So, what do we have? A 300 baud modem with an acoustic coupler.

Various switches and connectors labeled on the console. They are written in both english and in old-school DYMO braille. So the device is designed to be operated by both sighted and blind people. But definitley adapted for use by the blind.

Picture 5 has a switch for Operate/Test modes. The second switch in the picture is for Ans/Orig mode. We can guess that the device could be used for both originating calls and answering calls.

The grouping of the white keys in picture 2 confused me for a little while, but I recognize now that they could be a braille input device. (Perkins) Braille typewriters have a 3-1-3 grouping to produce the six dots that make up a character. The middle character is used to advance the printer head. That doesn’t explain the leftover rectangular button in picture 4, but when you look towards modern devices used for braille input, the modern Perkins-style keyboard consists of 4-1-4 key groupings.

So, lets start guessing. The keyboard port takes what appears to be a 15 pin DSub connector. Not particularly helpful. Unless, of course, you were working in diagnotics, and were not trained in braille. On the other hand, the keyboard attachment could be used as an external braille device. (Refreshable braille display)

Taking a guess, I would say that the device is a relatively early Braille TTY device. Normally, blind people can pick up the phone and call anyone. That doesn’t work if you can’t speak or hear. So, my guess is that the device is designed to be used as a communication device for someone who is both deaf and blind.

A google image search for Telesensory TeleBraille TTY showed what this device possibly evolved into.

As to the history of the device, the use of the Novation modem puts us in the late 70’s/early 80’s range. source

The braille definitely is the biggest clue IMO. Image #4 appears to be where one would place their finger and the pins would come up to create a braille character. The ANS/ORIG switch determines whether the modem is in call or answer mode. The TEST/OPERATE is just that, most likely allows for the testing of the mechanical portion of the unit by echoing what characters are typed on the keyboard. UPTIME, perhaps a timeout or how long the pins “stay up” to represent the braille character. I believe the three white buttons on each left/right side of the unit represent the three pins on each side of the unit that creates a braille character.

This is my best guess at the current time.

Clearly the “device” was a pile of FAIL. Or maybe the guy behind the device…