CA2113840C - Telecommunication device operating under an enhanced tdd protocol - Google Patents
Telecommunication device operating under an enhanced tdd protocol Download PDFInfo
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- CA2113840C CA2113840C CA002113840A CA2113840A CA2113840C CA 2113840 C CA2113840 C CA 2113840C CA 002113840 A CA002113840 A CA 002113840A CA 2113840 A CA2113840 A CA 2113840A CA 2113840 C CA2113840 C CA 2113840C
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
- H04M1/2474—Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people
- H04M1/2475—Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people for a hearing impaired user
Abstract
A telecommunication device for the deaf (12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) is designed to operate under an enhanced TDD
communication protocol. The TDD (12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) is capable of communicating with conventional TDDs operating under normal Baudot/Weitbrecht communications, but is also capable of communicating with a similarly enhanced TDD utiliz-ing an enhanced protocol with a faster data transfer rate. The enhanced TDD is capable of signaling to another remote TDD
through the use of a synchronization character that it is capable of enhanced TDD communications. If a similar synchronization character is received from the remote station, both TDDs can then switch to enhanced TDD communication with its advantages of speed and enlarged character set. The synchronization character is especially designed so as not to interfere with the operation of a conventional TDD which might receive the character and also to be sufficiently distinctive so as to be capable of definite re-ception by enhanced TDD machines with minimum error.
communication protocol. The TDD (12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) is capable of communicating with conventional TDDs operating under normal Baudot/Weitbrecht communications, but is also capable of communicating with a similarly enhanced TDD utiliz-ing an enhanced protocol with a faster data transfer rate. The enhanced TDD is capable of signaling to another remote TDD
through the use of a synchronization character that it is capable of enhanced TDD communications. If a similar synchronization character is received from the remote station, both TDDs can then switch to enhanced TDD communication with its advantages of speed and enlarged character set. The synchronization character is especially designed so as not to interfere with the operation of a conventional TDD which might receive the character and also to be sufficiently distinctive so as to be capable of definite re-ception by enhanced TDD machines with minimum error.
Description
~~.~.~~4~
Wf'~ n3/23~47 P'C''I'l~JS93f047~0 a ,_ TE1,E~QMMUNLGATTOT~ DE~IICE OPER~TI~T~
UNDER ~N E~CED TDD PROTOCa~
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the genera~l.field of telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs), and in particular, relates to a telecommunication device which operates under ~ new enhanced TDn protocol.
Background of the lnventi~n Persons mho are deaf o~r hearing ~pai,red ~nough not '~o be abl~ t~ use the t~~:eph~ne co~nonly mak~ use of c~mmunica~ion t~rminals ~pecifiGally cc~nstxucted and rl~signed to enable each persons tai converse over telephone l~;nes . Such d~~rice~ ire- referred to as telscoar~unicata.on devices ~~r the deaf or TDDs. T~ically, TDDs include a ~keyb~ard and a display connected to tlne telephoa~~ through a m~de~ (naodulat~rld~dul~tr~r) Th~ ~ctodsa~ is built into ~:h~ T~~ ~~d either directly corn~cted t~ a tel~p~one line og a~u~~ed ~~ an acoustic couples t~ a ndr~nal tel:eghone h~~ds~t ~ TDDs are x~oally capable of transmitting .
i~fornaation ~ver t~l~pho~ae 7.ines jeans of 'coded tones' to ~~her TDD~ c~nnected ~t the opp~sit~ end ~f the telephone line hroug~h another n~~demo The code aid prc~toc~1 which i~ in widespread conventional use fog TDD c~mmuanidati~n is an idiosyncratic 3~ one. The code sit, known as Baudot, and the co~au~ication protoc~1, refereed o here a~ Baudotl6~eitbrecht, evolved historically at a time ~rhenyriany te3.ecommunication devices for the deaf ~rere bayed oar mechanical or electromechanical devices rather thin current electronic devices.
'~Q~ 93/23947 PGT/U~931047b0 r-~.
~~..~ J~~~ ..
_2_ Accordingly, the protocol was constructed for a set of constraints which no longer are relevant to present day devices. As it happens, those constraints worked to create a code protocol, and a telecommunication n~twa~k of users and devices operating under that protocol, which is now perceived to have certain dQficiencies.
One deficiency is simply speed. Conventional BaudotlWeitbrecht communication is conducted at 45.5 baud (or in some countries 50 baud). The normal Baudot character set consists of 5 bit characters. Under conventional Baudot/Weitbrecht communication, there is a start bit (one space or 0 bit), a 5 bit character, and at least I I!2 stop bits (a mark or a I bit). The result is that operating under the protocol, it is possible to I5 transmit only 6 characters per second. As it happens, many adept typists among TDD communicators are readily able to type at rates sign3.ficantly in excess of 6 characters per second. While modern microproeessor~-based TDDs are capable of buffering such adept typists, the ZO result is that the txansfer of communication fro~a one TDD
terminal to another can, at tim~s, be significantly delayed behind a fast typist. This has been a source of frustration to users in the TDD co~uununity-for some time.
Another diff3,culty with conventional TDDs operafiing 25 under Baudot/Weitbrecht protocols his to do wa.th the fact that aom~aunication is defined ~ be simplex, meaning that onlg one station is ca~rable of communicating at any cane time. Since both t~cansmittinc~ and receiving stations utilize the sa~e;s3.gnals (,1400 hertz for a mark and 100 30 hertz f~r a space) on the telephone line, both stations cannot send data at the same time and also receive data.
There is no provision for avoiding such collisi~ns in the conventional Baudot/W~itbrecht protocol. Instead, prior machines are simply designed to priora.tize data sending.
~5 The de~rices will transmit a eharacter if a key is pressed, and i:f 'the device is sending, no attempt is made to receive data, Nevertheless, there is a large installed base of TDDs in use in many parts of the world, including the United ~~..13840 Wf~ 93123947 PCTlUS93/()4760 . _3_ States. If a new protocol is intended to be implemented within the existing network of TDD users, it advantageously should be compatible with the network of existing TDDs and TDD~compatible devices. In other words, even if a terminal is capable of operating with an enhanced TDD protocol permitting pseudo-duplex capability and higher speed, a terminal must also be~capable of communicating with conventional Baudot/~teitbrecht TDD
terminals which have neither of those capabilities.
Finally, any protocol intended for use principally with TDD networks should advantageously be designed for conversation--like communication between people. Some communication protocols, notably the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), are specifically intended and designed to permit communications between automated devises, such as computers. However, in considering optimum protocols for TDD communications, a different set of constraints is appropriate. It is also highly desirable that all code selection be automatic, Z0 i:e., that the user not be required to set any communication protocols in order to communicate with another si.mi.larly equipped user. If a device is capable of operating at an enhanced rate of speed, or with an enhanced cha~rac~er set, it should sw~.tch into such ZS operation without need for action or instructions by the user. To the ext~nt the enhancedl TDD protocol is capable of making the user's interaction with another user more akin to normal human conversation, the more the device will be appreciated and utilized in the field. Also, 30 since there are a large number of TDDs in use in the community, to the extent that a system for enhancing communication capability can be designed which can be retrofit into existing: TDDs', this will facilitate the ihtroduetion and availability of this technology to a more 35 wide sgread audience.
wo 9WZ39a~ ~ ~'Cl"/US93/04760 ~..,, _~_ Summary of the Invention The present invention is summarized in that a telecommunication device for the deaf is constructed which is capable of operating an enhanced TDD protocol, the terminal commencing operation at the initiation of w communication sequence by first transmitting to the remote terminal a synchronization sequence which was designed to be invisible under conventional Baudot protocols yet, if recognized by the receiving machine, will result in a handshake so that both machines can switch to the enhanced TDD protocol, thereby facilitating communications between the two terminals, or, if not so recognized, communication in a standard TDD protocol.
It is an object of the present invention to define an entirely new and enhancEd set of grotocols for TDD
communications so as to greatly facilitate communications for the deaf and th~ hearing impaired, and to make their communications more analogous to audible human conversations.
Z0 It is another object of the present invention to define an enhanced TDD and protocol for its use which makes little or no hardware changes to present TDDs, and this makes it possible to easily re-fit existing TDDs to the new enhanced.'grotocol.
It is an obj~ct ~f the present invention to design enhanced protocol for TDD operations which is efficient, swift, and implement~d in such a way so as to maximize its ability ~o be retrofit into existing TDDs.
It i~ a furthea~ object of the present invention to 3a enab~.e TDDs operating under the enhanced TDD protocol to ' be able ~o support pseudo-duplex communication, so that b~th users can tlrpe ~ianultaneously to the other, while data is transanitted w3ahou~ loss of characters by either station:
It is yet another object of the present invention to~,.~
enable TI7D communications to be conducted at higher speed, thereby permitting telephone charges to be lessened.
Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following 2~~~~34(~
W(~ ~:i/2394? ~'C'T/vS93/04760 specification when taken in con~unct.ion with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a TDD hardware~~~
design.
Fig. 2 illustrates schematic details of the analog circuit of Fig. 1.
Fig, 3 illustrates a timing diagram of the synchronization pulse utilized in the present invention.
D~scri~tion of the invention The present invention envisions nothing less than an entirely new protocol for ommunication between telecommunication devices ::~r the deaf. Such devices have operated for many years on a protocol, referred to herein as standard ~audot, or S~audot/Weitbrecht, wlhose idiosyncrasies can on2y be explained by histdzical ev~lution. W~aat is envisic~n~d here is a substantially new and enhanc~d protocol for co~rmunication for TDDs, that form being referaeed to-here as the enhanced TDD protocol.
As wil~.lbe seen, a properly constructed TDD capable of enhanced TD1~ con,nication Qffers significant advantages for commun.icatirag with other sa.ma.larly equipped TDDs .
Nevertheless, a ~roperl~r designed enhanced TDD device will alto b~ fully capable of communicating with prior c~nv~ntio~aaal TDDs using standard BaudotdWeitbrecht co~te~ica~i~n pr~tocols .
