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The following data was collected during the stakeholder forum
and summarizes the comments of forum participants.
- Need to be able to have private small group conversation.
- Need infrared system for everyday, free-flowing multi-speaker, multi-listener environments (i.e. social events, family situations, public meetings, group dinner conversations, etc.)
- Need privacy in multi-speaker, multi-listener situations (i.e. eliminate "bill boarding" effect)
- In multi-speaker, multi-listener situations, need to quickly know who is speaking without having to look around room
- Need to be able to communicate one-to-one in a noise free Bell Jar (i.e.
isolate the listener and the speaker in a "noise free cone")
- Need a convenient way to maintain the power supply.
- Infrared system applications (e.g. courtrooms, cinema, live theatre, guided tours, self-guided tours, signage, etc.)
- Infrared systems can be used in aircraft, hospitals and other environments where FM systems can't be used.
- Need to be able to use Infrared systems outdoors.
- Infrared systems can be used for enclosed situations (such as depositions, etc.) where you need privacy.
- IR systems need to look more natural (e.g. part of eye glasses, piece of jewelry, etc.)
- IR systems should be able to receive multiple frequencies so that receiver
can be used in "different areas."
- IR receivers need to have a simple "switch" for user to select frequency
- needs to be very easy to find right frequency.
- A "switch" to select frequencies would be a lot better than a tuner.
- If you build a smaller receiver - people will by it. Receiver controls
cannot be miniature - otherwise elderly persons will not be able to use
the device.
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- Standards for infrared transmissions are no longer followed.
- Single speaker / multi-listener systems require a powerful wide-pattern infrared transmitters - especially outdoors.
- Infrared systems cannot (practically) be used outdoors in daylight (note: Talking Signs, Talking Lights and military infrared systems were noted for improved daylight capabilities).
- Single-speaker / multi-listener infrared systems are generally simple to set up.
- Multi-speaker / multi-listener infrared systems are complicated to set up - lots of microphones and wires.
- Infrared receivers generally need to be in the line-of-sight of the IR transmitters (e.g. outdoors).
- Infrared transmitters are often not placed in the best location (i.e.
leave reception "dead spots" in the environment)
- Extra infrared transmitters are sometimes required in order to eliminate reception dead spots.
- Most infrared systems (excepting portable / body worn transmitters and receivers) require an AC power supply.
- Portable infrared transmitters use a single diode and are very directional.
- Portable infrared transmitters work well for one-on-one communication in loud environments.
- Portable infrared transmitters are battery powered.
- Infrared systems (generally) require a line-of-sight between the transmitter
and receiver. When people are moving around, changing their position
and orientation - maintaining the signal path can be difficult.
- Infrared transmitter and receiver diodes can be scratched (note: some participants said that this wasn't a problem because protective coatings and covers are available).
- Infrared light is reflected by many surfaces.
- Surface reflection (of infrared light) can be an advantage - provided that the ambient infrared light is not to strong, infrared reflection can reduce the need for line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver.
- Line-of-sight requirements between the transmitter and receiver can be advantage - improve privacy.
- Infrared systems (within infrared opaque "walls") are secure/private
- no one can listen outside the room in which infrared system is being
used.
- Infrared systems (within infrared opaque "walls") don't have spillover
problem - systems can be used in adjacent rooms.
- Infrared systems used at night (without intervening barriers) can interfere with the signal of nearby transmitters - signals carry a lot farther at night.
- Infrared systems are (relatively) more secure/private than FM systems (any tuned FM receiver can pick up signal) and inductive loop systems (any T-coil receiver can pick up inductive signal in looped or spillover region).
- Infrared systems are immune to electromagnetic and inductive interference that affect FM and inductive loop systems.
- Fluorescent ballast frequencies are at 45 kHz and 120 kHz. As a result
of Federal mandates, 120 kHz ballasts will be phasing out in next ten
years.
- Fluorescent lighting produces infrared noise (first harmonic of 45 kHz ballast frequency) for infrared systems (i.e. those infrared systems using 95 kHz carrier frequency)
- Fluorescent lights can be covered with an infrared absorbing material that is transparent to visible light.
