Archived: FY 1999 PHASE II AWARDS

A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

FY 1999 Phase II Awards

SPONSORING OFFICE:
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Project Title:	A Computer Program to Emulate TTY Communication
Firm Name:	Institute for Disabilities Research and Training, Inc. 2424 University Boulevard, West Silver Spring, MD 20902
Principal Investigator:	Carl Jensema (301) 942-4326
Award:	$250,000

Abstract:
The text telephone system most commonly used by deaf people in the United States relies on five-bit Baudot code transmitted at 45-baud. This has required special equipment, a TTY or a TTY modem, that costs between $200 and $500. The cost of TTY hardware tends to limit TTY communication to those who use it frequently and consider it worth the investment.

Phase I demonstrated that it is now possible to emulate TTY communication on a personal computer using software alone. Rather than generating tones using special hardware, the tones for each Baudot character can be stored in audio waveform files and transmitted as needed. Similarly, incoming tones can be recorded into a computer and analyzed mathematically to identify the Baudot characters received. A personal computer with this software will be able to communicate with the Baudot TTY equipment currently used by the Deaf community.

Phase I developed a simple communications program that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of using standard personal computers to communicate with TTYs using software alone. Phase II will refine the techniques used, produce a marketable Baudot TTY program for personal computers, and develop a programmer's tool kit for adding Baudot communication to other programs.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
Phase I clearly showed that a standard personal computer could communicate with TTY equipment. Phase II will develop a comprehensive telephone communication program for personal computers and a programmer's tool kit for adding TTY capabilities to other communication programs. In Phase III these programs will be marketed.

ADA requires businesses and government agencies to have telecommunications access for people who are deaf. Most such businesses and agencies already have personal computers. The products to be developed could provide a very economical way to meet ADA requirements. This could be an extremely large market.

[PC-based Interpreter]