~t is a feature of the enhanced TDD com~eunication protocol described herein that pseudo~duplex c~mmunicatidn is possibly. Using such pseudo-duplex techniques, comn~unica~ing TDD t~rm~.nals can: at last as pe~cceived by the h~.an uses , transn~i.t data t~ each other simultaneously r~aaahout loss of characters, In fact, what happens ~~ the machine level is that each device buffers ...;.:-the data received from its user, and the two devices time-share txansmis~ion over the telephone line connecting the two devi.c~g: Tn essence, each device in the communication link transmits a few characters, then pauses ' ~ ~ ,~ :, ~~~ ~ ~ P~CT/US93/04760 ,.~~~, 1VV0 93/23947 . .F
' -6-while the other station transmits a few characters in return. The system of pseudo-duplex communication is implemented by two simple rules. The first rule is that an enhanced TDD device is constrained in its operation so S as to be incapable of transmitting data out on the telephone line when data is being received over that same line. The second rule is that the enhanced TDD device is constrained so that it must create a pause in the telephone communication line after a pre-selected number 1Q of characters have been transmitted. The pause is.
presented for the purpose of allowing the other station to transmit. ~s long as both stations obey these two rules, each will take its turn transmitting the pre-defined number of characters, after which the other station will 15 gain control of the line and transmit its string of characters in return. Giv~n the speed of enhanced TDD
protocol, as described b~low, this communication link will appear to the users as si.rnultaneous, even though the machines are actually t3.me-sharing transmission and 20 control of the communication link.
Note that the tirs~ of these rules represents a complete reversal of the protoc~1 of operating conventional TDDs. All prior TDDs have prioritized transmission over reception. If a key was pressed, the 25 TDD transmuted the character over the line and, since trans~ni.ss~.~n would mak~ reception difficult or impossible, no attempt at data reception is made during,transa~i.ssion.
The enhanded TDD device rwerse~ this priority by constraining th~ device not to transmit while data is 30 being received.
3n order to understand the functio~ang of the method of operation of the TDD of the present inventi~n, it is a~ecessary to review the structure of a typ~.cal TDD. Shown in Figure Z is a schematic block diagram of the circuitry 35 ,of a typical TDD, either a standard or enhanced TDD
operating in accordance with the present invention. In the TDD of ~"igure l, a keyboard I2 is provided onto which the user may input data characters. The output of the kegrboard i2 is connected to a microprocessor I4, which 211~~~~
W~ Q3/23947 PC'TlUS93/04760 _7e serves to control the remaining circuit elements contained within Figure 1. Characters which are received, or transmitted, by the microprocessor are also displayed to the user on a visual display 16. Optionally, the same characters received or transmitted can be printed by~a hard copy printer, indicated at 18. Some TDDs may not have a printers though all will have a visually readable display of some kind, so that the user can see the -. characters being typed and received. The keyboard ~,2 thus functions as an input source of data characters tv they microprocessor 14 while either or both of the display 16 and the printer 18 serve as local destinations for the data stream of characters. The microproc~ssor 14 is connected by a suitable data and address bus 20, of the sort well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which connects to a read only memoxy (ROM) 22 and a random access memory (RAMj 24. Appropriate control line3 26 and 28 are connected from the microprocessor ~.4 to the RO~I, 22 arad the RAri 24, so as to control the operation thereof .
x0 The ROM 22 is intended to permanently house, in non-volatile storag~ the program which dictates the operation of~ the microprocessor 14. The R~!t 24 is utilized as the buffer, the floating storage place for data coming int~. or out of the device: Rather than being on separate integrated circuits, if desired the microproce~sos 14 and the R0~2 22 and RAM 24 iaay all be combines 3.n a gingle integrated circuit.
A~ an additional output, the microprocessor.l4 is connected thr~ugh analog circuitry t4 three separate interfaces. ~ne output of the analog circuitry 30 which is p~ss~.ble is a telephone direct connect circuit 32~
which i.s intended to.directly connect by hardwiring the analog circuit 30 to a telephone line. This 3.s the hard~w~.ace option for wiring a TDD through its analog circuitry (a ~ode~nj into a telephone line. The ether two outputs from the analog circuitry 30 are intended to operate jointly. One of these outputs in the analog circuitry is an acoustic output circuit 34, which drives a speaker 38 intended to transmit to a microphone in a ~V~ 93/23947 ' PC'lf/U~93/04760 ,ice 2113~4~
telephone handset. Similarly, an acoustic input circuit 36 receives signal from a microphone 40 which is intended to sense sound from a speaker in a telephone handset. The acoustic output and receiver devices are commonly referred to as "acoustic couplers," and are intended to pass along analog signals from an electronic instrument into a conventional telephone handset, and then through the telephone line.
Shown in Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic of one 1,0 implementation of the input and outputs of the analog circuitry. For data coming into the terminal, the audible input from a microphone or telephone is translated into electronic components and then presented to an amplifier 42. The output of the amplifier is presented to two phase-locked loops 44. ~ne of the phase-locDc~ed loops 44 is tuned to a frequency of 1800 Hertz, while the other phase-locked loop 44 is tuned to a frequency of 1400 Hertz. 1800 Hertz and 1400 Hertz are the designated carrier frequencies for standard Baudot communication. On the output side of the circuitry, output signals are pxesea~ted to a ~PF ~lo~ pass filter) trensmi't wave shaping circui'~ 46.' The output of that circuit, consisting of alternate 1400 and 1800 I3ertz signals, is presented to an amplifier 48 which i~ hardwired to the sp~aker or telephone l~.ne.
yn essence, devices designed generally similar to Figure 3 are scald by several companies at present. The a.~prov~anents degcribed.below will be principally to the method of operation of such a termi.nal~, as controlled by the code which ~p~~ate~ the microprocessor 14. In other ~rords, the enhanced TDD terminal will have hardware largely sa.znilar to that o~ a conventional Baudot TDD, but will operate in a different manner botlh in its timing and code utilization.
The enhanced TDD device operating in accordance witli~°.
the present inventi~n is capable of operating at normal 45.5 Baud (or 50 baud) when communicating wi'~h a conventional TDD. However, the enhanced TDD protocol TDD
is also capable o~ operating in a second protocol, wc~ a3iz~~a? ~ ~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ ~c-rius9moa?bo referred to here as enhanced TDD. The enhanced TDD
protocol is based on frequency shift keying encoding and an average, though variable, transmission rate of dust over 100 Baud. The signals for logical I and logical 0 are dust as they are in standard Baudot, i.e. 1400 hertz for a mark and 1800 hertz for a space. However, this protocol is unusual in that, for reasons described below, the time for a space b3.t and the time for a mark bit are defined to be different (12 milliseconds versus 6 milliseconds). Moreover; the enhanced TDD character set consists of a ?-bit 128-character table such as the ASCII
or CC~TT character tables. The enhanced TDD character data signal consists of a start bit, the ? character bits, no parity bit, and two stop bits. The start bit is a space, az~d the stop bits are marks. Enhanced TDD, like conventional Baudot, operates in a simplex mode, although the d~tails'of operation of the simplex communicatian y pratocol, as d~scribed beZ.ow, result in a pseudo--duplex capab3.litlr as perceived by the users. Thus the enhanced TDD protocol de~c=ibed herein utilizes the 1400 and 1800 Hertz tone generation and'tone recognition circuifiry already prey~nt in post ~'DDs end co~abines that with ?-bit character seta a uniquely deffined baud rate with unequal bit times, and a unigue,-handshake routine. The protocol implem~ntativn i~ intended to b~ a~atvmatic and not to req~ir~ settings ~r othez intervention by the user.
Tn ~segnce, the enhanced TDD devic~ operateW..t~
initially queer th,~ dwice on the other end to determine whether ~h~ rem~t~ ADD is,also capable of enhanc~d TDD
3U pr~tpcol commianic~tions: The enhanced TDD device presents this inquiry by sending a special ~y~ndhronization sequence to the other TDD.:. The synchronization sequence is a specific signal intended to be incomprehensible, or undetect~blep by a c~nvention.al Baudot TDD. If an enhanced TDD deva~e sends the synchronization signal, and recei~res the correct response, preferably a similar synchronizat9.on sequence sent in return, then both machines can immediately commence communication in enhanced TDD protocol. If the enhanced TDD terminal fails 'W~ 93/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ P~,'T/U~93104760 y _~0_ to receive a synchronization sequence from the remote unit, it assumes that the remot~ unit is operating in conventional Baudot, and continues to communicate using conventional Baudot protocols.
It is also desirable that, if there is a pause ~.n the communication, that the TDDs operating under the protocol re-synchronize. This may be done by a new synchronization handshake. Thus the synchronization sequence may be sent just-at the beginning of the entire communication session, but it is preferred that the sequence be sent after each pause on the line or at predefined intervals.
Many current TDDs utilize phase-locked loops to monitor incoming TDD tones. since existing devices were designed to operate at 45.5 baud, the phase-locked loops were selected for that transmission rate. One widely used design includes phase-locked loops, such as indicated at 44 in Fig. 2, which array require as long as 4 to 7 milliseconds to "lock" on an incoming frequency. At a flat 100 baud, this day leav~ as little as 3 milliseconds of recognizable signal (10 ~.i.lliseconds minus 7 milliseconds). To add to the reliability for enhanced TDD
protocol machines, this protocol defines the bit t~.me of one polarity (space) to b~ longer than the other (mark), i.e. l2 milliseconds compared to 6 milliseconds, to be sure that the receiving station can reliably detect at least one bit p~largty. The receiving station need not actually detest he bits caf the ~ther polarity (mark), but can calculate the tame period of the mark bits by noting the absence of the space bit tone and dividing the elapsed time period by the assigned bit time for mark bits (6 ms~cs) to determine th~'number of successive marks which were seat.
Such single channel decoding is sometimes considered und~s~.rable due to the possibility of detecting noise bursts in the dew~ded channel as characters. This can b~~~
avoided by requiring two mark stop bits, which then form a signal long enough to be recognized by the 1400 ~Iz phase--locked loop. Lack of a properly defined stop bit indicates noise. The use of two stop bits ensures that Wf' X3/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . PCT/US93/04760 ' -z1-the 1400 kiz signal is maintained long enough (12 milliseconds) for the 1400 Hz phase-locked loop to actuate.
The use of such differential bit times achieves the compromise of achieving an overall average data transfer rate exceeding 100 baud while adapting to the limitations of existing hardware. It is an interesting side effect in that the length of time to transmit the various ASCII
characters will vaxy. The longest character, the''"null"
character of 7 spaces would require 108 milliseconds (1 12 msec start; 7 x 12 msec character; 2 x ~ cosec stop), while the shortest would be 66 miniseconds. The average character would be 87 milliseconds. This then turns out to b~, on average, a faster effective data transfer rate than s ia~epl a 10 0 baud .