- Several multi-channel (multi-frequency) infrared systems are readily available, but they are very expensive.
- Infrared systems use commercially available "off-the-shelf" components
(designed for different applications) that have sub-optimal performance.
- Infrared receivers now use broadly tuned diodes. Broadly tuned receiver
diode is more subject to infrared interference.
- Strong infrared transmitters can interfere with the infrared receiver of other electronic devices such as the Sony large screen video projector or TV remote control.
- Infrared transmitters are available that can be connected directly to televisions and radios (phono output jack).
- Infrared systems for in-home applications are generally inexpensive.
- Audio quality for infrared listening systems is generally very good.
- Transmission overlap (e.g. from two or more transmitters positioned too closely) can cause signal distortion.
- Transmission multi-path interference (signal travels two or more paths of different length to receiver) can cause signal distortion.
- Infrared systems for large area applications use a single transmitter
panel with lots of diodes OR a number of smaller panels in multiple locations. The
second approach works well if you don't have a lot of multi-path distortion.
- Infrared systems can be used in environments (e.g. hospitals, airplanes) for which FM systems are unsuitable (e.g. electromagnetic interference sensitive environments).
- Disney World has infrared transmitters all over the park IR that use
the same transmission frequency. These transmitters don't interfere (probably
because transmission power dies-off in the intervening space).
- Universal infrared / FM receiver was in the market. Participants felt that its FM receiver didn't work well and that its "active microphone" was difficult to use when two or more persons were talking. Product
was also considered to be too expensive.
- Evolution of infrared systems has been influenced by the development of television remote controls.
- Multi-channel (multi-frequency) infrared systems are used for multi-language transmissions (e.g. United Nations).
- Many infrared systems for the classroom applications have a problem - the teacher is stuck near (connected by a wire to) the transmitter.
- JVC has a wireless system that is suitable for classroom applications. The speaker carries a portable, short-range infrared transmitter and can move anywhere within the room. Receivers are in each corner of the room. They feed the signal to a powerful infrared transmitter (using a different frequency). Listeners all have portable receivers. System works very well. Problem
- a two-channel system costs about $2000 and has to be installed.
- A blind person can record with hand-held infrared receiver from Talking Signs.
- Seaworld uses infrared systems whose receivers are (apparently) undamaged by the salt air.
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- Specialized components (e.g. narrow spectrum receiver diodes) are needed in order to achieve optimal system performance (e.g. immunity to infrared interference).
- Need special purpose modulator integrated circuit for infrared transmitter (FM modulators are now used for IR systems).
- Infrared systems should be immune to interference (eliminated or greatly
reduced) from the infrared emissions of fluorescent lighting systems.
(Note: a number of remedies were suggested including "narrowly-tuned transmitter and receiver diodes," improved
noise filtering, used of a different infrared carrier frequency and having
the fluorescent lighting industry adopt a new ballast frequency standard.)
- Infrared transmitters for systems used on aircraft should have a relatively short range (i.e. enable one-on-one communication without interfering with other users.)
- Infrared systems (for one-on-one and small group discussion) should
have the ability to isolate the speaker and listener in a "noise free cone" (imagine speaker and listener in a Bell Jar - ability to capture input "properly.")
- Infrared systems (for one-on-one and small group discussion) should
eliminate "bill boarding" effect (e.g. persons at nearby "tables" listening in on conversations). Some
participants suggested that a tightly directed (narrow) transmission
would not provide sufficient privacy - persons at a nearby table might
still pick up the signal.
- Infrared systems should use carrier frequency that will not be interfered
with (e.g. increasing carrier frequency from 95 kHz to 2.3 MHz)
- Receivers should work for all (makes and models) of transmitters.
- Infrared receivers should be multi-frequency (e.g. readily identify and receive transmissions for some set of predefined frequencies).
- Users should be able to select from among different transmitter frequencies.
- Infrared receivers should be able to detect and lock onto the transmitter frequency.
- Infrared receiver (for multi-speaker systems) should indicate who is speaking - user should not have to look around to see who is speaking.
