Shelli D Feigenbaum

US Patent:

20030072420, Apr 17, 2003

Filed:

Oct 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/976721

Inventors:

Shelli Feigenbaum - Commack NY, US

International Classification:

H04M011/00

US Classification:

379/052000, 379/088040

Abstract:

A system and method for enabling telephone network subscribers using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) to communicate with other network subscribers lacking such a device. The TDD user dials a number that connects them with an automatic relay switch (ARS). The ARS determines the intended recipient of the call and establishes a connection to them. The TDD user then transmits a message in TDD format to the ARS, which converts it into an ASCII text file that is in turn provided to a text-to-speech (TTS) engine that synthesizes a voice message from the text file. The voice message is then sent to the non-TDD-enabled subscriber. The ARS then preferably prompts the non-TDD-enabled subscriber to enter a response. The response may be made by voice communication or by using the telephone keypad to send dual-tone multi-frequency tones back to the ARS according to instructions that were provided to the called party for this purpose. The instructions may take the form of a menu of options that is either standard or customized according to instructions previously received from the TDD user. The ARS process the response, converting it to a TDD format and transmitting it back to the TDD user.