hearing-impaired users can participate effectively, but the system complexity increases due to the need for human assistants and transcription processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human assistants performing manual transcription with an automated text-to-speech conversion system. The hearing user's spoken words are automatically converted to text and then to speech through a synthesized voice, eliminating the need for human transcriptionists. This automation maintains real-time captioning capability while significantly reducing system complexity and operational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to present communications may include captioning, by a human assistant during a call between a first user using a first captioning telephone device and a second user using a second telephone device, words spoken by the second user into the second telephone device. The method may also include presenting the captioned words on a first display of the first captioning telephone device, receiving text typed into the second telephone device by the second user, and presenting the received text on the first display of the first captioning telephone device.