Thread Subject: 2.2-C - Audio Connection

Note

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From: Gregg Vanderheiden
Date: Fri, Jan 04 2008 2:10 PM

Rex and I met today (after all the other TEITAC calls) and finished off our
2.2-C assignment as well.



If this is too late for any deadlines - then it is available next week when
the topic comes up



Here is a version #4 that incorporates the comments made in the meeting.



The changes are



1) The lead in statement has been changed to incorporate the word
"information"

2) Item #1 has been changed so that it only applies to public phones

3) #3 was changed so that it required a hardwired adapter

4) An NEW #4 was added that allows wireless adapters if they are small,
have same battery life as the product, and can be paired without external
assistance (old #4 is now #5)

5) The application notes are adjusted to the new numbering and cell
phones are added.



We THINK this addresses all the issues including the cited problems with
Bluetooth and similar wireless adapters with the possible exception that it
requires people with disabilities to purchase such an adapter. But they are
generally not high cost





The final text now reads:


2.2-C - Audio Connection


When products provide information via auditory output beyond simple tonal
feedback or signaling, one of the following must be true:



1. Conforming Handset: It is a product designed for public use and auditory
output is available via audio transducer that is designed to be held up to
the ear that meets 2.2-A (Magnetic Coupling), 2.2-B (Interference with
Hearing Device), and 2.2-E (Volume - gain) and product does not require
simultaneous use of keyboard; or



2. Phone Jack: A standard 2.5mm or 3.5mm audio jack for headphones/headsets
is provided or



3. Any Hardwire Connection with Adapter avail: Product is a not designed to
be located in a public location and a hardwire adapter from the product's
audio output format to a 2.5mm or 3.5mm phone jack is commonly available or
available from the manufacturer.



4. Wireless Adapter: A wireless adapter is commonly available or available
from the manufacturer that provides a standard 2.5mm or 3.5mm audio jack and
has similar size and battery life performance to the product and the user
has the ability to pair without assistance.



5. Public Display only: Product is designed for public audio or audio-video
display only and there is a standard audio output on the product-system
(which can be but does not need to be accessible to the public).



Note 1: RJ-9, RCA, USB, and hardwire connections all have commonly available
adapters. Products (not designed for public locations) with these or other
forms of audio connection that have adapters would meet 2.2-C-(c)



Note 2: Public Display systems need to meet other provisions in the
guidelines including the ability to display captions and supplemental audio.




Rationale submitted with version 3

* Public phones have amplification and coupling and that meets needs
of almost all users so shouldn't need a jack
* Audio output critical to use of kiosks and other products where user
needs to hear information from product in order to use it. (either usual
output or speech output
* Users should not be required to carry 'all' adapters with them so
public systems should not require them to have an adapter to use the product
(other than a simple 2.5 to 3.5 or 3.5 to 2.5 adapter)
* The RJ-9/RJ-10/RJ-11/4P4C (or whatever we end up calling it)
connector has adapters as does Bluetooth and RCA and USB. Note was added
since there was concern that unless in a note, purchasing agents may not
recognize it as allowable.
* Addresses the issue of "private listening' which is provided via the
standard handset.
* Kiosks with keyboards usually require blind people to have both
hands free.
* Addresses the key need for such a connection on kiosks - and that
audio connection be in a standard form that people who are blind will have
audio connector for.
* Addresses the need to have an audio connector somewhere on public
Audio or Audio-Video systems so that public assistive listening device
systems can be connected.

How it would apply

* Public phones would use (1 - Conforming Handset)
* Office phones would likely use (3 - Any Hardwire Connection with
Adapter Avail) but could use (2 - Phone Jack) or (4 - Wireless Adapter)
* Cell phones would likely use (2 - Phone Jack) or (3 - Any Hardwire
Connection with Adapter Avail) but could use (4 - Wireless Adapter) if
small, long life Bluetooth adapters become available.
* Computers with build in speech conversation could use (2 - Phone
Jack) which most have already or (3 - Any Hardwire Connection with Adapter
Avail) or (4 - Wireless Adapter)
* Kiosks without keyboards could use (1 - Conforming Handset) or (2 -
Phone Jack) or both.
* Kiosks WITH keyboards would have to use (b - Phone Jack) or, of
course, both (1 - Conforming Handset) and (2 - Phone Jack)
* Television sets would use (3 - Any Hardwire Connection with Adapter
Avail) or (5 - Public Display Only)
* Public address systems and Custom Designed public Video Displays
would use (5 - Public Display Only) which only requires an audio connection
they will already have.



We pass this back up to the committee for discussion.




Gregg & Rex

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