The synchronization sequence for the enhanced TDD
protocol must also be idiosyncratic. It should be a sequence which will not be recognized as a display charact~r by a convent3.onal TDD, but which can easily be recognized by an enhanc~d TDD. This is done, in part, by defining the synchronization signal to a.nclude recognizabl~ tone ~nly for mark (100 Hz) bits and to include no space bits (1~OO Hz). since conventional Baudot/Weitbrecht characters are defined to begin with a space bit, the absence ~of a space bit means that the enhanced TDD synchronization sequence will. never be rec~gnized by a c~aventcion~l TDD. To minimize error, when a mark (I400 H~) ton~ is not being sent, an echo suppression tone ~s appliedo The echo suppression tone can be.any convenient tone signal outside of the range of the phas~ml~cked loops and ~rithin the bandwidth of the telephone line. ~ca eacemplax~y echo suppression tone frequency could be 2100 Hz. This tone could, since it is not detected, very frown machine to machine.
Shown in Figure 3 is a timing diagram of the synchrona.zatzon sequence for enhanced TDD. communication.
In essence, the synchronization character is a special code signal specifically created for the purpose of serving as a synchronization signal. It is a desirable W(~ 93/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ PC1'/US93/Oa7b0 r,..~
_~,2_ feature of the synchronization sequence that it not be received as a printed or displayed character by conventional Baudot TDDs, and this particular synchronization sequence has specific features to accomplish that objective. First, note that the synchronization signal is all ones (1400 Hz) and echo suppression tones, with no space (1800 Hz) tones a~t a11.
The bit times vary in length. The synchronization sequence begins with an echo suppression tone (EST) of IO neither 1400 nor 1800 Hz for 6 milliseconds, which is sufficient to suppress echoes or transients on the line and unlock both the 1400 and 1800 Hertz phase-locked loops. Then th~re are two 12 millis~cond mark (~I400 Hz) tones each followed by a 6 millisecond echo suppression tone. Following that are two more I2 millisecond mark tones each followed by a I2 millisecond echo suppression tone. A last 12 millisecond mark tone is followed by a brief (6 millisecond) echo suppression tone. Thus the sequence includes a specific progression which can be recognized by th~ receiving station and which is very unlikely to be mi.~taken for a display character. I~nder c~nventionml' Baudot protoc~l, a space bit is required to recognize a valid character by TDDs. Conventional Baudot protocol requires that there be a start bit, which is a Z5 logical 0, as the.first bit time of a valid character tr~ns~ssion. Thus, conventional TDDs will reject the synchronizatLon sequence as an invalid Baudot character simpllr on that bas3.s., ' From,this discuss3.on, it should be apparent that the transmission of a single synchronization character by an enhanced T~7D device will not result in any disruption or confusion if received by conventional prior art TDD. The enhanced TDD terminal, which is capable of over 100 baud operationp would be programmed to recognize the transmission of a synchronization sequence to it.~ Upon' receipt of the synchronization sequence, the enhanced TDD
would enter into a ~~handshake,° which is a pattern of characters transmitted between the machines to establish that they are both capable of enhanced Baudot eue~ 43rz~947 2 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~c.-rrus~~roa~6o --13,~
communications. both te~ninals then will conduct all subsequent communications in the enhanced TDD pratocol.
The handshake may be as simple as the transmitting station sending a single synchronization sequence, and the receiving station returning with a single synchronization sequence, after which both stations switch to enhanced TDD
communications. If this simple handshake is used, there should be at least about a 10 millisecond pause between the characters, or a pause sufficient to permit the telephone lines to settle to avoid erroneous result. In order that the most rapid communication protocol available be utilized by communicating terminals, each enhanced TDD
would be programmed to send the synchronization~character at the start of any data communication in a new communication session and pause for a time period sufficient for the communicating station to respond. In other words, the first charmcter which the TDD sends on the line is the s~nxchronizati~n character. Since the entire handshake can be acc~mplished, if only two synchronization characters are used, in less than 250 milliseconds, the profess will be largely transparent to the users. ~T~~vexthel~~s, in that time period, the two machines would. r~cogniz~ that each is capable of enhanced TDD communication and furthear communication would be conducted using that protocol, with its accompanying advantages to the c~m~unicating persons.
Other va~3:ations on the handshake are also possible.
It may b~ necessary, on occasion, to have each station transmit tw~ synchronization sequences to the other to verify enhanced TDD protiacal capability prioir to switching to enhanced-T~~ communication: The sending station and recei ing station could take turns sending each other synchronizati~n sec,~aences, until each have sent two ch~:racters, before switching to enhanced ~audot protocols.
Another alternative which is possible is for ths;'enhanced TDD term~.nal to send characters in conventional ~audot which will not be displayed by the receiving terminal, but which would be c~ded to indicate enhanced TDD capability.
For example, if the transmitting station sent two "FIG" or Vv~ 93~239a~ ~ 1PC1'iC1S93/04760 ,.--,, 2~.~ 184 _ two °'LTR°' characters, which normally would not follow each other in conventional Baudot communication, such a pattern can be used as a code for enhanced TDD signaling, particularly if followed by a synchronization pattern such as that described above. w Regardless of which handshake protocol is utilized, the enhanced TDD terminal must be capable both of detecting the synchronization character when received or, alternatively, detecting a conventional 45.5 baud character indicative of enhanced TDD protocol capability when received. If the enhanced TDD sends a synchronization pulse, or whatever other pattern is utilized to indicate the capability of enhanced~TDD
communication, and no appropriate return handshake is received, the enhanced TDD terminal must be capable of conducting further communication under conventional Baudot/Weitbrecht protocols. These capabilities are all made possible by proper software coding of th~
microprocessor l4 of the TDD in Fig. 1. In essence, the timing of the data inputs and outputs can be entirely under control of the software, and hence by reprogramm:i.ng the micropracesse~~e, it is possible to alter the timing sequenc~ to result in these functions as described herein.
Once the functioraalaay of a devic~ is described as is done herein, the coding_of the microcode to operate the microprocessor is w~ll within the skill of those of ordinary skill ~.n the art of modern electronic design.
Note that h~ ~nhan~ced TDD p~catocol described herein makes use of the larger 7-bit character set. Unlike the smaller 64-charadter'~audot'character set, the seven-bit ~SOTI and CCITT character sets of l2~ characters includes both.uppeg and 1~w~r ease letters and, in addition, inclhdes a full sst c~f punctuation, and the ability to include coa~tzol characters. This raises the possibilities that TDDs could be designated to operate with control codes not presently available in conventional Baudot communication: Such control codes might indicate the type of device and might be utilized to turn features of 'the devices on or off, for example the display, depending on '~V(' ~3/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ i'CT/1US93/04760 _1~_ pGrticular needs of the moment. Note that, unlike ASCII
communication protocols, the tone signals utilixed within the enhanced TDD protocol of the present invention are conventional Haudot. The tones are also presented on the telephone line only When characters are being transmitted.
No carrier tones are maintained when neither station is transmitting. This is a very desirable feature of any TDD
communication protocol. .rust as hearing and speaking telephone users are occasionally gut on "hold," so TDD
users are sometimes gut on hold. Placing one station of a communication link operating under ASCII protocols (i.e.
Bell 212A or the like) on hold terminates the communication link, by breaking the carrier. This is not true either in standard Baudot or enhanced TDD protocol described herein: Since-the ab~.lity to put someone on hold is a useful part of ei~nventional telephone communications., the fact that a hold capability is inherent in this enthanced TDD protocol is signifieant.
In the operation of the TDD in accordance with the 20. present invention, fu=then constraints are implemented in the enhanced protoccal TDD which are intended bo permit pseudo-duplex coamtttnication. This is done by img~.ementing th~ two simple rules of 'pseudo-duplex communication referred to above. ~h~ microprocessor is programmed to ~5 accept data-from the'keyboard asynchronously and, if data is being receivad over the telecommunication line, to not transmit the'data immediately bub to'store the characters typed in the buffeae of the 'RAl~i ~4. Meanwhile, if data is being received, it,is displayed on the visual display for 30 reading by'the ~.~er. Meanwhile, the user can continue to type characters,:andcharacters will be received by the device and placed into RAM for transmission in turn to the remote. station. Techniques for buffeting such coz:~cnunication lines by buffering both input and output .,.~
35 data are techniques well known to those of ordinary skill ~n the art.
In conventional Baudot communications, TDDs are incapable of receiving data when a character transmission is occurring. Therefore, it has become a convention for WO 93/23947 ~'CT/U~93/047b0 ,,~
users of TDDs to yield the floor at the end of each data transmission. Often they yield the floor by typing the letters ''ga," as an abbreviation for '"go ahead," at the end of a text string transmission. The enhanced TDD
obviates the necessity for any kind of indication at the end of a character string. Since both users may type asynchronously without losing data, it is not required, except for ~tiquette, for each user to indicate to the other that it is therother's turn to proceed.
l~gain, consider the first of the two rules for operating pseudo-duplex TDDs. Under that rule, each station must b~~constrained not to make any transmissions outward on its communication line while it is r~ceiving data. During that time period, keyboard characters from Z5 the user are stored in the buffer. The terminal will wait until there is a pause on the communication line and then transmit characters from its buffer in turn.
The second rule of pseudo-duplex communication requires that each station pause after a certain N number of charact~rs have been trans~titted: The number of characters R1 is between l and 72, and preferably between 1 and. I0. zet us assume, for the purposes of illus~ation, that the number of characters to b~ transmitted before a pause is six. 1~t tlae end of six characters, the local enhanced TDD device will pause. If the remote terminal at the other end ~f the communication line is also an enhances TDD device, which has characters.in its stack to b~~transmitted, it will be free during the pause to begin transmission of characters in return. The transmission of characters from the remote TDD will cause the local enhanced TDD to nit transmit during the time of reception of da~Ga. At that end of the transmission of the six characters, the remote TDD will also pause. This pause will allow the local station TDD to again resume control of the communication line, and transmit its packet of six characters to the remote terminal. In this way, the two TDDs alternate in the transmission of packets of characters back and forth. In view of the fact that the communication protocol allows the transmission of in ~~' X312394? ? ~. ~ ~ ~ (~ ~ pf,T/1US93l04?60 ' -1?-excess of eleven characters per second, the communication will still be perceived by the users as fast as or faster than.normal Baudot communications, even if both users are occasionally typing at exactly the same time. Also, characters will rarely be lost by simultaneous typing by the two users, since each station is buffering its output and transmitting only when it is not receiving.
