A total communication solution

TM-PC PRO

TM-PC PRO is a complete video communication solution with embedded features specially designed for video relay centers (sign language interpreters) and video-call centers.

It is arguably the world’s most advanced video-agent system. It is based on Windows 10 or later – see the specifications at the end of this section. As a total communication solution (audio, video, real-time text), TM-PC PRO handles all types of multi-media communication.

VideoAudioReal-time Text Chat – and other features in crystal clear audio and video quality (CIF, VGA and HD video quality with 30 frames per second). Norway’s VRS uses TM-PC PRO in HD quality down to a 512 kbps bandwidth setting. The high video clarity combined with the high frames per second feature enables TM-PC PRO to consistently provide excellent reading of the end-user and the interpreter’s sign language.

We recommend the use of the free video player, VLC, in preference to Windows Media Player. You can download it here: www.videolan.org/vlc/. Real-time text chat with embedded audio, video and real-time text messaging automatically supports both the SIP based protocol called Reliable Text, promoted by the Post and Telecom Administration (PTS) in Sweden, and the international ITU-T.140/IETF RFC4103.

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TM-PC PRO has a built-in multi-party conference Unit (MCU) for up to six participants, with audio, video and text. The audio supports not only audio in SIP sessions, but also that of PSTN conference participants. This means the interpreter can freely mix parties in the same session as may be needed by the Deaf user. 

For example, the usual scenario is that the Deaf person, a hearing person and the interpreter (three people) are in the same session. With TM-PC PRO, all three can communicate with each other simultaneously. The conferencing point is in the TM-PC PRO workstation, not in an external MCU. The advantage is that if a Deaf customer is a late-deafened person who can speak but not fully understand sign language, that Deaf customer can speak, and through the interpreter workstation, their speech reaches the PSTN party, who can hear the Deaf person, and reply. The interpreter can type for the Deaf person in real-time chat, or interpret into sign language. This is an effective scenario because late-deafened users often want to use their voice in preference to signing.

TM-PC PRO allows a client to use personalized automatic video messages to answer incoming calls. A customer met by your greeting can choose to leave a private video message or a message in any communication format. Using this feature does not require a separate and often expensive server-based video-answer solution.

TM-PC PRO allows a user to invite participants to an MCU conference by calling them or by accepting calls from an MCU participant. It can also transfer the incoming calls.

In the default setting, the interpreter is never interrupted by other incoming calls if he/she, is already busy on a call. However, an exception can be set, for emergency calls, so that when a call comes from the platform identified as “emergency”, even if all the interpreters are busy, an interpreter can ask the current customer to be put back into the queue so they can process an emergency call. This flexibility means that a separate low-use emergency queue doesn’t need to be created for emergency calls.

TM-PC PRO can when required, mute the audio from all or some of the participants. 

TM-PC PRO has a unique MCU feature that allows real-time text chat during an MCU session. This means you can assist the Deaf user with video and real-time chat, while more people are included in the same session – sometimes an extra person needs to be added to the call, eg to answer an important issue. Additional conferencing capacity built in to the MCU gives full flexibility to handle many different types of special interpretation needs.

TM-PC PRO offers unparalleled ease of use with the proven ergonomic layout of our product portfolio. The layout has been developed in close co-operation with interpreters and end-users. The same layout is used on all T-Meeting clients with some functional differences.

TM-PC PRO has numerous speed-dial icons that can be replaced by photos.

TM-PC PRO can be used as a sophisticated text-telephone by a simple setting change.

TM-PC PRO users can originate or receive calls from all SIP-based video solutions, audio calls from cellphones or fixed lines when using the T-Meeting platform or other platforms that support calls to and from PSTN lines.

TM-PC PRO can include “audio only” participants during a MCU call together with video participants in the same call, while simultaneously keeping real-time text chat active for users who must have this option. This flexibility is of great importance for multi-media VRS/VRI centers.

TM-PC PRO has smart features like “lost participant in the MCU session”. For example, if a party loses their connection (eg through a mobile phone dropout), a new button pops up on the TM-PC Pro screen that allows the interpreter to call that person back and include them in the session again.

TM-PC PRO always shows which participants are in the session, and the interpreter can decide to close them all, or just certain parties.  The “Hang Up” button displays all parties currently connected to a conference so that when a party states that they are leaving the conference, the interpreter can verify the person has indeed hung up.

TM-PC PRO provides a DTMF signaling pass-through function. This functionality is useful when, for example, a Deaf person calls through the interpreter service to a banking service or any other PSTN party where the caller is required to disclose their PIN code or other sensitive personal data. In this scenario, the interpreter translates the request and the Deaf user presses DTMF choices on the dial pad of his/her T-Meeting end-user client. Those DTMF signals then pass through TM-PC PRO and are delivered to that service. The Deaf user does not need to reveal to the interpreter anything sensitive. Rather, they can enter DTMF choices by themselves. This is an important integrity feature that keeps a user’s PIN hidden from the interpreter.

TM-PC PRO has a built-in recording function that is smart and easy to use. It can be set to ON or OFF in default. It can record both PSTN parties and video-parties on the same screen so the recording can be used for education or later scrutiny. The information is saved locally on the TM-PC PRO.

If this feature is not allowed for regulatory reasons, it can be turned OFF permanently.

The flexibility required for real-world calls and conferences is virtually endless, and is based on extensive research in co-operation with interpreters and end-users. It pulls together the experience of different types of situations, and types of customer calls. However, while all of the flexibility inherent in TM-PC PRO is needed, there are no unnecessary frills.

  • End-users that were born Deaf usually have good sign language skills. However, they often prefer to use real-time chat for addresses and other precise information during a predominantly video communication session.
  • If a late deafened end-user wants to use their voice, TM-PC PRO supports their preference. 
  • For Deaf people with a visual impairment, both TM-PC PRO and the end clients offer a wide range of settings that match with a user’s eye condition, eg contrast for the color of the text and background color. By offering a huge number of color combinations, and adjustable font size they can set up end-user clients, just as an interpreter can set up his/her workstation, to settings that best suits the user. 
  • Deaf-blind users that use Braille (usually they are skilled in sign language) can call the center and be called by the public.  TM-PC PRO automatically delivers a preset welcome message recorded by the end-user as soon as contact is made using real-time chat. Their T-Meeting device is paired by Bluetooth to their Braille device so that they can “read” the text. Then they use sign language to the interpreter, the interpreter uses real-time chat to answer, and the Deaf-blind user “reads” the response in Braille. 
  • Deaf-blind users that don’t use Braille type to the interpreter, and the interpreter sends real-time chat back. This end-user group uses a very large font setting with specific color settings to be able to read the responses.

TM-PC PRO handles all types of Deaf user segments. T-Meeting believes people cannot be denied service because they have suffered a combination of disabilities during the course of their lives. TM-PC PRO and all of our end-user client products are inclusive of all groups that include Deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-blind, and speech-impaired.

TM-PC PRO can be used as part of a T-Meeting platform, or as workstations on another vendor’s platform because of its ever-increasing range of smart features and possibilities. This world-leading product will continue to be developed based on consumer needs.