Transcript Slide 1

Norman Williams
Senior Research Engineer
RERC on Telecomm Access at Gallaudet University
National 9-1-1
SMS Relay Center Update
June 21 2011
Covered Topics
 Accessing 911 by Deaf/HOH users.
 National 911 Relay Center Solution.
 Some GPS Solutions.
What Can Deaf/HOH
Wireless Users Do Today?
 Carry around a big TTY?
 Make a silent call (VOICE) and hope someone comes?
 Use an existing AIM relay (no location information) and
hope the relay center can find your PSAP?
 Use some video relay service apps on 3G network
(usually poor video quality).
 “Be patient” until NG911 solution appears?
Solution:
SMS TO A NATIONAL RELAY CENTER
SPECIALIZING IN 911 CALLS
 Wireless relay with location identification, using
phone’s built in GPS, could be an interim solution that
might be implemented faster.
 This suggestion is to supplement progress, not to
replace direct communication with the PSAP, which is
still the end goal.
Why this approach?
 Waiting too long for useful wireless access.
 One number nationwide.
 Supports what users use everyday such as SMS
texting. Using app for 911 only won’t be effective.
 Good coverage & stable technology.
 Any wireless phone can be used (All of them have SMS).
 Quick to implement for one national center.
 Minimize industry opposition.
 Get *something* going now.
Direct SMS to Nearest PSAP:
AIM &
others
IP
Cell
phone
SMS
SMS
PSAP
Store and forward server
Relayed SMS/Voice to Nearest PSAP:
911 RELAY
IP
SMS
Cell
phone
SMS
Voice
PSAP
Store and forward server
AIM &
others
Pros of National Relay Center
1. Communication Assistants (CA) would be trained to
handle these kind of SMS messages everyday.
2. Deaf users may have more confidence in this system.
3. May be the quickest way to establish service, as a
single company could do the development.
4. Carriers do not need to do special SMS routing.
5. Works with all PSAP centers (voice calls).
Pros of National Relay Center
6. Less risk of prank calls because of unadvertised special
number and users may be required to register with a
relay provider first just like TRS and VRS now.
7. May be the cheapest overall solution.
8. Centralizes technical implementation.
9. Can expand to other media modes such as VRS
provided videophone calls, AIM, Google Talk, MSN, etc.
Some Disadvantages
1. Senders must know special number for nationwide 911 SMS
Relay, such as 911911.
2. Delays -- unknown how long it would take CAs to identify and
connect to the PSAP.
3. SMS is not real-time – conversation take place in chunks of
messages, messages could arrive out of order.
4. If under ADA Title IV, would require FCC action before R&D
would begin.
5. Still no direct communication with 911 PSAPs.
GPS Technology Overview
Many new phones do have GPS built in. They are used
for different purposes:
1. Driving directions.
2. “Find me” for sharing locations with friends/family.
3. To help find lost phone.
4. Google map to find nearest business.
5. Photos are GPS tagged for photo locations.
6. Most importantly, 911 voice calls.
GPS Technology Overview
GPS location is done though:
1. Tower based location (fast but less accurate).
2. Built in GPS (slower, but more accurate) for outside.
3. Hybrid of tower and built in GPS. The iPhone uses
this technology.
Three ways to get user location for this project:
1. HTML5 web browser using geolocating support.
2. Use a FIND MY PHONE helper application which
will automatically sends location by SMS.
3. User will manually explain where they are if they
cannot use a GPS or do not want to use it.
GPS Technology using HTML5
HTML5 Geolocating Process:
1. Center sends a SMS message to user. A web link is in
the SMS message.
2. User clicks on it and it will automatically go to a web
browser.
3. Location sharing permission pops up. User allows it.
4. HTML 5 web page on mobile transmits GPS location
to the center including accuracy info (i.e. 50 meters).
5. Center server creates Google map based on given
GPS and sends map picture to user and center agent.
6. User is asked to switch back to SMS program to
continue discussing.
GPS Technology using HTML5
Mobile Platforms:
 iPhone & iPad: Supported.
 Android: Supported.
 Blackberry OS 6.x and up: They have HTML5 and is being
tested.
 Blackberry OS 5.x and older: The 5.x and older OS are not
supported for HTML5.
 PC and Mac computers: Supported when WIFI is turned on
(The WIFI does not have to be connected to a network, just
leave it turned on).
Some users turned off GPS location for HTML5 web
browsing which could cause problems. Practicing monthly
may help.
GPS Technology using HTML5
 The users need to be familiar with both web browsing
and texting in SMS. Many users already are.
 For the web browsing, the users should practice
geolocating with it such as finding current location in a
Google map web page. So they can learn how to
handle and test location permission prompts.
 The familiarity of clicking web links in text messages
and handling hops between SMS and web browser
apps should be practiced.
 Once the users do that, they can comfortably use 911
SMS Relay with GPS support and obtain help.
 HTML5 Geocaching works with AIM, emails, and other
text messaging technology not just to SMS.
GPS Technology using Application
Install FIND MY PHONE type of software: An alternative to
HTML5 solution. It automatically replies back SMS
messages with user’s location if the received messages
has password in it. Registration with the center is needed.
Mobile Platforms:
Android: Supported. Plenty of apps that helps owners to
find their phones.
Blackberry: Supported but untested. Plenty of apps that
helps owners to find their phones.
iPhone & iPads: Not supported. The OS does not allow
3rd party apps to access to SMS communications. HTML5
can be used instead.
GPS Technology using Application
FIND MY PHONE type app will watch for a special code in the SMS
messages. The mobile may not use the Internet in this process.
Any
Center
GPS
Cell
phone
Dialog
SMS
Dialog SMS
Hidden SMS
for GPS
Hidden
SMS for
GPS
SMS
store &
forward
server
GPS Technology Overview
 Users need to have monthly practice to build confidence
of using location technology.
 No perfect one size fits all GPS solution, but it is better
than no access at all for Deaf and HOH until all PSAPs
are equipped with NG911 which is still several years
away.
Demo of HTML5 based GPS
Work in Progress
 Designed as proof-of-concept.
 Switching to dedicated 10 digits SMS server for faster
interaction.
 Wrote agent/server software & HTML5 web link.
 Using shared commercial SMS Gateway service (a
cheap one).
 Need to work with voice side to relay SMS to PSAP. One
VRS provider is interested in this. They have been doing
911 voice calls for VRS callers.
Acknowledgments
 This document was developed under grants
H133E040013 and H33E090001 (RERC on
Telecommunications Access) from the National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).
 However, these contents do not necessarily represent the
policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you
should not assume endorsement by the Federal
government.
 This is a company-neutral project, and does not receive
corporate funds.