The time period for such a pause between character sets can be brief. Clearly, the longer the pause and the more often the pause is inserted between characters, the slower the overall rate of communications will be. The pause may be as short as trio average bit times (2O -milliseconds) or a~ long as 100 milliseconds, depending upon needs. In any event, a first portion of the pause 35 period (perhaps 10 milliseconds) is appropriate simply to let the transients on the telephone line to settle and for echoes to cease, following the tones from the transmitting station being transm3.tted. Thereafter, the transmitting station would sense for data transmission from the previously receiving station. If no data transmission is received, the station can go back and send anoth~r set of character~,~i~hereas if data is received from the remote station, transmis~xon would temporarily cease.
Tf data i~ both being received and transmitted by the enhanced TDD elwice; it is helpful that both sets of data be display~d fox the user. TDDs can have a Bangle or multiple lane diep~.~y-f~r the user. In order for both transmitting arad rec~iving data to be displayed, the display must be split into two portions. The split can be along a vertical or ~a horizontal axis. If the display~is two lines or lmrg~r, ~ne Zine can be used for transmitting data while another ~,~'used for received data. In any went, the presentati~n o~ charactezs to the display is arrays done under software control, and hence it is a 35v relatively simple matter for the microprocessor t~ split sections of the memory and separately up date the twc sections based on the data received, so that the display continually scrolls the two characters strings, one for W~ 93/23947 ~ ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ PG'T/US93/04760 ~,~«a,, the data typed by the user and one for the information baing received from the remote station.
It is an advantage of the method of operating TDDs as described herein that it can be implemented and retrofitted to existing TDDs solely by software upgrade.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, the hardware portions of the internal components of a conventional TDD are quite capable of handling the needs of th~a enhanced TDD protocol described herein. Tine hardware portions of the circuits 20 of Fig. 1 have little to do with the actual. timing of the data input and output. The timing details of the transmission of data and the translation and recognition of the codes of the data, are all handled under~software control by the program fox the microprocessor contained in the Rpl~ 22. In ~act, even conventional TDDs often include ?-bit character table in their memory, in order to recognize characters from ASCII keyboards and present characters to ASCII displays or printers. Hence, no new additional datm tables even need to be added to the grogram 3.ra many TDDs to ga~.n the abaLlitie~ of the enhanced TDD protocol. What do~~ need to be altered in the program is simply the t3.ming and flow o~ transmitted data, as well as constraining the transmission of data to obey the rules for pseudo-duplex communication described above. In addition, the program mast efficiently and tolerantly test for the presend~ of the synchronization characters at all times, peen in the a~,iddle of communicating in conventional 45.5 baud co~tun.ication< This is so that if the synchronization eharacter is received, the enhanced TDD
device can respond a~ipropriately, so that further communication cax~ be conducted in the enhanced TDD
probocol:
It is understood that the enhanced TDD protocol described here x~~y also be implemented in other TDD-compatible devices intended to communicate with the 4 TDD network of users. Such devices include bulletin boards, news-services and other automated TDD
communication devices with other than human (i.e.
3spyi~oard ) inputs .
VJ~' ~3/23947 ~ ~ ~ P~ /iJS93/04760 ' -~,9-Tt is understood that the present in~ent~.on is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.
Wf'~ n3/23~47 P'C''I'l~JS93f047~0 a ,_ TE1,E~QMMUNLGATTOT~ DE~IICE OPER~TI~T~
UNDER ~N E~CED TDD PROTOCa~
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the genera~l.field of telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs), and in particular, relates to a telecommunication device which operates under ~ new enhanced TDn protocol.
Background of the lnventi~n Persons mho are deaf o~r hearing ~pai,red ~nough not '~o be abl~ t~ use the t~~:eph~ne co~nonly mak~ use of c~mmunica~ion t~rminals ~pecifiGally cc~nstxucted and rl~signed to enable each persons tai converse over telephone l~;nes . Such d~~rice~ ire- referred to as telscoar~unicata.on devices ~~r the deaf or TDDs. T~ically, TDDs include a ~keyb~ard and a display connected to tlne telephoa~~ through a m~de~ (naodulat~rld~dul~tr~r) Th~ ~ctodsa~ is built into ~:h~ T~~ ~~d either directly corn~cted t~ a tel~p~one line og a~u~~ed ~~ an acoustic couples t~ a ndr~nal tel:eghone h~~ds~t ~ TDDs are x~oally capable of transmitting .
i~fornaation ~ver t~l~pho~ae 7.ines jeans of 'coded tones' to ~~her TDD~ c~nnected ~t the opp~sit~ end ~f the telephone line hroug~h another n~~demo The code aid prc~toc~1 which i~ in widespread conventional use fog TDD c~mmuanidati~n is an idiosyncratic 3~ one. The code sit, known as Baudot, and the co~au~ication protoc~1, refereed o here a~ Baudotl6~eitbrecht, evolved historically at a time ~rhenyriany te3.ecommunication devices for the deaf ~rere bayed oar mechanical or electromechanical devices rather thin current electronic devices.
'~Q~ 93/23947 PGT/U~931047b0 r-~.
~~..~ J~~~ ..
_2_ Accordingly, the protocol was constructed for a set of constraints which no longer are relevant to present day devices. As it happens, those constraints worked to create a code protocol, and a telecommunication n~twa~k of users and devices operating under that protocol, which is now perceived to have certain dQficiencies.
One deficiency is simply speed. Conventional BaudotlWeitbrecht communication is conducted at 45.5 baud (or in some countries 50 baud). The normal Baudot character set consists of 5 bit characters. Under conventional Baudot/Weitbrecht communication, there is a start bit (one space or 0 bit), a 5 bit character, and at least I I!2 stop bits (a mark or a I bit). The result is that operating under the protocol, it is possible to I5 transmit only 6 characters per second. As it happens, many adept typists among TDD communicators are readily able to type at rates sign3.ficantly in excess of 6 characters per second. While modern microproeessor~-based TDDs are capable of buffering such adept typists, the ZO result is that the txansfer of communication fro~a one TDD
terminal to another can, at tim~s, be significantly delayed behind a fast typist. This has been a source of frustration to users in the TDD co~uununity-for some time.
Another diff3,culty with conventional TDDs operafiing 25 under Baudot/Weitbrecht protocols his to do wa.th the fact that aom~aunication is defined ~ be simplex, meaning that onlg one station is ca~rable of communicating at any cane time. Since both t~cansmittinc~ and receiving stations utilize the sa~e;s3.gnals (,1400 hertz for a mark and 100 30 hertz f~r a space) on the telephone line, both stations cannot send data at the same time and also receive data.
There is no provision for avoiding such collisi~ns in the conventional Baudot/W~itbrecht protocol. Instead, prior machines are simply designed to priora.tize data sending.
~5 The de~rices will transmit a eharacter if a key is pressed, and i:f 'the device is sending, no attempt is made to receive data, Nevertheless, there is a large installed base of TDDs in use in many parts of the world, including the United ~~..13840 Wf~ 93123947 PCTlUS93/()4760 . _3_ States. If a new protocol is intended to be implemented within the existing network of TDD users, it advantageously should be compatible with the network of existing TDDs and TDD~compatible devices. In other words, even if a terminal is capable of operating with an enhanced TDD protocol permitting pseudo-duplex capability and higher speed, a terminal must also be~capable of communicating with conventional Baudot/~teitbrecht TDD
terminals which have neither of those capabilities.
Finally, any protocol intended for use principally with TDD networks should advantageously be designed for conversation--like communication between people. Some communication protocols, notably the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), are specifically intended and designed to permit communications between automated devises, such as computers. However, in considering optimum protocols for TDD communications, a different set of constraints is appropriate. It is also highly desirable that all code selection be automatic, Z0 i:e., that the user not be required to set any communication protocols in order to communicate with another si.mi.larly equipped user. If a device is capable of operating at an enhanced rate of speed, or with an enhanced cha~rac~er set, it should sw~.tch into such ZS operation without need for action or instructions by the user. To the ext~nt the enhancedl TDD protocol is capable of making the user's interaction with another user more akin to normal human conversation, the more the device will be appreciated and utilized in the field. Also, 30 since there are a large number of TDDs in use in the community, to the extent that a system for enhancing communication capability can be designed which can be retrofit into existing: TDDs', this will facilitate the ihtroduetion and availability of this technology to a more 35 wide sgread audience.
wo 9WZ39a~ ~ ~'Cl"/US93/04760 ~..,, _~_ Summary of the Invention The present invention is summarized in that a telecommunication device for the deaf is constructed which is capable of operating an enhanced TDD protocol, the terminal commencing operation at the initiation of w communication sequence by first transmitting to the remote terminal a synchronization sequence which was designed to be invisible under conventional Baudot protocols yet, if recognized by the receiving machine, will result in a handshake so that both machines can switch to the enhanced TDD protocol, thereby facilitating communications between the two terminals, or, if not so recognized, communication in a standard TDD protocol.
It is an object of the present invention to define an entirely new and enhancEd set of grotocols for TDD
communications so as to greatly facilitate communications for the deaf and th~ hearing impaired, and to make their communications more analogous to audible human conversations.
Z0 It is another object of the present invention to define an enhanced TDD and protocol for its use which makes little or no hardware changes to present TDDs, and this makes it possible to easily re-fit existing TDDs to the new enhanced.'grotocol.
It is an obj~ct ~f the present invention to design enhanced protocol for TDD operations which is efficient, swift, and implement~d in such a way so as to maximize its ability ~o be retrofit into existing TDDs.
It i~ a furthea~ object of the present invention to 3a enab~.e TDDs operating under the enhanced TDD protocol to ' be able ~o support pseudo-duplex communication, so that b~th users can tlrpe ~ianultaneously to the other, while data is transanitted w3ahou~ loss of characters by either station:
It is yet another object of the present invention to~,.~
enable TI7D communications to be conducted at higher speed, thereby permitting telephone charges to be lessened.
Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following 2~~~~34(~
W(~ ~:i/2394? ~'C'T/vS93/04760 specification when taken in con~unct.ion with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a TDD hardware~~~
design.