- A Universal FM / infrared receiver should be developed (i.e. need to minimize equipment - people with a profound hearing loss are required to carry a lot of equipment.)
- Infrared transmitters should have signage (e.g. ON/OFF sign) indicating
when system is on (Note: This is important for users - if the system
is "ON" and nothing is being received then there is a problem.)
- Infrared systems should function in daylight (note: typically it is
not practical to use infrared systems outdoors because of the infrared
energy in sunlight. Participants believed this was primarily a receiver problem. For
this reason FM and inductive loop systems are more commonly used outdoors.)
- Infrared systems should be developed for use in and around water - in swimming or water aerobics classes you can't hear the instructor.
- Infrared systems have many potential (unrealized) applications (e.g. cinema, live theater, etc.); where privacy or signal spillover is a concern (e.g. court depositions, banking, etc.); where FM and infrared loop systems are precluded (e.g. hospitals, airlines).
- Infrared systems for multi-speaker / multi-listener applications (e.g.
for business meetings, small group social gatherings) should be less
complex (currently these systems use lots of microphones and wires. System
setup impacts performance.)
- Receivers for multi-speaker / multi-listener infrared systems should indicate who is speaking (e.g. visual indicator).
- Infrared transmitters and receivers should be compatible with other electronic devices (e.g. connect infrared transmitter to TV or radio, connect receiver to tape recorder).
- Microphone should provide a low noise input to the infrared transmitter (i.e. signal quality at the receiver is limited by the input quality)
- Infrared receivers should be simple (easy to use) in order to be accepted by elderly users.
- More powerful transmitter diodes should be found for large-area infrared systems.
- Highly tuned diodes should be found for infrared receivers.
- Listening systems built around the Blue Tooth Standard (a multi-channel spread spectrum wireless communication standard) may provide the same security as an infrared system (plus additional benefits)
- Portable (body-worn) transmitters and receivers need to be smaller and lighter - current units are bulky, unaesthetic and interfere with vigorous physical activity.
- Body worn transmitter diodes should have low power consumption.
- Smaller batteries should be used for body worn transmitters and receivers.
- Infrared systems should address listening enhancement for persons with
or without hearing impairment (e.g. at philharmonic concerts, many infrared
receivers are used by persons with normal hearing in order to better
enjoy the music. Defined in this way, the market for infrared systems
may be much larger).
- Infrared transmitters, receivers and controls need to be standardized
and universally compatible (i.e. user should be able to take their receiver
anyplace and have it work with any receiver. Currently, receivers are
matched to specific transmitters).
- Infrared receivers should come down in cost and be owned by individual users (Note: some participants commented that the private sector doesn't purchase glasses for people. Why should they be required to provide people with receivers?)
- The user should take their infrared receivers with them from place to place (more convenient than having a receiver provided to the user at each location).
- Infrared systems should not interfere with other devices/products using infrared communication (e.g. television remote controls).
- Some participants believed that the infrared receiver should only have an ON and OFF control but not have a volume control (it was suggested that volume could be preset by an audiologist).
- Some participants believed that users should control volume with a credit-card sized remote control.
- Crossover markets should be identified for the batteries used in portable infrared transmitters and receivers (drive down costs through economies of scale).
- New markets (e.g. cinema, public address, theatre, secure, private, tours, etc.) should be identified for infrared listening systems.
- Televisions are always on at bars - it should be possible to have inexpensive receivers to listen to the television even though the sound is turned off (can also be done on planes).
- Infrared receivers should be compatible with headphones and also interface with hearing aids through a DAI or inductive neck loop.
- Comfort, convenience, and aesthetics should be considered in the design of infrared receivers (e.g. keeping wire untangled, integrating the receiver into jewelry (e.g. cufflinks) and headphones).
- Infrared receivers should be smaller and more attractive - currently "big black box hanging from your neck"
- Infrared system manufacturers should work with the lighting products industry in a collaborative and cooperative fashion (currently not happening)
- Consortium of relevant manufacturers (fluorescent lighting, computer, infrared listening systems, . all stakeholders in technology) should define carrier frequencies for infrared systems.
