US 10,122,968 B1 · Method and system for using a video relay service with deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired called parties

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for enabling indirect person-to-person calls between deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired (D-HOH-SI) inmates in a correctional institution and D-HOH-SI called parties outside the correctional institution. A man-in-the-middle approach enables a complete separation of the inmate and called party, preventing any possible non-ASL communications between them, thereby ensuring the safety and security of inmates, called parties, and the public in general. Standard restrictions on allowed called parties are implemented, along with protection of confidential calls from being recorded. A first VRS system enables video communication between the inmate and the man-in-the-middle who is a sign language interpreter, while a second video communications system enables video communication between the man-in-the-middle and the called party. No direct video contact between the inmate and called party is allowed or required.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for making indirect video calls between a deaf, hard of hearing, and/or speech impaired (D-HOH-SI) user of a video relay service (VRS) system and a D-HOH-SI called party, comprising:

a first video link, including:
a first VRS client at a corrections facility for use by the D-HOH-SI user;
and
a second VRS client for use by a sign language interpreter (SLI);
and
a second video link, including:
a first video communications terminal for use by the SLI;
and
a second video communications terminal for use by the D-HOH-SI called party;
in which the D-HOH-SI called party and the D-HOH-SI user of the first VRS client cannot see each other during the VRS call.

7 more elements

A method for making indirect video calls between a deaf, hard of hearing, and/or speech impaired (D-HOH-SI) user of a video relay service (VRS) system and a D-HOH-SI called party, the method comprising:

providing a first video link, including:
a first VRS client at the corrections facility for use by the D-HOH-SI user;
and
a second VRS client for use by a sign language interpreter (SLI);
providing a second video link, including:
a first video communications terminal for use by the SLI;
and
a second video communications terminal for use by the D-HOH-SI called party;
initiating a VRS call between the first VRS client and the second VRS client;
initiating a video call between the first video communications terminal and the second video communications terminal;
communicating between the D-HOH-SI user and the SLI by use of sign language through the first video link;
and
communicating between the SLI and the D-HOH-SI called party by use of sign language through the second video link;
in which the D-HOH-SI called party and the D-HOH-SI user of the first VRS client cannot see each other during the VRS call.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for using a video relay service with deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired called parties

Life of this patent

Method and system for using a video relay service with deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired called parties

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21