Fig. 2 illustrates schematic details of the analog circuit of Fig. 1.
Fig, 3 illustrates a timing diagram of the synchronization pulse utilized in the present invention.
D~scri~tion of the invention The present invention envisions nothing less than an entirely new protocol for ommunication between telecommunication devices ::~r the deaf. Such devices have operated for many years on a protocol, referred to herein as standard ~audot, or S~audot/Weitbrecht, wlhose idiosyncrasies can on2y be explained by histdzical ev~lution. W~aat is envisic~n~d here is a substantially new and enhanc~d protocol for co~rmunication for TDDs, that form being referaeed to-here as the enhanced TDD protocol.
As wil~.lbe seen, a properly constructed TDD capable of enhanced TD1~ con,nication Qffers significant advantages for commun.icatirag with other sa.ma.larly equipped TDDs .
Nevertheless, a ~roperl~r designed enhanced TDD device will alto b~ fully capable of communicating with prior c~nv~ntio~aaal TDDs using standard BaudotdWeitbrecht co~te~ica~i~n pr~tocols .
~t is a feature of the enhanced TDD com~eunication protocol described herein that pseudo~duplex c~mmunicatidn is possibly. Using such pseudo-duplex techniques, comn~unica~ing TDD t~rm~.nals can: at last as pe~cceived by the h~.an uses , transn~i.t data t~ each other simultaneously r~aaahout loss of characters, In fact, what happens ~~ the machine level is that each device buffers ...;.:-the data received from its user, and the two devices time-share txansmis~ion over the telephone line connecting the two devi.c~g: Tn essence, each device in the communication link transmits a few characters, then pauses ' ~ ~ ,~ :, ~~~ ~ ~ P~CT/US93/04760 ,.~~~, 1VV0 93/23947 . .F
' -6-while the other station transmits a few characters in return. The system of pseudo-duplex communication is implemented by two simple rules. The first rule is that an enhanced TDD device is constrained in its operation so S as to be incapable of transmitting data out on the telephone line when data is being received over that same line. The second rule is that the enhanced TDD device is constrained so that it must create a pause in the telephone communication line after a pre-selected number 1Q of characters have been transmitted. The pause is.
presented for the purpose of allowing the other station to transmit. ~s long as both stations obey these two rules, each will take its turn transmitting the pre-defined number of characters, after which the other station will 15 gain control of the line and transmit its string of characters in return. Giv~n the speed of enhanced TDD
protocol, as described b~low, this communication link will appear to the users as si.rnultaneous, even though the machines are actually t3.me-sharing transmission and 20 control of the communication link.
Note that the tirs~ of these rules represents a complete reversal of the protoc~1 of operating conventional TDDs. All prior TDDs have prioritized transmission over reception. If a key was pressed, the 25 TDD transmuted the character over the line and, since trans~ni.ss~.~n would mak~ reception difficult or impossible, no attempt at data reception is made during,transa~i.ssion.
The enhanded TDD device rwerse~ this priority by constraining th~ device not to transmit while data is 30 being received.
3n order to understand the functio~ang of the method of operation of the TDD of the present inventi~n, it is a~ecessary to review the structure of a typ~.cal TDD. Shown in Figure Z is a schematic block diagram of the circuitry 35 ,of a typical TDD, either a standard or enhanced TDD
operating in accordance with the present invention. In the TDD of ~"igure l, a keyboard I2 is provided onto which the user may input data characters. The output of the kegrboard i2 is connected to a microprocessor I4, which 211~~~~
W~ Q3/23947 PC'TlUS93/04760 _7e serves to control the remaining circuit elements contained within Figure 1. Characters which are received, or transmitted, by the microprocessor are also displayed to the user on a visual display 16. Optionally, the same characters received or transmitted can be printed by~a hard copy printer, indicated at 18. Some TDDs may not have a printers though all will have a visually readable display of some kind, so that the user can see the -. characters being typed and received. The keyboard ~,2 thus functions as an input source of data characters tv they microprocessor 14 while either or both of the display 16 and the printer 18 serve as local destinations for the data stream of characters. The microproc~ssor 14 is connected by a suitable data and address bus 20, of the sort well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which connects to a read only memoxy (ROM) 22 and a random access memory (RAMj 24. Appropriate control line3 26 and 28 are connected from the microprocessor ~.4 to the RO~I, 22 arad the RAri 24, so as to control the operation thereof .
x0 The ROM 22 is intended to permanently house, in non-volatile storag~ the program which dictates the operation of~ the microprocessor 14. The R~!t 24 is utilized as the buffer, the floating storage place for data coming int~. or out of the device: Rather than being on separate integrated circuits, if desired the microproce~sos 14 and the R0~2 22 and RAM 24 iaay all be combines 3.n a gingle integrated circuit.
A~ an additional output, the microprocessor.l4 is connected thr~ugh analog circuitry t4 three separate interfaces. ~ne output of the analog circuitry 30 which is p~ss~.ble is a telephone direct connect circuit 32~
which i.s intended to.directly connect by hardwiring the analog circuit 30 to a telephone line. This 3.s the hard~w~.ace option for wiring a TDD through its analog circuitry (a ~ode~nj into a telephone line. The ether two outputs from the analog circuitry 30 are intended to operate jointly. One of these outputs in the analog circuitry is an acoustic output circuit 34, which drives a speaker 38 intended to transmit to a microphone in a ~V~ 93/23947 ' PC'lf/U~93/04760 ,ice 2113~4~
telephone handset. Similarly, an acoustic input circuit 36 receives signal from a microphone 40 which is intended to sense sound from a speaker in a telephone handset. The acoustic output and receiver devices are commonly referred to as "acoustic couplers," and are intended to pass along analog signals from an electronic instrument into a conventional telephone handset, and then through the telephone line.
Shown in Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic of one 1,0 implementation of the input and outputs of the analog circuitry. For data coming into the terminal, the audible input from a microphone or telephone is translated into electronic components and then presented to an amplifier 42. The output of the amplifier is presented to two phase-locked loops 44. ~ne of the phase-locDc~ed loops 44 is tuned to a frequency of 1800 Hertz, while the other phase-locked loop 44 is tuned to a frequency of 1400 Hertz. 1800 Hertz and 1400 Hertz are the designated carrier frequencies for standard Baudot communication. On the output side of the circuitry, output signals are pxesea~ted to a ~PF ~lo~ pass filter) trensmi't wave shaping circui'~ 46.' The output of that circuit, consisting of alternate 1400 and 1800 I3ertz signals, is presented to an amplifier 48 which i~ hardwired to the sp~aker or telephone l~.ne.
yn essence, devices designed generally similar to Figure 3 are scald by several companies at present. The a.~prov~anents degcribed.below will be principally to the method of operation of such a termi.nal~, as controlled by the code which ~p~~ate~ the microprocessor 14. In other ~rords, the enhanced TDD terminal will have hardware largely sa.znilar to that o~ a conventional Baudot TDD, but will operate in a different manner botlh in its timing and code utilization.
The enhanced TDD device operating in accordance witli~°.
the present inventi~n is capable of operating at normal 45.5 Baud (or 50 baud) when communicating wi'~h a conventional TDD. However, the enhanced TDD protocol TDD
is also capable o~ operating in a second protocol, wc~ a3iz~~a? ~ ~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ ~c-rius9moa?bo referred to here as enhanced TDD. The enhanced TDD
protocol is based on frequency shift keying encoding and an average, though variable, transmission rate of dust over 100 Baud. The signals for logical I and logical 0 are dust as they are in standard Baudot, i.e. 1400 hertz for a mark and 1800 hertz for a space. However, this protocol is unusual in that, for reasons described below, the time for a space b3.t and the time for a mark bit are defined to be different (12 milliseconds versus 6 milliseconds). Moreover; the enhanced TDD character set consists of a ?-bit 128-character table such as the ASCII
or CC~TT character tables. The enhanced TDD character data signal consists of a start bit, the ? character bits, no parity bit, and two stop bits. The start bit is a space, az~d the stop bits are marks. Enhanced TDD, like conventional Baudot, operates in a simplex mode, although the d~tails'of operation of the simplex communicatian y pratocol, as d~scribed beZ.ow, result in a pseudo--duplex capab3.litlr as perceived by the users. Thus the enhanced TDD protocol de~c=ibed herein utilizes the 1400 and 1800 Hertz tone generation and'tone recognition circuifiry already prey~nt in post ~'DDs end co~abines that with ?-bit character seta a uniquely deffined baud rate with unequal bit times, and a unigue,-handshake routine. The protocol implem~ntativn i~ intended to b~ a~atvmatic and not to req~ir~ settings ~r othez intervention by the user.
Tn ~segnce, the enhanced TDD devic~ operateW..t~
initially queer th,~ dwice on the other end to determine whether ~h~ rem~t~ ADD is,also capable of enhanc~d TDD
3U pr~tpcol commianic~tions: The enhanced TDD device presents this inquiry by sending a special ~y~ndhronization sequence to the other TDD.:. The synchronization sequence is a specific signal intended to be incomprehensible, or undetect~blep by a c~nvention.al Baudot TDD. If an enhanced TDD deva~e sends the synchronization signal, and recei~res the correct response, preferably a similar synchronizat9.on sequence sent in return, then both machines can immediately commence communication in enhanced TDD protocol. If the enhanced TDD terminal fails 'W~ 93/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ P~,'T/U~93104760 y _~0_ to receive a synchronization sequence from the remote unit, it assumes that the remot~ unit is operating in conventional Baudot, and continues to communicate using conventional Baudot protocols.
It is also desirable that, if there is a pause ~.n the communication, that the TDDs operating under the protocol re-synchronize. This may be done by a new synchronization handshake. Thus the synchronization sequence may be sent just-at the beginning of the entire communication session, but it is preferred that the sequence be sent after each pause on the line or at predefined intervals.
Many current TDDs utilize phase-locked loops to monitor incoming TDD tones. since existing devices were designed to operate at 45.5 baud, the phase-locked loops were selected for that transmission rate. One widely used design includes phase-locked loops, such as indicated at 44 in Fig. 2, which array require as long as 4 to 7 milliseconds to "lock" on an incoming frequency. At a flat 100 baud, this day leav~ as little as 3 milliseconds of recognizable signal (10 ~.i.lliseconds minus 7 milliseconds). To add to the reliability for enhanced TDD
protocol machines, this protocol defines the bit t~.me of one polarity (space) to b~ longer than the other (mark), i.e. l2 milliseconds compared to 6 milliseconds, to be sure that the receiving station can reliably detect at least one bit p~largty. The receiving station need not actually detest he bits caf the ~ther polarity (mark), but can calculate the tame period of the mark bits by noting the absence of the space bit tone and dividing the elapsed time period by the assigned bit time for mark bits (6 ms~cs) to determine th~'number of successive marks which were seat.