- Infrared system manufacturers should (work to) get reserved carrier frequencies for infrared listening systems.
- Infrared receivers should be incorporated into cell phones - you wouldn't need a separate infrared receiver (problem - interface with hearing aid would require an inductive loop or alternative)
- Waterproof infrared receivers should be developed for in-water applications (e.g. swimming, water aerobics, etc.)
- Infrared receivers should have adjustable range of reception. Short
range would be very useful for small group communication. Long range
would enable the user to hear someone speaking across the room.
- Improved battery technology is needed for infrared transmitters and receivers - reduced size, increased time between recharge, increased capacity, etc.
- Infrared receiver should be "immune" to light pulses (e.g. camera flashes,
strobe lights, etc.).
- Infrared receiver should employ improved signal processing and filter
techniques (e.g. improve sensitivity, decrease interference from sunlight,
immunity to "light pulses," etc.)
- Infrared systems for multi-speaker / multi-listener applications should take a multi-frequency approach or an approach based on controlling the signal path (i.e. directionality and range)
- There should be a more natural way to "aim" the infrared receiver (e.g.
attached to eyeglasses, or a piece of [head worn] jewelry).
- Infrared system should have "front-end circuit" that reduces the effects
of sunlight and allows the use of infrared systems outdoors in daylight
(participants referenced Talking Signs).
- Portable infrared transmitters should limit the amount of infrared
energy transmitted to just what is necessary - use a "smart diode" (Talking
Signs referenced).
- Receiver controls should be large and easy to use (very important for elderly users.)
- Sound leakage from the receiver should be minimized.
- Infrared systems for "broad-daylight" applications - may not be needed
if alternative communication link is acceptable.
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- Many businesses object to the operational procedure and cost of setting up assistive listening systems (setting up systems that may only be used by one individual in a movie theatre cuts into profits).
- System performance is dependent upon proper installation and maintenance. Users
are at the mercy of the public facilities.
- Public perception and acceptance - some theatre owners would like "hard of hearing" individuals
to be issued cards so that only hard of hearing persons would get the
reserved seating.
- System cost could be prohibitive if off-the-shelf components aren't used.
- ADA- 4% of the audience must have receivers available. This can be
ambiguous.
- Diode shot noise - receiver technology (e.g. Talking Signs) may be reaching theoretical limit without chilling the junction or finding alternative diode materials.
- Reduced receiver size, increased power consumption, etc. requires improved battery technology (e.g. don't want to shorten battery life, don't want to shorten time between recharging, don't want to dramatically increase battery cost).
- Social stigma - some hearing impaired individuals won't wear infrared
receivers because they don't want others to see the device. Receivers
must be cosmetically acceptable.
- Insurance companies often do not cover assistive listening systems - making them unaffordable for many people.
- Many innovations require that communication standards and protocols
be defined and implemented in products. Lack of these standards and protocols
is inhibiting technology development.
- Owning multiple assistive listening systems can be expensive. A large
portion of the assistive listening market are elderly and on fixed incomes. They
cannot afford multiple systems.
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- Military - has a lot of diode technology that would be beneficial to this technology... they have diodes that can transmit over 3 miles in the sunlight (Technology exists but it is classified and it costs a lot).
- Department of Defense agency is interested in transferring "narrowly-tuned diodes" into the private commercial sector. Diode
technology does not require further development costs from infrared system
manufacturer.
- Talking Signs - infrared system for the blind. Talking Signs has an
advanced front-end circuit that reduces the effects of sunlight (allows
use outdoors in daylight except when receiver is aimed directly at sun)
and smart transmitter diode. Hear and record information from Talking
Signs transmitter with hand-held receiver.
- Batteries can be recharged through telemetry - a "plastic gun" held
in front of the device and it recharges your battery.
- Department of Defense wants to transfer photonics technologies in order to drive down costs with only in-kind investment by manufacturer. Technologies available include smart diodes, advanced transmission technologies and batteries.
- The best battery technology is a dry lithium polymer - but this technology is not being released to the private sector yet (military applications only). Lithium polymer technologies with electrolytes are already in the market that are much better than the battery technologies now being used in assistive listening systems
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