Such single channel decoding is sometimes considered und~s~.rable due to the possibility of detecting noise bursts in the dew~ded channel as characters. This can b~~~
avoided by requiring two mark stop bits, which then form a signal long enough to be recognized by the 1400 ~Iz phase--locked loop. Lack of a properly defined stop bit indicates noise. The use of two stop bits ensures that Wf' X3/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . PCT/US93/04760 ' -z1-the 1400 kiz signal is maintained long enough (12 milliseconds) for the 1400 Hz phase-locked loop to actuate.
The use of such differential bit times achieves the compromise of achieving an overall average data transfer rate exceeding 100 baud while adapting to the limitations of existing hardware. It is an interesting side effect in that the length of time to transmit the various ASCII
characters will vaxy. The longest character, the''"null"
character of 7 spaces would require 108 milliseconds (1 12 msec start; 7 x 12 msec character; 2 x ~ cosec stop), while the shortest would be 66 miniseconds. The average character would be 87 milliseconds. This then turns out to b~, on average, a faster effective data transfer rate than s ia~epl a 10 0 baud .
The synchronization sequence for the enhanced TDD
protocol must also be idiosyncratic. It should be a sequence which will not be recognized as a display charact~r by a convent3.onal TDD, but which can easily be recognized by an enhanc~d TDD. This is done, in part, by defining the synchronization signal to a.nclude recognizabl~ tone ~nly for mark (100 Hz) bits and to include no space bits (1~OO Hz). since conventional Baudot/Weitbrecht characters are defined to begin with a space bit, the absence ~of a space bit means that the enhanced TDD synchronization sequence will. never be rec~gnized by a c~aventcion~l TDD. To minimize error, when a mark (I400 H~) ton~ is not being sent, an echo suppression tone ~s appliedo The echo suppression tone can be.any convenient tone signal outside of the range of the phas~ml~cked loops and ~rithin the bandwidth of the telephone line. ~ca eacemplax~y echo suppression tone frequency could be 2100 Hz. This tone could, since it is not detected, very frown machine to machine.
Shown in Figure 3 is a timing diagram of the synchrona.zatzon sequence for enhanced TDD. communication.
In essence, the synchronization character is a special code signal specifically created for the purpose of serving as a synchronization signal. It is a desirable W(~ 93/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ PC1'/US93/Oa7b0 r,..~
_~,2_ feature of the synchronization sequence that it not be received as a printed or displayed character by conventional Baudot TDDs, and this particular synchronization sequence has specific features to accomplish that objective. First, note that the synchronization signal is all ones (1400 Hz) and echo suppression tones, with no space (1800 Hz) tones a~t a11.
The bit times vary in length. The synchronization sequence begins with an echo suppression tone (EST) of IO neither 1400 nor 1800 Hz for 6 milliseconds, which is sufficient to suppress echoes or transients on the line and unlock both the 1400 and 1800 Hertz phase-locked loops. Then th~re are two 12 millis~cond mark (~I400 Hz) tones each followed by a 6 millisecond echo suppression tone. Following that are two more I2 millisecond mark tones each followed by a I2 millisecond echo suppression tone. A last 12 millisecond mark tone is followed by a brief (6 millisecond) echo suppression tone. Thus the sequence includes a specific progression which can be recognized by th~ receiving station and which is very unlikely to be mi.~taken for a display character. I~nder c~nventionml' Baudot protoc~l, a space bit is required to recognize a valid character by TDDs. Conventional Baudot protocol requires that there be a start bit, which is a Z5 logical 0, as the.first bit time of a valid character tr~ns~ssion. Thus, conventional TDDs will reject the synchronizatLon sequence as an invalid Baudot character simpllr on that bas3.s., ' From,this discuss3.on, it should be apparent that the transmission of a single synchronization character by an enhanced T~7D device will not result in any disruption or confusion if received by conventional prior art TDD. The enhanced TDD terminal, which is capable of over 100 baud operationp would be programmed to recognize the transmission of a synchronization sequence to it.~ Upon' receipt of the synchronization sequence, the enhanced TDD
would enter into a ~~handshake,° which is a pattern of characters transmitted between the machines to establish that they are both capable of enhanced Baudot eue~ 43rz~947 2 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~c.-rrus~~roa~6o --13,~
communications. both te~ninals then will conduct all subsequent communications in the enhanced TDD pratocol.
The handshake may be as simple as the transmitting station sending a single synchronization sequence, and the receiving station returning with a single synchronization sequence, after which both stations switch to enhanced TDD
communications. If this simple handshake is used, there should be at least about a 10 millisecond pause between the characters, or a pause sufficient to permit the telephone lines to settle to avoid erroneous result. In order that the most rapid communication protocol available be utilized by communicating terminals, each enhanced TDD
would be programmed to send the synchronization~character at the start of any data communication in a new communication session and pause for a time period sufficient for the communicating station to respond. In other words, the first charmcter which the TDD sends on the line is the s~nxchronizati~n character. Since the entire handshake can be acc~mplished, if only two synchronization characters are used, in less than 250 milliseconds, the profess will be largely transparent to the users. ~T~~vexthel~~s, in that time period, the two machines would. r~cogniz~ that each is capable of enhanced TDD communication and furthear communication would be conducted using that protocol, with its accompanying advantages to the c~m~unicating persons.
Other va~3:ations on the handshake are also possible.
It may b~ necessary, on occasion, to have each station transmit tw~ synchronization sequences to the other to verify enhanced TDD protiacal capability prioir to switching to enhanced-T~~ communication: The sending station and recei ing station could take turns sending each other synchronizati~n sec,~aences, until each have sent two ch~:racters, before switching to enhanced ~audot protocols.
Another alternative which is possible is for ths;'enhanced TDD term~.nal to send characters in conventional ~audot which will not be displayed by the receiving terminal, but which would be c~ded to indicate enhanced TDD capability.
For example, if the transmitting station sent two "FIG" or Vv~ 93~239a~ ~ 1PC1'iC1S93/04760 ,.--,, 2~.~ 184 _ two °'LTR°' characters, which normally would not follow each other in conventional Baudot communication, such a pattern can be used as a code for enhanced TDD signaling, particularly if followed by a synchronization pattern such as that described above. w Regardless of which handshake protocol is utilized, the enhanced TDD terminal must be capable both of detecting the synchronization character when received or, alternatively, detecting a conventional 45.5 baud character indicative of enhanced TDD protocol capability when received. If the enhanced TDD sends a synchronization pulse, or whatever other pattern is utilized to indicate the capability of enhanced~TDD
communication, and no appropriate return handshake is received, the enhanced TDD terminal must be capable of conducting further communication under conventional Baudot/Weitbrecht protocols. These capabilities are all made possible by proper software coding of th~
microprocessor l4 of the TDD in Fig. 1. In essence, the timing of the data inputs and outputs can be entirely under control of the software, and hence by reprogramm:i.ng the micropracesse~~e, it is possible to alter the timing sequenc~ to result in these functions as described herein.
Once the functioraalaay of a devic~ is described as is done herein, the coding_of the microcode to operate the microprocessor is w~ll within the skill of those of ordinary skill ~.n the art of modern electronic design.
Note that h~ ~nhan~ced TDD p~catocol described herein makes use of the larger 7-bit character set. Unlike the smaller 64-charadter'~audot'character set, the seven-bit ~SOTI and CCITT character sets of l2~ characters includes both.uppeg and 1~w~r ease letters and, in addition, inclhdes a full sst c~f punctuation, and the ability to include coa~tzol characters. This raises the possibilities that TDDs could be designated to operate with control codes not presently available in conventional Baudot communication: Such control codes might indicate the type of device and might be utilized to turn features of 'the devices on or off, for example the display, depending on '~V(' ~3/23947 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ i'CT/1US93/04760 _1~_ pGrticular needs of the moment. Note that, unlike ASCII
communication protocols, the tone signals utilixed within the enhanced TDD protocol of the present invention are conventional Haudot. The tones are also presented on the telephone line only When characters are being transmitted.
No carrier tones are maintained when neither station is transmitting. This is a very desirable feature of any TDD
communication protocol. .rust as hearing and speaking telephone users are occasionally gut on "hold," so TDD
users are sometimes gut on hold. Placing one station of a communication link operating under ASCII protocols (i.e.
Bell 212A or the like) on hold terminates the communication link, by breaking the carrier. This is not true either in standard Baudot or enhanced TDD protocol described herein: Since-the ab~.lity to put someone on hold is a useful part of ei~nventional telephone communications., the fact that a hold capability is inherent in this enthanced TDD protocol is signifieant.
In the operation of the TDD in accordance with the 20. present invention, fu=then constraints are implemented in the enhanced protoccal TDD which are intended bo permit pseudo-duplex coamtttnication. This is done by img~.ementing th~ two simple rules of 'pseudo-duplex communication referred to above. ~h~ microprocessor is programmed to ~5 accept data-from the'keyboard asynchronously and, if data is being receivad over the telecommunication line, to not transmit the'data immediately bub to'store the characters typed in the buffeae of the 'RAl~i ~4. Meanwhile, if data is being received, it,is displayed on the visual display for 30 reading by'the ~.~er. Meanwhile, the user can continue to type characters,:andcharacters will be received by the device and placed into RAM for transmission in turn to the remote. station. Techniques for buffeting such coz:~cnunication lines by buffering both input and output .,.~
35 data are techniques well known to those of ordinary skill ~n the art.
In conventional Baudot communications, TDDs are incapable of receiving data when a character transmission is occurring. Therefore, it has become a convention for WO 93/23947 ~'CT/U~93/047b0 ,,~
users of TDDs to yield the floor at the end of each data transmission. Often they yield the floor by typing the letters ''ga," as an abbreviation for '"go ahead," at the end of a text string transmission. The enhanced TDD
obviates the necessity for any kind of indication at the end of a character string. Since both users may type asynchronously without losing data, it is not required, except for ~tiquette, for each user to indicate to the other that it is therother's turn to proceed.
l~gain, consider the first of the two rules for operating pseudo-duplex TDDs. Under that rule, each station must b~~constrained not to make any transmissions outward on its communication line while it is r~ceiving data. During that time period, keyboard characters from Z5 the user are stored in the buffer. The terminal will wait until there is a pause on the communication line and then transmit characters from its buffer in turn.
The second rule of pseudo-duplex communication requires that each station pause after a certain N number of charact~rs have been trans~titted: The number of characters R1 is between l and 72, and preferably between 1 and. I0. zet us assume, for the purposes of illus~ation, that the number of characters to b~ transmitted before a pause is six. 1~t tlae end of six characters, the local enhanced TDD device will pause. If the remote terminal at the other end ~f the communication line is also an enhances TDD device, which has characters.in its stack to b~~transmitted, it will be free during the pause to begin transmission of characters in return. The transmission of characters from the remote TDD will cause the local enhanced TDD to nit transmit during the time of reception of da~Ga. At that end of the transmission of the six characters, the remote TDD will also pause. This pause will allow the local station TDD to again resume control of the communication line, and transmit its packet of six characters to the remote terminal. In this way, the two TDDs alternate in the transmission of packets of characters back and forth. In view of the fact that the communication protocol allows the transmission of in ~~' X312394? ? ~. ~ ~ ~ (~ ~ pf,T/1US93l04?60 ' -1?-excess of eleven characters per second, the communication will still be perceived by the users as fast as or faster than.normal Baudot communications, even if both users are occasionally typing at exactly the same time. Also, characters will rarely be lost by simultaneous typing by the two users, since each station is buffering its output and transmitting only when it is not receiving.
The time period for such a pause between character sets can be brief. Clearly, the longer the pause and the more often the pause is inserted between characters, the slower the overall rate of communications will be. The pause may be as short as trio average bit times (2O -milliseconds) or a~ long as 100 milliseconds, depending upon needs. In any event, a first portion of the pause 35 period (perhaps 10 milliseconds) is appropriate simply to let the transients on the telephone line to settle and for echoes to cease, following the tones from the transmitting station being transm3.tted. Thereafter, the transmitting station would sense for data transmission from the previously receiving station. If no data transmission is received, the station can go back and send anoth~r set of character~,~i~hereas if data is received from the remote station, transmis~xon would temporarily cease.
Tf data i~ both being received and transmitted by the enhanced TDD elwice; it is helpful that both sets of data be display~d fox the user. TDDs can have a Bangle or multiple lane diep~.~y-f~r the user. In order for both transmitting arad rec~iving data to be displayed, the display must be split into two portions. The split can be along a vertical or ~a horizontal axis. If the display~is two lines or lmrg~r, ~ne Zine can be used for transmitting data while another ~,~'used for received data. In any went, the presentati~n o~ charactezs to the display is arrays done under software control, and hence it is a 35v relatively simple matter for the microprocessor t~ split sections of the memory and separately up date the twc sections based on the data received, so that the display continually scrolls the two characters strings, one for W~ 93/23947 ~ ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ PG'T/US93/04760 ~,~«a,, the data typed by the user and one for the information baing received from the remote station.
It is an advantage of the method of operating TDDs as described herein that it can be implemented and retrofitted to existing TDDs solely by software upgrade.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, the hardware portions of the internal components of a conventional TDD are quite capable of handling the needs of th~a enhanced TDD protocol described herein. Tine hardware portions of the circuits 20 of Fig. 1 have little to do with the actual. timing of the data input and output. The timing details of the transmission of data and the translation and recognition of the codes of the data, are all handled under~software control by the program fox the microprocessor contained in the Rpl~ 22. In ~act, even conventional TDDs often include ?-bit character table in their memory, in order to recognize characters from ASCII keyboards and present characters to ASCII displays or printers. Hence, no new additional datm tables even need to be added to the grogram 3.ra many TDDs to ga~.n the abaLlitie~ of the enhanced TDD protocol. What do~~ need to be altered in the program is simply the t3.ming and flow o~ transmitted data, as well as constraining the transmission of data to obey the rules for pseudo-duplex communication described above. In addition, the program mast efficiently and tolerantly test for the presend~ of the synchronization characters at all times, peen in the a~,iddle of communicating in conventional 45.5 baud co~tun.ication< This is so that if the synchronization eharacter is received, the enhanced TDD
device can respond a~ipropriately, so that further communication cax~ be conducted in the enhanced TDD
probocol:
It is understood that the enhanced TDD protocol described here x~~y also be implemented in other TDD-compatible devices intended to communicate with the 4 TDD network of users. Such devices include bulletin boards, news-services and other automated TDD
communication devices with other than human (i.e.
3spyi~oard ) inputs .
VJ~' ~3/23947 ~ ~ ~ P~ /iJS93/04760 ' -~,9-Tt is understood that the present in~ent~.on is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (13)
1. An enhanced telecommunication device for the deaf for communications over a telephone line, the device comprising a source for input data characters to be transmitted;
a destination for received data characters;
a microprocessor connected to accept input data characters from the input source and to deliver data characters to the destination;
an analog input circuit adapted to being connected to the telephony line so as to be responsive to the reception of Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to the microprocessor so as to provide a digital input to the microprocessor of the data received over the telephone line;
an analog output line adapted to being connected to the telephone link so as to be capable of presenting Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to receive data from the microprocessor and transmit Baudot tones encoding such data over the telephone line; and a memory device connected to the microprocessor containing the program code for operation of the microprocessor to control operation of the telecommunications device to generally (i) deceive data entered from the input source, (ii) present entered dada frost the input source on the analog output line, (iii) receive data from the analog input line and (iv) deliver data from the analog input line to the destination; the program code further comprising code (i) enabling communication under either a conventional Baudot protocol or an enhanced ADD protocol which operates at a higher data transmission rate, (ii) causing a special synchronization sequence to be transmitted under an enhanced ADD protocol, which sequence is selected to be a sequence which is not recognized as a displayed character by a remote telecommunications device operating under conventional Baudot protocol, and (iii) causing the timing and format of communications to be in conventional Baudot protocol if no synchronization sequence is received in return and in enhanced TDD protocol if a synchronization signal is received in return.
a destination for received data characters;
a microprocessor connected to accept input data characters from the input source and to deliver data characters to the destination;
an analog input circuit adapted to being connected to the telephony line so as to be responsive to the reception of Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to the microprocessor so as to provide a digital input to the microprocessor of the data received over the telephone line;
an analog output line adapted to being connected to the telephone link so as to be capable of presenting Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to receive data from the microprocessor and transmit Baudot tones encoding such data over the telephone line; and a memory device connected to the microprocessor containing the program code for operation of the microprocessor to control operation of the telecommunications device to generally (i) deceive data entered from the input source, (ii) present entered dada frost the input source on the analog output line, (iii) receive data from the analog input line and (iv) deliver data from the analog input line to the destination; the program code further comprising code (i) enabling communication under either a conventional Baudot protocol or an enhanced ADD protocol which operates at a higher data transmission rate, (ii) causing a special synchronization sequence to be transmitted under an enhanced ADD protocol, which sequence is selected to be a sequence which is not recognized as a displayed character by a remote telecommunications device operating under conventional Baudot protocol, and (iii) causing the timing and format of communications to be in conventional Baudot protocol if no synchronization sequence is received in return and in enhanced TDD protocol if a synchronization signal is received in return.
2. A telecommunication device for the deaf as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enhanced TDD protocol includes mark bits and space bits of differing bit time intervals.
3. A telecommunication device for the deaf as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enhanced TDD protocol includes a seven-bit character and the character table from ASCII code.
4. A telecommunication device for the deaf as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enhanced TDD protocol synchronization sequence is a sequence of alternating mark tones which are 1400 Hertz and echo suppression tones which are neither 1800 nor 1400 Hertz.
5. A telecommunication device for the deaf as claimed in claim 1 wherein the program code further constrains the device to impose a pause after the synchronization sequence before the start of initial data transmissions to sense for receipt of a synchronization sequence from remote device.
6. A telecommunication device for the deaf as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input source is a keyboard.
7. A telecommunication device for the deaf as claimed in claim 1 wherein the destination is a visually readable display.
8. A method of operating a telecommunication device for the deaf for communicating with a remote device and including a keyboard, a display, a microprocessor connected to receive data from the keyboard and present data to the display, input and output analog circuits to connect the microprocessor to a telephone line, and a memory circuit to comprising the steps of (a) receiving from the keyboard data from a user;
(b) transmitting onto the communications line a synchronization signal for an enhanced TDD communications protocol which operates at a data transmission rate faster than conventional Baudot, the synchronization character selected so as to not cause the display of a character by the remote device if operating only in conventional Baudot;
(c) testing for the receipt of a synchronization signal in return from the remote device;
(d) if no synchronization signal is received in return from the remote device, transmitting the data received from the user onto the telephone line using conventional Baudot protocol; and (e) if a synchronization signal is received in return from the remote devise, transmitting the data received from the user onto the telephone line using enhanced TDD protocol.
(b) transmitting onto the communications line a synchronization signal for an enhanced TDD communications protocol which operates at a data transmission rate faster than conventional Baudot, the synchronization character selected so as to not cause the display of a character by the remote device if operating only in conventional Baudot;
(c) testing for the receipt of a synchronization signal in return from the remote device;
(d) if no synchronization signal is received in return from the remote device, transmitting the data received from the user onto the telephone line using conventional Baudot protocol; and (e) if a synchronization signal is received in return from the remote devise, transmitting the data received from the user onto the telephone line using enhanced TDD protocol.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the enhanced Baudot protocol is conducted at about 100 baud using a seven bit character set.
10. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the synchronization signal includes only mark bits of 1400 Hertz and an echo suppression tone of neither 1800 nor 1400 Hertz.
11. A telecommunication device for the deaf comprising a keyboard;
a visually readable display;
a microprocessor connected to accept input data characters from the keyboard and to present data characters on the display;
an analog input circuit adapted to being connected to a telephone line so as to be responsive to the reception of Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to the microprocessor so as to provide a digital input to the microprocessor of the data received over the telephone line;
an analog output line adapted to being connected to the telephone line so as to be capable of presenting Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to receive data from the microprocessor and transmit Baudot tones encoding such data over the telephone line; and a memory device connected to the microprocessor containing the program code for operation of the microprocessor to control operation of the telecommunications device to generally (i) receive data entered from the keyboard, (ii) present entered data from the keyboard on the analog output line, (iii) receive input data from the input analog line and (iv) display date from both the keyboard and the input analog line on the display; the program code further comprising code enabling communication under either a conventional Baudot protocol or an enhanced TDD protocol, the enhanced TDD
protocol using a seven-bit character set, using the Baudot tones of 1400 Hertz for a logical one and 1800 Hertz for a logical zero, and having a bit time for a space of 12 milliseconds and a bit time for a mark of 6 milliseconds.
a visually readable display;
a microprocessor connected to accept input data characters from the keyboard and to present data characters on the display;
an analog input circuit adapted to being connected to a telephone line so as to be responsive to the reception of Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to the microprocessor so as to provide a digital input to the microprocessor of the data received over the telephone line;
an analog output line adapted to being connected to the telephone line so as to be capable of presenting Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to receive data from the microprocessor and transmit Baudot tones encoding such data over the telephone line; and a memory device connected to the microprocessor containing the program code for operation of the microprocessor to control operation of the telecommunications device to generally (i) receive data entered from the keyboard, (ii) present entered data from the keyboard on the analog output line, (iii) receive input data from the input analog line and (iv) display date from both the keyboard and the input analog line on the display; the program code further comprising code enabling communication under either a conventional Baudot protocol or an enhanced TDD protocol, the enhanced TDD
protocol using a seven-bit character set, using the Baudot tones of 1400 Hertz for a logical one and 1800 Hertz for a logical zero, and having a bit time for a space of 12 milliseconds and a bit time for a mark of 6 milliseconds.
12. A telecommunication device for the deaf comprising a source of input characters to be transmitted;
a destination for received data characters;
a microprocessor connected to accept input data characters from the input source and to deliver data characters to the destination;
an analog input circuit adapted to being connected to a telephone line so as to be responsive to the reception of Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to the microprocessor so as to provide a digital input to the microprocessor of the data received over the telephone line;
an analog output line adapted to being connected to the telephone line so as to be capable of presenting Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to receive data from the microprocessor and transmit Baudot tones encoding such data over the telephony line; and a memory device connected to the microprocessor containing the program code for operation of the microprocessor to control operation of the telecommunications device to generally (i) receive data entered from the input source, (ii) present entered data from the input source on the analog output line, (iii) receive data, from the analog input line and (iv) deliver data from the input analog line to the destination; the program code further comprising code (i) enabling communication under either a conventional Baudot protocol or an enhanced TDD protocol which operates at a higher data transmission rate, (ii) causing a special synchronization sequence to be transmitted, (iii) if a synchronization sequence is returned by a remote device, communicating in the enhanced TDD protocol in which the bit times for the space bits and the mark bits are different.
a destination for received data characters;
a microprocessor connected to accept input data characters from the input source and to deliver data characters to the destination;
an analog input circuit adapted to being connected to a telephone line so as to be responsive to the reception of Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to the microprocessor so as to provide a digital input to the microprocessor of the data received over the telephone line;
an analog output line adapted to being connected to the telephone line so as to be capable of presenting Baudot tones over the telephone line and also connected to receive data from the microprocessor and transmit Baudot tones encoding such data over the telephony line; and a memory device connected to the microprocessor containing the program code for operation of the microprocessor to control operation of the telecommunications device to generally (i) receive data entered from the input source, (ii) present entered data from the input source on the analog output line, (iii) receive data, from the analog input line and (iv) deliver data from the input analog line to the destination; the program code further comprising code (i) enabling communication under either a conventional Baudot protocol or an enhanced TDD protocol which operates at a higher data transmission rate, (ii) causing a special synchronization sequence to be transmitted, (iii) if a synchronization sequence is returned by a remote device, communicating in the enhanced TDD protocol in which the bit times for the space bits and the mark bits are different.
13. A telecommunications device for the deaf as claimed in claim 12 wherein the space bits have a bit time of 12 milliseconds while the mark bits have a bit time of 6 milliseconds.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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| US88655292A | 1992-05-20 | 1992-05-20 | |
| US886,552 | 1992-05-20 | ||
| PCT/US1993/004760 WO1993023947A1 (en) | 1992-05-20 | 1993-05-19 | Telecommunication device operating under an enhanced tdd protocol |
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|---|---|
| CA2113840A1 CA2113840A1 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
| CA2113840C true CA2113840C (en) | 2003-02-11 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| CA002113840A Expired - Fee Related CA2113840C (en) | 1992-05-20 | 1993-05-19 | Telecommunication device operating under an enhanced tdd protocol |
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|---|---|
| US (1) | US5517548A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0596079B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE194900T1 (en) |
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| CA (1) | CA2113840C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69329054D1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993023947A1 (en) |
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| US5581593A (en) * | 1994-06-10 | 1996-12-03 | Ultratec, Inc. | Combination telephone and alphanumeric entry device |
| US5978654A (en) * | 1995-01-03 | 1999-11-02 | Ultratec, Inc. | Alphanumeric paging entry system |
| US5809425A (en) * | 1995-01-03 | 1998-09-15 | Ultratec, Inc. | Gateway for low cost alphanumeric paging entry system |
| US6603835B2 (en) | 1997-09-08 | 2003-08-05 | Ultratec, Inc. | System for text assisted telephony |
| US6594346B2 (en) | 1997-09-08 | 2003-07-15 | Ultratec, Inc. | Relay for personal interpreter |
| US5909482A (en) | 1997-09-08 | 1999-06-01 | Ultratec, Inc. | Relay for personal interpreter |
| US5974116A (en) * | 1998-07-02 | 1999-10-26 | Ultratec, Inc. | Personal interpreter |
| UA70375C2 (en) * | 1999-08-04 | 2004-10-15 | Квалкомм Інкорпорейтид | Method for transmitting buadot tones (variants) and a device for the realization of the method |
| US7031381B1 (en) * | 1999-10-27 | 2006-04-18 | Paradyne Corporation | Method and apparatus for reducing transmission errors caused by periodic transients in digital subscriber line (DSL) communication systems |
| US6961320B1 (en) * | 2000-04-03 | 2005-11-01 | Hughes Electronics Corporation | In-band transmission of TTY/TTD signals for systems employing low bit-rate voice compression |
| GB2382744B (en) | 2000-09-19 | 2004-06-02 | Ultratec Inc | Relay for personal interpreter |
| US8416925B2 (en) | 2005-06-29 | 2013-04-09 | Ultratec, Inc. | Device independent text captioned telephone service |
| US7881441B2 (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2011-02-01 | Ultratec, Inc. | Device independent text captioned telephone service |
| US7031658B2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2006-04-18 | Harris Corporation | System and method for single radio retransmission using a half duplex radio |
| US20050086699A1 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-04-21 | Hamilton Relay, Inc. | Video relay system and method |
| GB2435373B (en) * | 2004-02-18 | 2009-04-01 | Ultratec Inc | Captioned telephone service |
| US8515024B2 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2013-08-20 | Ultratec, Inc. | Captioned telephone service |
| US7245705B2 (en) * | 2004-02-26 | 2007-07-17 | Hamilton Relay, Inc. | Internet protocol (IP) relay system and method |
| US11258900B2 (en) | 2005-06-29 | 2022-02-22 | Ultratec, Inc. | Device independent text captioned telephone service |
| US20070048076A1 (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2007-03-01 | To Chun Y | Fastening system for a ring binder mechanism |
| US7620158B2 (en) | 2005-09-02 | 2009-11-17 | Hamilton Relay, Inc. | Video relay system and method |
| US8842549B2 (en) | 2012-12-17 | 2014-09-23 | Litepoint Corporation | System and method for parallel testing of multiple data packet signal transceivers |
| US8842552B2 (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2014-09-23 | Litepoint Corporation | Method of facilitating testing of multiple time-division-duplex (TDD) data packet signal transceivers |
| US10748523B2 (en) | 2014-02-28 | 2020-08-18 | Ultratec, Inc. | Semiautomated relay method and apparatus |
| US10389876B2 (en) | 2014-02-28 | 2019-08-20 | Ultratec, Inc. | Semiautomated relay method and apparatus |
| US20180034961A1 (en) | 2014-02-28 | 2018-02-01 | Ultratec, Inc. | Semiautomated Relay Method and Apparatus |
| US20180270350A1 (en) | 2014-02-28 | 2018-09-20 | Ultratec, Inc. | Semiautomated relay method and apparatus |
| US10878721B2 (en) | 2014-02-28 | 2020-12-29 | Ultratec, Inc. | Semiautomated relay method and apparatus |
| US11539900B2 (en) | 2020-02-21 | 2022-12-27 | Ultratec, Inc. | Caption modification and augmentation systems and methods for use by hearing assisted user |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3507997A (en) * | 1966-08-22 | 1970-04-21 | Robert H Weitbrecht | Frequency-shift teletypewriter |
| US3896267A (en) * | 1973-09-21 | 1975-07-22 | Phonics Corp | Telecommunications system for the hearing impaired utilizing baudot-ascii code selection |
| DE2749923B2 (en) * | 1977-11-08 | 1981-07-16 | Hörgeschädigten Technik Münster GmbH, 4400 Münster | Device for written communication via the telephone network, in particular for the hearing impaired |
| US4959847A (en) * | 1989-04-05 | 1990-09-25 | Ultratec, Inc. | Telecommunications device with automatic code detection and switching |
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| US5121421A (en) * | 1990-12-13 | 1992-06-09 | Alheim Curtis C | Interactive telephone communication system for hearing-impaired person |
-
1993
- 1993-05-19 EP EP93911361A patent/EP0596079B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-05-19 AT AT93911361T patent/ATE194900T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-05-19 WO PCT/US1993/004760 patent/WO1993023947A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-05-19 AU AU42524/93A patent/AU4252493A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-05-19 CA CA002113840A patent/CA2113840C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-05-19 DE DE69329054T patent/DE69329054D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-11-19 US US08/155,061 patent/US5517548A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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| EP0596079A1 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
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| EP0596079B1 (en) | 2000-07-19 |
| US5517548A (en) | 1996-05-14 |
| WO1993023947A1 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
| AU4252493A (en) | 1993-12-13 |
| ATE194900T1 (en) | 2000-08-15 |
| DE69329054D1 (en) | 2000-08-24 |
| EP0596079A4 (en) | 1995-05-17 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |